SCHOOL ZONE 2-19-15

TRAFFIC FLOW – NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Recently some parents have approached me about the capacity of the parking lots that are connected to the new Vermilion Elementary School.  When the engineers and architects designed the building, they took into consideration the number of students attending and the transportation that will be necessary to safely drop off students by both school bus and cars.  Seeing the building now without students in the building can be deceiving.  The building has been designed for the students we now have, with growth in mind. 

Please take a look at the drawing provided here.  When the building is in operation, school buses will enter the drop off area through the southwest entrance from Douglas Street, and drop students in front of the school.  That driveway has been specifically designed for this purpose, with safety the number one consideration in the design process. The plan calls for parent cars to be safely away from the buses.  Parents will enter the parking lot from the northwest entrance from Douglas Street, and drop students on the east side of the building, moving around the building in a circular fashion, and exiting onto Douglas Street. 

The first week of school will be a hectic time and we will ask parents to be patient with the new routine.  Once again, safety will be of utmost importance.  Because this will be a new pattern of transportation, we will ask everyone coming on to the property to drive slowly, be cautious and considerate of other drivers.  To comply with City of Vermilion ordinances, we are not permitted to open the entrance/exit onto Sailorway Drive during school hours.  This gate will be open for athletic and special events only.  Our plan is to share this information with the community several times as we get closer to opening the facility, and it will be explained during our open house events.  

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

We are very excited now as the furniture has begun to arrive and the technology is being installed in the new building.  Each classroom break-out area and community room will have state-of-the-art technology and capability.  Smart Board short-throw projectors will greatly enhance the teacher/facilitator’s role in the educational process.  The furniture is all designed to be moveable and flexible.  We believe that the community will be proud of this new home for our elementary students.  We look forward to opening the building for all to see. 

STRIDES OF MARCH 5K RUN/ 1 MILE WALK

VHS National Honor Society and the Vermilion Schools Wellness Committee invite you to participate in the second annual Strides of March Run on Saturday, March 14, 2015. All proceeds from this event will be donated to National Honor Society and Vermilion Food Pantry. This is an informal race, but timing will be available.  Trophies will be awarded to the first male and first female runner to finish the run.  T-shirts are available to those who pre-register between February 16 and March 1. The race will begin at VHS stadium, with the route through downtown Vermilion. Registration is $15.00 plus one (1) non-perishable food item. Registration forms are available on our website, www.vermilionschools.org or at the Vermilion High School Office.

VES JUMP ROPE FOR HEART SUCCESS!

Students at Vermilion Elementary School raised a total of $10,600 for the American Heart Association with their Jump Rope for Heart campaign in January.  The top 12 fund raisers for this year's Jump Rope for Heart event are:  Kindergarten - Kaden Hohla, Kaylee Ellison, Gabe Wood; Grade 1 - Stephen Stetz, Allison Smith, Brooke Whisenant, Nikkos Poulos, Isabella Phillips; Grade 2 - Eva Birdwell; Grade 3 - Darren Frenk, Thomas Ngure.  Jump Rope for Heart teaches students how to take care of their hearts while experiencing the joy of giving back to their community. The jump rope skills that students learn and the experience of being part of a larger program all across the country is an important lesson for children of all ages.