Pursuit of Higher Education Commitment to Students`

Ka
leb
De
an
V
allivue REVIEW
Summer/Fall 2012
Biannual Newsletter of the
Vallivue School District
Grant Supports Strong
Commitment to Students’
Pursuit of Higher Education
We are proud to announce that in the
spring of 2012, Vallivue High School was
awarded $40,000 from the Go On Idaho
Schools grant. Selection was based on Vallivue’s ability to demonstrate a commitment to
support students who have a desire to “go on”
to higher education, or who have a desire to
increase their academic preparedness.
The money will be used exclusively for
encouraging our students to pursue more
education and training after they graduate
from high school. The grant allows Vallivue
students to take the PSAT free of charge. By
removing the financial barrier of the PSAT
exam fee, the number of VHS students who
signed up for the exam has quintupled since
last year.
Vallivue intends to use the grant money in
other ways that directly benefit our students,
including lowering the cost of taking AP
exams (more details will be shared after the
State Department of Education has released
financial information to the schools in midspring), and allowing all ninth- and tenthgraders an opportunity to utilize the tools offered by Idaho’s Career Information System.
Funds from the Go On Idaho Schools
grant also help support Vallivue’s new AVID
(Advancement via Individual Determination) program, which is entirely committed
to providing students with the tools necessary to “go on” to college after high school.
The skills acquired by our AVID students
not only make them better high school students; but more importantly, research shows
they will be much more likely to succeed in
college.
Vallivue is also using Go On Idaho Schools
funding to create a brand new professionaltechnical career fair in April. With the help
of the Idaho Department of Labor and the
College of Western Idaho’s department of
Professional Technical Education, Vallivue
will offer all students an opportunity to explore new professions. Using a hands-on
approach, students will have a chance get
their hands dirty as they learn about various
careers which require higher-level education
and training, but might not be part of the
traditional four-year college path.
Vallivue has a proud history of supporting those students who desire academic rigor and relevance. Not only does this grant
money reward Vallivue for its diligence, it
also gives Vallivue even more opportunities
to support those students who thrive in a
“Go On” culture.
Blended
Learning
Opportunities
Blended learning is an instructional model that relates
to the concept of students receiving instruction through
a combination of traditional face-to-face and online learning. The idea is to allow the learner to set the pace of the
class. Students needing additional assistance may attend
“in-classroom” sessions, while other students may prefer to
take most of the instruction online.
Vallivue is adopting this new method of teaching and
learning in many professional development classes for staff
members. Several blended technology related classes have
been developed including: Google E-mail, Google DOCS,
Google Calendar, Google Sites, as well as Microsoft Word
and Microsoft Excel. More classes are slated to be designed
and offered this coming year. Blended classes have been
well-received by teachers and staff members.
Students, parents and patrons are able to take the online
component of technology enrichment classes at any time
via the school district website, free of charge. Go online
to Vallivue.org, then navigate to Staff Links > Professional
Development > and then scroll down the page to Intro to
MS Office 2007 and/or Intro to Google Apps. links. College
credit is not offered. Interested patrons are encouraged to
visit the website and take the self-paced courses.
Vallivue parents and patrons who would like to attend
blended classes with teachers and staff may contact Susan
James at the District Office for information and to reserve a
space. Approximately five seats per session will be allowed
for patrons. We are excited to offer this great learning opportunity to the Vallivue community!
2
Vallivue Review
Summer/Fall 2012
A Message from the
Superintendent
Dear Parents and Community Members,
With over 7,300 students enrolled, the 2012-13 school year
is well underway in the Vallivue School District. These young
people bring to our schools and classrooms an abundance of
energy, eagerness to learn, and potential. These qualities are a
source of inspiration as we look forward to another excellent
school year. Vallivue is made up of twelve schools: six elementary schools, two middle
schools, an alternative academy for grades 7, 8, and 9, a traditional high school, an alternative high school, and an online school.
Last year was a very successful one for our schools and students. Vallivue schools continue to lead the region and state in student academic growth. Here are some of the
highlights:
• Five years ago, Vallivue High School had one Advanced Placement (AP)
course and had six students take the AP exam. This past year, there were 12
AP courses offered with 290 students taking over 380 AP exams, qualifying
VHS for the prestigious Washington Post list of America’s Top High Schools.
Vallivue High School is the only large high school outside of Boise to make the
Washington Post list.
• Vallivue High School is a Go On! Award winner for having the greatest increase
in the state in the number of students who take AP and dual enrollment courses,
winning $100,000.
• The growth in the number of students who score “Advanced” on the Idaho
Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) has been among the highest in the region
and state for the past five years. (see adjacent chart)
• Nine of twelve Vallivue schools made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and
nine of twelve also received a 4-star rating from the Idaho State Department
of Education.
• Desert Springs Elementary and Lakevue Elementary were named as Idaho
Distinguished Schools (12 in the state) and Lakevue was Idaho’s National
Distinguished School.
• Vallivue Middle School was one of ten Breakthrough Schools in the nation
recognized by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
• Birch Elementary was the state winner in the Idaho Math Cup.
• Sage Valley, VMS, and VHS implemented the AVID program, enrolling 450
students in this dynamic college-preparation course.
Thank you for supporting us as we engage in work to further improve our schools
and the educational experience of our students. We look forward to another outstanding
school year!
