Valliant Schools

Valliant Parents, Students, and Friends, The people that work with me hear me say quite often, “it’s going to be ok.” I generally say that when it’s really important that we stay calm and not over react to a situation while we assess the best course of action. “It’s going to be ok.” Don’t panic, use your head, and we will get through this mess together. We have a little more than two months before school is scheduled to resume. Your principals, directors, and I have met often over the past few weeks to begin making plans for returning in August. Our objective is for our students and teachers to return to school like none of this ever happened. We want our school to be a safe and healthy environment for all our kids and have added plans to sanitize and disinfect more than ever before. We hope you will help us by teaching your children to wash their hands well and often. Unfortunately, social media is filled with misinformation. I encourage you to avoid as much of that as possible. It’s not productive and it in many cases is harmful. Our kids listen to our comments and they need us all to be positive and supportive. You also need to know that as we plan, we always try to take into account the “what if’s” so we can be prepared for whatever the situation might dictate. Your administrators, teachers, and support staff love our kids, and we want to ensure that they have a great school experience next year. In the meantime, let’s not worry about what might happen two months from now. I promise that we will not keep you in the dark as we move forward. We will work with our state and local entities and with other schools in our area to make the best decisions with the information we have. Those decisions will always be based on what is best for your kids and Valliant Schools. It’s a lot more than a hashtag, #weareValliant! Craig Wall, Superintendent

Congratulations to Gina Dansby! Mrs. Dansby has been selected as the 2019-20 Valliant School District Teacher of the Year! Mrs. Dansby will now be eligible to enter the Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year contest which will be named by Supt. Hofmeister later this year.

On Monday, May 11 at 5:00 pm we will be having our monthly Board of Education Meeting by videoconference. The meeting will be available for the public to view on Facebook Live. We hope you will join us as we continue to use methods that will allow our Board Members, Administration, and our community as safe and healthy as possible.

Online enrollment will be open for a limited time. If you have a student or know someone that is thinking about being a Bulldog and attending Valliant School next year, click the link below to start the enrollment process. https://www.teacherease.com/NewFamilyRegistration.aspx?refid=b25fbfe7-9469-4322-a99a-a3cc3a10a922 If your child is already attending Valliant, simply log in to your teacherease account and look for the enrollment link in the top left-hand corner of your screen.

The Valliant Public Schools will be providing "Grab and Go" breakfast and lunch for ANY CHILD 18 and under or anyone with Special Needs 21 and under absolutely free of charge. We will be providing meals at the following locations and time: Valliant School: Drive Thru Bus Lane 8:30-10:00 am Rufe Fire Department: 8:30 -9:00 am Felker Baptist Church: 8:30 -9:00 am The Church in Millerton: 8:30 -9:00 am Pine Creek Fire Department: 8:30 -9:00 am Mt Zion Church of God: 8:30 -9:00 am There will be no need for you to leave your vehicle at any site, meals will be delivered to you. We are taking precautions to make sure everyone stays healthy and safe. If you know of any child that could benefit from this program, please let them know. We want to feed every child. Thank you so much to the volunteers, community and church leaders that help to make this program possible. We encourage everyone that has children that live in our district to take advantage of this program #weareValliant *This institution is an equal opportunity provider*

Congratulations to Gina Dansby, Heather Jones, and Chuck Taylor for being selected Teacher of the Year within their respective buildings for 2019-20. Each of them has done an outstanding job and we are proud they are a part of the Bulldog family. They will now be eligible to be selected as the District Teacher of the Year.

Hey Students! We need your help. Why don’t you reach out to your fellow students and teachers by phone, text, email or other means and share a word of encouragement, support or even just say hello? During this time many of us need to hear from others that are sharing in the isolation. For many kids, school is their place to have positive interaction and are really missing school right now. Your teachers also really miss you. Remember, we are all in this together, and together we will make it through. We love you all! #weareValliant

A very special “Thank You” to the Valliant Chamber of Commerce for providing a special “Easter Surprise” for the Grab and Go Meals today. Meals are available at the regular sites across the district. We want to wish everyone a very Happy Easter from the Child Nutrition Department and Valliant Schools! #weareValliant

In light of the ongoing situation with the Covid-19 virus, the Valliant Board of Education will be conducting a Special Board Meeting by teleconference at 5:00 pm on Monday, April 13, 2020 in lieu of the regular meeting scheduled for the same time. We are taking this measure as a precaution to limit the potential for exposure of our board members and the public. Patrons wishing to watch the proceedings may do so by viewing the meeting via Facebook live. The live stream will be available on the Valliant Public Schools Facebook page.

