Valley Voice
Updated: Tuesday March 09, 2010

This is your destination for the latest information about the comings and goings on at Valley Christian School.  VCS publishes this newsletter weekly on Wednesday.  If you would like to receive a copy via email please contact Ellen and she'll see that you're added to the distribution list.  

From the Administrators Desk

Re-enrollment

The fee increases Monday, March 1 to $405 for grades K-6 and $190 for preschool. Please return your registration form, the fee, and your Smart Tuition application to the school office. All new students who are siblings of current students must submit an application and the correct fee. Scholarship applications are available in the school office and are also due March 1.

Partnering Parents

Thanks to our volunteers for hot lunch. If you children talk about a friendly volunteer in the lunch line, it is Mr. Bodenheimer!

Thank you for attending the Annual Parent Meeting.

Thanks to our faithful board members.

Thanks for inviting visitors to Open House. 4th grade enjoyed your company to Pennsbury Manor and 1st & 2nd grade thanks you for taking them to Keswick Theater.

Thanks to those who baked cupcakes for this month’s birthday celebration. Kindergarten thanks Karis & Josh Lai’s grandfather for his art demonstration. 3rd grade thanks the parents who visited Colonial Day.

Thank you to Mrs. McBride who is working with the 2nd grade girls for the Talent Show.

Teacher Appreciation Luncheon

We are looking for volunteers for the Teacher Appreciation Luncheon. The lunch will be on Wednesday May 5th. We need volunteers to prepare and/or serve the food, help decorate, lunch duty, and help on playground. If you are able to help in any way, please contact Maureen Wrobel at rara1215@hotmail.com or call her at 215-208-1960.

Bowling Party Postponed

Due to the pending storm, we are postponing the VCS Family and Friends Bowling event that was to occur at Pike Lanes on Saturday, February 6th.

Our new date and time is Saturday, February 27th from 11:30-3:00. Whatever session(s) that you originally requested, we are planning to continue to honor those requests.

• First session will be: 11:30-1:00
• Second session will be: 1:30-3:00
• Both sessions are 11:30-3:00

If there any questions, please contact Pam Bryan at pam.bryan@yahoo.com or 215.760.2408.

Thanks for your flexibility and we look forward to seeing you on Sat. Feb. 27th!!

Download: VCS Bowling Party

Talent Show

It is time to sign up for our annual VCS Talent Show (Feb. 26th). This event is held during the school day and the entire family is invited to participate and any talent is welcome. Students must practice and prepare once they make the commitment to participate. Please let Mrs. Schmid know by Feb. 22 if your child(ren) will participate. She needs to know: Child’s name, Talent, and Equipment needed.

Grateful Hearts Speak

We wish to "thank you" from the very depth of our hearts for the excellent education and Christian grooming given to our son Samuel.

Please pardon the lateness of this letter of appreciation. It has been on our mind for long. Our son has since moved to a higher school for further education; we rejoice and are content in the Lord that his junior brother Timothy is enjoying the same very high standards at VCS.

There is no amount of money that will ever equal the eternal values (through the Christian teachings), imparted on children in an organization such as VCS. Only God can reward you for all the glorious service you render to these young children.

An institution that trains children in the fear of God is the most important organization in the world. For, "The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom"; the children nurtured in a Christian environment will grow to become righteous/responsible adults in the larger society. The work you do at VCS through the teaching profession, is the most important assignment on earth. Matthew 28:19.

The Lord God himself will never forget your labor of love in His vineyard; please be encouraged in this.

May the Lord bless you all in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Please accept our sincere thank you to each and every teacher and staff member at VCS; and best wishes of the New Year 2010.

Yours In Christ Service,
Oluwole & Olufemi Williams

When VCS Families purchase scrip, you’re purchasing negotiable gift certificates that are used just like cash. The scrip is issued by the national and local retailers where many of us already shop. These merchants want to support non-profit organizations, and in return ask you to support them by shopping with scrip at their stores. VCS members can use scrip to purchase everyday expenses like food, clothing, and other essentials, and with every purchase, you are earning tuition credit for you child.

