March Weekly Update

Dear MVE Families,

Last week presented the unique challenge of being made aware of two incidents in our community that required the school and/or law enforcement to engage in the threat assessment process. These are unsettling events, and although neither incident was directed toward the elementary school, it was challenging for all of us. At the elementary school, we are focusing on staying closely connected to our students, including our most vulnerable, in the case that a student is aware of events of last week, and wants reassurance from adults. Additionally, a couple of parents have asked for a resource if they want to discuss a traumatic incident at home. I’ve listed a few ideas below, and the complete resource is here. If your student needs assistance in processing the events of last week, and you would like us to check in with them, please let me or school counselor Keri Moore know.

Make your child feel safe. All children, from toddlers to teens, will benefit from your touch — extra cuddling, hugs, or just a reassuring pat on the back. It gives them a feeling of security, which is so important in the aftermath of a frightening or disturbing event.

Act calm. Children look to adults for reassurance after traumatic events have occurred. Do not discuss your anxieties with your children, or when they are around, and be aware of the tone of your voice, as children quickly pick up on anxiety.

Maintain routines as much as possible. Amidst chaos and change, routines reassure children that life will be okay again. Try to have regular mealtimes and bedtimes. And stick with the same family rules, such as ones about good behavior.

Help children enjoy themselves. Encourage kids to do activities and play with others. The distraction is good for them and gives them a sense of normalcy.

Thanks for your support.

Sincerely,

Paul Gutzler

MVE Principal

Our AfterCare program currently has a few spaces available on Mondays and Wednesdays. If interested, please register with the link below:

AfterCare Registration

Friday, March 21st:

• Yoga Club
• Seed Starting Club
• Open Gym
• Tie Dye Club

Questions can be directed to lcarlton@methow.org

Hello Everyone,

“Trust no thought arrived at sitting down.” A quote from a book about running, from back in the day. Right up there with important thoughts are the many other benefits of being active and moving. Fitness, physical and emotional well-being, a healthy immune system, brain development, learning - you name it and consistent opportunities to move around will most likely promote it. You don’t have to spend very much time on our playground or in one of our PE classes to see kids moving at a high rate of speed in many engaging ways. The term “lifelong learner” gets bandied about quite a lot in education. I can’t think of anything more important in the life of an elementary aged child than to learn to enjoy going full speed ahead and feeling strong. And these thoughts don’t even touch upon all of the social elements that play out in all of this moving around. No wonder that many kids list recess as one of their favorite parts of a school day!

Bob Winters

Attendance Reminder: Please either call the office at 509-996-2186 or email Stacey at scooley@methow.org if your student will be absent. You may also leave a message on the attendance line. Thank you

Friday, March 21st, from 2 to 4 p.m. at MVE. If you know of a family that intends to register for Kindergarten next year, encourage them to attend. Registration forms can be found on our school website. If you plan to attend Round-Up, RSVP here. Questions can be directed to the MVE office at 996-2186.

On Monday, March 3rd, the Second grade will be kicking off a school-wide food drive as part of their Community Unit, whose central idea is “Individuals Contribute to Their Communities in Positive Ways.” Please send non-perishable foods or hygiene products (toilet paper, toothpaste, etc) to school with your child during March. All donated items will be delivered to the Cove before Spring Break for distribution throughout the valley. Items can also be dropped off at the office. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Thursday, March 20th: The Methow Conservancy partners with Methow Valley Elementary to offer inspiring science curriculum to every fourth grader. More information can be found here.

Spring registration is OPEN!

Late registration (price increase) March 10th-17th.

March 17th firm registration deadline.

Skills days: Saturday - March 22nd (Baseball)

Practices begin the week of April 7th

For more information and to register, visit our website.

Challenger Soccer Summer Camps are returning:

- June 16-20: 1/2 and full day camp

- July 7 - 11: 1/2 day creative skills camp

- August 11 - 15: 1/2 and full day camp

Register at: https://challenger.configio.com/orglandingpage?org=1072

For any questions, go to the website methowsoccer.org or email methowyouthsoccer@gmail.com

Tentatively, practices will occur on Mondays and Wednesdays and some Fridays at the HS softball field. Practices will start the week after spring break and start times will be 6 PM, after the high school practices are over and/or the high school team is playing away. Games will be on Mondays and Wednesdays and some Fridays, but there will be 2 games per week, starting around the last week of April. We're working with the Omak/Okanogan league and they will get us on the schedule once we know what our team(s) look like as well as the other communities. We anticipate having at least a few home games as well as playing away. The schedule will be such that if we happen to be playing a community that is far (like Oroville, Tonasket, etc.,) we'll be scheduled to play at the Plex in Okanogan so we don't have to travel so far. When we do play away, start times for us should be manageable so we're not scrambling to get the kids from school and get over there.

For questions, parents can reach out to Methowvalleyyouthbaseball@gmail. com.

To register: Methow Valley Youth Baseball Facebook page.

Online go to: Welcome | 2025 Youth Baseball and Softball | Methow Valley Youth Baseball

Shout out to Little Star School for creating this helpful one-pager of all summer camp offerings. Click the attachment below:

Lunch Menu

Volunteer at our School!

Methow Valley Elementary School Website

Email: pgutzler@methow.org
Website: www.methow.org
Phone: 509-996-2186