The Pizitz Post
for Students, Parents & Families - May 1, 2023
Finishing Strong
As we enter into the month of May, it is easy to slip into the feelings of spring fever and countdown to summer. However, we still have lots of learning and celebrating scheduled for our last month of school. Looking ahead, we need your help with a few reminders for students regarding our expectations. Together, let's continue to hold our students accountable to the excellence we expect in school.
- Technology Use: We encourage appropriate technology use at school. When students are using their school-issed Chromebook, they need to be reminded that they are for educational purposes only. Students should really work to make sure that they are taking care of their devices as well. Regarding phone use- cell phones should remain in students' locker during the school day (and we do not encourage the use of earbuds during the school day).
- School Attendance: During the last month of school, our teachers are encouraged to continue teaching and learning. Encourage your kids to be present at school to work toward mastery with our essential standards. All students will take their end-of-year iReady assessments on Monday and Tuesday, May 8 and 9. Our 8th grade students will be taking exams May 18 and 19.
- Class Schedules: As we approach spring, there is some temptation for students to find ways to get out of class and tardies can be more frequent. We are reminding students regularly to be where they are supposed to be, when they are supposed to be there. Responsibility is an important part of learning in middle school.
Parents, we are grateful for your partnership in helping us- collectively- finish the year strong with our students!
Registration for 2023-2024
Registration for the 2023-24 school year is open for all returning students and must be completed by Monday, May 15, 2023. We are using the PowerSchool online registration system as we did last year. School fees are not due at this time. You will receive an email tomorrow with your child’s Snapcode and a link to access the registration portal. You will need the Snapcode in order to complete registration. Please monitor your inbox for an email from PowerSchool.
A video tutorial of the registration portal is available on our Registration Overview website at www.vhcs.us/registration.
Looking Ahead
As the last month of the school year approaches, many students have opportunities for field trips. Although these experiences are school-sponsored events, please be mindful that students are expected to complete their work in the days following their return. Check out these dates for upcoming school events:
- May 4-6: Concert & Symphonic Band Trip
- May 8-9: iReady End-of-Year assessments (altered schedule)
- May 9: 1Rebel1Future Vote
- May 10: Art Show at 5:30 p.m.
- May 12: Beginning Band Trip; 8th Grade Egg Drop
Student Initiative
Recently, a group of seventh grade students asked for an opporutnity to serve a peer and former Pizitz student. Their friend, Parker, has been diagnosed with CRPS. He begins a new treatment for this syndrome on May 9. Our students were eager to develop a plan to raise awareness and support his family during this time. They have created two opportunities for students to support Parker.
1. You can order a t-shirt through the form here.
2. You can participate by wearing PJs for Parker with a donation of $5 on Tuesday, May 9 (the first day of his treatment).
Pirates’ Day 2023!
Pirates’ Day is our annual field day to celebrate being a Pirate! Pirates’ Day is on Wednesday, May 24 all day long!! Don’t miss this EPIC day full of games, rides, tournaments, talent, and food galore!
PIRATES' DAY WRISTBANDS will be ordered May 15-19 during your lunch period for $25 (cash or check payable to Pizitz with your phone number on the check). Wristbands will be delivered to students on Pirates’ Day at 8:00 a.m. in class. Anyone needing financial assistance to pay for Pirates’ Day - please contact your Guidance Counselor. Your wristband includes one pull tab for 1 lunch & unlimited rides! Wristbands will also be sold on Pirates’ Day for $25 (no food truck option with day-of sales, but you may get any Lunch Combo).
LUNCH OPTIONS WITH YOUR WRISTBAND:
Food Truck Orders will be placed when you pre-purchase your wristband from May 15-19: 1. Lunch Combo (Choose 1 with wristband): Dominos Pizza + Potato wedges + Drink Chicken Fingers + Potato wedges + Drink Cheese Sticks + Potato wedges + Drink 2. OR Two Men and a Pig Food Truck (Choose 1 with wristband): BBQ Nachos + Drink Brisket + Chips + Drink BBQ Sandwich + Chips + Drinks You can also get a regular box lunch on your account (you pay). FOOD & DRINK (*unlimited with wristband): *Candy Guess *Cotton Candy *Coke (Football Field) *Coke (Lunchroom) *Water Station *Sno Cones
PIRATES' DAY ACTIVITIES include: Badminton, Ballistic Swings, Basketball 3 on 3 Pick up games, Beach Volleyball, Bean Bag Toss, Bingo, Blongo Ball, Cake Walk, Corn Hole, Double High Striker, Karaoke, Kart Racing, Leaps N Bounds, Pedestal Joust, Pente, Ping Pong, Pirates of the Caribbean MoonWalk, Putt Putt, Reckless, Rock N Roll, Spike Ball, Sports Zone 3-n-1, Talent Show, Tattoos, Tic Tac Throw, Ultimate Frisbee, Whiffle Ball, Whirly Bird, Wrecking Ball
Sign up early for pre-paid Whiffle Ball with Coach McKenzie in Boys PE. This is an extra cost apart from your wristband.
