Schools Page 8 The Gunnison Valley Gazette Thursday, October 6, 2011 Middle school update by GVMS PRINCIPAL ALAN PETERSON Parent conferences were held recently at all three schools and parent turnout, as usual, was very high. It's always positive when parents can visit with the teachers of their children and get a clearer picture of how things are going at school. When collaboration exists between home and school, it significantly reduces the opportunity for students to fall through the cracks, which is always possible without such communication. As teachers sit hour after hour and visit with parents, information is shared back and forth that is crucial to helping the student reach his/her maximum potential. Teachers can provide parents with specific insights about each student, in addition to their academic performance. Parents have the ability to access student grades anytime with the internet, and many check up on their children regularly, a practice we encourage. Students are well into rehearsals for the upcoming musical, Cinderella, under the direction of Mrs. Stella Hill and Mrs. Kristal Childs. The performances are scheduled for early November. The GVMS musical has become a tradition that produces many enthused 8th grade students who move on to become part of the high school drama program. They arrive at the high school already initiated to the theater experience. Mr. Lyons has been very helpful to the middle school over the years which is reciprocated with `veteran' performers in the freshmen class. The Senior Reading Program is underway under the direction of Mrs. Sharon Mecham, GVMS counselor. Ten wonderful ladies come into the school on Friday mornings and read with selected students. Those students are afforded the opportunity of reading with an adult tutor who helps them with pronunciation and understanding story content. This additional one-on-one help is extremely beneficial to the students and their increased reading skill provides benefits to them in every other class. The school deeply appreciates the ladies who make the effort to come and help the students at GVMS. Recently, a large, flat screen TV was installed in the Commons to provide students with streamed information regarding schedules, upcoming events, video, lunch offerings and other goings-on at the school. Young people today are very screen-oriented and they're extremely comfortable with this type of delivery system. Utilizing electronic technology produces a net saving on paper and other expensive supplies that are significant costs in education. At some point in the (perhaps near) future, students will cease carrying heavy, extremely expensive textbooks. In their stead will be an electronic, webbased notebook/pad that will contain every printed word found in a textbook, and will also provide access to video related to the subject. Never before have students had such an opportunity to learn. As this new technology becomes more common, districts will be training teachers to give them the basic understanding of how to utilize these 21st century tools. The new 'Flex' schedule seems to be working well at these early stages. Teachers are reporting a much higher percentage of work being turned in, on time. Other middle schools have asked to come and see the model that has been developed at GVMS and we're happy to share what's working for us with others in the broader PLC. Boutique 4-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7 and 10-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 Held at the Ephraim Middle School Come and check out the new fall decor and get a jump start on your Christmas List! Vendors treasures include; Cookie Lee, quilts, handmade bags, oil fragrances, Custom silver and gold jewelry, handmade doll furniture and accessories, quilt kits, Holiday wood crafts, fabric flowers, Scentsy, rustic log end tables, Bosch kitchen appliances, LDS books, whole grains, scrapbook kits and paper crafts, quilt hangers, handmade sewing accessories, Face painting, spa and beauty products, teeth whitening,,Sassy Snitches- trendy and affordable clothing, iron art, and amazing food with soup/breadsticks, pulled-pork sandwiches and a bake sale! Something for everyone and train rides for the family! Check us out on Facebook on Holiday Literacy Festival and Boutique Learn more and find out Author Seminar times and topics on http://christmasnotessereies.blogspot.com . or check your local library for a poster and informational fliers. Do Your Best Braxton Lyons ColOormuo Courtesy Photo The Gunnison Valley High School FFA recently attended the Southern Utah University Judging contest. Competitions were held in the Livestock, Range, Horse and Agronomy. The Agronomy team, which consisted of Dillon Sorensen, Chad Boore, Austin Sorensen and Ty Blackburn, placed 2nd over all. Other FFA members who competed were Tyra Sorensen, Dillon Walk, Natell Sorensen, Shaylynn Ekker, Austin Rasmussen, Tierra Akee, Elli Reber, Danielle Boore, Kylee Rasmussen, Madee Hansen, McKenzie Mogle, Damian Otten, Will Bown, Skyler Bentley, Anna Trafny. Congratulations to these students. does his best by being a good student. Braxton attends Scouts in the Centerfield 2nd Ward. He is the son of Casey and Crystal Jackman, and Joe and Anna Lyons. Do Your Best is sponsored by: Peterson Refrigeration &c Mechanical 550 South Main, Gunnison • 528-3365 Students learn about electricity World School Milk Day Jut FuelUpToPla Rocky Mountain Power presented a demonstration on electricity to the 5th grade classes at Gunnison Valley Elementary School last Friday. Mark Henline/Gunnison Valley Gazette The students, faculty and staff at Gunnison Valley Elementary School celebrated World School Milk Day on September 28th. The day is set aside to help recognize the importance the dairy products make in helping make school lunch not only taste good but also very nutritious. C-7(4r,- GVHS Top DOG 11 ,f4P WEEK Kelcey Hatch This week's Heap of the Week goes to Jarrett White. Jarrett drives a red Mazda B 2500. "Gets me where I'm supposed to go!" IF Paul Yardley HEAP WEEK Is sponsored by: Hat4 Sponsored by ose lUa CUOMO% Factory Authorized Dealer your comfort specialists caLL jeoi HALL 528-3988 50 E. HWY 89 - Gunnison Kelcey Hatch and Paul Yardley have been chosen by the faculty and administration to receive the Top Dog Award at GVHS. Kelcey Hatch is FBLA President as well as a member of the Gunnison G-Gettes. She is also the Business & Marketing Sterling Scholar. She attended Girls State this past June as well as an intensive business class in Houston. Kelcey is also the chairperson for this year's upcoming "Trick or Treat for Troops" project that is being coordinated for much of southern Utah. She enjoys dancing, playing the violin, as well as spending time with her family. Kelcy is the daughter of Kiersten Hatch and Steve Hatch. Paul Yardley is the son of Russell and Cindy Yardley. He has two older brothers and has a younger brother and sister. He was raised on the family farm where he learned how to work. He has used these ethics in football, wrestling, FFA, scouting, school and life in general. He has showed his ability to be a leader by being a team captain for both football and wrestling as well as earning his Eagle Scout award. Heating & Cooling Systems APPLIED COMPOSITE TECHNOLOGY or