Mountain Valley Principal's Corner, 02/07

Our cold days and short daylight hours seem to be lasting forever, but rest assured they will be ending soon. We have had some illness this cold winter as well, but we are gaining strength and students/staff are slowly regaining their health. I want to thank our custodial staff for all the great work they do to keep our rooms disinfected and clean so we can stop the spread of germs.
We’ve had a couple of busy weeks this January. All students, grades one through 11, have completed winter assessments, and we are already in our fourth week of the second semester.
On Jan. 23, high school students in grades nine through 11 attended a very important workshop presented by the Anti-Defamation League.  I am proud that our school is receiving training and workshops to become a “No Place for Hate” school. The staff was trained in November and the high school training included discussions about personal bias, understanding and learning about individual differences, and creating plans on how each individual can make things better for themselves and our school community.
A coalition of students, staff and parents will continue to educate our student body and community. MVS is committed to having a hate-free campus where everyone can be themselves and grow and learn to be productive, contributing citizens. We work to honor our differences and teach that all of us are a vital part of the school community. We need to support and care for each other. Our staff and grades six through 12 students have a ‘shout out” board where everyone is encouraged to honor and write a simple note to each other to build positive support. It is a great way to give a little “love” to each other.
Our annual science fair was on Jan. 31. Grades four through eight participated, and there were many amazing projects. Science fair builds scientific process skills, writing and speaking skills, and guides students to learn how to manage time and complete a project. All participating students should be very proud of their efforts. Thirteen students will be heading to the regional fair on March 3. Again, congratulations to Rivers Hill, Blake Strauss, Anna Freek, Tye Salaz, Elicia Abeyta, Julian Fernandez, Gabe Tipsword, Ian Volkman, Alexandria Tronquet, Damien Ross, Ashlynn Willhite, Rachael Murphy, and Keladrae Brooks. Thanks to the teachers, parents, staff, and families that helped students produce these wonderful projects.
Finally, I would like to invite all community members to attend the high school basketball games on Thursday, Feb. 14 beginning at 6 p.m. These will be the official “last” varsity basketball games in the current gym. Next year’s games will be played in the new school facility. Come on out for one last look, take some pictures of the current MVS gym, and cheer on the Moffat-Crestone-Mountain Valley basketball teams.
 
Here’s What’s Happening at MVS:
• Friday, Feb. 8: HS basketball at Creede
• Saturday, Feb. 9: HS wrestling at Crowley County and HS basketball vs. LaVeta (in Moffat)
• Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 12-13: Parent Teacher Conferences 4-7 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 14: HS Basketball vs. Sangre de Cristo  6 p.m. (HOME)
• Thursday, Feb. 14 and Monday, Feb. 18: NO SCHOOL.
• Friday, Feb. 15: HS basketball at Lake City and HS wrestling at Walsenburg (regionals)