Valley Charter Elementary School Annual Giving Campaign

Don’t forget to tune into the Talent Show this Friday, December 6th from 6-8pm, live on zoom! You won’t want to miss our amazingly talented VCES students showing off their big and small skills!

One lucky donor will win 4 tickets to Disneyland, winner announced after a raffle at the end of the show.

And, just like every year, watch Dr. Adams get slimed!

Click here for show information.

Thank you for supporting VCES students, Gatus family!

“We are proud to support the Valley Charter Elementary School annual fundraising campaign for our son Tobey. The school has provided him with a nurturing environment where he can thrive academically and socially. The dedicated teachers and staff go above and beyond to ensure each child receives personalized attention and encouragement. By donating, we are not only investing in Tobey’s education but also contributing to a vibrant community that fosters creativity, collaboration, and growth for all students. We believe that our support helps enhance the overall experience for Tobey and his peers, making it a worthy investment in their future.”

“Valley Charter has been transformative for our daughter’s education and enthusiasm for learning.”

“Valley Charter has been transformative for our daughter. She joined from another school, where she was testing at an average level and wasn’t particularly excited about learning. Since starting at Valley Charter, her enthusiasm for school has skyrocketed, and she is now testing well above the average for LAUSD students. The engaging curriculum and dedicated teachers have truly made a difference. We proudly support the Annual Giving Campaign to give back and help ensure the continuation of this exceptional program.” - Rikke Christensen, 5th grade VCES parent

“Our family is proud to support Valley Charter’s fundraising efforts. Since LAUSD does not provide full funding for the programs and services that make the Valley Charter experience unique, contributing to the annual fund helps bridge that gap. We believe in the importance of providing our children with an enriching and well-rounded education, and our donation is one way we can help ensure that. Every contribution, big or small, plays a role in maintaining the exceptional environment we value at Valley Charter.”

Kate Connaghan, kinder parent

“Valley Charter Elementary left a lasting mark on my journey.”

Alum Ella Walsh, currently a freshman at George Washington University, remembers her time at VCES:

“Valley Charter Elementary School, which I attended from third to fifth grade, made a lasting impact on my life and learning. The school’s project-based learning, diverse community, and love of reading shaped my passion for knowledge. VCES taught me the value of curiosity and action—whether it was editing my teacher’s book as a fourth grader or leading a project to get flowers donated to beautify our campus. Now, as I prepare for college, I carry with me the confidence, problem-solving skills, and love of learning that VCES instilled in me.”

“Thanks to your support, programs like yoga bring calm and focus to our students’ days.”

Serena Long, kindergarten teacher, believes that yoga is an important part of the week for her students, and Annual Giving makes programs like this possible at VCES.

“Yoga is a crucial part of our Kindergarten day, helping students learn to regulate their emotions and calm their busy bodies. Through fun games, stories, and songs, they build strength, stretch, and practice relaxation. Each month, Ms. Hillary introduces a new theme—like animals or senses—teaching foundational skills in a way that kids truly enjoy. This time of stillness and focus is invaluable in their development, and the children look forward to it every week. Your support helps make programs like this possible.”

The Catalina Island Marine Institute trip is an unforgettable experience for our 5th graders!

Mrs. Jones, 5th grade teacher: “Our annual Catalina Island Marine Institute trips are always a highlight of the 5th-grade school year. Our students spend three days together learning all about marine wildlife and astronomy through labs and hands-on experiences. They bond and step out of their comfort zones through activities such as snorkeling, hikes, and rock wall climbing. This trip together creates lasting memories and helps spark curiosity in the sciences and nature.”

Donations to the Annual Giving Campaign make unforgettable field trips like this possible for all VCES students!

“Valley Charter’s impact stays with our family, even beyond graduation.” Dana Marks, alum parent, shares the impact of the VCES journey on her family.

“Because Valley Charter has had such a lasting impact on our family, we support the Annual Giving Campaign even as alumni. Our high school and college aged kids still remember fondly many learning experiences, teachers and friendships from their elementary school years. VCS provides a thoughtful educational philosophy, engaging and always evolving curriculum, and truly dedicated teachers and staff. We are so grateful!”

Here’s why Jennifer Bennett, 2nd and 5th grade parent, supports Annual Giving at VCES:

“I donate to AGC because it is one of the ways that I can give back to the school and the community that both of my children attend. We are fortunate that VCES is tuition-free and that everything is provided by the school. Donating is my way of saying Thank You to our teachers and staff, and ensuring that our kids have the best education possible.“

“As both a teacher and parent, I’ve seen firsthand the life-changing impact of Valley Charter’s approach.”

Our 2nd-grade teacher, Anne Aronchick, shares her experience watching her son Sam grow from a curious kindergartener into a confident, thoughtful high schooler, thanks to the foundation he built at Valley Charter.

“As both a 2nd grade teacher at VCES and a parent to Sam, a Valley Charter alum who attended from kindergarten through 8th grade, I can confidently say that much of Sam’s success in high school is due to the strong foundation he built here. I had the unique privilege of witnessing his K-8 journey, where he was nurtured, cared for, and most importantly, taught how to think critically. His success reflects the exceptional teaching and individualized attention that Valley Charter educators provide to every student. VCS equipped Sam with the skills to become an independent thinker, and now, in high school, his teachers consistently praise him for his depth of thought and active participation. I am deeply grateful for the experiences that shaped him—ranging from engaging classroom learning to field trips that enriched his PBL projects in social studies and science, as well as the invaluable guidance he received from Coach Gina and Mr. Joe.”

Don’t forget: Talent Show videos are due by Monday, November 18th!

Mary Allen, 3rd grade teacher, shares why field trips are an important part of the VCES experience:

“Field trips are a vital part of our VCES curriculum, especially in science and social studies. While many schools may offer just one or two trips a year, our fundraising and grants allow us to provide 5-6 trips annually.

3rd graders visit Rancho Camulos, a historic site where students have hands-on learning experiences about the Mexican land grant era: they make adobe bricks, visit a replica of a Tongva village, and walk through a 200 year-old adobe house. These are immersive experiences that go far beyond what can be taught in a classroom.

However, field trips have become increasingly expensive, with rising entry fees and bus costs. In 2018, a trip to the Egyptian Theater, showcasing the silent film era in Los Angeles’ history, cost $800; today, it exceeds $3,200. Your support helps ensure these enriching experiences remain a part of our students’ education.”

A reminder from Mr. Valley Charter to submit your Talent Show video by November 18th! Watch the video here!

Here’s why Annie Tucker, 3rd grade and kinder parent, supports the VCES Annual Giving Campaign:

“We give because it is one way to support our daughters, their classmates, and their teachers on this joyful learning journey at VCES. I believe we are getting such a thoughtful and attuned education, one that would be hard to find anywhere else but one every child deserves. Even a modest donation like ours can go a long way to build our community’s capacity to foster a phenomenal elementary school experience for our kids! Automatic monthly donations make it easy, and we reap the regular rewards of kids who love their school.”