BLRA Stallion Scoop
Weekly updates and need to know information for team BLRA
August 23, 2023
Our 1st Stallion Staff Member of the Month is...
Mrs. Sherri Sears
Here's what some nominators had to say about the AMAZING Mrs. Sears:
- Sherri goes out of her way to make sure everyone feels welcomed and prepared. She is a wonderful leader that helps keep her team on track and ready for anything. She comes in early and stays late and spends countless hours of her free time creating and looking for things to enhance our teaching. She is soo kind and thoughtful.
- Sherri has been readily available to answer any questions, has supported our entire team, and has gone out of her way to check in as well.
- Sherri is my rock at school! She goes above and beyond for our third grade team. Sherri is such a great mentor to me and has taught me so much about education. She is a wonderful teammate and friend all in one!
Tell Us Something GOOD...
Sharing Good Things is a cornerstone of the Capturing Kids' Hearts' framework. Allowing students the opportunity to share about their lives and practice listening to one another builds their relational capacity and social skills. What good thing do YOU have going on in your life right now?
Sign Up for a Read Aloud with Mrs. Voltz!
Classroom Teachers sign up HERE for a 15 minute time for Mrs. Voltz to come in, introduce herself and read a story to your class!
From our Registrar, Vanessa Carlson:
Please double-check your attendance rosters in PowerSchool every day. If a student is on your roster, but you've never seen them, it is VERY important that you mark them absent. Additionally, if you have a family share information about moving, withdrawing, or having an extended absence, please be sure to share that information with both Cheri Bagby (cbagby@blracademy.org) and Vanessa Carlson (vcarlson2@blracademy.org).
Thanks for helping us ensure that our enrollment is accurate and that student records are being sent to the right places!
'tis the Season... already
It seems earlier than usual, but I think I have lost all sense of "normal" so don't quote me. However, we have already been sharing all kinds of germs on campus this year. Please encourage your students to wash their hands frequently, use Virex on your surfaces, and share the attached "How sick is too sick?" information with your families.
Additionally, if you find yourself feeling ill, please don't wait to get sub coverage and plans together. Many of us (myself included) hope a "good night's sleep" will cure us when the practical side of knows better! Our sub list is shorter than in the past, so getting ahead of getting coverage and plans together will help you get better rest and help us get the appropriate coverage for your students!
From our Speech Language Pathologist, Jenna Pasley:
For speech concerns, here are the steps to take:
- If you have concerns, determine what the concerns are (certain speech sounds, or language concepts) and see if they are age-appropriate or not
- Try some strategies in the classroom (from the attached pdf)
- If the strategies are not working, please email me (Jenna Pasley)
- I will add the student to my list and screen them as soon as I am able
- If the student presents with errors that are a deficit for their age, I will send a parent permission form home
- Once I get parent permission, I will add them to the speech schedule once per week for 20-30 mins
From our School Nurse, Karen Van Horn:
Please watch this video on The Big Four. All staff must watch, if you have questions reach out to the health services team, Brianna Quesada (health room para) or Karen VanHorn (nurse).
Student of the Month: Pancake Breakfast Dates & Submission Deadlines
We will begin our traditional Student of the Month Pancake Breakfast celebrations on Friday, September 22nd! This is one (if not THE) most "prestigious" award a Stallion can receive, please be selective and ensure that your nominee is a student who shows stellar Stallion character and academic effort across all settings when nominating them!
Grade Level and Specials teachers will each take turns nominating a student (or work collectively to nominate a student from their grade) each month. Please submit your nomination by the Wednesday of the week before the celebration (September nominations will be due by Wednesday, September 13th). Please see the nomination form for more logistical details!
Dates for the year:
Friday, September 22, 2023
Friday, November 3, 2023
Friday, December 1, 2023
Friday, February 2, 2024
Friday, March 1, 2024
Friday, April 26, 2024
Back to School Night: All the Things!
Advisor Needed: No Place For Hate
If you are interested in leading our afterschool club, No Place for Hate-- let me know!
Need more information? Check in with Alex Mooney or Jenna Bell!
Professional Development & Licensure Information
Celebration of Learning Nights 2023-24
Mark your calendars and send out your save the dates!!
Here are our grade level dates:
- Kindergarten: Graduation 5/15/24 at 6:00PM
- 1st Grade: 12/6/2023 at 5:30 PM
- 2nd Grade: 1/25/2024 at 5:30 PM
- 3rd Grade: 5/1/2024 at 5:30 PM
- 4th Grade: 2/28/2024 at 5:30 PM
- 5th Grade: Science Fair 4/25/2024 & Promotion Parade 5/15/2023 at 9:30
Upcoming Dates/Events
- August 23rd Skate City Night 6:00-8:00
- August 31st ALOFT Balloon Event at Vista Park 6:30 AM
- August 31st Parent University (at the Prep) 5:00-5:45
- August 31st Back to School Night 6:00-7:30
- Friday, September 1st Professional Development Day
- October 2nd-6th Scholastic Book Fair
- Friday, November 3 PTO Fun RUN
PBIS Dress Down Days
If your student earns PBIS Dress Down Day, they can "cash it in" for free dress/non uniform day on one of the following dates:
8/30
9/27
10/25
11/29
1/31
2/28
3/20
4/24
5/14