Dey Wonder Wednesday
April 1, 2020 JBD Midweek News
Dear Families,
As we are in the middle of the third week of our 'homeschooling' efforts, many of you have settled into a great routine. The division is working on the next level of programming for the rest of the year and will be sharing that plan as soon as it is finalized.
I need to continue to remind parents, that this new way of 'doing school' cannot and should not resemble a regular school day. We are currently still in review and practice mode from the 3rd quarter. Also, please know, as the entire country/world is in this same situation, your children will not get 'behind'. Children will not receive any penalties for unfinished work and they will move on to the next grade. More details from the division are forthcoming, but please know that since we are all facing the same crisis, all schools and state education departments will adjust the expectations.
Right now, we just hope you are doing what you can to keep your children engaged. Some of the best skills you can teach right now are math through cooking, teaching children to help with chores, and using real life manipulatives such as real coins, tape measures, measuring cups, going on a shape hunt in your house, etc. For older students calculating the measurements of a room, perimeter, area, etc. is also a great way to keep the real life math skills going. When the newspaper ads come, have the children use the circular flyers from Harris Teeter, etc. to plan a healthy meal and calculate the cost!
Please know the JBD teachers are working incredibly hard right now to respond to every parent and provide meaningful experiences for the children. We have all found that this new way of working has left us all without a clear beginning and end to our day-and in some cases, teachers are struggling with keeping their own families together while staying in touch with children and parents. I love it when a parent sends a complimentary note regarding how the teachers are helping and supporting them and their children. We continue to ask for and appreciate your patience.
Starting next week, Virginia Beach City Public Schools has determined that Mondays will now be Professional Development Days for the staff, and teachers will not be teaching on Mondays. You will have plans and instructional supports from Tuesday-Friday each week. On Mondays, we will be conducting trainings on the applications that promote more 'live' teaching and interactions with students, virtually. We will be teaching teachers how to video tape lessons that will be considered new learning for the 4th quarter, which will begin on April 27th. These lessons will be able to be accessed at YOUR leisure and will be able to be replayed for review, etc. The hope is that this format will take the pressure off of families to have to be doing a certain task at a certain time. MORE information to come-stay tuned!
Have a great day and enjoy your family. We still miss everyone so very much. Stay tuned for the Friday Focus and a VIRTUAL PARADE for all to enjoy from the JBD staff.
Most sincerely,
Mrs. Bianchi
April Fool's Day!
Are you a trickster? Post your APRIL FOOLS JOKE on our Facebook page or send them to Elizabeth.bianchi@vbschools.com or edgar.jumper@vbschools.com
From the NEST-Grattitude and Happiness Activity
What if we took a moment in our day to explain and teach gratitude to our children? How would their moods change? Would it allow us to gain more insight into what brings them joy?
To start this activity, ask your child/children a simple, but impactful question: “What are you happy about today?”
Take a moment to think about that for yourself and then share it with your child.
Every day, things happen that make us smile, make us feel good or even make us laugh. By stopping to think for a few moments about something that makes us happy, and either writing it down or saying it loud, that’s called showing gratitude.
What’s gratitude? Gratitude means showing thanks, being thankful and showing your appreciation for something. We’re going to practice exactly that today.
Stop for a minute and think about today. What’s one thing about your day that made you happy (or will make you happy)?
Here’s why I’m happy: I’m happy___________________(give your own example).
Now think for a few minutes about what has made or is making you happy today. Don’t say it out loud yet! Hold on to your thoughts and share with your child what makes you happy, then ask them what makes them happy.
Showing gratitude by talking about something in our day that makes us happy is a great way to start our day, turn our day around, or end our day on a high note.
(Centervention.com, 2020)
We miss you all so much. We hope you’re staying healthy and happy! Don’t forget to email us if you have any questions or concerns. annabel.cleveland@vbschools.com or rosemarie.chick@vbschools.com
Military Child SPIRIT DAYS!
Let's honor our military, by participating in our upcoming Spirit Week!
MONDAY, APRIL 6: Send a picture of a your military family, or a military friend to Mrs. B or add to our Facebook page!
Tuesday, April 7: Camouflage DAY-hide outside in camo gear and send in a pic!
Wednesday, April 8: Write a note to a service member-Mail it to JBD-We are still collecting notes for the deployed sailors!
Thursday, April 9: Wear RED for REMEMBERING EVERYONE DEPLOYED
Friday, April 10: Stars and Stripes-Send in a pic of yourself saying the Pledge of Allegiance
YEARBOOKS
Yearbook ID Code: 2077920
U.S. CENSUS IS UNDERWAY!
MESSAGE FROM OUR MILITARY COUNSELOR
I wanted to provide an update of how FOCUS is striving to maintain continuity of services for our military families.
The website has a link for COVID19 resources that is a live document and will be updated continually.
- All FOCUS trainers are in the process of becoming trained to provide services via TeleFOCUS, creating the opportunity to provide the same services for our families. (Please see flyer as reference/resource.)
- There is a FOCUS on the Go! app which families can connect with (Please see flyer as a reference/resource)
- They can continue to receive referrals for families requesting their services. They can:
- do warm handoff with current trainer to initiate teleFOCUS immediately
- provide consultation
- provide resources/support
- They are discussing ways in which they can provide group services via the teleplatform.
- They are creating brief psycho educational videos as a resource for families.
Jennifer Minges, LCSW
MFLC - Military & Family Life Counselor Program
SUPPORTING OUR MILITARY CONNECTED PARENTS
- Utilize Zoom (free and confidential) to provide video-conferencing
- Download the application (on any device) and call Mrs. Minges, our Military Counselor at
(757) 793-6688 to set up an appointment.
COVID-19 Family Newsletter
Email: Elizabeth.Bianchi@vbschools.com
Location: John B Dey Elementary School, North Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Phone: 757-648-2440
Twitter: @JbdElem