Garden Valley Elementary

Winter Break Reminders☃️🎄 𝗡𝗢 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸: Friday, December 22 through Tuesday, January 2 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀: Wednesday, January 3 The District Office is not available for walk-in visits during the winter break. However, you can contact the district office by phone and email during regular hours, and in-person appointments are welcomed and can be scheduled. 701-572-1580 communications@willistonschools.org 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀! ❄⛄🎄 WillistonSchools.org #wbsd7

Yesterday WBSD7 successfully concluded the second of two staff and community forums on the potential establishment of new schools within the district. The forums took place at the Williston High School, beginning at 4:00 PM for staff and 6:30 PM for community members. The forums, titled "𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄: 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆," aimed to engage the public and staff in discussions about the future of education in the district. The agenda included a presentation by RSP & Associates, featuring the “new schools survey” results and essential information on the proposed bond, followed by breakout sessions led by school principals and administrators. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝘁: https://5il.co/2b4l4 We extend our gratitude to the community and staff members who attended the forums and/or completed the new schools survey, actively participating in shaping the future of education in our district. We extend a special thanks to our principals and administrators in attendance yesterday for their invaluable contribution in facilitating and documenting input during the small group discussions. Your dedication and professionalism significantly enhanced the success of the events! The discussion questions used in the forum are available on the district’s website at: 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺 https://5il.co/2b6rn 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺 https://5il.co/2b6ro 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵 (𝗘𝘀𝗽𝗮ñ𝗼𝗹) https://5il.co/2b968 The school board and district are committed to integrating the valuable input received from the community and staff as we proceed to address the evolving needs of our education community. Your insights play a crucial role in shaping the future of our district, and we look forward to collectively advancing toward our educational goals. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁! With Gratitude, WBSD7 Administration WillistonSchools.org #WBSD7

We hope you can join us at MONDAY'S: 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 Monday, December 18 6:30 PM Williston High School Auditorium (Door 9) Shaping Tomorrow: Your Ideas Matter Today! ＡＧＥＮＤＡ： 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺 - Survey Results - Bond Proposal Essentials ​ 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀 - Led by Principals - Focused, small group discussions ​ 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺 - Conclude by 8:00 PM ​ ​Spanish Translation Provided in Breakout Sessions ​Se proporciona traducción al español en las sesiones de trabajo 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗣𝗗𝗙 𝗙𝗹𝘆𝗲𝗿: https://5il.co/28q8s WillistonSchools.org #wbsd7 #communityforum

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 - TONIGHT! Regular School Board Meeting Monday, December 11 Hagan Elementary School 2501 29th St W TOUR the school at 5:00 PM School Board meeting starts at 6:00 PM View Agenda & Attachments: https://meeting.sparqdata.com/Public/Organization/2185 WillistonSchools.org #wbsd7

ANNOUNCEMENT: Buses will run as usual today at the regular dismissal time. We anticipate delays in students arriving to their bus stops due to the weather and road conditions. Stay safe, WBSD7 Administration

We are pleased to inform you that there will be 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗶𝗻-𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 ​𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆! Buses will be running their normal routes. (Delays could be possible for some routes, depending on road conditions.) ​ Best regards, WBSD7 Administration Weather Information: weather.gov Road Condition Information: travel.dot.nd.gov Questions? communications@willistonschools.org NOTE: The decision to delay school or have a virtual learning day is not taken lightly. Information about the weather is gathered from many sources, including the National Weather Service, county/city agencies and WBSD7 transportation services (Harlow's).

𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄'𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘆. However, we want you to know that WBSD7 is closely monitoring the forecasted winter weather advisory. To ensure clarity and ease for everyone: We will communicate with parents, staff & community by 5:30 AM Friday, December 8th regarding the status of school. Best regards, WBSD7 Administration 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: weather.gov 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:travel.dot.nd.gov Questions? communications@willistonschools.org NOTE: The decision to delay school or have a virtual learning day is not taken lightly. Information about the weather is gathered from many sources, including the National Weather Service, county/city agencies and WBSD7 transportation services (Harlow's). WillistonSchools.org #wbsd7

We hope you can join us at the 12/18/23 Community Forum on Potential New Schools 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺 Monday, December 18 6:30 PM Williston High School Auditorium (please use Door 9) 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄: 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆! When you attend the Community Forum you can: - Gather Information - Share Input - Ask Questions about potential New Schools in WBSD7 View PDF Flyer: https://5il.co/28q8s WillistonSchools.org #wbsd7 #communityforum

