Monte the Tiger's Weekly Update
News from Buena Vista Montessori ~ September 24, 2021
Hello Tiger Families!
It’s a great year to be a Tiger!
Our amazing staff has been very focused on student success. Staff implement our Montessori method by taking time to show students how to do tasks so they can be independent. Teachers are collaborating together to increase math vocabulary instruction. Staff and teachers connect with students with caring conversations. Staff are looking for ways to meet the emotional and academic needs of our students. Lastly, teachers and assistants plan creative lessons and set up classrooms environments to create meaningful work for students. At Buena Vista, students are at the heart of all we do. Thank you all for collaborating with staff to make this start of the school year so successful!
~Shannon
Included in this Issue . . .
- Upcoming Events
- Montessori Moments
- School Highlight
- Attendance Matters
- Coronado Homecoming Parade
- Running Club Recognition
- News from Your PTA
- News from the Health Room
- Museum at the Fine Arts Center
- Picture Day is Coming!
Upcoming Events
Saturday, September 25th
- Coronado Parade in Old Colorado City at 10am
Friday, October 1st
- Picture Day
- Official Student Count Day
Thursday, October 14th
- Last Day of 1st Quarter
Friday, October 15th
- No School ~ Teacher Work Day
Monday, October 18th
- No School ~ Data Collaboration Day
Montessori Moments
Autumnal (Fall) Equinox
Learning about the changing seasons and the movement of the earth are important parts of Montessori physical geography and science curriculum. Teaching students about the fascinating scientific causes of the equinoxes along with respect for these almost magical aspects of the natural world provides a full and balanced education. In many places around the world, autumn festivals are often centered around solar and lunar cycles; enjoy these sun and moon inspired fall activities that you can share with your Montessori students to celebrate the beginning of autumn!
School Highlight - Ms. Jill's Class
Click the Image Above to Order Your Child's Photos!
Attendance Matters
Friday, October 1st is District 11’s Official Count Day! The Student October Count establishes the level of funding that the District receives from the State of Colorado for the 2021-2022 school year. Thank you for your help in ensuring your child(ren) is in class during the entire Count Window, which is the week before (starting today, September 24th) and the week after October 1st (ending Friday, October 8th). It is especially critical during this window that consistent attendance is maintained.
We need your help. We all know going to school matters! As a D11 parent/guardian you play a key role in making sure your child(ren) engages in school on a daily basis. When students miss too much school it can cause them to fall behind. Simply, students are less likely to succeed if they miss too much school.
Research shows:
- Children chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.
- By 6th grade, chronic absence is a proven early warning sign for students at risk for dropping out of school.
- By 9th grade good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than 8th grade test scores.
Absences can add up quickly. A child is chronically absent if he or she misses just two days every month!!
Clearly, going to school regularly matters! We do not want your child to fall behind in school and get discouraged. We want your child to be successful in school!
Here are a few tips to support good attendance:
- Make sure your children keep a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- Ensure your children go to school every day unless they are truly sick.
- Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments when school is in session.
- Talk to teachers and counselors for advice if your children feel anxious about going to school.
- Develop back up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your child to school.
Please contact the attendance secretary (alison.yorke@d11.org) if you have concerns or questions.
Coronado High School Homecoming Parade
Each year, Coronado High School extends an invitation to all of the West-Side Elementary and Middle Schools to walk in their homecoming parade!
We hope that, this year, Buena Vista Montessori will be well represented by our families! Join Monte the Tiger and walk, scoot, bike, or blade down Colorado Avenue!
Here are the details:
Join fellow BVers near the corner of 29th and Cucharras to queue up to walk in the parade! Bring your bikes, trikes, skates, wagons, and good shoes to travel west on Colorado Ave to Bancroft Park!
Feel free to decorate yourself and your mode of transport with BV Orange and Black!! Streamers and balloons are always a good addition!
Please know that for safety reasons we are not allowed to throw anything to the spectators. And, please remember to pick up after yourself while waiting for the parade to start, and during the parade. Leave no trace that you were there to support our community as a whole!
After-the-Parade Party!
Join the entire West-Side community in Bancroft Park after the parade for a Pep Rally to support the Coronado Football team in their efforts to win their Homecoming Game! There will be a DJ and the Coronado Cheerleaders will be leading some cheers!
Running Club Recognition
Doherty Meet on September 14th
Dallas G. ~ 4th Grader ~ 4th Place
Gavin G. ~ 2nd Grader ~ 2nd Place
Grant Meet on September 21st
Thomas C. ~ 3rd Grader ~ 10th Place
Dallas G. ~ 4th Grader ~ 5th Place
Gavin G. ~ 2nd Grader ~ 3rd Place
We are proud of all of our runners and look forward to a great meet at Chipeta Elementary on Tuesday, September 28th!
Go Tigers!
News from Your PTA
We're Looking for YOU!
Please consider joining the PTA this year. It is a great way to meet your fellow parents and advocate for your children at the same time! Currently we are busy planning for the fall carnival to be held in October. And, even if you can't attend the meetings or are unable to volunteer, still consider joining. Your membership fee goes to supporting our students to reach their fullest potential. Please see the flyer from your last week's Friday Folder for information on how to join.
