🍪 Cooking 101 with Mrs. Hall🍪

Celebrating National Cookie Day!

National Cookie Day is recognized each year on December 4th, and Mrs. Hall’s Cooking 101 enrichment class celebrated in the sweetest way! Students and staff enjoyed a variety of cookie treats as they learned about the history and fun behind this national day.

 While the class does not bake, students in Cooking 101 are busy learning the foundations of good nutrition, the five food groups, and how to make healthy choices in their everyday lives. Mrs. Hall provides hands-on demonstrations, food tastings, and engaging activities that help students understand how the foods they enjoy fit into a balanced diet.

 This enrichment class is more than just learning about food—it's about community. Students often eat together, share conversations, and celebrate special themed days like National Cookie Day. Mrs. Hall creates a welcoming atmosphere where students can explore new foods, build healthy habits, and enjoy time together.

 Cooking 101 continues to be a flavorful highlight of our enrichment program! 👩‍🍳🍽️✨🍪

🌟 December Teacher Spotlight: 🌟

                   Mr. Lewis

Mr. Lewis may be fairly new to LVA, but you would never know it by the way he has seamlessly become a part of our school family. From day one, he has shown a genuine commitment to supporting our students and contributing to our learning community.

You can often catch Mr. Lewis working one-on-one with students to strengthen their academic skills or leading hands-on learning during our Robotics enrichment sessions. His ability to connect with students while challenging them to think critically has made him a standout presence on campus.

Hard-working, dependable, and always willing to step in where needed, Mr. Lewis exemplifies what it means to be an educator who truly cares.

We salute you, Mr. Lewis, thank you for your dedication, enthusiasm, and positive impact. Keep up the great work! 👏

🌟 November Teacher Spotlight: 🌟

                   Mr. Edwards 

This month, we proudly recognize Mr. Allen Edwards, one of our outstanding tutors in the after-school program. Mr. Edwards can often be seen working hard with our students 📚, breaking down tough concepts, offering support, and helping them build confidence in their academic skills.

 His dedication shows in everything he does. With patience, consistency, and a genuine passion for helping students succeed 💡, Mr. Edwards goes above and beyond each day. Whether he’s guiding a student through a challenging math problem ➗ or supporting them with reading strategies 📖, he always gives his best.

 We salute you, Mr. Edwards. We are truly grateful to have you on our team. Your hard work, positive energy, and commitment to excellence make a meaningful difference in our program. 🙌

🌱 Mrs. Hill’s Gardening Enrichment Class Blossoms This School Year 🌱

Mrs. Hill’s Gardening Enrichment class has accomplished some amazing things this school year! Students have learned firsthand what it takes to grow and care for a variety of vegetables, from preparing the soil to planting seeds, to nurturing their plants as they sprout and flourish. 🥕🌿 Through this hands-on experience, students gained valuable lessons about responsibility, patience, and the science behind plant growth. 🌞📚

In addition to gardening, Mrs. Hill introduced the students to a fun and tasty activity: making homemade ice cream, chocolate-dipped Oreos, and orange fruity jello! 🍦 The class enjoyed learning the processes step-by-step, and of course, sampling the delicious treats they created together. 😋

Mrs. Hill’s dedication has made this enrichment class both educational and exciting, giving students opportunities to explore, create, and try new things. 🌼👏 We are proud of the wonderful work happening in her classroom!

🍁 November Character Focus: Gratitude in Action 🍁

During the month of November, our students focused on the power and importance of gratitude. They explored what it truly means to “refill someone’s cup,” especially their teachers’, before heading off to Thanksgiving break. ✨

Students worked on writing heartfelt appreciation letters, taking time to acknowledge their teachers for even the small, everyday things that often go unnoticed. 💌 Their thoughtful messages brought smiles, warm moments, and a renewed sense of connection throughout the school.

Our staff members also joined in by recognizing and uplifting our amazing YES Coordinators. 🙌 This shared exchange of gratitude reminded us all how meaningful it is to support one another.

As a school community, we discussed the importance of doing things that help us feel restored, refreshed, and ready as we return from break. 🌱💛

Gratitude truly filled the halls this month—and we couldn’t be more proud of the kindness our students (and staff!) continue to show. 🧡