Bay Vista Bulletin
April 2021 Edition
Principal's Message
What a difference a year makes! Last year at this time, we were settling-in to online learning and working hard to stay connected with one another. Fast forward to today and all but 80 students have returned to face-to-face learning in our building. We have come a long way since last year at this time. As we begin the fourth quarter of the school year, we are still working hard to accelerate student learning through rigorous instruction each day through the end of the year!
Thank you for your continued dedication to supporting the fundamental guidelines and processes. We have seen a recent decrease in families referred to IAC and dismissals for lack of adhering to fundamental guidelines/policies. The partnership between parents and school strengthens our our Jaguar community and reinforces the academic commitment to our students. As we near the end of the school year, please continue to sign student homework and agendas nightly. The parent signature is your testament that the homework has been checked for accuracy and completeness.
This month, we will begin the first part of our FSA testing. Our 3rd graders will take the ELA portion of FSA over two days and our 4th and 5th graders will take the FSA Writing. Please ensure your students are getting enough sleep each night and completing their homework to ensure they are ready to perform at their best not only for testing days, but for each day at school! All students have been working so hard and they are ready for this first round of FSA testing!!
We have THREE opportunities for meeting credits this month, including: Virtual PTA Board Meeting on 4/5 at 5:00, Virtual SAC Meeting on 4/5 at 6:30, and the Science Family Engagement Nearpod on 4/11 @ 12:00 through 4/12 @ 9:00 p.m. More information is provided below.
Thank you to our amazing PTA for their hard work in fundraising for the Bay Vista 5th Annual Jaguar Jog, their school-wide spring fundraiser $15,000 for our school!!! The event was a fun way to raise funds while promoting physical fitness, a healthy lifestyle, and building school spirit and pride.
Donna Hall
Principal
April MEETING OPPORTUNITIES-3 Options for April Meeting Credit
As a reminder, there is a four-meeting credit requirement for this school year for families not on probation. Below are the three meeting credit opportunities for the month of April. Fifth grade families are also subject to attain four meeting credits to secure their fundamental/middle school priority for accepted seats.
4/5 - 5:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m. Virtual PTA Board Meeting
- Parents must be present for the duration of the meeting to obtain meeting credit.
- Join all meetings via the below Zoom meeting link:
- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2689848459?pwd=eG9EVjNaZThMWGlmVEd2TStFVk82QT09
- Meeting ID: 268 984 8459
Passcode: 2iwRQR
- Future PTA Board Meeting Dates: May 3, 2021 5:00 p.m.
4/5 - 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Virtual SAC Meeting
- All are welcome to join us for our SAC meeting for the first Monday of each month.
- Parents must be present for the duration of the meeting to obtain meeting credit.
- Join Zoom Meeting Link:
- https://zoom.us/j/96837291383?pwd=YWZvUmg4eUFQTWlJNi9LbVluL0t0QT09
- Meeting ID: 968 3729 1383
- Passcode: 8p4TYK
- Future SAC Dates: May 3, 2021 6:30 p.m.
4/11-4/12 PTA General Meeting/Family Math Event (Sunday, 4/11 @ 12:00 p.m. through Monday, 4/12 at 9:00 p.m.)
Our Science Team is planning an exciting Virtual Event for you to engage in science with your student(s). The event will be like our Nearpod family events in February and March. Families will have more than a 24-hour window to access an interactive Nearpod to earn April meeting credit! The link will be shared on Sunday, 4/11 at 12:00 p.m. Please mark your calendars for this fun event!PTA TEACHER/STAFF LUNCHEON - Donations needed for 4/7 luncheon
Hello Parents!
WEDNESDAY, April 7, 2021, is our next Teacher and Staff Luncheon! Below is the link to sign up to donate! Items can be dropped off in carline when you drop your student off on Wednesday. Since we are still following Covid protocols, please send items in disposable containers. I CANNOT guarantee the return of any dishes sent in.
LINK TO SIGN-UP: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4AADA92CA2F94-april4
If you have any questions, please email us at BayVistaPTA@gmail.com
Thank you!
