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Vanderlyn Elementary Newsletter      
January 19, 2014
In This Issue
A Look Ahead
Parent University
Book Fair
4th Grade Production
Spelling Bee Winners
VanderDash Meeting and Sponsorship
Field Day T-Shirt Contest
Lunch Bunch Volunteers
School System Fexibility
Find Community News on our Website
A Look Ahead
January
20            NO SCHOOL, MLK Day
23            Parent University
28-30      Scholastic Book Fair

February
 5             DCPC @ Hightower ES, 8:45 a.m.
 6             Chick Fil A Spirit Night, 5 - 8 p.m.
13            Fifth Grade Performance, 6 p.m.
17            No School
25            STEM Career Day
Parent University
Parent University Logo


Introduction to Standardized Testing
and
The Gifted Identification Process

Thursday, January 23, 2014
6:00 p.m.
Vanderlyn's Cafeteria

Book Fair

The Winter Book Fair is almost here. 
Please mark your calendars for the following dates:
  • Tuesday, January 28, 2:30-5:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, January 29, 2:30-5:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, January 30, 2:30-7:00 p.m. 
There are lots of treasures waiting to be discovered at this fun family event.  Find new books, easy readers, chapter books, series favorites, and so much more.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to excite your child about reading and support the media center at the same time.

We need lots of volunteers to get this party started.  If you can donate your time, please visit the sign-up here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0949A4AD23A64-winter
 
Any questions: 
email Sheryl.bomar@gmail.com.

See you at the Fiesta!


4th Grade Production













The 4th Grade production of "The Wizard of Oz" is in need of a couple volunteers who are handy with tools to build two stage props, a Scarecrow Post and a Door for Dorothy.

So if you are handy with a drill or nail gun or have ever installed a new door, WE NEED YOU!
Contact the chairperson Cindy Tibbetts for more information.
Spelling Bee Winners
Congratulations to the following 4th and 5th grade students who participated in the Vanderlyn Spelling Bee on Thursday, January 9th, Daniel M., Kodhai D., David M., Jack G., Sarah H., Joe E., and Nitya Y. Each of these students competed and won in their respective homerooms, advancing on to the school competition. After many intensive rounds, Kodhai D. was announced the 2013-2014 Vanderlyn Spelling Bee winner.  She will compete at the district level in the near future. The runner-up was Sarah H. Congratulations to all of the participants!
VanderDash Meeting and Sponsorship
Vanderlyn VanderDash 6th Annual 5k and 1 mile Fun Run Committee Meeting and Sponsorship Opportunities!
 
Save-the-Date!
 
Saturday,  March 22, 2014

We need committee members to help our VanderDash Team plan our 6th annual Vanderlyn VanderDash. Volunteers can help days, evenings, and/or weekends!   
 
We have volunteer opportunities that can accommodate every schedule.  Be a part of this amazing school/community event!
 
UPCOMING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Jan 27, 2014 and March 4, 2014
Meetings will be held at 7:30 p.m.
at the home of Leslie Frohman - 1711 Brandywine Ct

 
Contact Co-Chairs Leslie Frohman and Laura Dowling to volunteer.

 
VanderDash Sponsorship Opportunities

 Thanks to our Title sponsor Pankey & Horlock, LLC!!

Would you like to be a part of an amazing community-wide event? VanderDash sponsorship is a great way to market your business to the entire Vanderlyn community, the greater Dunwoody community and to over 1100 participants!  To be a VanderDash SPONSOR please click here to complete the online sponsorship form on the PTA website! 
 
Please contact Leslie Frohman and Laura Dowling via email at vanderdash@yahoo.com. 

For more information about VanderDash and to check out all of our generous sponsors, go to www.vanderlynpta.com.

Field Day T-Shirt Contest 

Is your child interested in designing the 2014 Field Day T-shirt for Vanderlyn?  Now is your chance!!

Have your child create his/her design on an 8.5 x 11" white paper using a black marker.  Submissions must include the words:  Vanderlyn /Field Day /2014

Submit your entry to your homeroom teacher by Monday, February 17.  

If you haven't purchased your Field Day shirt yet and would like to, please reach out to Linda McJunkin. The final order for the t-shirts is rapidly approaching!
Lunch Bunch Volunteers
If you are looking for a great way to volunteer in the school and really get to know the kids in their element (eating!), then Lunch Bunch is for you!

We are in GREAT need of volunteers to work 45 minute shifts to help the kids during lunch. Your support through Lunch Bunch gives our wonderful teachers their much-needed break during lunch period and is part of the reason why Vanderlyn is a great school for teachers...parent commitment!

Volunteers can sign up at their convenience for whatever fits best with their schedule. Volunteer weekly, monthly, or even be on our list as a substitute only! If you are interested, please contact Susan Bolte or sign up for your preferred shifts now on SignUp Genius.  

Thanks for helping Vanderlyn and the kids in this important area of service!

Lunch Bunch Co-Chairs,
Susan Bolte and Michelle Moore


School System Flexibility and the DeKalb County School District
By June 30, 2015, all school districts in Georgia are required to notify the Georgia Department of Education as to how the district will take advantage of the flexibility options being provided by the state.  These options currently include becoming a Charter District, an Investing in Educational Excellence (IE2) District, or remaining a Status Quo District. Each option provides various levels of waivers from current Georgia laws and Department of Education policies and procedures.
 
The DeKalb County School District is currently reviewing these options, and a Flexibility Advisory Committee (FAC), comprised of over forty community members, business leaders, teachers, parents, principals, and central office staff, has been meeting in order to develop an executive summary to assist the Superintendent in making the recommendation to the Board as to which option would best benefit the children of the DeKalb County School District.
 
In order to further engage the public and provide for community input, the district will be hosting five community engagement sessions during the month of January.  These sessions will provide a greater overview of these flexibility options and allow for further involvement from our community. Anyone interested in learning more about these flexibility options and providing input into the decision-making process are encouraged to attend these sessions.
 
Region V Towers High School - Jan. 16, 6:30 p.m.
Region IV Lithonia High School - Jan. 22, 6:30 p.m.
Region II Lakeside High School - Jan. 23, 6:30 p.m.
Region III Stephenson High School - Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m.
Region I Dunwoody High School - Jan. 29, 6:30 p.m.

 Questions?  Contact Trenton Arnold by phone at 678-676-0671 or by email at  Trenton_J_Arnold@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us


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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Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge.  Let us dare to read, think, speak and write.

--John Adams
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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,  http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/vanderlyn/,
 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

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