Dates to Remember:

October 19 & 20: No School (MEA)

VVMS in Focus

Student Mental Wellness

In honoring October 10th as World Mental Health Day, we’d like to highlight our amazing mental health support staff at Valley View. They support our students’ social, emotional, and psychological well being each and every day.

Additionally, they have created this Social Emotional Wellness site for your student to access in their portal. The district also has a Virtual Calming Space for students.

Student Counseling staff: 6th/7th grade (Voyager Team): Gretchen Brandt; 8th/7th grade (Team Denali): Kent Downing; School Psychologist: Amy McAllister; Social Worker/504 Coordinator: Jill Wait

Contact Information

Gretchen Brandt: 952-848-3391 - gretchen.brandt@edinaschools.org

Kent Downing: 952-848-3390 - kent.downing@edinaschools.org

Amy McAllister: 952-848-3392 - amy.mcallister@edinaschools.org

Jill Wait: 952-848-4481 - jill.wait@edinaschools.org

Hold, secure, lockdown, evacuate, shelter

Safety at VVMS

We have had some unique moments this year that required us to partner with EPD and lean on our strong security protocol.

HERE is a link to our poster which features the required language used in an emergency. This poster aligns with Edina Police and they were in attendance for our safety meeting that kicked off the year. Some of these phrases are new and so it is important that you and your student are familiar with the terms, and what phase the term activates.

Thanks for taking the time to get familiar with our emergency guidance.

Parent Feedback Requested

Your voice matters! We are looking for your input to guide our school improvement plan.

Please take a moment to fill out this brief survey.

Welcome to Our New Somali Cultural Liaison

Our VV PTO and Principal Bass welcomed our new Somali Cultural Liaison. The night was a huge success and we were honored to stand in solidarity with an important intersection of our Edina community.

The night featured great food, productive Q&A, and major praise to our systems in place at VV. Not to mention, enormous praise for the PTOs presence and action! Woohoo! Welcome, Farhiya Omar-Samatar!

Wear College Gear on Wednesdays!

Wednesdays are officially College Gear Day. Wear your favorite college branded apparel from your favorite schools!

PTO News

Help us make all the things happen!

As of today we have raised $18,575 (which is amazing, thank you!). However, this still leaves us $4,425 short of our budgeted goal. That amount represents almost the entire budget for teacher appreciation, about half the budget allotted for teacher grants or student activities. We don't want to have to choose which ones to cut!

Can you help us get there with a dues payment or consider an additional donation?

THANK YOU!!

VVMS PTO Budget for the 2023-2024 school year

Pay your Dues Here

Make an Additional Donation Here

No need to wait until the holidays to spoil our teachers and staff!

Check out their Favorite Things to find the perfect way to show your appreciation for all they do every day! Be sure to check out their Amazon Wish Lists as well; a super easy way to send fun things they need for their classrooms.

Thank you!!

For future reference, you can find the Favorite Things and Wishlist pages under the Directory menu on Membership Toolkit.

VVMS Updates

VVMS Yearbooks

Purchase your VVMS yearbook now and ensure your student gets a copy!

Buy yours here: Josten's Yearbooks

PRO TIP: Save your receipt email so you can check back and verify if you've purchased a yearbook at the end of the school year!

Seeking Seasonal Plants

Dear Valley View Families,

WINTER IS COMING! Culture Crew SLT is excited to announce that we are launching a Make Edina Green project! We as a school want to help make a better environment for the students and teachers.

If you have any seasonal potted plants or house plants you throw out in the winter we would like to take them so we can put them in our classrooms! This will help from plants being thrown out and bring more color to our school.

You can bring any and all your potted plants anytime during the week of October 2-7. The drop-off door is door one near the front office. We are excited to find new homes for your unused potted plants!

Thank you!

Culture Crew Student Leaders

Volunteer Opportunities

You will see new volunteer opportunities posted in this section for both in-person events and classroom or school donations.

All volunteer contributions are very important in supporting our Valley View community.

Coffee Donations Wanted

Please consider donating this precious resource to the well-deserving staff and faculty at VVMS!

See this Amazon List for the requested coffee donations.

Partner Shares

A Celebration of Edina Bands with the Dallas Brass

You're Invited!

We are thrilled to announce a very special concert collaboration with the world-renowned Dallas Brass, featuring special Edina alumni guests Stan Freese of Walt Disney corporation and Scott Crosbie, conductor of The Edina Sousa Band, plus and our very own Edina Concert Band conducted by Paul Kile.

This is a concert experience for everyone: students, families, extended families, friends, and neighbors. Join us for an evening that promises to be a STELLAR celebration of music and culture.

When: Tuesday, October 10, 2023, 7 p.m.

Where: Edina High School Performing Arts Center (EPAC), 6754 Valley View Rd, Edina, MN

Tickets: $20, visit www.edinabands.com

For a sneak peek of the Dallas Brass visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HswDduOinMw

Edina All-Bands Reunion Reception

Attention all Edina Band alumni, friends and family!

Join past and present band directors, special guests, fellow band alums, friends and families for an Edina All-Bands Reunion!

Stop by the Edina High School Band rooms for a small bite to eat, a little reminiscing, and visit with old friends, band directors and special guests.

Past and current Edina band directors include Concert Band directors Ed Melichar, Bill Webb and Paul Kile. Special guests include Stan Freese, Scott Crosbie, Martha Lundquist, and Peter and Serene Simon.

We'd love to see you again! Please spread the word to friends, family, and other band alums!

When: Wednesday, October 11, 2023, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Where: Edina High School Band Rooms, 6754 Valley View Rd, Edina, MN. Enter EHS through door #3.

Cost: Free - donations accepted at the door. RSVP through the Facebook Event page

Info:www.edinabands.com

Looking Ahead

Quick Links

SUBJECT: The Valley View Vibe Newsletter - Oct. 6th