Vonk 5-Plex

Since most the reviews are a decade old or older here, I want to leave an updated review about how awesome this school is. I love the demographic diversity here both in ethnic background, income level, and the integration of special needs kids into the classroom as determined appropriate. This year they have a new principal for the first time in 10 years, and I have noticed all year long how engaged the principal has been. He is in the classroom all the time. When there are SEPS, administration is there greeting and staying late with the teachers, too. With after-school events like STEM fair or Multi-cultural night, the administration and teachers were there helping. Last year, it seemed like it was only PTA parents. The principal is clearly setting a tone of engagement and participation with the staff, students, and parents. They now have a school song with stated school values that gets played every day between first and second bell. There is a brighter energy here and clear sense of mission and purpose. The school is in line with best practices and latest research about homework (meaning, no REQUIRED homework at these lower grade levels). My second grader has a monthly homework calendar that is optional. It requires 20 minutes reading per day and maybe 20 math problems that can be done by the end of the month for a small prize. The school is working hard to help kids grow and progress at their level. They use tech but in a limited, purposeful way. There are lots of built in "brain breaks". They have art, music, PE, and library. Recess is never taken away as a punishment. They do mixed groups with all the second grade (and first grade. maybe all the grades), so they can work with different teachers in reading and math and with kids at a similar level as them. I'm so impressed with the second grade teachers! The school safety protocols are in line with current practices. You have to scan an ID like a driver's license at the front door, and then the office buzzes you in and you can go talk to them and pick up your student. It isn't a big deal, and the safety matters for our students and staff and for people who need to protect their kids from family members who aren't supposed to have access to them. Sure, it's completely different than those of us growing up in the 80s and 90s, but mass shootings and school shootings weren't a thing yet. I'm really impressed with Provo School District in general.