Birdneck Briefing 2019-2020
October 7-11 "A" week for Library and Guidance
Tentative: Upcoming Dates and Events
Oct. 7/8 - IPT make ups
Oct. 7 - PTA board meeting 5:30 (virtual meeting)
Oct. 8 - PAC meeting 3:00
Oct. 8 - Weather presentation WTKR Grade 2 in Flexible Learning Space
Oct. 9 - Pizza Bingo 6:00 pm
Oct. 14 - PBIS Team meeting
Oct. 15 - Fall Picture Day
Oct. 17 - Fire Safety assembly 9:00-9:45 Pre-K, Kindergarten and grade 1
Oct 17 - Fire Safety Assembly 1:30-2:15 Grades 2 and 3.
This is your Captain Speaking!
We have been working hard to help students learn expectations and to get into routines for a month. I'm seeing so many great things in place here at Birdneck. This week Master Lee will be joining us. It is important for our students to understand that they need to take ownership of their own behaviors and to realize it is not teachers or parents that make them "be good". We want students to "Answer nicely and answer on time!" Master Lee will be modeling strategies and use specific vocabulary to help students own their own actions and follow directions the first time we ask. He will be available via email and will work with one class a week. It is up to the classroom teachers to contact him prior to his assigned week with your rooms. Please welcome him and thank him when you see him for his dedication to helping our students SOAR.
Captain out,
RV Yoshida
SHOUT OUTS!!!!!
Get your shout outs in for next week's Smore. Send your message to RV.
Kudos to all of our specialists who have been helping out in the cafeteria while we search for cafeteria monitors.
You Make a Difference!
Workshop Wednesdays
Disability History and Awareness Month
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. 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, 263-2066 or via email Carol.Blackwell@vbschools.com.
Reading Teacher of the Year
Hello teachers!
It’s time to nominate one of our fabulous reading teachers for Reading Teacher of the Year. This award recognizes a K – 12 teacher whose commitment to literacy is exemplary and unparalleled. The teacher we nominate must teach reading 1/3 of each school day. Our Reading Teacher of the Year will be recognized at the VBRC Banquet in the spring. If you would like to nominate someone, please e-mail Amy Dirks their name and a sentence about why they should be RTOY by Tuesday, October 8.
The VSRA Membership year runs from August 1, 2019-July 31, 2020. In order to obtain full benefits (journal, e-blasts, etc.), membership must be received by December 15.
Art of Being a Military Child
If a school would like to participate, please work with art teachers, Military Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) or classroom teachers to share the opportunity to meet the deadline to submit artwork and the online application. Submit all artwork and required documentation to Natalie Meiggs, coordinator of military connection and academic support programs at the Plaza Annex, Room 35, by Thursday, Dec. 19. Participation in Art of Being a Military Child is a division wide activity that may be included on the Virginia Department of Education’s Purple Star Designation Application.
In recognition of April’s national Month of the Military Child, students participating in the contest and their families are invited to a celebration at Lynnhaven Mall to recognize first, second, third place and honorable mention winners for grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Dr. Aaron Spence and senior leaders from each of the military branches will be in attendance to present awards to students as well as recognize art teachers for their support and participation in the program. The celebration is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, 6-7 p.m. and kicks off the month-long student art exhibit at the mall to honor our militaryconnected students and their families.
Please request cardstock for submissions by emailing Ms. Meiggs, at Natalie.Meiggs@VBSchools.com.
Thank you for supporting the eighth annual Art of Being a Military Child, offering an opportunity to showcase VBCPS students’ talents and a perspective of our Virginia Beach military community.
Virginia Beach Reading Council
Virginia Beach Reading Council
Please join the Virginia Beach Reading Council for 2019-2020. Anyone who joins may attend the awesome VBRC Fall Conference on Saturday, October 26 for only $5. You will also receive a coupon to wear jeans on a day of your choice. Please click on the link below to join the Virginia State Reading Association and then select Virginia Beach to join our local branch.
There is still time to join – just go to: https://www.vsra.org/member-sign-up#join
Securly
Select school staff members will once again be granted access to student web browsing histories from within the Securly management portal. This access has proven beneficial as a classroom management tool and will go into effect over the coming weeks. The staff members listed below will receive a confirmation email from Securly announcing access to the portal once the rostering and configuration process for this school year is complete. As a result, these individuals will have the same student web browsing information for all students at their respective sites as parents who register for the Securly Parent Portal. Staff members will receive this email even if they had access previously.
• Principals and assistant principals
• Teachers
• Instructional technology specialists
• Guidance chairs and counselors
AMET
The Annual Mandatory Employee Training for all Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) employees will continue during the 2019-2020 school year.
All employees will be required to view each entire training module assigned to their job title. New employees will also be required to view the training modules from the previous years. Five license renewal points will be awarded to all eligible employees who complete the training before the deadline. A target completion date of Feb. 14, 2020, has been established. Thank you for your assistance in this endeavor.
Review information on how to use and access the VBCPS Annual Mandatory Employee Training Program here. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Steve LePock in the Office of Risk Management (263-2460). Thank you.
Great SouthEast Shake Out Earthquake Drill Oct. 17th
EARTHQUAKE DRILL GUIDELINES
All classrooms should practice this drill prior to October 17.
An earthquake drill is held to practice procedures to follow in the event of an earthquake. In practice drills, teachers should supervise students and be alert to the position of each student during the entire drill. Secondary students can be provided instructions listed below in lieu of actually kneeling on the floor.
