March banner
Vanderlyn Elementary Newsletter      
March 2, 2014
In This Issue
A Look Ahead
Principal's Message
Co-Presidents' Message
Modified School Calendar
GA Walk to School Day
Read Acros America Day
Gifted Program Survey
VanderDash Meeting and Sponsorship
PTA Survey
Field T-Shirt Design Contest
Kittredge Magnet School
Yearbook Photos
Minecraft Book Orders
Community News
A Look Ahead
March
5        Georgia Walk-to-School Day
7        Read Across America Day
20      PTA General Membership Mtg
22      VanderDash

Principal's Message
Student's Focus on the Future

Dear Parents,

On Tuesday, February 25, 2014, Pre-K through 5th grade students participated in Vanderlyn's first STEM Career Day, an event aimed at preparing students for post-secondary success. Students and teachers came to school dressed in career attire that that depicted STEM careers. Parents and local business representatives presented a wealth of career information to students through a variety of stimulating presentations. Vanderlyn hosted more than forty professionals from as many professions who took time to explain what they do, field some interesting questions, and inform students how STEM plays a role in their jobs.

By planting a seed in young children's minds about their future, presenters focused on how the STEM disciplines connect to real-world problems. Students also learned how personal and professional choices impact success. Business representatives from companies such as Emory, Children's Health Care of Atlanta, Center for Disease Control and FBI, just to name a few, shared important career tips with students. Presenters also described career titles such as physician, pilot, actuary, scientist, engineer and architect among many other STEM careers. Georgia Perimeter College, a STEM partner, sponsored a mini STEM Fair for our 5th graders as they navigated through science and math stations that engaged students in the Engineering Design Process. The students had an awesome experience as they made ice-cream in a zip-lock bag!

Career Day was designed to support the Vanderlyn STEM Initiative while increasing parental involvement and community engagement. As educators, we believe the members of our community serve as an important resource in the overall development of our students. In addition, we are extremely fortunate to have parents who support our quest to provide our students with opportunities that extend the learning beyond the classroom. I know that through our continued partnership, we can make a difference in the lives of our students. Together, we can ensure their success in the 21st century workforce.

Please know that STEM Career Day was STEMtastic, thanks to our awesome parent volunteers! We appreciate your continued support as we make every effort to provide our students with the necessary tools that will make them college and career ready. By providing them with early exposure to STEM disciplines, they will develop a life-long love of learning and be better prepared for subjects that will make them more marketable in a global society.

Your STEM Leader,
Mrs. Crenshaw
Co-Presidents' Message
Dear Vanderlyn Community-

This week we are asking for you to join the fun and support VanderDash by registering this weekend.  VanderDash is a large-scale event that requires a lot of effort from so many people, and they all have one thing in common: all of our VanderDash organizers are parents of Vanderlyn students and unpaid volunteers!

We can support these folks by registering for the race early.  This event is easier to plan and execute with early participation numbers.  So please don't delay!  And...if you register before March 4, you benefit from the early registration DISCOUNT! 

Click here to register

VanderDash is scheduled for March 22.  We always enjoys this day.  It's a great way to start the weekend, and you will be back home around 9 am.  Easy!

Thanks for your consideration and, as always, have a great week!

Julia LeDoyen and Christine Keleman


Modified School Calendar
The Dekalb County 2013-14 School Calendar has been modified to make up the days missed during inclement weather in January and February.  The last day of school will be May 23.  Click here to learn more details.

Georgia Walk to School Day 

Georgia Walk to School Day is Wednesday, March 5, 2014.

