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Neskowin Valley School was founded in 1972 by George and Margot Thompson. The school began as a Preschool/Kindergarten, later expanding to a preschool through 8th -grade
elementary school. Students attend NVS from Tillamook and Lincoln counties, coming from as far north as Bay City, as far south as Newport and as far east as Sheridan.
Neskowin Valley School is nestled beside Cascade Head in Slab Creek’s green valley, a few miles inland from the Pacific. We honor a variety of traditions of learning and learners. We
give families are integral to a child’s learning at NVS, so we expect that they, too, will become part of our community while their children attend school here.
The setting, on five acres surrounded by creeks, meadows and woods, means that we also readily honor the lessons of nature, including reciprocity, regeneration, abundance and
balance. We teach familiarity with and respect for all creatures, and build upon hands-on, face-to-face experiences in order to teach tolerance of and understanding for the diversity of
the larger world. We emphasize stewardship for the land and awareness of our dependence on nature for sustenance and inspiration.
Adults here work together to model the intellectual curiosity, responsibility, openness and integrity we seek in every child who enrolls.
The school building, once a dairy barn, has since 1972 opened its doors to people from all walks of life. A generation of joyful learning and warm community is reflected in the frequent
first impressions of visitors to the school, who say, “I’ve only dreamed that a school like this existed!”
elementary school. Students attend NVS from Tillamook and Lincoln counties, coming from as far north as Bay City, as far south as Newport and as far east as Sheridan.
Neskowin Valley School is nestled beside Cascade Head in Slab Creek’s green valley, a few miles inland from the Pacific. We honor a variety of traditions of learning and learners. We
give families are integral to a child’s learning at NVS, so we expect that they, too, will become part of our community while their children attend school here.
The setting, on five acres surrounded by creeks, meadows and woods, means that we also readily honor the lessons of nature, including reciprocity, regeneration, abundance and
balance. We teach familiarity with and respect for all creatures, and build upon hands-on, face-to-face experiences in order to teach tolerance of and understanding for the diversity of
the larger world. We emphasize stewardship for the land and awareness of our dependence on nature for sustenance and inspiration.
Adults here work together to model the intellectual curiosity, responsibility, openness and integrity we seek in every child who enrolls.
The school building, once a dairy barn, has since 1972 opened its doors to people from all walks of life. A generation of joyful learning and warm community is reflected in the frequent
first impressions of visitors to the school, who say, “I’ve only dreamed that a school like this existed!”
| Mission Statement |
| History |
Neskowin Valley School is an independent school registered with Oregon Department of Education. We are a member of the Oregon Federation of Independent Schools, and accredited by
the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. The term "independent" refers to schools that are non-profit organizations governed by a board of trustees and are independent of
control and funding by any government agency. As such, independent schools are free to establish their own goals and criteria as they plan curriculum and select teachers and students.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
A voluntary Board of Trustees governs Neskowin Valley School. Trustees bring expertise from many walks of life, including the professional, business, civic, and educational
communities.
The Board does four very basic and important things:
1. It builds relationships between the school and the broader community.
2. It develops, sets, and maintains policy for Neskowin Valley School.
3. It helps raise money for the school beyond what is raised by tuition.
4. It hires, nurtures, coaches, evaluates, guides and rewards the Head of School and the Community Relations Coordinator.
The trustees are responsible for developing and establishing school policies and for oversight of the school’s finances and physical plant, whereas the Head of School and staff are
responsible for the management and daily operation of the school.
The Board meets throughout the school year. Its meetings are scheduled and announced in advance and are open to parents, except when the Board is in executive session. Minutes for
Board meetings are available in the office.
Much of the Board’s work is done by standing committees. Each committee meets with an agenda and is expected to report its deliberations to the full Board at the next scheduled
meeting. The frequency and duration of committee meetings are determined by the committee Chair and its members depending on the issues at hand. The Head of School is an ex-officio
member of all committees.
