Mill Valley Weekly

This week our Artist in Residence, Marina Lee, was back at Mill Valley! She is working with students on two new sculptures that will be outside with our current sculpture. They have been using molding compound to build up the forms which will prepare them to be painted in December. The students are enjoying this experience so much! How cool that their designs are coming to life in the form of art!

In addition to the sculptures, students are working on four banners which will hang in the hallway by the gym. These banners are filled with musical creations based off of student drawings. We can't wait for you to see them!

Sincerely,

Allyce Harris, Principal

Julie Hetzel, Associate Principal

With the cold and snow hitting us early this year, this is a friendly reminder to make sure your child is coming to school with all the appropriate gear to stay warm at recess. Students will go outside for fresh air 2 times a day unless the windchill is below zero.

In addition please familiarize yourself with the district’s protocol for closing school due to inclement weather HERE.

What is your student's teacher, or Educational Assistant, or Custodian's favorite thing?

HERE is our Mill Valley Staff's Favorite Things lists!

Starting on Friday, November 3, and continuing for the following four Fridays, we are lucky enough to have five player volunteers from the UW-Milwaukee baseball team in the building. They will be supporting a few classrooms and also will be present during some of our recesses.

• Students who attend school regularly achieve higher scores than students who don't attend
• Regular attendance and punctuality are important life skills
• By 6th grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school
• Missing just 2 days a month means a child misses 10% of the school year
  

The 2023 Christmas Clearing Council Client Application is available online!

The English and Spanish applications can be found at:

https://www.christmasclearingcouncil.org/application

The deadline to apply is Monday, Nov. 15, 2023. Christmas Clearing Council (CCC) matches Waukesha County families that can use some help with Christmas gifts with families or organizations that are more able to help out for Christmas gifts.

If your family would like to be a sponsor (they are called Angels), please call 262.771.0830.

Ski and Snowboard Club is a PTO sponsored club that provides an opportunity for students to purchase lift tickets and rentals at a significantly reduced rate at Alpine Valley Monday-Friday and on Sundays after 3:00pm. Students purchase a $30 Club Card to enroll in the discount program.

For all of the dates and details, CLICK HERE

To begin the year, the Teaching and Learning Department has been updating the School Board and various stakeholder groups regarding the impact of Wisconsin Act 20. The new law has a focus on science-based early literacy instruction. An overview of Act 20 can be found on the Teaching and Learning website. As outlined in the presentation, the District has begun the review process to evaluate elementary English Language Arts (ELA) resources.

At this point in the review process, there is a team of staff studying various resources to learn what tools will best help our students to acquire science-based early literacy skills. Curriculum lead teachers are examining resources and students may be given the opportunity to experience a few lessons or components as we are evaluating. The District is not planning to run a full pilot at this time. If you have questions regarding the resource review and recommendation process, please plan to attend an upcoming meeting. The meeting dates and times are listed below;

• Bay Lane Elementary - November 14th 5:30-6:00 Library

• Lakeview Elementary - November 7th 5:30-6:00 Library

• Mill Valley Elementary - November 8th 5:30-6:00 Library
  

CLICK HERE for details on how to order your 2023-2024 Mill Valley Yearbook.

Special guests...

4th grade teachers. If you're a 4th grade parent, stick around after the meeting to discuss the planning of the 4th grade celebration in May.

Mill Valley and the Milwaukee Admirals Nov. 22nd

Buy your tickets at: https://fevogm.com/event/Millvalley

Sunday, November 5th

9:00am - 3:00pm

Bay Lane Elementary

CLICK HERE for details

Sing! Dance! Act! In this after school class, students will learn the basics of acting, singing and musical theater dance while having a lot of fun! Our next 8-week session at Mill Valley runs Wednesdays, 3:50-4:50 pm, November 29th - January 24th (no class 12/27). Students will explore new stage skills, theatre games and showcase material, so new and returning students are welcome! Focus is put on developing imagination, social skills and a positive self image through the performing arts. Learn more at www.characterkidsdrama.com.

Click HERE for details and to register

Email: allyce.harris@muskegonorway.org
Website: muskegonorway.org
Location: W191 S6445 Hillendale Dr, Muskego Wi, 53150
Phone: 262-971-1830
Facebook: facebook.com/millvalleyelementary