Monte the Tiger's Weekly Update
News from Buena Vista Montessori ~ February 18, 2022
Intent to Return Survey - Deadline TODAY (Friday, February 18th)
Please respond to secure your currently enrolled child’s/children’s spot(s) for next year!
We are so glad you are a part of the Buena Vista community! Due to changes to the enrollment process for the 22/23 school year, we need an accurate count of who will be returning next year now that the district's Choice Window has closed.
Additionally, our registrar, Ms. Alison, needs to know as soon as possible where current 5th graders and any child not returning to BV will be attending school next year. If you are unsure of your plans for next year please respond that you ARE returning and let Ms. Alison (alison.yorke@d11.org) know as soon as possible if your plans will be taking you away from Buena Vista.
No matter what your plans are, please fill out the short survey at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/E8bCd1mSG8.
Included in this Issue . . .
- Upcoming Events
- Safety Reminders
- Clubs/Tutoring Next Week
- Montessori Moment
- Read to Feed: A Fundraiser for Heifer International
- News from Your PTA
- News from the School Accountability Committee
- News from the Health Room
Upcoming Events
Monday, February 21st
- Presidents' Day ~ No School
Wednesday, February 23rd
- Read-to-Feed Enrollment Forms Due
Thursday, February 24th
- Spirit Gear Store closes
Monday, February 28th
- PTA Mod Pizza Fundraiser
Wednesday, March 2nd
- High Trails Info Night for Upper El and 3rd Graders
Monday, March 14th
- Deadline to Order the 2021/2022 Yearbook
Safety Reminders
- Please use the crosswalk. Not only is jaywalking illegal, it is incredibly unsafe. Grown-ups, small eyes are always watching and when they see you jaywalk, they think it is okay to as well.
- Please kiss and go in the Kiss and Go Lane. The curb from the cross walk west to the front steps is designated as our Kiss and Go Lane. Please do not park and exit your vehicle there. We understand that parking is at a premium; but, the Kiss and Go Lane is an important part of our morning drop off.
- Please do not park in the bus zone. The curb directly in front of the front steps is for bus parking only.
- The rock wall in the big playground is over 60 years old. The district does take very good care of maintaining the wall to make it as safe as possible. However, our staff has been instructed to not allow the students to climb up the wall, or to walk on top of the wall. We appreciate you reinforcing our school rule before and after school.
- Please remember staff supervision of the playground ends at 2:40pm. If any child cannot identify the grown-up responsible for them, the child will be taken to the office and a grown-up called.
We take the safety of all of our children very seriously and thank you for your cooperation.
Clubs/Tutoring ~ Week of February 21-25
- No School - Clubs/Tutoring are Cancelled
Tuesday
- Math Tutoring
- Reading Tutoring
- Primary Authors Club with Ms. Jill
- Lower El Sewing Club with Ms. Kirsten
- Upper El Mystery History Club with Ms. Casi
- Upper El Golden Coders with Ms. Marni
Wednesday
- No Clubs or Tutoring
Thursday
- Preschool Social Skills Club with Ms. Kirsten
- Kindergarten Spanish Club with Ms. Lulu
- Lower El Crafting Club with Ms. Michele
- Lower El and Upper El Mystery Science Club with Ms. Jill
- Upper El Advanced Art with Mr. Bakken
Friday
- Primary Storytime with Ms. Marni
- Kindergarten ASL Club with Ms. Lulu
- Lower El Mystery Science Club with Ms. Jill
- Upper El Graphic Novel Club with Ms. Kirsten
Montessori Moment - Going Out
Read to Feed: A Fundraiser for Heifer International
Do you know how much one chicken can do?
In honor of Read Across America, we would like to invite your family to participate in a Read to Feed Fundraiser and Read-a-Thon this March for Heifer International!
Heifer International is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. Gifts of livestock and training help lift families from poverty to self-reliance. For more information feel free to visit their website, www.heifer.org.
An enrollment form for our Read to Feed Fundraiser will come home in your child’s Friday folder tomorrow. Families who wish to participate will receive a Heifer animal pin, and be entered in a drawing to win 50% off at the Scholastic book fair in May (one discount winner for each level; primary, lower elementary, and upper elementary.)
If your family does not want to participate in fundraising, you are still encouraged to participate in the Read-A-Thon portion of Read to Feed and eligible for the Scholastic discount.
A completed Booklist must be turned in by April 1st to be entered in the drawing!
If you and your family are interested in participating in the fundraising for Heifer, please return your enrollment form by Wednesday February 23rd.
Read to Feed Timeline
February 23rd: Enrollment Form due
February 28th – March. 4: Find pledges
March 7th – April 1st: Reading, reading, and more reading
April 4th – 8th: Pledge collecting
All pledges must be turned in to your child’s classroom teacher or Ms. Karen B in the front office by April 8th.
Finding and Collecting Pledges
People can pledge by page or by book or indicate a max pledge per student. All pledges are collected after the reading has been completed. Any checks must be made out to Buena Vista Elementary. One check will be paid to Heifer in one lump sum from the school.
Gifts from Buena Vista
After all of the pledges are collected, the children will decide how they would like the donations to be spent. For example, how many cows might we donate or how many chickens?
Check out the attachment included with this email! It has much more information about Heifer International and the Read to Feed program! And, some fun activities to do as a family!
If you have any questions about Heifer or the Read to Feed program, feel free to reach out, marni.zabel@d11.org.
Happy reading!
Your friendly Buena Vista Librarian,
Ms. Marni
News from Your PTA
It's Spirit Gear Season!
The Spirit Gear Store closes on February 24th!
https://www.spiritgeardirect.com/GearDrive/Store.aspx?guid=4badde9d-659e-4b3c-8a48-bcd8f4fc96d1
Your PTA Needs YOU!
The PTA is looking for three volunteers to serve Buena Vista on the PTA board starting in July. There are two positions for Co-President and one position for Secretary. The term for the new board members is for the next two years. Our current treasurer will still be on the board next year. If you are interested in running please email bvmontessoripta@gmail.com to learn more – we would love to have you join us!
Mod Pizza Fundraiser
Monday, Feb 28, 2022, 10:00 AM
4465 Venetucci Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Easy Ways to Help Out the BV PTA
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.
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.
News from the School Accountability Committee
What is the School Accountability Committee (SAC)?
SAC Chair Position Opening
"A chair will be elected from the SAC membership. A vice chair or co-chair and secretary may also be elected. The term of office will be one or two years, and may be renewed at the discretion of the SAC. The chair, co-chair, and/or vice chair should be a parent/guardian elected from the parent/guardian representatives on the SAC. Officers will be elected by the majority of the membership present at the last meeting of the existing school year or at the first meeting of the next school year but no later than September 1 of each year.
The Chair will preside at all meetings, appoint subcommittee chairs as needed and, in general, conduct the business of the committee. The Chair or Secretary (if elected) will take minutes of the meetings, record attendance and provide a written copy for the records. The Chair will also ensure that the school community has been notified and has the opportunity to participate in DAC/SAC/Parent/Guardian work sessions and conferences sponsored by the District DAC."
If you have a heart for BV and feel that you would like to chair the SAC at Buena Vista, please reach out to Ms. Karen B. (karen.bleibaum@d11.org).
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 not required, but still recommended (as of Monday, December 13th) while learning indoors.
- For students/staff ages 12 and over, in alignment with local and state guidance, face coverings are not required, but still recommended (as of Monday, December 13th) for anyone who is 12+ years regardless of vaccination status.
Hand Washing:
- We will continue with our diligent handwashing and sanitizing 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 link:
Updated Return to Learn
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