Valley View Superintendent: 'We Want Our Parents to Understand the Progress the District Has Made'

Changes in teaching and learning are occurring across the country and in Valley View School District as a result of the adoption of the Common Core State Standards.

While these new, more rigorous expectations for every child in Valley View School District 365U are already starting to show positive results, change is a process that requires that school communities work together to understand the changes that are taking place.

That’s why VVSD Superintendent Dr. James Mitchem and his team have scheduled ten community outreach opportunities over the next six weeks in nine different locations throughout Bolingbrook and Romeoville.

“We want our parents and the community to not only understand the tremendous progress the district has made through The New View: A Design for Change,” Dr. Mitchem said. “But we also want to provide parents with additional tools to partner with us to put every child on the path to college and career readiness.”

The New View--Year 3 interactive community outreach gatherings will begin with district-wide community forums onWednesday, Oct. 23, in the Bolingbrook High School cafeteria (enter door 17) and Tuesday, Oct. 29, at Lukancic Middle School, 725 Normantown Road in Romeoville. Both start at 6:30 p.m.

The two community forums will focus on the new Common Core Standards that have been adopted by nearly every state, and understanding the major shifts in teaching and learning that are occurring for all students. Also on the agenda will be conversations about the new state assessments our children will be required to take starting in the 2014-15 school year.

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Dr. Mitchem will host an open question and answer session at the VVSD Administration Center, 755 Dalhart Avenue in Romeoville from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This will be a great opportunity to ask the superintendent questions you have been seeking answers to but did not know who to ask.

A week later, Dr. Mitchem’s team has scheduled six neighborhood school workshops that will give parents the opportunity to learn and experience what teaching and learning look like for their child's specific level plus be exposed to tools to help them support their child’s learning.

Middle school parents may choose from one of two workshops at Martinez or Jane Addams on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m.

Elementary school parents have two evening date options: Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. at Skoff Elementary School in Romeoville or Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 7p.m. at either Independence or Tibbott elementary schools.

High school parents may attend Wednesday, Nov. 20, workshops at either Romeoville High School or in the Bolingbrook High School library (enter door 1) at 6:30 p.m.

Spanish language interpreters will be available at all sessions, as will child care for school-age children.