School’s Out For Summer

And it was a very productive year! By Gary Pflueger, Principal.

As we come toward the end of a school year, it is time to reflect on what we have learned and to celebrate our accomplishments. At Valley View our motto is to create and maintain a “SAFE, CIVIL & PRODUCTIVE” school. All curricular areas remain our focus, and the written word is emphasized. Writing samples are collected three times per year and graded with a rubric. Student growth is measured and needed improvements in instruction are made. This year well over 90% of students have shown progress in the writing process.

A major change at VVES this year was the departmentalization of the 5th grade classes to better prepare students for Middle School. Students attended their homeroom where they were instructed in reading. They also attended classes taught by “specialty teachers” - Mrs. Schulte taught Social Studies and Science; Mrs. Weyme teaches Mathematics; and Mrs. Warren teaches Language Arts.

Mr. David Carpenter took on the challenge of teaching music at the end of each day to 4th and 5th grade students, promoting our belief that music is essential in brain development and a critical component of providing a quality academic program.

Another improvement we have made in our school program is Positive Behavior Supports and Interventions. PBIS is a partnership between BSU and the State Department of Education. Through this program, Valley View has improved our reward and discipline systems. We collected data on discipline referrals by grade level, location and type of problem. This information is used to proactively improve our environment. I guarantee we will have less discipline referrals next year!

The current bleachers are old and viewed by some as unsafe. This year the PTO raised $16,000 toward the $56,000 needed to replace the bleachers in the gymnasium. The amount included a very generous $9000 donation from the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho.

Improving the academic program at VVES is an on-going process. Thanks to Idaho Reads Representative, Debbie Pauls, we have had visiting authors and activities, as well as writing specialists who have accelerated our instruction.

Julie Colson and Patty Burlingame, VVES librarians, wrote and received a $5000 grant for new titles for the school library. We are awaiting word on a second grant for an additional $5000-$7000. In addition, our school library has formed a partnership with the Boundary County Library to strengthen a Summer Reading Program. As part of this summer’s reading promotion, the VVES Library will be open once per week during the summer months. The open school library will correspond with the free community lunch program at VVES.

According to the Idaho State Department of Education, Valley View Elementary and Boundary County High School are the only “Four Star Schools” in Boundary County. This does not mean we are better than the other programs; schools should not be measured against one another. For VVES, it means we are effectively improving our system and consistently meeting the needs of more children every year. Valley View had more students scoring advanced than proficient in all but one of the ISAT subtests. This is remarkable, especially for a community with a poverty rate of 76%!

Valley View does much to support families and the community, offering a free monthly parenting class during the evenings. The BoCo Backpack Program has provided food for needy students weekly. Coats for Kids gives children appropriate clothing during the winter months. The Student Council visited the Restorium on May Day, leaving cards, flowers and smiles. We also adopted the Animal Shelter as a community service project, collecting needed supplies and providing a financial donation. We teach our students to give back to the community that supports us!

Valley View is a quality school, but not to worry, we are not done yet! We will get better! The use of technology as an educational tool and innovative practices will continue to drive our school forward, as we look at the needs of our students preparing for the future. We, the staff of Valley View Elementary School, are honored to be entrusted with the children of Boundary County. We look forward to future challenges. On behalf of our students and staff, I thank you!

Being Safe, Being Respectful, Being Responsible - Being a Naples Wolverine

Red was the color of the year as our students celebrated new traditions at Naples School. By far, Wolverine Thursday was a favorite. Students wore red on Thursday and participated in monthly competitions.

Be Safe, Be Responsible and Be Respectful became our new school motto. We welcomed a new principal, Mr. Morton, and a new third grade teacher, Miss Ross. Thanks to the Naples PTSA, we began the year with new playground equipment.

Our students were scientists, athletes, artists, politicians, citizens, and explorers this year as they learned in classrooms and our HATS classes.

Boundary County Middle School

By Paul Bonnell

The 2013-14 school year has been a year of change. A new principal and new staff as well as new tests has helped mold our vision for the future. BCMS has continued to grow as part of the Boundary County School District. As we look back on the year, it seems to have flown by. We began the year with the 6th grade transition day and haven’t looked back.

There have been many successes on the field of play as well as in the classroom. We have worked on a schedule for next year that will allow our students to have more electives during their middle school experience. We are excited at where we’ve been as well as where we’re going!

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