Miner News!
Parent Newsletter- February 2021
A message from our Principal: Phyllis James
Hello BDMS Family,
We have learned many lessons from this first half of our school year. One key learning is that collaboration and agency cannot be demonstrated in class if students operate without their cameras on. There can be no true engagement or back and forth when teachers and other students speak to a picture. Therefore, beginning immediately we have a new school wide expectation. It is that all cameras in every class will remain on with students in full view or the tops of their heads from eyebrow up in full view at all times. Let me repeat:
All cameras will remain on in every class during the entire class period with student in full view or the tops of their heads from the eyebrow up in full view at all times.
We are about to embark on a 6 week campaign to make this expectation the normal and nothing special. To do this, we will check on our progress at two week intervals. During these checks, classes and individuals that show the most compliance can receive some tasty rewards, but individuals in these classes have to show that they are following the expectation daily. At the last check, we have a mystery surprise for the class or classes who showed their Miner Spirit best over the six weeks.
We started the year with our HATS, off to Learning. We are adding another Habit which will create a much better Attitude about learning, which will allow our Talents to soar as we demonstrate our Skills. We are half way through this journey and it is important that we step up our efforts.
Remember, in Teams students are able to blackout/blur your background so that only they can be seen. This is a perfect time for them to use this feature of teams so that they provide no distraction for others in their classes.
Students may ask you to attend a series of workshops that we are offering for parents on Wednesday evenings at 5pm. These workshop will help you better understand programs like Echo, I-Ready and other services available to help your students soar. These meetings are Wednesday evenings, at 5pm. Your student may ask their teacher for a reward for getting you to attend such as a homework pass or something. Please come!
Important Dates this Month
- Parent Workshops: Happening every Wednesday this month @ 5pm (see below for details)
- 2nd Quarter Miners Academic Awards: Tuesday February 16th, 2021 from 2:15pm - 2:45pm (This will be a drive-thru even only, for those who can not attend certificates can be picked up from the office Mon-Fri 9:00am to 3:00pm)
- Nightmare and Puberty St.:- A Kaiser Permanente visual presentation Feb. 19th. (see below for more details)
- Lincoln's Birthday: Monday Feb. 8th NO SCHOOL
- Presidents Day: Monday Feb. 15th NO SCHOOL
- Virtual Book Fair: Feb. 8th though Feb. 21st via link below
Support for Parents and Students
If you have any questions or need assistance, please let them know.
Nightmare on Puberty St. brought to us by Kaiser Permanente Feb 19th, 2021
Nightmare on Puberty St. is an age-appropriate, live theatrical performance, about four young people on their journey through adolescence. As the characters wrestle with the question, "Am I normal?" they learn to cope with the changes affecting their bodies and minds. The frank and sometimes funny program shows students how to cope with many of the issues of puberty, including how to handle pressure to be sexually active, how to build self-esteem, and where to find help if faced with feelings of depression or throughs of suicide.
**Parents**
Nightmare on Puberty St. contains sexual health information. Please see program below.
Virtual Book Fair at BDMS
Books make great gifts for any events coming up in your students life.
Click on the link below to access the book fair.
A Black Diamond Star
Antioch Police Department: Pen Pal Program
The Antioch Police Department has recently begun a Pen Pal program for the youth in our community. In the past, officers have spent time visiting our local schools and engaging with the students. COVID and school shut downs have made this sort of engagement very difficult. The hope of this Pen Pal program is that young people in our community will send a small note or picture to the Police Department and have it answered by one of our officers, dispatchers, CSO’s or ACO’s. The goal of APD is to open a line of communication between the kids and members of law enforcement as well as for our staff to provide encouragement to the kids during these trying times.
Students who would like to participate can write the Police department using the below contact information.
Lt. Tarra Mendes
Administrative Lieutenant
Antioch Police Department
300 L St. Antioch, CA 94509
Phone: 925.779.6946
Parent University: Workshops
What Support is Available to my Student, How do I Access it?
Presenter: Natasha Thomas, District TOSA
When: February 17
We’re So Over This, 3 Part Session
Come join us as we process this pandemic trauma together
You’ll find community and support, and strategies for self-care and restoring relationships
Mindfulness Activities for the Home!
Presenter: District SEL Team
When: February 24, March 3rd, March 10th
What is ECHO? How does it work?
Presenter: Ariel Foley
When:TBA
**Links to the meetings can be found here: https://www.smore.com/ys24t
Spanish Dual Immersion Program
Give your child the gift of a second language!
Open to children who will be in TK - 4th grade in the 2021-2022 year.
If you would like your child to learn how to speak, read, and write fluently in both English and Spanish attend our virtual Dual Immersion Program informational meeting.
Dual Immersion Program informational meeting.
Tuesday, February 16th, 6pm
rmd.me/GWrYfSwPJid rmd.me/ncRnH5EOKhc”
ICYMI: Housing Protection Extended through June 2021
Protecting California tenants, homeowners, and small landlords through this unprecedented pandemic is the right thing to do. In January, the governor extended the Tenant, Homeowner, and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act through June 30, 2021.
Tenants who have fallen behind on rent or other payments to their landlord due to financial hardship caused by the pandemic will continue to be protected from eviction. If you are a renter or a landlord, you may qualify for assistance for overdue rent. Housing is Key has resources available online to guide you through the process, or you can call their assistance line at (833) 422-4255.
Learn more: https://landlordtenant.dre.ca.gov/
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions regarding resources that may be available to you. You can call my district offices at (707) 399-3011 or (925) 513-0411, or find me on social media by clicking on the icons below to stay up to date on breaking news and available resources.
As always, it is a pleasure being of service.
Sincerely,
Jim FrazierAssemblymember, 11th District