The Lion Update

Lion Families:

What a wonderful week we had at VES! A full week without delays was fantastic, and I had the opportunity to see so much awesome classroom instruction happening throughout the building. I was especially impressed by the great writing I saw across all grade levels. Written expression is a major focus for our school this year, and we're working hard to build these skills across all content areas.

Supporting Writing at Home

Here are some fun ways you can encourage writing at home with your child:

PreK-1st Grade:

• Draw a picture together and have your child tell you a story about it, then help them write a sentence or two
• Make a family grocery list or holiday wish list together
• Write thank you notes or holiday cards to family members

2nd-3rd Grade:

• Keep a family journal where everyone writes about their day
• Write step-by-step instructions for making their favorite snack or playing their favorite game
• Create comic strips with dialogue bubbles

4th-5th Grade:

• Write movie or book reviews
• Start a pen pal exchange with family members or friends
• Write about "what if" scenarios: "What if animals could talk?" or "What if you could time travel?"

We have just one week left before winter break, and I know it will fly by! Thank you so much for your partnership in supporting your child's learning. We couldn't do this without you.

Dr. Goldsmith

🌟 Grade Level Spotlight: From Sound Waves to Subtraction Wins: First Grade Highlights

🔬 Science in Action: Exploring Sound & Light

Our first graders have been busy becoming young scientists! During our Sound & Light unit, students experimented with how vibrations create sound. They even engineered their own instruments using cups, rubber bands, popsicle sticks, and classroom materials.
They tested how changing the length and tension of rubber bands affected pitch — and the classroom was filled with excitement as they compared the different sounds their inventions made. Hands-on engineering at its finest!

➗ Math: Making Subtraction Make Sense

In math, students have been building strong subtraction strategies. They’ve been using a variety of tools — including linking cubes, number lines, and drawings — to model and explain their thinking.
They especially loved exploring “taking apart” numbers with hands-on materials and discovering the many ways we can represent subtraction. Their confidence as mathematicians is really growing!

📚 ELA: Growing Readers & Learning About Remarkable People

Our reading lessons this month explored stories about important community members and influential figures in history.
Students were fascinated learning about:
• Garrett Morgan
• Sequoyah
• Helen Keller
• Frederick Douglass

They asked thoughtful questions and loved making connections between these leaders’ lives and the world around them. Their reading stamina and comprehension skills continue to blossom!

🌍 Social Studies: Wants, Needs & Who We Are

In Social Studies, first graders have been learning about wants and needs, how families and communities help meet them, and the different groups we belong to.
A highlight was creating their own personal culture mobiles, where students proudly showcased the traditions, favorites, and special details that make them unique. It was a beautiful celebration of our classroom community!

🎉 6–7 Day Fun

First graders had a blast celebrating 6–7 Day, inspired by the popular “6–7” trend. The day was filled with themed activities, laughter, and lots of enthusiastic storytelling from students. It quickly became one of their favorite memories of the year so far!

💡  Parent Tip of the Week: 🌟 Managing Holiday Energy

The holiday season is full of excitement; decorations, family gatherings, special events, and plenty of sugary treats. While these moments are joyful, they can also leave children feeling overstimulated and worn out. A helpful way to support your child during this busy time is to intentionally build in quiet, calming moments each day.

Quiet time doesn’t have to be long or complicated. Activities like drawing, journaling, reading a favorite book, or listening to calming music can give kids the chance to reset. Even simple practices such as deep breathing, stretching, or spending a few minutes in a cozy corner can help them regulate their emotions and energy.

By balancing the excitement of the season with moments of calm, children are better able to enjoy holiday traditions without becoming overwhelmed. This rhythm also helps them return to school after Winter Break feeling refreshed, focused, and ready to learn.