News

Join in at a community forum!

Community forums provide a comfortable and informal setting for Vacaville residents to share ideas and feedback about how we develop the trustee-area voting boundaries. The community forum meetings are:
 

Thursday, October 25th – 6:00-7:30pm 

at Vaca Pena Middle School Library, 200 Keith Way
 

Saturday, October 27th – 9:00-10:30am 

at McBride Senior Center, 91 Town Square Place – Coffee and donuts will be served
 

Monday, October 29th – 6:00-7:00 pm

at Markham Elementary School MP Room, 101 Markham Avenue
Discussion in Spanish
 

Monday, October 29th – 7:00-8:00pm

at Markham Elementary School MP Room, 101 Markham Avenue
Discussion in English
 

The public is invited to attend and make public comment during the public hearings and community forums. Residents can also provide comments to PIO@VacavilleUSD.org.  More information about the transition to a Trustee-Area election system can be found at http://www.vacavilleusd.org/CVRA.

“Never Grow Up”

 A Catered Dinner & Dance

Raffle, Dancing, & Lifetime Memories

Held in the Will C Wood Big Gym

$40 per couple & $15 to add another daughter

Tickets will be available while supplies last or until Wednesday, October 10^th

TICKETS WILL NOT BE SOLD AT THE DOOR!!

DANCE ON OCTOBER 13th, 6-9pm

Tickets can be purchased online with Paypal

 or in the office of your school

Will C Wood Schoolloop (option icon in top right corner)-Parents-Future Wildcats

OR turn in this registration form with your payment to the front office of your school

School Picture Make Up Day is

Tuesday, November 6

Flyers will go home prior to November 6

Public Hearing A: To Seek Input Regarding a Waiver from the State Board of Education in Lieu of an Election

Public Hearing B: To Seek Public Input Prior to Drafting By-Trustee Area Maps

Both public hearings will be held:

DATE: Thursday, October 4, 2018

TIME: 6:30 PM

LOCATION: Educational Services Center, 401 Nut Tree Road, Vacaville, CA

Public Hearing A

Vacaville Unified School District Board of Trustee members are currently elected in “at-large” elections, whereby voters throughout the entire school district elect each trustee member.  On September 20, 2018, the VUSD Board adopted Resolution #3, 2018/2019, declaring its intent to transition from at-large to by-trustee area Board elections. A by-trustee area election system would require each Board member to reside within the designated trustee area boundary, and would be elected only by the voters in that trustee area.  

A school district seeking to transition to a by-trustee area election system must submit an application to the local County Committee on School District Reorganization (“County Committee”) for approval. If the County Committee approves the school district’s application, California Education Code section 5020 would require an election to approve the transition to by-trustee area elections.  

To avoid the costs associated with an election and to ensure timely implementation, the VUSD Board will consider seeking a waiver from the State Board of Education of this election requirement, as well as certain other Education Code sections related to the election requirement.  If the waiver is granted by the State Board of Education, no election to approve the change to by-trustee area elections will take place, and the County Committee’s decision on the District’s proposal will be final.

Pursuant to Education Code sections 5019 and 33050, the Board invites community input on the proposed waiver request.  Any member of the public or representatives of the school district will be provided the opportunity to offer oral or written comments on the matter. Community members who wish to provide input, but who cannot attend may submit remarks to PIO@Vacavilleusd.org or by mail to VUSD Public Information Office, 401 Nut Tree Rd., Vacaville, CA 95687.

View more about the transition to by-trustee are election system here.

Public Hearing B

Board members are currently elected in “at-large” elections, where each member is elected by voters throughout the entire District.  On September 20, 2018, the Board adopted Resolution # 3, 2018/2019, declaring its intent to transition from at-large to by-trustee area Board elections, where each Board member must reside within the designated trustee area boundary, and is elected only by the voters in that trustee area. 

The District’s demographers, the National Demographics Corporation, will present information on the process and criteria for drawing the trustee-area boundary maps.  Following the presentation, the Board will hold the first of two statutorily required public hearings to receive community input on the trustee-area map creation process, pursuant to Elections Code section 10010, subdivision (a)(1).    

On September 20, 2018 the VUSD Board of Education Considered the Adoption of Resolution No. 3, 2018-19, declaring the intent to transition from at-large elections to trustee-area board elections. 

