The world awaiting our children is a significantly different one from the world we were prepared for. We truly live in a global marketplace with fierce competition for jobs and resources, extending well beyond the borders of our community. Rapidly evolving technology has dramatically altered the skills employers seek in new applicants. Over the next decade, for example, the demand for scientists and engineers is expected to grow four times faster than all other professions (STEM Education Coalition, 2009). Our students and their families expect and deserve an education that is rigorous, relevant, and adaptive.

Scales et al. (2005) argue that “students need more than academic instruction to succeed in school. They also need experiences such as a caring school environment, close relationships with staff, plentiful opportunities to explore their interests and talents, and connections to the real world outside school.” We are proud of the strong sense of community we have built at Altar Valley and strive to provide the most personalized experience possible. To that end, we are constantly assessing our programs for effectiveness.

One recent change we have initiated involves our Tuesday Family Fun Nights. In an effort to boost participation and create some additional energy, our Tuesday night events have moved to Robles Elementary. On October 17, we kicked off the freshly formatted program with a Math Madness event for our preschool and kindergarten families. Our youngest students and their families had the opportunity to come together in the library and work with their teachers on grade specific math games. The results were inspiring. Over two dozen families participated in the inaugural event. Parents had the opportunity to visit with our dedicated preschool and kindergarten teachers and enjoy watching their children demonstrate their math skills through relevant and enjoyable math activities.

A great deal of gratitude is owed to Trish Hastings-Sargent, who was instrumental in revamping and
publicizing our “new and improved” Tuesday Family Fun Nights. And special appreciation is extended to our dynamic preschool and kindergarten teaching team, who continue to go above and beyond the call of duty to provide memorable experiences for our children. I also wish to thank the AVMS cheer team for sponsoring a hot dog dinner beforehand.

As a district, we remain committed to continuous improvement. To that end, I welcome your suggestions and feedback on how we may make your child’s experiences in the Altar Valley School District even more meaningful.

Sincerely,