Principal Pflueger PressBrain needs exercise year-around |
| June 10, 2012 |
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By Gary Pflueger Principal Valley View Elementary I would like to begin this last edition of the school year by welcoming a new staff member to the Valley View Educational Team, Mrs. Debbie Pauls. Debbie has been chosen to serve as the Idaho Reads-VISTA Coordinator at VVES for the 2012-2013 school year. VISTA stands for “Volunteers In Service to America”, a program similar to the Peace Corps, but benefiting all of us closer to home. Debbie’s job will be three-fold: to recruit/train a larger volunteer core to support and improve reading instruction, to build up classroom reading selections so that students can select reading material specific to their ability and finally, to improve public relations within the community. A planned change for next year, which is based solely on financial needs, will be the shift to a 2nd/3rd split level class. This is a very common practice in school districts of this size. I have enjoyed 20-plus years in similar size districts and have been a part of very successful split level classes. Mrs. Kim Dinsmore has enthusiastically taken on this challenge as the teacher of the split level class. Advantages include more exposure to advanced technology, promoting independence and enriching possibilities. Additionally, each child will have the opportunity to work at their own academic level, made possible by such programs as Walk-to-Read and/or Walk-to-Math, involving the entire second and third grade staff. With this, the students will benefit from the expertise of other professional educators, and have ample time in each curricular area. I anticipate a very positive year for these students and I ask you to trust me in the management of this change! This summer, please do the best you can to keep the written word in front of your children. Have your child read daily. Math games and writing activities will keep all of our students on an even keel. Like any body part, the brain will atrophy without exercise. Give your child the challenge they need to keep up with their peers or even move beyond. If you have internet access, the following websites are fun, challenging and free: www.abcya.com -- all grades, all subjects www.starfall.com -- beginning letters/reading lower elementary grades www.coolmath4kids.com -- 2nd on up, all topics in math www.multipication.com -- 3rd grade up www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing -- Dance Mat Typing 3rd grade on up www.learninggamesforkids.com -- all subjects, all grades www.spellingcity.com -- Spelling and language 1st grade on up If you do not have the internet, the public library is at your disposal. The library is a special place! Some notes to finish up with: • Continue to collect BoxTops over the summer. They make a large financial contribution to our school! • The class lists for 2012-2013 will be posted on June 14th. On behalf of the staff, I would like to thank you for an overwhelmingly positive school year. We at VVES are planning on another great school year. Challenges make us stronger! I sincerely appreciate the trust this community has offered me as principal of such an outstanding school. I look forward to leading this program deep into the 21st Century. P.S. READ, READ & READ some more! Write letters and poems! Play math games! Play together, love each other, and stay positive! Stay healthy, exercise and eat well! Success begins in the home! Occasionally stop, hug your child and take a quick look for head lice (they really never go away). Have a Great Summer! And remember ... |
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The more you read, the more you know The more you know, the smarter you grow The smarter you grow, the stronger your voice When speaking your mind or making a choice! |