Lozano Smith Attorney Ryan Tung provided an overview of the process for transitioning from At-Large Board elections to Trustee-Area Board elections.

Following the presentation, the Board approved the resolution to move forward with Trustee-Area elections. 

Excel Fall Picture Mornings:

Kinder - 3rd grades on Monday, September 24

4th - 6th grades on Tuesday, September 25

Order online now at:
www.excelphotographers.com

The Vacaville Unified School District Board of Trustees will consider a resolution declaring the intent to transition from an at-large election system to a by-trustee area election system for the members of the governing board. The public meeting will be held on Thursday, September 20, 2018 at 6:30 PM at the Educational Services Center located at 401 Nut Tree Road in Vacaville.

Currently, the seven members of the VUSD Board of Trustees are elected under an “at-large” election system, in which all voters residing within school district boundaries vote for each member. In August 2018, the District received a demand letter from the law firm Shenkman & Hughes, demanding that the District change its method of election to a by-district (or by-trustee) system in compliance with the California Voting Rights Act (Elec. Code, § 14025, et seq.) (“CVRA”) or risk being sued by the firm. This is the same law firm that challenged the City of Vacaville’s election system, which led the City Council to vote unanimously to move away from at-large elections.

Under the CVRA, at-large elections are impermissible if they result in racially polarized voting or cause disenfranchisement of voters from a protected class. The only election system that provides VUSD complete protection from a CVRA claim is a “by-trustee area” election system. A by-trustee election system would require that voting districts be established within the Vacaville Unified School District boundaries. Each trustee must then reside within the designated voting district boundary, and trustees would then be elected only by the voters from the voting district in which the trustee resides. 

When a public agency receives this type of demand letter, the agency is given 45 days to demonstrate its intent to transition to by-trustee area elections.  If the VUSD does not adopt a resolution signaling its intent to transition from at-large to by-trustee area board elections within this 45 day “safe harbor window,” the law firm, or any other plaintiff, may file a lawsuit against the District under the CVRA. 

Superintendent Jane Shamieh commented, “Valid and reasonable points can be made on both sides of the discussion for at-large versus by-trustee area elections systems. However, a CVRA claim is very difficult to defend against and can result in extensive legal expenses. We do all that we can to preserve funds so that they can be used for students.  These are some of the reasons that the Board will be considering adopting the resolution of intention to change election systems.” 

The Vacaville Unified board will hear from the public and consider whether or not to adopt a resolution declaring the intent to transition from at-large to by-trustee area Board elections on September 20th. The public is invited to attend and make public comment during the meeting. Residents can also provide comments to PIO@VacavilleUSD.org.

Mary's Pizza Shack

Dine and Donate

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Bring in the attached flyer printed or show mobile device flyer

15% of your purchase will be donated to Cooper PTO

No School on

Monday, September 3

School closed for Labor Day

Minimum Day Friday, August 31

Kindergarten on regular schedule

1st - 3rd dismissed at 12:25 pm

4th - 6th dismissed at 12:30 pm 

VUSD invites parents and guardians to the 2018 Annual Update presentation, Tuesday, September 11th at 6:00 PM at the VUSD Educational Services Center located at 401 Nut Tree Rd, Vacaville.
Come hear about actions that VUSD is taking toward early learning foundations, school safety, kindness and respect at school, multicultural education, workplace/career and technical education, soft skill development, college readiness opportunities,
Measure A projects and more. RSVP here

To apply online for free or reduced meals for the 2018-2019 school year, please click here.  Paper applications are also available at the Educational Services Center, located at 401 Nut Tree Road. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Student Nutrition Department at 707.453.6157. 

The LCAP describes VUSD’s overall vision for students, annual goals, expenditures tied to the goals, and specific actions the district will take to achieve the best educational experience possible for VUSD students. VUSD' plan focuses on student achievement and academic rigor, closing the achievement gap, school environments. View the current LCAP proposal here. Your input is important and can be submitted at PIO@VacavilleUSD.org

The Last Day of School is:

Thursday, June 7

1st-6th Grades Dismissed at 11:30 am

Kindergarten at 11:35 am

Atherton Won The Championship Game of the Century!

TIETZE v ATHERTON

Congratulations Athertonians!
 

