Other Programs

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is an aligned district-wide system that changes lives by helping schools shift to a more equitable, student-centered approach. AVID's mission is to help schools close the opportunity gap, and prepare all students for college, careers, and life.

PV Middle offers the AVID Elective which is:

• For students who have the potential for honors, advanced, Pre-AP and AP work in school but need support paired with rigor.
• Rigor with support that includes each student's own individual determination and the support of teachers, other AVID students, family members, AVID teacher, and college tutors.
• Students maintaining a 2.0 GPA or higher throughout the school year.

Who should apply:

• Students with average-to-high test scores 2.0-3.5 GPA
• Students with college potential with support
• Students who have desire and determination

The AVID student meets one or more of the following criteria:

• First in family to attend college
• Historically underserved in 4-year colleges (e.g., underrepresented as a racial or ethnic group)
• Low-Income
• Special circumstances (e.g.,family structure)

PV Middle also offers AVID Excel Elective:

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Excel's mission is to change the trajectory of long-term English learners by accelerating language acquisition, developing literacy, and placing AVID Excel students on the path to high school AVID and college preparatory coursework.

The AVID Excel is...

• A cohort in which ESOL students participate in intensive academic language building throughout middle school to prepare for the high school AVID Elective.
• Seven consistent learning strands--reading, writing, oral language, academic vocabulary, study skills, and self-determination and leadership.
• Accelerated language acquisition, increased overall achievement and student access to rigorous coursework.
• Scholar groups with college tutors twice a week.

 

The AVID Excel student:

• Has good ideas but needs help expressing them.
• Listens with interest but can miss information.
• Needs 5-6 repetitions for mastery.
• Completes assignments with added support.
• Enjoys school but can become discouraged.
• Comes from a low-income or single-parent family.
• Would be first in their family to attend college.
• Is from a racial, cultural, or economic group historically underrepresented in colleges or universities.
• Has potential and may also have special circumstances that could be obstacles to achievement.

The AVID coordinators:

Ally Martin
amartin7@usd259.net

Bobbi Jo Grieb
bgrieb@usd259.net

The Pando Initiative is a program dedicated to helping students thrive by addressing their basic needs, including providing hygiene products, school supplies, clothing, and community referrals. In addition to fulfilling these essential needs, the program offers social-emotional support, mentoring, and goal setting. Pando also engages students through lunch groups, such as Girl Scouts and board games, creating a supportive and inclusive environment for growth and development.

Nayeli Navarro-Bravo, BSW
Student Support Advocate, The Pando Initiative
P: 316-973-0207
E: nbravo@pandokids.org
 

Pleasant Valley Middle School is able to serve students who qualify for English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) support.

If you have questions about these services, please check with our office or you can speak with the team at Multilingual Education Services to work through the options that will be best for your student's future.

Mireya Ziad
Newcomer Teacher
lfaudoa@usd259.net

Students may be assigned to Pleasant Valley Middle School as part of the Newcomer program if they have very recently moved to the United States as an immigrant or refugee and need more intense support to learn English as well as school and life skills. In these programs, students learn alongside others who are also new to the country.

Mireya Ziad
Newcomer Teacher
lfaudoa@usd259.net