Dear Parents/Guardians,

I would like to visit briefly about three topics. The “Family Movie Night” we have planned for Thursday, February 27, at 6 p.m. is a time for parents and students to enjoy a film together. The short-cut/app for your phone allows immediate access to the MVS website and can be helpful in your efforts to save time. Additionally, parent – teacher conferences are coming up on Monday the 17th and Wednesday the 19th.

For the movie night, I have selected a favorite nature documentary. The true story of a man who helps a flock of wild turkeys hatch and develop into their lives as full grown wild animals. Those of us who are old enough may think the movie is like the Wonderful World of Disney movies televised every weekend when we were kids. This movie will give students a chance to develop a sense of awe for the world around them and appreciate the beauty and aspects of life that are larger than we are.

This appreciation for nature has been linked to reductions in stress and anxiety as well as increased prosocial behavior. Something special shifts in our neurophysiology after experiencing a heightened personal sense of meaning in relation to the wonderful world in which we live. The District Accountability Committee plans to have pizza and drinks available. There is an RSVP at the bottom of the announcement on the web page, or you can just call and let the office know you are planning to attend. Parents and students are asked to attend together. We look forward to seeing you there.

Also, I would like for you to be aware of the app you can place on your phones for quick access to the MVS website and official announcements. I would encourage you to download the app as it provides a quick link to the official announcements and other school information. You can click HERE for a link to the directions for obtaining the app. I would also like to suggest you opt into our school messenger system which is found on the same link.

Finally, parent-teacher conferences are just around the corner, Monday the 17th and the 19th. You can expect communication from your child’s teacher on how to sign up for a time. Grades three through five and middle school will be conducting group conferences, this will allow you to meet with all teachers at one time. The teachers are planning to see you then.

The Family Movie night should be an enjoyable opportunity for parents and students. The app will be an easy way to link to the school website, and parent-teacher conferences provide a great time to see just how your child is performing and discuss any ways you and the teachers might better team up for education.

Sincerely,

David Thornton, PhD

Your MVS admin team is improving our communications with our families and community.

Connect with our website and sign up for notifications.

Here are the directions.

If you need help with the directions, please contact Mrs. Rhodes at the school.

Join us on Thursday, Feb 27th at 6:00 pm for a movie with free pizza and drinks.

Please RSVP by printing the ticket (image) and returning it to the school.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

First, I want to thank all staff and students for your actions related to our evacuation on Wednesday. Thanks to our staff member who set the initial alarm and all staff for the subsequent evacuation. All was prompt and orderly. Everyone pitched in, and I believe the process, although frustrating, went well.

The odor stemmed from “P-traps” that had dried out and were letting waste gasses back into the science lab. The main CO detectors in the lab which are tied into our main alarm panel were functioning, the separate secondary detectors are being updated based on their short lifespan.  As all possibilities were investigated, an unused gas line and the boiler ventilation were examined. Additionally, minor adjustments have and are being made to these.

Thank you for your appreciation related to this situation,

Your Principal

David Thornton, PhD

Update: We are scheduled for school as normal this Monday, 1/20.

A variety of building/facility specialists have examined concerns related to the expected gas leak. All have indicated we are good to go.

We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding, and Mountain Valley thanks all who assisted in getting us up and running again so quickly.

We are looking forward to the students returning Monday.

______________________

Original Message: I would like to thank our students and staff for their prompt and orderly evacuation today.

At this time, we are keeping school closed until we feel confident that students and staff can safely return.

Once we feel confident about this, we will notify Parents and Guardians of the return date.

Please do not plan on sending children on Thursday, January 16.

Thank you, your principal, David Thornton

Next week, Mountain Valley School District will start utilizing School Messenger to deliver text messages to your mobile phone with important information about events, school closings, safety alerts and more.

On Thursday, January 16 at 10:00 a.m., you should receive an Opt In message on your cell phone asking you to reply Y to opt in to SMS messaging. (You can opt out at any time by replying STOP.)

You MUST OPT-IN to receive these messages. If you do nothing, you will NOT receive any future text messages.

If you do not receive an opt-in request on your phone on Thursday morning by 11:00 a.m., you will need to contact the district to provide us with your correct cell phone number.

Dear parents/guardians,

In welcoming your children back to Mountain Valley, I find joy in my heart seeing students visit with their classmates and engage in learning with their teachers. The personality of each child is unique and special. I did not realize how much I missed visiting briefly with you, parents, or just waving as you dropped your children off in the morning or picked them up after school. It is heartwarming on cold days.

Your children’s teachers have been at work preparing for the second half of the year. As this year progresses, please continue to communicate with the teachers regarding your child’s progress or just check in and make sure everything is going well. Time after time, I have seen the positive impact made on students when the parents show interest in schooling and support for the teacher’s efforts. The invested time and effort by you now, will pay off in your child’s future.

Finally, I wish to encourage everyone to continue helping the students develop proper character, the type of which the Mountain Valley community can be proud. As students advance year after year, both parents and educators serve as models and can voice approval for the development of appropriate behavior. As an example, being responsible enough to directly address individuals with concerns is a skill developed with practice, just as is looking someone in their eyes while talking with them. These actions send a message of respect and a desire to work in a positive manner with the receiver. If we model such for the students, they are likely to be ready at an earlier age to engage in more productive and beneficial behavior in their future. Let us commit to providing this for all Mountain Valley students.

Please feel free to stop in any time to visit. I enjoy the opportunities to do so. If I happen to be occupied, leave a message and we can set a time to talk.

Sincerely,

David Thornton, PhD

Principal MVS

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