SVA Families,
I would like to extend a warm welcome to the 2020/21 school year at Spring Valley Academy! I would also like to acknowledge the challenges that our school community is facing, and assure you that we are prepared to meet your child’s needs with compassion, support, and the firm belief that they will succeed. Through these difficult times, we are embracing the great opportunity we have to teach our children how to thrive during trying times. As a staff, we are committed to giving you and your family our very BEST. Because of that commitment, this school year will look, feel and will be different.
In order to meet the needs of our students, we will be moving to a six period day (during the Distance Learning time period it will look different as you can see on the attached schedule). This model will allow for more instructional time to take place in each classroom for each subject area. Your child will receive almost 40 extra minutes of instruction per week in each class!
We also believe in providing our families and students choices and opportunities to capitalize on their interests, strengths and abilities. Students will be given a choice of elective classes, with opportunities for enrichment and/or intervention classes when needed. Spanish will become an elective class and will no longer be a mandatory part of the SVA school day. Students in grades 6-8 may choose to take Spanish during the school day for the entire year, or they may choose another course from the list of offerings. Please click on the following link and complete the elective request form with your child as soon as possible.
Please also take a moment to review the attached Distance Learning School Schedule with your child. Additional information will be sent out soon instructing you and your child on how to access teacher Google Classrooms and Zoom Meetings. You will also receive information on how your child will receive his or her class schedule.
We invite and encourage you to become an active participant in our school community. As stated previously, this school year will look, feel and will be different. Working together, we will achieve a partnership that will ensure success for your child. As you know, we will be starting the school year with Distance Learning, and when we do physically reopen, there may be additional changes to our schedules. Please continue to be active in your child’s education this year by reading and listening to all school communications (emails and phone messages) and by logging on to teacher and school websites to monitor your child’s progress.
Research clearly supports that when parents/guardians participate and are involved in their child’s education, there is a greater likelihood of academic success for the child. We believe that by working together we provide our children an amazing and successful school experience.
We are excited to once again get back to what we do BEST… Teaching! Please reach out to us this upcoming school year if you need assistance or support. We believe in partnering with our families to ensure that all of our SVA Eagles are happy, healthy and learning at the highest levels. Together we will RISE, SOAR and SHINE!
Sincerely,
Matt Thompson (Mr. T)
Principal
SVA