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Reading Programs

1. Reading Specialist
The reading Specialist oversees and supports the reading programs at Valley School including classroom programs and tutor programs such as Tiger Reading, SOAR, and a reading incentive program, Rocket Into Reading. The Reading Specialist works directly with students in small groups and/or individually as needed as well as in-servicing staff, parents and students.

2. Reading Recovery
Reading Recovery is an early intervention reading program which targets first graders. Specially trained credentialed teachers teach the strategies good readers use in an intense one-on-one program. Students learn to integrate meaning, structure, and visual cues to draw meaning from text. The goal of Reading Recovery is not to remediate, but to help children become independent readers with an internal self-improving system.

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Classroom Support Programs

1. GATE
Valley Elementary's GATE Program operates at grades 3-5. Students participating in this program have an opportunity to apply and extend their basic skills. Valley's GATE students move through a varied program supported by the Valley School teachers and support team. A cluster grouping of students allows them the chance to elbaorate and expand on curricular ideas presented. Curricular focus may include math, technology and fine arts. Pull-out seminars address areas such as computer technology and telecommunications, fine arts, and experience the stock market. In addition, GATE students are provided the opportunity to participate in a variety of speaker seminars aimed at extending opportunities for career awareness. Potential GATE students are identified through a District-wide testing process.

2. ELL Program (English Language Learners)
Students who are identified as English Learners receive formal standards-based English Language Development instruction. They are assigned to qualified teachers who are trained in strategies for making curriculum comprehensible for students who are learning English. An After School Program ELD program provides an “extra dose” of ELD for the most limited students as well. Students access the core curriculum through strategies used by the teachers to make the content comprehensible to them at their specific English proficiency level. There are three components of the program for ensuring linguistic and academic success for English Learners: a) student achievement, b) staff development, and c) parent involvement.

3. Dual Language Program
Valley has a voluntary 90:10 Dual Language Program in which English and Spanish students are integrated in classrooms where they learn in Spanish for the majority of the day in the lower grades (starting in Preschool), and increase the amount of English annually until they are learning in both languages for equal amounts of time. The goals of this program are 1) high proficiency in both English and Spanish, 2) To meet or exceed District and State academic grade-level standards in both languages, and 3) Self-esteem and leadership skills to become cultural ambassadors.

4. School Site Council-School Improvement Program
The School Site Council (SSC) is an elected body of ten individuals, five staff members and five parents, elected by the school to serve a two year term on the site council. SSC members meet regularly to review school programs and develop a school plan and budget for using supplemental resources. These resources support student learning of the core curriculum. Site council members participate in an annual review of a selected curriculum area and assist in the writing of an improvement plan.

5. Title One
Each year, Valley School receives Title 1 funds from the federal government that allow staff to develop and provide instructional programs and strategies to assist and support students requiring additional help in reading and math.

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Student Support Programs

1. Preschool
Valley School offers several preschool programs in both English and Spanish. Two State funded classes are offered five days a week for those who qualify with low income: one in English and one in Spanish. Three fee-based programs also offer the option of parent participation, and are held either Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings or Monday through Friday mornings for 4 year-olds and Tuesday and Thursday mornings for 3 year-olds.

These programs introduce children to the skills and attitudes essential for success in school., They provide a comprehensive preschool program with a wide variety of strategies and experiences in a nurturing environment that supp0orts and promotes early student learning. These experiences help children make a successful transition from home to school, develop a joy fro learning, teach responsibility and develop problem solving skills.

2. ESS (Extended Student Services)
ESS is the before and after school childcare program. Parents pay for these services. The students have a variety of activities available to them during the hours they are at ESS: indoor play, outdoor play, supervised homework time, field trips, art activities, organized team sports, story time and other special activities. Students are usually grouped by age level so that activities can be age-appropriate. ESS supervisors stay in close contact with parents and children to make sure the children's needs are being met.

