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Principal Pflueger Press
Brain needs exercise year-around
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June 10, 2012 |
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! |
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