|
|
|
Tests should
no cause anxiety, Principal says |
|
March 30, 2012 |
Dear Friends of Valley View,
Spring Break is here! This marks the final
quarter of the school year. For the 3rd, 4th,
and 5th graders, we will start the ISAT testing
within a week after the return to school.
This test is an important “snap shot” of your
child’s academic progress and test-taking
skills. These tests are used for a number of
reasons: to see if our teachers are teaching to
the state academic standards for 3rd-5th, to
measure our students against other Idaho
students and determine the effectiveness of our
school program as determined by the Idaho State
Department of Education. Student success on this
test could also affect our local autonomy; in
extreme cases failing programs are taken over by
the State Department.
That being said—we have nothing to worry about.
Valley View has excellent teachers working
toward the set targets, and we have parents and
families who participate.
The ISAT Test schedule is available by
clicking here.
Please look it over and help us prepare
your child for success. These tests should not
cause anxiety; our students have the skills to
be successful.
All we ask from you, the parents, is faithful
attendance, a rested and well fed child and, if
possible, healthy snacks to share. These can
include fruit, crackers and cheese. During the
test, students will be offered a special treat:
regular or sugarless gum. Studies show an
increase of performance on tests when the jaws
are actively quiet.
Another event that deserves discussion over
Spring Break is the Valley View Elementary
School First Annual Talent Show, tentatively
scheduled for Thursday, May 31st!
All students who are interested must try out at
school. All true talents are welcome: musical
instruments, dancing, singing (sorry, no lip
syncs), magic, juggling, etc.
All participating students must have their
parents permission.
The location is yet to be determined. First we
need to know if we have enough interest ... we
already know we are blessed with a ton of
talent!
In old news, the Math-A-Thon raised over $2,400!
This is great on two counts: math facts were
learned then re-enforced and money came into the
program. Mrs. Beck’s class was the most
successful in this endeavor!
Thank you to all the teachers and to AmeriCorps
volunteer Megan Brown.
Especially, thank you students!
Finally, a special congratulation is in order
for two special Valley View students; 4th grader
Katie Clairmont and 5th grader Ashlynn Rushing.
In Coeur d’Alene at the North Idaho Regional
Spelling Bee, Katie captured eighth place and
Ashlynn earn 10th place in head-to-head
competition with 8th grade students.
Way to go ladies!!!
Upcoming Events
4/2-5 Spring Break
4/10 School Board Meeting at Mt. Hall Elementary
School
4/11 Report Cards will be sent home
So you say there is nothing to do during Spring
Break?
Here are a few suggestions: Read a book, write a
letter or send an e-mail to someone who made a
difference in your life, but may not know it.
Build a fort, have friends come to a sleep over,
draw a picture, play in the sun shine (we will
have sunshine soon!), play in the rain, go for a
walk, hold hands with your parents, take a hike,
sing a song, make up a new game, go to the
library, rent a movie (read the book first),
check for head lice ... ugh! Mr. P! ... use a
magnifying glass to inspect a louse, and
discover why girl lice find boy louses cute ...
and why the English in that last phrase wasn't
quite right!
Write in your journal or diary, play
Concentration, play a math game, look up words
in a dictionary and think of synonyms, play word
games with a thesaurus, make up new words, help
cook supper, clean your room, perform random
acts of kindness without getting caught, read
the newspaper, write a poem, etc.
When you have nothing else to do and all seems
empty ... scuff up a little dirt between your
feet, and look at all the life that lies there
... and be patient. Within moments, if you take
the time to look, you'll find that you're not
alone ... there are worlds within worlds ... and
friends where you least expect them, alomst
always at just the right time. |
Valley View Principal
Gary Pflueger
Valley View Elementary |
|
|
|
|