Tuesday, June 5

Cooper's Field Day Schedule:
 

8:30-9:30 5th & 6th Grades

9:45-10:45 3rd & 4th Grades

11:00 - 12:00 1st & 2nd Grades
 

PTO Picnic Day is on Wednesday, May 30th

All Cooper Students eat a FREE lunch at school

Donations are due on Tuesday, May 29th to the classroom.

Each grade level donates specific items, except 6th grade,

they just enjoy the picnic!

Please see the attached flyer for more information on what each grade level will be donating.

Vacaville Unified students and staff are focusing attention May 18-25th on making intentional efforts of kindness, respect and understanding both with those around us and online. We will be planting, drawing creating flowers to represent the actions we take to be a positive influence our community. 

Will C Wood students will be joined by Buckingham and Vaca High students in downtown Vacaville this Saturday, May 19th to share the symbols of kindness with community members.

Country High, Alamo, Sierra Vista K-8, Padan, Markham, Hemlock/ACE, Jepson, Ernest Kimme Charter, Cooper, Fairmont Charter, Browns Valley and Educational Services Center will also be hosting activities on campus next week to engage students in deliberate acts of positivity.

Join us this week! Plant your seeds of positivity with those around you and create a flower that represents it.

If you are ready to be part of the

BEST PTO on planet Earth...Now is your chance!

Nominee forms are available in the office now

Come on down and nominate yourself or another.

The vote will be held at the last General Board Meeting:

Thursday, May 17th

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm 

Room 24

Thank you to our amazing (all volunteer)

 PTO Executive Board!

Cooper teachers have felt so very

appreciated this week with the big Hollywood Production you put on.

Special thanks to Nicole Maneri and Sara Pichardo

You two have gone above and beyond in true Cooper Comet Spirit: Thank you!

Preventing suicide takes an entire community. All VUSD families are invited to hear award winning author Kevin Hines present on the important topic of suicide awareness and prevention. Kevin is a motivational speaker, mental health advocate and an attempted suicide survivor who is known for his passionate support of mental health causes and prevention. This presentation is FREE, and all VUSD families are invited to attend.

The presentation will be held:

Tuesday, May 8th, 2018

Catwalk Theater at Will C Wood High,
998 Marshall Road, Vacaville

6:30-7:30 PM

More information about Kevin Hines at http://www.kevinhinesstory.com/

Friday, April 27, 2018

7:30 A.M.

Multi Purpose Room (MPR)

Hello VUSD Families,
 

On Friday, April 20th educators across the country will participate in bringing attention to school safety.  The Vacaville Teachers Association will also be participating in this effort by distributing stickers and posting signs with the message "Safe Schools for All.”  This participation is made in solidarity with educators nationwide and is in no way made as a protest of our district safety or any political positions. We simply encourage families (and students) to continue to consider and discuss the safety of all of our students. If you have any questions or thoughts, please contact VTA at: tracys@vacavilleusd.org.
 

Sincerely,

Vacaville Teacher's Association

Hola familias de VUSD,

El viernes, 20 de April, educadores a través del país van a participar en llamando atención a la seguridad escolar.  El asociación de profesores de Vacaville también participaran en este esfuerzo por distribuiendo etiquetas y colocando cartels con el mensaje “escuelas seguras para todos!” Este participación se hace en solidaridad con educadores a escala nacional y de ninguna manera está hecho como una protesta de la seguridad de nuestro distrito o cualquier posición politica. Simplemente alentamos a las familias (y estudiantes) que continuan considerando y discutan el seguridad de todos nuestros estudiantes.  Si tienes alguna pregunta o pensamientos, por favor póngase en contacto con VTA a: tracys@vacavilleusd.org

Sinceramente,

Asociación de Maestros Vacaville

Cooper Closed from

Friday, March 30

to 

Friday, April 6

School resumes on Monday, April 9

Parent and guardian feedback helps VUSD determine goals and priorities for the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). The LCAP is an educational plan that maps expenditures to actions and student outcomes.

Take the survey here.

Check out VUSD's Community Bulletin Board featuring sports, events, activities and more for kids and families.

The 15th Annual Loop the Lagoon fundraiser for Vacaville schools is right around the corner. This fun-filled community event features kids races, running/ walking events and a fair. 50% of every entry fee goes directly back to your school. Help raise money for your school and have a great time doing it! Register to participate or volunteer here.