Sincerely,
Dr. Pat Charlton, Superintendent
Closing the Gap:
Vallivue Leads Growth Stats
in Advanced ISAT Scores
Change from 2007 to 2011 of Advanced ISAT scores received
MT. HOME
CALDWELL
LANGUAGE
MATH
NAMPA
READING
KUNA
VALLIVUE
MERIDIAN
BOISE
IDAHO
0%5%10%
15%20%25%
READING
IDAHO
BOISE
MERIDIAN
18%
16%
15%
KUNA
NAMPA
CALDWELL
MT. HOME
15%
19%
16%
19%
MATH
8%
5%
5%
LANGUAGE
15%
15%
12%
VALLIVUE24% 17% 20%
3%
11%
12%
5%
10%
13%
11%
15%
STAR Rating Leaves Vallivue Smiling
The new accountability rating system developed by the State
Department of Education that measures and recognizes academic performance has Vallivue standing proud. All six elementary
Schools scored 4 STARS. Vallivue High School scored a 4 STAR
rating as did Vallivue Middle School and Rivervue Academy.
(see chart for details)
The expanded criteria applied to rate all Idaho schools includes
multiple measures such as student excellence, student growth and
student participation on the ISAT (Idaho Standards Achievement
Test). At the high school level, graduation rates and advanced opportunities for students is also measured.
This new system is meant to replace the current Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) if the state’s waiver is accepted by the Federal
Government. The current AYP system only uses one measure,
student achievement, as their accountability system. The State
believes the STAR rating provides a more accurate means to measure a school’s success.
Congratulations to Vallivue Schools on their great success!
School
Points* Star Rating
Birch804
Central Canyon
78
4
Desert Springs
67
4
East Canyon
80
4
Lakevue 76 4
West Canyon
80
4
Rivervue Academy
73
4
Sage Valley
60
3
Vallivue Middle
72
4
Vallivue High
72
4
Vallivue Academy
43
2
*100 points
possible
Summer/Fall 2012
Ambitious Program a Catalyst for Dreams
Students Rise to
the Challenge of
Academic Rigor
The school year is off and running and
the AVID (Advancement Via Individual
Determination) program is in full swing.
AVID is a multi-year program which includes a yearly elective class. It focuses
on students with GPAs from 2.0 to 3.5
who may not feel confident pursuing
higher education, and are usually first in
their family to attend college. Currently,
130 motivated seventh- through twelfthgrade students are enrolled. Participants
must be recommended by a teacher or
counselor and then accepted into the
program.
AVID students are enrolled in their
school’s toughest classes, such as honors
and Advanced Placement, along with
the AVID elective. AVID is driven by the
WICOR method, which stands for writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization
and reading. For one period a day, the
students learn organizational and study
skills, work on critical thinking, and
learn to ask inquisitive questions, while
receiving academic help from peers and
tutors. Students also participate in motivational activities that make the prospect
of attending college seem attainable.
This past October, ninety-five Vallivue
AVID students were able to attend the
National College Fair at the Boise Centre on the Grove. All AVID freshmen
and sophomores were able to talk to college representatives. The students were
impressed with the College Fair – they
believe that attending was an incredibly
beneficial and interesting experience.
One of the freshman stated, “The two
best pieces of literature I received at the
College Fair were an ACT and an SAT
booklet.” He truly meant it! Each student returned from Boise with a huge
bag of college information and a smile.
AVID students are learning to become
avid achievers.
Molli Thompson – 10th
Molli jumped at the opportunity of helping with the first annual Falcon Homecoming Parade and became a student
leader for the activity. She gathered
the AVID troops, informing and guiding
her peers on Homecoming tasks needing to be done.
Molli has helped fundraise by selling concessions
for AVID. She also took the initiative to start a study
group for AP Biology.
Mateo Cerda – 11th
Mateo volunteered at the parade and recruited a group of friends to help. Careers
that interest him are nursing, athletic
training or forensic science. His top two
schools of choice are Notre Dame and
Washington State. Mateo says that AVID has helped him
with solving complicated, higher-level problems by being
able to think more critically.
Yessica Baehler – 10th
Yessica recently volunteered in the delivery of literature door-to-door for the
November elections, she participated in
the homecoming parade, and helped sell
concessions for AVID. Yessica would like
to pursue a career in Journalism and would like to attend
Stanford or the College of Idaho. Yessica states AVID has
helped her with being more organized and managing her
time. AVID has helped her believe in herself and has given her the confidence to accomplish anything to which
she puts her mind.
Cameron James – 9th
Cameron is involved in many servicerelated activities including helping at
the parade and concessions for AVID.
He is very excited to compete in wrestling this year. He would like to attend
an Ivy League school and become a psychiatrist or
trauma therapist. Cameron states that being an AVID
student has helped him raise his personal academic
standards. He is enrolled in pre-AP English, Honors
Physical Science and Spanish, and has a 3.7 GPA.
Mariela Montoya – 10th
Mariela volunteered for the first annual
homecoming parade and ran concessions for AVID this fall. She would like to
go to the College of Idaho or Boise State
University and pursue studies in engineering. Mariela has pushed herself to take rigorous
classes including pre-AP English, College Algebra, Biology Advanced Studies and French 2. She currently
has a 4.0 GPA. Mariela states that being in AVID has
helped her with organization and being more involved
in community service.
Vallivue Review
3
District Implements
New Student
Information
Management System
Vallivue School District changed the district-wide Student Information System from Lumen to Infinite Campus
over the summer. This change permits the management of
student information in a more efficient manner. Changing
the system has been a large undertaking for the technology staff as large amounts of data had to be “cleaned” and
transferred. Infinite Campus is a valuable tool for staff,
teachers, parents and students.
