Virginia Court Elementary
12600 E. Virginia Ct., Aurora, CO 80012
Main Office: (303) 366-9594
Office Hours: 7:15-3:00
weekly message from principal pippenger
Dear Virginia Court Families,
What an unexpectedly short week! Our students continue to attend to learning even with the excitement of snow and days off! Thank you for continuing to navigate our Colorado weather and sending students to school in warm clothes. When outside temperatures are above 20 degrees, we will have outdoor line-up and outdoor recess. If your child needs hats and gloves, please reach out to Sangita Patel, the Family Engagement Advisor at spatel@aurorak12.org for additional information.
In partnership,
Kim Pippenger, Principal
important information
Family Coffee/Meeting
Do you have questions about how behavior concerns are handled at Virginia Court? When your child tells you about an incident that happened, are you unsure how to support them?
Well, come to the first Family meeting of the year rescheduled from the snow day to Monday, January 23rd! Come to the meeting after dropping off your students. We begin at 8:30 in the cafeteria.
We will be discussing the following:
What is bullying behavior?
How do students follow PRIDE expectations?
How do we handle behavior concerns through restorative practices?
Principal Pippenger will also share Virginia Court’s school budget for next school year. Stop in to provide your recommendations!
We will serve a lite breakfast with coffee and hot coco! Spanish interpretation will be available. And, we have a few fun prizes to giveaway! See you then!
FYI - District Family Meeting Meeting
The ELA-Parent Advisory Council (EPAC) is hosting the next gathering on January 25th at the PLCC. This month's topic focuses on: Emotional Health as a way to empower students and families.
This event is open to all families! Refreshments and childcare will be provided.
Click here for more information. The PLCC is located on 15711 E. 1st Avenue, Aurora, CO 80011. Carpooling with families is encouraged.
Cold and Wet Weather
We monitor weather conditions carefully. At this time of year the mornings are much colder. Here’s how we make decisions about whether students have inside recess:
If temps are below 20 degrees (including windchill)
If it is raining or snowing enough that students would be wet when they come into the building
Our students go outside for recess when the temperature is above 20 degrees. This gives our kids fresh air, which is so good for their health and wellness.
Warm jackets, mittens, hats, snow boots and other cold weather clothing are needed for Colorado weather. If your children need warm clothes, please reach out to Sangita Patel, the Family Engagement Advisor at spatel@aurorak12.org
Lost and Found
We know the weather is getting colder. There are A LOT of jackets and coats stacked up in the Lost and Found Bins in the Main Office Hallway and in front of the cafeteria. Please stop by to look through it if your child has lost a clothing item.
Food for Thought Partnership
We have seen many families reaching out about food needs. We have partnered with Food for Thought, which is linked to the Food Bank of the Rockies. Beginning December 2 and every other week after that, Food for Thought will deliver “Power snack bags” for all students regardless of need.
Food bins will be placed outside of classrooms with Food Bags
Students make take 1 bag, regardless of need
Reach out to Sangita Patel, the Family Engagement Advisor at spatel@aurorak12.org if you have questions.
Traffic
We are seeing many cars moving quickly and sometimes recklessly at drop off and pick up. We are a small campus with more than 680 students! Safety of our students before and afterschool is a priority. Here is the traffic map that will support you to find the best way to get to school to drop off or pick up your child.
Here is a tip: We begin supervision at 7:25 and we see very little traffic before 7:35. If you come after 7:35 drop off will take a bit more time causing your child to be late. So, plan ahead and come early!
attendance
Unexcused Absences
Student attendance at school is so important! Recently we’ve noticed students being absent from school without an excuse. We know you care about your child and believe it is very important to give children the best opportunity to learn the skills necessary for success in their future. We know that sometimes students are sick or have a family emergency. When students are out without a reason, their absence is marked UNEXCUSED.
To excuse an absence:
Call the attendance line @ 303-326-1644 or Send a Talking Point message to the Office or your child’s teacher
A doctor’s note is required for absences due to illness of more than 3 days. If students are absent for more than 3 days, we will reach out to ensure your child is healthy and safe. If students are already chronically absent, a doctor’s note may also be required in order to excuse it.
We know you care about your child and believe it is very important to give children the best opportunity to learn the skills necessary for success in their future. Attending school on a regular basis is one way to support your child’s education. We are here to help!
Thank you for joining us and working as a team for the success of all of our students.
Students who arrive late miss: ★ Being greeted by their teacher ★ Saying hello to their friends as they hang up backpacks, unstack chairs ★ Breakfast with their classroom community ★ Learning about the day’s schedule ★ LEARNING. Have you ever walked into a room late and felt out of place? This is what our students feel like when they walk in late. Please help our students start each day successfully.
WEEKLY UPDATES:
January 23 - Family Coffee @ 8:30 (Cafeteria) Topic: Behavior Supports & School Budget
January 23 - February 3 - ACCESS Testing - Speaking
January 25 - EPAC Meeting @ PLCC. Topic: Students Emotional Health
Talking Points is an easy way to stay connected. Download the app!
Do we have your current phone number and email address? We don’t want you to miss a thing! Please check in and update your contact information.
At Virginia Court We are Committed to Serve Our Community
Vision: Educate, Prepare, Inspire
Mission: We are inspired to collaboratively grow and refine our educational practices, highlighting critical thinking and creativity in a joyful environment.
Purpose Statement: At Virginia Court, we are committed to cultivating critical thinking and creativity. We believe every child deserves an education that is rigorous, relevant and joyful. We strive to nurture a community of problem-solvers who are resilient and culturally responsive in a global society.
Support for Families
Resources for you:
Tri-County Immunizations: Aurora Office
***By Appointment Only***
15400 E. 14th Place Aurora, CO 80011
Low or no-cost immunizations for uninsured children and adults* CHP+, Medicaid, and Medicare accepted
Private insurance accepted (unable to bill Kaiser and select private insurances) Out of pocket costs vary for nonroutine vaccines Immunization Hotline 303-451-0123 Bring your immunization record with you to every visit
Free Meals for Students
Colorado Food Cluster
We deliver FREE meal kits that include tasty and nutritious meals and snacks, ready to heat and eat at families' doorsteps to serve the needs of thousands of families who are struggling during this current public health crisis.
Any youth 18 years of age or younger is eligible and families can enroll multiple students in each household for which each receives their own kit.
HOW TO REGISTER
Use this link to complete your registration process with Colorado Food Cluster www.coloradofoodcluster.com - available in English and Spanish. It usually takes 1 to 2 weeks from signing up to the delivery of the first meal.
FREE Internet Access
https://sites.google.com/aurorak12.org/edtechtools/aruba
If you do not currently have internet access at home, but live in a Comcast area, you can sign up for 60 days of FREE Internet Essentials service. This is normally available to all qualified households for $9.95/month.
Comcast is also increasing internet speeds for all existing customers who have Internet Essentials.
To sign up, visit www.internetessentials.com. The accessible website also includes the option to video chat with customer service agents in American Sign Language. There are also two dedicated phone numbers: 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.
You can read the Comcast Letter here: Comcast Essentials Letter
Check out how to use a mobile hotspot for internet here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9V643h0VKU&feature=youtu.be
Another Free Internet Option: https://sites.google.com/aurorak12.org/edtechtools/aruba

Internet and Community Resources

Parent Playbook
This is a great resource to access all the ways APS is supporting families and students and an opportunity to share your voice in supporting your child's learning experience! Click here to access this resource.