In this issue:
PT Conferences
Staff vs Student BBall
BBQ Cookoff
Skate Night
Lost and Found
October Book
October Charter Traits
Go Swim Team
Craft Bazaar
BSU Engineering Day
Box Tops
Snow Team
Dual Credit, Scholarships and Fast Forward
Dates to Know
Every Day Counts
ABout VCS
PT CONFERENCES:
Kindergarten - fifth grade Parent Teacher Conferences will be scheduled by teachers during the evenings October 26th through 29th.  Email your child's teacher for specific questions.
 
Mrs. Ellis will be available October 27, 28, and 29 on the stage from 3:10-4:20 for drop-in elementary conferences for anyone with questions about music grades.  Mr. Ellis is available for conferences by appointment.  Please contact him through school email or phone to set up a conference if desired.
 
Sixth through twelfth grade Parent Teacher Conferences will be held from 3:30 -7 on November 5th and 6th in the gym. Scheduled appointments will be from 3:30-7 on Thursday, November 5th.  DROP IN conferences will be held on Friday, November 6th from 3:30-7.
STAFF VERSUS STUDENT BASKETBALL GAME:
The staff versus students Basketball game will take place at Middleton Middle School from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, October 29th. Mark your calendars! This is an event you do not want to miss!!!!! $5 entry fee at the gate.
 VCS BBQ COOKOFF!
Think you have what it takes to be the best grill master? Join us on October 29, 2015  from 5:30-6:30 pm at Middleton Middle School to show Vision Charter families your best barbecue dishes! There will be a $10 fee for anyone participating.  We will need at least 8 grillers for the competition.  One winner will be chosen based on how well Vision families (the judges) liked your dish.  You can also be a judge and taste all the great dishes for only $5 and cast your vote for the BBQ master.
Need help getting your grill there? No problem! Contact 208-577-0281 or email inthedirtagain@yahoo.com and we can help you get your grill there! Transportation MUST be requested by Tuesday, October 27.
  
  
 SKATE NIGHTS ARE BACK!
Mark your calendars for the following dates for Vision Charter School's Skate Nights at the Nampa Rollerdrome:
Monday, October 26 (Costume Party with Prizes)
Monday, December 14
Monday, February 8
Monday, April 11
Bring the whole family for a night of fun from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. 
$5 entrance fee //$2 rental fee
  
  
LOST AND FOUND:
Items still in our lost and found will be donated October 29th.
OCTOBER BOOK:
The School-wide book for October will be the Jungle Book. All costumes must tie to the Jungle Book. Students may wear masks, hair dye, or face paint as long as it is part of their character from the book. Classroom celebrations on October 29 will be based on celebrating the Jungle Book.
OCTOBER CHARACTER TRAITS: CITIZENSHIP AND COOPERATION
COOPERATION:
Cooperation is working together for the good of everyone. It is a willingness to respect others and follow rules which keep everyone safe and happy. Cooperation is being helpful to one another and sharing the load. It is joining others to do something that can't be done alone.
 
CITIZENSHIP:
Do your share to make your school and community better * Cooperate * Get involved in community affairs * Stay informed; vote * Be a good neighbor * Obey laws and rules * Respect authority * Protect the environment * Volunteer
 
VCS students are WELL EDUCATED, RESPECTFUL CITIZEN LEADERS!
 
GO EAGLES! SWIM TEAM MEET SCHEDULE:
Tuesday, October 27th: District Boise Y - starts at 9 a.m.
Friday, November 6th/7th: State Boise Y-  Warm ups - 12 p.m. Meet - 1 p.m
Maker Faire/Craft Bazaar:
Calling all Makers & Crafters! Beauty Bot and the Beasts, FTC Robotics team 2997, wants YOU as a vendor at our yearly Maker Faire/Craft Bazaar on Saturday, November 7th in the Vision Charter School gym!  Know someone who makes great stuff?! Invite them too! Details and sign up form at: http://www.ftcteam2997.org/
Exploring Futures in Engineering:
When: Thursday, October 29, 4-6 p.m. (Presentation starts at 4, tours from 5-6) Where: Boise State University Engineering Building, Room 110 * 1375 University Drive Parent attendance strongly encouraged! What: A program just for you! What's it really like to be an engineering student? Bring your questions for the Dean Amy Moll, a student panel, Advising, and Admissions Representative. Learn about scholarships, student clubs, living learning community, internships, research, and more!  Tour research labs in engineering, computer science, and construction management. How: Request a FREE parking permit by emailing laburusa@boisestate.edu For more information contact Leandra Aburusa-Lete at 426-4432 or laburusa@boisestate.edu RSVPs are highly encouraged.
 
BOX TOPS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!! Parents and Grandparents, we NEED you!
Please send your child's or grandchild's box tops to the school any time in a baggie with their name and classroom on it. Box tops can be turned in to the snack shack or turned into the child's teacher for a popcorn pass if they have 25. If they have 50, they will receive a free jeans day pass! (7th -12th grade students may turn in box tops to Mrs. Clark in the library.
 
SNOW TEAM/SKI TEAM:
We have recruited an experienced ski coach to work with our 7th-12th grade ski/snow team this year! Thank you to Greg Priest!!! We are excited to have you leading our team this year!!!!! More information forthcoming!
 
