Valley View is moving up!
September 1, 2013
By Principal Gary Pflueger

Get some hiking boots cuz’ Valley View is MOVING UP! According to the Department of Education in the Great State of Idaho, we have moved into the ranks of a “Four Star School!"

This was due to an increase in test scores. Not only that, Valley View has more students scoring advanced than proficient in all but one of the ISAT subtests (3rd, 4th and 5th, Language Arts, Math and Reading) ... this is remarkable!

In addition, discipline referrals have declined and attendance has improved! I can speak for the entire staff ... we are pleased to serve the children of Boundary County and proud of our accomplishments!

Many changes are coming to the public school system: the advancement of technology/communication and Idaho Common Core Standards, to name a few.

At school our goal will remain the same as last year — “VVES will strive to promote a SAFE, CIVIL & PRODUCTIVE school environment!”

Safe is both physical and emotional safety. Civil behaviors allow us to live in a polite and cooperative society. Productive is accepting our role and responsibility to make it all work, by completing given tasks to the best of our ability.

The aim this year is to continue to raise our academic expectations, particularly in the 3Rs: reading ‘riting and ‘rithmetic.

Debbie Pauls is serving one more year as an Idaho Reads Vista Coordinator. Her challenge is to solicit volunteers and materials to advance the reading skills of all the students at Valley View. The written word will, again, take an advanced position in our academic day.

All students will respond to a school-wide writing prompt three times during the school year. The staff will work together to identify and score the students’ writing using a Direct Writing Assessment Rubric.

This year, the VVES PTO is under the continuing leadership of Angela Hittle and loyal friends! This important parent/teacher organization provides academic and financial support for our students. The group will organize special events, provide additional academic support and pay the way for field trips to advance the classroom instruction.

Speaking of great projects, have you seen the new playground map of the United States? The students will be able to learn their states and capitals through a game of tag!

Special thanks to Barbara LePoidevan, Anne Tompkins, Debbie Pauls and Angela! The first meeting of the PTO will be held on September 11 at 4:15 in Valley View.

See you there!

School will begin for the students on Tuesday, September 3. We will be open for business!

Doors open at 7:45; the tardy bell rings at 8:10. Breakfast is available for no cost, lunch will be served and the buses will roll.

NOTHING WILL STOP US FROM HAVING A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR—PLEASE JOIN US!

I look forward to working with your children and the Bonners Ferry Community!

Upcoming Events
9/3: First Day School
9/5: 8:30 a.m., All School Assembly in the Gym
9/9: 6 p.m., “Back to School Night and Open House”
9/11: 4:15 p.m., PTO 1st Meeting
9/14: 9 a.m., Community Service Project. To commemorate 9-11, the LDS Church invites all community members to VVES. Projects include weeding, raking, bench building, etc.

Help Wanted! Due to an unexpected situation, we still need to hire a Computer Lab Specialist at VVES.

This person must possess strong computer and student management skills. This 19 hour paraprofessional position is needed Monday and Tuesday during the school day. This person will organize and teach a 40 minute lesson to each class (K-5) once a week. Support will be given! Interviews will occur as soon as possible.

Pass the word!