Cardinal Weekly 

January 18

 VVE.EanesISD.net

Dear Parents,

For this week's Principally Speaking message I have invited Brooke Anderson, one of our school counselors, to speak to you.

Take it away Mrs. Anderson.......

Hello! I wanted to introduce myself and invite you to join me for an exciting book study I am offering in February and March. My name is Brooke Anderson and I am one of two new counselors at Valley View this year. I have been a licensed social worker for 17 years. I have worked in a wide-variety of settings and specifically with children and families in schools for over 7 years. I am a parent too and have enjoyed the real-life application of putting my experience to use as a mother for the last ten years. The one thing I know to be true is that I am clearly still learning and growing every single day as a professional and as a parent.

The idea of leading a book study around the book, The Whole Brain Child by Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson, came after my participation in a book study at my own daughter's school with the school counselor. I found the commitment to an hour a week for just a few weeks allowed me to share time and space with other parents wanting to give and do their best in this incredibly challenging, yet rewarding job called parenting!

I want to share my enthusiasm and time with those of you interested and able to participate. The Whole Brain Child gives greater insight to the development of a child's brain. The book highlights very direct and straight forward tips and tools for parents to consider. Those of us who read the book together felt that the knowledge of brain development and applicable tools led to more cooperation, peace and harmony at home. I know, it sounds super simple, but I promise you this book will make you think about what is going on in your child's head. The book itself is highly acclaimed, but discussing the content with other parents is really where the learning gets even deeper. You might be thinking, "I don't have the ability to help other parents. I can barely help my own kids!" You would be surprised. Just knowing you are not alone in your struggles to raise emotionally healthy kids is a gift. If you have ever wished you could know more about what is going on in your child's head or really wanted some straight forward strategies to attempt when dealing with the usual struggles of transitions, homework, siblings, and bedtime, etc., this book study is for you. The book is appropriate for parents of children at any elementary grade. The author, Dan Siegel, also wrote Brainstorm which is an excellent book for understanding the power of the teen brain. So if you have a tween or teen at home, I highly recommend that one as well.

Again, I would enjoying meeting you and spending time exploring Whole Brain Child togther. Sessions will be held in the counselors' room (TLC). We will engaged in relaxed conversation about The Whole Brain Child on the following Thursdays: February 8,15 and March 1, 8, 22, 29 from from 8:00-9:00am.

Please send me a quick email if you plan to attend or to ask any questions. You can reach me at banderson@eanesisd.net.

Thanks and I look forward to meeting many of you very soon!

Please use this flyer for more information and to RSVP!

BOOSTER CLUB

Click the image below to see the latest Booster Club News.

EEF UPDATES

Click the image below to see the latest EEF News.

Bookspring Read-a-Thon

It's time for the Bookspring Read-a-thon which has been an annual event at Valley View for many years. The read-a-thon is an opportunity to encourage reading by our own students while fundraising to provide books for those less fortunate in the Austin area.

Packets with information on participating will be sent home this week. Students who wish to participate will sign up online and track their reading from Jan. 22 - Feb. 4. Set goals and track reading progress in whatever way works best for your family, and remember, even a $3 donation provides a new book for a child in Austin!

To learn more about Bookspring, please check out their website at www.bookspring.org.

*Click HERE to get started, see prizes & print reading logs

A big thank you to our

Bingo Night committee chairs,

Allison Amador and Michelle Segura,

for organizing tomorrow's family fun night of bingo games, food and lots of great prizes!  Thank you for your time, commitment and enthusiasm!