A call for help |
| November 15, 2013 |
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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 |