Students in Mrs. Medlin's classes concluded the last days of the semester making some holiday treats. Everyone left fully prepared to enjoy their Christmas break.
December Reading Challenge Winners
Peppermint Guessing Challenge – Students checking in books were asked to guess how many peppermints were in the jar. We had a three-way tie, with all three students astonishingly guessing the same number!
Reading Reflection Drawing – Kaylee Tran earned a hot cocoa and Christmas cookie party by completing a reflection on her independent reading book. Her entry was drawn, and she was able to invite five friends to celebrate with her.
Congrats to all Blazers for reading, reflecting, and participating this month.
Peppermint Guessing Challenge – Students checking in books were asked to guess how many peppermints were in the jar. We had a three-way tie, with all three students astonishingly guessing the same number!
Reading Reflection Drawing – Kaylee Tran earned a hot cocoa and Christmas cookie party by completing a reflection on her independent reading book. Her entry was drawn, and she was able to invite five friends to celebrate with her.
Congrats to all Blazers for reading, reflecting, and participating this month.
Mrs. Johns and Mrs. George recently designed a solar system escape room to challenge their students to apply their knowledge. Working in groups, the students deciphered the clues and solved the puzzles.
Members of seventh-grade volleyball met today to enjoy a few Christmas snacks together. Some of the junior high team wrapped gifts to help with the Angel Tree gift program.
‘Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the halls, the holiday cheer was all over the walls.
Dear Students and Parents,
As we move further into the school year, I want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of attendance for both interim and summative ATLAS assessments. These assessments are not “just another test.” They are a critical part of how we understand student progress, identify strengths, and determine where additional support is needed.
Interims Assessments give teachers real, actionable data. Each student’s performance provides a detailed snapshot of what they have mastered and what still needs attention. When teachers analyze these data points across a class, a grade level, or the entire school, it directly shapes the instruction your child receives. It helps us adjust pacing, target intervention, enrich learning where appropriate, and ensure students are on track well before summative testing in the spring.
These assessments are designed to help students succeed. They are not high-stakes, and they are not used to penalize students in any way. Instead, they are powerful tools—that allow us to personalize learning and close gaps long before they widen.
For students, this means showing up rested, focused, and giving their best effort. For parents, your support in ensuring good attendance, encouraging a positive mindset toward testing, and reinforcing the importance of doing one’s best makes a tremendous difference.
Our shared goal is simple: help every student grow and reach their full potential. Interim ATLAS testing is a key step in that process, and we appreciate your partnership in taking it seriously.
If you have questions about the assessments or how we use the results, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your continued support of our school and your child’s learning journey.
As we move further into the school year, I want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of attendance for both interim and summative ATLAS assessments. These assessments are not “just another test.” They are a critical part of how we understand student progress, identify strengths, and determine where additional support is needed.
Interims Assessments give teachers real, actionable data. Each student’s performance provides a detailed snapshot of what they have mastered and what still needs attention. When teachers analyze these data points across a class, a grade level, or the entire school, it directly shapes the instruction your child receives. It helps us adjust pacing, target intervention, enrich learning where appropriate, and ensure students are on track well before summative testing in the spring.
These assessments are designed to help students succeed. They are not high-stakes, and they are not used to penalize students in any way. Instead, they are powerful tools—that allow us to personalize learning and close gaps long before they widen.
For students, this means showing up rested, focused, and giving their best effort. For parents, your support in ensuring good attendance, encouraging a positive mindset toward testing, and reinforcing the importance of doing one’s best makes a tremendous difference.
Our shared goal is simple: help every student grow and reach their full potential. Interim ATLAS testing is a key step in that process, and we appreciate your partnership in taking it seriously.
If you have questions about the assessments or how we use the results, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your continued support of our school and your child’s learning journey.
Don't forget that our fun holiday dress up days begin tomorrow in the junior high. We are looking forward to seeing all those ugly Christmas sweaters!
Some students from the junior high EAST program have been reading to classes in the elementary building this week. Reading is so important for developing vocabulary, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. Also, the kids always love hearing a good story read to them by "big kid" Blazers!
Please join us wearing black and gold tomorrow to show support for our friends in a neighboring school district.
Tomorrow, December 11th, we have ATLAS testing scheduled in the junior high. Students should make sure their Chromebooks are fully charged tonight so they will be ready in the morning. We will be testing in both the morning and the afternoon.
The junior high commons area looks a little more festive than it did yesterday. Seventh-grade students, Paris Davis and Cooper Gibson volunteered to assemble and decorate a Blazer blue and gold Christmas tree this morning.
Semester tests begin two weeks from tomorrow, and December 19th marks the end of the first semester.
It's Holiday Food Drive time! Please consider contributing to the Valley View Backpack program. Each grade level is requested to bring specific food items, but any nonperishable food donation is greatly appreciated. Cash donations are also appreciated and can be easily made online. Thank you for helping to support others in our Blazer community.
Valley View Backpack Program
Happy Thanksgiving week! We will see everyone back at school on Monday, December 1st.
Students in Ms. Boone’s Advanced Geometry course completed a fun project applying some newly learned skills this week. They began by designing their own apartment floor plans, and then they used rotations, translations, and reflection transformations to create an entire complex.
Our teacher spotlight of the week is Keystone teacher, Luke Tate.
Over 40 junior high students competed in the spelling bee today. The competition was tough, and determining a winner ultimately took ten full rounds. Congratulations to overall champion, Kaylee Tran; first alternate, Jessica Vestal; and 2nd alternate, Jana Caang! These three students will represent Valley View in the Craighead County Regional Spelling Bee that will take place in February.
#BlazerPride #LTF
#BlazerPride #LTF
Thanksgiving is still a week away, but here's the early notice about the Christmas dress-up days that are coming up soon. Plan your festive outfits and join in the three days of fun!
Last week was job shadowing week in Ms. Lynch’s Career Development course. Job shadowing is an opportunity for students to explore a career of interest by spending part of the day observing in the workplace.
In case you missed it, junior high dance concluded their season with a 5A clean sweep at the Southern Spirit competition. 💙💛 #BlazerPride
