Valentine View
An e-newsletter from Valentine Hills Elementary School
April 24, 2020
Upcoming events at Valentine Hills
Future Dates:
Fri, May 1-No School
Mon, May 4-No School (this is a new date-see below)
Fri, May 22-No School
Mon, May 25-Memorial Day/No School
Thu, June 4-Last Day of School
Principal Points
Dear Families and Scholars,
As you have probably already heard, Governor Walz has extended school closures and distance learning through the remainder of the school year. While this may have been anticipated, there is still a level of mourning and adjusted expectations that comes with the announcement. You may have many questions, and so do we. We’ll do the best as a district and school to keep you updated on what we know when we know it. We will do our best to “ACE” the remainder of this school year and beyond. At a basic level, here is what we are continually committed to providing you and your children during this distance learning:
A (Access): We will continue to provide access to your child. For some, it means access to basic needs like meals. For others, it means helping provide access to reliable wifi. For all, it means access to lessons and activities that activate curiosity and engagement. It also means access to your child’s teacher so that our scholars (and their parents) can have someone available to help them problem solve. We realize that the majority of you are not classroom teachers by trade and training, so we want to make sure teachers are able to support in their areas of expertise.
C (Connection): We want all scholars to feel connected to their teachers and classmates as much as possible, even from afar. We realize that the relationships formed in school are so important to kids, and we want to provide a variety of opportunities through large groups, small groups, and individually for students to stay connected during this time apart. This may be reading together, chatting about life, sharing their pet, or baking bread together.
E (Engagement): We know that each family has a different capacity for their child to engage in the learning from a distance. That also might vary from day to day as things arise and new rhythms unfold. We are working hard to creatively provide engaging, authentic activities that students can do at home in a way that taps into their interests, creativity, and curiosity. We are working on providing digital and non-digital options, and we recognize that sometimes (like in my house), it’s just a struggle to get students to read for 15 minutes. We continue to look for ways to create learning opportunities that engage students to help decrease the potential battle of doing school at home.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support in a time when everything is turned on its head. Please let us know how we can continue to grow and improve and hopefully celebrate the mini-wins along the way.
Sincerely,
Lindsey Samec
No School May 1 & 4
As part of the Governor's executive order, Fri, May 1 and Mon, May 4 will not be instructional days for students. There will be no distance learning on those days. Instead, these days will be used to plan for the extended distance learning period.
All School Facilities & Playgrounds are Closed
Refunds of Fees
Now that schools will remain closed through the rest of the academic year, the District is preparing to provide fee refunds for a variety of services (such as transportation), activities and events. To learn more, visit www.moundsviewschools.org/feerefunds.
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Prepared and paid for by Mounds View Public Schools (Independent School District 621)
4570 Victoria St. N., Shoreview, MN 55126
This electronic newsletter is not published on behalf of any candidate or ballot question.