VUSD schools will be performing lockdown drills (locks, lights, out of sight) today. The drill schedule for VUSD is set before the school year begins. Today's classroom conversation that accompanies the drill is the See Something, Say Something mantra that pertains to reporting threats, being kind, and offering help for those who may need it.

Tomorrow is the national "Walk Out" movement, from 10:00 AM to 10:17 AM. As a district, we recognize that recent violent events weigh heavily on VUSD parents, staff and students. While VUSD is not promoting participation in the event, we will support students in middle or high school who feel compelled to express themselves in a respectful way during this time. Some student groups have organized voter registration efforts (non-partisan) and similar activities tomorrow. Teachers will remain in classrooms for students who do not wish to participate as well. 
"Walk Up" is another movement that encourages students and adults alike to extend kindness and support to others. Efforts of kindness is something we can all do today that can have immediate impact in our daily lives.

Super Saturday School 

Saturday, March 10

8:00 am - 12:15 pm

Permission slips due no later than

Wednesday, March 7 

Super Saturday school is our attendance recovery program and allows students to make up one previously missed day of school.

*Attention sixth grade parents/guardians*

If you are interested in planning six grade promotion (graduation), please join us for a informative planning meeting on Tuesday night March 6th from 6 to 7 PM, in the Cooper school library, or on Wednesday, March 7 from 12:00 to 1:00 PM in the Cooper school Library. 

The 6th grade promotion ceremony will be from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM on the last day of school, Thursday, June 7, 2018.

PTO's

Art Extravagnaza

Friday, March 2, 2018

6-8 pm

Cooper Elementary

MP Room

We are now enrolling new students for the 

2018 - 2019 School Year

Kindergarten class schedule is

8:00 am to 11:35 am

August 16 to March 11

Our Kindergarten classes will become extended Kinder classes starting March 11, 2019. The Kinder schedule will then be

8:00 am to 12:30 pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and

Wednesdays will be 8:00 am to 12:15 pm

Click on the Enrollment and Transfer button for more information

Hello VUSD Families,

The recent school shooting in Florida is a horrible reminder that our worst nightmare is happening more and more. As we move forward through our fear for our own children and grief for families at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, I wanted to share what VUSD has and will continue to do to address school safety.

School violence is a complex issue. As a district we have worked to identify the aspects of school violence beyond legislation that we can directly control and impact in our schools.

As adults, the action that we can take today which serves as the foundation for a positive school climate is helping students understand the importance of respect, compassion, understanding and support of each other; face to face, on social media, at school and at home. We can model this behavior and help students look for understanding of each other. Our schools serve students with a wide range of emotional, physical and intellectual needs and it is important that we foster a culture that is inclusive of everyone. Sometimes behaviors we witness are misunderstood or present an opportunity to provide a student with needed support. However, consistent and understood consequences for students who choose to threaten, demean or bully others at school or online is also key.

A consistent and clear emergency response plan is also vital in keeping our students safe and addressing any potential threat on campus. We are in our fourth year of practicing the Standard Response Protocols (Lockdown, Lockout, Evacuate, Shelter). This plan was developed with guidance from the Vacaville Police Department. Vacaville PD is at the center of all our emergency responses and their expertise and support has been invaluable. A police sergeant and four school resource police officers are based on school campuses and serve all of our schools with safety and crime issues. Our emergency plan also includes monthly drills for students and staff as well as trainings for parents. I invite you to attend our next parent-training event on February 27th at 5:30 PM at 401 Nut Tree Road.

Our 2017-18 educational plan (LCAP) has also included funding and programing to systemically address social and emotional wellness for students. Each school has adopted systems of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) that include teaching positive behaviors and offering a wide range of supports to fit each individual student’s needs. This includes sixteen mental health clinicians, therapists, and interns, school counselors, deans at secondary schools and school administration. The City of Vacaville also has a community service officer, two master social workers, family support workers and program managers who work to serve and support VUSD students as well.

Positive school climate and safety is an ongoing effort that must be the highest priority for the school district, parents, students, city and our community. Supporting students positively as they grow not only effects our school environment but our city as a whole.

If you have any questions or concerns about safety, please reach out to your school principal, district administration listed below or myself.

