In this issue:
Spirit Wear
Giving Tree
Ski and Snow Team
Ugly Christmas Sweater
Star Wars Dress Up Day
Gift Guide
Master of the Month
Character Counts
Skate NIghts are Back
Yearbooks
Christmas Program
Recyle!
Driver's Ed
Dates to Know
School Closure
Thank You
About VCS
SPIRIT WEAR ORDERS
 
Spirit Wear orders, along with a check or cash, need to be in by end of day on Wednesday, December 16th. No late orders accepted. Please see last Facebook newsletter for ordering information.
 
 GIVING TREE:
 
It is time once again for our annual Christmas Giving Tree in order for some wonderful families to have a very merry Christmas!  There are items listed on the backs of ornaments on trees in both campus offices that you may come and pick up.  Once an ornament is taken, we will assume that you will be purchasing that item.  If for some reason, you take an ornament, and then are unable to purchase the item, please contact us so we can put a replacement ornament back on the tree.  Please bring back all items, UNWRAPPED, by Thursday, December 17th at noon to the Elementary office.
 
If you aren't able to come in person to get an ornament, but still want to purchase something, please contact Sheree Boothby at 455-9220 ext. 310 or by email shereeboothby@visioncsd.org and she can verbally tell you the items that are still available.  We thank you in advance for your generosity.  
 
SKI AND SNOW TEAM MEETING THIS TUESDAY:
7th-12th grade students interested in joining the Vision Charter School Ski and Snow Team are invited to attend a meeting Tuesday, December 15th in the Tech Room starting at 11:30am. One piece of pizza will be available at the end of the meeting for those in attendance as long as supplies last. A professional ski instructor and Vision Charter School Parent, Greg Priest, will be coaching the team this year!!!  Students on the VCS Ski/Snow Team may compete in three divisions including Slalom, Freestyle, and/or Nordic. Slalom is either Skiing or Snowboarding and includes three areas of competition including Expert, Intermediate, or Novice. Freestyle is either Skiing or Snowboard. Nordic is at the Nordic Center and limited to fifty racers total.  

Race Dates are as follows:
Saturdays, Jan. 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th and Feb. 6th, 13th
Dotty Clark: Jr High, Thurs. Feb. 18th, High School Friday, Feb. 19th

Times:
Nordic 10:30am Frontier Point Lodge
Freestyle 11:30am Bitterroot Basin 

High School Slalom 12:30
Jr High Slalom 1:30

Students are required to attend three Saturday races to qualify for the Dotty Clark Tournament. Freestyle participants must take the SMART (safety) course and display the sticker. Students on the team will be responsible to provide equipment, lift passes, and their own transportation to and from all events including the Tournament. Opportunities for reduced tickets are available. Please go to http://bogusbasin.org/groups/racing/junior-high-high-school/ or talk to the ski coach, Greg Priest. He may be reached at gapriest@hotmail.com.
 
  
UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER DAY IS DECEMBER 17th!  Wear an ugly sweater WITH jeans or dress code pants at NO COST and NO DONATION NEEDED. Get creative! Get cute! Get festive! Get UGLY!
  
STAR WARS DRESS UP DAY IS 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).
 
VISION CHARTER PFA STAFF GIFT GUIDE:
The Vision Charter School PFA would like you to help us spread the word about our Vision Charter School Staff Gift Guide located at http://theliquidscript.com/vision-charter-pfa-school-staff-gift-guide/
Parents are also asked to go on to the Vision Charter School PFA Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/visioncharterschoolpfa/ and go directly to the Staff Gift guide from Facebook.
 
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
 
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
  
ORDER MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOKS NOW
2015-16 VCS Middle School and High School Yearbook ordering is now open. Beginning this year, we are shifting to completely online ordering. An informational flyer was given out to all 7th-12th grade students. The flyer also gives the website where you can order and the options for upgrading the yearbooks. This year, students can choose to customize their yearbook with additional autograph pages or even get their name on the cover, in a foil imprint. Middle school students can even upgrade their books to a hard cover.  The high school yearbook is a 48-page book with a student-designed, custom hard cover with a basic price of $34.00. That is a bigger book for the same price as last year! The middle school yearbook is a 40-page, soft cover book with a basic price of $20.00. That is TWICE the size of last year's book for the same price!
 
