Birdneck Briefing
Week of Oct 1
B2: Week of Oct. 1-5.
Week B2 45 minute Math colaboration meetings
October- Disability Awareness Month
Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah October 1 - 2
Upcoming dates:
Tuesday, October 2 - PBIS Implementation team training at 12:30
Tuesday, October 2 - Literacy Night and Volunteer Recruitment Night
Wednesday October 3 - IPT test for 4th grade (make up days on the 4th and 5th)
Wednesday October 3 - DOSL School support meeting at Birdneck
Monday, October 8 - Professional learning day and virtual learning day - no school for students
Tuesday, October 9 - Progress reports issued
Friday, October 12 - Pizza Bingo
Wednesday, October 24, Grades 4 and 5 TLLT training
Thursday, October 25- Grades 2 and 3 TLLT training
Friday, October 26- Grades K and 1 TLLT training
Tuesday, November 6- Staff Day, and Virtual Learning Day Schools closed to students
Wednesday, November 21- Adjusted Dismissal
Thursday and Friday, November 22 and 23- Thanksgiving Holidays Schools closed
This is your Captain Speaking!
Hello Birdneck Family,
Great job! You successfully made it to October. Cooler weather and no more bees soon to come. This month we will focus on the character trait diligence. Helping students understand the importance of diligence and work ethic will set them up for success and will help to improve academic achievement. As you facilitate your family meetings please discuss diligence with your students and have them give examples and non-examples of what that looks like and sounds like in the classroom and at home.
dil·i·gence1
/ˈdiləjəns/
noun
noun: diligence
careful and persistent work or effort.
synonyms:conscientiousness, assiduousness, assiduity, hard work, application, concentration, effort, care, industriousness, rigor, meticulousness, thoroughness; More
Captain out,
RV Yoshida
BIRDNECK MISSION
Mission: We build relationships to encourage, inspire and empower students and each other to meet the challenges of today and to foster the love of learning.
BIRDNECK VISION
Vision: We are dedicated to nurturing an inclusive environment to ensure engaging, student-centered learning resulting in confident independent learners.
Shout Outs!
If you would like to give a SHOUT OUT to a colleague, it is as simple as sending an email to RV to be added to our Shout Outs each week!
I would like to make a shout out to Amy Dirks for the enthusiasm she brings and for all the resources, support, and great ideas she has been so willing to share.
Thank you P.J. for helping us with the Math Computational Fluency.
Virtual Learning Days
COMMEMORATIVE PRINT VOTE
It is time for Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) employees to enter their 2-D artwork for consideration to be the 2019 Commemorative Print. The Virginia Beach Education Foundation (VBEF) sells annual Commemorative Prints to raise money to fund innovative learning programs for which the VBEF awards to VBCPS teachers.
Artwork submissions must be emailed in a high-resolution (300 dpi+) image by Oct. 22 to Debbie.Griffey@vbschools.com and include:
the title of the art work and a brief description of the piece (25 word maximum); and
name of the artist. where they work in VBCPS and their title
Approved images will be posted online for public voting to select the winning 2019 Commemorative Print. Voting will take place Nov. 9 - Nov. 25 and the winning piece will be announced at the Teacher Grants Improve Futures Celebration Nov. 29. The event, hosted by the Virginia Beach Education Foundation, will include recognition of teachers receiving 2019 Schoolwide and Innovative Learning Grants. Each artist whose artwork is included in the Commemorative Print vote will be invited and can bring one guest to attend the Nov. 29 event at the Sandler Center (6-8:30 p.m.).
Thank you for sharing these opportunities made available through the Virginia Beach Education Foundation. For more information, email Debbie Griffey or call 263-1069.
October: Disability History and Awareness Month
During the 2009 legislative session, there was a joint resolution made by both the Virginia Senate and the House of Delegates to designate October 2009, and October in each succeeding year, as Disability History and Awareness Month in Virginia. In support of this designation, Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS), in partnership with the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC), is encouraging schools to provide activities during the month of October, that will help students and staff increase their awareness and understanding of individuals with disabilities.
A variety of resources can be found on the Office of Programs for Exceptional Children webpage on the Intranet under the Disability History and Awareness Month link on the left side of the page. Some of these resources may be familiar to you. Of particular note is a compilation of children’s literature and suggested morning announcements to share with your school community on the contributions of individuals with disabilities. A wealth of additional resources can also be found on The Special Olympics of Virginia’s website at the following URL addresses: http://specialolympicsva.org/programs/school-based-programs/ and https://getintoit.specialolympics.org/.
