Valley Southwoods Student Announcements
May 9, 2008 Black Day

Peer Partner PE
. . . coaches are reminded to report to Mrs. Goudelock's room TODAY (May 9) at the beginning of 1st lunch for your pizza party!

Flash Drives
If you regularly use a flash drive at school, we would encourage you to use a permanent marker, such as a Sharpie, and put your name on it. We are having a number of these left in computers and it is not always easy to determine ownership.

Media Center
Currently, there are over 70 students with overdue books and 165 with outstanding book fines. Please keep in mind that you will be charged for any book not turned by May 21st. Any fine not paid by May 21st will be tranferred to your IC account; so not only will your parents see it, but it will needlessly complicate your registration process next year at Valley. Questions? See Mr. Bittick or Mrs. Wade in the Media Center.

Sports News
The boys' and girls' freshman and JV soccer teams play Urbandale this afternoon. The boys' defend the home field while the girls' make the short trip; games begin at 4:45. Both the boys' and girls' track teams will be running in a District co-ed. meet in Ames; events start at 4:00. The JV/freshman girls' golf team plays in the Johnston Invitational; meet time is 3:30.

Saturday morning, the boys' tennis team begins sub-state play at Dowling and the girls' tennis team begins regional play at in Indianola; both start at 9:00.

The Tigers had another successful night in sports play. The girls' tennis team finished up the regular season by winning two close ones. The varsity team defeated Dowling 6-5, and the JV did the same 8-7.

The girls' JV black soccer team made the most out of a long trip by stomping Mason City 8-0.

You can find a complete sports schedule at the CIML web site.

Summer Curriculum (Literature and Composition)
As part of the Valley Southwoods Accelerated Pathways program, Literature and Composition class is being offered this summer to students who have met the prerequisites.
>> Download and print the Literature and Composition assignment packet. (Requires Adobe Reader)

Welcome to Parents/Guardians
Welcome to the first year of high school for your son or daughter! Our staff is eager to learn with you and your family in the coming months. Besides meeting you at Fall Registration and Open House, we look forward to seeing you in our school, at school events, and in the community. Please introduce yourself and your family.

You are your child’s most important teacher and we want to build on the years of learning you’ve provided for him or her. Family practices, such as those listed below, may further strengthen your son’s or daughter’s success in learning:

• To the greatest extent possible, make certain that your child attends school every day unless s/he is ill.
• Expect and encourage regular study and reading time at home. Establish a "place" for study and establish a routine.
• Ensure appropriate sleep, nutrition, safety, and friendships.
• Maintain school supplies for your child – at home – as well as at school.
• Monitor computer, television, and video game time.
• Promote a balance between academics, activities, and any work responsibilities. Don't let your child become overextended.
• Show interest in your child's school work and what s/he is learning, as well as the grades s/he is earning. Reinforce your child’s effort as well as grades.
• Encourage your child to ask teachers questions when s/he doesn't understand.
• Encourage your son/daughter to advocate for him or herself with peers and adults. Role-playing can help a young person learn how to address a difficult topic.

We can help each other this year by practicing effective communication. When parents, teachers and administrators communicate in a proactive manner with openness, honesty, and mutual respect, students benefit. Please contact your child’s teachers when you have learning concerns. You are welcome to contact your child's Team Leader or me about any issue and we will do our best to listen and assist. We look forward to our service with you this year.

Sincerely,
Mr. Kent Abrahamson, Principal
Ms. Barbara Goetschel, Team Leader/Associate Principal
Mr. Shane Scott, Team Leader/Associate Principal
Mr. Bryan Stearns, Team Leader/Associate Principal

Athletic participation and health forms must be picked up in the main office or downloaded from the District web site (click here), completed and returned BEFORE the first day of practice.

Registration Packet (click here)