Dolphin Parent Connection
September 2019 Volume 5, Issue 1
A Message from the Principal
We have had an awesome start to the new school year. We have enjoyed getting to know our newest students and catching up with our returning Dolphins. I hope everyone fared well through the storm. I am so thankful the storm passed over quickly, and we were able to return to school this past Monday.
As we start rolling further into September and the days become even busier, we will strive to keep you informed and up-to-date on school events and news. The Dolphin Parent Connection will be published for parents on a monthly basis. We encourage you to reference the calendar below for upcoming events and to review the additional news found in these newsletters. This digital newsletter will also be linked on our school webpage if you need to refer back to it throughout the month. Additionally, as needed, we will utilize email to make you aware of impending deadlines & updates. We will also utilize email, as well as text messaging, to inform you of afternoon bus delays. If we are unaware of why your child is absent, you will receive a phone call, email, and text via Alert Now on the morning of the absence.
The safety of your child continues to be of the utmost importance to us. We ask for your cooperation when visiting the school by ensuring you have your ID with you upon entering the building. ID is required if you are visiting, volunteering, or picking your child up from school. If you are eating lunch with your child, we also require that you remain in the cafeteria during your visit and that you check back out with the security desk when exiting so that we maintain an accurate count of who is in our building. Our students have already begun practicing fire drills, and we will also practice lockdown drills several times over the next couple of weeks. If you ever have any questions or concerns regarding your child's safety, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
We are excited to see your child's academic and social/emotional growth this year and want each and every student to have the best year yet. Thank you for your support.
Michelle Miller
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
· Friday, September 13th: Last day for Spirit Wear Sales (see flyer below)
· Friday, September 13th: SCA Red, White, & Blue Spirit Day
· Tuesday, September 17th: Last day to turn in PTA Summer Reading Logs
· Thursday, September 19th: PTA Summer Reading Ice Cream Party
· Friday, September 20th: 5th Grade Field Trip to Oceana Air Show/STEM Lab
· Monday, September 23rd: Book Fair Preview Day (see attached flyer below)
· Tuesday, September 24th: Bring Your Parent to School Night (Grades 2 & 3) 6:00-7:00 PM
· Tuesday, September 24th--Monday, September 30th: Book Fair open for sales
· Thursday, September 26th: Bring Your Parent to School Night (Grades 4 & 5) 6:00-7:00 PM
· Tuesday, October 1st: Girls on the Run @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Wednesday, October 2nd: Helping Hands Meeting @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Wednesday, October 2nd: Anchored4Life Club @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Thursday, October 3rd: Girls on the Run @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Thursday, October 3rd: Fall Pictures (order information will be sent home in the near future)
· Thursday, October 3rd: IPT Testing for Grade 4 students
· Tuesday, October 8th: Girls on the Run @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Wednesday, October 9th: SCA Meeting @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Wednesday, October 9th: Progress Reports issued for select students
· Thursday, October 10th: Girls on the Run @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Thursday, October 10th: Lucky Oyster Spirit Night @ 5:00-8:00 PM (proceeds benefit the upkeep of our aquarium and atrium)
Spirit Wear Sales
Spirit Gear is available for purchase now! This year we partnered with local artist Reba McConnell to bring you a special 30-year anniversary t-shirt design featuring our signature dolphin. The design will be printed on a crewneck short sleeve Comfort Colors t-shirt, Gildan zip-up hoodie, or Gildan pull-over hoodie. For youth sizing, please refer to the attached sizing charts.
All completed forms with payment are due to Ms. Parker by September 13! Additional forms are located both at the security desk and in the office.
Girls on the Run
Gifted News
5th Grade Gifted Screening News:
An Assessment Specialist for gifted education will be at Red Mill Elementary on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 to work with 5th grade students. A good night's sleep and a nutritious breakfast are the best preparation for screening. Having your child present on this date is appreciated, but a make up date will be scheduled if needed. Your child's gifted screening score will be available on ParentVUE by November 1, 2019.
*1st grade gifted screening will take place Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at Red Mill.
