Principal's Newsletter
November
Note from the Principal's Desk
Happy November! November is the season for giving thanks. I wanted to thank everyone in the Buena Vista Community for making this such a great place to work. I am blown away by how friendly, supportive and involved the parents are. I am thankful to work with such an amazing and dedicated staff. Lastly, the students in the school are so caring and hardworking. I am grateful for them and the opportunity to watch them grow every day.
Important November Dates
November 2- Shortened Day
November 12- No school
November 13- PTA Meeting
November 14- NOT A LATE START- Shortened Day
November 15- Makeup Picture Day
November 15-16- Shortened Day
November 19-No School Parent Conferences All Day
November 20-23- No school- Thanksgiving Break
November 28- Site Council Meeting
Still in search of Noon Duty
Schedule changes for Nov 12th-Nov 23rd
Good to Know
Shortened Day Nov 2
Kinder: 8:10pm - 11:30pm
Grades 1-5: 8:10pm - 12:25pm
Third PTA Meeting 11/13
Nov Character Trait: Responsibility
Independent Study Contracts/Unexcused Absences
To continue our conversation from last week, I'd like to take a moment to address Unexcused Absences, Independent Study Contracts, and family vacations taken during the calendar school year. If you are unaware, school funding is based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA). ADA is calculated by taking the aggregate number of days of attendance of all students during a school year; divided by the number of days school is in session during that year. So, funding is based on attendance, not enrollment. When a student misses school for a trip or reason other than excusable illness, that impacts our funding, in addition to the loss of opportunity for your child to learn. Independent Study Contracts (ISC) play into that because oftentimes, students do not complete the work agreed upon, making us ineligible for the funding promised by an ISC.
We cannot amply stress the importance of your child being in school all day, every day. Dentist and ortho appointments are hard to come by, but now, with late start Wednesdays, you have an opportunity to do that without missing out on learning.
To put this in perspective, last year, students missed almost 400 collective days of school due to vacations. While we acknowledge some once in a lifetime opportunities, we also know that our school calendar provides ample opportunity and a year's advance notice with which to plan your trips around school. Hopefully, your message to your family about school aligns with ours: be in school all day every day, on time. It's what's best for all children.
BV Fun Run
Have you logged into the WCSD app?
Several months ago the Walnut Creek School District transitioned to a new notification system. This system has enhanced our ability to connect with you regarding school events and emergency notifications. You should have already received a letter with your login information. This will assist you in accessing the Blackboard school communication system. This login ID and password will also allow you to access advanced features within the WCSD Mobile App.
Blackboard allows Buena Vista Elementary School to deliver important information concerning you and your student at the time and place that is most effective for you. We encourage you to log on to the system and make sure that your personal information is correct. You may also personalize your notification settings at that time. If you find that your information is incorrect please contact your school site office. Our office also has access to your initial login ID & password. If you are still in need of assistance logging into your account on the Blackboard system, please email the App Support Desk at apphelp@walnutcreeksd.zendesk.com
Contact Us
Email: keagan@walnutcreeksd.org
Website: www.walnutcreeksd.org/domain/50
Location: 2355 San Juan Avenue, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Phone: (925) 944-6822
Twitter: @BuenaVistaWCSD