Director of Student Attendance and Welfare- Ramiro Barron (707) 453-7126 ext. 226

Assistant Superintendent of Student Services- Kim Forrest (707) 453-7201

Director of Community Engagement (emergency response)- Jennifer Leonard (707) 453-6155

Sincerely,

Jane Shamieh

Superintendent

Vacaville Unified School District

(707)453-6101

janes@vacavilleusd.org

School shootings are a terrifying thought for every parent and educator. Student safety is always in the forefront for us as a community. Given yesterday's tragic events in Florida, we thought we would share the following upcoming events that are part of our annual calendar to address school safety. 
The first is our district wide Emergency Operations Center Training on February 27th that includes all of our schools and departments in executing an EOC with the focus on the logistics of keeping our students safe and accounted for in a disaster. 

The second is an informational meeting for parents, reviewing our Standard Response Protocols as well as our Standard Reunification Method Protocols, also on February 27th from 5:30-7:00 PM in the Educational Services Center Board Room at 401 Nut Tree Road. 

Finally, March 15th is our annual district-wide school Lockdown Drill. The drills will be happening throughout the day at every school site. Each site creates a different scenario to practice each year, for example a school might elect to trigger the drill during passing period or recess rather than in the classroom so that students can practice the procedures under various circumstances. 

The Vacaville Police Department is an integral partner in keeping our kids safe. All of our protocols are created in collaboration with VPD. More information about VUSD's emergency response protocols can be found at http://www.vacavilleusd.org/SRP. Please feel free to contact Jennifer Leonard at (707)453-6155 with any questions or comments.

Valentine's Day Spirit Week

Friday, Feb. 16. . . .Show your Love for Cooper School

                                Wear your favorite Cooper Spirit Wear

Remember, we are off for President's Week 

February 19 to 23

School resumes on Monday, February 26th 

It's time to sign up for Girls on the Run!

CONFIDENT, Joyful,

                Healthy & Caring!

Girls on the Run Napa & Solano (GOTR) is coming to Cooper Elementary this spring! All girls, of all fitness levels, who believe in girl power, and who don’t want to miss the fun are welcome! Girls on the Run is for 3rd - 5th grade. During the past 11 years, over 5,800 Napa and Solano girls have completed this uplifting, girl’s empowerment program.

We hear from parents and teachers that the girls had fun, feel healthier or improved their self-esteem. Here is what one girl learned:

" Girls on the Run is the best after-school program. I love it. It taught me to be nice, healthy and to communicate

 with people instead of fighting."

NVLA GOTR Girl

GOTR empowers girls to believe in themselves so they can follow their dreams by creatively combining life skill curriculum with fun, experiential activities and running or just moving it. The after-school program meets twice a week for 75 minutes each session over 10 weeks and is lead by two positive volunteer life coaches. Spring season starts March 5^th and ends May 18^th, with our SHERO 5K Fun Run taking place on Saturday, May 12^th!

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Register at www.GOTRNapaSolano.org 

and join us for some real-life fun this Spring!

Hello VUSD Parents and Guardians,

The Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) connects the funding we receive to the goals we’ve established, and it outlines the ways we measure progress. Parent/guardian input is a critical component to the plan. Academic success for each student requires a collaborative partnership between parents/guardians and schools.

Please take a few moments to share your feedback and priorities with us by completing one survey for each school your student(s) attend(s).  (2 surveys for 2 different schools, etc.)

SURVEY AT: https://goo.gl/forms/2SovZX O9KAH0PjXv1
Thank you for partnering with us in your student’s education.

Sincerely,

Superintendent
Jane Shamieh

Saludos a nuestros Padres/Guardianes de VUSD,

El Plan de Control Local de Responsabilidad (LCAP, por sus siglas en inglés) conecta los fondos que recibimos a los objetivos que hemos establecidos y describe las maneras en que medimos el progreso.  El aporte de los padres/guardianes es un componente crítico del plan. El éxito académico de cada estudiante requiere una asociación colaborativa entre los padres/guardianes y las escuelas.

Por favor tómese unos momentos para compartir su retroalimentación y prioridades con nosotros completando una encuesta para cada escuela a la que su alumno(os) asista.  (2 encuestas para 2 escuelas diferentes, etc.)

Gracias por ser parte de la educación de su estudiante.  

https://goo.gl/forms/WfAm3aGHNj1wenwB2

Gracias por asociarse con nosotros en la educación de su hijo.

Sinceramente,

Superintendente 
Jane Shamieh

Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that brings to school the books kids want to read. It’s a wonderful selection of engaging a­nd affordable books for every reading level. Please make plans to visit our Book Fair and be involved in shaping your child’s reading habits. 

