Methow Valley Elementary School

09/01/2026

ThoughtExchange Survey

Your perspective matters — and now is the time to share it!
Methow Valley School District's Community Facilities Task Force opened a community-wide ThoughtExchange survey, and they want to hear from EVERYONE in the valley — parents, grandparents, alumni, business owners, retirees, and neighbors.

You don't need a student in our schools to weigh in!
✅ Anonymous
✅ Takes about 10 minutes
✅ Works on any phone, tablet, or computer
Survey closes Monday, September 14

Scan the QR code or visit www.methow.org or go to https://my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/445933615/welcome to get started.

Watch for your mailbox for a postcard with all the details — and thank you for helping shape the future of our schools!

08/31/2026

Dear MVE Families,

Please see our weekly newsletter.

August 31-September 4, 2026

Sincerely,
Paul Gutzler

This Week at MVE

08/31/2026

Welcome back, Lion Cubs! We are happy to see you again!

08/25/2026

Dear MVE Families,

Our teachers returned to the building this week, and the construction crew is busy completing summer construction work. I wanted to send out a reminder about the back to school dates and events. I’ve also included a link to our newsletter from last week if you’d like additional information about bussing, pictures, school supplies, early childhood options, and much more.

https://app.smore.com/n/xrcfs?fbclid=IwY2xjawTxYjxwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6_bQaaot4wBcwzEW6aU47Cu9qyW2sqfY2x5lfODMi-AKR29VLFHq3tcY3fSw_aem_WMv0cVdE97Q2iwApYD7kZg

August 27 at 4:00pm: Your child’s teacher will be sending you an email on Thursday, August 27 at 4:00pm welcoming you to their classroom community and inviting you to the Meet and Greet the following day. Additionally, class lists will be posted in the front window of the main entrance to the school at the same time. Kindergarten families will have already been contacted by their child's teacher earlier that week.

Friday, August 28, between 11am-12pm: Please come to school on Friday, August 28, between 11am-12pm for our Meet and Greet, so that you and your child can find their classroom, and say hi to their teacher! This is an open house format so feel free to drop by anytime between 11am-12pm.

Monday, August 31: The first day of school for grades 1-5 is Monday, August 31. This is a regular school day; school starts at 8:30, and dismissal is at 3:10.

Friday, September 4: This is our first regularly scheduled early release day. Dismissal is at 1:20pm. This is also the first day of Kindergarten.

Monday, September 7: No school for Labor Day.

Sincerely,

Paul Gutzler
MVE Principal

Welcome Back, MVE Families!

08/20/2026

Dear Kindergarten Families,

Due to unhealthy air quality we have made the decision to cancel our Kindergarten Playdate this afternoon.

You can expect to be contacted by your child’s teacher next week. This contact will include scheduling your Kindergarten family conference. These conferences will be scheduled on August, 31, and September 1-3. I’ve included a link to our Kindergarten Welcome Video, as well as Kinder FAQs which provides a great insight into Kindergarten and I’d encourage you to review prior to your Kindergarten Conference.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xZoIOrpqdUqC8ILcMwXKKoG_0kas-yxPzk_WEt9AgC4/edit?usp=sharing

Our decision to cancel our outside Kindergarten Play was based on a current Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 178 this morning. This is consistent with state guidance and district practice of canceling outdoor activities when AQI exceeds 150. If AQI exceeds 150 during the school year, we will move recess indoors. Unfortunately, due to crew construction crews rapidly wrapping up construction we are not able to move this event indoors.
https://methow.org/en-US/health-services-1d57627e/smoke-and-air-quality-ca49faae

We apologize for having to cancel this event, as it is always a fun one, but everyone’s health and wellness takes priority.

Please let me know if you have any questions, and I look forward to seeing everyone soon.

Sincerely,

Paul Gutzler
MVE Principal

08/18/2026

MVSD Community Facilities Task Force, Meeting #5 Update

🏫 Your voice matters!

Last week the Methow Valley Community Facilities Task Force dug into a big question: How do we make sure EVERYONE in the valley — retirees, renters, farm and business owners, seasonal residents, all of us — gets a real chance to shape the future of our schools?

The committee spent the evening mapping out who they need to hear from and brainstorming ways to reach folks who don't usually show up to a school meeting.

Here's the big one: this fall, we're launching a community-wide ThoughtExchange survey — an easy, anonymous way for anyone to share their thoughts online. Details coming soon, so keep an eye out!

