Liberty Bell Jr Sr High

MV Independent  Learning Center

Methow Valley Elementary

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### Our Mission

To expect, encourage and facilitate the pursuit of excellence in our students, preparing them for a world in which life-long learning is critical to their success and happiness.

### A Vision for Methow Valley Schools

Working in partnership with our families and community, we develop curious, creative, compassionate, competent, action-oriented citizens prepared to change the world.


welcome!

The MVSD Music Program has received a generous donation from the Winthrop Music Association, a local non-profit that produces the annual Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival.

In a letter sent to Superintendent Venable on behalf of the Winthrop Music Association Board of Directors, Erika Olsen, Festival Director stated, "The association continues to be delighted to support your music program which aligns to our mission of promoting the arts and culture in the Methow Valley..."

Shortly after notifying board members, administration, and staff of the donation, LBHS Principal Elyse Darwood stated, "This donation will ensure we are able to take the final step needed to provide every student enrolled in our growing music program with access to an instrument at no cost to families." MVSD Board Vice-Chair, Frank Kline added, "Whether it's through the successful passage of our local levies or donations, it is clear that we are a community that invests in what we value, every student.

It’s with sincere gratitude and appreciation that we wish to publicly thank the Winthrop Music Association and its board members for their continued support of our music program!

Methow Valley School District

MVSD Music Program Receives Generous Donation from Winthrop Music Association

Beginning this week and continuing into next week, Liberty Bell students (in grades 7 and 9) and ILC students are participating in a multi-day orientation at the Northwest Outward Bound School located in Mazama.

The grant funded, multi-day orientation provides students with an opportunity to participate in rock climbing, rappelling, hiking, camping, and a variety of team-building activities. The activities, facilitated by []()skilled Outward Bound instructors, are designed to promote strong relationships between students and a positive school-wide culture and climate.

Northwest Outward Bound School was founded in 1965. It has centers in Portland, Redmond (OR), and Mazama (WA). Outward Bound is an educational organization focused on character development, leadership skills and service to the community.

Please join us as we thank Northwest Outward Bound, one of our many educational partners focused on promoting the academic, physical, and social-emotional well-being of our students!

Liberty Bell and ILC Students Take to the Mountains!

**Capping off an outstanding first week of school, the hard work, knowledge, and skills of the Methow Valley Cascaders 4-H participants was on full display today at the Okanogan County Fair, and will continue through the weekend.**

**Even better, under the guidance of LBHS Principal, Elyse Darwood, LBHS students in grades 6-12 and staff traveled to the Fair today to honor the exceptional work of their peers and learn a little bit about our community's rich agricultural history, culture, and traditions.**

**A little history associated with the partnership between the MVSD and 4-H:**

**In the spring of 2017, Liberty Bell Junior, Emily Paul (now, a 1st grade teacher in Omak), with the Support of Suellen White and Molly Patterson, approached the Methow Valley School District Board of Directors with the idea of establishing a partnership with the Methow Valley Cascaders 4-H Club. In brief, the partnership would allow participating students in grades 9 – 12 to receive high school elective credit and apply their 4-H projects to their 10th grade Personal Project and/or their 12th grade Senior Project.**

**When faced with the question, "Why do so?", one board member stated, “I can think of many reasons as to why this makes good sense.”**

**Below are just a few that were mentioned:**

**• Honors our community’s history, traditions, and cultures**

**• Provides youth with an opportunity to develop and apply their knowledge and skills through authentic, real-world learning opportunities**

**• Provides students with access to community-based mentors that have an interest in supporting our youth**

**• Promotes the development of positive attributes and attitudes that are difficult to measure, yet serve as strong predictors of success in life**

**• Acknowledges the hard work and dedication displayed by each student by counting their time spent exhibiting their learning at the Okanogan County Fair as a school day, rather than an absence**

**• Provides students with multiple pathways toward graduation and beyond, driven by individual student interests**

**With a strong interest in developing knowledgeable and skillful students who take action by applying their learning outside the walls of a classroom, Emily’s proposal was unanimously supported and the partnership was established.**

**Not familiar with 4-H?**

**As described on their website, kids and teens in 4-H programs complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Kids experience 4‑H in every county and parish in the country through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs and 4‑H camps.**

