In this issue:
Update to Dress Code Policy
PFA Meeting
Movie Night
Gift Guide
Master of the Month
Character Counts
Internet Safety
Box Tops
Skate NIghts are Back
Star Wars Dress Up
Dates to Know
School Closure
Panda Express Night for Robots
Thank You
About VCS
 UPDATE TO THE DRESS CODE POLICY:
The current dress code policy is located at visioncharter.net under helpful hints and then "2013-2014 dress code". The VCS board has approved two updates listed below.
 
**6th - 12th grade students may wear, as an example of professional dress, traditional button up dress shirts as long as they are not distracting, disruptive, or offensive in any manner as determined by the administrator.  
 
**K-12th grade students may wear shirts or sweatshirts with an approved Vision Charter School logo in lieu of a solid colored polo as long as they are not distracting, disruptive, or offensive in any manner as determined by the administrator.
 
VCS spirit wear orders will go out at the beginning of December. All Vision Charter School sweatshirts and tee-shirts, including club shirts that specifically say "Vision Charter School", will be allowed to be worn M-F with appropriate dress code pants, skirts, or shorts.
 
CLARIFICATION: See-through shirts are NOT allowed at VCS.  A tank top underneath a see-through dress shirt is not an allowed option and violates our modesty code. See- through lace sections of a dress shirt are not allowed. Dress shirts need to be buttoned up and worn as an example of professional dress. If your child is not certain about a piece of clothing, have them bring it to get clarification from Mrs. OldenKamp before wearing it.  All 6th-12th grade students were shown examples of appropriate dress shirts prior to Thanksgiving break.
  
DECEMBER PFA MEETING:
PLEASE JOIN US Thursday December 3rd at 6 p.m. in the library for the next PFA meeting. Daycare is provided. Please contact Melissa Thompson at taysmom3@gmail.com for any PFA related questions.
FREE MOVIE NIGHT DECEMBER 4TH:
The PFA FREE Movie Night is this Friday, December 4th starting at 6 p.m. in the gym. Movies will include Home Alone and Elf. Concession sales will include candy, hot chocolate, chili, and nachos. 
Vision Charter School PFA Staff Gift Guide
The Vision Charter School PFA has created a staff gift guide to help you pick the perfect gift for your teachers and administrators.
  
We asked the staff at Vision Charter School a variety of questions to help inspire gift ideas. Show the staff how much you appreciate their hard work and send them something you know they will enjoy. Pick up their favorite drink, make their favorite cookies, or get them a gift certificate to their favorite store. You can also pick up an item or two on their classroom supply wishlist.
  
Another great gift idea is to make the staff a gift basket. Fill it full of their favorite things and use a bow that is their favorite color to complete the package. You can even get together with other families to fulfill their wishlists.
DECEMBER MASTER OF THE MONTH AT VISION CHARTER SCHOOL IS REMBRANDT!
Students will learn about the art element of VALUE through Rembrandt's masterpieces. The focus will be on analyzing light and shadow through his self-portraits and "The Night Watch".
CHARACTER COUNTS! DECEMBER CHARACTER TRAIT IS RESPONSIBILITY!
Do what you are supposed to do * Plan ahead * Persevere: keep on trying! * Always do your best * Use self-control * Be self-disciplined * Think before you act - consider the consequences * Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes * Set a good example for others!
 
"Life doesn't require that we be the best- only that we try our best." - H. Jackson Brown, Jr
 
"We have to accept the consequences of every deed, word, and thought throughout our lifetime." - Elizabeth Kubler Ross
 
"My life is an influence on every life mine touches. Whether I realize it or not, I am responsible and accountable for that influence." - Ron Baron
 
INTERNET SAFETY TRAINING:
You are invited to attend a parent training on Internet Safety presented by School Resource Officer John Baldazo from the Caldwell Police Department. The presentation will be held at Vision Charter School starting at 6:30 p.m. in the library on December 7th. 
BOX TOPS FOR BLEACHERS!!!! 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. FUNDS WILL BE GOING TO EARN MONEY FOR BLEACHERS FOR THE FIELD!
  