Non-trustees may serve on Board committees. This is an excellent place to serve the school; interested parents and friends are urged to contact the Head of School for more information.
BOARD COMMITTEES
Finance Committee: Works with the Head of School to prepare the annual budget and examines the annual financial review. It also evaluates the monthly budget and financial reports, as
well as makes recommendations regarding tuition, the school’s insurance coverage, etc. Meets as needed.
Employee Benefits Committee: Recommends salary increases and employee benefits. Meets as needed.
Development Committee: Handles marketing strategies and publications. Works with the Community Relations Coordinator to design and manage fundraising goals and activities to
bridge the gap between tuition income and the actual cost of operating the school. Meets as needed.
Building and Grounds Committee: Reviews maintenance and safety of the building and grounds; oversees policies governing building use. Works with the Board and staff on capital
improvements. Meets as needed.
Enrollment Committee: Reviews the school’s recruitment, retention, admissions and financial aid policies. Meets as needed.
the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. The term "independent" refers to schools that are non-profit organizations governed by a board of trustees and are independent of
control and funding by any government agency. As such, independent schools are free to establish their own goals and criteria as they plan curriculum and select teachers and students.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
A voluntary Board of Trustees governs Neskowin Valley School. Trustees bring expertise from many walks of life, including the professional, business, civic, and educational
communities.
The Board does four very basic and important things:
1. It builds relationships between the school and the broader community.
2. It develops, sets, and maintains policy for Neskowin Valley School.
3. It helps raise money for the school beyond what is raised by tuition.
4. It hires, nurtures, coaches, evaluates, guides and rewards the Head of School and the Community Relations Coordinator.
The trustees are responsible for developing and establishing school policies and for oversight of the school’s finances and physical plant, whereas the Head of School and staff are
responsible for the management and daily operation of the school.
The Board meets throughout the school year. Its meetings are scheduled and announced in advance and are open to parents, except when the Board is in executive session. Minutes for
Board meetings are available in the office.
Much of the Board’s work is done by standing committees. Each committee meets with an agenda and is expected to report its deliberations to the full Board at the next scheduled
meeting. The frequency and duration of committee meetings are determined by the committee Chair and its members depending on the issues at hand. The Head of School is an ex-officio
member of all committees.
Non-trustees may serve on Board committees. This is an excellent place to serve the school; interested parents and friends are urged to contact the Head of School for more information.
BOARD COMMITTEES
Finance Committee: Works with the Head of School to prepare the annual budget and examines the annual financial review. It also evaluates the monthly budget and financial reports, as
well as makes recommendations regarding tuition, the school’s insurance coverage, etc. Meets as needed.
Employee Benefits Committee: Recommends salary increases and employee benefits. Meets as needed.
Development Committee: Handles marketing strategies and publications. Works with the Community Relations Coordinator to design and manage fundraising goals and activities to
bridge the gap between tuition income and the actual cost of operating the school. Meets as needed.
Building and Grounds Committee: Reviews maintenance and safety of the building and grounds; oversees policies governing building use. Works with the Board and staff on capital
improvements. Meets as needed.
Enrollment Committee: Reviews the school’s recruitment, retention, admissions and financial aid policies. Meets as needed.
| NVS is an Independent School |
When children enroll at Neskowin Valley School, their families become part of a vital and caring community; an interaction of all ages. Children have a younger or older student who
becomes their special "buddy." A strong bond of friendship develops as they exchange notes and artwork, read with one another, and work together on projects.
Neskowin Valley School is enriched by the daily presence of parents and grandparents who volunteer in the office, classroom and library. Parents and other volunteers read with children,
share their skills, organize field trips, help with drama productions, and work on board committees.
Active participation of parents or guardians in their child's education assures a more successful experience and is essential to the character of the school. All parents are members of the
Parent Association. This group supports special projects and raises a portion of the operating budget through a variety of fundraising events.
becomes their special "buddy." A strong bond of friendship develops as they exchange notes and artwork, read with one another, and work together on projects.
