Bulldog Bulletin- Weekly eNews
Here is what's on top at Buena Vista! 9/8/21
Note from the Principal
I continue to find joy in having your students in-person, at school, everyday. This week I was able to work with Mrs. Hare and Mrs. Bacci's "late group" kindergartners. What a hard working group of students they are. We were predicting and learning about fall leaves together from the book, Leaf Man, by Lois Ehlert. After, we were able to make our very own fall leaf art and before the day ended, we found fun and learning in creating books about something we know "a lot" about. These amazing students wrote and drew pictures about dragons, spiders, dogs, and even about themselves. It was amazing learning and hard work.
I have also spent a lot of time on the playground supervising recess and lunch. Students are starting to settle into our routines and procedures. They seem to love being able to be outside, even in this overly warm weather.
One thing I notice at recess is that students need practice in resolving conflicts. Simple practice about how to solve "who goes first" in a game, or what to do if you are called "out" in a game and you don't agree are difficult for our students to solve in a reasonable manner and time. They are out of practice.
Teachers and staff are using various conflict resolution strategies to help them figure it out and problem solve, but you can support your student at home by asking them how their day went and then helping them trouble shoot any tricky situations that they may share with you. Here are two articles on strategies you can use at home to help your student become better at resolving conflict. The PBS Article and the Child Mind Institute Article can give you strategies on how you can support your student. We will continue to work on these skills daily at school as well but appreciate your support at home as well.
Great news! We have hired our Science Specialist!! Heavin Olmos, will be joining our team starting next week. We are so excited to have all of our positions at BV filled and happy to welcome Heavin to Buena Vista Family.
We have our first PTA meeting coming up next Tuesday, September 14th at 7pm. This meeting will be virtual. We would love to have you attend to hear about the events and activities planned by PTA this year. We know that it takes a village and our PTA board can definitely use the support of more parent voices and physical help, please considering joining to the PTA and coming to our meeting.
Our first Site Council meeting is coming up at the end of the month. I have a short list of parents that expressed interest of being part of this committee last year, I will be reaching out you soon. If you are not sure if you are on the list and you are interested in joining our School Site Council Team please email me directly at agramlick@walnutcreeksd.org
What is Site Council? It's the school committee that builds our academic learning plan to support the district's "LCAP" - the Local Control & Accountability Plan. We make data-based decisions to support our students' learning. I will be reviewing the results of last spring's "Youth Truth" family survey and outlining a preliminary plan for the year. Everyone is welcome!
Please continue to be safe and take care.
Respectfully,
Angela Gramlick
Principal
Important Dates and Events!
- Tuesday(9/14)-PTA Meeting 7pm-(Zoom Link to follow.)
- October 4th-8th-Parent/Teacher Conferences
- October 5th, 7th and 8th-Shortened Day Schedule
Quick Reminders!
- Please remember there is absolutely no parking, stopping or leaving your car in the kindergarten circle during drop off and pick-up. This is staff parking only and only in designated spots. PLEASE DO NOT EXIT YOUR CAR IN THE KINDERGARTEN CIRCLE AT ANY TIME. If you want to exit your car, you should find legal parking on Buena Vista Avenue OR Park in Alvarado Parking Lot.
- The Girl Scout year is kicking off and we’d love to have you join us! Come see what Girl Scouts at BV is all about! For more information, visit gsnorcal.org or contact Natalie (troop leader and BV mom) at 415-652-2416 or natmryan@yahoo.com
Substitute Teachers Needed
I wanted to take a few minutes to talk about the amazing enrichment programs our students enjoy at Buena Vista. In Art your child will imagine, execute, reflect, and refine in addition to creating, presenting, and connecting to art and their work. In Music your child will develop the skills necessary to produce music, reflect, critique, and connect personal experience to music. Science Lab is one of experimentation, test, failure, and discovery, and covers ecosystems to organisms.
I want to thank our families and community members who come together to support WCEF because these programs are not possible without additional funding from WCEF. State funding is just not enough to cover the cost. So thank you for giving the gift of creativity, discovery, and experimentation to our Bulldogs!
Fundraising Update!
It’s been a fantastic start to this year’s fundraising efforts—over $455,000 has been raised since July 1, or 35% of our $1.3 million goal. Thank you for your support! This money is spent on programs, salaries, and services for your child’s education, this school year. Every day your child benefits from your donations to WCEF.
If you’ve donated, remember that your gift is tax deductible. And please check to see if your employer matches. If you haven’t yet donated, you can give today.
September 8 is International Literacy Day
School library programs are key to a good education. Through your generosity, WCEF funds support a full time, credentialed librarian at WCI as well as a team of librarians across all TK-8 schools. Celebrate this win on International Literacy Day, September 8! And thank you to our donors for seeing the value in a credentialed librarian and library programs for al
WCEF Business Partner: Smile Power Orthodontics—Platinum Partner
WCEF is excited to welcome Smile Power Orthodontics as a Platinum Partner! Smile Power Orthodontics, has served the Walnut Creek community since 1999. The state-of-the-art facility located near Walnut Creek Intermediate, brings 3D X-Ray technology (scanning technology complete with outcome modeling software), Invisalign, clear braces, and traditional braces treatments to kids and adults in a COVID-safe environment.
Thank you to Smile Power Orthodontics for investing in WCEF and our 5,000 students across eight public schools!
New Business Partner—School of Rock
Check out our new business partner—and new to Walnut Creek - School of Rock
Combining group band classes and performances with individual lessons, School of Rock provides children (and adults!) with the most comprehensive musical experience around. Students can play in a band while gaining skills on their instrument, and learning music theory and composition. Stop by their grand opening on Saturday, September 18, at 1345 Newell Avenue!
WCSD COVID-19 Back to School Information 2021-2022
WCSD has developed a COVID-19 Back to School Website where you can find answers to many of your questions. This week, you will find two new information items.
The WCSD COVID-19 Case Dashboard will be updated each day to reflect the most current information. We are committed to transparency with our community regarding cases.
The Student Close Contact Flowchart has also been added to the health page to help answer questions about how we will respond to reported cases and inform close contacts. If you are a close contact, we will work closely with Contra Costa Health Services to notify you as soon as possible.
This new graphic shares information about what to do if your child is in modified quarantine.
As a reminder, all WaLaMOrinda districts have partnered to offer community testing options Alison (updated link on Wed, 8/18/21 @12:30.) This updated version includes the links for all district locations to make it easier to schedule an appointment as well as expanded testing hours at TC.
We anticipate receiving ongoing updates from Contra Costa Health Services and will continue to update our website and communicate new information as it becomes available.
Important Links and Resources!
It's a great day to be a bulldog!
Angela Gramlick-Principal
Email: agramlick@walnutcreedsd.org
Website: https://www.walnutcreeksd.org/Subsite001
Location: 2355 San Juan Avenue, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Phone: 925-944-6822