Thank you for your efforts in support of this endeavor. Please forward any pictures of your school’s Disability History and Awareness Month activities with captions to your assigned special education coordinator, so that we can assist in supporting this state resolution and partnership with VBCPS and SEAC. Should you have questions or suggestions pertaining to October as Disability History and Awareness Month, please contact Carol Blackwell, parent liaison at the Parent Support and Information Center, at 263-2066 or via email at Carol.Blackwell@vbschools.com.
Open Enrollment is Oct. 1 through Oct. 24 at 5 p.m.
Open Enrollment is Oct. 1 through Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. This is the annual opportunity for staff to review and make changes to benefits and covered dependents. It is required that staff elect or re-elect the following benefits through the BENEFITFOCUS platform during Open Enrollment to have coverage in 2019: health, dental, legal, identity theft protection, health savings account, health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts. (Please note: any other benefit plans do not require re-election.)
The Consolidated Benefits Office (CBO) is available to assist staff in enrolling and understanding their 2019 benefits at the following events:
The VBO is offering two Vendor Fairs. These will be fun and informative with a chance to win an iPad with an Apple Pencil, gift cards and more. CBO staff will be available at the vendor fairs that speak Spanish and Tagalog for those who need translation services.
- Thursday, Sept. 20 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Building 19
- Saturday, Sept. 22 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) Plaza Annex•
- Extended Office Hours: Oct. 1 – 23 (8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday-Friday) Consolidated Benefits Office at Plaza Annex (641 Carriage Hill Road, 23452)
- Enrollment Assistance Events: Oct. 3 (7-11 a.m.) Public Utilities (Dam Neck) Oct. 10 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Building 19
For more information on Open Enrollment visit the Consolidated Benefits Office intranet site or review the Open Enrollment Guide, which is being mailed to staff this month. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Linda Matkins in the Consolidated Benefits Office (263-6917). Thank you. ec: Aaron C. Spence, Ed.D., Superintendent
Marc A
Beach Girls Rock
The Beach Girls Rock! (BGR), a leadership empowerment series for girls in grades 5-8 in VirginiaBeach City Public Schools (VBCPS) since 2013, will host its first workshop of the year Saturday,Nov. 17, at Princess Anne High School from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The workshops are designed to give girlsthe opportunity to focus on leadership skills, college-career readiness and interpersonal skills as well as,elementary to middle and middle to high schools transitions. Parents or guardians are welcomed toparticipate in the parent-focused breakout sessions which occur concurrent to student breakout sessions.While there is no cost, it is recommended that elementary school principals limit fifth-grade girls’invitations up to 10 girls. There are several elementary schools and 14 middle schools. Staff wants to
ensure that we are able to accommodate all participants.
The student registration form and registration process as well as the BGR poster are attached. A printedcopy of the poster will be made available to each elementary and middle school and hosting high schoolfor display. Principals are asked to help publicize the event through the selection of students at theelementary level, recruitment of students at the middle school level, morning announcements, websites, school newsletter, Parent Teacher Association newsletter and other materials sent home to parents/legal
guardians.
Registration for the first BGR will open the week of Oct. 1. The registration link is only accessible to thefollowing school staff members: school administrators, office associates, school counselors and schoolactivity coordinators. Selected VBCPS school staff may register students for the workshop by inputtingthe registration form information using the Beach Girls Rock SharePoint link at: https://www.vbcps.com/sites/OTS/bgr/SitePages/Home.aspx. Once on the link, click on new item, add the student’s information, parent’s information (if applicable) and then save. Once the student is registeredonline, the process is complete. Student information on the online link will be used to prepare for the workshop.
Please direct questions about Beach Girls Rock Empowerment Series Workshops to Dr. LaQuiche Parrott at 263-1218 or LaQuiche.Parrott@vbschools.com. Thank you.
Annual Mandatory Employee Traning: AMET
Training is now open and the deadline for training will be February 15, 2019.
Check your email for the attachment of information on how to use and access the VBCPS Annual Mandatory Employee Training Program. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Steve LePock in the Office of Risk Management (263-2460). Thank you.
Join our PTA
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Join the PTA! Our goal is to have 100% Staff participation!!!!!!!!!
