Year End Thoughts from Dr. Fish
Dear Flower Valley Community,
I can’t believe my first year at Flower Valley has come to an end. What an amazing journey it has been! We have had such an awesome year filled with learning, laughter, community, new experiences, and so much more! I am so proud of all of our students. They have demonstrated what it means to be a Flower Valley Firefly, and they are true models of our school motto: Be bright! Be kind! Be you!
This year has been filled with many exciting “firsts” for me. Some of my favorite moments were spending time in classes watching our students get excited about their learning, the 4th grade arcade, Career Day, Field Day, 2nd grade’s Yes Day, and International Night…just to name a few. I also can’t forget pizza Fridays and lunch bunches! I LOVED serving pizza to all of our students on Fridays, and lunch bunches were such a great way to hear how things were going for our students and to just get to know them as people.
The end of the school year also brings change and new opportunities. Our 5th graders will be leaving Flower Valley and continuing to “light the way” in middle school. They are kind, compassionate, inquisitive, and outspoken individuals, and I am truly going to miss their advocacy and leadership. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.
There are also staff who are moving on to new adventures and experiences. Some are retiring and enjoying some well-deserved time with family, and others are returning to college, pursuing passions in and outside of the field of education, or spending time with new, little members of the family. We are grateful for their years of service at Flower Valley and all they have done for our students. While their presence will be missed, they will forever be Fireflies. We already have plans for them to return as guest readers and Career Day presenters next year! :)
As we begin summer, the preparation for next year also begins. We will be reviewing our academic and climate data from the school year and developing our school’s action plan for next year and beyond. We will be focusing on goals related to literacy, math, school culture and climate, and well-being, all through an anti-racist, anti-biased lens. A few of the highlights for next year include:
Increased opportunities to support academic enrichment and intervention
The inclusion of the Sanford-Harmony social-emotional learning resources
A modified 4th special for our students which will be split between media time with Ms. Callen and social-emotional learning time with our counseling team
Additional opportunities for parent volunteers and community connections
I feel so very fortunate to be able to serve this wonderful community! A school building is just not the same without our children here. Summer, however, does provide much-needed relaxation and rejuvenation for everyone. It is a time for friends and families to reconnect, a time to travel, time to read a good book, and time to just kick off our shoes and enjoy the sunshine. I wish all of you good health, and I can’t wait to hear all about your summer fun when we return to school in August.
With Firefly Pride!
Dr. Fish
Flower Valley Elementary School
Be bright! Be kind! Be you!
We inspire all children to become critical thinkers who are imaginative, adaptable, and collaborative. We strive to cultivate peaceful, life-long learners who contribute positively to the community around them.
Email: Angie_L_Fish@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/flowervalleyes/
Location: Flower Valley Elementary School, Sunflower Drive, Rockville, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-1780
Twitter: @AngieFish_FVES