The little school no one knew
For 18 years, a private, religious Episcopal elementary school has operated just off Ferry Butte Road in Bingham County. It’s Idaho’s best kept secret.
Today, the board of Lillian Vallely School decided it’s time to tell the world about it’s success, and it’s desire to grow. This is the story of the little school nobody knew.
There are twenty-six children attending the Lillian Vallely School. Each one is beautiful, bright eyed and eager to learn. Unique Jim is 10 years old. “I like math, we bead, we loom ,” she says.
Right down the row, each child agreed they love all the classes, but the cultural classes are best. They like learning their language. ” I know how to say fish. Benya, ” says Daz Diaz.
They spend one half hour each day working on their Native American culture.
Janita Woodyis Navaho from Arizonia. Growing up she says she realized the importance of learning the culture.
“I didn’t have that. But as I got older I started to recognize how important it was . That’s part of who we are. “
These children pay no tuition. The school is funded through grants, the Episcopal Church, private donations and the tribe. Just like every school in every part of Idaho, there are more demands then there are dollars.
Teacher Sunshine Perry says, ” We are a best kept secret. So there are lot of things we need that other schools have. It would be nice to get more staffing and other things that could contribute to the school out here. “
The teachers here recognize the value of teaching the past, but availing themselves to the great ideas of today, like the wiggle chairs.
Teacher Emily Abercrombie wasn’t too sure about this, at first, but then, ” This helps figitey children learn to focus. They can rock back and forth and spin all around . So instead of me saying don’t lean on your chairs for your own safety they can lean back on the chair. “
The school could take in more kids if they could afford more teachers. Today, they’re reaching out to the community. As with any school, it could use some socio-economic relief.
Do you have time to volunteer? Do you have access to school equipment that could be donated? Maybe you could donate paint to
freshen up a classroom.
This is a jewel of a school. They’re doing something right. Now they’d just like to do more.