Beginning March 2 at 12:30pm & March 5-8 7:30am-4:00pm.  

And if you are unable to attend the Fair in person, we invite you to visit our online Book Fair at scholastic.com/fair. Our online Fair is available from February 28 to March 13. 

http://www.scholastic.com/bf/cooperelementaryschool30

We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair! Remember, all purchases benefit our school and the New Makers Space! 

Join the January Special Education Parent Meeting supporting student success through equitable access, collaboration and empowerment. 

Come and listen to information from guest speaker officer Jeremy Johnson of the Vacaville Police Department regarding the “Puzzle Project”. This project started by officer Johnson is slated to strengthen ties between the police and the special needs community. 

Wednesday, January 31st 

6:00 pm to 7:30 pm 

Orchard Elementary School Library 805 Orchard Ave. 

Questions? Call or email: 

Angel Giroux-Greber 

Special Needs Parent Liaison 

(707)453– 6172 

AngelG@vacavilleusd.org 

Child Care provided by district paraprofessionals 

Light refreshments served.

6th Grade Parent Open House 

Meet Vaca Peña teachers and staff and get information about the transition to middle school, elective options, and class curriculum. 

Wednesday, February 28th at 6:00 PM in the Vaca Peña Gym

6th Grade Elementary Site Visits 

Vaca Peña Administration and Counselors will be at the following elementary sites presenting registration information about Vaca Peña. If your child does not attend one of these schools and you would like to attend one of these presentations, please contact the elementary site for permission.

Monday, March 5th at 9:00 AM                                 Callison

Wednesday, March 7th at 9:00 AM                           Padan

Thursday, March 8th at 9:00 AM                               Cooper

Thursday, March 8th at 1:00 PM                               Fairmont

WEB Orientation (Students ONLY) 

Incoming 7th graders will attend an informative and interactive orientation with our WEB Leaders.  After the orientation students will receive their schedule and can walk around to find their classes.  The PE department will also be selling PE uniforms.  

August 15th from 9:00 – 10:30

Parent Orientation (Parents ONLY)

Incoming 7th grade parents can attend a short orientation about middle school.  You can buy PE uniforms and yearbooks at this time.  Please arrange transportation with your student as this orientation will be shorter than your child’s.

August 15th from 9:00 – 9:45 

2018-2019 School years begins:  August 16th, 2018

School Start time:  8:50 AM

*you can find attached a form with our elective classes offered

Gill Van Attenhoven, an attorney and the Director of Training for the California Narcotic Officers Association will be giving a “don't miss “presentation about opioids and other drugs. Vacaville Police Sergeant Todd Dye, will also be speaking about opioid and drug use in Vacaville.
High school students, parents and community members are encouraged to attend to help raise awareness regarding opioids and other drugs that are killing children.

VUSD PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION EVENT

January 25, 2018 @ 6:00 - 7:30 pm 401 Nut Tree Road, Vacaville 

Sierra Vista K-8 will be hosting an informational meeting Tuesday, January 23 at 6:30 PM in the school multipurpose room located at 301 Bel Air Drive, Vacaville.  It will be a great opportunity to meet and ask questions of staff, current students and parents. Enrollment packets will be available at the informational meeting.

Tours of Sierra Vista K-8 are also available for interested families on February 9th beginning at 9:00 AM. More information about Sierra Vista K-8 can be found on their website at http://sierravista.schoolloop.com/ or you can reach the school office at 707-453-6260.

No School January 15 for  Martin Luther King Jr. Day
 

 With the cold and flu season upon us please remember that over the counter medications (including cough drops, chap stick and eye drops) are not permitted at school without a doctor’s prescription and medication form on file in the health office.

If you have any questions feel free to call me (Brenda) at ext. 107 or nursing services at 453-7142. Thank you!

Student Council Spirit Week

December 18th to 21st

Monday 18 - wear red

Tuesday 19 - wear green

Wednesday - Christmas sweater day

Thursday - wear a Santa hat

No school

December 22, 2017 to January 5, 2018

*Thursday, December 21st is a minimum day

School resumes on Monday, January 8, 2018

Merry Christmas Comets!

Take care and we will

see you at school next year!