Neskowin Valley School is enriched by the daily presence of parents and grandparents who volunteer in the office, classroom and library. Parents and other volunteers read with children,
share their skills, organize field trips, help with drama productions, and work on board committees.
Active participation of parents or guardians in their child's education assures a more successful experience and is essential to the character of the school. All parents are members of the
Parent Association. This group supports special projects and raises a portion of the operating budget through a variety of fundraising events.
| Community |
| 2010-2011 Board of Trustees |
Dr. Guy Sievert (2006), Chair
Dr. Guy Sievert has 38 years experience as a teacher, administrator, and coach in colleges and universities and two years teaching and coaching in high school. He recently served as the
coordinator of the Portland Area Higher Education Consortium and as Chair of the Neskowin Citizen Planning Advisory Committee. He and his wife Donna reside in Neskowin. They have
three adult children, all residing in the Portland area.
Joe Goodrich (2002), Vice-Chair
Joe is a home-builder and long-time member of the Neskowin community. His two daughters are graduates of NVS, and his wife Karen taught at NVS for 10 years.
Leslie Gordon, PhD (2006)
Leslie was an award-winning elementary school teacher for 15 years before becoming an instructor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Her focus is K-8 math and science curriculum,
instruction and assessment. She is currently teaching part-time for Antioch University and working on several international National Science Foundations projects.
Barbara Haga (2008)
Barbara began teaching at NVS when the doors opened in 1973. She has also served the school as a parent (of alum Ben Haga) and Trustee. Barbara has worked as an Administrative
Secretary for the Mayor of Bainbridge Island and Administrative Assistant for the Microbiology Department at the University of New Mexico, and currently works on the customer
service staff of Powell's Bookstore.
Dr. Sharlene Peters (2010)
Sharlene is a strong devotee of Neskowin Valley School, fondly calling it “The Big Gazebo” after the Gazebo Outdoor School she started in Santa Barbara for one-to-four-year-olds. Her
doctorate from UCSB focused on gestalt therapy, educational environments, international education, leadership, creativity and early childhood education. Sharlene has served on several
boards, including the Montecito Union School Board in Santa Barbara, and founded The William T. Colville Foundation to assist artists.
Jackie Farah (2010)
Jackie joined the Neskowin Valley School in the summer of 2005 in the dual roles of teaching and curriculum development. She is a certified teacher with a Master of Arts in Teaching
from George Fox University. Her undergraduate work was in literature and math, and she has post-graduate work in Counseling Psychology and English as a Second Language. She
taught in private schools in Vancouver, Washington, and Dembi Dollo, Ethiopia, following a career in medically related research, education, and human resources management. Jackie
retired from NVS in June, 2010.
Chad Muller (2011)
Chad is an alumnus of Neskowin Valley School and is the parent of a current student. Chad's professional life includes ten years in the food-service industry, training as a yoga teacher at
the Bikram Yoga College of India, working as a licensed massage therapist, designing a bio-diesel refinery for Cloudburst Recycling of Portland, and spending time remodeling houses. He
went to school at Lane Community College and Portland State University.
Theresa Kidd (2011)
(bio appearing shortly)
Dr. Guy Sievert has 38 years experience as a teacher, administrator, and coach in colleges and universities and two years teaching and coaching in high school. He recently served as the
coordinator of the Portland Area Higher Education Consortium and as Chair of the Neskowin Citizen Planning Advisory Committee. He and his wife Donna reside in Neskowin. They have
three adult children, all residing in the Portland area.
Joe Goodrich (2002), Vice-Chair
Joe is a home-builder and long-time member of the Neskowin community. His two daughters are graduates of NVS, and his wife Karen taught at NVS for 10 years.
Leslie Gordon, PhD (2006)
Leslie was an award-winning elementary school teacher for 15 years before becoming an instructor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Her focus is K-8 math and science curriculum,
instruction and assessment. She is currently teaching part-time for Antioch University and working on several international National Science Foundations projects.
