This Week at MVE

Dear MVE Families,

Thanks to our families who attended the New Parent Coffee. This year we included a walking tour of the school and visited Mr Miller in PE, Ms Cross in Music, Ms Keri in the counseling office, and talked about recess, lunch, after-school activities and much more. Here are some slides that cover a bit of what we talked about. If you weren’t able to attend and have additional questions, please let me know.

New Parent Coffee

Our Fall attendance window wrapped up last week, and I’m pleased to announce that 83% of our students had consistent attendance (missing less than 10% of the school year to date). The winter session (Nov 2-Feb 12) has historically been the most difficult session for our students to have consistent attendance. While adults focus on the long term benefits of consistent attendance (student achievement, graduation, post-high school enrollment), I typically hear from students that it's important to come to school for 3 simple reasons: to learn, make friends, and have fun. If you have questions regarding your child’s attendance, please contact MVE Secretary Stacey Cooley. If you’d like assistance from the school in supporting regular attendance for your child, please contact MVE Counselor, Keri Moore.

And lastly, Fall conferences begin this Friday, November 6. You should have received an email from school secretary Georgia Darwood, allowing you to sign up for your conference via Skyward. Conferences occur November 6,12, 13, and 20, from 1:40-4:00pm. To facilitate conferences, all those dates are Early Release dates, and dismissal is at 1:20pm. If you have any questions regarding Skyward, please contact Georgia Darwood. If you have any specific questions about your child’s conference, please contact your child’s teacher.

Additionally, schools are closed next Wednesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

Sincerely,

Paul Gutzler

MVE Principal

PS- It was nice to see so many trick-or-treaters on Halloween, and I wanted to apologize for eating some of the candy! I’m so sorry; I just can’t resist a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup! And Butterfingers. And also, Twix. Again, I’m very sorry.

School begins at 8:25 am and ends at 3:10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and ends at 1:20 pm on Fridays. *Children can be dropped off no earlier than 8:00 am.

Bus Note Reminder:

Please call in bus notes by 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and by 12:00 p.m. on Fridays. Our office phone number is 509-996-2186. Thank you!

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Lessons are in 3-5th this week with Counselor Keri. Check out what your child is learning below:

3rd: Bounce versus Splat. Students have been exploring what it looks like to bounce back or go splat during classroom and social situations. We'll be reading the book I Really Want to Win and playing the game Silent Ball, all while supporting each other to express our feelings without getting stuck in them.

4th & 5th: The Amygdala. Such a small part of our brain, but does quite a lot! We'll be learning how the amygdala helps us feel all the feels, and helps keep our bodies safe when unexpected dangers arise. Did your student teach you about their brain with last week's homework? Great! It's due this week and worth a special prize.

If you have questions about what your child is learning, feel free to contact Keri: kmoore@methow.org

The Family and Community Engagement (FCE) Committee works to strengthen the partnership between families, the school, and the community. The committee focuses on improving communication, supporting student learning and well-being, and planning and hosting family events throughout the school year. Members share ideas, gather feedback, and make recommendations to help the school better engage and support families.

Current members include parents Kathryn Quanbeck, Robert Grim, Geva McAdow, and Anaka Mines, with MVE staff Laurel Carlton and Paul Gutzler serving as co-chairs. The committee is looking to recruit 1–2 additional members to bring more family perspectives and ideas to the group.

More information can be found on our website. If interested, please apply using our interest form linked here: FCE Member Interest Application

New Clubs will begin the week of November 16th. Registration will go out soon.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT CONFERENCES:

Childcare is available for school-aged students during your child's conference. Please drop off in our AfterCare room during your conference.

Our AfterCare program is full at this time. Please email lcarlton@methow.org to get on the waitlist.

Questions?

Contact Laurel Carlton, Family & Community Engagement Coordinator
lcarlton@methow.org

The art room is in need of volunteers to help with the 4th grade Washington Map project. This year, each student will be making their own map! Our first session will involve mixing their own batch of salt dough and then shaping it to resemble the state of Washington. In order to make sure this project runs smoothly and all students finish during their art class, I would like 2-3 volunteers per 4th grade class during the week of November 2nd.

The class times are as follows:

• Surface - Tuesday 11/3 from 1:05 - 1:50

• Barber - Wednesday 11/4 from 1:05 - 1:50

• Stratman - Thursday 11/5 from 1:30 - 2:15

Please plan to be in the art room 10 minutes before for a quick run-through and after the class to help with cleanup.

If you would like to help with this project, please email me at agreb@methow.org and cc Stacey Cooley.

Missoula Children’s Theatre Presents RAPUNZEL!

Calling all K–8th grade students! Missoula Children’s Theatre is returning to the Methow Valley with a wacky, fun-filled take on Rapunzel! Students are invited to audition for a chance to be part of a week of theatre, friendship, creativity, & stage magic.