Want to see what the committee has covered so far? Meeting materials are on the District website.

https://methow.org/en-US?orgId=bdc39ecc-b717-497e-85a4-1afe693c95bc

08/18/2026

Dear MVE Families,

Welcome back! Please see our Back to School Newsletter here:

https://app.smore.com/n/xrcfs

And for those who just want the key dates, I’ve included them below.

August 27 at 4:00pm: Your child’s teacher will be sending you an email on Thursday, August 27 at 4:00pm welcoming you to their classroom community and inviting you to the Meet and Greet the following day. Additionally, class lists will be posted in the front window of the main entrance to the school at the same time. Kindergarten families will have already been contacted by their child's teacher earlier that week.

Friday, August 28, between 11am-12pm: Please come to school on Friday, August 28, between 11am-12pm for our Meet and Greet, so that you and your child can find their classroom, and say hi to their teacher! This is an open house format so feel free to drop by anytime between 11am-12pm.

Monday, August 31: The first day of school for grades 1-5 is Monday, August 31. This is a regular school day; school starts at 8:25, and dismissal is at 3:10.

Friday, September 4: This is our first regularly scheduled early release day. Dismissal is at 1:20pm. This is also the first day of Kindergarten.

Monday, September 7: No school for Labor Day.

Sincerely,



Paul Gutzler

MVE Principal

Welcome Back, MVE Families!

08/07/2026

Kindergarten Families,

Welcome to Methow Valley Elementary! Our team is excited to welcome you, your kindergartener, and the whole family to our school community!

The purpose of this letter is to inform you of a couple of important dates. Attending the following events will help your Kindergartener get off to a great start!

Thursday, August 20, 1:00-2:00pm: Please join me for a Kindergarten Playground playdate on Thursday, August 20, 1:00-2:00pm. This will be an informal event, allowing Kindergarteners to familiarize themselves with the playground, families to reconnect, and confirm any lingering questions. Sometimes there are popsicles and often we have guest appearances by other school staff. If weather (air quality) or construction impacts our plans, we will notify families via email and Facebook in advance.

The Week of August 24: Your child’s teacher will be contacting you the week of August 24 to welcome you to their classroom community and to schedule your family kindergarten conference. These conferences will be held August 31, and September 1-3. These conferences last about 30 minutes and make sure to bring your Kinder with you!

Friday, August 28, between 11am-12pm: You can come to school on Friday, August 28, between 11am-12pm, so that you and your child can find their classroom, and say hi to their teacher! This is an open house format so feel free to drop by anytime between 11am-12pm. Sometimes this event can be overwhelming for Kinders; many Kinder families choose to skip this event and meet their teacher at the kindergarten family conference.

Friday, September 4! First day of Kindergarten! Super exciting! School starts at 8:30, and school is dismissed at 1:20. Teachers will cover drop off and pick up specifics at the Family Conference. As you drop off your Kinder in the morning, don’t forget to stop by our Kindergarten Tea and Tissues in the Library. You’ll have a chance to learn more about our school, meet a few additional staff members, and get any additional questions answered.

Kindergarten FAQ & Readiness Info
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xZoIOrpqdUqC8ILcMwXKKoG_0kas-yxPzk_WEt9AgC4/edit?usp=sharing

I can remember my first day as a kindergarten parent several years ago (my kids are now 14 and 16). I was filled with both excitement, and worried about my little one. My kids had a great kindergarten experience and I’m sure yours will as well. If we can do anything to help that happen, please let me know by email: [email protected].

Sincerely,

Paul Gutzler
Methow Valley Elementary
Principal

07/20/2026

Community Facilities Task Force Update

Our Community Facilities Task Force met for the 4th time last week, and it was a big one! Members took a deep dive into campus safety and security — reviewing a comprehensive third-party assessment and hearing directly from Superintendent Grant Storey about the steps the District has already taken, and
continues to take, to keep our students and staff safe.

The committee also began an important new phase of its work: planning how to hear from every corner of the Methow Valley. Long-term facility decisions are made by the entire community — not just families with kids currently in school — so members started mapping out how to reach retirees, farm and business owners, renters, seasonal residents, and everyone in between.

This fall, that will turn into action: community surveys, focus groups, and outreach designed to make sure every voice shapes the path forward for our schools. Stay tuned for ways to get involved!

Final recommendations are due to the District by May 2027.

06/04/2026

Congats to our Spring Attendance Winners! These students are going to launch into summer with a gift card from Sherri's Sweet Shoppe!

And a special shout out to our 3rd grade winner, Erik Ellis, who had perfect attendance this year!

A majority of winners reported that their favorite ice cream flavor is Cotton Candy, and that going to school helps them learn more! Congrats everyone!