April 2023 Author Visit

Simon Brooks Visits Valley View Community School Library! 

Farmington, NH: Just before April Vacation, CLiF presenter Simon Brooks returned to Valley View to entertain the students with some captivating fairytales! 

Kindergarten and 1st grade students and staff laughed out loud as Simon told them several tales about his childhood and encouraged them to read at home with their families. Second and third graders helped retell a captivating South American tale, Crab's Magic Eyes, and listened to a spooky story about a family living in a haunted house. Simon capped off both presentations by sharing some of his favorite books and also by encouraging them to find something that they will enjoy reading. 

The Valley View Community is extremely grateful for the opportunities they have experienced through CLIF. Families will be treated to engaging literacy activities and pizza after April vacation thanks to the CLiF Momentum Grant!

April 2023 Book Delivery

New Books at Valley View Community School Library! 

Farmington, NH: Calling all readers! A smorgasboard of new books have made their way into the Valley View Library thanks to the CLiF Momentum Grant! Fans of graphic novels and chapter books will be able to get their hands on new titles from Mac Barnett, Jeff Kinney, Dusti Bowling, Jared Lerner and CLiF presenter Gina Perry.  Picture book fanatics will be able to choose from a wide selection of fiction and nonfiction titles. 

Just before April Vacation, CLiF presenter Simon Brooks will return to Valley View to entertain the students with some captivating fairytales! Stay tuned!

7/26/2022 CLiF Summer Readers Event with Simon Brooks

Valley View Community School Reads All-Year Long! 

Farmington, NH: On Tuesday, July 26, Valley View students took part in an interactive musical storytelling session with Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) author and illustrator, Simon Brooks.  Simon captivated the attention of students and staff with humorous stories from his childhood; an impromptu sing along with a penny whistle; and actively involved them in the retelling of a South American tale - have you ever seen a crab pop it’s eyes off to see parts of the ocean other than the bottom? Neither had we until Tuesday!  

Simon capped off the presentation by previewing some books with students from the book giveaway tables. Students were excited to browse the tables and select two books to take home to add to their growing collections.

The Valley View Community is extremely grateful for the opportunities they have experienced through CLIF. Students will continue to participate in enriching literacy programming and book giveaways throughout the upcoming 2022-23 school year thanks to the CLiF Momentum Grant!

6/8/2022 CLiF Read to Me Celebration with Gina Perry

Valley View Community School Celebrates Read-to-Me Contract 

Farmington, NH: On Wednesday, June 8, Valley View students took part in an interactive workshop with Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) author and illustrator, Gina Perry.  This is the eleventh and final CLiF Year of the Book event to take place at Valley View. Gina captivated the audience in the Library as she read her story Now? Not Yet!, encouraging students to join in out loud. Gina also shared a video slideshow of her drawing and writing process, introduced artifacts such as her sketch books and thumbnails of her books, and answered questions from the students. She capped off the presentation with an interactive illustration session!

Following the presentation, students cooled off with a refreshing tropical treats, courtesy of Kona Ice of the Seacoast!

The Valley View Community is extremely grateful for the opportunities they have experienced through the Year of the Book. Students will continue to participate in enriching literacy programming and book giveaways throughout the Summer and upcoming 2022-23 school year thanks to the CliF Summer Readers Program and Momentum Grant!

5/20/2022 CLiF Finale with Marv Klassen-Landis

Valley View Community School Winds Down  CLiF Year of the Book Program

Farmington, NH: On Friday, May 20, Valley View students took part in an interactive story telling session with Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) poet and storyteller, Marv Klassen-Landis.  This is the tenth CLiF Year of the Book event to take place at Valley View this year. Marv captivated the audience in the Library as he led them through an interactive poetry and storytelling session inspired by his book of poetry, Jump, Children, Jump! Marv also spoke about his writing process, explaining that he often takes photographs first,  then uses them as inspiration for his writing. 