Barbara Haga (2008)
Barbara began teaching at NVS when the doors opened in 1973. She has also served the school as a parent (of alum Ben Haga) and Trustee. Barbara has worked as an Administrative
Secretary for the Mayor of Bainbridge Island and Administrative Assistant for the Microbiology Department at the University of New Mexico, and currently works on the customer
service staff of Powell's Bookstore.
Dr. Sharlene Peters (2010)
Sharlene is a strong devotee of Neskowin Valley School, fondly calling it “The Big Gazebo” after the Gazebo Outdoor School she started in Santa Barbara for one-to-four-year-olds. Her
doctorate from UCSB focused on gestalt therapy, educational environments, international education, leadership, creativity and early childhood education. Sharlene has served on several
boards, including the Montecito Union School Board in Santa Barbara, and founded The William T. Colville Foundation to assist artists.
Jackie Farah (2010)
Jackie joined the Neskowin Valley School in the summer of 2005 in the dual roles of teaching and curriculum development. She is a certified teacher with a Master of Arts in Teaching
from George Fox University. Her undergraduate work was in literature and math, and she has post-graduate work in Counseling Psychology and English as a Second Language. She
taught in private schools in Vancouver, Washington, and Dembi Dollo, Ethiopia, following a career in medically related research, education, and human resources management. Jackie
retired from NVS in June, 2010.
Chad Muller (2011)
Chad is an alumnus of Neskowin Valley School and is the parent of a current student. Chad's professional life includes ten years in the food-service industry, training as a yoga teacher at
the Bikram Yoga College of India, working as a licensed massage therapist, designing a bio-diesel refinery for Cloudburst Recycling of Portland, and spending time remodeling houses. He
went to school at Lane Community College and Portland State University.
Theresa Kidd (2011)
(bio appearing shortly)
Neskowin Valley School provides an invigorating education in small class groupings to children from diverse backgrounds in a beautiful environment on the Oregon coast. Our
purpose is to inspire joyful learning, and to work together with families and friends to model intellectual curiosity, ethical conduct, and responsibility for each other and the natural
world. We graduate alumni who as adults will lead accomplished, effective, thoughtful, and principled lives.
To achieve this mission, the school:
purpose is to inspire joyful learning, and to work together with families and friends to model intellectual curiosity, ethical conduct, and responsibility for each other and the natural
world. We graduate alumni who as adults will lead accomplished, effective, thoughtful, and principled lives.
To achieve this mission, the school:
- Instills the desire for life-long learning, and the enthusiasm, confidence, and imagination to sustain it.
- Provides the foundation for life skills in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and the performing and visual arts.
- Places high value on integrated learning, through an interdisciplinary approach to subjects, and by the focused attention derived from collaborative peer groups.
- Emphasizes individual talents and aptitudes rather than arbitrary grade-level standards.
- Helps students learn how to find meaning from new discoveries as they relate to each child’s expanding knowledge.
- Promotes openness, generosity, and a conscientious respect for self and for others, while instilling an appreciation of the vitality of difference.
- Encourages students to be independent thinkers; to be curious, accept challenges, take risks; to welcome the benefits of mistakes; and to delight in both the thrill of
discovery, and the pride gained from meaningful work.
- Nurtures integrity and ethical contact.
- Inspires individual creativity through approaches to the various types of intelligence.
- Celebrates the wonder of childhood through song, dance, narrative, artwork, physical contact with nature, and play.
- Fosters an sense of responsibility for one’s neighborhood, and stewardship of natural resources both local and global..
- Maintains an active community of teachers, students, parents, alumni, administrators, and friends who together strive to fulfill the school’s mission.
- Keeps parents thoroughly informed about their child’s progress, by completing a written mid-year report, and an extensive year-end evaluation. In addition, parents
participate with teachers in two formal update conferences during the year.