SKATE NIGHTS ARE BACK!
Mark your calendars for the following dates for Vision Charter School's Skate Nights at the Nampa Rollerdrome:
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
  
 STAR WARS DRESS UP DAY DECEMBER 18:
All students are invited to wear Star Wars themed dress up clothes or regular jeans day on December 18th for a $1 donation towards art and science. Students choosing NOT to participate may wear regular dress code.
 
No real or toy guns, weapons, or knives. Lightsabers ARE allowed. No hair dye or face paint is allowed. Masks directly tied to the Star Wars character may be worn throughout the day. Masks must be taken off in the classroom. Costumes must meet ALL modesty standards including but not limited to the outfit reaching the top of the knees, no see-through clothing, no excessive tightness, and arms must be covered at least to mid-bicep.
 
Prizes will be given in the following areas:
Holiday Star Wars themed attire
Most Authentic Star Wars costume
Most creative "Recycled" Star Wars themed attire (must be entirely made from items at your house).
 
 
  
  
DATES TO KNOW:
December 3: PFA Meeting in the library at 6 p.m. (free babysitting)
December 4: FREE FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT in the gym starting at 6 p.m.
December 7: Internet Safety Parent Training starts at 6:30 p.m. at VCS in the library presented by School Resource Officer John Baldazo.  
December 11: No School- Inservice
December 12: First Lego League 4th-8th grade VCS robotics teams compete at regionals in Fruitland.
December 14: Skate Night at Rollerdrome $5 entrance/ $2 rentals  funds raised go towards 6th grade lock in
December 17: 6-7 p.m. Elementary Christmas Program/ 7:30-8:30 p.m. Secondary Program
December 18: STAR WARS DRESS-UP DAY with prizes! (See above for details)
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 5: HS Semi-Formal Social
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 1: 7th-9th grade Dodge Ball Social from 7-9 p.m. in the VCS gym
April 5: HS Symphony and Honors Choir Performance
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 5: K-12th Science Expo 3:30-7 p.m.
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: CARNIVAL and AUCTION from 3:30-7 p.m. at VCS!
May 20: NO SCHOOL
May 20: 6th grade Lock In starts at 6 p.m. and goes to 7 a.m. Saturday, May 21.
Date tbd: 6th grade Spring Concert
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
  
** SCHOOL CLOSURES/ SNOW DAYS:
IN THE EVENT OF SCHOOL CLOSURE OR EMERGENCY CLOSURE: The most accurate updated information can be found on our Facebook page and our website at visioncharterschool.net. We will also send out updates via this newsletter. If you would like to receive our newsletters, you may sign up on our website.

You may also check updates on KTVB channel 7 and KBOI channel 2.
 
We will send school closure information through our automated emergency contact program. You sign up for how you want to be contacted in an emergency through the parent portal. If you have not yet set this up, please contact Mrs. Bowers at amybowers@visioncsd.org for directions on setting up your parent portal account.

We are aware that many families are traveling a long distance daily to get to VCS. In the event of snow and ice, we prefer that you and your family come late to school and be safe rather than rush to avoid a tardy and potentially encounter dangerous traffic situations. Attendance will still be taken daily; however, please notify the attendance clerk when signing in that the tardy was due to road conditions so that it may be taken into consideration when administration is reviewing attendance for possible reduction in grades. (Your child will still be responsible to make up missed work from any class per the attendance policy.)
 Present this flyer Monday, December 7, 2015 between 3pm and 7pm at the Caldwell Panda Express!  You can show the flyer on your smart phone!  Money raised goes to VCS FTC Robotics program! 
 
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING VISION CHARTER SCHOOL FLL ROBOTICS TEAM SPONSORS:
 
PASSION FOR DESIGN- STUDIO INTERIORS
PHOTO DESIGNS BY MEEGAN
MILLENNIAL CHOIRS AND ORCHESTRAS
MICRON
CALDWELL MEATS
CRAWFORD NETWORK CONSTRUCTION 
MURAKAMI FARMS
HORIZON HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE
FLIP FLOP SHOPS
IMPACT DANCE CENTRE & FITNESS STUDIO
BIG CREEK LANDSCAPE
CALDWELL TRANSPORTATION
CANYON TRUCK UPLIFTERS
IDAHO HVAC
MESSENGER PIZZA
ABOUT VCS...
VISION CHARTER is a FIVE STAR school who has received the HONORS ranking from the Public Charter Commission.
 
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.