Monte the Tiger's Weekly Update
News from Buena Vista Montessori ~ January 28, 2022
Hello Tiger Families!
Beginning January 26, 2021, teachers, parents, and students across the district will have an opportunity to participate in the 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school.
The 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:
• Effective Leaders
• Collaborative Teachers
• Involved Families
• Supportive Environments
• Ambitious Instruction
Prior research has shown that schools that were strong on at least three of these “5Essential” indicators were 10 times more likely to improve student learning gains in math and reading than those that were weak on three or more Essentials. All teachers and 4th through 12th grade students will be responding to this survey. More information on the survey including questions and procedures can be found at: https://www.d11.org/5Essentials/Resources
5Essentials Reports will be generated for schools if their teachers and/or students meet the response rate threshold of 50 percent. These reports will be sent to schools and districts in April 2021. Additionally, our district has chosen to provide the 5Essential parent survey. If at least 20 percent of each school’s parents complete this survey, a parent supplement report will also be generated. Information on opting your child out of the survey can be found at https://www.d11.org/cms/lib/CO02201641/Centricity/Domain/5031/OptOutLeter.pdf
Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Your identity and your child’s survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child. The 5Essentials Survey will be conducted January 26 – February 19, 2021. To take the survey please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/sd11/survey/parent/
Included in this Issue . . .
- Upcoming Events
- Montessori Moment
- School Highlight
- Safety Reminders
- Intent to Return Survey
- News from the School Accountability Committee
- News from Your PTA
- Special Request from the Health Room
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, February 15th
- PTA Meeting in the evening, online
Monday, February 21st
- Presidents' Day ~ No School
Montessori Moment - Reading with Ms. Lulu
School Highlight - Special Visitor
Our Upper Elementary classes were very honored to have an extra special visitor in their classrooms today! Queen Sharon from the town of Friedrichsthal, in the district of Saarrbrucken, German came to Buena Vista to bestow the honor of Knightship and Ladyship to our Upper El Students!
Safety Reminders
As we enter mid-winter, we would like to encourage all of our children and adults to remember some basic safety for our drop off and pick up times. We understand it is cold outside and sometimes it is easier to break the rules to stay warm, than it is to keep the rules and make sure everyone is safe.
- Please use the crosswalk. Not only is jaywalking illegal, it is incredibly unsafe. Grown-ups, small eyes are always watching and when they see you jaywalk, they think it is okay to as well.
- Please kiss and go in the Kiss and Go Lane. The curb from the cross walk west to the front steps is designated as our Kiss and Go Lane. Please do not park and exit your vehicle there. We understand that parking is at a premium; but, the Kiss and Go Lane is an important part of our morning drop off.
- Please do not park in the bus zone. The curb directly in front of the front steps is for bus parking only.
- Please remember staff supervision of the playground ends at 2:40pm. If your child cannot identify the grown-up responsible for them, the child will be taken to the office and a grown up called.
We take the safety of all of our children very seriously and thank you for your cooperation.
Parent Survey: Intent to Return to Buena Vista for the 22/23 School Year
Please respond by January 31st to secure your currently enrolled child’s/children’s spot(s) for next year!
We are so glad you are a part of the Buena Vista community! Due to changes to the enrollment process for the 22/23 school year, we are needing to get an accurate count of who will be returning next year before the district's Choice Window closes on February 15th.
In addition, it is important that Ms. Alison, as your registrar, knows as soon as possible where current 5th graders and any child not returning to BV will be attending school next year. If you are unsure of your plans for next year please respond that you ARE returning and let Ms. Alison (alison.yorke@d11.org) know as soon as possible if your plans will be taking you away from Buena Vista.
No matter what your plans are, please fill out the short survey at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/E8bCd1mSG8.
Thank you!
Family Engagement Listening Tour
Dear D11 Families,
We want to learn from our families! You're invited to join other D11 families to share your experiences as parents, caregivers, and community members. This is a time for your school district to learn from your lived experiences through a confidential sharing circle.
Join us on Thursday, February 3, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. at the Hillside Community Center, 925 S. Institute Street. Childcare and a light meal will be provided. Please RSVP here: https://www.d11.org/FamilyEngagementRSVP or click the QR code in the invitation. We look forward to seeing you!
News from the School Accountability Committee
What is the School Accountability Committee (SAC)?
SAC Chair Position Opening
"A chair will be elected from the SAC membership. A vice chair or co-chair and secretary may also be elected. The term of office will be one or two years, and may be renewed at the discretion of the SAC. The chair, co-chair, and/or vice chair should be a parent/guardian elected from the parent/guardian representatives on the SAC. Officers will be elected by the majority of the membership present at the last meeting of the existing school year or at the first meeting of the next school year but no later than September 1 of each year.
The Chair will preside at all meetings, appoint subcommittee chairs as needed and, in general, conduct the business of the committee. The Chair or Secretary (if elected) will take minutes of the meetings, record attendance and provide a written copy for the records. The Chair will also ensure that the school community has been notified and has the opportunity to participate in DAC/SAC/Parent/Guardian work sessions and conferences sponsored by the District DAC."