Infinite Campus is a web-based system that provides instant access to student records and increases data-driven
decision capabilities for educators.
For parents, Infinite Campus offers a
user-friendly Parent Portal with a single
log-in that permits a parent/guardian
to view information for all of their children. The Parent Portal is easier to navigate to homework,
grades, attendance and a multitude of additional information. Gaining access to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal
requires online registration to receive login information
and instructions.
To register for Infinite Campus access, visit the online
registration link: http://www.vallivue.org/campus.
Parents and guardians are responsible for keeping contact information up-to-date. Once access is gained in the
Parent Portal, please be sure to verify household information including phone numbers, home and e-mail addresses. It is very important that schools have accurate/current
contact information for all students year-round. Parents
with no internet access may contact the school secretary
for assistance or to update your contact information.
We look forward to providing our parents and guardians with easier access and expanded information through
this new online application.
Get Parent Portal access on the go!
Infinite Campus App is available for
Android and iPhone smartphones as
well as iPads.
Login to Vallivue Infinite Campus Parent
Portal, click the link at the bottom of the
screen to retrieve the District ID code
needed when you download the App.
4
Vallivue Review
Summer/Fall 2012
Powerful Classroom Learning
Prepares Tomorrow’s Workforce
Vallivue Schools Moving Forward with i-STEM
The area of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) continues to be implemented
in the Vallivue School District schools. Vallivue
offers a wide array of STEM learning opportunities to students in grade levels K-12. Teachers have
attended professional development workshops
and classes and materials have been purchased to
further enhance instruction.
Elementary teachers have attended summer
conferences and are bringing new instructional
methods and equipment back into the classrooms.
Birch Elementary teachers attended an iSTEM
summer institute (see story below). Teachers experienced a variety of hands-on learning experiences emphasizing instructional approaches to
engage students in critical thinking activities with
a STEM focus. Attendees received hundreds of
dollars worth of supplies and materials for their
classrooms. Students in elementary classrooms
across the district practice engineering by building with Lego Brick Labs and following lesson
plans from PCS Edventures. Elementary schools
also use FOSS science kits in the classroom for 4th
and 5th grade students.
Sage Valley and Vallivue Middle School utilize
engineering and robotics kits. Both schools host
after-school engineering clubs for students. Last
year, Sage Valley sent two Lego robotics teams
to the state competition at Moscow, Idaho. Sixth
grade students are programming Boe-Bots to better
understand the scientific method. Seventh graders are participating in the Future City Project to
encourage thinking and problem-solving related
to real-world, environmental issues. Eighth grade
students are highly involved with the Jason Project,
a blended-learning opportunity that provides students a chance to see, talk, and work with scientists
on “live” projects around the world.
“
Technology helps us
communicate;
Math is the language;
Science and Engineering are
the processes for thinking;
all this leads to Innovation.
”
source: i-STEM website, 2012
http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/istem/education.htm
STEM learning activities at the high school level
include an introduction to Engineering course that
can be taken for duel college credit through Idaho
State University. Students investigate and complete
course projects related to several engineering
fields: in structural engineering students build
trebuchets, in robotics engineering students construct VEX robots, in mechanical/automotive
engineering students build battery-operated cars,
and in civil engineering students design and build
bridges. Culminating activities include friendly
competitions between student groups, and individuals develop 6-10 page engineering reports for
each completed project.
The Vallivue High School engineering class has
formed a robotics team that meets after school.
The class received a grant to help purchase a $1300
competition-grade robot for this year’s game,
“The VEX Sack Attack”. The team is constructing the robot with hopes of winning the regional
VEX competition in February. If the team wins
at regionals, they qualify for the April 2013 World
Championship to be held in Anaheim, California. Vallivue School District continues to move
forward in its firm and steadfast commitment to
providing high quality, 21st Century STEM education to our students because:
• The need for science, engineering and
technical training in the workforce
will increase by 51% this year.
• Students have to compete globally, be
more innovative, more inventive, and
more efficient.
• Four of the ten fastest growing industries and occupations from 2002-2012
are expected to be high-tech.
Birch Teachers Awarded iSTEM Grants for the Classroom
Teachers from Birch Elementary attended the
Treasure Valley iSTEM Summer Institute 2012
Strand: “Sparking a Passion for STEM” this past
summer. The iSTEM summer institute is sponsored by the Micron Foundation with the purpose
of supporting real world applications of STEM
(science, technology, engineering and math) in
the classroom.
Teachers attending the conference were given
the opportunity to apply for funding and also received materials and equipment that would enable
them to replicate or extend the hands-on activities
and teaching methods demonstrated throughout
the workshop. 2012 iSTEM classroom grant recipients include Denice Cain, Jennifer Hopkins, Betsy
Kelleher, Brenda Fly and LeeAnn Thomas.
Teachers representing the fifth-grade team requested items that would assist with the instruction of various science units taught throughout the
school year involving the human body, bones and
joints, nutrition, genetic traits, plant cells, photosynthesis and a geology unit on rocks and minerals.
Fourth-grade teacher Mrs. Fly focused her request
for materials that will allow students to develop
knowledge about the interaction between electricity and magnetism and experiment with the effects
of magnets on real-life objects and experience the
power of an electromagnet.
Teachers returned to their classrooms excited
about the conference and were especially pleased
with receiving the grants. The addition of these
materials will enhance learning and provide tremendous hands-on experiences for students.
