Enjoy Your Summer

Dear families,

We hope you are enjoying a great start to the summer break! Our school offices are now closed for the summer and will reopen on Monday, August 28^th at 8:00 am.

Back to School

The first half day of school for students in Grades 1-5 is Tuesday, September 5^th from 8:40 am-11:28 am. Students are asked to return to last year’s class line-ups as they will be spending the first days of the new school year with their previous classes. This is our long-standing District-wide practice as we work to ensure all new registrations have seats in our District schools.  Students will be met at their line-ups by members of the Happy Valley staff. This year we have a few new staff, so students will not necessarily be meeting their previous teacher.

Once the District gives schools approval to move to our new classes (typically within the first week), children will be introduced to their new teachers for the coming school year. Unfortunately, we are unable to take any requests regarding student placements. Please refer to the Student Placement Policy sent to families in May of 2023 for further information about the complex work of class configurations and the many considerations involved. At this time, Happy Valley has several in-catchment students at every grade level who have been accommodated at other District schools. We expect to continue to have new registrations arrive throughout the summer as more families move into the community.

New Students

Children who are new to Happy Valley are asked to bring a parent to meet some of our staff in the gym at 8:40 for a welcome and introduction to Happy Valley. We anticipate over 40 new children arriving in Grades 1-5 on the first day. Following the welcome, these students will be met by various HV staff and some student leaders. New students will be working in multi-aged groupings with a variety of HV staff until students are moved to new classes. These students may be met by parents for after-school pick-up at the picnic tables.  

School Supplies

Students will not need to bring their school supplies for the first morning of school. If your family has ordered Monk supplies through the PAC fundraiser, orders will be delivered to your child’s new classroom. Please see the Happy Valley website for ordering information if you still wish to participate. The deadline for online orders is July 19^th. A supply list for all grades is also available on the website, should you prefer to purchase supplies on your own.  

Students should bring a recess snack on the first day of school and be prepared to play outside in all weather.

First Week Schedule

The first full day of school for children in Grades 1-5 is Wednesday, September 6^th. Next year, the first bell will ring at 8:35 for an 8:40 start. Dismissal is at 2:28. We ask that children head directly to line-ups upon arriving at school.

Welcome Kindergarten!

Our 60 new Kindergarten children will be joining us for their “Gradual Entry” on Monday, September 11^th. Kindergarten children will attend alternating half-days on Monday, September 11^th and Tuesday, September 12th. Wednesday, September 13^th is the first full day of Kindergarten. All Kindergarten families will have received an email today with their child’s individual schedules.

Thank you!

As we finish this school year, I would like to thank the Happy Valley School community for your kindness and support throughout the past six years I have been principal at Happy Valley. It has been a true pleasure to work with your children in the same elementary school that I once attended as a child! I appreciated all of the warm wishes, personal letters and the special farewell song from the students on the last day of school. I will deeply miss the HV kids and staff as I move to Hans Helgesen and know that our incoming principal, Ms. Kendra Laidlaw, will be an incredible addition to the Happy Valley Staff.

Congratulations to all of our HV students for their efforts as keen learners, kind friends and responsible citizens!

Have a safe and happy summer!  

Sincerely,

Karen Sjerven

Principal

Happy Valley Elementary