News from Kindergarten
School is off to a busy start.The Kindergarten students have been learning about their new Valley View family. They are meeting new teachers and friends, new routines and new expectations that are laying the ground work for a fun-filled, successful year.
We are excited to welcome Mrs. Grenz. She is teaching Kindergarten. We are thrilled to have her at Valley View.
For some of us the 1st week brought the story “The Kissing Hand”, with many fun activities. For others we were introduced to an awesome book about an island full of jungle animals. We have started working on our own book.
To celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day, we had a delicious apple celebration by tasting apples in a variety of ways including homemade applesauce. It was a fun and yummy way to learn about apples. Thanks to all who brought an apple to share.
We have been focusing on classroom and school rules and routines. We are counting the days of school and working on having perfect attendance days. We usually begin our day with the “Question of the Day”, finding out about our classmates and are spending time learning to write our name with a capital and lower case letters. Please help your child practice their name this way at home.
Thanks to all who participated in the PTA cookie dough fundraiser. We look forward to more upcoming PTA events. Please remember to join our school PTA if you are not yet a member.
As Halloween approaches, we will be planning a class party. Help would be appreciated. Be watching your child’s Tuesday folder for more information.
We are looking forward to visiting with you at our upcoming conferences, sharing the fun and learning about what we have been doing.
Ms. Bettelyoun
Mr. Ellis
Mrs. Renner
Mrs. Grenz
So Much Fun in Grade One
With the sound of crickets singing, we have had a great start to our first grade year. It has been wonderful getting to know your children. They are eager to learn how to be proficient in all their first grade skills. We have been practicing routines and reviewing expectations.
Some reminders for you…
- Wear tennis shoes on Mondays and Thursdays.
- It is cold and windy at Valley View, dress for the weather.
- Return Math Binder/Folder every Monday
- New math games every Tuesday – play 4 games a week.
Guided Reading books will be coming home. Please have your child read the book to you and sign the paper. When the paper is complete your child will receive a new book to keep at home.
First graders will be celebrating their Fall Festival Party on Friday, October 29. Students are not allowed to wear costumes to school.
You are welcome to come in and visit throughout the year. If you have a special talent, career, or hobby and would like to share it with our first graders please let us know. As always, feel free to call us if you have any questions. We look forward to a great year together!!
Ms. Stone
Mrs. Smith
Mrs. Preston
Mrs. Walding
2nd Grade News
Welcome to a brand new year in second grade. We have been busy getting to know each other and learning the classroom routines. The first couple of weeks wehave been busy with completing assessments in the areas of math and reading.
Math Games and Guided Reading books will be going home soon or have already been sent home. Please reinforce the skills taught in the classroom at home by playing the math games and please remember to read the guided reading book together and return the book in the bag to school the next day.
As second-grade teachers, one of our goals this year is to get all the second-grade classrooms together at different times during the year to play math games or other activities so we can get to know each other.
As the days get cooler please remember to have your child wear a sweater or sweatshirt to school.They might even want to leave one in their cubby in the room as our rooms can also be chilly.
In the middle of October a volunteer from S.A.V.E. - Stop America's Violence Everywhere will visit our classrooms to talk with us about bullying prevention.
A BIG thank you for all of your support throughout the school year! We are looking forward to a GREAT year in Second Grade!
Mrs. Goss, Mrs. French,
Mrs. Massie, Mrs. Richards
News from 3rd Grade
Wow! Talk about fast and furious! The 3rd graders (and their teachers) have been so busy that it’s hard to believe that September is almost over. We have been very busy getting all of the beginning of the year testing completed. Many of these results will be available to you during your first conferences beginning in mid-October.
In math we’ve been working on adding larger numbers, finding out how many more to 100 and counting money. Those that turned in their summer math game logs had a celebration to reward those hard-workers.
Your student is in a guided reading group by now and has begun reading and testing Accelerated Reading books. Third graders must earn 50 points by mid-May to be able to go on our annual trek to Storm Mountain. Summer readers also celebrated with an ice cream social.
We have also begun learning about the People of the Plains. We have a field trip to Crazy Horse Memorial planned for October 8. We will need parent drivers, so check your schedules.
The Rapid City Fire Department will be bringing their Smoke House to VV on October 25 for a presentation on fire/home safety. Please go over your family’s plan in case of fire at your home.
Whew!! Even though we’ve been very busy, we welcome your calls, emails and visits. Thanks for sharing your children with us!
Let’s have a great year!
