Hi everyone; I hope each of you are enjoying this very pleasant weather! Thursday is a really big day in Valley Home. The school bell will ring at 8:15am sharp signaling that summer vacation is over, and the first day of school is beginning. I’m sure many of you have special memories of your first day back to school, especially at Valley Home School! For some, it is excitement, for others it is a day that is coming far too soon. I remember my growing up years; school never started until after Labor Day … that was many, many years ago! I hope that for most, Thursday, August 3 will be a day of great fun and wonderful learning. Hopefully every student will have a great teacher and enjoy the school day very, very much. I thought I would share some of the “Welcome Back” message that our Valley Home School Superintendent, Bill Slikker sent out to each student and their families. Superintendent Slikker reminds us that school will begin at 8:15am and end at 2:45pm. The before and after school programs both will be continued. As a reminder for the before school program, students can be dropped off anytime between 7am and 8am in the school gym. There is a cost for the before school program of $2.50; the after school program runs from the end of the school day to 6pm, daily, there is no cost for the after school program. The offices are currently both open, on each campus, from 8am to 4pm. Superintendent Slikker says there is one minor hiccup to report; the Bonnie Gellerman Multi-Purpose Room took on some water damage during the last winter. Repairs, new flooring, etc. did not get completed over the summer due to shipping issues, so the multipurpose room will be shut down for approximately 10 days sometime in early August. This means that the students will only be offered a sack lunch while the bleachers are removed and new flooring installed. It should only be for a very short time and it will be great when it’s completed. The dates for the work will be sent home as soon as it officially gets nailed down. Superintendent Slikker is excited to see everyone, it’s going to be a great school year! You may visit the school website for more information.

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I am excited to report that it once again is almost that wonderful time of the year; free clothes for all. This awesome community event will be held at the Gene Bianchi Community Center on Saturday, August 26 from 8:30am until 12:30pm. All are welcome. Volunteers are needed to help sort, etc. from Monday, August 21 through Thursday, August 24 from 5pm to 7pm. Also, volunteers are needed on Saturday, August 26, from 8:30am until 12:30pm. If any of you have a bit of time to help, it would be greatly appreciated. Remember, these clothes are free to all. Everyone is welcome!

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As always, you may contact me by email, winniemullins51@gmail.com or by telephone at 209-985-5233.

Until next time, “Happy Trails to All!”