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Vanderlyn Elementary Newsletter      
December 22, 2013
In This Issue
A Look Ahead
Principal's Message
Academic Bowl
First Grade Chair Needed
STEM Career Day
DCPC January Meeting
Parent Assisant Available
Dwyer's Adventure Camp
Find Community News on our Website
A Look Ahead
December
23-6        Winter Break   

January
7              School Resumes 
8              DCPC Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Principal's Message
Season's Greetings!

As we prepare for the winter holiday break, I wanted to take this opportunity to extend  to all of you a heartfelt "thank you" for all that you have done to support Vanderlyn's students, teachers and administration during the first semester of school. We had a very successful first semester of school packed with a lot of teaching and learning!

We celebrate the success of the first semester with the implementation of STEM across all grade levels. To support our initiative, our students have benefited through the PTA Annual Fund a new outdoor science classroom, a new multipurpose STEM lab and an upgraded technology lab with 35 new computers, 35 new laptops and more iPads to come!  Even better, we have managed to create a STEM Lab rotation for all students to experience as a part of our specials rotation. Our  students have enjoyed wonderful educational field trips, participated in Art and Track Club, EIM Dance, Academic Bowl, Math Olympiad, fine Arts performances and Chess Club just to name a few. Our Academic Bowl Team recently won 1st Place in the Academic Bowl Competition! As a part of our literacy initiative, we implemented the Principal's Book of the Month initiative (PBOM) and held our first ever Vocabulary Parade, which was featured in the Champion Newspaper (November 15 issue). This is indeed a great place for teaching and learning!

During this holiday season, as many of us are wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of last minute shopping and gift giving, it challenges us to keep the real meaning of giving in our minds.  We often tend to overlook things most important to us, like spending time with family and friends, and helping those less fortunate than ourselves.

As I walked through the school this week, the classrooms were busy with many holiday projects, and we culminated the year with holiday parties. I had the pleasure of visiting classrooms and reading the Principal's Book of the Month, The Giving Tree, to the students. We discussed the true meaning of giving and how it not only relates to the holiday season, but everyday living as well. While some may see visions of sugarplums, many people see gloom, despair and loneliness dancing in their heads. It is my wish that each of you take time to discuss with your children all the many ways that we are fortunate and find time to promote the gift of giving in some humanitarian way. Despite the rush that the holidays bring, please remember to take care of your physical, mental and spiritual health, spend quality time with family and friends, and enjoy the magic of the season.  May each of you embrace the season through the magic and wonder that can be found in the eyes of children, and may their innocence remind us to hold them closer and appreciate their gentle spirit, which is a gift to the world.

I wish you all Peace, Love and Joy!
Mrs. Crenshaw

P.S. A special thank you for all the holiday greetings and thoughtful acts of kindness. I am so blessed by your love and generosity.

 

Vanderlyn Wins Academic Bowl!
On Saturday, December 14 the Vanderlyn Elementary School Academic Team competed and won first place at the DeKalb County School District's Annual Academic Bowl at Stone Mountain Middle School. The team scored a total of 690 points, winning all five rounds of competition.  Sixteen teams from across the District competed in the elementary school competition, answering a variety of questions about current and historical events, famous people, mathematical problems, science and literature. Each of the sixteen teams participated in 5 rounds of competition, competing against a different school each time. The total points from all five rounds were calculated to determine the winner. Donyell Atkinson, the DeKalb County School District's Gifted Coordinator presented Vanderlyn Elementary School Vikings with the first place trophy after the competition. This year's winning team included the following students, Piranauaskaathan A., Jiya B., Adam B., Asmit J., Roma J., David M., Nikhil M., Anthony N., Vishaal R., Zain S., Haeyn S., and Adam S.. The team practiced once a week under the direction of coaches Brooke Card, Melinda Carroll, and Jason Sewell.  
The Academic Bowl team members will be honored at a luncheon and at the Vanderlyn Awards Day ceremony.  Our Principal, Tracey Crenshaw, will present the students with individual awards during the ceremony.   

First Grade Performance Chair Needed
A volunteer is needed to assist Coach Dwyer with the first grade production, which is scheduled to be performed on March 6, 2014.  This volunteer needs NO EXPERIENCE!  An individual is needed who is willing to support Coach Dwyer and the first grade teachers by coordinating class parents through email communications. This volunteer will also be hands-on the night of the event.  If you are relucant to tackle this fun position by yourself, grab a friend and bring him/her along for the fun!  Contact Laurie Branum at lauriebranum@yahoo.com to inquire.
STEM Career Day Needs You!