Dawn McCoy
Bay Vista PTA
Bay Vista PTA Updates - April
PTA Board Elections – Submit Nominations by Monday, April 12th
We’re seeking nominations for PTA officer elections for the 2021-2022 school year! If you’d like to run for a position or nominate someone, please complete this survey by Monday, April 12th: https://usf.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6AanJv4pVTMcq0u
Serving as PTA Board Member is a rewarding opportunity to help shape the programs and events sponsored by PTA in support of our Bay Vista community. PTA is an integral part of the Bay Vista family. We work hard to engage students, families and teachers through school events and to provide funds and volunteers to support our school. We’ve raised funds to purchase much needed resources for Bay Vista, including computers, iPads, cameras, projectors, student agendas and folders, Sunshine State books, and much more. We also use funds to show teachers our appreciation and to support school beautification efforts. Please consider running for a board position or joining a committee in the 2021-2022 school year!
THANK YOU for supporting the Jaguar Jog!
The 5th Annual Bay Vista Jaguar Jog was a huge success! We had over 34% family participation and raised over $15,000 for the school community, beating last year’s total! Because we met, and even passed our goals, some favorite staff will be made into ice cream sundaes at the April 30th Jaguar Jamboree. 52 students raised enough money to earn the privilege of picking the toppings—those should be some fun sundaes!
THANK YOU to everyone who donated and supported our school. Our Bay Vista families are truly the BEST!
This year we had to get creative to ensure we could host a successful fundraising event while still making it fun for the students. We’d like to recognize and express our appreciation for the people who made this event possible:
· The PE Department—Coach Cunningham, Coach Irving, and Coach Reese—for lending your ideas, time, and energy to creating such a positive, motivating experience to get the students excited about getting active for their school and challenging themselves to do their best!
· Our planning team, especially Deena Smith, Kate Lamb, and Shanna Godonis, who went above and beyond to organize all the logistics and incentives to run the event. There are a lot of details to coordinate, and this team did an amazing job!
Without our Bay Vista staff and volunteers, the Jaguar Jog wouldn’t be possible. THANK YOU for dedicating your time and talent to make it a success, even in these challenging times!
Culver’s Share Night: Tuesday, April 13th, 5-8 PM
Grab dinner and an ice cream treat between 5 – 8 PM on Tuesday, April 13th at Culver’s on 34th Street and they will donate a portion of ALL sales to Bay Vista! No need to mention you are from Bay Vista. Spread the word with friends and family!
We have scheduled Culver’s Share Nights for the remainder of the year on the following dates and locations, so mark your calendars!
· Tuesday, April 13th (5-8 PM), 1451 34th St N
· Tuesday, May 11th (5-8 PM), 9046 4th St N
· Tuesday, June 8th (5-8 PM), 1451 34th St N
PTA Board Meetings – All are Welcome!
PTA Board Meetings are the first Monday of every month from 5-6 PM and our held virtually on Zoom. Join our last meeting of the year on May 3rd at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2689848459?pwd=eG9EVjNaZThMWGlmVEd2TStFVk82QT09
Meeting ID: 268 984 8459
Passcode: 2iwRQR
Summer Bridge--fun Project-based learning 4-week program open to all students!!! Sign-up now!
Register now for elementary and middle school programs at https://reservation.pcsb.org
We can also register your student(s) by contacting the front office.
•Face-to-face Summer Bridge programs will be offered this summer! Summer Bridge provides engaging activities to prepare students for maximum success when the next school year begins.
•You will need a parent username which can be obtained by bringing a valid photo id to any PCS school.
PTA Updates -
TEACHER / STAFF LUNCHEON
WEDNESDAY, April 7, 2021, is our next Teacher and Staff Luncheon! Below is the link to sign up.
Items can be dropped off in carline when you drop your student off on Wednesday.
Since we are still following Covid protocols, please send items in disposable containers. I CANNOT guarantee the return of any dishes sent in.
If you have any questions, please email us at BayVistaPTA@gmail.com
Sign-Up Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4AADA92CA2F94-april4
Thank you!
Dawn McCoy
APRIL PTA BOARD MEETING - Attendance counts as April Meeting Credit
4/5 - 5:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m. Virtual PTA Board Meeting
- Parents must be present for the duration of the meeting to obtain meeting credit.
- Join all meetings via the below Zoom meeting link:
- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2689848459?pwd=eG9EVjNaZThMWGlmVEd2TStFVk82QT09
- Meeting ID: 268 984 8459
Passcode: 2iwRQR
- Future PTA Board Meeting Dates: May 3, 2021 5:00 p.m.
What's happing in Art Class?