With Love from your Cooper Secretaries,

Bobbi, Tammy, and Joan

Pajama and Book Drive Going on Now

Join our 4th graders and Scholastic Books in collecting pajamas for children in need.  For every pair of pajamas (sized 8 through 1XL) donated by December 13, Scholastic will donate one book.  Children in need and kids in the foster system will receive these donations.  Please join the 4th grade in asking your families, friends, and neighbors to help us meet our goal.  Bring donations to room 12 or any of the other 4th grade rooms. Thanks!

Thank you Cooper Chorus 2017!

Thank you to all of those who participated in some way with our Cooper Chorus this year.

You were wonderful and delighted us all!

Special thanks to Michele Jacklin and Kim Bosler

You two are absolutely amazing volunteers, well done! 

Saturday School is being offered on Saturday, December 9

8:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Lunch is provided free of charge

Permission slips are due by Wednesday, December 6

When a student attends Saturday school, one previous absence will be cleared from their attendance record.

Students really enjoy Saturday School, it's fun!

The California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) is the largest statewide survey of resiliency, protective factors, and risk behaviors in the nation. Students in grades 5, 7, 9 and 11 will be participating in the California Healthy Kids Survey between November 27 - December 21, 2017.  Parent information and consent forms will be sent home in November.  Click here for more information.

As a follow up and response to the concerning incident this morning involving the arrest of a near a bus transit station, please see the update below. As always, we encourage parents to help students understand how to be aware of their surroundings, not engage with strangers and immediately tell adults about strange or threatening incidents. We appreciate the immediate action and support from Vacaville PD, and are glad that the suspect was identified.

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE HAS BEEN POSTED BY THE VACAVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT:

Two teenaged girls are to be commended for their quick thinking and actions yesterday, which have now led to the arrest of 29-year-old Vacaville resident Newton Payeah.

Yesterday morning while waiting for a bus at the Vacaville Transit Center on E. Monte Vista Avenue, Payeah approached two girls who were waiting for a bus to take them to school. He asked them if they would like to smoke marijuana with him and offered to give them a ride, identifying himself as an Uber driver. These brave young ladies did the right thing by not engaging him further and got on their bus when it arrived. They then reported what happened to an adult which resulted in police being called.

Our children's safety is extremely important to us and we immediately launched an investigation as to what occurred. Information was being shared on other social media platforms that in some situations was not correct. We want you to know we are committed to providing you information that is timely, accurate, and direct from the source on our social media platforms and sometimes that takes a little longer than we all may want, however this ensures accuracy in what's shared. Officers from our Youth Services Section were actively following up on the case when we learned Payeah returned to the transit center this morning. Officers immediately responded and safely took Payeah into custody. We were able to determine he does not work for Uber as a driver. Payeah was arrested for annoying a child under the age of 18 and booked into Solano County Jail. Below is a picture of Payeah at the time of his arrest and the car he arrived in.

This situation could have ended much different if not for the excellent decisions made by the girls. Please use this event to have those important conversations with your children about how to handle themselves should they ever be in similar circumstances.

Anyone with information regarding Payeah's actions is asked to contact Officer Erwin Ramirez at (707) 449-5200. Media inquiries can be directed to Lt. Mark Donaldson at (707) 449-5260.

Happy Thanksgiving!

No school the week of

November 20th - November 24

See you at school on Monday, Nov. 27

This is Parent Teacher Conference Week. 

Every day is a minimum day, Nov. 13 to Nov. 17

No change for Kindergarteners.

1st thru 3rd grades dismissed at 12:25 pm. 

4th thru 6th grades dismissed at 12:30 pm.

VUSD Elementary schools will have bagged lunches for students to eat at school or take home during minimum days Nov. 9th & 13-17th. Lunch is $3.00. Free and reduced rates also apply.

MINIMUM DAY LUNCHES:

Child Nutrition is feeding our elementary students on minimum days hassle free!

Please encourage students to come to the cafeteria when school lets out to get a Grab and Go lunch!  Each student who is interested will receive a bagged lunch for them to eat on site or take home. Lunch is $3.00 for paid students and free and reduced students are free of charge.

 For questions please phone our Child Nutrition Department at 707-453-6157.

Check out upcoming events, classes, clubs and more!

• Volunteers needed, call Kristen: 707-315-1741
• Candy donations accepted this week in the office breezeway

• Baked goods can be dropped off in the Multi-purpose room on Friday, October 27th starting at 7:45am

PTO's

Friday, October 27

5:30 - 8:30 pm

For PTO's Fall Festival Flyer for advance ticket sales and baked goods donations, click on the attachment below.