If you have a heart for BV and feel that you would like to chair the SAC at Buena Vista, please plan to attend the January 25th meeting (see above). Reach out to Ms. Karen B. (karen.bleibaum@d11.org) if you have any questions.
January SAC Meeting Recording
https://cssd11.webex.com/cssd11/ldr.php?RCID=264f7f4976d3c18e51c781809da4361d
The password is: January 22
News from Your PTA
Watch the January 2022 PTA Meeting
If you missed the January 2022 PTA Meeting, we have the recording for you to watch! Please click the link below and use the password to view the meeting in its entirety.
Dr. Brandan Comfort from District 11, who serves on the Academic Master Plan committee, spoke with us about the plans for Buena Vista Montessori now that the bond failed in November.
Password: January2022
https://cssd11.webex.com/cssd11/ldr.php?RCID=f1a40ffbd40f9cd748cb417479cdc3d9
Your PTA Needs YOU!
The PTA is looking for three volunteers to serve Buena Vista on the PTA board starting in July. There are two positions for Co-President and one position for Secretary. The term for the new board members is for the next two years. Our current treasurer will still be on the board next year. If you are interested in running please email bvmontessoripta@gmail.com to learn more – we would love to have you join us!
February PTA Meeting
Tuesday, Feb 15, 2022, 05:30 PM
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Easy Ways to Help Out the BV PTA
AmazonSmile
Sign up to support the BV PTA through AmazonSmile.
- You can select Buena Vista Montessori PTA as your charity recipient when you shop online at amazonsmile.com.
- AmazonSmile is also now available in the app on your Apple or Android devices. You can set this up in the app under "Settings">"Programs & Features".
- If you shop for girts on Amazon, this is an easy way for you to support our students and school.
- Be sure to ask your friends and family to select BV on AmazonSmile, as well.
To enroll your Loyalty Card with BV:
- Log on to www.kingsoopers.com/communityrewards and click "Enroll Now" to sign in to your account. If you have never used your Loyalty Card online before you will have to create an account. You will need an e-mail and your Loyalty Card number or your alternate ID (often your phone#).
- Find Buena Vista Montessori School (programs are listed alphabetically) or use our Code: UQ795 as the program you want to support!
- You are DONE! THAT'S IT! Now whenever you shop you are earning BV PTA money!
- This program is a big "Free Money" maker that helps to fund many great BV and PTA events and equipment.
News from the Health Room
COVID Case Notification Letter Update
“Families, Due to the increases in COVID-19 cases within our community, and in alignment with EPCPH’s revised school guidance we will temporarily suspend sending individual COVID case notifications letters. Families should continue to monitor their students wellbeing and keep anyone home experiencing symptoms. We also ask that you continue to notify the school of any positive cases within the home so we can take the appropriate actions as we work to keep in-person learning a priority.”
My Child is Not Feeling Well. Now What?
The list below refers only to new symptom or a change in usual symptoms. A student should not be kept home for usual symptoms they experience due to a chronic condition unless they are worse than usual. These guidelines are in additional to your regular school guidance (for example, a student with vomiting symptoms should also not attend school based on usual school guidance).
If you student is experiencing any potentially life-threatening symptoms, please call 911.
If any of the following symptoms are present, keep the child at home / stay at home. Inform Ms. Karen B. in the office via phone call (719-328-4100) or email karen.bleibaum@d11.org.
- Feeling feverish, having chills, or temperature of 100.4F or higher.
- New or unexplained persistent cough.
- Shortness of breath.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Loss of taste or smell.
- Fatigue.
- Muscle aches.
- Headache.
- Sore throat.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Runny nose or congestion.
COVID Protocol Updates
Mask Wearing:
- For students of any age, and staff riding D11 buses for any purpose (e.g., to and from school, activities, field trips, etc.), in alignment with the Federal mandate, face coverings on all D11 buses are required.
- For students ages 11 and under, in alignment with local and state guidance, face coverings are not required, but still recommended (as of Monday, December 13th) while learning indoors.
- For students/staff ages 12 and over, in alignment with local and state guidance, face coverings are not required, but still recommended (as of Monday, December 13th) for anyone who is 12+ years regardless of vaccination status.
Hand Washing:
- We will continue with our diligent handwashing and sanitizing efforts throughout the school day. Including, but not limited to; after recess, before and after lunch, before and after specials, etc.
Classroom Cleaning:
- Our children and staff will continue to clean and sanitize the classrooms daily. Our custodial staff will clean and sanitize the building and playgrounds daily, as well.
Social Distancing:
- The current guidelines indicate a three-foot space between each person. We will do our best to honor that guideline throughout the school day. However, due to the structure of our learning community, the social distancing is not always possible.
For additional resources and information from the State and local health agencies, please visit the following link:
Updated Return to Learn
Buena Vista Elementary
Email: karen.bleibaum@d11.org
Website: www.d11.org/buenavista
Location: 924 West Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Phone: 719-328-4100
Facebook: www.facebook.com/buenavista.d11.org