To order, you can go to: ybpay.lifetouch.com
The VCS HIGH SCHOOL Yearbook ID Code is:  11547716
 
The VCS MIDDLE SCHOOL Yearbook ID Code is:  11145616
 
Placing your order immediately reserves your student's copy of the 2015-16 book and takes care of your payment. You will receive an order confirmation email after submitting your order. If your student has a question about the yearbook ordering, they can see Mr. Boothby.
 
December Round the World
The Kindergarten through fifth grade classes have been working hard on their Christmas program, "December Round the World."  The performance will be on December 17th at 6:00p.m. at Nampa First Church of the Nazarene in Nampa, located on the corner of 16th Ave. and 7th Street (601 16th Ave. S.). Starting at 7:30 p.m., sixth through twelfth grade orchestra, band, choir, and symphony students will perform.
 
Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are requesting the use of one or two trailers to haul equipment for Thursday's Christmas programs. Please contact them through email if you can help. 
Thanks!
Deb
SPREAD THE WORD: RECYCLE STYROFOAM LUNCH TRAYS! The Techno Trooper First Lego League Elementary Robotics Team would like your help to recycle Styrofoam lunch trays! Watch this video on Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/148308945 to see how!
  
 
DRIVER'S ED:
Driver's Education: We are in partnership with the Caldwell School District to provide a superb opportunity for Driver Education. Registration for the winter course will be held in the Caldwell High School Library on Tuesday, January 12th starting at 6:00pm. The first day of classroom instruction will start Tuesday, January 19th. Class times will be from 5:30pm-7:00pm. Students will receive 30 hours of classroom instruction. In addition, each student will be contacted by a driving instructor to schedule driving instruction. The final class will be held Tuesday, March 1st. The cost for this course is $200.00, with a minimum deposit of $100.00 due at the time of registration. For more information please see Ms. Brockert, or at 455-9220 ext. 2. Students must be 14 ½ prior to the registration date.  
 
  
 
DATES TO KNOW:
 
December 14: Skate Night at Rollerdrome $5 entrance/ $2 rentals  funds raised go towards 6th grade lock in
December 15: 7th-12th SKI and SNOW TEAM informational meeting starting at 11:30 a.m. in the tech lab.
December 17: 6-7 p.m. Elementary Christmas Program/ k-5th 7:30-8:30 p.m. Secondary Program 6th-12th both at Nampa First Church of the Nazarene located 601 16th Ave. S.  Nampa
December 17:  Ugly Christmas Sweater Day for K-6th and Ugly Christmas Sweater contest for staff and 7th-12th grade students.
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 14: End of Quarter 2/ Semester 1
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 - 2016-2017 Lottery Drawing
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.)
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING VISION CHARTER SCHOOL FLL ROBOTICS TEAM SPONSORS:
 
PASSION FOR DESIGN- STUDIO INTERIORS- crystal@studiointeriors.org
Contact Crystal Arreola, Principal Interior Designer at 208.577.5512
MILLENNIAL CHOIRS AND ORCHESTRAS- http://www.millennial.org
MICRON
CALDWELL MEATS
CRAWFORD NETWORK CONSTRUCTION
MURAKAMI FARMS - (541) 889-3131
HORIZON HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE
FLIP FLOP SHOPS
IMPACT DANCE CENTRE & FITNESS STUDIO-
BIG CREEK LANDSCAPE- 208.585.3534
CALDWELL TRANSPORTATION- BOISE SHUTTLE - 208-459-6612 www.ctcbus.com
CANYON TRUCK UPFITTERS- canyontruck.com  208-459-0646
IDAHO HVAC - 208.989.0098
MESSENGER PIZZA
PHOTO DESIGNS BY MEEGAN


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.