From the Desk of Mr. Yoshida
Birdneck Elementary 10/12/18
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRINCIPAL
Hello Birdneck Family,
Weather continues to effect the City of Virginia Beach and our school schedule, but it can't hold back the sunny smiles within our school walls. I've had many visitors come to our building lately stating they can feel the something special and that our school just feels happy. My response is always the same.... "Our students and staff are amazing and you just feel their vibes." We are continuing to have conversations with our bus drivers to ensure that this vibe continues on the way to and from school as well. We are implementing our PBIS program on the bus as well. When speaking with your children at home, please help to reinforce SOAR expectations with them and what Safety Ownership Attitude and Respect looks and sounds like on our busses. We are also having these discussions in our classrooms.
The family meetings your child's teacher has been facilitating are going great and we are focusing on a different character trait each month. In September the focus was on "responsibility" and in October we are discussing "diligence". I encourage you to ask your child what the term diligence means to them. Even in our Pre-K and Kindergarten classes we've been discussing the importance of working hard and taking pride in the work they produce.
dil·i·gence1
ˈdiləjəns/noun
careful and persistent work or effort. synonyms: conscientiousness, assiduousness, assiduity, hard work, application, concentration, effort, care, industriousness, rigor, meticulousness, thoroughness
We were really excited about having Pizza Bingo tonight but have rescheduled it for next Friday, October 19th. An updated flyer will be sent home this week.
Have an awesome day,
R.V. Yoshida : Member of the BIRDNECK FAMILY since 2016
UPCOMING EVENTS AT BIRDNECK
Oct. 16 - Fall Picture Day (cafeteria)
Oct. 16 - Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night 5:00-8:00pm on General Booth Blvd.
Oct. 17 - Author Visit Grade 1
Oct. 18 - Earthquake drill at 10:18 on 10/18
Oct. 19 - Grade 1 Gifted Screening
Oct. 19 - Kindergarten Fieldtrip to Farmers Market (Putt, Thoms, Scott)
Oct. 19 - Pizza Bingo (Rescheduled)
Oct. 20 - Saplings Fieldtrip
Oct. 25 - Myles Henderson from WTKR visiting with Grade 2
Oct. 26 - Trunk or Treat at Chuck E. Cheese
Oct. 31 - Kindergarten Field Trip to Farmers Market (Chapman, Luttrell, Stepnowski, Bargnesi, Valeriano)
Nov. 6 - Staff Day, and Virtual Learning Day Schools closed to students
Citywide Events
Oct. 15: - Community Advisory Committee for Gifted Education meeting
The Community Advisory Committee for Gifted Education (CAC) will each host its next meeting Monday, Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Advanced Technology Center. The CAC advises the School Board regarding the educational needs of gifted students. More information.
Oct. 16 – Navigating the Journey
VBCPS is hosting its second annual Navigating the Journey citywide event, an information night for students and families to learn about the multitude of academic programs and services available to students throughout their educational experience - prekindergarten through graduation. This free event will be held Tuesday, Oct. 16, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Convention Center located at 1000 19th Street. See the flyer for a list of programs, initiatives and services represented at the event.
Oct. 18 – College funding coach provides families options on how to pay for college
For many families, the cost of higher education is a daunting proposition. Attend the Parent Connection workshop, College Funding Options for Families, for a presentation by The College Funding Coach® to learn strategies on paying for multiple children in college, ways to save and pay simultaneously and ways to make higher education more affordable. The free event will be held Thursday, Oct. 18 from 6:30-8 p.m., at Corporate Landing Middle School. Registration is required. For more information, call the Office of Community Engagement at 263-1936.
Oct. 24 – Community Resource Fair
The Virginia Beach Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) and the school division’s Office of Programs for Exceptional Children will host the annual Community Resource Fair, Wednesday, Oct. 24 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Landstown High School. The regional event is free and open to the public and will feature exhibits from more than 75 organizations, agencies and providers to share information about their services, resources and products for children and/or adults with disabilities. For more information, call the Parent Support and Information Center at 263-2066.
Oct. 30 – VBCPS College Night
Representatives from more than 175 colleges, universities, proprietary schools and the military will have exhibits at the school division’s annual College Night, Oct. 30 from 5:30-8 p.m., at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street. VBCPS students and parents are invited to the free event to learn more about postgraduate education options, programs of study, admission requirements, financial aid, student life and transition services for students with disabilities. There will also be two financial aid workshops at 6 and 7 p.m.
Digital Learning Days
Thank you.
Join us for Trunk or Treat
2018 Great SouthEast ShakeOut
Virginia has joined other states to participate in the 2018 Great SouthEast ShakeOut, an earthquake drill planned for Oct. 18, 2018, at 10:18 a.m. The Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) encourage schools to participate in this drill and Birdneck will be participating.
Earthquake Safety Guidelines:
Remain Calm. The rolling sensation may terrify you, but unless something falls on you, the sensations will not hurt you. Think through the consequences of any action you plan to take. If you are indoors, stay there.
If you are in danger:
• Get under a sturdy table or desk.
• Brace yourself in an inside corner away from windows.
• Move to an inner wall or corridor.
