Construction Starts at VPE on Monday

Construction is ahead of schedule and VPE/FCPS will begin transforming our front entrance to have a secure vestibule.  Therefore, we will be routing all building access to the back office door located by the VPE parking lot.    If families are coming to school to pick up library books, cafeteria meals, food bags or other items throughout the week you will need to enter the building through the back office door.  A buzzer has been installed and office staff are answering the door.  The construction project is set to take about four weeks.  

Wishtree - Wishes & T-Shirts

If you were unable to attend Wishing Day, you may stop by school during office hours next week, 8:00-3:30 to pick up your book fair flyer, car tag, t-shirt, and to have your child make a wish on the wishing tree.  

Infinite Campus Parent Portal

Did you know that parents can access Parent/Campus Portal to update telephone numbers and emergency contacts? This is also a great way, once your student is in 4th grade or above, to follow their grades and assignments!

Visit: Infinite Campus / Overview for information on how to sign into and set up Parent/Campus Portal. There is also an app available for your smart phone.

Direct link to the FAQ’s:

Campus PARENT / STUDENT Information

First Friday of the Month - SPIRIT Event

This upcoming  month on Friday, October 9th we will be celebrating the “First Friday of the Month” by wearing red/white/blue and VPE Spirit gear.  Please join in on our spirit day and share your “VPE Spirit” photos with us by emailing Jessica.ault@fayette.kyschools.us Please note by sharing photos you agree to them being posted in VPE social media and/or the VPE yearbook.

October Spirit Project

Each month we teach our students about giving back to the community through a service project. Our service project for the month of October is in support of our United States Service Members around the world.  Throughout the month of October, students are encouraged to write and decorate letters/cards for service men and women who are deployed during the holiday season.  Letters/cards may be dropped off in a designated yellow box outside of the side entry door of the school, on any week day from 8AM-3PM throughout the month of October.  If you have any questions, please contact Allie Campbell (allie.campbell@fayette.kyschools.us).

MAP Testing and Updating Chromebooks

MAP testing will begin at VPE starting next week.  Please reference the attached letter outlining details of the test purpose and procedures. Before MAP testing begins, we would like to make sure all Chromebooks can support the online MAP format.  Please follow the steps in this video before the test date to be sure you have the latest version. 

Band News

We are excited to get  band started for 5th grade!  Given the current situation, I wanted to give students and families time to get settled into our virtual routine before starting band this year.  Things will look very different for teaching band, but we still want students to have the opportunity to learn an instrument if they are excited about doing that.  It will start out as an online/zoom program with a website that has videos and soundtracks to guide your child when I cannot be with them.  Your student will record videos and send to me through a google classroom for feedback about how they are playing.  I will have a class zoom meeting once a week to check in with the group and do some fun things and host help sessions in smaller groups as needed.  We will make it work!

If your student enjoys music, this could be a great opportunity for them.  If your student is interested, please follow the attached link to sign your student up for band.  http://bit.ly/FCPSmusicsignup

A few days after you sign up, look for an email from me with information about instruments, google classroom code and next steps toward music. 

I look forward to working with several young Patriots!  Thanks so much!

Kristi Broady

VPE Parent Survey

VPE Families,

It is hard to believe that we are already into our fourth week of school for the 2020-2021 year.  I would like to thank you for truly partnering with us as a school to support learning from the home front.  As students, teacher and families have settled into NTI-2DL we are reaching out to get your insight as to how things are going from the home perspective.  I have shared with the staff that this is the year of being able to “Pivot” and adapt or adjust as needed.  We understand that every family has different circumstances and we want to work to continue to meet needs of all students.  Please take a few minutes to complete this survey for each of your enrolled students by Friday, September 18^th.  https://forms.gle/BWTFvuFRdqQH6Np67   

Thank you for your support.

Molly Dabney

2019-2020 Yearbooks

The VPE office still has 2019-2020 yearbooks for sale.  You are welcome to stop by the office between 8:00-3:30 daily to purchase a yearbook.  The cost of a yearbook is $15.oo and cash or checks made payable to VPE PTA are accepted.

We need you! Join the PTA!!