**4‑H’s reach and depth are unmatched, reaching kids in every corner of America – from urban neighborhoods to suburban schoolyards to rural farming communities. Our network of 500,000 volunteers and 3,500 4‑H professionals provides caring and supportive mentoring to all 6 million 4‑H’ers, helping them grow into true leaders today and in life. To learn more, go to:** [**https://4-h.org/**](https://4-h.org/)

**Please join us as we acknowledge the many Methow Valley Cascaders 4-H participants (of all ages) for their exceptional display of knowledge, skill, action, and effort to preserve an important part of our community’s culture and history!**

Swine, Steer, Horses, Fur, and Feathers, Sewing, Artwork… Methow Valley Cascaders 4-H Participants Shine at Okanogan County Fair!

Dear Methow Valley Students, Parents, and Community Members,\
Working in partnership with the Public School Funding Alliance, LBHS Activities Director, Michael Wilbur, our many community-based mentors, and MVSD staff, I'm excited to kick off another school year by offering a broad array of no-cost after-school clubs, in support of MVSD students and parents.\
Fall club registration opens today. Below is a brief description of our after school clubs. More detailed detailed information about specific clubs, dates, and registration information can be found on the district website at: [methow.or](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmethow.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2bKMX55wVyCFYgTPKJ8mBxufxwgBC_zRkXRAhlX5OLeNloHdD44fytfRk\&h=AT3IoJ-kHUaVdzFxEBXug7bsb4P5fTWGqcbvheS9mm766BqFZmSzoAnOs-qd0es4\_bnFOLMxkK8roFw56wHk4UTtgBcMz6MPfUUhyznf_zKbCsmHYLmgqcAB91CCRXb9dKrWraU&\__tn\_\_=-UK\*F\&c\[0]=AT03eaWSlSwBdhdfbW4iD4VqaKFU70AdZd1cXnsqwB99NPiGvsZfCi7i-qV0EY8Cp9v5ZB4BU2WlG2cZZ9jo6Sz6L8mNPvD-jB3mnknw0VOqubSHu2CTIwzgf-WF_s7YZgAV5agKMhrwtjyK9JLmkayYihxCqL33eUHm1cBa6TEP1xm9QTJ02H8VtSjsk7jsGJasMQbqL7G-C0gKzg)\
Best,\
Laurel Carlton, MVSD Family and Community Engagement Coordinator\
**MVSD Clubs**\
Mt. Lion (grades 6-12) and Cub Clubs (grades K-5) provide students of all ages with access to highly engaging, community led, after school enrichment programs across grades K-12. For those who have participated in the past, I’m sure you can attest to the quality, and diversity of programming. Recent examples include: Mountain Biking, Yoga, Computer Science, Art, Garden, Chess... Driven by student interests, the list goes on and on.\
**Cost:**\
Clubs are available free of charge to all families:\
**Transportation:**\
District transportation is also provided, free of charge, Monday through Friday (except for holidays) with activities buses leaving the MVSD campus at 5pm, and dropping off students at the Winthrop Barn (drop off at 5:10) and the Twisp Community Center (drop off at 5:25).\
**Registration:**\
Club registration closes on Wednesday, September 6th\
To register for clubs, please visit our MVSD website at [methow.org](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmethow.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3YKvHwGFIH-yot8UzyxreUE6K1jE6tAb4uGEEDmAC3X-eg4LKcWVtpfsc\&h=AT3IoJ-kHUaVdzFxEBXug7bsb4P5fTWGqcbvheS9mm766BqFZmSzoAnOs-qd0es4\_bnFOLMxkK8roFw56wHk4UTtgBcMz6MPfUUhyznf_zKbCsmHYLmgqcAB91CCRXb9dKrWraU&\__tn\_\_=-UK\*F\&c\[0]=AT03eaWSlSwBdhdfbW4iD4VqaKFU70AdZd1cXnsqwB99NPiGvsZfCi7i-qV0EY8Cp9v5ZB4BU2WlG2cZZ9jo6Sz6L8mNPvD-jB3mnknw0VOqubSHu2CTIwzgf-WF_s7YZgAV5agKMhrwtjyK9JLmkayYihxCqL33eUHm1cBa6TEP1xm9QTJ02H8VtSjsk7jsGJasMQbqL7G-C0gKzg), click on Departments, then click on Clubs and Activities\
**Questions?**\
If you have any questions about MVSD Clubs, please contact Laurel Carlton, Family and Community Engagement Coordinator at: lcarlton@methow.org

MVSD Kicks Off Another Year of After-School Clubs and Activities

Dear Methow Valley Students, Parents, and Community Members

Three days into the 2023-24 school year and I can state with full confidence, on behalf of our entire staff, it's been an "uplifting" event, literally!

