News

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

UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. RESCHEDULED DATE WILL BE ANNOUNCED.
Kevin Hines is unable to travel due bad weather elsewhere in the US.

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:

Thursday, March 22, 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/

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.

PTO Ice Cream Social and Basket Raffle

February 9th 6:00 pm in the MP Room

Tickets on sale in the office

Monday, January 29th thru Friday, February 9th

Buy your tickets in the office and place them in

your basket of choice to enter the raffle.

Tickets can be purchased at the

Ice Cream Social up until the time of the raffle that night.

Good luck and thank you for participating in this super

fun Cooper Fundraiser.

Raffle starts promptly at 6:30 pm

Ticket prices

1 ticket = $1

6 tickets = $5

40 tickets = $25

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.

Duck, cover and hold. All VUSD schools will be practicing earthquake drills at 10:19 AM today. This is a great opportunity for families to review their emergency supplies and plans too. What's your family plan? http://www.earthquakecountry.org/step5/

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

Vacaville may experience poor air quality in coming days. View information about air quality measures here.

Based upon information available Sunday, October 15th, all VUSD schools and offices will be open on a regular schedule Monday, October 16th. 

Currently, there are no plans to make up days for school closures. However, Super Saturdays are a great way for students to get additional help. The next Super Saturday is October 21st. Details are available at your school. 

ALL VUSD SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED THURSDAY, OCT. 12th and FRIDAY OCT. 13th.

Hello VUSD Families,

We hope this message finds your families safe and well. Our hearts go out to those who have been evacuated or have lost loved ones, pets and homes in this tragedy. Thank you for your support as we work through the challenges of this disaster.

Because the evacuation areas in Solano County have increased, affecting even more VUSD families and staff and the air quality is now at hazardous levels, all VUSD schools and offices will be closed on Thursday October 12^th and Friday October 13^th. Thank you for your understanding as we navigate this emergency. Take care and stay safe.

Saludos a las familias de VUSD,

Es nuestra esperanza que este mensaje encuentre a sus familias seguras y bien.  Nuestros corazones están con quienes han sido evacuado o ha perdido seres queridos, mascotas y hogares en esta tragedia.  Gracias por su apoyo mientras trabajamos para enfrentar este desastre lo mejor que podemos.

Debido a la que las áreas de evacuación en el Condado de Solano han aumentado, afectando aún más familias y personal de VUSD y que la calidad del aire esta ahora a niveles peligrosos, todas las escuelas y las oficinas de VUSD estarán cerradas el jueves, 12 de octubre y el viernes, 13 de octubre.  Gracias por su comprensión mientras sobre pasamos esta emergencia.  Cuídense y permanezcan seguros. 

Las áreas de evacuación y los niveles de humo han aumentado significativamente.  Las escuelas de VUSD estarán cerradas el jueves y viernes. 

School will be in session today.

VUSD schools will be open today with measures being taken to reduce smoke exposure for staff and students. Students who stay home with parental permission due to poor air quality will have excused absences.

“Our thoughts go out to our Fairfield/Napa/Sonoma neighbors and staff who are dealing with evacuations and tragedy. We understand that many VUSD parents cannot get time off for poor air quality and cancelling school creates childcare and income challenges for many. Keeping schools open, but excusing absences for those who choose to keep students home is the best way we can support our families during this tragedy while maintaining educational continuity.” VUSD Superintendent Jane Shamieh.

All VUSD schools will be collecting donations for fire victims today.

VUSD will follow data and guidelines from the Spare the Air Current Conditions table and the Air Quality Index. The following are measures that VUSD staff will take to ensure minimal exposure to unhealthy air.

 See more information about measures we will take to minimize smoke exposure for staff and students.

Cooper is open and in session the entire month of October.  Monday through Friday, every week, every day, we are open and on our regular schedule.

We have no week days off.  We don't even have a minimum day during the month of October.

We are learning so much this month!

For more information regarding our school calendar please click on the calendar on the right of this screen.

Let's Code It, Programming!