Signal: The signal for the drill is the following public announcement (PA). “ATTENTION STUDENTS AND STAFF, IMPLEMENT EARTHQUAKE PROCEDURES - DUCK, COVER AND HOLD ON. Procedures:
1.Drop to knees facing away from windows.
2.Get under desks or tables where possible and hold on firmly.
3.Fold body onto floor with arms close to knees.
4.Place head between knees; and cover head with hands.
5.Stay in this position for 10 seconds.
6.Teachers will direct students to return to seats.
Earthquake Safety Guidelines: Remain calm. The rolling sensation may terrify you, but unless something falls on you, the sensations will not hurt you. Think through the consequences of any action you plan to take. If you are indoors, stay there. If you are in danger:
•Get under a sturdy table or desk.
•Brace yourself in an inside corner away from windows.
•Move to an inner wall or corridor.
•Watch for falling objects - plaster, bricks, light fixtures, etc.
•Stay away from furniture which might slide or topple over.
•Stay away from windows, sliding glass doors, and mirrors.
•Grab anything handy (back pack, notebook, papers, box, etc.) to shield your head and face fromfalling debris and splinting glass.
•Don't be alarmed if the fire alarm or sprinklers go off.
Do not rush outside. Stay on the same floor that you are on.
•Do not use elevators as the power for elevators may go out and leave you trapped. The greatestdanger from falling debris is just outside doorways and close to outer walls. If for safety reasonsyou must leave the building, choose your exits as carefully as possible.
•If conditions warrant an evacuation, check evacuation routes and staging location prior to movingstudents.
If you are outside, stay there. Move away from the building, power poles and lampposts.
• Electric power lines are a serious hazard - stay away from fallen lines.
• If possible, proceed cautiously to an open area.
America's Safe Schools Week October 20-26
The National School Safety Center, the state governor’s office and the state school superintendent’s office are sponsoring America's Safe Schools Week, Oct. 20-26. 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. 23, is designated as School Resource Officer and Security Assistant Day. Please celebrate their work in the manner you deem appropriate.
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.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Office of Safe Schools at 263-2450. Thank you.
SUBJECT: Sick Leave Bank Open Enrollment Information
Virginia Beach City Public Schools offers benefit-eligible employees membership into the Sick Leave Bank. Eligible VRS Plan 1 or Plan 2 employees may enroll in the Sick Leave Bank by donating the hourly equivalent of two (2) workdays of sick leave. Because they are only eligible to participate during their first year of employment, VRS Hybrid employees may enroll by donating the hourly equivalent of one (1) workday of sick leave.
Open enrollment for all eligible employees begins August 1, 2019 and continues through October 15, 2019. The Office of Employee Relations will contact all timekeepers about the process and will provide them with the attached informational flyer. Additionally, this information will be posted on the VCBPS’ intranet homepage under, “Hot Topics.” For specific details regarding the various sick leave banks, please refer to School Board Regulation 4-45.2, Sick Leave Bank.
If you have additional questions, please contact the Office of Employee Relations located in the Department of Human Resources.
Computer and Network Security 2019-20
As we embark upon another exciting school year, the Department of Technology (DOT) would like to once again bring to your attention the importance of good computer and network security practices. It is only through the efforts of every individual that we can hope to protect our networks and, more importantly, our sensitive data. Feel free to share any relevant information found in this memo with your staff.
Password security
1. A poorly constructed password may result in the compromise of individual systems, data, or the VBCPS network. For that reason, safeguards such as password history, complexity, age, and length must meet or exceed the following guidelines:
a. The previous 24 passwords cannot be reused
b. Passwords must contain at least eight alphanumeric characters
c. Passwords must contain three of the following four items:
- i. Upper case letter
- ii. Lower case letter
- iii. One number (for example, zero through nine)
- iv. One of these special characters (, !$%^*()_)
d. Passwords must not contain part of the account name or display name
e. Passwords cannot be changed more than once in two days
2. Never share your password with anyone, and do not write it down. Remember, DOT will never ask for your password.
3. Never allow anyone to use a computer that you have logged into without monitoring their activities.
4. Do not allow anyone to “shoulder surf” or stand over your shoulder as you enter your username and password as they can steal your login credentials.
Locking machines when away
1. Always secure your computer when you step away from it. By not securing (locking) your computer, you may expose and potentially compromise confidential information authorized only for your use to others who might gain access to your computer.
Phishing/spam emails
1. Email attacks whether they be spam or phishing emails continue to be one of the most used attack methods.
2. All users should be familiar with Avoid the Bait Email and Phishing Scams, as this document contains valuable information on how to identify these types of emails as well as the procedure for reporting them to Microsoft.
Protecting sensitive data
1. Protect student data and other confidential data
a. Do not send student data or other confidential data via email whether working inside the VBCPS network or from outside locations. Place data on a secure shared network location (e.g., SharePoint, Office 365) and share only with specific users.
b. Do not use links to share files as this could allow unauthorized access if the link is obtained by any other than the intended recipient.
c. Do not make copies of data containing confidential information on school division or personally owned computers, mobile devices, or external storage devices. Such copies lend themselves to falling into wrong hands and violate legal requirements for confidentiality of data.
2. Do not print confidential information on an unattended printer.
3. As your computer is often used to display sensitive information, clear the display by minimizing or closing applications when unauthorized individuals are near.
4. Treat all information as though it was sensitive data.
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/
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