Voyages Spirit Club Gives Junior Vikings Something to Cheer About Last year’s winter sports season was a little too quiet for some sixth grade Junior Viking girls, so they decided to make a little noise about it. With back-up from parents, District Superintendent Dr. Brenda Myers and Valhalla’s Board of Education, the new VMS Spirit Club was formed this school year, allowing the girls to cheer for the boys’ and girls’ modified basketball teams when they play in January and February. No formal cheerleading experience, stunts or tumbles are required – rather, it’s all
about team spirit and having fun, said club advisor Lisa DeBiase, a VMHS Italian language teacher. VMHS athletic director Jamie Block ordered team shirts and borrowed pompoms for the Spirit Club members, who get out front and center to lead the crowds with chants and cheers.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
Q. Are there any changes or enhancements to the inclusive education model and special education program that are planned for school year 2012-13? Yes. We’re bringing more research-based programs such as Fountas and Pinnell literacy interventions into our special education programs. We also are opening a special class at Virginia Road Elementary School. This program will serve as a base for some of our students with move involved disabilities. Q. How can parents best work with teachers to support their child? Parents should keep their eye on the prize: a happy, healthy child who is prepared to pursue his or her dreams. Keep high expectations for your child and ask staff what strategies to use at home. Q. Can parents contact you with questions and suggestions? JS: Absolutely. Although contacting their child’s special education teacher is more direct, I can be reached in the Special Education Office at 914-683-5034. They can also send an e-mail to me at jsalatte@valhallaschools.org. Q. Overall, are you pleased with how the inclusive education model has been working so far? JS: Overall, if I had to choose one word to describe how it’s been going, I would borrow a word one of my staff members used: flourishing.
Spirit Club members inspire the crowds at winter basketball games.
Parents: Sign Up for E-mail and Text Message Alerts Valhalla schools now offer an e-mail alert service to complement the District’s existing phone alert/text message system. Administered by Blackboard Connect, the e-mail service provides parents with news about Valhalla events, messages from the Superintendent of Schools, non-emergency announcements and other items of interest. Parents also can choose to “opt out” of the e-mail service, but will continue to receive emergency phone calls from the District, when those occur. Parents who do not receive the District’s e-mail alerts can contact their school to be included. Non-parents who would like to receive e-mails from the District can sign up on the Valhalla schools website: www.valhallaschools.org or call Rosa Abbondola, District Clerk, at 914-683-5040 19