Happy New Year and Welcome Back!
 
           Everywhere you look people are setting new goals for the new year.  As we return from our winter break, I strongly encourage you to sit with your student to do the same.  January marks our halfway point for the year.  During our parent/teacher conferences in the October, teachers explained your child’s beginning-of-the-year assessment data and explained the grade-level standards.  In December, the first trimester report cards were mailed out.  January is a great time to set academic and behavioral goals for the second half of the year.  Often times, I hear “My child’s teacher doesn’t send home homework. Research shows the most impactful homework is reading every night and practicing math facts.   Another goal that can help your child succeed, is to collect their electronics at bedtime. This allows your child to awake more rested, and limits social media time.
            We were hit very hard with the cold and flu bug during the weeks prior to break.  Our  district policy is if your child is running a temperature or sick to their stomach, to stay home for twenty-four hours.  Please notify the office so their absence can be marked as  excused.  Also, encourage your child to wash their hands frequently.  We will give the same reminders at school. 
            I always look forward to this time of year coming back from vacation. Students return rested and eager for the second half of the year.  Mid-year assessing allows us to monitor student growth.  Every day students are being challenged with high-levels of learning.  I am confident this learning will help them to be successful in meeting their grade-level standards.  Thank you for sharing your child with us.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call. My office number is 509-573-7620.  Also, please fill out our school survey located in our East Valley Elementary Office.  We appreciate your input and seek areas for improvement. 
 
Happy 2020!
Colleen Crowston