After school enrichment opportunity from: Learning Means Fun 

Sign up at: https://learningmeansfun.com/signup

Use class code: CEC10.10.17

Tuesdays, October 10th - December 19th 2:30-3:30

No Class: 10/31, 11/14, 11/21 (8 classes total, will be held)

Last day to register for the early bird price $129.99 is 10/3

Flyers went home and are also available in the office

Let's Build It, Engineering!

Cooper after school enrichment opportunity from:

Learning Means Fun 

Mondays, October 9th - December 11th 2:30-3:30

No Class: 11/13, 11/20 (8 classes total will be held)

Sign up at: https://learningmeansfun.com/signup

Use class code: CEC10.9.17

Information forms were sent home and

are also available in the office

Last day to register for the early bird price $129.99 is 9/25

After that is an additional $15

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.

You are invited to attend the Cooper School Spirit Night

at Red Robin!

Join us on Wednesday, 9/27 at Red Robin, 186 Nut Tree Parkway in Vacaville. 20% of our fundraising sales will go back to the Cooper School PTO. So the more people who attend, the more money we will earn. We’ll see you there!

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. 

Join us at Special Education Parent Night Wednesday, September 27th from 6:00-7:30 PM at Orchard Elementary. Meet other families, the special education leadership team and our special needs parent liaison.

The Cooper Spirit is Contagious!

Last day to order the latest and greatest PTO Cooper Comet

T-shirts is September 29th

6 different colors available this year

Order forms are available in the office

T-shirts are $10 each

The Biggest Popsicle Party is postponed until further notice

T-shirt questions can be directed to:

marketing@coopercometspto.com 

VUSD works with community partners to keep kids safe. This month we are helping to shed light on human trafficking that can happen to kids in our city too.

Hear from a trafficking survivor at the Human Trafficking Awareness & Prevention seminar Wednesday, September 13th at 6:00 PM in the Will C. Wood Theater located at 998 Marshall Road. More info here

Cooper Chorus sign ups have begun for our

2nd thru 6th grade students

If interested, please return the green sign up sheet to school no later than:

Monday, September 18th

Chorus will begin promptly at 7:30 am.

Well behaved chorus members will be expected in the MP Room by 7:25 am and to be ready to sing promptly at 7:30 am every Tuesday and Wednesday morning

The Chorus commitment begins on

Wednesday, September 20th and ends by mid December

Be sure to keep the white information chorus form posted at home or snap a picture of it for future reference over the next two months

Save the Date for our

PTO FALL FESTIVAL

October 27

5:30 to 8:30 pm

Questions? Suggestions? Ready to sign up to volunteer?

Email: events@coopercometspto.com 

City to open two cooling centers beginning Friday evening. Excessive heat warning issued by National Weather Service. With temperatures expected to reach well into the 100s over this Labor Day weekend, the City of Vacaville will be opening cooling centers at two of its community centers.

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for our area and other parts of Northern California. As a result, the Three Oaks Community Center will have a cooling center in one of its assembly rooms. Three Oaks, which is located at 1100 Alamo Drive, will be open until 8:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

View more information

Wednesday, August 30

6:00-6:25 1st session

6:25-6:30 passing

6:30-6:55  2nd session

Did you miss out on getting a yearbook in June?

No problem!  We have a few extras...

Last year's 2016 - 2017 Yearbooks

for sale in the office now

16-17 yearbooks = $5.00

Many parents have turned in the Volunteer Information form that was in your students first day packet, thank you!  It's much better to have this process taken care of now, before a field trip sneaks up on you!  

August 21 Eclipse Resources!

On August 21 all of America will experience a solar eclipse. Some areas will witness a total eclipse (when the moon entirely covers the sun); other regions will witness a partial eclipse.

The Bay Area will experience a 76% eclipse, with the moon beginning to cover the sun at 9:01 am, reaching maximum coverage at 10:15 am, and then moving away from the sun at 11:37 am.  

Some schools have made plans for students to go outside and watch the eclipse using special solar eclipse glasses and/or cards for pinhole viewing. Please check your school's website to see what kinds of activities are planned.  