3. OASIS (Older American System and Information Services)
OASIS is intergenerational tutoring. Its' goal is to promote motivation, success and enjoyment in reading, writing, and oral communication in primary grade students, (kindergarten through third grade). Adult tutors receive 12 hours of instruction in tutoring reading. They are assigned one or two children with whom they meet for an hour each week for the entire school year.

4. Counseling
The counseling service is provided by a licensed counselor to help students feel better about themselves and do better in school. It is for students who may benefit from social skills/self-esteem small group work. The counselor is available once a week to consult with the classroom teacher and/or consult with parents, as well as seeing students in small groups. All contact with the counselor is by parent permission only.

5. Parent Teacher Association
Valley School's PTA supports all of our students in a variety of ways. Together the parents and staff coordinate and plan Family Nigh activities (including Family Math, Family Reading and Family Science Nights) educational assemblies, field trips, book fairs, the school carnival, and many other events. The support of our PTA helps us to accomplish our mission of all students learning.

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Individual Education Programs

1. Speech
Speech and language services are available to students who qualify. Qualification depends on the scores a child receives on standardized tests given by the school's Speech and Language Therapist. Students may receive assistance from the Speech Therapist in the areas of:
     Articulation-e.g., The way a student pronounces his/her words.
     Receptive Language-e.g., Vocabulary Knowledge, understanding directions
     Expressive Language-e.g., Grammar and sentence structure
     Fluency-e.g., Stuttering
     Voice-e.g., Hoarse vocal quality

Speech services may be administered in small groups in the speech room or in the regular classroom. Speech therapy goals are decided upon by the members of the IEP team consisting of parents, teachers, and speech therapist. Each therapy plan is specific to the student's individual needs.

2. Resource Specialist
In the Resource Specialist Program students who qualify for special education services are assigned to regular classrooms for the majority of the day. They receive supportive instruction and consultation services by the Resource Specialist Teacher, in the regular classroom. Students qualify for the resource program if they have a specific learning disability (as shown by the student's scores on standardized tests) or are speech, physically or health impaired. All students in the Resource Program have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) which is written by the IEP team and reviewed annually. The student is tested every three years to determine if placement in the resource program is still appropriate.

3. School Psychologist Services
The school psychologist is assigned to Valley School two days per week. The psychologist is a member of the School Informal Evaluation Committee (SIEC) which refers students for special education assessment when appropriate. The psychologist also reassesses students receiving special education services every three years. The psychologist consults with teachers, staff and parents concerned about a student's progress. The psychologist maintains referral source information for families seeking counseling in the community.

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Technology & Enrichment Programs

Valley Elementary Technology Plan
You will need Acrobat Reader to be able to view or print the Technology Plan,
click on Acrobat Reader to download the program.

1.Technology-
Technology and computer skills are supported and taught within the classroom. Software supports a wide variety of academic subjects including science, math and language arts.

2.Learning Resource Center
The LRC provides a wealth of information for our students. Students check out books weekly for pleasure and research. There are research materials available in the form of books, magazines, encyclopedias, and a multimedia center on an IBM computer contained Compton's and Grolier's Encyclopedias. Students come to work on projects with their class or individually. This is also a center where classes can display special projects.

3.SPARK (Sports, Play And Recreation For Kids)
SPARK is a physical education program used by Valley School teachers. It emphasizes development of gross motor skills using a variety of equipment and games. The goal of the program is to have the children moving actively for the entire PE period. The program encourages participation by all children. Since most activities are non-competitive, group games, children at different skill levels can all have fun and feel successful.

4.Fifth Grade Instrumental Music
The fifth grade instrumental music program is a "pull-out" program. Students are "pulled-out" of their regular classroom once a week to participate in music classes. The program is a year-long commitment to learning to play trombone, flute, clarinet, saxophone or violin. No prior musical experience is necessary to enroll in the program. Students are required to furnish their own instruments.

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