1. Welcome to Back to School Night! Flower Valley Elementary School 2013-2014 School Year

2. Mission and Vision Statements Mission We are a diverse team of students, staff and parents committed to creating a peaceful academic environment. We achieve this by respecting differences and encouraging individuals to be active participants in the learning process. We work together as a community by utilizing research based strategies to foster academic excellence and equitable practices. Vision We inspire children to become critical thinkers who are imaginative, adaptable, and collaborative. We strive to cultivate peaceful, life-long learners who thrive in a global society.

3. School Improvement Plan (SIP) Focus  We will increase effective use of rigorous small group reading and math instruction to meet students’ individual needs.

4. Enrollment K-5 enrollment is currently 476 students. There are 21-26 students in each class. We have 31 new students this year.

5. Organization 3 Kindergarten Classes 3 First Grade Classes 3 Second Grade Classes 4 Third Grade Classes 3 Fourth Grade Classes 4 Fifth Grade Classes 1 Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHOH) Classroom (Kdg.) 1 Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHOH) Classroom (Grade 1) 1 Emotional Disabilities (ED) Classroom (Primary) 1 Emotional Disabilities (ED) Classroom (Intermediate)

6. FVES Mascot/Motto/School Spirit  We are the Flower Valley Fireflies.  Our motto is “Lighting the Way”.  We had a student contest last spring to name the firefly and his/her name is “Sparky”.  Our school colors are royal blue and yellow.  Fridays are school spirit days so we encourage children to wear blue on Fridays.

7. What will stay the same?  Focus on building trusting relationships, teaching and learning environments, equitable experiences, and a safe, secure, and peaceful school environment.  Emphasis on home/school communication through Sunday Night Phone Call/Email, Bi-Monthly Principal’s Newsletter, and school twitter account @FVPrincipal  Peace Tokens  Fine Line Awards  Gallup School Engagement Survey (All staff and Grade 5 students complete again this fall)  Maryland School Assessment (MSA) in Grades 3, 4, & 5  Parents sign in at front office and show ID.

8. More that will stay the same….  Drop off table  PEACE and Friendship Program (our School-wide Discipline Plan)  Peace Pledge  Two school-wide parties (Halloween and Valentine’s Day)  Lost and Found Bin

9. New This Year at Flower Valley  Wi-Fi  Promethean Boards in all classrooms (K-5) and media center  Single grade lunch/recess schedule  Free choice seating in cafeteria (Grades 1-5)  Firefly Fine Dining in cafeteria (last Friday of every month)  Classroom Meetings (at least twice per month in each classroom)

10. New information….continued:  Curriculum 2.0 in Grades 4 and 5  Staff will not give out candy to students as a reinforcer  No more Friday Folders  Issue Bin in each classroom  New school song!

11. Upcoming Dates:  Wed., Sept. 18: Back to School Night for Gr. 3-5, 6:30 p.m.  Fri., Sept. 27: Grandparent’s Day, 9-10:30 a.m.  Tues., Oct. 1: PTA Mtg./Curriculum Night, 7 p.m.  Fri., Oct. 11: Principal/Parent Coffee, 9-10 a.m.  Mon., Oct. 14: Open House for Parents, 9-11 a.m.

12. Final Thoughts: Here at Flower Valley Elementary School, I want every child to THRIVE as a capable and competent student. Every child will thrive by having trusting relationships, a quality instruction program, equitable experiences, and a safe/peaceful school environment. By working together, we can make this dream a reality for all children. Thank you for coming tonight. Gay Melnick, Principal