Support Birdneck Elementary students by joining the PTA. Don't miss out on the benefits from joining the PTA. Receive over $300 in savings... all for just $5 for a membership. Check out the PTA website at http://birdneckpta.weebly.com/
SUBJECT: 2019-2020 ELEMENTARY LANGUAGE ARTS VIRGINIA BEACH OBJECTIVES’ FEEDBACK
The purpose of this memorandum is to share an opportunity for administrators, literacy leaders and teachers to provide feedback on the draft of Elementary Language Arts Virginia Beach Objectives, which will be implemented during the 2019-2020 school year due to the adoption of the 2017 English Language Arts Standards by the Virginia Department of Education.
Feedback will be gathered through a Schoology self-paced course for grades K-5. The access code to the course is 9GCV5-N89QP. Teams may work together to provide feedback, however each form must be submitted individually. Please encourage literacy leaders and teachers to submit feedback by Tuesday, Nov. 6.
If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Padilla, instructional specialist, at Kelly.Padilla@vbschools.com or263-1144. Thank you for your continued attention to this matter.
Vision and Hearing Screening will be on October 10th. Grades K and 3.
Sick Leave Bank
Safe Schools Week
This observance is also actively supported by local, state and national public officials and professional organizations. Virginia Beach City Public Schools will observe these dates to again highlight and reinforce school safety. In appreciation of their important contributions to school safety, Wednesday, Oct. 24, is designated as School Resource Officer and Security Assistant Day. (Officer Swartz and Mrs. Hinson)
Please help us to celebrate their hard work. To obtain additional information on America’s Safe Schools Week, please go to the National School Safety Center website, at http://www.schoolsafety.us/safe-schools-week.
Beach Employee Wellness (BEWell) support services
To ensure all staff are knowledgeable of available Beach Employee Wellness (BEWell) support services, the Office of Consolidated Benefits requests education on Critical Incident Response services and Employee Assistance Program and Work-Life services.
Critical Incident Response (CIR) services are a highly specialized individual and group session services designed to minimize the negative emotional and psychological impact of traumatic events. A CIR can begin as soon as two hours after the initial request and are available to all school sites with approval by appropriate CIR contact list personnel. The goal of the CIR is to enhance participants’ ability to transcend workplace trauma and resume focused and productive work activities. Utilizing CIR services make an immense difference to employees’ recovery process in the face of a crisis. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Work-Life Services (WL) through Humana, are available to provide FREE and CONFIDENTIAL support to ALL School employees (full-time, part-time and temporary). Services are available, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Employees are happier and more productive when personal needs are being met, and when work and personal lives are in balance.
-EAP offers short-term in-person and telephonic-based counseling with a licensed counselor. Up to five in-person sessions per concern per year. Referrals are issued for longer-term concerns and additional benefits as appropriate.-WL offers services and resources that help with everyday needs. Humana assess the employee’s needs and then researches to provide referrals and resources that meet budget and requests.
Senior Staff, All Principals/Assistant Principals, All Executive Directors
-Supervisor Referral – In addition to offering assistance to employees and members oftheir households, Humana offer services and resources that are specifically designed toaid directors, supervisors, and human resource professionals with employee-related andpersonal concerns. Please note: In the case of a referral, Humana will only report backto the referring supervisor that the employee attended the session(s). Please seeattachment for more information.
-Humana professionals are bound by confidentiality laws and professional ethics. They donot report to BEWell and/or Virginia Beach City Public Schools on individual cases.Personal information about employee and household members remains confidentialaccording to all applicable state and federal laws.
If further information and/or clarification is needed, please contact, Matt Herman, consolidated benefits office, BEWell program, 757-263-6918 or matthew.herman@vbschools.com. Many thanks for your assistance.
BIRDNECK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BIRDNECK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Twitter@BNESeagles
BIRDNECK MISSION
Mission: We build relationships to encourage, inspire and empower others to meet the challenges of today and to foster the love of learning.
BIRDNECK VISION
Vision: We are dedicated to nurturing an inclusive environment to ensure engaging, student-centered learning resulting in confident independent learners.
BIRDNECK BELIEFS
We believe in a collaborative community in which teachers, administrators, students, and parents work together for student success.
We believe in creating a safe, nurturing, and positive environment in which all students can strive for excellence and achieve their individual potential.
We believe we will prepare our students for success by providing 21st century learning and developing within our students critical thinking, effective communications and problem solving skills.
Website: http://www.birdneckes.vbschools.com/
Location: 957 South Birdneck Road, Virginia Beach, VA, United States
Phone: 757-648-2120