Gifted Application:
The link below is used for all gifted application services to include identification, cluster classroom, Old Donation School, dance, and visual arts. Please note that the gifted visual arts application requires a portfolio to be submitted to complete the application.
Deadlines:
Grades 2-7: January 10, 2020 4:00 p.m.
Grade 1: February 10, 2020 4:00 p.m.
If you have questions, please reach out to Tamyra Natividad, Gifted Resource Teacher, at tamyra.natividad@vbschools.com
School Counselor Corner
Welcome back, Dolphins! During September classroom counseling lessons, students will review the role of the school counselor and the procedure to self-refer.
Red Mill will once again be participating in the Beach Bags program. The Beach Bags program provides shelf-stable meals and healthy snacks to students who might otherwise go hungry during weekends and over school breaks. Sign up is easy and confidential – please contact me by phone (648-3572) or e-mail (erin.whitt@vbschools.com) if your student would benefit from this service. Additionally, if you are unable to provide your student with needed school supplies, please let me know!
PTA News
Welcome, Red Mill families! Our PTA board has already been working this year on event planning and various programs to benefit our students.
We will be sending out a yearly event calendar soon (just hammering out a few details). Please keep reading below for info on this month's upcoming events.
Summer Reading Program: How about a sweet reward for all that reading you did this Summer? The PTA is hosting a Summer Reading Ice Cream Party for those who read at least 5 books and turn in a log showing their efforts. The list can be handwritten or typed but must include the child's name, grade, and teacher's name. Deadline is Friday, Sept. 13th. Our party will be held Thursday, Sept. 19th at 2:00 pm. Students who have turned in their logs by the 17th will be invited to join.
Easy Fundraising: Do you shop on Amazon? Check out Amazon Smile and choose Red Mill Elementary! 0.5% of eligible purchases will come back to the school, benefiting your children. Please see attachment below for details.
Box Tops is going digital! You can still clip and turn in the labels on grocery items, but you can also download an app that allows you to easily scan your receipt! See info below.
School Directory: Would you like a way to contact classmates? We have created a 2019/2020 Red Mill School Directory for your convenience. If you wish to have your child(ren) listed, please fill out the form in the link below. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdr1wwWQmi4NsWIXP0_9t0Dxiyc9VdrRf1LyezsD3OouzkkzA/viewform?usp=sf_link
Reflections Contest: The PTA Reflections contest encourages students to explore the arts and express themselves by giving positive recognition for their artistic efforts. This year’s theme is "Look Within." Deadline for RMES is October 29th. Please see the link for detailed information and contact Maribel Cabrera with any questions: https://bit.ly/2N5zvWr mcabrera1222@gmail.com
Keeping Up-To-Date: For the latest PTA happenings, be sure to check out the bulletin board inside the main entrance of the school or log onto Facebook and like "Red Mill PTA."
PTA Membership: The PTA is still accepting membership forms! Thank you to all parents, grandparents, and staff members who have joined. If you have yet to join, please do so as soon as possible. The cost for membership is $5.00 per member. We would like to reach 100% membership this year. Our local PTA funds go right back to your children. Get involved, stay informed, connect with parents, and make your voice heard! All Red Mill families are welcome! Membership form attached below. Email membership questions to Sarah Lewis at sarah.lewis1818@gmail.com
Student Electronic Resources
Other Community Events
Fall Cub Scout Open House
Ocean Lakes Wrestling Club
School Cafe
If you would like to do any of the following regarding your child's lunch account, please visit https://www.schoolcafe.com/virginiabeachcps
· Make Payments
· Set up Auto Pay
· Set Purchase Restrictions
· Get Low Balance Alerts
· Submit Applications
· View Purchases
· View Menus
Destination Graduation
Students and their parents are encouraged to visit the Academic and Career Planning webpage to view and engage with K-12 career resources, middle and high school academic and career planning documents, and career pathway guides. Likewise, the Destination Graduation site offers students and families grade-level specific information and resources to help students and families navigate the journey from preschool to high school graduation.