Back to School

This summer, the playground at Betsie Valley Elementary got a makeover.  Thanks to the very generous work completed by Scott Gray at Gray's Excavating, we were able to create a new dirt track, re-seed, and move and level a new playing field for soccer, football, and other field games.

It has been an exciting process.  In addition, a new tire swing and small new climbing structure will be added to the playground early this fall.  The students have always had plenty of space on the playground.  Through the leadership of our teachers and para-pro staff, we will specifically teach the behavior expectations for the playground in the first two weeks of school.  We will incorporate the use of a CHAMPS curriculum on the playground, similar to the way we use CHAMPS throughout the inside of the building.  For example, here is the poster outlining the expectations for our students' behavior while in the entryway to the school building:

As we take students through the building and onto the playground, we use the common language found within the CHAMPS curriculum.  Our tour of the building includes the following areas:

1) Arrival
2) Cafeteria
3) Assemblies
4) Hallway
5) Bathroom
6) Playground Play Structure
7) Playground Cement Pad
8) Ball Courts and Fields
9) Four Square Rules

The first days of every school year are always so exciting as students get to know their new friends and their teachers.  This year will be no different in that sense.  We are thrilled to see their smiling faces once again and look forward to a fantastic year!

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