Birdneck Briefing
9/8/2017
Upcoming Dates and Events week of Sept 10-16
National Suicide Prevention Week
National Arts in Education Week
9/11 ILT meeting 10:00 Gifted Resource Room
9/11 PBIS Team Meeting in Flex Use Space 3:00
9/12 First day of collaboration meetings.
9/14 Chik-Fil-A Cashola Night
9/15 Airshow Fieldtrip 5th Grade
Sept 17-23 Constitution Week
9/19 Staff Picture 3:15 in Gym
9/19 Back to School Night 6:00
9/21-9/22 Rosh Hashana
9/20 5th grade gifted screening
This is your Captain Speaking!
All I can say is Wow! You all did an amazing job this week. It was by far, hands down, the absolute best opening I've seen as an administrator due to all of you. The students have looked so happy everywhere I go. Thank you for beginning the year off strong by making connections with your students in Morning Meeting. The most important thing you can do to support each child is really get to know him/her as an individual.
Next week continue to work on learning more about your students and teaching those procedures and routines to help your children find success. We are also focusing on student goal setting this year. How will you be working with your students to teach them how to set and monitor their own goals?
Here's to another AMAZING week!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Captain out,
RV Yoshida
Shout Outs!
I'd like to start posting kudos you all have for your colleagues and will post them here on our Kudos text box if you share something amazing with me.
Someone gave a shout out to Nancy Reckling for organizing the supplies in the counseling wing and collecting so many school supplies for our students. If you have concerns about any of your students, Nancy has clothes, supplies, etc....
Reminders
-Mandatory Employee training found at https://vbschools-va.safeschools.com/login due at the end of the first 9 weeks.
-Greet your students at the door each day!
-implement Morning Meeting and student goal setting in your classrooms.
-Work on routines and procedures by "teaching" expectations.
-Complete your emergency "green sheet" and return it to the office.
-Sign up for at least one academic and one other committee.
-Social committee dues to Vanessa Dominguez
-Join our PTA.
-Have Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
2017-2018 ANNUAL MANDATORY EMPLOYEE TRAINING (AMET)
Based on your job title, your assigned courses will be listed on your personal SafeSchools Training home page under “Mandatory Training.”
A target completion date of Feb. 16, 2018, has been established. Thank you for your assistance in this endeavor.
Completion Date: February 16, 2018
Go to our website at http://www.vbschools.com
Click on Staff
Click on Mandatory Training (AMET)
CONSTITUTION DAY RESOURCES
Public Law requires that Sept. 17 be designated as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. Constitution Day commemorates the day on which the Constitution was signed in Philadelphia in 1787. Traditionally, each year since 1952, the President proclaims the seven days beginning on Constitution Day as Constitution Week. This year, Constitution Day falls on a Sunday and will be observed on Monday, Sept. 18. Constitution Week will be from Monday, Sept. 18 through Sunday, Sept. 24. During this time, all citizens are encouraged to celebrate our Constitution and reaffirm the rights and obligations of citizens.
All educational institutions receiving federal funding are required to hold an educational program pertaining to the United States Constitution on that day. Schools may determine what kind of educational programs are appropriate for their students. Some informational resources pertaining to the Constitution that may be useful in planning educational activities are listed on the USED’s website at http://www2.ed.gov/policy/fund/guid/constitutionday.html. The team at iCivics has a curriculum unit with lessons at http://www.icivics.org/curriculum/road-constitution. Information about citizenship and civics is also available at other nonpartisan websites including the Bill of Rights Institute at
http://billofrightsinstitute.org/founding-documents/exploring-constitutional-principles/
If additional information is needed about Constitution Day, please contact Katie Catania, elementary content coordinator, at Katie.Catania@vbschools.com, Kristine Troch, secondary social studies coordinator, at Kristine.Troch@vbschools.com or Mark Diacopoulos, high school social studies instructional specialist, at Mark.Diacopoulos@vbschools.com. Thank you.
VB EDUCATION FOUNDATION GRANTS – OCT. 6 DEADLINE
SUBJECT: VB EDUCATION FOUNDATION GRANTS – OCT. 6 DEADLINE
For the 2017 – 2018 school year, $150,000 will be awarded to Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) in Virginia Beach Education Foundation grants. VBCPS staff members are encouraged to apply for these grants if they have ideas for innovative projects they wish to implement to engage students in hands-on learning activities not already funded by the school division.
