This Week at MVE
October 12-16, 2026
Dear MVE Families,
I want to provide an update to families regarding Methow Valley Elementary’s ongoing efforts to support the appropriate use of technology for elementary students.
At Methow Valley Elementary, we have consistently upheld a “no phone” practice for elementary students. This approach has been informed, in part, by the book, Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, and also mirrors what the ILC and Liberty Bell has in place for students in grades 6-12. At MVE when we see a cell/smartphone with a student, we ask them to put it away in their backpack. This resolves 99% of the issues. In the instance where a student accesses a cell/smart phone a second time, we keep the phone at the office until the end of the day, and contact parents. If this happens a third time, we ask to meet with parents, and to work together to minimize distractions in the learning environment. We have seen an increase in students attempting to use Smartwatches over the last two years, but our approach has been consistent. If a student uses a Smartwatch, we ask that they put it away; if this happens again, we contact parents and make a plan together. If your student wears a watch that has “smart” capabilities we ask that you turn off those settings during the school day. In summary, we ask that students have personal, internet connected devices away (preferably at home) from 8:00-3:10, and at Cub Clubs and AfterCare. If you need to get in contact with your child during the school day, please contact the main office at 509.996.2186. If you have any questions about personal devices, please contact MVE Principal, Paul Gutzler, at pgutzler@methow.org.
This consistent approach to personal devices minimizes the disruption these devices cause at school. As a staff we have recognized that we use screens to aid learning. Educational technology is a powerful tool that when used intentionally can greatly benefit students. The number of educational technology resources available has risen greatly in the last few years. With this proliferation of resources last year our staff felt the need to recalibrate the why, how, what, and how often of educational technology. The following articles Tech Tools in the Classroom, Reading on Screens helped inform our staff on how we make decisions around using educational technology in the classroom. This usage varies by grade with Kindergarten students rarely using screens in their learning, to 5th graders who might use screens for 30 minutes, on average, per day in support of their learning. Over the next several weeks our staff will use Professional Development time check and confirm the why? what? and how much? of educational technology. We aim to share this document with families prior to November 1.
If you have specific questions about technology use in your child’s classroom, please contact your child’s teacher.
Paul Gutzler
Methow Valley Elementary
Principal
Picture Retake Day is October 20th! Pictures from the original picture day have been sent home with students. If you would like your student to have retakes taken, please send the entire picture packet that was sent home to school to hand to the photographer. If your student missed the original picture day, you may pre-order their pictures using this direct link:
https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001412632
Arrival & Dismissal Times:
School begins at 8:25 am and ends at 3:10 pm, Monday-Thursdays, 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!
Attendance Reminder: Please call the office if your student will be absent and choose the attendance line option to leave a message. Or, you can email Stacey at scooley@methow.org
FALL CLUBS END THIS WEEK.
A NEW SESSION WILL OPEN NOVEMBER 16TH. REGISTRATION WILL BE OUT IN THE COMING WEEKS!
Cub Clubs
- Thursday Flag Football, grades 5 & 6
- Friday Crafts, grades K & 1
- Friday Garden, grades 1-3
- Friday Science, grades 3-5
AfterCare (Grades K–5): Register For AfterCare here (space is limited)
Questions?
Contact Laurel Carlton, Family & Community Engagement Coordinator
lcarlton@methow.org
There will be cider pressing, fresh popcorn, garden games, and more!
Saturday, October 17, 2026
12:00 PM 2:00 PM
Classroom in Bloom: A Year in the Life of a School Garden photo book is now available at Classroom in Bloom. For purchase, email classroominbloom@gmail.com."
From Methow Trails
Halloween Costume Bike Party! Friday, October 30th. 2:30-5:30 pm. Free!
From the Twisp Community Center
Come trick or treat through a maze of Halloween characters. Saturday, October 31st. 4:30-7pm. Free!
Email: pgutzler@methow.org
Website: www.methow.org
Phone: 509-996-2186