If you work in the STEM field and would
like to be more involved in STEM education or partner with the Vallivue District,
please call 454-0445.
Summer/Fall 2012
VMS Teachers Learn From One Another
Cooperative Learning Leads to Honing Craft of Teaching
Vallivue Middle School has exceptional
teachers who strive to constantly improve
their craft. Besides attending classes, staff development, and educational workshops, VMS
teachers learn from each other. Two major approaches to ensure this collaborative learning
occurs includes sharing teaching strategies and
observing each other working in the classroom.
Harry Wong, an exemplary American educator, states in his book, The First Days of School,
“Here’s the biggest secret to teaching success:
Beg, borrow, and steal!” Wong continues, “It
is really not stealing. It’s really research and
learning.” Our teachers emulate Harry Wong’s
advice that the effective teacher “works cooperatively and learns from colleagues.”
Vallivue Middle School is implementing WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, Reading) strategies promoted through
the recently adopted AVID program (see article on page 3 for details). Before school even
started, teachers who had been to AVID training shared teaching strategies with colleagues.
During weekly grade-level team meetings,
teachers discuss and share what strategies they
have employed during the previous week. For
example, Stephanie Chamberlin shared that
she had students write paragraphs explaining
the scientific method; math teacher Deb Watkins explained how she used inquiry methods
in math classes; Julia Withers discussed techniques she used to teach students how to organize materials for vocabulary in their notebooks. Elective teachers are also using AVID/
WICOR strategies. Charlene Lueddeke is using the Cornell Notes technique in her health
classes. The teachers regularly share their experiences using the new strategies.
Teacher observation of other teachers helps
the observer learn new teaching strategies by
watching colleagues in action. By observing
other teachers at work twice a year, the educators improve their own teaching practices by
being exposed to new ideas and techniques.
For the first semester’s observation, teachers
choose whom they would like to observe. For
the second semester, Principal Lowe assigns
the teacher to be observed. The data from these
Vallivue Review
Sage Valley MS:
Success Abounds
Many positive events and achievements occurred at Sage
Valley last year that continues to positively influence the
performance and success of students this year. Here are just
a few of the many student accomplishments and school successes from the 2011-2012 school year:
observations is shared and compared to see
how VMS is improving instruction. The peer
observation form is adjusted from year-to-year
to better reflect the focus selected for that year.
“
I would really like to use them,
(clickers). It was almost like a
game show, and it was obvious
the kids enjoyed the activity.
– Belva Post,
VMS Teacher
”
Teachers look for the following as they are
conducting an observation: What is the essential question and/or language objective
guiding the instruction? What is the learning
task? What is the teacher doing? What are the
students doing? What WICOR strategies are
being used? What assessment is taking place?
After completing the observation teachers
write a reflection about their experience and
list ideas they get from the teacher observed.
After watching Emily Castleton’s Social Studies
class use ‘clickers’ to answer questions, teacher
Belva Post commented, “I would really like to
use them (clickers). It almost felt like a game
show, and it was obvious the kids enjoyed the
activity.”
Through mutual support and professional
sharing, teachers at Vallivue Middle School are
expanding their skills as effective educators in
the classroom.
•Achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in all areas of the
Idaho Student Achievement Test (ISAT) in Reading in the
Spring of 2012.
•Enrollment in pre-AP math, science, language and reading
classes is on the rise.
•The AVID program has been successfully instituted. Many AVID
principles are being implemented throughout the school, leading our students to utilize more critical and higher level thinking, writing, and speaking.
•Implemented Cornell Note-taking system school-wide to improve students’ study skills.
•Created academic advisory classes to teach effective organization, study and homework skills.
•Participation increased in “Success Club,” the after school tutoring program geared to improve academic achievement.
•Seven students made the All-Northwest Honor Choir in Seattle.
Choir students received three superiors and one excellent rating at the District III Choral Festival.
•Sage Valley bands received top scores at the District III Concert
Festival, District III Solo and Ensemble Festival, District III Jazz
Festival, and the Gene Harris Jazz Festival.
•Our first musical, “Sage Sound of Music” was successfully produced and presented.
•The drama class was invited to present their original bully skits
at the College of Idaho bullying awareness conference.
•Two Lego Robotics teams represented Sage Valley at the state
competition. The boys’ team, Lego Hunger, placed 4th and the
girls’ team, Nerdy Chicks, took home a 2nd place trophy for
their presentations.
•The boys’ cross country team won the first boys’ district championship in any sport for Sage Valley.
We have great students who are full of enthusiasm and
ready to learn, and we have a wonderful group of teachers
who care about students and want to do everything they
can to make them successful.
5
6
Vallivue Review
Summer/Fall 2012
Tradition and Innovation Merge,
Result Spells SUCCESS for East
Advanced Opportunities and New Approaches to Teaching and
Learning Result in Better Thinkers and a 4-Star Rating
Growing by Leaps
and Bounds:
All-Day Kindergarten Proves to
Increase Student Achievement
Each child is unique. They each arrive to school
with their own individual skills and needs. However, expectations for achievement are not as individualized; children are expected to be successful regardless of where they begin academically.
At Desert Springs we want every child to succeed from the very start of his or her school career. We believe that when we help students to be
successful in kindergarten it will translate to improved academics throughout their school years.