Walk to School day is coming up! A special incentive to walk will be going home in VIPs this week - please watch for it.  Remember your options if you live far away, but still want the benefit of walking:
  1. Crosswalk at the light of Mt. Vernon Way and Mt. Vernon
  2. Park at St. Luke's and use the crosswalk at the light of Manhasset Dr. and Mt. Vernon
  3. 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 stop traffic to cross Mt. Vernon to Stratham.
Be a part of it in more ways than just walking !  You can help with the event by putting stickers on the walkers as they get to school!  Please click here to check out "Walk to School" volunteer options if you are available to help.
Read Across America - March 7


Vanderlyn will celebrate Read Across America day on Friday, March 7.  Read Across America Day is an annual celebration of reading that falls on or near Dr. Seuss' birthday. If you are in the school, stop by the bulletin board outside the library and test your knowledge of Dr. Seuss books. The bulletin board will have silhouettes of characters from Dr. Seuss books.  Can you match the silhouette with the title of the book? No need to rush as the bulletin board will be up from Tuesday, March 4, until the end of the month. Dr. Seuss quotes and trivia will be shared during this week's morning announcements and all students are encouraged to wear pajamas to school on Friday.
Gifted Program Audit-Parent Survey
The DeKalb County School District wants your feedback regarding the district's Gifted Program. This survey will be available online to all parents from February 10, 2014 through March 10, 2014. 

 Click here to take the survey.
VanderDash 5K and Fun Run
VanderDash 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run Countdown!
Saturday,  March 22, 2014!

SIGN-up for the race!
Help your class win the class challenge!  Want to see who is in the lead?  Check the bulletin board across from the front office!
 

WE NEED YOU!  There are many ways to help with the VanderDash- this is a community-wide event and we can't do it without you!
 
Calling all Dads, Moms, Grandparents, Family and Friends (or those that need volunteer hours)
 
SIGN UP NOW FOR YOUR VOLUNTEER SPOT!!
Please sign up to help the week of the race and on our RACE DAY!!  Click on the signup genius link below to volunteer your time the week of 3/18 and/or on our 3/22 Race Day!!
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944ABA62BA02-vanderdash1

LAST COMMITTEE MEETING is March 4, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Leslie Frohman, 1711 Brandywine Ct.

Questions? Contact Leslie Frohman or Laura Dowling.
Who Cares What You Think?
The Vanderlyn PTA does! 

Take our 9-question survey on-line at
 https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RJKCCVZ

Your participation in this survey will be used to ensure that the PTA is meeting the expectations of our parents!
Field T-Shirt Design Contest
Please consider encouraging your student to design the 2014 Field Day T-Shirt for Vanderlyn.  Vanderlyn has a great tradition of featuring original designs on our Field Day shirts, and we need students to participate!

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

Please submit your entry to your homeroom teacher by Friday, March 7, and if you have any questions, please contact Linda McJunkin.

Kittredge Magnet School Math Tournament
Vanderlyn Elementary School will be participating in the Kittredge Magnet School first Math Tournament.  Students in Grades 4 and 5 are invited to compete in the Individual Event.   Third grade students are also welcome to participate in the Individual Event.  However, the level of difficulty is targeted for grade 4 and above.

TOURNAMENT DETAILS
DATE: Saturday, March 15, 2014
TIME: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
LOCATION: Kittredge Magnet School
REGISTRATION FEE: $15 per student for the Individual event.  
If you are interested, please register here-http://www.kittredgemagnetpta.com/kms-regional-math-tournament.html

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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
Did you snap a great shot from 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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Order Your Yearbook Now!
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Order your yearbook now! 

Attention:  New families and those who did not purchase a yearbook at registration...please order now to be sure your child gets a yearbook at the end of the year!  We are offering pre-sales only!  You may purchase a yearbook online by following these simple steps:  

The website is ybpay.lifetouch.com.
  • You will need a yearbook ID-3633314
  • Once you login to the website, you will put in the yearbook ID, click next.
  • The next page will ask for student name and grade, click next.
  • The next page will ask number of copies for the yearbook input qty, click next.
  • The next page will ask for billing info and cc info, click submit.
The website is very user friendly.  
Minecraft Book Orders

Minecraft Readers---your books are still coming!  Due to delays from Scholastic, the pre-ordered Minecraft books from the book fair will not arrive until mid-March.  They will be delivered to your child's classroom upon arrival.  This applies to for students who paid for these books at the book fair earlier this month.  Thank you to all for your support of the school through your participation in the fair!


Community News

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.