Track & Field
Congratulations to the Boys' Track & Field team for their top 4 finish at the Metro South Championship meet on Thursday, April 20. The following athletes finished in the top 3 in their events and were named to the All Metro Team:
Krislyn Thomas - 1st in Pole Vault
Luke Vicinanzo - 1st in High Jump
Boys 4x400m Relay - 2nd place with Cance Mills, Spencer Kyle, Daniel Richardson, Garrett Jones Pepper Bedford - 3rd in High Jump
Boys 4x100m Relay - 3rd place and set the school record with a time of 46.16. Tyler Hall Yelling, Baker Huntley, Cance Mills, Daniel Richardson
Morgan Butler - 3rd in Shot Put
Baker Huntley - 3rd in 300m Hurdles
Congratulations Track & Field on a great season!
2023-2024 Bowling Team
Rising 7th and 8th Graders: Now is the time to be a part of a winning tradition! Tryout for the Bowling team! Join the Google Classroom- rs5emjs. Follow the instructions found there. There is an informational meeting in the Media Center- Tuesday, May 2 during 8th period. Tryouts are May 17 and 18 at Vestavia Bowl starting at 3:15.
See Coach Maiola - room C106 or Coach Knickrehm C117 for more information.
Try Wrestling
Are you interested in Trying Wrestling? Coach Tucker is meeting with interested athletes for next year on Tuesday and Wednesday ONLY this week (this is a change from the original schedule) from 3:15-4:15p.m. Contact Coach Tucker for more information.
The 8th Grade Banquet
Attention 8th Graders & Parents of 8th Graders: The 8th Grade Banquet & Party will be held at Pizitz on Friday, May 19, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Please contact Mrs. Button Smith (smithel@vhcs.us) if you have questions.
Pizitz Library
Attention Students: The last day to check out a library book will be Wednesday, May 10. ALL books are due no later than Thursday, May 11.
Friday Concessions
Dance Team will sell concessions during 8th period on Friday, May 5 and Friday, May 12. All snack items and candy are $1.00. Waters and Gatorades are also $1.00. Soft drinks such as Coke, Sprite, Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew are $2 each. Thank you in advance for supporting the Pizitz Treasures Dance Team.
Community Service Opportunity
This week, Mrs. Hunton's 5th Period Geography/Civics class is collecting newspapers, old towels and blankets for the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. Students can bring in items every day this week and drop them off in room C101. We will also have students collecting items during morning carpool this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday . Thank you so much for helping us in our community service project!
Pizitz Volleyball Tryouts
Volleyball tryouts for the 2023 teams will be May 8-11. If you are interested in trying out, please join the Google Classroom (Code: pxekr4c) to find out more information. If you have any questions, please email or talk to Coach Spence (spencejm@vhcs.us) or Coach Barger (bargersd@vhcs.us).
Math Team for 2023-2024
If you are a current 6th grade student who is interested in being on the 7th grade math team for the 2023-2024 school year, please join the Google Classroom with the code ducrwwx. You can also come pick up an application from Mrs Levio in E203.
Yearbook Staff for 2023-2024
Are you interested in being a part of the yearbook staff for next year? We need upcoming 7th and 8th graders to join us as we produce the next edition of the Pirivia. We need creative people who like to work on digital design. Applications can be picked up in room A101 or you can print an application from the link here. See Mrs. Wade in room A101 for more information.
VHHS Girls' Flag Football
If you are an 8th grade girl interested in flag football at VHHS, here are few updates to note:
- Make sure you have a DragonFly Max account (linked to VHHS) and it is complete, including a current physical.
- Join Google Classroom at the link here.
- No metal spikes.
Flag Football Clinic at Central
3:00pm-5:00pm
Tuesday, May 2, 9, 16
Thursday, May 4, 18
Flag Football Tryouts at Central
3:00pm-5:00pm
Tuesday, May 23
Thursday, May 25
VHHS Cross Country and Track & Field
Attention 8th Graders: If you are interested in competing next year for VHHS Cross Country/Indoor Track & Field/Outdoor Track & Field and you have not received that information yet, go by Coach Williams' Classroom C109 for information. Information is posted outside his classroom.
Donate Gently Used Shoes
Spring cleanout! Have gently used shoes you want to get rid of or need to donate? Help the VHHS Band/Choir today. Clean out your closet and donate your gently used shoes. Your donation helps small business owners in developing countries while benefiting your favorite Marching Band and Choir at the same time. Get friends, neighbors, and church family involved so we can reach our goal of 2500 pairs! Check out our host site for more info on how it works https://funds2orgs.com, and let’s flood them with shoes!
If you would like to learn more about the fundraiser check out funds2orgs.com. Drop your gently used shoes off at one of the following drop off points today: VHHS, VH Freshman Campus, and Little Soles (Cahaba Heights).