As we continue to deal with poor air quality that potentially changes hour by hour due to fires, we will continue to take steps to minimize exposure to smoke for staff and students. 

VIEW AIR QUALITY MEASURES HERE

Purchased picture packages/items from Fall Picture Days are

expected to arrive during the week of October 17th

And, if you missed picture days:

Make-up picture day is on

Monday, October 30, 2017

We will be having Spring Pictures as well for all grades, but only for those students who are purchasing in advance.  No picture make up day is offered in the Spring as time does not permit before summer break.

 Sixth graders have a special photo shoot called Free Spirit Portraits and also the traditional 6th grade panoramic photo: all taken in the spring.  All 6th graders will be photographed for the Free Spirit Picture which will appear on their certificate of completion from Cooper.

 As always, purchasing any school photos are optional and we appreciate the professionalism of Excel Photographers.

Hello VUSD Families,

As you probably remember, VUSD has been evaluating our school start times with the intent to create optimal learning environments for our students. Significant research shows that the circadian rhythm (or sleep cycle) for humans changes during the adolescent years. While young children typically are naturally wide awake early in the morning, teens biologically struggle with waking early, regardless of the time they go to sleep. Research shows that aligning school start times to better fit students' biological rhythms results in improved student performance and success.

VUSD has been evaluating school start times for over two years. This evaluation included: 

• reviewing extensive research
• recommendations from health organizations like the National Sleep Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control, and the American Academy of Pediatrics 
• school district transportation 
• cost analysis
• feedback from principals
• polls for students, parents and teachers

The VUSD Board of Trustees have taken all of these into careful consideration and have voted to adjust school start times for the 2018-19 school year. In the year to come, we will work with VUSD staff, City Coach, athletics, Vacaville Police and Fire and other community organizations in preparation of these new times. We understand that this positive change for student learning requires some adjustments for our families and community partners. We appreciate your willingness to work with us in fitting our educational system to meet students' needs.

More information about school schedules for 2018-19, research, articles, legislation, health tips and news on later school start time can been found here.

Hola VUSD Familias,

 Tal vez recordará que nuestro distrito ha estado evaluando los horarios de inicio de nuestras clases con la intención de crear ambientes de aprendizaje óptimos para nuestros estudiantes. Ha bastante investigación que muestra que el ritmo circadiano (o ciclo del sueño) para los seres humanos cambia durante los años de la adolescencia. Mientras que los niños pequeños suelen estar naturalmente despiertos temprano en la mañana, los adolescentes biológicamente luchan con despertar temprano, independientemente de la hora que se van a dormir. Las investigaciones demuestran que la alineación de las horas de inicio de la escuela para adaptarse mejor a los ritmos biológicos de los estudiantes mejora el éxito de los estudiantes.

El Distrito Escorar de Vacaville (VUSD) ha estado evaluando las horas de inicio de clases por más de dos años. Esta evaluación incluyó:

• revisar extensas investigaciones

• las recomendaciones de organizaciones de salud como la National Sleep Foundation, los Institutos Nacionales de Salud, los Centros para el Control de Enfermedades y la Academia Americana de Pediatría

• transporte del distrito escolar

• análisis del costo

• comentarios de los directores

• encuestas para estudiantes, padres y maestros

La Mesa Directiva del Distrito Escorar de Vacaville (VUSD) ha tomado todas estas consideraciones y ha votado para ajustar las horas de inicio de la escuela para el año escolar 2018-19. En el próximo año, trabajaremos con el personal de VUSD, el autobús de la ciudad (City Coach), el atletismo, la Policía y los Bomberos de Vacaville y otras organizaciones comunitarias en preparación de estos nuevos horarios. Entendemos que este cambio positivo para el aprendizaje de los estudiantes requiere algunos ajustes para nuestras familias y socios comunitarios. Agradecemos su disposición a trabajar con nosotros para adaptar nuestro sistema educativo a las necesidades de los estudiantes.

 Más información sobre los horarios escolares para 2018-19, la investigación, los artículos, la legislación, los consejos de salud y las noticias sobre la hora de inicio de la escuela más tarde se puede encontrar en: http://www.vacavilleusd.org/times.