1. WELCOME BACK!!! V ALLEY V IEW E LEMENTARY S CHOOL D R. P ATRICIA K ENNEDY, P RINCIPAL The hardest part of raising a child is teaching [the child] to ride a bicycle. A shaky child on a bicycle for the first time needs both support and freedom. The realization that this is what the child will always need can hit hard. ~Sloan Wilson

2. WHO’S NEW? PARAPROFESSIONALS Pre School : Mrs. Theresa Deley Mrs. Judith Kerrigan Ms. Melanie Schmenti LLD K-2 : Mrs. Gabriella Caprio LLD 3-4: Ms. Roseanne Freykar Ms. Mary Ellen Soprano Kindergarten: Mrs. Nancy Biermeister GRADE ONE: Mr. Harry Baum GRADE TWO: Ms. Lauren Work Mrs. Michelle Krake GRADE THREE: Mrs. Connie Armenti Ms. Theresa Zemanek

3. WHAT’S NEW? BEING A WRITER A yearlong writing resource for grades K–6 in the areas of writing, motivation, and learning theory with social and ethical development The program has two goals: to develop the creativity and skills of a writer to develop the social and ethical values of a responsible person High-quality trade books are used for genre immersion and author studies Mini-lessons reinforce the skills and conventions taught in the program Writing instruction, regular community-building elements, and guided partner work are integrated to develop in students a sense of autonomy, belonging, and competence

4. WHAT’S NEW? MATH & READING POWERWORKS PowerWorks Theme Sets integrate content and reading, place and assess students provide a full range of large group, small group, and independent activities Program Components: Read-Aloud fiction trade book to introduce the standards-based theme concept, build background, and activate prior knowledge. Shared Reading Nonfiction Big Book to explore the concept in-depth and introduce basic nonfiction text features. Little Book versions of the Big Book for read-alongs and re-reading. Leveled Readers —paired fiction and nonfiction texts to expand all students' understanding of the theme, plus Audio to help students access information. Trade Book Library with carefully selected fiction and nonfiction to further students' understanding of the theme.

5. SCHOOL GOALS To sustain and enrich our Balanced Literacy Program To provide a safe and child-friendly learning environment free from harassment, intimidation, and bullying To sustain Inclusive practices and teaching models To infuse the authentic use of technology into daily instruction To promote communication between community and school

6. GOOD ADVICE : ) It's not only children who grow. Parents do, too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it myself. ~Joyce Maynard