Improved academic performance is the reason
Desert Springs has opened six additional sessions
of kindergarten. These added sessions allow for
about 80 of our kindergartners to extend learning
and achieve greater academic success by attending school all day, five days a week. These additional sessions, funded through federal Title One
support, provide students more valuable learning
time, which is what many of them need to form
strong learning foundations to build upon all
while increasing academic performance.
Providing kindergarten students the opportunity to attend school every day has proven to
be quite successful. Last year, 9% of our kindergartners scored proficient on the Fall IRI (Idaho
Reading Indicator). On the Spring IRI, the same
kindergartners scored 92% proficient! That is real
growth, growth that is created when we give students more time to learn.
East Canyon Elementary School is located in
the northeastern corner of Vallivue School District. Through its fifty-year history the district
has seen huge growth in student population. In
1971 East Canyon was one of the first elementary
schools built in the district. The school building
has been added to during three reconstructions.
In 2007 its student population reached 825. Desert Springs and Lakevue were built which helped
spread the population to other schools. Currently, East Canyon has approximately 518 students
enrolled. With our school at stable numbers, staff
has been able to focus on student achievement.
East offers advanced curriculum in 4th and
5th grades in the areas of reading, language, and
math. This year we have implemented a 2nd/3rd
grade combination class where 3rd grade curriculum is being taught to 2nd graders who then will
be offered advanced classes in 3rd grade next year.
To expand opportunities to our students in the
lower grades, we will continue to add advanced
classes.
At every grade level we have a workshop that
emphasizes critical thinking skills. Our staff has
learned how to push student thinking to higher levels by constructing questions that require
more complexity in thinking. Instead of asking
a student, “What is the answer to this question?”
we ask, “What thinking led you to this answer?”
Rather than asking, “What is the story of the
Wright brothers?” we ask, “What does the story
of the Wright brothers teach us about innovation
and perseverance?” Students are encouraged to
dig a little deeper into the thought process, expanding brain function.
Classes in all grades at East Canyon Elementary are implementing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) units of study, combining these disciplines with reading and writing
through integrated learning activities and lessons. We are excited to see how these units will
increase our students’ critical thinking and problem solving skills.
We are proud to report the ISAT scores for
spring 2012 at East Canyon, measuring the number of students who scored proficient or advanced
were:
Reading =95.8%
Math =95.3%
Language =92.8%
This data earned East Canyon a 4-STAR rating from the State Department of Education and
places us as one of the top schools in the valley.
Congratulations to the students, staff, and parents of East Canyon for a job well done!
Summer/Fall 2012
West Canyon Students
Experience Electoral Process,
Ballots Cast to Select
New Student Leaders
Hands-On
Voter Education
Students at West Canyon Elementary learned
first-hand what it means to listen to candidates
share their goals and dreams, and experience
the voting process. Students in first through fifth
grades participated in a real-world situation where
they elected their student council president, vice
president, secretary and treasurer. It is of the utmost importance to teach our children about the
privelege to vote and the process that American
voters go through to elect our government leaders.
Not only do students at West Canyon elect student council officers, they participate in both primary and general elections. All 5th grade students
who are interested in running (and meet the criteria) go through the primary election process of
speaking in front of the 5th grade students and being voted onto the general election ballot. Students
who make it to the ballot give their speeches to the
entire 1st through 5th grade student body and then
the general election takes place.
On General Election Day students line up in the
hallway and wait for their turn to vote. Authentic
voting booths are put in place for students to use so
that they can vote in private. Posters with pictures
of the student candidates are put in each of the
booths so students are reminded of who the candidates are and what they said during their speeches.
When they are done voting, they give their ballot
to a parent volunteer who then says aloud, “(This
student) has voted.” Students know that they have
been a part of an important process for their school
that will affect decisions made throughout the year.
We took a moment to ask some students about
their impressions of the West Canyon Student
Council 2012 Election process at our school. Here
are some of the students’ comments:
“At my old school we voted, but not using
booths. It was cooler than the other one.”
–Emma
“I thought the voting was awesome!
It made me feel good because I am
a West Canyon Bluebird. The people who
are running for offices should not feel sad
even if they lose because they still had fun.”
–Bailey
“I am proud of our school. We were voting
like the grown-ups do.” –Britney
“It made me proud because when you are
18 you get to vote for the real President, but
we got to vote, too.” –Kristen
Not only do our students get to have this realworld voting experience, they will be given the opportunity to elect the next President of the United
States! In October—about a week before the official election—we will participate in a nation-wide
mock election. Students will turn in their votes for
United States President—either Barak Obama or
Mitt Romney—and we will compare our final results to those of the whole nation. We will be sure
to post our results in the following edition of our
school newsletter. Thank you for sending us your
children each day—their votes count just like ours
do, and they make a difference for kids!
Vallivue Review
7
Compassion
and Caring
For All
Central Canyon Students and Families
Benefit from Programs and Projects
Central Canyon Elementary has seen a very
busy start to the new school year! Two new programs geared to support Central Canyon students
and their families are well underway, and the first
stage of the Student Council’s recess area beautification project has been completed.
The school was given the opportunity to host a
food pantry. It is open to all Central Canyon families and is free of charge. Families come in each
week to receive a week’s supply of food. Parents
have expressed gratitude for this new program as
it makes a big difference for their families and has
lessened the stress of wondering if they will have
enough food. The food pantry is in addition to the
Idaho Food Bank’s Back Pack Program which provides several students with food for the weekend.
