Vanderlyn Elementary Newsletter

September 29, 2013

In This Issue

A Look Ahead

Principal's Message

International Walk to School Day

STEM Night

Spirit Night - Chick-fil-A

Reflections Contest

Science Olympiad

DCPC Meeting

Find Community News on our Website

A Look Ahead

October

2 - DCPC Meeting, Huntley Hills Elementary

International Walk to School Day

3 - STEM Math Night, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

4 - Reflections Contest Entries Due

7 - CoGAT Testing, Grades 1, 3 & 5

10 - Chick-fil-A Spirit Night

Principal's Message

New Carpool Lane a Huge Success!

Our new carpool late #2 is has been a huge success! During the first week of implementation, we have reduced the original carpool lane traffic, alleviated the need for unauthorized drop-off of students down at the modulars and have reduced the number of tardies due to traffic. In fact, we are now able to finish both carpool lanes five minutes before the tardy bell! Thanks to all of you for following procedures that we have put in place to keep our students and staff safe and to ensure efficient operations. Just a reminder that carpool lane #2 is not open for drop-off until 7:20 a.m. which is after buses have unloaded. Also, be mindful that you may turn right or left into and out of the bus circle. Again, working together and following our safety procedures will continue to improve our morning carpool procedures and the flow of traffic in the Vanderlyn community.

Sincerely,

Ms. Crenshaw

International Walk to School Day -
October 2

Vanderlyn's second Walk to School day is this Wednesday! We had great participation last month - we can do it again. Just leave a few minutes early to gain the benefit of your child getting a little exercise before school. Remember: if you live on the opposite side of Mt. Vernon from Vanderlyn, you have some safe options to crossing Mt. Vernon.

Crosswalk at the light of Mt. Vernon Way and Mt. Vernon;
Park at St. Luke's and use the crosswalk at the light of Manhasset Dr. and Mt. Vernon; or
NEW THIS YEAR: if you live in Oxford Chase or Dunwoody Club Forest, use the sidewalks on the north side of Mt. Vernon to get to the crosswalk before the corner of Forest Springs Dr. (Dunwoody Club Forest entrance) and have Dunwoody Police help stop traffic to cross Mt. Vernon to Stratham!

STEM Night - October 3

Please join the Vanderlyn community for STEM Night on October 3 in the cafeteria. The event will be drop-in between 4:30 from 6:30 p.m. Students will have the opportunity to compete in fun math games and activities, win prizes, and enjoy snacks and drinks. STEM teachers, STEM committee members and volunteers from Georgia Perimeter College will be present to facilitate games and activities for students of all ages/grades, and everyone is invited to attend.

(Parents must remain with their children as this is not a drop-off event.) We hope you attend this fun and enriching event! For more information, contact STEM co-chairs Jennifer Green and Ashok Narayan.

Chick-fil-A Spirit Night

Plan to attend SPIRIT NIGHT at Chick-Fil-A on Thursday, October 10 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 15% of the purchases made by Vanderlyn families will be donated to the school. Chick-Fil-A is located at Perimeter Pointe next to Babies-R-Us. Don't miss this chance to spend an evening socializing with other Vanderlyn families while supporting the school!

Reflections Contest

The Reflections Art Program, a nation-wide contest sponsored by the National PTA, has been rewarding students for artistic excellence for over 40 years!

This year's theme is "Believe, Dream, Inspire". The deadline for entries is Friday, October 4 at 8:00 a.m. The Reflections Committee will be standing in the front hallway collecting entries that morning before school starts, so please bring all entries that day.

The Reflections committee will collect entries from those 5th graders who will be going on the field trip to Blue Ridge that morning as students board the buses for departure.

Contact Louisa Boss or Camilyn Germann

with any questions. Additional contest information, including mandatory entry form and packaging requirements, can be found on the Vanderlyn PTA website.

Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad will be kicking off early this year to prepare for the Dekalb County competition hosted by Fernbank. Science Olympiad provides opportunities for students to engage in creative problem solving activities while applying their knowledge of the science performance standards. The science events are an avenue to develop teamwork, to experience hands-on learning, to be curious, to be resourceful, and occasionally to be ingenious! The top winners continue to the state Competition in May.

TEAM SELECTION

The Science Olympiad is open to third, fourth and fifth grade students. Permission forms needed to be turned in by Friday, September 27. A team of 30 students and 3 alternates will be selected through a screening examination to be held on Monday, September 30 at 2:45 p.m. Parents of students who qualify in the screening exam will be notified by the Science Olympiad Committee on or before October 18.

Please be on the lookout for more information on the Science Olympiad Practice times and County and State Contests included in the VIPs. Additional information on the Science Olympiad and its history may also be found at http://www.soinc.org.

If you have any questions, please contact Kim Sims.

DCPC Meeting, October 2

The next Dunwoody Chamblee Parents' Council (DCPC) meeting is coming up on October 2 at Huntley Hills Elementary. Refreshments at 8:45 AM, meeting starts at 9:15 a.m. and is over by 10:30 a.m. Kathy Howe, the Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, will talk about Common Core Standards and Literacy. The address for Huntley Hills Elementary is 2112 Seaman Circle, Chamblee, Georgia 30341. Everyone is welcome!

Community News: What's Happening Around Dunwoody?

Be sure to check out Vanderlynpta.com website to discover opportunities in the area for summer fun and camps! These items are posted regularly to our website as we reserve Viking Views for school-specific news.

Quote of the Week

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go. -Dr. Seuss

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Annual Fund

Thank you Vanderlyn Families! Our Annual Fund is at 62% family participation! Let's get to 100% participation.

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Suggestions

If you have a suggestion, comment, question or idea for the Viking Views, please send it to vikingviews@yahoo.com.

Viking Views' deadline is 12 NOON on MONDAY for the same week's issue. When there is no school on Monday, submissions must be sent the Friday before by noon. All articles must be brief and in writing as an email or and email attachment (.doc file). Please send to

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Non-Vanderlyn Community Events may be included on the Vanderlyn PTA website.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Nail

Volunteer Viking Views Editor

Keep current

To stay current on all information throughout the school year, please consult the Vanderlyn School website, www.vanderlyn.com, and the Vanderlyn PTA website, www.vanderlynpta.org.

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Vanderlyn Elementary PTA

Yearbook Photos Needed

Did you snap a great shot from your child's classroom? The Yearbook Committee would LOVE your photos!

Please edit to your best 3 photos per event and send to esthercohenlevy@hotmail.com.

You MUST use your camera, as pictures from phones do not enlarge well. Please send
We are looking for shots with groups of kids!