Our beloved Teacher Vanessa has been an incredible presence in our children’s lives — nurturing, patient, and endlessly dedicated. Many of you know she was recently diagnosed with Leukemia (AML) and has already begun treatment.

After further testing, Vanessa learned that the leukemia is caused by a rare gene mutation called FLIP3, which accelerates the production of immature blood cells. Without directly addressing this mutation, the cancer is more likely to return.

To fight it, her treatment plan has been adjusted. After completing a second round of chemotherapy, Vanessa will undergo a stem cell transplant — a complex procedure where chemotherapy clears her existing cells, and donor stem cells are introduced to help her body eliminate the mutation and reduce the risk of relapse.

Because of this new phase in her treatment, her recovery and time away from the classroom will be longer than expected.

Throughout all of this, Vanessa continues to face significant personal and medical expenses — including food, parking, bills, travel for family support during treatment, and caring for her pets while she’s in the hospital.

Any contribution, no matter the amount, will help ease the burden and allow her to focus fully on healing.

Let’s come together as a community to support someone who has given so much of herself to our children and school.

Thank you for your generosity, love, and continued support.