The Veterans Park Elementary PTA is working hard to ensure this year will be great for our virtual learners. Please consider joining today. All are welcome to join: parents/caregivers, grandparents, community members, and businesses. Our membership website is https://vpe.new.memberhub.store.  With the processing fees, it's $5.68 per individual member. Your dues will go toward advocacy at the local, state, and national level as we speak up and out regarding the best interests of our students. Our goal is the same as always -- 1 member per student enrolled at VPE. The advocacy of the PTA is crucial right now as decision makers navigate safety and other standards in our COVID-19 world. PTA has a seat at many tables, and by supporting PTA, we're ensuring we have a voice there too.

Orchestra News 

I’m very excited to start 4th and 5th grade orchestra! With our digital start, it was important to give our students and families time to settle in before adding orchestra into the mix. Orchestra will look a little different this year, but it’s important that the kids get the same opportunity to learn a musical instrument.

You and your child don’t need to know anything about orchestra to sign up! I’ll work with the students in the mornings via Zoom and I’ll have videos available for students on Google Classroom. We even have instruments available for students who need them.

If your 4th grader loves music, this is a fantastic opportunity for them to play a musical instrument. Please visit http://bit.ly/FCPSorchestrasignup to see what playing in the orchestra is all about. If your 5th grader was in orchestra last year and wants to participate again this year, please email me directly at ben.mcwhorter@fayette.kyschools.us.

4th grade orchestra link:

https://sites.google.com/fayette.kyschools.us/fcps4thgradeorchestra/

I look forward to working with you all this year.

Ben McWhorter, Veterans Park Orchestra

The Book Fair is Coming!!

You’re invited to shop our Scholastic Book Fair online from October 5-18! All purchases benefit our school and connect kids with new books, favorite characters, complete series, and more.

You’ll love the NEW option to shop for Book Fair exclusives directly from the interactive booklist and enjoy these special online shopping features:

• Over 6,000 items, including new releases, best sellers, and value packs
• All orders ship direct to home
• FREE shipping on book-only orders over $25*
• All purchases support our school and earn 25% in rewards

Visit our Book Fair Homepage and click “Shop Now” to get started:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/vpebookfair

Backpack Food Program

The backpack food program is underway! Sign up to receive a weekly bag of nonperishable food here https://forms.gle/Zkw7gXvsyW2u6HQ56 

After signing up, you have the option to pick up your bag curbside at Veterans Park Elementary, Wednesday or Thursday between 8am-3pm. Just call the front office when you arrive and your bag will be brought out to you (859)381-3161. If you are unable to pick up your bag, it will be delivered to your home on Friday.

Thanksgiving Baskets

If you need holiday assistance with Thanksgiving food through God’s Pantry, you can fill out this form to get your name on the list.  If you have additional questions, please contact Ms. Brown in our Family Resource Center: edierah.brown@fayette.kyschools.us.

LIVE Homework Help

The Lexington Public Library will be offering free, live homework help and tutoring from 2:00-11:00p.m. everyday.  You must have a library card and/or a student success card to access.  These were passed out to students last year.  If a child doesn’t have an account, they can request one online. Check out this flyer for more information! 

Got Books?  VPE Library Curbside Pick Up Available

Curbside pick up will begin on Thursday, August 27th. Please review these directions on how to place a hold at the VPE library. Please review these directions on how to pick up your holds.  

New to VPE? 

Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year!  We are excited to kickoff a wonderful year of learning with you! If you are new to VPE, please watch our virtual tour to become acclimated to the buidling and to meet the staff.  We are glad you're here! 

Technology Help

The FCPS Office of Instructional Technology has created a help desk call line just for families!

Technology Help Desk for Families -- call 859-381-4410

Summer Hours: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Reenvisioning, Reimagining, and Renewing

Please review the Reenvisioning, Reimagining, and Renewing booklet from FCPS for information and guidance on the opening of school for the 2020-21 school year. 

It's time to fill your backpack!

Supply lists for the 2020-21 school year are now available for every grade level. 

VPE app

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Well, now you can with the free Veterans Park app available for download on ITunes or Google Play. To sign up as a parent, you need the passcode 3813161 (our school phone number).  The VPE app will also help in providing calendar information, specials rotation day, PTA updates, classroom/club information and much more.  Please make sure to click for push notifications to help us in providing information to families such as school closing/delays, VPE events, and other family-focused information.