Auditions: Monday, November 9, 3:30–5:30 PM
Location: Methow Valley Elementary School Cub Gym

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED

No experience is necessary! Students should come ready to have fun, try something new, & discover the magic of live theatre.

Performances: Saturday, November 14, at 1:30 PM & 4:15 PM

Come be part of the fun, whether on stage or in the audience!

Room One is hosting a Parent Resource Night in collaboration with MVSD and OBHC to share information about school-based and community-based supports for students with disabilities and/or special education needs. The event will focus on helping families understand IEP's and 504 Plans, and will orient families to a range of local and regional supports for students with disabilities.

Time will be set aside for questions, so please come with yours!

Tuesday, November 10th, 5:15-6:45 pm, Free

Curious about how anxiety develops in children? Join therapist and school psychologist Dan Hanks to learn how everyday interactions can either reinforce or decrease anxiety, and leave with concrete strategies you can apply at home. Dan will also share key insights from Jonathan Haidt’s “The Anxious Generation” on the role of screen time in childhood anxiety. Find more information and register at littlestarschool.org

Methow Valley Youth Basketball registration is open for 3rd-6th grade boys and girls!

• The season runs from December through mid-February.

• Practice days, times, and locations will be confirmed by the coaches. Practices will start the week of November 30th.

• 6th grade boys' season will begin when their Middle School season is over.

• Games occur on Saturdays from January - February. Potential travel for away games in Okanogan, Omak, Oroville, Pateros, Brewster, Tonasket, Bridgeport, Chelan, Entiat, etc.

• Scholarships are available! Please reach out to mvbballregistration@gmail.com if you are interested in a scholarship for the purchase of an AAU card or the registration fee.

https://app.teamlinkt.com/register/find/methowvalleyyouthbasketball1?cid=80010

Methow Valley Manger Mall Info

The holidays can be a difficult time of year for families who work hard to provide, and any year may bring surprises that affect their ability to make them special for their children. A division of the Cove, the Manger Mall's desire is to ensure that you are able to acquire some nice gifts for Christmas for your children without breaking the bank. There is no income or other qualifying requirement to participate. We are here to help any family with their Christmas shopping.

Attached is this year's Manger Mall Registration Form. The form explains the process and includes a portion for you to complete to register and return to us.

Please follow the directions on the form so we can have a smooth experience for all. Hard copies are available in the MVE office.

The Merc's Tom Zbyszewski Children's Theater is looking for kids ages 8-14 to join the cast of Wagon Wheel's A-Rollin ' by Tim Kelly, directed by Jane Orme. This hilarious, fast-paced spoof of the Old West will hit the stage March 19th-28th.

Auditions are December 7 & 8 from 4-5:30 p.m. at The Merc. There are large and small parts; no experience or preparation is needed. Just bring yourself and be ready to have some fun!

Pick up an audition application at LBHS or the MVE school office. Return it to either school by Monday, November 30th.

OBHC is hosting a Love & Logic Parenting Course. This course is open to all parents/caregivers at no cost (including their course workbook). Individuals are not required to be an OBHC client to participate.

Classes will be held virtually from 12:00 to 1:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays: November 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, and 19; and December 1, 3, 8, and 10.

The course is designed for parents, guardians, and caregivers of children of all ages looking for effective, compassionate strategies to utilize in their parenting. Love and Logic courses are driven by a facilitator as parents navigate the course workbook. This parenting course caters to the needs of the families enrolled.

“If you’re finding it difficult to set and maintain limits with your child, and often feel overwhelmed by their behavior, this course may be a great resource for you,” said Jackie Wiman, OBHC Director of Children and Adolescent Services. “Many parents today share similar struggles, particularly around screen time, chores, and homework. This course offers practical tools to help you set clear limits while empowering your child to take responsibility for their behavior.”

“As a Love and Logic Facilitator for 20 plus years I have had the joy of running into past "graduates" who share how the techniques taught in Love and Logic have changed family relationships for the better while teaching responsibility and healthy boundaries,” said Doug Brandt, OBHC Mental Health Professional and Love and Logic facilitator. “Parents typically report less arguing, improved communication, and the kids being generally more respectful, responsible, and fun to be around.”

Registration closes on October 28th to ensure all participants receive their complimentary course workbook and the Zoom meeting link before the first class.

To register please encourage parents/caregivers to scan the QR code on the course information flyer, visit the Youth Services tab on our website https://www.okbhc.org/youth-services or fill out a paper registration by visiting the OBHC office in Omak.

District Calendar

Volunteer at our School!

Methow Valley Elementary School Website

Air Quality Protocols & FAQs

Kindergarten FAQ & Readiness Info

Shop your METHOW VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sideline Store

Email: pgutzler@methow.org
Website: www.methow.org
Phone: 509-996-2186