Last night we held our Reading is SNOW Much Fun Family Literacy Night. This was sponsored by our PTO and also served as a Title 1 Family Engagement Night and a Family Literacy Night. We had SNOW much fun and served about 25-30 families with a night of holiday and literacy activities. Together the Garden Valley PTO and Garden Valley staff provided a fun night for the families. As families arrived they were greeted by some "reindeer," who may have been less than impressed to have grown holiday antlers! However, they sure were cute! Families were able to to enjoy a pizza supper and stop by the hot chocolate bar for a sweet treat. There were various activities set up around the school as well. In Building 7 there was a candy cane craft provided by PTO and Mrs. Leda and Mrs. Manzanas led a How to Catch a Snowman STEM activity where families had to build a trap to catch a snowman. In Building 1 there was a holiday photo booth where Ashley Raad took family pictures with a holiday backdrop. On one end of the hallway the kindergarten teachers, Mrs. Haugen and Ms. Johnson led a snow writing activity where students were able to write their letters and/or sight words in shaving cream. On the other end of the hall, the 1st grade teachers had various literacy activities where students were fishing and playing games. To top it off, a special snowman was in the library media center reading to everyone who stopped in! How many times can you say you have heard a snowman read you a story?!?! The students enjoyed the book, How to Catch a Snowman. If you were in attendance last night or if you are a Title 1 family, watch for this book to come home with your child in the coming days with some bonus literacy activities to complete as a family! Thank you to the Garden Valley PTO for their hard work on this event. Thank you to the local pizza establishments, Little Cesars, Pizza Hut and Dominos, who donated or discounted pizza for us. Special thanks to Young Bucks for donating the cups and lids for the hot chocolate bar. Thank you to all the staff who stayed late to provide a night of fun literacy programming for our school family. Most of all, thank you to all the families who took time out of their busy schedule to come to the school and be involved in your child's/children's education! Please watch for our 2nd family night in the second part of the school year. We had SNOW Much Fun!

Today we had our November School Family Grizzly Gathering. As always we started with our Brain Smart Start and the students sang a new school family song. They did such a great job. I wish I could post the video here, but I am unable to due to FERPA. We noticed those who had had grateful hearts in November as gratitude was our SEL word of the month. We took some time for some December silliness with some teacher Minute to Win It Games. Mrs. Heser drew staff members names out and they could play or pass. All chose to play! They were blindfolded and had to fill a bowl with holiday bows using only a spatula. Ms. Adriana, our new 3rd grade para and Mrs. G were the winners! The students loved it! Finally we wrapped up by noticing those who had been problem solvers in November and the students sang their Turn Back Time song that is about turning back time and learning to solve your problem in a better way. I love all the skills that our Grizzlies are learning and using to becoming respectful and responsible Garden Valley Grizzlies.

Happy December! ❄⛄ Important WBSD7 Reminders for This Month: 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟴 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗦 (about New Schools) 4:00 PM WBSD7 Staff 6:30 PM Community Williston High School Auditorium Door 9 𝗡𝗢 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸: Friday, December 22 through Tuesday, January 2 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀: Wednesday, January 3 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀! ❄⛄🎄 WillistonSchools.org #wbsd7 #happyholidays #winterbreak #communityforum

Join us on next Monday, December 4th for our PTO sponsored family literacy night from 5:00-6:30 at Garden Valley Elementary. There is a $10 per family suggested donation to offset some of the expenses, but no family will be turned away. 🍕pizza supper ☕️hot chocolate bar 🐑petting zoo 📸holiday Photo Booth with print ❄️snow literacy activities ☃️snowman reading We hope you can join us! It will be SNOW much fun! ❄️☃️❄️☃️

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱! Share Your Thoughts on New Schools! 🏫 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸: tinyurl.com/WBSD7Survey Dear WBSD#7 Community, We value your input on a potential Bond Referendum for building two new elementary schools. This survey aims to gather information and understand the community's readiness to invest in the future of our district. Your insights are vital! Please take a few moments to complete the survey by December 13th, contributing to the discussions at the upcoming Staff & Community Forums on Monday, December 18th. Let's shape the future of Williston Basin School District #7 together! 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸: tinyurl.com/WBSD7Survey Thank you for your valuable input, WBSD7 Administration If you have any questions, please email: communications@willistonschools.org Survey Closes: 12/13/23 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵'𝘀 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗦! 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗦 Monday, December 18 4:00 PM - WBSD7 Staff 6:30 PM - Community Williston High School Auditorium (please use Door 9) 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄: 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆! When you attend the Forum you can: - Gather Information - Share Input - Ask Questions about potential New Schools in WBSD7 View PDF Flyer: https://5il.co/28q8s Your input and support are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

We have had some questions about the plan for concerts for our school. The holiday program on December 14th will only have the kindergarten and 1st grade students performing at 5:30 at Missouri Ridge. The 2nd and 3rd grade students will perform at the spring program. The date for that concert is to be announced. The kindergarten students will perform again in May at kindergarten graduation. The date of this performance is to be announced.

