Mill Valley Weekly

It is hard to believe that May is already here! We are keeping our fingers crossed for decent weather tomorrow for our annual May Day Walk. Our neighbors look forward to this tradition every year, and it is a wonderful way for our students to put Mill Valley’s values of kindness and community into action.

Next week we celebrate Staff Appreciation Week! We invite all families to join the PTO in celebrating the incredible staff members who pour their hearts into our students every day.

In Partnership,

Allyce Harris

MV Principal

• Wait outside door 1 to meet your student's class at the time they are walking (please note: every class has a different walk time)
• Please do not bring bikes or scooters
• Our furry friends need to stay home
• Dress appropriately for the weather tomorrow (cool but dry)

It is always a good time to thoughtfully consider how we can introduce or increase our children's responsibilities. Integrating chores into the daily routine is far more than just a parental convenience; it is a powerful tool for child development. Routine household contributions help to create essential structure and provide a reliable rhythm to the day.

Engaging in chores builds a child’s deep-seated sense of belonging and competency. When children actively contribute to the "family team"—seeing their efforts directly translate into a cleaner, smoother-running, or happier home—they learn that their actions have a tangible, positive impact on the people they love most. This is a crucial lesson in interdependence. As a child matures, particularly as they transition from the egocentric toddler phase into middle childhood, a regular chore routine helps them shift their core perspective from the self-focused question, "What can you do for me?" to the more empathetic and community-minded thought, "How can I help us?" This pivotal transition lays the essential groundwork for developing self-discipline, responsibility, and empathy—virtues that are absolutely critical for their successful navigation of adulthood.

The key to a successful chore system is ensuring that the responsibilities evolve as the child does, matching the tasks not only to their developing motor skills but also to their burgeoning cognitive abilities.

• Ages 5-7 (Early Childhood): For this group, focus on tasks with clear, simple start and end points. These tasks should be easily mastered and offer immediate satisfaction. Examples include:

• Clearing their own plate and utensils from the table.

• Helping sort and pair socks (great for pattern recognition!).

• Putting away toys into designated bins.

• Watering houseplants or feeding a pet, always with direct parental supervision.

• Making their bed (perfection is not the goal).

• Ages 8-10 (Middle Childhood): Children in this age range are capable of handling more complex tasks that involve sequential steps and planning. They are beginning to think logically about how a task is completed. Appropriate responsibilities include:

• Loading or unloading the dishwasher following a set routine.

• Vacuuming a specific, non-carpeted room or area.

• Taking out the garbage and replacing the liner.

• Helping prep simple dinner ingredients (e.g., washing vegetables, stirring, setting the table).

• Folding and putting away their own laundry.

In the next newsletter we will explore cognitive vs. emotional maturity and distinguish why chores are developmentally important and appropriate, but taking care of siblings may be too emotionally challenging for some children.

Click here for the Parents United website and click here for the 2025-26 brochure of all events. Below are flyers for the next five exciting upcoming events:

• May 20 (ROUTINES RULE!)

To view current support staff job vacancies, click HERE

Email: allyce.harris@muskegonorway.org
Website: muskegonorway.org
Location: W191 S6445 Hillendale Dr, Muskego Wi, 53150
Phone: 262-971-1830
Facebook: facebook.com/millvalleyelementary