If you want to send your child to school with glasses for viewing the eclipse, please be sure to provide designated solar eclipse glasses. Staring at even a sliver of the sun without adequate protection can cause permanent eye damage. (You can find more information about choosing safe glasses on the American Astronomical Society's website.)

The following websites have lots of layperson-friendly eclipse information to share with your families and friends:

• American Astronomical Society: "Solar Eclipse Across America"
• NASA: "Eclipse 2017"
• Front Page Science: "2017 Total Solar Eclipse" (podcasts)
• Cal Eclipse: "Do Your Thing for the Sun" (a guide to ways that community members can reduce energy usage during the eclipse in order to avoid making power plants switch to natural gas while solar energy is unavailable)
• PBS Learning Media: "Solar Eclipses"
• CIT Jet Propulsion Laboratory: "How to Make a Pinhole Camera"

Cooper School needs Noon Duty Supervisors

Several two and three and a half hour shifts available starting August 17

If interested please apply as soon as possible in the Human Resource Department  at the VUSD Office:

101 Nut Tree Rd. in Vacaville

Then stop by Cooper or call to let us know your name and availability, thanks!

Yard Duties are V.I.P.'s at Cooper! 

Kaiser Permanente in Vacaville is hosting a Community Health and Sport Fair August 5th, 2017 from 9:00am-12:00pm at 1 Quality DR., Vacaville. The event hosts sports exams and immunizations for Kaiser members as well as community activities for parents, students and coaches. Admission is free.

If your student is not returning to Cooper and you need to withdraw him or her, here's what to do:

Be sure to let us know your child's name and new school they will be attending.  Once enrolled the new school secretary will contact us at Cooper and we will send them your students' records.

Email Miss Bobbi in the office at:

Bobbif@Vacavilleusd.org 

Or call us at 707-453-6210 and leave a message on our absences line by pressing 2 during the recording.

2017 - 2018

1st Day of School

August 17

The school office is open now, from 8 am to 4 pm 

Class lists will be posted on August 15 at 5:00 pm

School hours are listed on the right of our website home screen

Enrollment Procedure

Dear New Parents, please check VUSD's website School Boundary Locator to find out which school your home address belongs to.  Then, go to your school of residence to register your child, you can find their office hours on the school's website.   If you wish to request a different school for your child to attend, your school office of residence can walk you through that procedure, but you must start there.

Cooper Office will be open until June 19th and will reopen for the next school year on August 8th from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  

For Transitional Kindergartners, Kindergartners, and 1st graders the requirements are as follows on this link:

K - 1st registration packet cover sheet.docx

For 2nd - 6th graders use this link:

2nd - 6th registration packet cover sheet.docx

Kids can keep in touch with friends this summer with Free Lunch With Friends. Kids 0-18 years can enjoy complimentary lunches all summer. No registration is needed. 

DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE

YEARBOOKS FOR SALE!

                                 YEARBOOKS FOR SALE!

Best Cooper Yearbook ever 

for sale now in the office for $15 each.

Please send exact change or write a check out to EXCEL

Limited supply available while they last

Congratulations to Chloe Gamboa

 She won the Front Cover contest, great work Chloe

Good job to our Runners Up:

Aurora Adrias

Elayna Weber

Taylor Staten

Their work makes up the back cover of this years' book.  Thanks to: Mr. Muehlenbruch, Tammy Mattson, and Excel Photography for all that you do to make our years memorable at Cooper with these wonderful books.

WILL C. WOOD  HIGH  SCHOOL

BASKETBALL  SHOOTING  CLINIC

June 12th - 16th at Will C. Wood High School Gym

Mon. – Fri. 10:00 A.M. to Noon – Boys/Girls-Grades 6-8, Next Fall

The Will C. Wood High School Basketball Coaches will provide instruction for boys and girls so they can learn the fundamental skills as well as provide competition necessary to help participants improve their game.

Cost:  $25.00  Make checks payable to 

Will C. Wood High Basketball

Click on the attachment below to download the form and more instructions.