Vanderlyn Elementary is excited to announce the first STEM Career Day on February 25, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The purpose for this special career day is to provide our students with the opportunity to learn about STEM careers.  

 

We are in need of enthusiastic and dynamic STEM professionals that will share the intricacies of your occupation with enthusiastic young people. Feel free to bring visual aids and tools used in your occupation. The goal of this event is to have each career pathway represented and inspire students to continue their education in STEM related fields.  

 

If you are interested in sharing your occupation/career with our students, please contact Mrs. Lane, Counselor by December 13, 2013.  

 

We look forward to hearing from you!

DCPC January Meeting  

New Date: Wednesday, January 8
Time: 6:30 p.m., social and desserts; 7 p.m., meeting starts, panel discussion

Location:
Dunwoody High School
5035 Vermack Rd
Dunwoody, GA 30338

Topic: Preparing Your Child for College Acceptance

This meeting is geared towards middle and early high school students and their parents. We'll have a panel of representatives from local colleges and test preparation experts to answer all of your questions. They will also be giving tips for things you can do now to better prepare your child for college applications/acceptance in the years to come.

Parent Assistant Now Available
Parent Assistant is a secure, web-based student access information application that provides information on attendance, grades and more. For more details, go to the Vanderlyn website and click on Parent Assistant
which is located under the Parent Resources tab on the left. A webpage will open up with links to tutorials, the registration page, and the log-in page. Our goal is to have 100% of families register. Thank you!
Winter Adventure Camp
Coach Dwyer's Adventure Camps is hosting a Winter Breakout!

If you need some much - deserved rest after the holiday or your kids just need to release some energy and excitement, I have a treat for you!!!!

The theme will be Snowball Extravaganza aka Bombardment Bliss with extras, including Capture Ollie and Minute to Win It challenge games.

DATES:  Thursday, January 2 and Friday, January 3
TIMES: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (optional aftercare until 4 p.m.)
LOCATION: Kingswood United Methodist Church
COST:  $35 a day or $70 both days  (aftercare additional $30 a day or $60 for both days)

Please visit www.dwyersadventurecamps.com to sign up or complete and mail in registration to Kelly Dwyer, 1386 Orchard Park Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Community News:  What's Happening Around Dunwoody?

Be sure to check out Vanderlynpta.com website to discover opportunities in the area. You find fun family activities, fundraisers and sports activities! These items are posted regularly to our website as we reserve Viking Views for school-specific news.
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-William Wordsworth
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Vanderdash
Family Sponsorships

The VanderDash committee is excited to announce a new level of sponsorship!  Families who would like to support this event and our school may participate in the Family Sponsorship at a level of $100 (or more!).  This sponsorship level was created in response to many inquiries from Vanderlyn families that are enthusiastic about VanderDash but are not business owners. 

Family sponsorship will be acknowledged in several ways:
  • Listing of all Family Sponsors on the VanderDash webpage!
  • Listing of all Family Sponsors in the race bag!
  • Family listed on the VanderDash Viking Wall of Fame in the cafeteria from Feb.14-March 22, 2014
 
If your family would like to become a sponsor, download this form.  The VanderDash Committee appreciates ALL of our generous sponsors!  Any questions?  Email vanderdash@yahoo.com

Annual Fund
Thank you Vanderlyn Families! Our Annual Fund is at 66% family participation! Let's get to 100% participation.

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Yearbook Photos Needed
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Did you snap a great shot from the Blue Ridge Trip, Passport to the World or the Chick-fil-A Spirit Night?  The Yearbook Committee would LOVE your photos!

 

Click here to find out how to submit your photos to be the Yearbook Committee.

 

You MUST use your camera, as pictures from phones do not enlarge well.  

 

We are looking for shots with groups of kids!

 

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.
 
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
VikingViews@yahoo.com.  Photos must be in JPEG format and have parental approval or release.
 
Non-Vanderlyn Community Events may be included on the Vanderlyn PTA website.

Sincerely, 
Jennifer Nail 
Volunteer Viking Views Editor

Quick Links
VanderDash

 

Save-the-Date!

 

Saturday,  March 22, 2014 

 

 

Please Volunteer!  

Contact vanderdash@yahoo.com.

 

 

 

 

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