The Lion Update

Dear VES Families,

What a wonderful week! It was our first full week in quite some time, and it was great to have that consistency back in our routine, even with a two hour delay. ❄️

Lion of the Month was rescheduled to happen this week, and it's always such a joy when Ms. Fischer hosts this special event to honor our students for demonstrating outstanding R.O.A.R. expectations.

The Tree Lighting Ceremony was a beautiful celebration that truly brought our community together. A big shout-out to our choir leader, Ms. Luke, and all of our talented choir members who sang beautifully and made the event even more memorable. As my first time attending, it was such a wonderful experience! I was amazed by all the extra activities for kids put on by the different units, it really added to the magic of the evening.

This was also the first week for our new PreK class, and I want to take a moment to celebrate all of our PreK teachers and paraprofessionals. They consistently go above and beyond for all students, even when their classes were very large: Ms. Thompson, Ms. Dorff, Ms. Flores, Ms. Lopez, Ms. Porter, Ms. Julian, Ms. Bravo, Ms. Suddith, and Ms. Ritter. Thank you for your incredible dedication!

Please check out the amazing community events listed in the newsletter. Don't forget that the PTSA has organized Larry's Holiday Shop next week, where students can shop for friends and family.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Warm Regards,

Dr. Goldsmith

🌟 Grade Level Spotlight: Kindergarten: Learning, Creating, and Celebrating at VES

Kindergarten has been busy at VES! Our youngest learners have been exploring, creating, and celebrating in ways that make learning both meaningful and fun.

✨ Science in Action
Students tested the absorbency rate of different types of wood to determine which would be best for building a raft to help the Gingerbread Man safely cross the river. This hands-on experiment brought science to life and connected directly to their reading adventures.

🚒 Career Day Excitement
During Career Day rotations, kindergarteners had the chance to try on firefighter gear with the Vilseck Fire Department. The experience gave them a glimpse into the important work of community helpers while sparking curiosity about future careers.

❄️ Math in the Snow
Math moved outdoors as students used the blanket of snow to demonstrate their knowledge of 2D shapes. A student proudly built a perfect rectangle with two long sides, two short sides, and four vertices—showing how math can be both interactive and fun.

👑 A Royal Celebration
In recognition of their name writing success and mastery, the VES PTSA and the Lord of Letters from the Noble Name Kingdom treated kindergarten writers to a celebratory Royal Tea. Students dressed as royalty and were greeted by the King, making the milestone truly unforgettable.

🎈 Parade Creations
Inspired by the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, kindergarten classes became “float designers” for the day. With support from our collaborative friends in the high school CP program, students worked together to visualize and construct balloon-style floats.

🍪 Gingerbread Adventures
After reading The Gingerbread Man, students went on a Gingerbread hunt, combining literacy with play and imagination.

💡  Parent Tip of the Week: Reading Beyond the Classroom

Make reading part of your child’s daily routine—no matter their grade level!

• Kindergarten–2nd Grade: Read aloud together and ask your child to retell the story in their own words. This builds comprehension and confidence.
• 3rd–5th Grade: Encourage independent reading, then discuss the book’s main idea, characters, or connections to real life. This strengthens critical thinking and vocabulary.
• All Grades: Let your child see you reading too. Modeling makes a big difference!

Consistent reading at home helps students expand their imagination, improve fluency, and develop a lifelong love of learning.