SAGUACHE — Mountain Valley school hasn't exactly had a summer break this year. They have been busy making sure the 2009-10 school year will be one to remember.

With the aid of grant money lots has been accomplished from roofing projects to new courses, to computer programs that will enhance learning. The school has been looking at numerous projects and adding and enhancing them all.

Construction is still going on as the placement of a new roof is being completed on the school. This is to ensure that school will not have to be cancelled every time it snows. This is a project that has been ongoing for 2 years and will be complete by the end of August. The cafeteria will benefit the most from the new roofing project which replaces the old leaky roof currently on the building.

There is a new preschool playground complete with swings, a slide, climing equipment, tricycles and wagons.

As you admire the new playground, be sure and take notice of the community garden project which is ripe with copious amounts of broccoli, bean plants, lettuce, tomoatoes, marigolds, diasies, sunflowers and much more. The garden project will also serve as an "outdoor classroom."

A new full-time Technology Coordinator has been hired to assst with all the old and upcoming technology needs. A full-time counselor will also be able to stay on board with the aid of a grant awarded last Janurary.

There are also numerous new courses being offered such as; French, Spanish, Photography, Journalism/school paper, Yearbook/Website and Computer aided design nd Computer aided drafting.

The high school will begin offering college courses during the open periods for seniors.

The middle school will see a minor change of adding Algebra to the cirriculum.

The District has also decided to change to a 10-point grading scale.

The Colorado Department of Education has chosen schools in the San LUis Valley to pilot a new program to enhance students' Math and Language skills through the use of new computer software called Campass Learning. The program will serve students in 2nd through 12th grades.

However, let's not forget the parents. There is a new student information program being installed call Infinate Campus which will assist parents with informational needs such as on-line report cards and parental portals where parents can gain access to how their children are doing in particular classes. The District is also working on getting a grant to aid in night classes for adults.

After school opportunities are also being upgraded. There will be numerous workshops such as dealing with bullying and beahvorial needs like getting along with others.

The District is also still working on improving access to school news and information which began last year through website, weekly newspaper articles, a marquee,and a telephone information line, 655-2020.