Vanderlyn Elementary Newsletter

January 26, 2014

In This Issue

A Look Ahead

Teacher of the Year!

Thank You!

Book Fair

Vanderlyn Wins Helen Ruffin Bowl

4th Grade Production

VanderDash Meeting and Sponsorship

Field Day T-Shirt Contest

School System Fexibility

Find Community News on our Website

A Look Ahead

January

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

Congratulations to Vanderlyn's Teacher of the Year

Gypsy A. Savage!

First of all, I must say I'm honored to be a Teacher of the Year. I'm grateful to walk in this profession alongside such amazing educators. I wouldn't be the teacher I am today without the wonderful co-workers, mentors and leadership that I've been blessed with.

This is my fifth year teaching. I spent my first three years teaching and learning with kindergarten kiddos, and last year, I embarked on a new adventure and journeyed into third grade. Today, I explore Language Arts and Social Studies with some pretty amazing children.

In 2009, I graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. During my college years, I interned and completed my student teaching here at Vanderlyn Elementary and Peachtree Charter Middle School. I was fortunate to also have the opportunity to study in Norway for a brief period during my student teaching. After graduating, I was thrilled to begin my career at Vanderlyn.

It is my goal to facilitate a process where children can and will grow into themselves in a healthy, safe and positive environment. Helping children create opportunities to identify their own goals and reach their highest potential brings me incredible joy. I have high expectations for each of my students and myself. At the end of the day, I really just want children to feel comfortable and confident in life. My heart is to foster a love for learning, one they can carry into their futures, sharing themselves, their gifts and their passions with others. It is my intention to do the same.

A Special Thank You
from Mrs. Crenshaw

To all of our many volunteers that have assisted us during morning carpool, I would like to extend a hearty "Thank You" for braving the cold temperatures to make sure that our morning procedures continue to run smoothly. Please continue to support us in this endeavor as we anticipate one of the coldest seasons ever. There is no need to sign up, just come and assume a spot in either carpool lane. If the temperature is below freezing, we only ask that you remain outside for five minutes. Be sure to dress warm!

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!

Vanderlyn Wins First Place at Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl

After a long morning of 6 rigorous rounds of competition at Tucker High School, Vanderlyn Elementary was tied for first place with Marbut Theme School. The two schools competed in a tie-breaking round and Vanderlyn won! As a result of this win, Vanderlyn's team has advanced to the regional competition next Saturday, February 1st, at Clayton State University in Morrow, GA. Our winning team was made up of fifth graders Molly Fearney, Thomas Fairris, Vishaal Ram, Tyler Rush, (Renee Urtusastegui is a part of the team, but could not attend) and fourth graders Claire Mutert, Shashwat Bansal and Haeyn Seo. This is a phenomenal achievement and shows our students' high performance level and dedication to reading. With the support of their dedicated coaches, they have read numerous books and have endured extensive practices to prepare for the big event. Our coaches are to be commended for providing our students with a high level of challenge and rigor that is sure to provide them with a lasting love of reading.

Team Coaches:
Melinda Carroll
Gail Pansini
Sarah Turnbull

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.

VanderDash 5K and Fun Run

VanderDash 5k and 1 mile fun run KICK-OFF!

Come visit the VanderDash table at the Book Fair on Thursday, January 30, 2:30 to 7 p.m.

You can be one of the first people to register for this awesome race!

Drawings will be held for some free entries to the race as well as for some 2013 VanderDash Dri-fit t-shirts (sizes vary).

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

Questions? Contact Leslie Frohman or Laura Dowling.

Volunteers Needed NOW!

Please sign up to help with some early race preparations for our upcoming VanderDash! Click on the signup genius link below to donate an hour or two of your time over the next few weeks. Additional volunteer opportunities for the week of the race 3/18-3/22 will be coming soon!

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944ABA62BA02-vanderdash

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!

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.

Quote of the Week

Children are apt to live up to what you believe of them.
-Lady Bird Johnson

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Vanderlyn Elementary PTA

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.

Have you made your donation to Vanderlyn's Annual Fund?

Click here to donate today!

Yearbook Photos Needed

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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