Purpose

The Valley School District exists to improve the lives of children and families. This purpose focuses on both the present and the future. In the present, we provide learning experiences and services that are responsive to needs, engaging, supportive and safe. In the future, lives will be improved through the positive skills, competencies and attitudes our students will apply in their homes, workplaces and communities.

All Valley School District staff have essential roles in realizing our collective purpose. Whether on the school bus or in the classroom, in the kitchen or in the board room, we are all constantly seeking to improve the lives of those we serve.

Mission

The mission of the Valley School District is to provide a positive educational experience, which will assist all students in developing skills, competencies, and attitudes, which are fundamental to being a contributing and responsible citizen.

Values

As we move through each school year, we continue to focus on developing the strengths of our students and staff. One of the most important foundations for developing the strengths of a group of people is to agree on the values that matter most. In 2014-15, our entire school district staff contributed to identifying a set of ethical and operating principles to which we have all committed. In 2015-16, the entire school district staff collaborated on developing the following definitions for our principles.

We believe that by living these principles and developing them in our students, our schools will be strong and contribute to improving the lives of the students and families in our community.

Ethical Principles

STUDENT CENTERED:  Focusing on the unique needs, interests and aspirations of each student.

FAMILY ORIENTED:  Respecting families as students' first and most important teachers and partnering with families to improve student success.

RESPECT:  Honoring and recognizing the dignity of the people we interact with by communicating directly and honestly--listening attentively, actively exploring ideas and viewpoints to build consensus and acting upon that consensus.

POSITIVITY:  A contagious attitude that encourages people to work together, increases efficiency, promotes overall success and ensures individuals feel valued.

INTEGRITY:  Demonstrating moral and ethical judgement and action which produce good character traits, confidence, and make us the best we can be.

TRUST:  Relying on each other's character, abilities, strengths and honesty.

Operating Principles

COMMUNICATION:  Openly sharing important information in a way that builds mutual trust and respect.

TEAMWORK:  Contributing individual strengths to achieve the goals of the team.

ACCOUNTABILITY:  Accounting for one's actions and accepting responsibility for the results.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT:  Ongoing efforts to improve district processes and results.

Strengths

The Valley School District is endowed with numerous strengths that support progress in its mission and ongoing improvement. The Valley School District:

• has a culture that is remarkably family oriented. Staff, students, parents and community members all interact with a spirit of mutual support and responsibility.
• has highly skilled, dedicated instructional and support staff.
• has staff committed to meeting the unique learning and development needs of each student.
• is highly collaborative.
• staff shares a commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
• has innovative and diverse programs that provide choices for families.
• has high quality, well-maintained facilities.