Central Canyon is one of six elementary schools
in the Vallivue School District that have initiated
the PLACE Project, an after-school program for
students in grades 1st through 3rd. The program
accepts a maximum of 50 students, and operates
Monday through Thursdays, from 2:30 to 5:30
p.m. for 100 days. Students participating in the
project experience PE activities, learning enrichment, technology and academic support. Student
participants are enjoying it. One third-grader said,
“I love it!” A second-grader said, “It’s awesome!”
It’s great to see our students grow and learn together and smile when they talk about the program.
Last year, Central Canyon’s Student Council
voted to buy three shade trees to plant by the volleyball court in order to create a “park like” atmosphere where students can sit and read during
recess time. This first phase of a two-part beautification project is now complete. The Student Council is also planning on buying a bench for students
to sit on. When asked, a second-grader stated the
new trees were “cute.” The students have been very
careful and gentle with the new trees and look forward to watching them grow.
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Vallivue Review
Summer/Fall 2012
Technology Lakevue Elementary Teacher Wins
Integration Prestigious Milken Educator Award
Enhances
On October 22nd, a very unsuspecting third grade
teacher, Sara Ward, got the surprise of her life at a
Student
school-wide assembly at Lakevue Elementary. Sara
received the Milken Educator Award and a check for
Learning
$25,000 presented by the National Institute for ExcelLearning at Rivervue Academy is in
full swing! With two successful years as
an alternative middle school, we are very
proud to announce the addition of the
ninth grade, advancing our middle school
to academy status!
Although we are very pleased with our
school recently earning a 4-STAR rating from the Idaho State Department of
Education for academic excellence and
growth in student knowledge, our mission is not complete.
Our vision at Rivervue Academy is to
serve each individual student within a
small, committed learning community
that fosters the development of critical
thinking skills. To achieve this, we have
harnessed the power of popular technology as effective, 21st Century learning
tools. Specifically, students are experiencing success in mathematics, language arts,
and reading by integrating iPod touches,
teacher-created YouTube video lessons,
and the educational social networking
tool, Edmodo, into learning.
Now that Rivervue Academy is outfitted
with a wifi network, students can utilize
the iPods to participate in class discussions, collaborate on projects, and master
math skills with interactive apps.
With great effort, discipline and focus,
we are committed to bringing technology
into every Rivervue classroom so students
may experience achievement and are able
to meet today’s demands of our technology-driven world.
lence in Teaching President and CEO Gary Stark, as
reported in the Idaho Press-Tribune.
Only 40 teachers will be selected to get the award nationwide this year; only 14 Idaho instructors have ever
received it.
After hearing her name called, an amazed Sara Ward
exclaimed, “I seriously do not know what to say about
this,” as she stepped behind the podium. She thanked
“
Sara has a passion for kids and
ignites student learning. Kids
love being in her class.
”
Greg Kreller, IPT
Rivervue Academy Utilizes
Technology to Enhance
Student Learning
Sara Ward poses with two of her students, Avery Clemens (left), and
Darby Rossi, after receiving the Milken Award.
Sara plans to invest some of the prize money in her
classroom for supplies and new learning activities.
This honor is something Lakevue Elementary and
Vallivue superintendent, Dr. Pat Charlton, and her Vallivue School District is extremely proud of. We saschool principal, Leeta Hobbs, as well as fellow staff, lute Sara Ward and all the teachers who bring passion
parents and students for their support and guidance.
for education into our schools and classrooms.
– Leeta Hobbs,
Principal, Lakevue Elementary
Vallivue Academy Continues Mission
Expanding Enrollment and New Graduation Requirements Offers
Challenges and Exciting Opportunities
In its sixth year, the Vallivue Academy High School
welcomes 35 new students along with 85 returning students. We also welcome new staff members who have
joined us in our educational mission: Mrs. Martin,
who teaches history, speech and English; Mr. Krause,
teaching math and PE; and Mrs. Calderson, our new
secretary.
The revised graduation requirements approved by
the 2007 Legislature have our district and schools
across the state working diligently to ensure prospective 2013 graduates will have the necessary credits to
graduate. There is an increased need to work directly
with seniors who, along with the additional math and
science requirements, will also be required to complete
a senior project as well.
The Senior Project is a comprehensive assignment
that offers students the opportunity to define and
complete a culminating academic experience. The
staff is gearing up to take on the challenge and looking
forward to working with students complete the Senior
Seminar class and take on projects in the community.
Teachers and staff will work closely with each senior
throughout the project process, providing helpful
guidance along the way as needed, while the students
complete their required research paper and oral presentation.
It is exciting to observe the senior students as they
discover their ability to take his or her project to a
higher level and make meaningful contributions to
our school and the greater Canyon County area.
Summer/Fall 2012
2012 Vallivue School District
Teacher of the Year
Vallivue School District is very proud to announce that Joseph Palmer has been selected as
the 2012 Teacher of the Year for the entire school
district.
Mr. Palmer uses non-traditional teaching
methods with his classes that engage even the
most reluctant learners. That is why he is such a
great success at Rivervue Academy; teaching students who need
a motivational and caring instructor to promote learning without
losing its academic rigor.
Mr. Palmer uses a wide variety of instructional approaches and
teaching tools including musical raps, student-made videos, and
iPods. He is well known for the theatrical manner in which he
reads aloud to his eager-to-listen students. Mr. Palmer continues
his own learning along with his students by working towards his
Master’s degree in School Administration. He also provides training to Vallivue and other school districts on the use and integration of technology in the classroom and curriculum.
