Valley View Students Back to School Today

students return to the classroom today after a 15 day winter break.

Almost immediately they'll be thrown back into the swing of things.

According to the district's website, the second round of MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) can begin anytime beginning Thursday. 

Valley View has spent nearly $160,000 on the new student assessment tool that administrators say will help teachers better gauge student achievement and determine appropriate instructional levels.

MAP diagnostic assessments in reading and math will be given to students in kindergarten through eighth grade, measuring their growth and helping teachers fine tune instruction, according to Assistant Superintendent for Education for Grades K-5 Venus Smith.

The fall MAP results and the MAP results from the January round of tests, according to the district's website, will be compared with the 2011-12 school year’s final round of tests in mid April and early May to set a base for each student from which 2012-13 school year needs for individual supports and enrichment will be determined.

Important dates to remember for the second half of the school year

Below is a list of important dates:

• Jan. 16: Martin Luther King's birthday (no school for students or teachers)
• Jan. 20: Second grading period ends
• Jan. 23: Teacher institute day (no school for students)
• Feb. 20: President's Day (no school for students or teachers)
• March 5: Casimir Pulaski Day (no school for students or teachers)
• March 20: Election Day/teacher institute day (no school for students)
• April 6-16: Spring break
• May 28: Memorial Day (no school for students or teachers)
• June 3: High school graudation
• June 4: Tentative last day of school and fourth grading period ends
• June 5-11: Emergency days

Safety tips to keep in mind as kids go back to school

Below are some safety tips and reminders from www.safekids.org:

Here are some simple reminders for drivers:

• Slow down and be especially alert in the residential neighborhoods and school zones

• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs

• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully

• Watch for children on and near the road in the morning and after school hours

• Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings. Put down your phone and don’t talk or text while driving

Reminder for your kids:

• They should cross the street with an adult until they are at least 10 years old

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks

• Never run out into the streets or cross in between parked cars

• Make sure they always walk in front of the bus where the driver can see them