Grass Valley Elementary
School Newsletter • March 6, 2020
From the Principal
Dear Grass Valley school community,
It’s hard to believe, but our second trimester is nearly complete, and report cards will be coming home with students on March 26. Spring is a busy time at school. The window for statewide student testing officially opens in March, and runs through June 5. Although the window is now open, Grass Valley students won’t begin testing until May. We’ll send out grade-level-specific testing schedules to affected families in the near future. Students in grades 3–5 will take the Smarter Balanced tests in math and English language arts. Fifth-grade students will also take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science. You can find more information about statewide tests online here. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions.
This month also brings our Spring Book Fair, coming next week, with our annual Art Showcase event this Wednesday, March 11, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. We hope you have a chance to stop by that night to see your child’s artwork, enjoy a cupcake and browse the book fair. Clearly we are in uncharted territory with COVID-19. We respect your family’s personal decisions during this time if you choose not to attend. Grass Valley will continue to take direction from CSD regarding safety practices.
The kindness theme this month is courage. Examples that connect courage to kindness include the courage to introduce yourself to someone new, to invite someone new to join what you’re doing or to stand up for kindness in a difficult situation.
Finally, March ends with spring break! We wish you and your families a relaxing and memorable week off. While many of you might be filling the gas tank for a trip, the break is also a good time to think about filling your child’s “emotional tank.” As a father and a principal, I have learned the principle of “filling the emotional tank.” Like the gas tank in a car, if it is empty, one won’t get far. If the tank is full, an individual can go the distance. This is an important principle to recognize when you’re teaching or parenting. On the physical level, if children haven’t had enough sleep or eaten healthfully throughout the day, they won’t perform at their best. On an emotional level, if a child has lost a pet, forgotten their homework, been sick, has no positive adult connection or is being disciplined for something, their tank isn’t full, and it is often a challenge for them to feel motivated or positive during those times.
It’s crucial to notice when emotional tanks are low. Kids will tend to be pessimistic, sad and give up more easily. On the other hand, when children’s tanks are full, they tend to be optimistic, deal better with adversity, and are more able to hear what you have to say and do what you ask without assistance.
There are several key tools to remember when filling emotional tanks. Praise that is truthful and specific is essential. Simply stating “That was a good job” isn’t specific enough for a child, and in some instances can be perceived as insincere. “Thank you for being so kind to your classmate when you helped him pick up his papers” or “I noticed that you made use of the clarifying reading strategy while reading that paragraph” is much more specific and digestible for a child than simply “Good job.” Research shows the characteristic of grit is a key to success in life. Grit is having passion and perseverance over a long period of time. We want our students to develop this important trait, as it leads to developing a growth mindset — the belief that they can acquire any given ability provided they invest effort or study. “I am so proud of your effort and how you did not give up when things became difficult” is a great way to praise grit and make it a “tank filler.” Another way is to catch children doing something right and acknowledge them for it. Adults too often emphasize what’s not going well. We might criticize, correct, ignore or make nonverbal gestures, such as a frown, and these behaviors drain tanks. Finally, if adults simply listen and use nonverbal cues, like nodding, clapping or smiling, children’s tanks will fill.
Research from two different sources indicates that there is an ideal ratio of positives to negatives for filling anyone’s emotional tank. Whatever fills the tank is a plus, and whatever empties the tank is a negative. Research suggests that 5:1 is the ideal ratio of positive to negative comments in any relationship. Achieving a 5:1 ratio is not easy, especially because parents and teachers need to teach and correct kids if we want them to improve. This is not to say that feedback is not essential and that “sugar coating” or being direct is inappropriate. It does suggest, however, that adults be mindful of how they communicate feedback. Giving feedback is tricky business. Here are some techniques:
1. Avoid non-teachable moments: Identify the appropriate lesson at the appropriate time. For example, the ride home after a student has been rejected by a peer or has just received feedback on work that is disappointing may not be the time to lecture on friendship or procrastination.