You can also join online at https://bvmontessori.memberhub.com/join/8f0931.
If you have any questions you can contact us at bvmontessoripta@gmail.com.
School Spirit Gear
We have plenty of kids sized Buena Vista logo face masks available for purchase in our PTA store. https://bvmontessori.new.memberhub.store/store
Water Bottles
We also have stainless steel, 25oz water bottles that measure 3"x10" and feature a screw-on lid and double wall vacuum insulation to keep drinks at optimal temperatures. Get your water bottle for $18!
Please contact the PTA at bvmontessoripta@gmail.com to purchase! Cash or check is preferred and they can be picked up before or after school at your convenience.
Easy Ways to Help Out the BV PTA
To enroll your Loyalty Card with BV:
- Log on to www.kingsoopers.com/communityrewards and click "Enroll Now" to sign in to your account. If you have never used your Loyalty Card online before you will have to create an account. You will need an e-mail and your Loyalty Card number or your alternate ID (often your phone#).
- Find Buena Vista Montessori School (programs are listed alphabetically) or use our Code: UQ795 as the program you want to support!
- You are DONE! THAT'S IT! Now whenever you shop you are earning BV PTA money!
- This program is a big "Free Money" maker that helps to fund many great BV and PTA events and equipment.
AmazonSmile
Sign up to support the BV PTA through AmazonSmile.
- You can select Buena Vista Montessori PTA as your charity recipient when you shop online at amazonsmile.com.
- AmazonSmile is also now available in the app on your Apple or Android devices. You can set this up in the app under "Settings">"Programs & Features".
- If you shop for girts on Amazon, this is an easy way for you to support our students and school.
- Be sure to ask your friends and family to select BV on AmazonSmile, as well.
News from the Health Room
My Child is Not Feeling Well. Now What?
The list below refers only to new symptom or a change in usual symptoms. A student should not be kept home for usual symptoms they experience due to a chronic condition unless they are worse than usual. These guidelines are in additional to your regular school guidance (for example, a student with vomiting symptoms should also not attend school based on usual school guidance).
If you student is experiencing any potentially life-threatening symptoms, please call 911.
If any of the following symptoms are present, keep the child at home / stay at home. Inform Ms. Karen B. in the office via phone call (719-328-4100) or email karen.bleibaum@d11.org.
- Feeling feverish, having chills, or temperature of 100.4F or higher.
- New or unexplained persistent cough.
- Shortness of breath.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Loss of taste or smell.
- Fatigue.
- Muscle aches.
- Headache.
- Sore throat.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Runny nose or congestion.
COVID Protocol Updates
Mask Wearing:
- For students of any age, and staff riding D11 buses for any purpose (e.g., to and from school, activities, field trips, etc.), in alignment with the Federal mandate, face coverings on all D11 buses are required.
- For students ages 11 and under, in alignment with local and state guidance, face coverings are required while learning indoors.
- For students/staff ages 12 and over, in alignment with local and state guidance, face coverings are required for anyone who is 12+ years regardless of vaccination status.
Hand Washing:
- We will continue with our diligent handwashing and sanitzing efforts throughout the school day. Including, but not limited to; after recess, before and after lunch, before and after specials, etc.
Classroom Cleaning:
- Our children and staff will continue to clean and sanitize the classrooms daily. Our custodial staff will clean and sanitize the building and playgrounds daily, as well.
Social Distancing:
- The current guidelines indicate a three-foot space between each person. We will do our best to honor that guideline throughout the school day. However, due to the structure of our learning community, the social distancing is not always possible.
For additional resources and information from the State and local health agencies, please visit the following links:
Updated Return to Learn
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nhgGIbakyAJY3XJ2TW44sw7btXXqISBR/view?usp=sharing
Who Needs to Quarantine
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S-bXk2yFdFAjBPUMfT-KvNMvz6EA2A9r/view?usp=sharing
At Home Symptom Screening Tool
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rM77eLlnivcOuoqv0zy0pXXtjnY-fREN/view
Addressing Symptoms as School
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-qAUd4g8tYDZ4KKIlbCc_yG0wkEHjiXV/view?usp=sharing
Museum at the Fine Arts Center
D11 Visual and Performing Arts has partnered with the Museum at the Fine Arts Center at Colorado College to offer a special event just for District 11 families for four Saturdays in October. The FAC welcomes you and your family to the museum for guided experiences and activities on October, 9th, 16th, 23rd or 30th. This program is offered to D11 families to celebrate Arts Month! Please select the day and time you would like to attend. Each day has limited capacity, so families should sign up right away! Filling out this form is your registration and you will receive a confirmation email. The family day experience is ideally suited for children ages 4 and up. This experience is free and the FAC can accommodate accessibility needs. Sign up today!
Buena Vista Elementary
Email: karen.bleibaum@d11.org
Website: www.d11.org/buenavista
Location: 924 West Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Phone: 719-328-4100
Facebook: www.facebook.com/buenavista.d11.org