A call for help
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November 15, 2013 |
By Principal Gary Pfleuger
Valley View Elementary
As we enter the second quarter, we look back at
how things went and clearly see what we need to
help us move forward. And, what we need is …
YOU! Cutbacks in education place a greater
emphasis on the support of our local community,
specifically the involvement of the
Parent-Teacher Organization.
The PTO provides this support through numerous
events and activities, but all too often it is
the same small group of parents who take
leadership roles. This edition is a “Call for
HELP!”
Annual VVES events we would like to continue
include: The Math-A-Thon, Winter Carnival,
Spring Book Fair, Knowledge Fair and Talent
Show, to name a few.
Many parents help when they are called on, and
we sincerely appreciate this!
But, unless someone steps up to a leadership
role, we may lose one or more of these
student-centered activities. Please consider
taking on one of the events listed above. Others
have accepted the challenge; Melissa Bateman
leads Jingle Bell Junction and the Boxtops
Project. Anne Tompkins will run the Dessert
Auction at the Knowledge Fair.
If you take on just one project a year, you will
be a hero! Free training available! Call Angela
Hittle (946-3017), PTO President, for more
information.
PTO meetings are held on the second Wednesday of
every month at 4:15 p.m. Child care will be
provided.
VVES has initiated an automated call system for
absentees. The call, which goes out at 8:45 a.m,
goes only to families whose children are shown
with an unexcused absence. You will not receive
a call if the office is informed and has time to
input the excused absence before the 8:45 a.m.
call. Please call us back to confirm your
child’s absence; this is a student safety
procedure.
Speaking of attendance, our new Attendance
Policy is now in effect. This policy enforces a
90% attendance rule. This means your child
should not miss more than four school days per
quarter — excused or unexcused! Attendance
letters will be mailed out to families of
children who have missed too many days of
school.
The school administration will take into account
emergency situations, injuries and illnesses
that we know of! Please keep in mind, excessive
absences due to illness or injury require a
doctor’s note to be excused. We cannot teach
your children if they are not here!
November 18 – 21 is Idaho Family Reads Week!
The theme this year is, “Imagine the Fun!” Guest
readers will be in the classrooms on Monday.
Karen Standal, noted storyteller, will host two
assemblies on Tuesday. Wednesday will feature
the high school drama class reading to our
students and on Thursday VVES will have a PM
Read-In! PJ’s will be allowed for the Read-in
and popcorn will be provided by the PTO (another
volunteer opportunity); family members are
encouraged to participate!
This event is sponsored by the Idaho Commission
for Libraries and is coordinated at Valley View
by Debbie Pauls, Idaho Reads! Vista and
Librarians Julie Colson and Patty Burlingame.
Preparation for the fourth and fifth grades’
Winter Ski Program at Valley View is underway!
No students will be excluded from participation
because of the cost. The Uncle Jerry’s Fund
Raiser is used to reduce the cost for all
students and provide scholarships for many. Look
for the order form; the due date is November 19.
Get your Christmas shopping done and help a
child at the same time!
Also, please continue to collect aluminum cans
at home for the spring collection.
The Student Council speeches were excellent on
Election Day! All participants took a chance and
gained great experience. The following students
came out on top: President, Lily Blackmore,
Vice-President, Avery Pluid, Treasurer, Evan
Barajas, Secretary, Paisley Schulte. The Class
Representatives are Reese Lane, Ali Wages, Aleah
Jones, Bo Bateman, Cory Clairmont, and Jaden
Villelli.
Congratulations to all students who participated
in the electoral process!
Closing Notes:
We have had some close calls when parents have
driven to the back of the school to pick up
their child after school. This area is for the
buses only! Please make other pick up
arrangements.
Mario’s Mexican Restaurant has adopted VVES
during the month of December.
For every dozen tamales, the school receives
$5.00. Tell your friends and family! “Tamales
for the Holidays!” Thank You, Mario!
Look over the upcoming events list; some things
are new and some have changed!
Upcoming Events
11/18-21 Idaho Family Reads Week; Theme:
“Imagine the Fun”
Monday: Guest Readers
Tuesday: Karen Standal Assemblies in Cafeteria
K-2nd 2:15-2:45
3rd-5th 3:00-3:30
Wednesday: HS Drama Class Reads
Thursday: PM Read-In, PJ’s & PTO Popcorn Family
members welcome!
12/5 10:30, African Dance and Drum Troupe
Assembly
12/9-12 PTO Jingle Bell Junction
12/? Christmas Program
1/15 Kelly Milner-Hall Visiting Author Assembly
and Workshops
12/18 School Geo Bee
1/23 4th grade ski
1/25 Regional Spelling Bee at the Free Methodist
Church, 9:00 AM
1/28 PTO Math-A-Thon *tentative*
2/6 5th grade ski
2/13 4th grade ski
2/13 or 2/20 Winter Carnival
3/6 5th grade ski |
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