Birdneck Briefing
July 13, 2017
Upcoming Dates and Events
Monday 8/28-
- Optional Technology Sessions in the Flexible Learning Space
9:00-10:00 Windows 10
11:00-12:00 - G Suite
1:30-2:30 New Apps
- Work in rooms and View curriculum webinars w/ teams (task and reflection due Sept. 1)Tuesday 8/29
- Breakfast/Welcome back celebration with Dr. Spence.
- Will start promptly at 8:00
-Transformational Learning in Flex Lrng. Space (Teachers Only)
-Anchor 4 Life (all staff 2:00)
Wednesday 8/30
- Work in Rooms
- Grade Level MeetingsThursday 8/31
- Flex time in morning for Meet and Greet from 1:30-3:30
- PBIS overview
-Procedures Flipped PPT
Friday 9/1
- Work in rooms
- Optional Technology Sessions in the Flexible Learning Space
9:00-10:00 Windows 10
11:00-12:00 - G Suite
1:30-2:30 New Apps
- View curriculum webinars w/ teams (task and reflection due Sept. 1)
This is your Captain Speaking!
Hello Staff,
Our office staff, custodians, technology and school plant folks have been working hard to get the school ready for your return. I am excited about beginning the 2017-18 school year and have an extremely good vibe about the months to come. Our preliminary SOL results show that we have made significant gains thanks to all of your hard work and support. I can't put into words how proud I am of our staff and students. I know we will continue to grow and find ways for all of our students to succeed.
Ally and I have been planning our professional learning for the upcoming year over the past couple of weeks. We will continue to focus on Responsive Classroom (RC) and will begin to implement Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) here at Birdneck. Our group of teachers who went to RC training this summer had a great time and said the sessions they attended were excellent. They are excited about implementing strategies in their classrooms and sharing what they learned. Training will be provided for staff and students on PBIS throughout the year. We will dive into the basics when you all return in August.
We are also working on the master schedule and are trying to increase collaboration time. We hope to have a first draft available soon. We will be focusing on integrating the content and curriculum during planning.
We've been able to hire amazing candidates for our vacancies and can't wait for you to meet them and welcome them to the Birdneck Family. Congratulations to all of you who have joined us! I'd like to let you know of some in-house moves and introduce the new Eagles to you:
Allison Bruffy - ECSE Teacher
Krista Williams - Pre-K TA
Bunnie Burket - Pre-K TA
Kayla Heath - Kinder TA
Keesha Chatman - Grade 2 Tchr
Chad Leuthauser - Grade 3 Tchr
Kenyetta Robinson - Grade 3 Tchr
Randi Kuzmicki - Grade 3 Tchr
Chad Huff - Grade 4 Tchr
Aileen Kane - Grade 4 Tchr
Kayla Bennett - Grade 5 Tchr
Margaret Robinson - Music Tchr
Michele McNeil - Sped TA
Heather Crabtree - Sped TA
Gail Campbell - Gifted Resource Tchr
Joanne Coauette - Math Specialist
Be on the lookout for detailed information about the first week back soon. Enjoy your next month of vacation!
Captain out,
RV Yoshida
Room Assignments and Student Placements
I believe by now nearly everyone knows where their room assignment is and who will teach inclusion, ESL, or the gifted cluster classes. If you have any questions there is a large map in the office that you can view and the current Birdneck Roster is attached to the email with the link to this newsletter.
PBIS Overview
What is School-wide PBIS?
One of the foremost advances in schoolwide discipline is the emphasis on schoolwide systems of support that include proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create positive school environments. Instead of using a piecemeal approach of individual behavioral management plans, a continuum of positive behavior support for all students within a school is implemented in areas including the classroom and non-classroom settings (such as hallways, buses, and restrooms). Positive behavior support is an application of a behaviorally-based systems approach to enhance the capacity of schools, families, and communities to design effective environments that improve the link between research-validated practices and the environments in which teaching and learning occurs. Attention is focused on creating and sustaining Tier 1 supports (universal), Tier 2 supports (targeted group), and Tier 3 supports (individual) systems of support that improve lifestyle results (personal, health, social, family, work, recreation) for all children and youth by making targeted behaviors less effective, efficient, and relevant, and desired behavior more functional.
Why is it so important to focus on teaching positive social behaviors?
Frequently, the question is asked, "Why should I have to teach kids to be good? They already know what they are supposed to do. Why can I not just expect good behavior?" In the infamous words of a TV personality, "How is that working out for you?"
In the past, schoolwide discipline has focused mainly on reacting to specific student misbehavior by implementing punishment-based strategies including reprimands, loss of privileges, office referrals, suspensions, and expulsions. Research has shown that the implementation of punishment, especially when it is used inconsistently and in the absence of other positive strategies, is ineffective. Introducing, modeling, and reinforcing positive social behavior is an important step of a student's educational experience. Teaching behavioral expectations and rewarding students for following them is a much more positive approach than waiting for misbehavior to occur before responding. The purpose of schoolwide PBIS is to establish a climate in which appropriate behavior is the norm.
What is a systems approach in schoolwide PBIS?
An organization is a group of individuals who behave together to achieve a common goal. Systems are needed to support the collective use of best practices by individuals within the organization. The schoolwide PBIS process emphasizes the creation of systems that support the adoption and durable implementation of evidence-based practices and procedures, and fit within on-going school reform efforts. An interactive approach that includes opportunities to correct and improve four key elements is used in schoolwide PBIS focusing on: 1) Outcomes, 2) Data, 3) Practices, and 4) Systems. The diagram below illustrates how these key elements work together to build a sustainable system:
- Outcomes: academic and behavior targets that are endorsed and emphasized by students, families, and educators. (What is important to each particular learning community?)
- Practices: interventions and strategies that are evidence based. (How will you reach the goals?)
- Data: information that is used to identify status, need for change, and effects of interventions. (What data will you use to support your success or barriers?)
- Systems: supports that are needed to enable the accurate and durable implementation of the practices of PBIS. (What durable systems can be implemented that will sustain this over the long haul?)
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