Chalkboard Chat

Mounds View Schools Wants Your Opinion

Friday, May 09, 2008

Valentine Hills Chat

This chat is open May 12 - 16, 2008
As the new principal at Valentine Hills Elementary School this year, I’ve learned a lot about our school’s culture, climate and communications. Through several meetings and countless daily interactions with parents, students and staff, I found that there was a need to work on three main areas with the entire school community.
 
  • Creating and promoting a safe and positive learning environment for all students.
  • Building positive relationships with students, parents and staff by focusing on increased visibility and accessibility.
  • Communicate regularly with the Valentine Hills community though “Principal Points” articles in the school newsletter.
Considering these goals and our efforts this year, how is Valentine Hills doing? In 150 words or fewer, please share your observations, following the guidelines at right.
Thanks,
Nathan Flansburg, Principal

Posted by Admin at 11:59:36 AM in Education (4) | Comments (11)

Comments (11)         Commenting is closed for this entry

Mari Salveson from Arden Hills said on 5/16/2008
There are many people to thank for a very safe, hands on, children first community at Valentine Hills School. First, the teachers, who put in more hours than we can imagine, the support staff who recognizes and interacts with each and every child (Peter, Sunny, Steph and Mindy) to name a few, and then the new and much noticed presence of Nathan Flansburg. There is an atmosphere of embracing change around the school - and it is exciting to observe. I hope the positive momentum can continue for years to come.

Thanks Mr. Flansburg for taking a second look at how the different academic levels of students can ALL have their needs met and thanks for being very visible inside and outside of the school.

Colleen McLaughlin from Roseville said on 5/16/2008
I appreciate the sense of community within the school. I believe it's been a positive experience having staff greet the students when they arrive at school. I also appreciate that Mr. Flansburg has been more visible within the school and involved with the students. On one occasion, I saw Mr. Flansburg take the time to "check in" with a student. In our two years at VH, our experience has been very positive. Our daughter's teachers have communicated well with us. We feel fortunate that our daughter has had such good experiences her first two years of elementary school.

Jill Heuring from New Brighton said on 5/16/2008
Safety and communication are huge issues at the school that I would like to see addressed. Safety is an ongoing problem. Kids continue to be bullied and despite parent's complaints to teachers nothing is done to resolve the situation. Kids are seriously injured at this school (like a 5th grader last year who ended up needing surgery after an ACL injury on the playground and had to miss the 5th grade trip to Mall of America). In the three years we have been at the school the number of safety related problems has not diminished nor has the unconcerned attitude of staff at the school. As a parent, I find both bullying and injuries to kids at their school to be unacceptable. Communication between the principal and the parents has improved greatly with the arrival of Mr. Flansburg. Also, our child's teacher this year has been exceptional about responding to phone calls and notes. In previous years, teachers have rarely responded to phone calls or notes.

Mari Smith from Arden Hills said on 5/15/2008
Two huge safety problems at VH. First problem is that the school allows daily situations that are unsafe such as kids sledding in the winter and parent drop off/pick up in the parking lot. Second problem is how VH staff deals with students who are injured at school. My child has been injured twice at VH, in each instance was never seen by the school nurse, was sent home both times injured and with no communication from VH staff who witnessed the injuries. In each case I called the staff person involved. The VH teacher never returned my call. In the other situation, the VH staff person was belligerent. The former VH principal spent two months refusing to answer my questions about the two incidents. What will it take for VH staff to follow district policy regarding students injured at VH during school hours? When will VH staff be required to treat parents respectfully? I guess the death of a VH student will be the only trigger to get changes made.

Jen Mohlenhoff from Arden Hills said on 5/15/2008
The public visibility of Principal Flansburg, along with his ability to recognize and resolve a wide variety of school issues as they arise, have been instrumental in maintaining the positive & productive atmosphere we've enjoyed this year. The Valentine View remains an extremely important communication tool & kudos go out to all staff that help with its production/distribution. I appreciate Principal Flansburg's repeated focus throughout the school year on child/adult safety both before & after school. County Rd. E2 & the school parking lot serve as a daily "driving test" for those that drop-off & pick-up our children; Principal Flansburg's focus on safety, patience & cooperation, plus his frequent outdoor appearances after school, are great reminders for all of us.

Jennifer McCann from New Brighton said on 5/14/2008
I agree with everything parents have written so far. Nathan Flansburg has been a very welcome & positive addition to VHES. He seems to be more hands-on when dealing with discipline problems. I think that's important because the principal is generally the most respected person in a school. It's good for the kids & parents to see that he knows what is going on & is willing to get involved & fix things. And yet he has remained very approachable to parents & students. Another thing I like is that Nathan takes the time to read a story to the first graders during their lunch once a week - they love that.

Lori Anderson from Roseville said on 5/14/2008
As parents, we're grateful for all that Mr. Flansburg has brought to the VH school community over the past year. He's very visible to both students and parents, and seems to carry his authority with a genuine care for the students. My parents attended a school concert and were totally impressed with how respectful the kids were to the musicians (thanks to Mr. Flansburg and all the teachers). It's really appreciated.

Julie Anderson from Roseville said on 5/14/2008
My fourth grade daughter really likes the morning announcements and hates to miss them. She eagerly awaits the day that her birthday will be announced and often shares with me something that she thought was important that she heard on the morning announcements. She also talks about the times that Principal Flansburg comes into the lunchroom to talk about something (most recently, the bathroom issues) and it clearly has an impact on her. She also loved the recent H2O for Life pie event. I heard a lot about that, which was fun for all of us. Thank you!

Melinda Koehn from Arden Hills said on 5/14/2008
This has been a positive year for Valentine Hills regarding our new Principle Nathan Flansburg. He has helped us work out issues with our child's teacher and has responded quickly to e-mails and phone calls. We have been grateful for his support. It has fun to see him greeting folks outside the school as well...the kids love it!

Mary Lawrence from Arden Hills said on 5/13/2008
We have been at VHS for 5 years and have always been pleased with our children's education. I have no complaints! My one concern was something that I felt after our first year-no strong sense of community. Even though we have been very active at the school, the community never seemed to be there. But, what a difference a year has made. Since Nathan Flansburg has been at VHS, the school has a different (and more positive) attitude. It was most obvious at the recent Family Arts Festival. Not only was the principal there but many of the staff!!! How refreshing. I am looking forward to our last 3 years at VHS. Way to go Nathan Flansburg!

Jen+Klingensmith from Arden+Hills said on 5/13/2008
I can only share my personal experiences with Valentine Hills. I have one child in Kindergarten there. We have had two occasions where my child has been injured by another student. Both instances were handled very well by staff and I believe that my child still feels safe at Valentine Hills when it comes to other students, this pleases me.
I have seen the principal on several occasions in and around the school during various goings on. On one occasion he was even out in the parking lot moving traffic along and waving goodbye to students and small talk with parents. I liked seeing that it made him seem more approachable and involved (hands on) with the students.
I enjoy receiving the newsletter and the talking points from Principal Flansburg. I feel more informed because of it. Thank you.



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