The Pizitz Post

We sincerely hope that you and your family had a refreshing holiday break. Whether you traveled or stayed at home, we are hopeful that your time with family was memorable and refreshing. We look forward to kicking off our second semester with our students on Wednesday, January 4.

As we reset for the new year, it is a good time to get back into the rhythms and routines that help students flourish from week-to-week. Here are a few thoughts about getting the year started right:

1. Encourage Sleep: Encourage healthy sleep patterns. Research supports that kids in the middle school years need any where from 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night. Going to bed at a regular time each night is a healthy way to help them get the sleep they need.

2. Foster Study Habits: Find a good location and time for kids to study and/or read each evening. After a snack and break after school, go ahead and encourage your child to finish their homework so it doesn't interfere with family time or getting to bed at a decent hour each night.

3. Monitor Technology-Use: As much as our students like their privacy, they need healthy parameters for screen time and technology. Stay tuned in to their phone and internet access. We are able to monitor school access on the Chromebook through Go Guardian. We encourage parents to monitor student access at home as well. Provide a central location in your home for students to keep their phones and Chromebooks charging at night (outside of their bedroom).

4. Create Space for Down Time: Everyone thrives when we have healthy relationships with those around us. Seek to build connections with your child that will foster open and honest conversations. At this developmental age, students are more inclined to talk when they are engaged in doing something with you. When possible, try to create opportunities for down time and fun!

This year, we are excited to bring back a spring show for students interested in theatre. Students will be performing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory March 16, 17, and 18. Sign-ups and audition packets are available for pick-up THIS week, January 4-6, in the choir room during 8th period. All auditions will take place during 8th period January 9-12. The cast list will be made available on January 13.

If you have questions regarding auditions or expectations, feel free to contact our theatre teacher, Miss Starr via email at starra@vhcs.us. All students are eligible to try out for the play. However, students would need to make adjustments to his/her 8th period and after-school obligations in order to be available for practice prior to the show in March.

We have additional officers on duty in the morning and afternoon to assist our students in safely crossing the street during carpool hours. We are happy to have students walk home or to a designated location to meet parents and/or carpool after school. However, we do NOT encourage individuals to park in the businesses nearby (those are reserved for clients and patients) during business hours. Additionally, we have heard complaints that people are blocking driveways on Gentilly (in the neighborhood next door to the school). If you block a driveway or park in a private lot, you may be ticketed by local police.

Ordering for the 2023 yearbook is now CLOSED. If we have any extra books available for sale in May, we will let you know. Thank you so much for pre-ordering your yearbook!