Mrs. Downs, Mrs. DeFluiter
Mrs. Marvin, Mrs. Reurink
4th Grade News
We are off and running in fourth grade. We have made many new friends and are learning about ourselves. In math, we have taken the DACS test to learn about strengths and growth areas in the various state standards. We are working hard on multiplication. Our expectation by year’s end is to know the facts up to 12x12. We are also learning to use multiplication in real-life scenarios.
We have been assessing reading text levels and have formed reading groups. We will also be using whole group reading to learn about comprehension strategies in the various genres. By using the Achievement Series testing, we will learn about the strengths of each student in the state standards.
Science will focus on life science for the first part of the year. We will soon be learning about our country’s regions in social studies. We will use both science and social studies to improve our understanding of informational text.
We are looking forward to an exciting year full of positive experiences. We are already seeing growth in the children. Please contact us if you have questions about how you can help at home.
Mrs. Miller
Mrs. McGuigan
Mr. Burke
The year has started out on a fabulous note. We all have fantastic fifth graders who are ready and eager to learn fifth grade standards. We have all ready gone on our first field trip of the year. We visited the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs. For our first unit in social studies we are studying early Native Americans. We discuss one of their food sources being the mammoth. Visiting the Mammoth Site goes right along with our unit, we are so lucky to live so close.
Our math and reading curriculums are very important to us. We are starting out the year in a multiplication and division unit. Please make sure you are practicing your multiplication and division facts of 12 x 12 and 144 ÷ 12. These basic facts are extremely important to be successful the rest of the year in math, along with their education careers. Each of the classes has set up small reading groups to increase reading progress. Please remember to read for at least 20 minutes a night at home.
We are working hard to incorporate learning targets throughout our day. The purpose of a learning target is to communicate what the expected learning of the lesson is with the student. Now when you ask what you learned in school today, your child should have an answer for you!
Band and orchestra have started all ready. Technology club will be starting soon, along with math club. If you need to contact us, please don’t be afraid, to call, e-mail or write a note. We are looking forward to a spectacular school year.
Mrs. Brandhagen
Mr. Duncan
Mr. Kliche
Literacy Rocks!!
WOW!!!!
What a bunch of readers……
Again this summer the students and staff at Valley View were encouraged to “Beat the Heat” and read. The Valley View Literacy Team sponsored the reading incentive to encourage reading throughout the summer months.
Students in grades K-2 were required to read 15 minutes a day for 30 days and students in grades 3-5 were required to read 25 minutes a day for 30 days. Participants were rewarded with a “Readers are Leaders” pouch, pencil and sharpener, ruler, eraser, and a free book! We also served yummy ice cream sundaes to the summer readers.
Students who participated were: Colin Bender, Steven Pehringer, Riley Geidel, Aaron Daily, Autumn Wilson, Benjamin Reemtsma, Ethan Caroline, Sydnee Masur, Autumn Anderson, Kolin Ray, Ashton Tollman, Abygail Langfeldt, Cade Janvrin, Naomi Rehberg, Peyton Bagley, Taylor Kopec, Kylie Caroline, Harley Allman, Aisling Hall, Trey Hullihen, Benjeman Harms, Riley Reemtsma, Logan Everett, Ryanna Pinkowski, Miya Kuroiwa, Lexus Vermundson, Trenton Hansen, Jada Dukat, Alexandria Anderson, Kayden Hansen, Briley Corrigan, Garrett Schilling, Isabella Dikoff, Whitney Barrett, Jon DeRuyter, Alison Miller, Shana Bender, Morgan Geidel, Sadi Curtis, Tristan Olson, Daphnie Lowe, Zach Hess, Ethan Byrd, Katalena Solano, Christopher Hemstock, Delia Lowe, Hailey Crosswait, Eric Dotson, Ashley Scarborough, Danae Becker, Eleecia Smith, Mackenzie Skyberg, Mckayla Worley, Mataya Hunt, Hannah Grinde, Carolyn Daily, Tyler Divis, and Josh Hess.
The students were not the only ones doing the reading, Valley View teachers were also encouraged to read for fun and professionally this summer. Jackie Richards, Crystal Griffin, Lori Reurink, Marla Anderson, Jodi Massie, Amber Grenz, and Bonnie Anker were rewarded for their reading as well.
Literacy News
Welcome back to another wonderful school year. We have gotten off to a great start and are busy assessing our students to find out how much they remember from last year.