Don't believe us? Well, I encourage you to check out a [video](https://fb.watch/mNFaRvNPKZ/) sent to us by TwispWorks displaying Matt Kennedy, MVSD Welding/Automotive Tech Instructor testing the automotive lifts located in the newly constructed, two-bay Automotive Tech Shop.

Located on the TwispWorks campus, the newly constructed MVSD Automotive Tech Shop, adjoining the recently renovated MVSD Weld Shop, is a great example of what it looks like when a community-driven vision is paired with strong community support. It becomes realit

Driven (no pun intended) by an aspirational vision and your unparalleled support of our schools, we are pleased to be in an enviable position, providing our students with access to industry-standard facilities, technology, and high quality instruction across a broad range of regionally relevant CTE pathways. At present, this includes coursework in the areas of Construction and Fabrication, Automotive Technology, Robotics and Computer Science, Business and Entrepreneurship, Hospitality and Recreation, Industrial Arts, and Natural Resources. 

Each pathway consists of exploratory and preparatory classes that allow students to access industry recognized credentials, work-based learning and dual credit opportunities. In addition to these formalized pathways, the MVSD also offers career connected learning and internship opportunities through partnerships with our community. Combined with community-based internships, these rich and diverse learning experiences contribute to the development of students who graduate equipped to pursue the broadest range of post-secondary pathways possible.

Fueled (another shameless pun?) by hopes and dreams of our students and limitless possibilities that await, here's to a great school year! 

In partnership,

Tom Venable

Superintendent, Methow Valley School District

Watch the video here: <https://fb.watch/mNFaRvNPKZ/>

Up, Up, and Away!

*Dear Methow Valley Students, Parents, and Community Members,*

***I**t’s with a sense of curiosity and wonder about the world, a deep connection to this place we call home, caring relationships, and a bright future filled with limitless possibilities, that I wish to welcome you and your student(s) back as we prepare to launch the 2023-24 school year.*

*Working together in support of every student, “one student at a time,” I am confident that during the 2023-24 school year, no different from previous school years, our students will experience many successes and milestone moments worthy of celebration. Undoubtedly, they will also experience challenges at various points along the way - some anticipated, and some unforeseen. *

*Not one to back down from a challenge, rather see it as an opportunity, it is our response that I believe sets our community apart from many others. It is the grace, humility, resiliency, competence, and compassion we display in the face of adversity – an entire community, acting as one, helping each and every one of our students to realize what is possible... especially those who can’t yet see it within themselves.   *

*Throughout the summer months, your principals, school leadership teams, student and family support services team, tech team, food services team, school secretaries, custodial/maintenance staff, district office staff, transportation department, and classroom teachers have been working hard in preparation for your arrival. *

*This work has included, but is not limited to the ongoing maintenance and improvements to our facilities, ensuring safe, secure, and healthy learning environments, the continued expansion of educational pathways and related course offerings, the maintenance of small class sizes, the expansion of enriching extracurricular after-school activities and aftercare, the expansion of Special Education staffing and related services, the expansion of mental health care services, and the expansion of middle school athletics, all at no cost to families*

*I'll conclude my letter by thanking each of you in advance for doing your part to make the Methow Valley a great place to live, work, and raise curious, creative, competent, compassionate, action-oriented students and graduates, prepared to pursue the limitless possibilities that await them. *

*We look forward to your return!*

*Cheers,*

*Tom VenableSuperintendent, Methow Valley School District*

Welcome Back MVSD

The MVSD has selected Dr. Alexandra Simmons to serve as the district's Mental Skills Coach. As the Mental Skills Coach, Dr. Simmons will support the development of mental skills commonly associated with healthy, fit, active youth and successful student-athletes. 