Students and Parents, This next week our school is going through a fundamental change. “Distance Learning” is a new and challenging format for all of us. It’s especially challenging for those of us who have done traditional school like me, for 35+ years. I have learned a lot about Distance Learning in Oklahoma in the past three weeks. Mainly, that no one really knows the right way, the wrong way, or any way for that matter, to deliver instruction without the kids in close proximity. Even within our own sites, Distance Learning will look very different. Why? Simply put, the kids in Elementary vary a lot from Pre-K to 5th grade. They are completely different than the MS kids who are learning to be more independent as students. And HS kids are focusing on college and careers with many different course requirements and electives. As a result, every grade and site will be getting something a little different whether it focuses on enrichment, specific courses, or projects. Parents, we need your support. Your kids need your support. Some of the materials will focus on enrichment of their previously learned skills, but much of the material and coursework will help your child be prepared for next year. We wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t about the kids. We need you to help when you can, but more importantly encourage them to do the work, and reach out to us for help when they have trouble. Many of our students need these opportunities to improve. Remember, it’s not about us, it’s about your kids and their education. Please help them do all they can. Getting their mind off the world events, even for a few minutes at a time, may be really important going forward. Students and parents, be looking for communications from your school, your teacher, or your principal through the many varied media sources that we have used to notify you throughout the year. Most importantly, we all want you to be healthy and safe. We love you all and we miss you terribly. Use common sense and follow the CDC Guidelines. Stay home when you can. You may save the life of someone close to you. It’s a Great Day to be a Bulldog! Craig Wall, Supt.

Students, Parents, and Friends, As we were suspecting the State Board of Education voted to approve the recommendation of State Supt. Joy Hofmeister to close the schools for the remainder of the year while providing "Distance Learning," beginning April 6. Further, all extracurricular activities and events were cancelled citing the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control Recommendations for group size. We knew on Monday that this would likely happen today. Now, we know for sure, and we ask you to help us make the best of the situation. We can do it. Firstly, we do not know all the answers. We are looking at a mix of methods to best be able to serve your educational needs whether it be handouts, or digital material. We are aware that there are limitations, and will make every effort to accommodate those limitations when we can. We don't know the answers yet. So, please give us an opportunity to take a look at the information the State Department provides this week. We have already started working on a plan, and will communicate it to you as soon as we can do so. We have discussed plans to postpone HS Graduation if necessary. Although it is impossible to predict the future, we will be open to moving to a date that is determined to be safe by the authorities. We want those Seniors to have their day. In the meantime, please be safe. The Covid-19 virus continues to spread in our state and others. You have take every precaution to keep yourself and your family healthy. It is important for us all. Craig Wall, Supt.

Parents and Students, Today in a statewide teleconference, State Supt. Joy Hofmeister notified us that beginning April 6, all schools would be providing educational opportunities through “Distance Learning.” Students will not be returning to the school this year. At Valliant, we started discussing and making plans for what Distance Learning may look like for our students. Over the next two weeks, we will be working with your teachers to plan for delivery and support of student lessons. Furthermore Supt. Hofmeister noted that all extracurricular events and activities would be cancelled for the remainder of the school year. The State Board of Education will meet on Wednesday to vote on her recommendations. This is a challenging time for us all. Right now, we do not have the answers to the “what if’s,” and “what about’s,” but we will always provide you the information that we know in a timely and honest fashion. Covid-19 is not a joke. Please use every precaution to keep yourself and your family safe from infection. The reality of our current situation is saddening, and the announcement that we would not be together again this year is disappointing. But the health of our community and family is paramount. We are Bulldogs! It’s time for us to live up to that mascot and do our part. None of us have ever been through something like this, but we will come through it together. #weareValliant It’s a Great Day to be a Bulldog! Craig Wall