The Last Week of School is

Monday June 5th to Thursday June 8th

Monday June 5 is a regular school day

Tuesday June 6 and Wednesday June 7 are

Minimum Days

School is out for summer on 

Thursday June 8 at 11:30 am

ALL students come to school on the last day from 

8:15 am to 11:30 am

For the last 10 days of school our Student Council is promoting these spirit day opportunities.

PTO Picnic Day Donations Due May 30th

Picnic Day is Wednesday, May 31 

Lunch is FREE for all students on Picnic Day

Memorial Day - No School

Monday, May 29th 

May is Mental Health Month. The intent of this observance is to bring awareness to growing mental health needs within our culture, and to fight the stigma associated with mental illness.  The Netflix series “13 Reasons Why” has brought national and local attention to issues related to mental illness and suicide.  Please take an opportunity to discuss the attached talking points with your children.  We need to work together to spread the message to our children that help is always available.

Click here for Discussion Points regarding "13 Reasons Why"

Dear Parents,

We can never be too careful when it comes to protecting our children.  A dangerous “game” surfaced on social media a while back, particularly with students in other countries. The game is being talked about by student in our schools. 

The “Blue Whale Challenge” app involves the enticement of students into risky behavior that could result in the final challenge of taking one’s life. While we do not know of any VUSD students who are playing it, we want to make sure that you are aware of it.

Evidently, it has been removed from the app store.  We are appreciative of members of the community who brought this to our attention; our children benefit when we work together to protect them.

Sincerely, 

Kim Forrest

Please take a few moments to watch this video and share it. Our friends with Autism, like all people, need support and understanding. Helping students understand Autism is a great place to start.

Race registration and packet pickup today at Fleet Feet Vacaville from 12-6 PM, and tomorrow from 6:30-8:00AM at Lagoon Valley! Remember half of your registration fee goes back to the school of choice.

The Loop the Lagoon Run/Walk fundraiser for the Vacaville Public Education Foundation (VPEF) is May 13th. 50% of your registration fee will go directly back to your school of choice! 

So, rally your coworkers, friends and family and join this fantastic fundraising event for schools in beautiful Lagoon Valley!

Register at: http://www.loopthelagoon.com

Papa Roach -- a world-touring, Grammy-nominated, triple-platinum rock band with members who originally hail from Vacaville – will break away from their album promotion schedule on May 3 to come home to deliver a message to Solano County children: Be fearless, dream big, aim high to develop your full creative potential.

Members of the band will return to their hometown for a special dedication ceremony at Imagine That!  – Vacaville’s newly opened hands-on learning Exploratorium for children of all ages and abilities. Exhibits at the center encourage children to be free to imagine, create, and welcome sciences and art into their lives.

The highlight of this special ceremony will be Vacaville Mayor Len Augustine proclaiming May 3 as Papa Roach Day in Vacaville. In honor of Papa Roach’s generous support of our community, organizers have created a special exhibit at the center that celebrates their musical success. One portion of the exhibit invites youngsters to play out their rock dreams and musical talents.

Papa Roach formed in 1993, with Jacoby Shaddix, a student at Vacaville High, and Jerry Horton of Vanden High, since that time and with Members Tobin Esperance and Tony Palermo, Papa Roach have achieved critical and commercial acclaim selling over 25 million albums worldwide. 

The dedication will take place from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3 at Vacaville’s Imagine That!, 848-B Alamo Drive.

For local information, contact Lauren Runow of Imagine That!, (707) 474-5317.

We are proud to announce the "Brainiacs" as the NK winners at Cooper School!  This 5th grade team will compete on Wednesday May 3rd from 6:30-8pm at Vaca Pena.  Please join us in cheering them on during this district wide competition.  

REMINDER:

With the changing seasons some kids are getting colds, flus, and suffering from allergies. ANY over the counter medications, including but not limited to: cough drops, chap stick, and eye drops are not permitted to be brought to school unless it’s prescribed by a doctor.  ALL medications are kept in the Health Office with a completed medication form, with the exception of students with a “Self Administration” medication form on file. Any OTC’s or medications found to be in the possession of students will be confiscated and held in the office for a parent to pick up.

Thank you!