• Watch for falling objects - plaster, bricks, light fixtures, etc.
• Stay away from furniture which might slide or topple over.
• Stay away from windows, sliding glass doors, and mirrors.
• Grab anything handy (back pack, notebook, papers, box, etc.) to shield your head and face from falling debris and splinting glass.
• Don't be alarmed if the fire alarm or sprinklers go off.
Do Not Rush Outside. Stay on the same floor that you are on.
• Do not use elevators as the power for elevators may go out and leave you trapped. The greatest danger from falling debris is just outside doorways and close to outer walls. If for safety reasons you must leave the building, choose your exits as carefully as possible.
• If conditions warrant an evacuation, check evacuation routes and staging location prior to moving students.
If you are outside, stay there. Move away from the building, power poles and lampposts. Electric power lines are a serious hazard - stay away from fallen lines. If possible, proceed cautiously to an open area.
Reflections Contest- how to enter.
I'd like to encourage all of our students to use this opportunity to express themselves in artistic ways through the National PTA Reflections Contest. More information and entry forms can be found at https://www.vapta.org/arts-and-education/reflections
Use the arts to share your personal Reflections on this year’s theme: HEROES AROUND ME
Use the following guidelines and official program rules to enter. Submissions are due to your child's teacher by October 25th. Experienced artists will evaluate your work for interpretation of theme, creativity and technique. We look forward to celebrating your artistry and achievement in the arts!
Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Special Artist Division or grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities. See Official Rules for details. __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dance Choreography: Solo and ensemble works of all dance styles are accepted. Entrant must be the choreographer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form. Video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: AVI, FLV, WMV, MOV, MP4.
Film Production: Accepted short film styles include: Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or media presentation. Use of PowerPoint is prohibited. Entrant must be the screenwriter, cinematographer, editor and producer. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form. Video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: AVI, FLV, WMV, MOV, MP4.
Literature: Accepted forms of fiction and nonfiction include: Prose, poetry, reflective essay, screen play and play script, narrative and short story. Entrants may write in their primary language as long as an interpretive English translation is also attached. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Writing must not exceed 2,000 words and may be handwritten or typed. Accepted formats: Single-sided print on 8 ½x11” paper, PDF file.
Music Composition: All music styles and combinations of instrumentation are accepted. Entrant must be the composer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Audio file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: MP3, WMA, WAV, ACC, FLAC. Notation (score/tablature) in PDF format is only required for middle and high school divisions.
Photography: Photo must be a single print/digital image. Collages and collections of photos are not accepted. Entrant must be the photographer and may use a variety of digital editing techniques including but not limited to, multiple exposure, negative sandwich and photogram. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Print image dimensions must be no smaller than 3x5 inches and no larger than 8x10 inches. Accepted print formats: Mounted on mat or poster board no larger than 11x14 inches. Framed prints are not accepted. Digital image dimensions must be at least 640x960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution). Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, GIF, PNG.
Visual Arts: Works of both fine and design arts are accepted, including but not limited to: architectural drawing and models, ceramics, collage, computer generated images and graphics, crafts, drawing, fashion clothes and jewelry, fiber work, mixed media, painting, printmaking and sculpture. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. 2D artworks must be mounted on sturdy material and no larger than 24x30 inches with matting. Framed entries are not accepted. Include one digital image of artwork with your submission. 3D artwork submissions must contain 3 digital images of artwork at different angles. Image(s) are used for artwork identification, judging and exhibition purposes.
I'd like to encourage all of our students to use this opportunity to express themselves in artistic ways. More information and entry forms can be found at https://www.vapta.org/arts-and-education/reflections
Join our PTA
Support Birdneck Elementary students by joining the PTA. Our PTA is AMAZING! We collaborate together to create opportunities for our students and community to learn and have fun in the process. Don't miss out on the benefits from joining the PTA. Receive over $300 in savings... all for just $5 for a membership. Registration forms are available in our front office. Please know that becoming a member of our PTA does not obligate you to volunteer or do anything but does still help support our school. Our goal is to have 100% participation!!!!!!!!!
Please visit the PTA website at http://birdneckpta.weebly.com/
Track your volunteer hours
NAVIGATING THE JOURNEY
Education Connection Resources
Community event not sponsored by VBschools or Birdneck:Free event at Redemption Church on Rosemont Rd.
BIRDNECK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BIRDNECK MISSION
We build relationships to encourage, inspire, and empower others to meet the challenges of today and to foster the love of learning.
BIRDNECK VISION
We are dedicated to nurturing an inclusive environment to ensure engaging, student-centered learning resulting in confident, independent learners.
BIRDNECK BELIEFS
We believe in a collaborative community in which teachers, administrators, students, and parents work together for student success.
We believe in creating a safe, nurturing, and positive environment in which all students can strive for excellence and achieve their individual potential.
We believe we will prepare our students for success by providing 21st century learning and developing within our students critical thinking, effective communications and problem solving skills.
Website: https://birdneckes.vbschools.com/home
Location: 957 South Birdneck Road, Virginia Beach, VA, United States
Phone: 757-648-2120
Facebook: facebook.com/birdneckes
Twitter: @BNESeagles