Smith for School Board

Gov. Reynolds introduces bill to restrict cell phones in school, prioritizing learning and mental health Today, Governor Kim Reynolds released a bill to restrict students’ cell phone use during instructional time.

🔧✨ Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week at PV! ✨🔧

This week, we’re shining a spotlight on the opportunities available through Pleasant Valley’s apprenticeship program, which connects students with real-world experiences to build skills, confidence, and career readiness. Thanks to partnerships with local businesses like Arconic and the installation of machining equipment at PVHS, students can explore career paths and gain mentorship from industry leaders.

Mary Johnson, PV’s Career Coordinator, shared how apprenticeships benefit students:

📣 “Students gain confidence in their skills. They’ve made connections with businesspeople and college staff who have become mentors, guiding them toward opportunities that align with their long-term goals.”

Curious to learn more? Visit the link below for the full story, including tips for students considering an apprenticeship!

https://www.pleasval.org/news/1799852/celebrating-national-apprenticeship-week-at-pleasant-valley

Thank you to the Riverdale Heights 4th graders! I hope the kid who wants to be mayor gets his position! I also really enjoyed talking to the Cricket player. He taught me a lot about the sport!

Today the AEA bill was signed into law

Many are unaware of what this bill does, so here are some bullet points for you:

*Year 1, AEA’s still get all of the funding for Special Education Services. Year 2, they get 90% and the school gets 10%. Schools still have to use the AEA for special education services.
*Year 1, AEA’s get 40% of media and gen ed funding and schools get 60%. Year 2, schools get 100% and can choose to use the AEA for those services or not.
Gen Ed services include things like guidance in math, literacy, science, professional development classes, talented and gifted program.
Media services include things like digital resources, lending library, print and production.
*Puts oversight back with the special education division of Iowa’s department of education.
*Creates a task force to take a hard look at the AEA’s and the services they provide, looking for ways to improve the outcomes for our special education students.
*Requires annual reports to schools identifying the services the AEA’s provide and the cost for those services.
*Requires quarterly reports from AEA’s to school districts identifying the money received from the districts for services and the services the schools received for those payments.
*Limits AEA chief salaries to 125% of superintendent salaries.

The bill also alters some things with the board, accreditation, etc but those are the main bullet points, along with increasing teachers minimum salaries and additional funding for para’s.

The house education committee just passed $47,500 starting pay for teachers! That will be raised to $50,000 after 2 years! Also, $15.00 minimum wage for para educators.

Another great community event!

Winter Carnival is THIS Saturday!

The Bettendorf Library has partnered with the Family Museum and Bettendorf Parks and Recreation to bring you a full day of winter family fun. Library activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, February 3, and are all free.

Inside activities will include:
Frozen Yoga Storytime
Nahant Marsh Workshop
Figge Art Museum Workshop
Face Painting
Balloon Creations
Creation Studio Activity
Little Hands Site with activities for ages 5 and under.

Other activities will take place at Faye's Field, the Family Museum, Palmer's Hills Golf Course, and the Bettendorf Community Center (Grand Finale), so be sure to check them out! All activities are free unless otherwise noted. Full details can be found at www.bettendorf.org/WinterCarnival

Due to icy conditions, all Pleasant Valley Schools will start 2 hours late, and A.M. preschool is canceled for January 23rd. All buses will run on a two hour delay schedule.

🐝BEE curious and explore STEAM at St. Ambrose University! Kids in grades pre-K-8 and their guests are invited to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) through hands-on activities at this FREE event.

EVENT DETAILS
🗓️Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2024
📚Location: St. Ambrose University, Rogalski Center, 3rd Floor
⏰ Time: Open House 4:00-6:30 pm

Register online for this FREE event using this form: https://forms.gle/aNTTTAvpcDrvN4uF6

Space is limited so register early!