The Innovative Learning Grant application is available on vbcps.com under Hot Topics and is due October 6, 2017, by 4 p.m. Each approved grant awards up to $2,000 for innovative learning projects that benefit students.
Thank you for sharing these opportunities available through the Virginia Beach Education Foundation. For more information, contact Debbie Griffey at Debbie.Griffey@vbschools.com or 757.263.1069.
Attachment: 2017-2018 Innovative Learning Grant Application (Fall) can be found in your email subject line: VB EDUCATION FOUNDATION GRANTS – OCT. 6 DEADLINE
NATIONAL BOARD SUPPORT PROGRAM Action Required by Sept. 27
The purpose of this memo is to provide information on opportunities for current National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) and teachers interested in pursuing National Board Certification. The National Board Certification process is a rigorous professional learning endeavor reflecting both achievement in content knowledge and teaching practice. The Office of Professional Growth and Innovation is pleased to provide a support program designed to promote and assist candidates seeking certification, and NBCTs are needed to serve as role models by sharing their expertise and enthusiasm as Candidate Support Providers or Ambassadors.
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards has changed the certification process to allow for one, two or three components at a time, over the course of three years, rather than all components at one time during a single year. The application fees have also been reduced. The Office of Professional Growth and Innovation is providing a program of support, which includes Saturday workshops, trained candidate support providers (CSP), professional leave, and financial reimbursement. This highly successful model of support has placed Virginia Beach City Public Schools in the top four school divisions in Virginia with National Board Certified Teachers. Please share the attached document outlining the support program with teachers.
The National Board Certification process is a professional growth opportunity that lends itself to collaboration with other professionals. The CSP is a teacher who has successfully been through the process and has knowledge of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Candidate support providers will be paid a stipend based on the hours reported on the NBCT CSP Log in Frontline for time leading collaboration with candidates. Responsibilities of the candidate support provider include but are not limited to the following:
• Scheduling, designing and facilitating individual or small-group collaboration meetings with candidates that promote thoughtful reflection in the development of the National Board Certification components.
• Becoming familiar with the component directions and rubrics in order to guide candidate(s) to describe, analyze and reflect on teaching and learning.
• Demonstrating professionalism and integrity, especially in terms of maintaining confidentiality and following ethical guidelines.
Current NBCTs interested in serving as a CSP must first complete an application, which includes a principal’s recommendation. This application may be found on the Forms menu on VBCPS.com, under Professional Growth and Innovation. Applications are due by Sept. 27. Selected CSPs will be notified about training opportunities and will receive workshop pay and license renewal points for this training. If NBCTs have served as mentors to candidates in the past, then they are not required to reapply but will be expected to attend a workshop on the refinements of the responsibilities of the candidate support provider.
Teachers may also choose to become an NBCT ambassador, which provides NBCTs an opportunity to promote the National Board Certification program. Current NBCTs interested in serving as an ambassador must complete the application, which includes a principal’s recommendation. The application may be found on the Forms menu on VBCPS.com, under Professional Growth and Innovation. Applications for the NBCT Ambassador Program are accepted on an ongoing basis. Current NBCT ambassadors do not need to reapply. The expectations for ambassadors are as follows:
• Promoting National Board Certification by hosting an informational session at their school. Materials will be provided.
• Supporting National Board Certification by answering questions about the process and benefits of certification to potential candidates.
Thank you for encouraging potential candidates to consider pursuing National Board Certification, a process that many describe as the most profound professional learning experience of their careers. In addition, please help sustain and expand the National Board Support Program by providing information regarding the candidate support provider and ambassador program to current NBCTs on your staff. For further information, please contact Sarah Payne, professional learning specialist, at 263-6972 or email Sarah.Payne@vbschools.com
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
BIRDNECK MISSION
The mission of Birdneck Elementary is to dedicate ourselves to the success of all children, preparing them to meet today's expectations and tomorrow's challenges.
BIRDNECK VISION
Children are our future. We are dedicated to their success.
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