2. Talk in private: People can hear criticism in private better than in front of a crowd.
3. Ask permission: By asking if a child is open to a suggestion, it changes the dynamics and makes the criticism less of a minus. If the child says “No,” honor that and come back to it later. It’s likely they’ll be curious enough not to wait.
4. Use if/then statements: Sometimes it’s easier to receive feedback when it’s framed with an “if” and a “then:” “If you hold your pencil at an angle, then your cursive line will flow more easily,” as opposed to “Do it this way” or “You’re doing it wrong.”
So, remember to stop and assess the emotional fuel gauge when teaching and parenting — it’s not only a way to give important feedback, but also a skill to strengthen relationships. It’s hard work to be diligent about “tank filling,” yet the effort pays true dividends for kids and their self-esteem as well as their willingness to go the distance with you or your task.
Sincerely,
Sean McMillan, principal
Melissa Hutton, associate principal
PTA News
As spring approaches, it's time to begin planning for the next school year already. If you are interested in serving on our PTA's board or in any particular volunteer role next year, now is a great time to let us know. All of our executive board positions are open for nomination and election each year. The election will be held in early June, with terms beginning in July. (You must become a paid member before running for office.)
As part of this process, we are also looking for people interested in serving on the nominating committee, which performs outreach efforts to find a range of interested candidates for the board.
We are also looking for people interested in chairing next year's spring carnival and auction events, as well as people to train to take over running our book fairs. You can read more about our board and committee roles on our website under the "Get Involved" tab.
More immediately, we're looking for a few folks right away to help with laminating, a service we provide for GVE's staff.
If you are interested in volunteering for any of the above, please email our volunteer coordinator, Amanda Rinesmith. We'd love to hear from you!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
MARCH 19 — MOD Pizza will host a fundraiser all day for GV PTA. Mention the fundraiser, and MOD will donate 20% of the sale!
MARCH 26 — Art Discovery volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 104. Please RSVP online here.
APRIL 17 — Save the date for the final Family Movie Night. Fifth grade, as winners of the Penny War, got to select the movie: "Frozen 2." Doors will open at 6 PM, with showtime at 6:30.
Book Fair, Art Showcase next week
Thank you to everyone who signed up to help with the Spring Book Fair and Art Showcase next week. These events are special times for our students. We still need more hands to help hang up all that art on Wednesday after school. Please check out the online signup if you're able to give an hour or two that day. THANK YOU!
If you still want to set up an eWallet account for your student to shop with at the book fair, you can do so anytime during the fair here. Families can also shop our fair online using this link.
We've also put together some fabulous prize baskets (pictured above) for Wednesday night's event. Students can enter a drawing in the library for the basket of their choice by completing the scavenger hunt. Winners will be announced at school Thursday.
Don't forget to spring forward this weekend
A time to remember why music matters
In celebration of March as national “Music in Our Schools Month,” this article will help you understand the elements of music, its relation to other subjects and the benefits to your child.
Why teach/learn music?
MUSIC IS A SCIENCE
It is exact, specific and it demands exact acoustics. A conductor’s score is a chart, a graph which indicates frequencies, intensities, volume changes, melody and harmony all at once and with the most precise control of time.
MUSIC IS MATHEMATICAL
It is rhythmically based on the subdivision of time into fractions, which must be done instantaneously, not worked out on paper.
MUSIC IS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Most of the terms are in Italian, German or French and the notation is certainly not English, but a highly developed kind of shorthand that uses symbols to represent ideas. The semantics of music is the most complete and universal language.
MUSIC IS HISTORY
Music usually reflects the environment and times of its creation, as well as special historical events.
MUSIC IS PHYSICAL EDUCATION
It requires fantastic coordination of fingers, hands, arms, and lip, cheek and facial muscles, in addition to extraordinary control of the diaphragm, back, stomach and chest muscles, which respond instantly to the sound the ear hears and the mind interprets.
MUSIC IS ALL OF THESE THINGS, BUT MOST OF ALL,
MUSIC IS ART
It allows a human being to take all of these difficult techniques and use them to create and experience humanism, feeling and emotion.
We teach/learn music so you will be human.
So you will recognize beauty.
So you will be sensitive.