DUAL CREDIT COURSES, REGISTRATION, SCHOLARHIPS, FAST FORWARD $
 
DATES TO KNOW:
October 26: Skate Night at the Nampa Roller Drome/ Costume Contest with prizes!  6-8 p.m. $5 fee/ $2 rentals
October 26-29: Elementary Evening Scheduled Conferences
October 27: District Swim Meet. GO VCS SOARING EAGLES! Boise Y - starts at 9 a.m.
October 28: PSAT for all VCS 10th graders and 11th grade NMSQT scholarship applicants
October 28: Board Meeting 6 p.m. in the VCS library  
October 28: 7th-12th grade PINK OUT DAY for Breast Cancer Awareness Month courtesy of the Student Government.
October 29: Staff versus student basketball game from 7-9 p.m. at Middleton Middle School. Pre-Game BBQ in the MMS parking lot from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
October 29: School wide Jungle Book costumes and celebration (Costumes must represent a character from a book) HS students may wear class colors.
October 30: NO SCHOOL- Inservice
November 3: K/1 grade fall program starting at 7 p.m.
November 5: PFA meeting at 6 p.m. in the library. ALL are welcome!!!! Free babysitting provided.
November 5-6: PT Conferences 3:30-7 for 6th -12th grade students
November 6th/7th: State Swim Meet. GO VCS SOARING EAGLES! Boise Y-  Warm ups - 12 p.m. Meet - 1 p.m.
November 7: Robotics Maker Faire/Craft Bazaar in the VCS gym.
November 12: Student Government Spirit Day Theme tbd
November 13: No SCHOOL- Inservice
November 14th:  VCS Drama presents, "Game of Tiaras". Performances will be at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m.
November 23-28: Thanksgiving Break
December 11: No School- Inservice
December 17: 6-7 Elementary Christmas Program/ 7:30-8:30 Secondary Program
December 21- January 1: Christmas Break
January 4: BACK TO SCHOOL
January 15: NO SCHOOL- Inservice
January 18: NO SCHOOL- Human Rights Day
January 29: NO SCHOOL- Inservice
February 11: St. Government Spirit Day theme tbd
February 12: NO SCHOOL 
February 15: NO SCHOOL- President's Day
February 26: NO SCHOOL - Inservice
March 1: 2nd and 3rd grade music concert
March 3: Music Ensemble Dinner Performance
March 10: St. Government Spirit Day  
March 11: NO SCHOOL - Inservice
March 12th:  "The Taming of the Shrew" Performances at 2:00 and 7:00
March 21-25 NO SCHOOL- Spring Break
April 5: HS Symphony and Honors Choir
April 6: HS Symphony and Honors Choir leave for Disneyland!
April 8: NO SCHOOL
April 12: SAT School Day Administration for Juniors
April 22: NO SCHOOL- Inservice
May 6: NO SCHOOL- Inservice
May 6: Musical Theater "Fiddler on the Roof" starting at 7 p.m.
May 12: Advanced Symphony/ Honors Choir Concert starting at 7 p.m.
May 13: Monster Rad Rally
May 17: RAD starts at 7 p.m.
May 19: 6th grad Spring Concert
May 20: NO SCHOOL
May 20: 6th grade Lock In starts at 6 p.m. and goes to 7 a.m. Saturday, May 21.
May 27: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL EARLY RELEASE 1:40
May 27: Graduation practice 3:00 p.m./ Graduation 7:00 p.m. at Nampa Civic Center








EVERY DAY COUNTS CAMPAIGN! 
Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student's academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school, in college, and in a future job.
A few practical tips to help support regular attendance:
  • Make sure your children keep a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine.
  • Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
  • Ensure your children go to school every day unless they are truly sick
  • Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor appointments when school is in session.  Set appointments after school or for Friday's we do not have school.  
  • Talk to the teachers and counselors for advice if your children feel anxious about going to school.
  • Develop back up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your child to school.
 
Attendance from the first day of school through the first Friday in November drives 85% of all funding for Vision Charter School.
All students attending school every single day from 9/3/2015 - 11/6/2015 will receive two tickets for a drawing for an IPAD MINI. Every student who attends every day but one from 9/3/2015-11/6/2015 will receive one ticket for a drawing for an IPAD MINI.
Every student who misses one day or less during this period will receive a "FREE JEANS DAY PASS". 
**K-5th grade students will have one IPAD MINI drawn for Elementary. 
**6th-12th will have one IPAD MINI drawn for Secondary. 
*** A Full day of attendance requires a student to receive a minimum of 4 ½ hours of instruction. (Not including passing periods or lunch recess time.) 

ABOUT VCS:
  
School Mission: To create well educated, respectful citizen leaders in a K-12th grade College Prep Science and Art School.
 
Grades Served: The School serves students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade.
 
Vision/Design Elements: Vision Charter School shall implement and maintain the following essential design elements of its educational program:
 
Arts and Sciences - Language arts, fine arts, and science will be emphasized at all grade levels. Students will acquire and apply knowledge.
 
Character and Leadership Development - Character development is considered a fundamental purpose of education and will be fostered through a child-centered educational model built on high behavioral and academic expectations. The comprehensive character education plan will tap into each child's innate need to know boundaries while protecting his/her dignity.
 
Small School Environment - The school will provide a small, safe educational setting in which students and faculty know each other personally.
 
Music Training - Elementary students will be taught basic keyboarding through general music courses. A music curriculum for older students will focus on the development of fundamental musician skills, while also exposing students to local musical heritage and culture.
 
Second Language - Students in all grades will be exposed to a second language, with a primary emphasis on Spanish.
 
An Enriched Curriculum For All Students - An enriched, gifted and talented curriculum will be offered for all students. At the high school level, advanced or college credit level courses will be available for all core subjects.