Springtime has us very busy here in art class! The Kindergarteners are working on their Undersea Drawings, and soon will be making delicious Cupcake Art (with paper). The first-graders are finishing up their African Tribal Mask art, and are now launching into space to make Space Aliens! The second-graders are making African Tribal Masks out of clay and beautiful Collage Trees out of paint and cut paper. Our third-graders will soon be getting to tie-dye T-shirts (shirts provided by the art department). The fourth-graders will be finishing their Kehinde Wiley-style Portraits, and will begin their yarn art projects. This will soon be followed by making Origami Pets in May for National Pet Month. The biggest news, however, is with our fifth-graders! They have completed the painting of the benches for the courtyard, as their Fifth-Grade Legacy Project. They painted each bench a different color, then painted their own personal symbols on the benches.
Lastly, several of the fifth-grade classes got to paint vines and flowers on them. They look so fantastic, and will help beautify our courtyard that is between the 2nd and 1st grade hallways. I am so proud of our fifth-graders for doing such a good job! Also, it is important to note that the fifth-graders will be taking the mandatory state art exam during the last two weeks of April. The test is online, and I just know that our fifth-graders are going to do awesome! We will do some reviewing of our art concepts in class, of course. However, if any parents would like a handout for all the concepts that we’ve studied this year, they can email me at morrisonsh@pcsb.org.
Kindergarten Updates!
We are completing the last MAPs Tests for the year and wrapping up report card testing. Third quarter report cards go home on Tuesday, April 20th.
Students loved reading nonfiction books and learning about “facts.” They have done a wonderful job writing “All About” the facts they have learned and we are moving into “Opinion Writing.” Children will learn to express their opinion and to explain it using the word “because.”
In math, we finished working with and comparing shapes and will start addition and subtraction within 10. Children will explain math problems by acting them out, counting on their fingers, mental images, drawings, verbal explanations, and numerals to represent objects.
This is a fun time in Science as kids get to compare plants and animals in fiction versus nonfiction. One of our favorites is Jack and the Beanstalk compared to the way plants really grow. Both ways actually seem magical to us!
First Grade Frolics
During the month of April, First grade will be continuing the work from Module E in ELA by studying reoccurring characters in books by Kevin Henkes. Students will deepen their understanding of describing characters and experiences using new and interesting words.
We will also continue to write How-To books to teach topics of expertise. Half-way through April, students will start Module F by studying who is telling the story throughout the text. Students will be introduced to the George and Martha series by James Marshall and use written scripts to practice speaking, sounding, and acting like the characters.
In writing, they will be writing realistic fiction stories, creating their own character, events, problems, and solutions.
In Math, students will be finishing up length in Unit 5 and starting Unit 3, Tens and Ones. Our first graders will be able to identify two-digit numbers and make groups of tens and ones, understanding that digits value. In Science, we will be finishing up basic needs and moving into plants.
Third Grade Thoughts
Third grade scientists will be learning about animals. By the end of this unit students should be able to classify animals into major groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, arthropods, vertebrates and invertebrates, those having live births and those which lay eggs) according to their physical characteristics and behaviors. Students will also participate in a project-based learning activity. They will research an animal of their choice and design a habitat for their animal.
In Reading, we will continue our work with analyzing characters, following sequence and connecting events, determining main idea and details, and identifying the theme or central message. We will be using the book The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. The story of a rabbit and his many adventures and the life lessons he learns.
Third grade is jumping into Geometry in April! We will be learning all about quadrilaterals and how to classify rhombuses, rectangles, squares, parallelograms, and trapezoids. We will also be learning how to find the perimeter of different polygons. Students should continue working hard to master all their multiplication facts before the end of the year!
Fourth Grade Fun
In Language Arts, we will be continuing to work on Text-Based Essay Writing. Students will continue to read multiple texts on the same topic and annotate on the texts. They will be looking across the texts for patterns in order to help them integrate across the multiple texts. Students will be using their repertoire of strategies with teacher support through one-on-one and small group conferring and instruction. Our FSA Writing Test will be Mid-April. It is a 120-minute assessment. We will also have both a literature focus and informational focus in reading. Our readings involve historical fiction with a social studies focus.
In math, 4th-graders will continue working through Unit 4 "Fractions and Decimals." In addition to adding and subtracting fractions with common denominators, student will learn how to represent fractions with denominators of 10 or 100 as decimals. We'll also be practicing our test-taking strategies and reviewing previous units as we prepare for the FSA.