Click here: Read the FAQ!

Piano Studio of Miss Lauzus

Miss Lauzus has been blessed with a passion for music and for teaching children! She graduated from Millersville University of Pennsylvania in May 2009, with a degree in Music Education and a concentration in Piano. During her four years in Millersville, she operated her own piano studio. Now, she is excited to bring her expertise to Huntingdon Valley and its surrounding communities. Miss Lauzus offers enthusiastic and engaging, one-on-one piano instruction for children of all ages.

Download: Piano Studio of Miss Lauzus

The Christmas Musical was a success, and the students did a fantastic job! Now it’s time to begin planning the Spring production: A World Of Music. In this all-school revue, students will explore the universal language of music and learn about the importance of spreading God’s love to all the children of the world. The music is catchy, the script is clever, and the message is invaluable. Stay tuned for updates on how you can help prepare for the musical - we will be on the lookout for costumes, decorations, and ethnic food! Students will be receiving a practice CD within the next week or two.

School Uniforms

Do you need more uniforms? An order will be placed soon. If you do not have printing capabilities, just e-mail Ellen your order. Please do not send used uniforms to school. We don’t have storage space here! Please contact a family with younger children who may be interested.

Download: Order Form

VCS Car Magnets

If you would like a navy and white VCS car magnet, email or call Annette, tusinga@vcs-hvpc.com  or 215.947.4207.
Please remember to periodically:

• remove the magnet to clean the dirt that builds up on the back (and on your car) and
• change the placement of the magnet on your vehicle so you don't have fading or damage to your paint.

School Closing

In the event that school closes early please be sure that you have a plan for your child should the bus arrive early to bring him/her home.

If your child is pick up please have someone ready to come to VCS to get him/her. If school opens two hours late students may arrive at 10:30AM. Transportation in most districts follows whatever the local public schools are doing; For example if your local public school is opening two hours late, your VCS children will be picked up two hours late. If your local public school is closed, there will be no transportation to VCS on that day.

Please see your handbook for emergency closing information. We do our best to post closings on KYW #292, NBC 10 (http://www.NBC10.com) & WPVI (www.WPVI.com) .

We also change the outgoing message on our telephone (215-947-4581).

If we are on a 2-hour delay, school will open at 10:30 AM. Do not check our website. There will be no Before School Program on late start days. Preschool students who attend our AM only program will not have school on late start days. Preschooolers who attend full days will begin school at 10:30 on late start days.

Children's Scholarship Fund

Children's Scholarship Fund Philadelphia will offer 750 new 4 year scholarships for K-8th grade beginning September 2010. Applications may be downloaded at www.csfphiladelphia.org . Qualifying families must meet income requirements, be residents of Philadelphia, have a child entering grades K-8th, and complete a required essay. Submission deadline is March 1, 2010.

Big Universe

New to VCS in 2009-2010: Big Universe® is an award-winning web community devoted to beautiful children's picture books, online. Teachers, students, parents, authors, and others can share and learn while they enjoy this educational website. 

Please contact your child's teacher if you have not received the user name and password to access the site.

Visit: Big Universe

Accreditation

VCS has recently received notification for candidacy from the Association Of Christian Schools International. Accreditation is a seal of quality on an educational organization. ACSI promotes the value and worthiness of accreditation and encourages us to continuously pursue excellence as Philippians 1:10 to approve “things that are excellent”. This process will allow us to gain joint accreditation with the Middle States Association.

Smart Tuition

Tuition and fees---SMART Tuition collects our tuition. Please do not send money to the school office. Questions should be addressed to them at 888-868-8828.

Contacting School

You can always reach the office by e-mailing us at info@vcs-hvpc.com If you do, Ellen will respond and let you know it was received.

Change of plans?

The school office MUST be informed if your child is not doing his usual dismissal procedure. We will accept a change of plans until 11:30 on half days and 2:30 on full days. A note must be sent to school with your child or you must call prior to the given times. You may also e-mail Mrs. Schmid at schmidn@@vcs-hvpc.com  up to 2:30 PM.