Dr. Alexandra Simmons is originally from Bethlehem, New Hampshire and earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and minor in Gender Studies from Saint Michael’s College in Winooski, Vermont. Simmons received her master’s in Sport Psychology and her PsyD in Clinical Psychology with a Sport Psychology specialization at John F. Kennedy University (Pleasant Hill, CA). 

She grew up in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, a small, active, and artistic community, similar to the Methow Valley. Alexandra participated in athletics and art programs as a youth, but focused on her love of field hockey during her collegiate career.  

She is passionate about working with people to support their mental health and performance endeavors, in and out of sport. She is eager to share her skills and expertise with the youth athletes of the Methow Valley with the mission of helping them to develop healthy awareness of the mind-body connection. Understanding this connection through the use of mental skills, she believes, will serve them as performers, students, and young adults beyond High School. 

Outside of work, Alexandra enjoys yoga, gardening, hiking, paddle boarding, snowboarding, cross country skiing, FaceTiming with her family in New England, and spending time with her partner, Anders, and their dog, Bella.

MVSD has selected Dr. Alexandra Simmons to serve as the district's Mental Skills Coach

The MVSD has selected Jason Jablonski to serve as the district's Strength and Conditioning Coach. As the Strength and Conditioning Coach, Jason will support the development of healthy, fit, active youth and well-conditioned student-athletes.

Jason Jablonski is the owner of SET Coaching, a multi-sport company focused on providing athletes at all levels with sport-specific coaching and biomechanical expertise. Through this, Jason match deep experience, science, and talent with the goals of each unique client to create an environment where his clients have been able to achieve results beyond their expectations. SET Coaching athletes have competed at local, regional, national and international levels.  

In addition to running SET Coaching, Jason served and the head coach for USA Cycling Mountain bike Program from 2012 to 2019 where he tracks developing athletes, organizes and runs development camps all over the world, and travels with a team of athletes to international races and World Cup events.

Jason Also spent 7 years after his professional racing career working at Black Diamond Sports Therapy as the Athlete rehab specialist working with athletes and the PT to design and implement sports specific rehab and strength programs for injured athletes so they could return to sport as soon as possible.

Jason now runs his SET Coaching Business full time while contracting with Cycling teams to run their High Performance programs. Currently working with Bear National Team out of California.  He also speaks regularly to local and regional schools and community groups. Jablonski holds a degree in elementary education with minors in biology and teaching English as a second language.

MVSD has selected Jason Jablonski to serve as the district's Strength and Conditioning Coach

Thanks, in large part to the ongoing collaboration between the MVSD and TwispWorks, coupled with the generous support provided by the taxpayers of the Methow Valley, we're pleased to announce that the first of two lifts has been installed in the newly constructed Automotive Tech Shop on the TwispWorks campus.

The Automotive Tech Shop, a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, fueled by broad stakeholder feedback []()and support during the 2019 Dream Big Event was previously housed in a one-car garage.

The new facility, funded with local donor support and grant dollars (at no expense to the taxpayer) and the equipment, funded by the district's voter-approved, four-year replacement Technology levy, will provide the staffing, space, and access to industry standard technology needed to accommodate student interest, increased enrollment, and most importantly, equip participating students with the ability to obtain the skills and certifications necessary to pursue the widest range of post-secondary educational, vocational, and employment opportunities possible.

The installation of the second lift is scheduled to take place in advance of the first day of school.

Kudos to our educational partner, TwispWorks and the residents of the Methow Valley for your unparalleled support of our schools and investment in our students. We couldn't be more excited for our students and their future!

[See the video here!](https://www.facebook.com/twisp.works/videos/613329514280120)

The First of Two MVSD Automotive Tech Shop Lifts Installed!