NEW MESSAGE Parents, Students, and Patrons, Thank you to all the workers and volunteers that helped today. We could not do this without you. We are making some small changes for Tuesday based on Monday’s response. We will be relocating from Watermill Church to Dorries Hardware at the same times. Also the Mt Zion Church is now at the site of the Old River Bottom Church. If you know of any child that could benefit from this program, please let them know. We want to feed every child. The Valliant Public Schools will be providing :"Grab and Go" breakfast and lunch for ANY CHILD 18 and under or anyone with Special Needs 21 and under absolutely free of charge. We will be providing meals at the following locations and times: Valliant School - Drive Thru Bus Lane 8:30-10:00 am Rufe Volunteer Fire Department 8:30-9:00 am Felker Baptist Church 8:30-9:00 am The Church in Millerton 8:30-9:00 am Dorries Hardware 8:30-9:00 am Pine Creek Fire Department 8:30-9:00 am Mt.Zion Church of God 8:30-9:00 am There will be no need for you to leave your vehicle at any site, meals will be delivered to you. We are taking precautions to make sure everyone stays healthy and safe. Thank you so much to the volunteers, Community, and Church leaders, that helped to make this program possible. We encourage everyone that has children that live in our district to take advantage of this program. #weareValliant

Valliant Residents, the National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for our area until 10 pm. We have been in touch with Valliant Emergency Management and the Valliant Police Department and will continue to monitor the weather throughout the evening. If the weather warrants, the Safe Room at Valliant HS will be opened for your safety. Please remember to supervise your children at all times and pets should be contained in a airline approved container. Use common sense and maintain a healthy distance while in the safe room.

Students and Parents, Beginning Monday, March 23, the Valliant Public Schools will be providing :"Grab and Go" breakfast and lunch for any child 18 and under absolutely free of charge. We will be providing meals at the following locations and times: Valliant School - Drive Thru Bus Lane 8:30-10:00 am Rufe Volunteer Fire Department 8:30-9:00 am Felker Baptist Church 8:30-9:00 am The Church in Millerton 8:30-9:00 am Watermill Baptist Church 8:30-9:00 am Pine Creek Fire Department 8:30-9:00 am Mt.Zion Church of God 8:30-9:00 am There will be no need for you to leave your vehicle at any site, meals will be delivered to you. We are taking precautions to make sure everyone stays healthy and safe. Thank you so much to the volunteers, Community, and Church leaders, that helped to make this program possible. We encourage everyone that has children that lives in our district to take advantage of this program. #weareValliant

The Oklahoma State Board of Education voted today to close all schools from March 17 until April 6. No school or extracurricular activities. We are working to develop plans for providing meals to students that will need them. I ask you to remain patient with us as we work out those plans. I encourage each of you to take whatever precautions you need to stay safe and healthy. During this time encourage your child to read, play and enjoy the extra time away from school. We will be providing educational opportunities for students and parents to use if needed. Be looking for those next week. It's a Great Day to be a Bulldog!

Valliant Students, Parents, Patrons, and Staff, Today (Mon) the State Supt will be mtg via teleconference at 2 pm with District Supts to provide guidance concerning the Covid-19 crisis. Further, the State Board of Education is having an emergency mtg at 4 pm to discuss the Statewide Cessation of All School Operations. The administrative staff at Valliant schools will meet at 4 pm to view the State Board mtg. We will release information and plans as soon as possible today. This is a truly an extraordinary situation, however the health of our entire community is important. We promise to do whatever we can to help everyone deal with this crisis in the best way possible. It's a Great Day to be a Bulldog! #weareValliant

Parents, Patrons, Students, and Staff, State Supt Joy Hofmeister has scheduled another statewide teleconference with District Supt’s to discuss the constantly changing situation with the spread of the Covid-19 Virus (Coronavirus). Earlier today the OK Dept of Health released information about the presence of additional cases in the state. Immediately following the teleconference I will release any new information that is learned. In the meantime, please do all that you can to keep you and your family as healthy as possible. Practice good hygiene and social distancing as much as possible. I have been in contact with all our district administrators and I assure you that the health and safety of our students, staff and community are paramount in our minds. Right now, we are planning to resume school on March 23, but that could change at any time. It’s a Great Day to be a Bulldog!

Earlier today, State Supt. Joy Hofmeister held a teleconference with District School Supt’s across the state to provide further information and detail concerning the Covid-19 virus (Coronavirus) and it’s effect on public education. At this time, Supt. Hofmeister is NOT recommending the statewide closure of schools due to lack of evidence of community spread in the state. She did however recommend that everyone continue to practice good hygiene as previously detailed, limiting exposure to large groups, and staying home if you are sick. So, as of Friday, March 13 we will be planning to resume school as scheduled following Spring Break. This is a fluid situation, and I will continue to update you when details warrant. Enjoy your Spring Break, and take measures to keep you and your family safe and healthy. It’s a Great Day to be a Bulldog!

The HS Softball Game for today with Idabel is cancelled due to weather.