Mill Valley Weekly

We love seeing our Mill Valley Wolves at their best! Every day, our students step up as positive role models by taking responsibility, showing kindness, and making great choices. Celebrating these moments is a huge part of our school culture, and we have so many fun ways to recognize students when they are "caught" being respectful and responsible, including:

• Paw Print Winners

• Golden Integrity Tickets

• Recess Royalty Awards

• Classroom & Teacher Recognitions

• "Student Howl-Out" Phone Calls & Postcards Home

• …and so much more!

We are deeply grateful for the strong partnership we share with our MV families—thank you for working alongside us to support our amazing students.

In Partnership,

Allyce Harris

Mill Valley Principal

For decades, the traditional approach to school discipline relied on behaviorism—using rewards for good behavior and consequences for negative behavior. Many of us grew up under these systems, and they remain common today. However, early in my teaching career, I came across research by Dr. Ross Greene that completely transformed how I view children's behavior. His core message is simple yet profound: “Kids do well if they can.”

Traditionally, challenging behavior is seen as a choice, manipulation, or a lack of motivation. Dr. Greene’s research suggests something different: when a child struggles to meet expectations, it’s usually because of either of these reasons: they lack a specific skill at that moment—such as flexibility, frustration tolerance, or problem-solving or a need they have is not being met. When the demands placed on a child exceed their current capacity to handle them adaptively, challenging behavior occurs.

When facing behavioral challenges or conflicts, adults generally take one of three approaches:

• Plan A (Adult-Driven): The adult imposes their will. While quick, this often increases resistance and leads to power struggles.

• Plan C (Temporary Pause): Dropping or delaying the expectation for now to lower stress and prevent meltdowns.

• Plan B (Collaborative Problem-Solving): Working with the child to solve the underlying problem together through three steps:

• 1. Empathy: Listen to understand the child’s perspective and gather information about what’s hard for them.

• 2. Define the Problem: Share your concern or perspective as the adult clearly and calmly.

• 3. Invitation: Brainstorm solutions together that address both the child's concern and the adult's concern.

The goal is to shift our role from strict disciplinarians to partners who help children build life skills. In our elementary schools, these principles guide how we work with your children every day—focusing on understanding their needs and teaching the skills required to navigate difficult moments successfully.

If you’re interested in exploring this approach further, Dr. Ross Greene’s book The Explosive Child (now in its 6th edition) offers practical, encouraging strategies for both home and school.

We are excited to continue our Halloween parade tradition this year! To make the parade easier for families to attend, our parade will take place outdoors around the Mill Valley blacktop area. This will allow families to enjoy the parade without needing to enter the building or check in through the office.

Families are invited to stand along the designated parade route outside the school to watch students and staff parade by in their costumes (SEE MAP BELOW). The parade will begin at 2:15pm starting with kindergarten. Students will exit the building with their classes follow the parade route and then return inside with their teachers.

Students going home early after the parade will follow the Halloween Dismissal Plan (see below).

🎃 Reminders about costumes:

• No scary or violent costumes

• No weapons

• No make-up or colored hair

• Bring your costume to change into right before the parade starts (do not wear costumes to school)

Ski and Snowboard Club provides students with the opportunity to purchase lift tickets and rentals at significantly discounted rates at Alpine Valley Monday–Friday, as well as on Sundays after 3:00 PM.

Students enroll in the discount program by purchasing a $32 Club Card. The Club Card includes:

• One free lesson on scheduled Ski and Snowboard Club dates

• Access to discounted lift tickets and rentals

• The ability for friends and family to take advantage of special club pricing on designated dates

CLICK HERE for details and to sign up!

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