Mill Valley Weekly

Can you believe we are already in our third month of school? Time is flying, and our hallways are filled with a wonderful energy. We have so many exciting events to look forward to as we head toward winter!

Here's a look at just some of what's coming up:

• Veterans Day (Nov. 11th): Students are invited to wear Red, White, and Blue to help us honor our veterans.

• Winter Concert (Jan. 30th): Mark your calendars! We will send more details as the date gets closer.

• 100th Day of School: A fun milestone for our students!

• Kids Heart Challenge: A great way to get active and support a wonderful cause.

We also have our fantastic recurring activities, including:

• Monthly Golden Awards

• Exciting Grade Level Field Trips

• The monthly PTO-sponsored Birthday Table

We cherish these opportunities to make a positive and memorable impact on your child's experience at Mill Valley. To see photos and get the most frequent updates on these events and more, please "like" the Mill Valley Elementary Facebook page if you haven't already!

In Partnership,

Allyce Harris

Your Principal

Each month, every classroom sets its own behavior goal to work toward together. These goals might include things like: walking quietly and respectfully in the hallways or making good choices about who we sit with during learning and work time.

At the end of the month, classrooms that meet their goal get to participate in a Minute-To-Win-It game during our Golden Awards assembly. Take a look at the fun below!

We have been working on our fitness - specifically our Muscular Endurance, Muscular Strength, and Cardiovascular Endurance.

Did you know, there are 5 components of health-related fitness? They are the three mentioned above, along with flexibility and body composition. Each component contributes to our overall fitness. Can you think of any activities you can do as a family that can work on these components?

Join the Muskego Elementary Ski Club and enjoy discounted winter fun with family and friends! We have seven dates for discounts this winter season and four of those are on no school days.

Sign up today by filling out the ski club form, linked HERE for your elementary student!

Club Cards can be picked up in the office.

As we continue our focus on childhood anxiety, let's look at the robust research connecting simple lifestyle habits—specifically sleep, diet, and exercise—to lower stress and improved emotional regulation in children.

Because we live in Wisconsin, we tend to hibernate this time of year; yet research suggests it is important more than ever that we find ways to be outside! Daily outdoor activity is a powerful tool; studies show that time spent in nature reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol, essentially helping to "reset" the nervous system. Regular physical activity, especially in an outdoor setting, provides a healthy outlet for pent-up energy, improves focus, and creates natural fatigue that supports better sleep. So, in addition to outside recess, see if you can find ways to let your children be outside (ex. Walk the dog, rake the leaves, shovel the snow, scrape the car) even in inclement weather.

Everyone is talking about a high protein diet these days, but with good reason for children with anxiety. A diet focusing on low sugar and low refined carbohydrates is critical. These simple carbs can lead to rapid blood sugar spikes and crashes, which often mimic and exacerbate the physical symptoms of anxiety (e.g., rapid heart rate, shaky feeling). Prioritizing veggies, whole fruits, and lean proteins is a foundational step in maintaining a calm and balanced mood. Packing cheese, beef sticks, veggies and dip, an apple, a protein bar, hummus, yogurt and even hard boiled eggs are packed with nutrients that help to stabilize the brain and body.

The third pillar is healthy sleep habits, which are essential for emotional processing. Sleep is when the brain consolidates memories and manages the emotional residue of the day. Consistent, sufficient sleep—with a regular, calming bedtime routine—allows a child’s brain to effectively regulate their emotions, making them less reactive and more resilient to stress and worry during waking hours. Electronics should be turned off a minimum of 60 minutes prior to bedtime. Soaking in a bathtub with epsom salts, quiet reading time with a lavender diffuser, or even putting together a puzzle or some gentle stretching are all activities that help to promote sleep and calm the mind and body.

By focusing on these three actionable areas—daily movement outside, nourishing foods that promote stable energy, and non-negotiable sleep hygiene—parents can proactively build a physiological foundation that significantly reduces their child's vulnerability to anxiety and enhances their overall emotional well-being.

1st Place: Third Grade

2nd Place: First Grade

3rd Place: Second Grade

4th Place: Fourth Grade

5th Place: Kindergarten

• Please join us for our PTO meeting on Tuesday, November 11th at 5:30 pm.

• Our guest speakers will be the 4th Grade teachers.

• When the PTO Meeting wraps up, we will meet to start the 4th Grade Celebration Committee.

Photos can be taken with your phone camera or bring a fancier camera if you wish! Holiday ornaments will be available to color and take home. Hot cocoa and cookies will be served. No reservations required, just pop in and get those Holiday Photos complete for social media or Christmas Cards.

Sing! Dance! Act! This fun-filled after school theater class takes place at Mill Valley on Wednesdays, 3:50-4:50 pm, December 17 - March 11 (10 weeks, no class 12/24, 12/31, 2/25). Students will play theater games, build stage skills, learn music and choreography from a musical and act out a short script…all while developing imagination, social skills and confidence. Each session is filled with different material so new and returning students are welcome. Parents are invited to a special performance on the last day of class!

Visit our website for more info or to register.

The Christmas Clearing Council of Waukesha County promotes and coordinates giving to families in need during the Christmas season. If you are a family in need and interested in applying for assistance, please visit https://www.christmasclearingcouncil.org/

Applications are due November 15.

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