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀! Regular School Board Meeting Monday, November 13 at Bakken Ridge Center - WMSCC 502 W Highland Drive TOUR the school at 5:00 PM! School Board meeting starts at 6:00 PM View Agenda & Attachments: https://meeting.sparqdata.com/Public/Organization/2185 WillistonSchools.org #wbsd7

In November our SEL word of the month is gratitude. The students are learning how to practice gratitude and teachers are noticing when their students are practicing gratitude. In an effort to help foster this important practice, can you help me in sharing some moments of gratitude from either you as a family member or from your child/children for our staff members at Garden Valley Elementary School. I am very proud of our school family and how each person works hard to make Garden Valley s true school family. We would love to here from you! Use this link to share your thoughts of gratitude with us! You can complete as many forms as you would like for as many staff members as you would like. Responses will be shared with staff before Thanksgiving break. Thank you for your help with this project! Please do so by November 20th! https://forms.gle/mcQUe3SRjbbxrxZo9

Please save the date! Garden Valley will hold their holiday program titled Around the World at Christmas Time.🌎This program fits with our Garden Valley is Going Places theme for our 23-24 school year. This program will feature our kindergarten and 1st grade students only. It will take place on Thursday, December 14th at 5:30pm in the Missouri Ridge gymnasium. Please mark this date on your calendars and make plans to have you child/children at Missouri Ridge by 5:15pm. Can’t wait to hear Christmas🎶🎵 from around the world from our students! 🌎🎄

On Friday, November 3rd we held our rescheduled October Grizzly Gathering for our monthly school family assembly. At this Grizzly Gathering we started with our Brain Smart Start, we noticed those who had been showing compassion which was our SEL word of the month, as well as those who have been composed. The students also performed a song about calming their brain that was taught to them by Mrs. G. in music. The students also learned some problem solving strategies using the problem solving Time Machine. Mrs. Shirk, our instructional coach, and Deputy Celander acted out a recess situation with rough play that turned into fighting. They went back in time and learned to problem solve in a better way. The first picture is our students who were noticed for being compassionate. They are students who are showing kindness to others in our school family. Look at all those kiddos! The second picture are the student who were noticed for being composed. They use the Safe Place and/or Active Calming Center when needed to become composed so they can be ready to learn. We are proud of our Grizzlies!

We would like to invite you to a 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 on Wednesday, November 8th at 6:30 PM in the Williston High School Auditorium (please use Door 9). We will be working with our consultants, RSP & Associates, to gather your input about the potential building of two elementary schools. It is imperative that we work together and collaborate with one another on what the future looks like for the students in our school system. It is important that we have innovative curriculum. It is also important that we have spaces conducive to the 21st Century for our youngest learners. We ask that you join us to gather essential information, provide your input, ask questions, and assist us in doing the absolute best we can for our students, our community and our school district. Please note that there will be another forum held on Monday, December 18th. You are welcome to attend one or both dates. Additionally, a community survey will be sent out to staff, parents and community members following the first forum. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, November 8th at 6:30 PM. Questions? Please email Communications@WillistonSchool.org ~ WBSD7

On Tuesday afternoon before the class festivities started, the Garden Valley staff had a SECRET surprise for the students. We met for a special Grizzly Gathering where we told the Secret Stories. Secret Stories are a teaching and learning tool that help explain WHY letters make the many different sounds that they do. At this Grizzly Gathering Mrs. G told the Secret Stories which were acted out by our staff. The students were able to hear the Secrets for the Superhero Vowels, Sneaky y, er/ir/ur, ch, ph, sh, th, and wh. The teachers will keep telling these Secrets and others and the students will be looking for the Secrets and using them to help remember what sounds the letters make. Watch the Garden Valley Secret Stories here:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xea4Xg7-wItDA-QS8Tl7VT2owPJZ51Bp/view?usp=sharing