As an exemplary educator who exhibits strong dedication and
passion for learning, Mr. Palmer has a vision of success for all of
his students. Rivervue Academy students know that they have the
best teacher in the world!
2012 Teacher of the Year
Representatives for
Vallivue Schools
Central Canyon
Juanita Salazar-Schaap
East Canyon
Birch
West Canyon
Lakevue
Desert Springs
Cara Parke
Sage Valley MS
Sean Martin
Vallivue MS
Eric Adamson
Vallivue HS
Randy Fisk
Sharon Mitchell
Juliana Lookhart
Rebecca Goff
Sara Ward
Congratulations Teachers!
Vallivue Review
Julie Yamamoto
Recognized as
Idaho’s Assistant
Principal of the Year
Vallivue High School is pleased to be the
home of one of the most influential educational leaders in the state.
VHS Vice Principal
Julie Yamamoto received
formal recognition of this
role by being honored as
Idaho’s Assistant Principal of the Year. The Idaho
Association of Secondary
School Principals (IASSP) sponsors the
honor annually.
Mrs. Yamamoto’s passion has been in
growing the Advanced Placement (AP)
and concurrent credit programs at the
high school. In 2006, the year before she
came to Vallivue High School, we had six
students who took six AP exams, in 201112 we had 199 students take 355 exams
(placing us on the Washington Post’s list of
top high schools in America). She singlehandedly started the AVID program at our
school, providing avenues for children to
aspire toward college who might not find
those opportunities otherwise. She has
guided our dual credit program to new
heights. Again, in 2006 we had 48 students
earn 223 credits, last year 349 students
earned 1,657 credits.
Julie oversees four departments in the
high school, taking the final responsibility
for everything that happens in and out of
the classroom. By providing encouragement, support and leadership, she strives
to keep the school and programs functioning. Along with her daily responsibilities,
she also earned her PhD in education recently.
It is always a pleasure to see one of our
own recognized as a very essential element
in the district’s success. Congratulations
Dr. Julie Yamamoto-Sasaki, on an honor
most earnestly deserved.
THANK YOU TO OUR
2012 SPONSORS:
West Valley Medical Center
Design West
Crookhams
Brown Bus Company
Premier Insurance
Dan Wiebold Ford
Karcher Ranch Market
and Storage
THANK YOU TO OUR
RAFFLE CONTRIBUTORS:
Imprint City
Caxton Printers
Bogus Basin
YMCA
Premier Insurance
Reel Theater
Red Dragon Kung Fu School
Smoky Mountain Pizza
Grove Hotel and Steelheads
Dutch Bros
Red Robin
Texas Roadhouse
D & B Supply
Walgreens
Costco
Boise Office Equipment
Carpenters Screen Printing
Idaho Pizza
Idaho Dairy
Vallivue Food Service
College of Idaho
9
10
Vallivue Review
Summer/Fall 2012
Idaho Dept. of Education Selects Elia Ramirez
as Idaho Migrant Family Liaison of the Year
Elia Ramirez was named the
Idaho State Migrant Family Liaison of the Year by the Idaho Department of Education for 2012.
The Migrant Education program is funded through the federal Title 1 programs and serves
approximately 300 children of migrant agricultural
workers who reside in the Vallivue District. She is
the liaison for four schools and has been in the position for 15 years. Elia is resourceful; a teacher of
parents; and committed to migrant students, their
families, and her work.
Elia helps migrant students to succeed at school
in many small ways every day, but when catastrophe strikes, she swings into action. In one situation last winter, a migrant boy unexpectedly suffered a seizure. The hysterical mother called Elia at
VHS Teacher to Receive
Award of Excellence
The Section High School Teacher of Excellence Award recognizes and celebrates high
school teachers. Brandon Bolyard has been
selected to receive the award during the upcoming National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Convention Secondary
Section Luncheon.
Brandon teaches junior English and Advanced Placement (AP) Literature and
Composition classes. He also serves as the
English department chair for Vallivue High
School. Congratulations Brandon!
six in the morning, not knowing who else to turn
to. Elia helped them by interacting with medical
personnel to get the boy treated. At the hospital
she then discovered that the doctor said the boy
needed quiet, warmth, and rest, but the family had
no electricity (including heat) because of a fault in
the wiring in their mobile home.
Elia was determined to help when the tearful
mother explained the family had no way to keep
her ailing son warm. Elia recruited the electrician spouse of a staff member who volunteered his
time, and she secured a donation for the $68 part
required to fix the problem. This is beyond the callof-duty, but the boys’ health was in the balance and
his preschool siblings needed the heat just as much
as their brother.
When asked to write a letter to be submitted in
support of her nomination, a Vallivue family wrote
Susana Martinez
Named State LEP
Paraprofessional
of the Year
Susana Martinez was selected
as the state 2012 Limited English
Proficiency (LEP) Paraprofessional of the Year. Susana works with
students at East Canyon, assisting
kids who are learning English.
Susana discovered she has an
amazing talent for working with the youngest English learners and has become an integral part of the
kindergarten team. In 2010-2011, 100% of Susana’s
students earned a 3 on the Idaho Reading Indicator
(IRI) and 100% received a 4 or 5 on the annual Idaho Engish Language Assessment (IELA). It doesn’t
get any better than that.