Following the presentation, students were able to select two more books to add to their home library collections that they have built this year, all thanks the the CLiF grant!

The last CLiF sponsored event is due to take place Wednesday, June 8th, when students will have the opportunity to meet New Hampshire Author and illustrator, Gina Perry.

5/11 and 5/12/2022 CLiF School Dollars Theater Trip

Valley View Community School Visits the Rochester Opera House

Farmington, NH: On Wednesday, May 11 and Thursday, May 12, Valley View students visited the Rochester Opera House for a matinee performance of School House Rock Live!  This is the ninth CLiF Year of the Book event to take place at Valley View this year. 

Students and staff were entertained by a talented cast who sang songs such as Conjunction Junction, I'm Just A Bill and Naughty Number Nine as they brainstormed ways to save their diner.

The next CLiF sponsored event is due to take place Friday, May 20, when students will have the opportunity to meet Vermont storyteller, Marv Klassen-Landis.

4/22/2022 CLiF Book Giveaway

Valley View Community School Hosts Spring Break Book Giveaway

Farmington, NH: On Friday, April 22nd, Valley View students were given the opportunity to 'take a break with a book' thanks to the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF)  This is the eighth CLiF Year of the Book event to take place at Valley View this year. Throughout the day, students visited the Library and selected 2 books to take home just in time for April Vacation! 

The next CLiF sponsored events are due to take place May 11th and 12th. Students will be visiting the Rochester Opera House to see the musical, Schoolhouse Rock!

4/8/2022 Family Literacy Night with Terry Farish

Valley View Community School Hosts Family Literacy Night 

Farmington, NH: On Friday, April 8th, Valley View students and their families took part in a fun-filled family literacy night with Children’s Literacy Foundation  (CLiF) author Terry Farish. This is the seventh CLiF Year of the Book event to take place at Valley View this year. During the first half-hour families were able to mingle as they dined on pizza from Crowley's. After a welcome announcement from Mrs. Levasseur, parents and grandparents then headed down to the Library where Terry shared her picture book, Luis Paints the World and spoke about the "many right ways to read a story". Following the presentation, each adult was able to select 2 books for each child in their family. 

During the literacy presentation Valley View students and their siblings explored several Makerspace stations. They made bookmarks, completed Lego challenges, built popsicle stick puppets and designed bags to hold their creations. 

The evening ended with families back together in the MPR where Terry led them through an interactive retelling of her story, The Cat Who Like Potato Soup. 

Students and their families will be treated to a visit from local CLiF author and illustrator Gina Perry during the Ice Cream Social on June 8th!

3/29-3/31/2022 CLiF Poetry Workshop with Ted Scheu

Valley View Community School Hosts Poetry Workshop 

Farmington, NH: During the week of March 28th, 2nd and 3rd Graders at Valley View Community School took part in a three day poetry workshop with Children’s Literacy Foundation  (CLiF) poet and author Ted Scheu. This is the sixth CLiF Year of the Book event to take place at Valley View this year. Ted kicked off his visit in the Library where he captivated the audience as he read from his books of poems including Now I Know my Zbcs and I Tickled My Teachers and talked about his poem writing process.

Throughout the week, Valley View 2nd and 3rd graders learned to channel their inner poet. Second graders wrote rhyming couplets and made sensory comparisons with similes. Third graders made sensory comparisons with similes and learned to make powerful pairings with nouns and verbs. Students have been inspired by Ted's visit and will continue to work on their poems in April as they celebrate Poetry Month in the Library. Once finished, they will submit their poems to be considered for publication in the America Library of  Poetry Digest 2022. 

The week ended with a celebration in the Library where five poets from each class shared their poems in front of an audience of their peers and teachers.

Students and their families will be treated to another author visit during the upcoming Family Literacy night on April 8th! Local author Terry Farish will be on hand to model storytelling techniques and every and every child in attendance will leave with two books thanks to the CLiF grant! 