We are very fortunate to have a large Literacy Team here at Valley View. Misty Renner will be the literacy teacher working in Kindergarten. Dawne Grandpre will be working in two First Grade classrooms in addition to Reading Recovery. Rhonda Osborne will be working in one First Grade and one Second Grade classroom in addition to Reading Recovery. Kathy Planchon will be working in one First Grade and one Second Grade classroom in addition to Reading Recovery. Marla Anderson will be working in two Second Grade classrooms and two Third Grade classrooms. Terri Bissonette will be working in one Fourth Grade and all three Fifth Grade classrooms. Cindy Vander Woude will be working in two Fourth Grade classrooms and one Fifth Grade classroom with reading. Penny Osborne will be working in one Third Grade classroom and one Fourth Grade classroom with reading. Michelle Ellenbecker, from the Learning Center, will be working in a Third Grade classroom during reading. Our school librarians Bonnie Anker and Angela Morgan are also vital members of our Literacy Team.
Reading Recovery students have been selected in First Grade and have already started their lessons.
We are in the process of organizing our Family Reading and Math Night. More information will be coming on that in the “Tuesday Folder.” It will be Tuesday, November 16th from 5:30-7:00, so save the date and join us for some fun learning!!
The Valley View Literacy Team
Miss Anderson, Mrs. Anker, Ms. Bissonette, Mrs. Grandpre, Mrs. Morgan, Mrs. Osborne, Mrs. Osborne, Mrs. Planchon, Mrs. Renner, Mrs. Vander Woude
“Fall” into Reading
Welcome back to another exciting year of reading with the wonderful world of books and authors! Grades 3-5 have just finished reviewing Destiny (You first go to rcas.org then to the VV Library website). You can access this site at home to discover the books available in the school library and maybe find books to recommend to your child to read. Or, maybe you would like to read these books together.
Kindergarten students are learning proper book care rules for when they start checking out.
First and second graders are reviewing proper book care rules and will begin to learn about different literary genres. We are looking forward to another great year of working with your students.
Mrs. Anker, Library Media Specialist
Mrs. Morgan, Library Secretary
Homework time and Space from the Learning Center
A little Space can go a long way for homework, a homework area. Does your child's idea of proper study posture mean draping his legs over the back of the sofa and reading upside down with a bag of potato chips on his stomach? Or lying on the floor with the TV blasting and the cell phone to one ear? It may be time to create an area that will provide study space for your budding Einstein! You may not be able to dedicate an entire room, or even most of a room to a study area for your children. You can however add a few features to an existing room, making it a great place to study and do homework. One of the best places to set up a homework area is in a dining room or eating nook. Children are able to work on homework in an inviting area without needing additional tables or chairs added to the home. Young elementary age children may need to use a booster to be at the proper height for writing. A small bookshelf can be added to the eating area to hold books and school supplies. Or existing cabinetry can store these same items. This same concept can be used in other rooms of the home. By adding just a few elements you can convert a section of the room into a study area for your family.
- Space. Choose a space where your child can have some peace and quiet, but is close to help if he needs it. A corner of the kitchen, family room or even a bedroom will work as long as there is enough space to spread out books and materials.
- Desk. Buy a desk that will last. A solid, well-constructed desk will be worth the investment since children can be hard on furniture. The surface of the desk should have a non-glare finish and enough area to be comfortable without being overwhelming.
- Lighting. Good lighting is very important in a child's study area. Although children seem to be able to see in any lighting, a desk lamp with a light pattern that covers a large area will prevent eye strain. The shade should be at a height that ensures that the glare isn't directly into your child's eyes.
- Chair. Having a comfortable chair is vital. Try to find an ergonomic chair although we know that very few children sit in a correct fashion! Cushioned seats in bright colors or patterns will give your child little excuse not to stay at the desk until his/her homework is done.
- Storage. Make sure there is plenty of storage space. Plastic boxes with labels, cubby holes and shelves will help your child put away his or her "stuff." Bright colors and labels will make organization easier and more fun.
- Praise. Create places for your child to display his accomplishments, whether it is art work, gold stars, or "Well done!" We all need a little reminder of what we have done well!
Having a study space of their own can help your children develop good study habits. Having input into the colors and furnishings of that space may help your child develop a sense of "ownership" of the space. And having your children actually study will help you relax. Good things all around!
Learning Center: Mrs. Conaway, Mrs. Ellenbecker, Mrs. Carrier, Mrs. Eisenbraun, and Mrs. Wiechmann
Greeting from Standard’s Support
Hope your child’s year is off to a great start! We have been working hard in Standard’s class and my expectation is that your child is sharing what we are doing at school with you at home!