Dear Missouri Valley Big Reds Families,
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! As we prepare to open our doors once again, I can’t wait for the wonderful moments, growth, and learning opportunities ahead for our students. Whether your family is joining us for the very first time or you’ve been part of our community for years, I am truly grateful and thrilled to have you as part of our Big Reds family.
Caring for the Whole Child: Excellence & Growth
This year, our focus remains set on nurturing every single student. We want to ensure each child feels supported, inspired, and confident as they build skills for college, future careers, and life beyond the classroom. Our dedicated teachers and staff have been hard at work preparing classrooms that feel welcoming, engaging, and joyful—places where curiosity is peaked and every student feels seen and valued.
Keeping Our School Family Safe & Healthy
The health, safety, and well-being of our students and staff will always be our highest priority. We work closely with local health and law enforcement partners to maintain a safe, secure environment where learning can thrive.
Staying Healthy Together: Keeping our classrooms healthy takes a team effort! Please ensure your child's immunizations and health records are up to date. As a quick reminder, if your child has a fever over 100°F or is experiencing vomiting, please keep them home to rest and help protect our whole school family.
Our Safety Partnership: Missouri Valley Community Schools is proudly committed to school safety through our partnership with our local law enforcement and the "I Love U Guys" Foundation. We use the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) and Standard Reunification Method (SRM) district-wide. This program provides simple, clear language and actions for emergency situations (Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, Shelter). Our staff completes thorough training every year, and we guide our students in age-appropriate, calm ways so everyone knows what to expect. You can always find more details about SRP and our safety procedures on our district website.
Key Dates for the Start of School
PK4 - 12th Grade Open House: Wednesday, August 19, 2026 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
First Day of School: Monday, August 4, 2026
First Day of Pre-School: Tuesday, September 3, 2026
First AND Second Day Dismissal Hours:
Elementary Dismissal: 12:55 PM
Middle & High School Dismissal: 1:05 PM
Partnering with You
The Missouri Valley School Board, Administration, and Staff deeply believe that education is a partnership built on trust, relationships, and open communication between home and school. Here are a few great ways to stay involved and connected this year:
Stay in the Loop: Follow our district website and social media channels for frequent updates and student highlights.
Connect with Us: Attend parent-teacher conferences, open houses, and school events.
Get Involved: Join our Parent-Teacher Organizations (PTO) or Booster Club.
Lend a Hand: Volunteer whenever your schedule allows!
Reach Out: Keep lines of communication open with your child's teachers—we love hearing from you!
Looking Ahead
As we start this new chapter together, please know that every decision we make is guided by love and care for what is best for our students. Mark your calendars for our Open House Night on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, where you can meet your child’s teachers, tour the classrooms, and connect with other families.
Thank you for trusting us with your child’s education and growth. Together, we’re going to make this school year filled with discovery, achievement, and unforgettable memories.
If you ever have questions, ideas, or need support, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's school or our district office. We are always here for you.
Here’s to an amazing 2026–2027 school year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Gochenour
Superintendent
Remember, as a Missouri Valley Big Red, We ARE … Built on Pride, Destined for Greatness!