So you will be closer to an infinite beyond this world.
So you will have more love, more compassion, more gentleness and more connection to others.
Please help celebrate “MISOM” by sharing some of your favorite music with your child today!
Thank you for supporting your child’s music education!
Remember to check Lost & Found
Scene from the Hall
In honor of Presidents Day, kindergarten students donned a suit jacket and tie and thought about what they would do if they were president.
Calendar of Events
MONDAY, MARCH 9 — Odyssey Middle School interest form deadline (forms are available here)
MONDAY, MARCH 9 — Book Fair, 8 AM-3 PM
TUESDAY, MARCH 10 — Book Fair, 8 AM-3 PM
TUESDAY, MARCH 10 — WA Green Schools Summit, Clark College, 7:45 AM-1:50 PM
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 — Book Fair, 8 AM-1 PM
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 — Jazz Choir, 12:15-1:15 PM
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 — Art Showcase & Book Fair, 5:30-7:30 PM
THURSDAY, MARCH 12 — Book Fair, 8 AM-3 PM
FRIDAY, MARCH 13 — Book Fair, 8 AM-noon
FRIDAY, MARCH 13 — 2nd trimester ends
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 — Assembly, 8:15-8:45 AM
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 — 5th grade walking field trip, Lacamas Meadows (8:15 Dietzen; 9:00 Strawn; 9:45 Crowe; 10:30 Crone)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 — Jazz Choir, 12:15-1:15 PM
THURSDAY, MARCH 19 — PTA fundraiser at MOD Pizza, all day
FRIDAY, MARCH 20 — NO SCHOOL (inclement weather makeup day)
MONDAY-FRIDAY, MARCH 23-27 * SPIRIT & KINDNESS WEEK *
Monday – PJ Day; act of kindness: Play with someone new at recess
Tuesday – Crazy Socks Day; act of kindness: High-five 10 staff members
Wednesday – Hawaiian/Floral/Colorful Day; act of kindness: Pick up a piece of trash
Thursday – Favorite Sport Day; act of kindness: Make a thank-you note or picture for someone
Friday – Zebra Print/Green Day; act of kindness: Give your teacher a compliment
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 – Jazz Choir, 12:15-1:15 PM
THURSDAY, MARCH 26 – Art Discovery meeting, Room 104, 9:00 AM
THURSDAY, MARCH 26 – March Birthday Lunch, 11:05-12:30
THURSDAY, MARCH 26 – Report cards go home in backpacks
MARCH 30-APRIL 3 – SPRING BREAK!
TUESDAY, APRIL 7 — 5th grade field trip, Columbia Springs, 8:40 AM-1:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 — Jazz Choir, 12:15-1:15 PM
Watch for 2020 Census coming soon
The 2020 Census is fast approaching. The Census Bureau is reaching out to schools to help inform our community about the importance of being counted. Responses to the 2020 Census will drive decisions on the annual allocation of more than $675 billion in federal funds to states and communities – including money for school programs such as Title 1, special education, free and reduced lunch, and health care programs for children.
Starting in March 2020, everyone living in your home needs to be counted. That includes children and newborn babies, citizens and noncitizens, relatives and nonrelatives, and even those staying with you temporarily.
It’s easier than ever to respond to the census. You can respond in 13 different languages, and you can complete it online, by phone or by mail.
Your responses to the census are safe and secure. The law requires the U.S. Census Bureau to keep your information confidential, and your responses cannot be used against you in any way.
Contact Us
Grass Valley Elementary
3000 NW Grass Valley Drive, Camas, WA 98607
Phone: 360-833-5710 | Fax: 360-833-5711
http://schools.camas.wednet.edu/grassvalley/
Grass Valley PTA: Visit us at http://grassvalleypta3665.weebly.com, "like" us on Facebook and follow gvezebraspta on Instagram.
This newsletter is published monthly during the school year by Grass Valley Elementary and the PTA. You can email the newsletter coordinator, Nancy Nilles, at newsletter@gvezebraspta.org. To add email addresses to the mailing list, contact GVE Head Secretary Aileen Hay at 360-833-5710.