Dear Methow Valley Students, Parents, and Community Members\
As we approach the beginning of another school year, we’re often reminded by the “Back-to-School” advertisements and stories from friends living elsewhere of the many school-related fees that serve as an economic burden to families and barriers for our students\
In fact, it was about this time ten years ago that I received a screenshot from a friend who was attempting to pay the many supply fees, course fees, pay-to-play, testing fees, and enrichment fees associated with the upcoming school year. A parent of four children, she found herself faced with approximately $1,250 in school-related fees – for the first semester. Unfortunately, this situation continues to persist in many communities\
As part of the MVSD’s long-standing focus on “Equity and Excellence for All,” the MVSD is committed to providing our students and families with a "free and appropriate public education." And, while there is work to be done in this area, we have made tremendous strides through the elimination of many school related fees\
How do we do this? As Mary Anne Quigley, long-time board member, has repeatedly stated over the years, “We can’t do this alone. We can do it together!” In addition to the high level of support provided by our many educational partners, providing high quality educational programming and enrichment opportunities is possible in large part, due to our community's strong history of successfully passing its local EP\&O and Technology replacement levies\
For those who enjoy the “tradition” of back-to-school shopping, we encourage those who are able to consider starting a new tradition. We encourage you to consider donating to one or more of our many partners\
Below are just a few of the many educational and community-based partners providing support that benefit all students in the Methow Valley\
Public School Funding Alliance (PSFA)

Methow Arts

Little Star School

Methow Valley Riding Unlimited

Classroom in Bloom

TwispWorks

Liberty Bell Booster Club

Winthrop Kiwanis Club

Methow Recycles

Pipestone School of Music

Methow Conservancy

North Central Regional Libraries

Winthrop Rink

Methow Trails

Methow Housing Trust

Room On\
As mentioned above, there's work to be done. For school-sponsored programs and enrichment opportunities where that include a fee resulting in an economic hardship, please contact your principal and/or school counselor and inquire about the possibility of a scholarship\
We look forward to seeing you soon,\
Best\
Tom Venable\
Superintendent, Methow Valley School District

MVSD Committed to Providing a Free and Appropriate Public Education

MVSD Expands REACH Program to Include Grades 9-12

Dear Methow Families,

I am pleased to inform you that on Thursday, July 27, the MVSD Board of Directors provided a unanimous endorsement to move forward with the expansion of our current K-8 REACH program to include grades 9-12, beginning this fall

In brief, the school board's decision to establish a K-12 REACH Pathway is a reflection of the MVSD's continued efforts to promote:

\*Innovative and Flexible" approaches to teaching and learning

\*Continued collaboration between the home, school, and community

\*High levels of student and parent engagement

\*Limitless pathways toward graduation and beyond

Serving as the Superintendent of the MVSD, it's with the full support of the school board, strong interest expressed by some of our homeschooling students and their parents, and an unwavering confidence in our staff, that I find myself inspired to work with our staff, students, and parents to build upon what is already in place as we develop an expanded, K-12 REACH Pathway. Equipped with research associated with successful parent partnership programs, access to the best practices taking place elsewhere, and the guidelines and laws established by OSPI and the Washington State Legislature, we anticipate many aspects of what we already do within our K-8 REACH program will be similar, serving as a familiar platform for participating students and parents. Additionally, we are fortunate to have "the right person in the right seat" to lead this exciting work, Emily Nilson, REACH Program Coordinator.

At the same time, it likely comes as no surprise that there will be some differences as it relates to participating students in grades 9-12. These differences include coursework required for graduation, grading procedures, interventions and supports (when needed), and high school and beyond planning, all of which are designed to align to the graduation requirements set forth by the MVSD and State of Washington.

As with the expansion of any existing program, there will be much to learn, and it's reasonable to expect we will experience some turbulence along the way as we build the plane in flight... No doubt, we will be learning, growing, and continuously improving this new pathway as we move forward togethr.

You can expect to receive more detailed information about registration in the coming days leading up to the beginning of the 2023-24 school year. Until then, if you believe you may be interested in enrolling your student in the REACH program for grades 9-12, please email Emily Nilson at: enilson@methow.org

In partnershipTom VenableSuperintendent, Methow Valley School District

MVSD Expands REACH Program to Include Grades 9-12

Celebrating our 20th Year of Garden Programs at Classroom in Bloom -[https://mailchi.mp/dfb26f3ba25d/spring2022-9390524](https://mailchi.mp/dfb26f3ba25d/spring2022-9390524?fbclid=IwAR1NAqO4QWSWnSIH4cF5I9hndOs1KqUsJVPhra6OBbJ-vgaTJ3J1XuSCwCc)

Fall Garden Party!  Classroom in Bloom!

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