In April, our 4th-grade scientists will continue focusing on Life Science units. We'll be examining the parts and functions of flowers and learning about the life cycle of Florida native plants and animals. We'll also be visiting the lab for a unit on coding as we use cubelets to identify different types of energy displayed by the robots as we manipulate their motion and position.
Quest Adventures / Gifted Department Updates
QUEST Program Service Learning Project Benefitting the Ronald McDonald Houses of St. Petersburg
Our 2021 QUEST Service Learning Project was a huge success! We were overwhelmed by the generosity of the families in our program. We gathered enough supplies to create 120 care bags and two more car loads of extra supplies for both the St. Pete houses! We were also able to give $300 in gift cards for meals. The Ronald McDonald House Organization was so grateful for the work our students and families put into this. These care packages will welcome families when they arrive to the house. The families that are currently there will get a bag to help make the Easter holiday a little brighter. Great work, QUEST! We are so proud of your efforts!
Congratulations to all of our April Students of the Month!!!
March 2020-21 Student of the Month
Commitment to Character trait for March is HONESTY -
Using truthful speech and behavior
Kindergarten
Teacher - Student
Mrs. Cohn - Nayana Ellis
Mrs. Draughon/Mr. Hadley - Leya Robinson
Mrs. Holdsworth - AaMinah Flowers
Mrs. Moyer - Catie Richardson
Mrs. Muehleck - Maxwell Saint-Hubert
Mrs. Rothenberger - Todd Reed
Grade One
Mrs. Baez - Londyn Walls
Mrs. Bradley - Izaak Vidal "Mr. Wonderful"
Mrs. Griffin - Marley Saint-Hubert
Mrs. Joseph - Diondre Tatem
Mrs. Mullaney - Daniel Nicholas
Mrs. Randolph - Amiel Wojnowich
Grade Two
Mr. Bacon - Teagan Velmer
Mrs. Cianca & Mrs. Jennings - Addison Vasallo
Mrs. Dawson - Julian Amstutz
Mrs. Jennings & Mrs. Cianca - Toddre Macon
Mrs. LaPointe - Alivia Pennywell
Mrs. Stoner - Kaylin Bowers
Grade Three
Mrs. Goss - Andre Stalling
Mrs. Griffis - Alauni Harris
Mrs. Nicholson - Alex Walker
Mrs. Smotzer - Aubrey Decker
Mrs. Tackett - Triniti Jackson
Mrs. Wooten - Caleb Gable
Grade Four
Mrs. Ateek - Zachary Morello
Mrs. Burrows - Jakari Mcghee-Tarver
Mrs. Glonek - Keyontae Grant
Mrs. Kaddis - Truman Singleton
Mrs. Ruffing - Sophia Zambrana
Grade Five
Mrs. Finch - Scarlett Stanton
Mrs. Gurd - Aerilyn Shutt
Mrs. White - Malik Bradley
Mrs. Riley & Strawmyer - Micah Pizarro
Mrs. Strawmyer & Riley - Juliet Jannarone
Exceptional Education
Mrs. Maynard - Berckoff Guerrier from Mrs. Tackett
PE
Coach Cunningham - Kevin Primeau from Miss Glonek
Coach Irving - Mallin Barnett-Fiorenza - from Mrs. Kaddis
Coach Reese - Aiden Bradley from Mrs. Jennings
Music
Mrs. Boyce - Makai Oliver from Mrs. Strawmyer
Art
Mrs. Morrison - Ontario Dandy from Ms. Goss
QUEST
Webb/Gertsch - Javier Irizarry from Mrs. Ruffing
Webb/Gertsch - Eden Neal from Mrs. Finch
Upcoming Dates
4/5 6:30 Virtual SAC Meeting - April Meeting Credit Option
4/5-Fourth Quarter begins
4/11 12:00 noon thru 4/12 9:00 P.M. Science Family Engagement Nearpod Event - April Meeting
Credit Option
- Grade level meeting links will be shared on Sunday, 4/11 at 12:00 p.m.
4/13 Grade 5 FSA Writing (4/14-4/15)
4/14 Grade 4 FSA Writing (4/15)
4/20-4/21 Grade 3 FSA ELA
May/June
May 3 PTA Board Meeting*
May 3 SAC *
May 3-7 Teacher Appreciation Week
May 31 Memorial Day – No School
June 9 Last Day of School-Early Release