More important than excellent test scores are
the confident English speakers, readers, and writers that emerge from Susana’s kindergarten groups.
a wonderful letter expressing their gratitude for
Mrs. Ramirez:
“...I’m truly thankful to her and for all she’s
done for us ...and for making us feel better in
dreadful moments such as when our house
burned down. We are so grateful that in this
world there still exists a wonderful, caring person such as Elia. In the same caring manner
that she’s helped us, she has helped many other
families.”
What is so amazing about these cases, and many
more like them, is that Elia is able to get a great
deal of support from local charities, not-for-profit
organizations, and other groups who have Elia to
identify qualifying families. Her knowledge and
compassion is a vital resource for the Vallivue’s migrant families and our students.
They are eager to excel in first grade after completing kindergarten, and definitely have all the
skills they need to do it.
Susana’s students’ skills are impressive. They
can read words, write sentences, count backwards
from 100, count by 2s, 3s, 5s, and 10s, identify
parts of speech, conjugate verbs, and discuss pictures. They answer in complete sentences automatically even when their brains are buzzing with
ideas. The students are independent learners, using available resources, especially Susana’s grammar wall with its hundreds of labeled pictures of
nouns, pronouns, verbs, prepositions, and adjectives. When asked what an adjective is, Mrs.
Martinez’s students would reply, “An adjective is
a word that describes a noun. It tells you how
something looks, smells, feels, tastes, or sounds.”
Susana’s patient, deliberate, and careful guidance of students who spoke little or no English at
the start of the year helps students grow independence and find success.
Although a quiet person, Susana Martinez is
an ardent supporter for the students she works
with — helping them develop confidence and find
their voices, in English!
Summer/Fall 2012
First Annual
Homecoming
Celebration
Successful Beginning
to New Tradition
Vallivue Review
11
On warm and sunny October 4, 2012, just before
the Homecoming football game, hundreds of Vallivue students from across the district joined together
at the high school to launch a brand new Vallivue
tradition. The first annual Vallivue Homecoming
Parade and Celebration brought together schools,
clubs, sport teams, parents and supporters.
to the parking lot where the crowd was entertained with a synchronized musical presentation.
Parent volunteers, school PTOs, and the district’s
Community Relations Committee nurtured an
idea into an afternoon of fun and school spirit
where the aroma of barbecue wafted with music
and laughter.
The award-winning Vallivue Marching Band and
Auxiliary winded its substantial way from the gym
Get your parade ideas honed and your teammates organized for next year’s event!
Vallivue School District #139 . 5207 South Montana . Caldwell, ID 83607 . 208-454-0445 . www.vallivue.org
12
Vallivue Review
Summer/Fall 2012
www.vallivue.org
Vallivue Proud to Announce
Merit Scholar Semi-finalist
Vallivue High School senior Robert Ian Abbott has been selected as a National Merit Semifinalist. Ian is one of about 16,000
students nationwide who is now eligible to compete for one of
8400 scholarships that will be announced this spring. National
Merit Scholars (NMS) performed well on the PSAT as a sophomore and have a consistent record of very high academic
performance in rigorous courses in all grades 9 through 12.
Ian will be eligible for three types of Merit Scholarships,
ranging from $2500 to a full-ride to the institution of his
choice.
Yale, Harvard, or Princeton are Ian’s top university choices; he
would like to go on to study law in college. He has participated
in Boy’s State as a Chief Justice and at Boy’s Nation as a Senator.
Ian is a highly decorated Speech/Debate member on the VHS
Forensics Team. He is a member of the Vallivue National Honor Society, and Ian also volunteers at the Nampa Public Library.
Besides being a stellar academician, Ian is a genuinely kind
and thoughtful person. He is the son of proud parents Robert
and Laura Abbott. Given all that Ian has accomplished to date,
it is likely that he will attain his goal of being a partner in a law
office and becoming a Judge, Representative of Congress, or
a Senator.
Vallivue High School proudly salutes our National Merit
Semifinalist, Robert Ian Abbott.
Vallivue High School Marching Band and Auxiliary
Lynette Parker
“Boldly” Take DIII Title
FFA Forestry Team
First Place at State
Goes On to Compete at Nationals
Left to right: Darby Turnbull, Katie Gregory, Addi Haskell,
Albert Radloff, Mrs. Sherman, and Mr. Shirts
The Vallivue FFA Forestry Team earned first place at the State
FFA Career Development Events in Moscow in June. The winning team qualified to compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana in October. The team placed
18th, with only one other state placing in the top 20 this side
of the Mississippi. Way to Go Vallivue FFA!
“
...the band comes together and very visually
brings the horns and bells to the audience.
For the fourth time straight, the Vallivue
High School Band and Auxiliary took the District III Marching Band Sweepstakes title. It
was a “real close” contest, VHS band director
Curt Griffiths said in post-performance comments to the Idaho Press-Tribune.
The nearly 200-student band and 26-member Auxiliary team performed “To Boldly Go,”
at the competition. The performance features
many moving formations that resemble planets, stars and universes.
Mr. Griffiths explained in the IPT article that
the ballad is the defining moment of the show.
“There is a build and change of tempo, and
– Curt Griffiths, VHS Band Director
”
the band comes together and very visually
brings the horns and bells to the audience,”
Mr. Griffiths said. “The band members completely stand still and play. It’s a huge sound
there for a moment. It’s a nice build.”
Mr. Griffiths stated the caliber of bands at
the competition was above anything he’s seen
in recent years. “Nampa was really hot on our
tails tonight,” he said. “They’re really to be
congratulated.”
In the Division 5A Large category, Vallivue
High School won first place, Nampa High
School took second, and Capital High School
was third.