Helping Others

It wasn’t long into the new school year before the staff noticed how quickly the children, and subsequently our routine, settled in. And for that, we’re grateful. We’re also grateful for a wonderful group of new and returning parents who support our efforts to guide their children to become well-rounded individuals - socially, emotionally and academically. It doesn’t take Thanksgiving to recognize how blessed we are here at VMS!

 

Part of our mission statement is to develop an extended school community, one way to encourage civic mindedness in our young friends. We have been fortunate to participate in a number of activities with several groups over the past few years and this year is no exception. Already this year...

  • We are partnering with Eagle Scout candidate and former student Edwin Custer. Edwin and supporters have already planted eight new trees to replace diseased trees on our property. He has brought gently used picture and reference books for our library and will be constructing new child sized picnic tables for our students’ use in milder weather. Edwin and helpers will be framing in and mulching the area on which those tables will reside.
  • Brownie Troop 1342, several of whom are VMS alumni, supported our Bedtime Stories event by showing up in pajamas and reading stories to our children. Hot (warm) chocolate and class-baked cookies rounded out the evening. So much fun for all!

Of course, you can’t think of how fortunate you are without thoughts going to those who are less fortunate. Again, in an effort to introduce our children to our extended community and encourage empathy for those less fortunate, we have partnered with a couple of organizations: 

  • In October, we held a used coat drive to support Linkages to Learning - Germantown, an MCPS program that provides support to needy families to overcome hurdles that might prevent their children from being able to attend school.
  • In November, we will be having our annual canned food drive to support Gaithersburg HELP.
  • And in December, we will again be partnering with Linkages to Learning as the recipients of our new and gently-used toy drive.

Thank you, VMS Moms and Dads. We couldn’t do this without your support!