2/2/2022 CLiF Book Giveaway

Valley View Community School Hosts World Read Aloud Day Book Giveaway

Farmington, NH: On 2nd February, Valley View Community School celebrated World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) and 2/2/22 with three virtual author visits and a two book giveaway. Students in Kindergarten met with author Joana Pastro who read her picture book, Lilly Belle, A Damsel Not In Distress; students in 1st and 2nd grade listened to local CLiF author- presenter Terry Farish who shared her latest picture book, A Feast For Joseph; and author David A Kelly joined students in 3rd grade to read an excerpt from The Atlanta Alibi, the latest addition to his 18 book series The Ballpark Mysteries. In addition to sharing their stories, the authors were on hand to answer questions asked by the students.

This is the fifth of many events scheduled to take place throughout the school year as Valley View participates in the Children’s Literacy Foundation  (CLiF) Year of the Book.  

Students will be treated to another book giveaway in March!

11/23/2021 CLiF Book Giveaway

Valley View Community School Hosts Thanksgiving Day Parade and Book Giveaway

Farmington, NH: On 23rd November, Valley View Community School hosted their very 1st Thanksgiving Day Parade. Students took their inspiration from Caldecott Medalist Melissa Sweet's picture book "Balloons Over Broadway", a biography of Tony Saarg, puppeteer of the iconic Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This is the fourth of many events scheduled to take place throughout the school year as Valley View participates in the Children’s Literacy Foundation  (CLiF) Year of the Book.  

During this CLiF Year of the Book Event, Valley View students and staff lined the hallways to cheer as their peers paraded past with over 20 literary themed floats. James and Kimberly Dean, Eric Carle, Dr. Seuss, Disney, and Dav Pilkey were just a few of the authors whose characters were on display. Marching band music piped through the schools PA system added to the festive mood. The procession of balloon topped floats ended in the Library where students were able to choose from a wide array of picture books, early readers, chapter books and information books to take home.

Students will be treated to another book giveaway in Early 2022!

10/29/2021 CLiF Book Giveaway

Valley View Community School Hosts Story Walk and Book Giveaway

Farmington, NH: On 29th October, Valley View Community School hosted a spooky story walk and book giveaway.  This is the third of many events scheduled to take place throughout the school year as Valley View participates in the Children’s Literacy Foundation  (CLiF) Year of the Book.  

During this CLiF Year of the Book Event, Valley View students gathered outside where teachers led them on a walk through the pages of two popular children’s books. Students ended their adventure in the Library where they were able to choose from a wide array of picture books, early readers, chapter books and information books. 

T, a 2nd grade student, says, “The story walk was so much fun. I love my new book!” 

N, a 3rd grade student, says, “I love being able to pick out new books to read at home with my brother and sister. “

Students are currently hard at work crafting literary themed parade floats and will be holding their own version of the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22nd. Following the parade students will be able to select another book to take home to enjoy during the Thanksgiving Break. 

9/24/2021 CLiF Library Event

Valley View Community School Hosts Virtual Author Event 

Farmington, NH: On 24th September, Valley View Community School hosted a virtual author presentation. This is the second of many events scheduled to take place throughout the school year as Valley View participates in the Children’s Literacy Foundation  (CLiF) Year of the Book.  

During this CLiF Year of the Book Event, Valley View students were treated to a  storytelling presentation by children’s author and illustrator Marty Kelley. Students then had an opportunity to sample the nearly 80 books that were donated to the school library by CLiF. Librarians Joyce White and Donna Swett from Goodwin Library were also on hand to provide information about library cards and talk about the programming that the town library has to offer. 

Heather Levasseur, Valley View Library Media Specialist and Year of the Book Coordinator says, “Thanks to the generosity of CLiF, we received a wide array of diverse titles. These new arrivals include board books, picture books, graphic novels, early chapter books and biographies. I have been hard at work with my library volunteer Wanda Pelkey getting the books ready for the big reveal and I am so excited to introduce the new books to the students at Valley View.”