Viking News - Nov 2025

Modeling gratitude out loud seems to be an obvious one, but it’s one we all slack on. So much of what we think or feel stays within us, mostly for the better (hello, frustration), but not always. Our children learn the most by what we do and say and they learn just as much from what we don’t do or say. If you’re not actively practicing outward appreciation and gratitude in a way that is accessible and descriptive, there’s a good chance that it will be a much harder concept for your children to learn.

Practicing this is not at all complicated. Simply take time to pause in small moments and say out loud what comes to your heart and head. It can be something small like, “Wow, these trees with changing leaves are just beautiful. Nature is just so stunning, and I love sharing these moments with you.” Or take a brief moment when you’re in line at the checkout counter: “Look at this full grocery cart with all of this delicious and healthy food. We are so fortunate to be able to bring this home to our family.”

It doesn’t take much—saying these things out loud will make it easier for your children to understand gratitude and learn just what things are the ones to be thankful for.

Patel, O. (2022, November 12). 7 simple ways to teach your kids to be grateful. The Everymom. https://theeverymom.com/7-ways-to-teach-your-kids-to-be-grateful/

Each month, a different topic will be reviewed. All expectations can be found in the MVE Handbook.

Sept - Attendance; Oct - Grading System; Nov - Behavior Expectations & Consequences; Dec - When to stay home; Jan - School Closing / Indoor Recess; Feb - required school drills; March - Bullying; March - Other Harassment Policies; April - Cell phones; May - summer support contacts

Documents referenced below are bold and are linked below for your reference or you can contact Mrs. Johnston and she will be happy to send you a copy.

ESTABLISH EXPECTATIONS

Each school year, the following take place to make sure expectations are current and understood by all.

1. Certified staff review and, if needed, update the expectation matrix before students return. Staff also review & discuss the MVE Behavior Flow Chart in effort to clarify when a behavior can be classroom managed vs office managed. It is important to note that under Classroom Managed, teachers are instructed to complete an office referral after 3 attempts are made to change behavior.
2. The expectation matrix is posted throughout the school for easy reference.
3. On the second day of school, I lead Expectation Rotations with two grade levels at a time to welcome everyone back, introduce/review expectations for all locations in the building, explain office referrals and provide an age appropriate activity to ensure student understanding.
4. Teachers spend the first few weeks of school establishing routines and embed expectations as appropriate.
5. Expectations are reviewed after long breaks or as an increase in documented referrals in a specific location or area of concern.

1. When a student makes a poor behavior choice that falls under "admin managed", a teacher fills out an office referral and sent to the office. If a student will not go on their own, the office is called for support.

2. Once the student is in the office, admin will read description of the reason for referral and and ask student if they agree or have anything to add. If there is anything additional, admin work through the incident with the student.

3. Admin then introduces or reviews the Behavior Continuum with the student. Consequences are then assigned and student is returned to class with a duplicated copy of the referral with assigned consequences.

4. All office referrals include parent contact to ensure clear communication and opportunity for clarification if needed.

Note: As noted on the continuum, consequence decisions can be adjusted as determined appropriate by administration.

Q: My student came home and told me about a concerning situation. They say they told an adult, but the adult did not do anything. What should I do?

A: If the situation is one of safety or a repeated concern, email the staff your student reported the incident to ensure the adult is aware of the situation.

Q: I contacted the teacher, but I still have a concern. Who do I go to next?

A: If you still have concern after contacting the staff member, please call or email Mrs. Johnston. After talking to the staff member and Mrs. Johnston (elem principal), if you still feel the situation is not resolved to your satisfaction, Mr. Clark (superintendent) would be the next contact. Any concerns after contacting Mr Clark, a school board member would be the next contact for support.

Q: It is frustrating to be told the adult is aware of the situation, but is unable to share what the consequence is/was for the other student? How do I know it was really dealt with?

A: While the frustration is understandable and can be stressful when trying to ensure your child is safe, FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is a U.S. federal law that protects the privacy of student education records which include things like grades, transcripts, and disciplinary records. Because of this law, school personnel is unable to disclose the consequence given to other students.

Q: What do I do if I feel my child is being bullied?

A: Bullying is defined as "targeted & repeating". According to the MVE Handbook, bullying may include, but not be limited to, the following:

● verbal, physical, written or electronic intimidation or abuse

● derogatory name calling

● insults

● practical jokes which may result in awkwardness or embarrassment

● unwelcome remarks or innuendos

● taunting or ridicule of any individual

● derogatory or offensive pictures, drawings, and materials

● use of derisive slang terms concerning another individual

If your child is experiencing bullying, contact your child's teacher with as many details as possible (i.e. location, specific action, etc). If you feel the concern was not handled, progress through the chain of command (building principal, superintendent, school board) to ensure your child is protected. BOE Policy JDDC-Bullying: The board of education prohibits bullying in any form either by any student, staff member, or parent towards a student or staff member on or while using school property, in school vehicles or at a school sponsored activity or events.

Date: Tuesday, November 18

Time: 6 pm

Location: El Ranchito in Auburn, KS

mveoffice@mv330.org or 866.557.6686 option 3

*Reminder - If an elementary student is staying after school for a sporting event, they need to be with an adult at 3:30 pm vs being with a sibling or waiting for an adult.

All bus changes
Contact District Office

mhewes@mv330.org or 866.557.6686 ext 4

After School Events
PK-6 students are not allowed to stay after school without adult supervision.

Notify the office by 9 am. If we don't hear from you, we will reach out.

• 3rd-6th graders may purchase EXTRA entree at lunch IF they have money in their meal account.
• If you do NOT want your child to eat breakfast or have "extras" at lunch, please notify the office.

Looking for any other elementary information? Visit the school website; click on the elementary tab; scroll down for MVE Links & MVE Resources.

7 - 2nd grade field trip

11 - Veteran's Day Assembly @ 9 am

14 - No School: Staff Development

18 - Viking Pride @ El Ranchito - 6 pm

24-28 - Thanksgiving Break