FLASH
December 9, 2016
It's COLD-So turn up the HEAT!
A great week had by all this week, even though there were a few intense situations with children. The professionalism among the staff has impressed me so much lately!
As we think about what we are doing here and our ultimate purpose or our 'why', I am asking the instructional staff to 'turn up the heat'. Not just because of the temperature, but because of the students. We have many students at all levels that need to be given that extra push. I don't mean a nudge, I actually mean the virtual shove! The teachers in this school are so kind, and sometimes too kind because we don't want anyone upset or to cry. Well, as adults, we get upset when something is hard and sometimes want to cry, right? Just think of how you all initially struggled with technology and STEAM? Now look at you! You are rocking it . You are living proof that struggle leads to growth. Our parents are not the only snowplows around here. After a small group, or a lesson, students heads should be almost bursting with questions and yes, stress. If something is easy and they can do it, why are they doing it? Why are we teaching it? Those kiddos that are behind in reading should literally be uncomfortable as the teaching is happening. Of course we are kind, but we need to be well planned, direct, and providing the opportunity for that child to be OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONES where the magic happens. Believe it or not, time is at the premium as we head into the middle of quarter 2. We should see those DRA numbers increasing, the quarterly scores going up as they are just around the corner, and children should be stretching themselves to read more, write more and solve more problems. Cherish the questions and expand on the answers. The "Sparks" video I sent earlier in the week shares this point with us, so I have included it here in case you didn't get a chance to view it! We can't be complacent, we have to continue to develop our rigor and push these kiddos to recognize and apply new learning.
There's no down time for us, right? Keep the faith and the focus that we are providing what each child needs every day.
Thank you!
Beth
NICHOLAS KIMPAN JOHN B. DEY'S 2017 - 2018 TEACHER OF THE YEAR!
December 12:
- 5th Grade Chorus Rehearsal 2:45 - 4:15 (just added!)
December 13:
- Choir Chimes Rehearsal 2:45 - 4:00 p.m. (just added!)
- PTA Board Meeting 6:30 p.m.
December 13-15:
- PTA Gull Gift Shop (New location - Innovation Station Room 36)
December 14:
- Holiday Music Assembly (Cafe) 8:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
- Holiday Music Program 6:30 p.m. (New time!)
December 15:
- Progress Reports
- Great Neck Middle School Chorus Assembly (Grades 4 & 5 only ) 9:30 - 10 a.m.
December 16:
- JBD Holiday Party! Shawn McArdle's House from 5 - 10 p.m. Sign up in the Mailroom!
December 18:
- Girls on the Run 5K Celebration - 2 - 4 p.m. Virginia Wesleyan College
December 19:
- Gifted Information Night for 1st Grade Parents 6:00 p.m. Café
December 20:
- Holiday Cookies and Cocoa from the PTA (Teacher's Lounge)
December 21:
- 3rd Grade Market Day 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
- SCA Celebration 2:45 - 3:45 p.m.
- BRC cancelled today!
December 22:
- Adjusted Dismissal 12:10 p.m. (Grades 1-5)
- AMK 8:10 a.m. - 10:10 a.m.
- PMK 10:10 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.
December 23, 2016 - January 2, 2017:
Winter Break - ENJOY!
Congratulations Kristi!
HOLIDAY SPIRIT WEEK - December 19-22
Monday, Dec. 19: Favorite holiday sweater
Holiday Cookies and Cocoa!
Dear JBD Staff and faculty,
The JBD PTA would like to invite you to a cocoa and cookies social in the Staff Lounge. Refreshments will be provided by your JBD families and PTA and we hope you will enjoy a little holiday cheer! It's a small gesture of thanks from those you appreciate you most!
Date: Tuesday, December 20
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:40 p.m.
Enjoy a treat during your lunch or break!
Place: Teacher's Lounge
Host: John B. Dey PTA
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Christmas Santa Brownies
A fun and easy holiday treat with brownie bites, cream cheese or vanilla icing and fresh strawberries!
THINKING OF YOU...
- Welcome back Amy Ansell! Glad you are feeling better!
- Get well soon Eileen Smith!
- Get well wishes to all the many JBD staff (and their family members) who were ill this week! Hope everyone is on the mend soon!
I MAKE A DIFFERENCE AWARD!
Liza Thompson, one of many who have made my debut at John B. Dey much smoother!
Longevity
Incredibly patient
Zesty Personality
Always Supportive
From Amanda Linsly
KUDOS!
Thank you Lisa! You are the best! Kathy and Lynne
- Thank you Kristi H. for being there/here/everywhere! I appreciate your support. Lynne
Stacy…thank you! Lynne
To all John B. Dey Staff: While I wish I could be there in person to look you in the eye, smile, and tell you how wonderful you are, (and possibly give you a hug,) I will do the next best thing. Write it down…..The Holiday Season is tough, this I know, but I also know that when I was there the fact that so many of you took the time to personally tell me to hang in there, or made me laugh, or took time to tell me I was appreciated, well it simply meant the world. So to everyone, office staff, teachers, assistants, custodial staff, cafeteria staff, specialists, new staff I haven’t met, and anyone else I forgot (not on purpose,) to mention, I wish you a wonderful holiday, and remind you of how special and valued you are. I will never forget you, and I encourage you to stop in the hall and tell others how special they are too. Sometimes we don’t know how we affect others, but kind words move mountains. Now enough of that….Eat, DRINK, and Be Merry! Party On JBD!!! Love, Kelli White
Thank you to Valda and Susan for getting some new tables for the art room! I’m super stoked, and the kids will be too!!! Niki
Kudos to Ms. Bianchi for knowing how to calm down a student ~Stacy
Kudos to the office staff for always keeping things together! ~Stacy
Kudos to Scott for always making us laugh and keeping us on our toes! ~Stacy
Kudos to Heather for always being a SpEd sounding board. ~Stacy
Kudos to Anne for doing your best in a difficult situation. ~Stacy
Michele Self......Can I just put my desk next to yours in the clinic? You have been my BFF over the past months, with taking care of me personally and professionally! I feel very fortunate to work with you at JBD! THANK YOU! Rose
AMY WIGHT.......you bring great ideas and lots of laughs to The Nest! Thank you for being such a great partner! Rose
BETH BIANCHI......Thank you for encouraging me to "jump" into technology! Your support and NON-JUDGEMENT allows me to learn try to learn new skills......without breaking into hives! I'm baby stepping, but your encouragement pulls me through! "Keep on swimming..." Rose
The Cafeteria Morning Crew.......You girls are AWESOME! Love talking, laughing and snarking with you every day! We may have to have an intervention, though, for mean girl behavior. Just saying, Mozingo.......Rose
Thank you, Lisa, for our “Word Study Wednesday” lessons! My class enjoys them, and they are really learning from them! Lynn
Thanks, Angela, Corinne, and Kelley! Each of you has many responsibilities, and you are always on top of everything…from field trip money to transportation changes to new students! Thanks for all you do! Lynn J.
Thank you Karen and Edgar for helping me think through differentiating math in C4. I am glad I am not the only curriculum geek. Suzanne
Sincere KUDOS to our Office Staff! You are the Best of the Beach. You never hesitate to stop your work to help me. Thank you for putting up with my interruptions with a smile on your face. Tricia
Kudos to Valda for thinking that external speakers might solve the problem with my classroom sound system... it works great!! Anne S.
Kudos to Kristi for thinking of ways to incorporate technology into the K classrooms even though our iPads are the oldest in the school system. I really appreciate how you are looking for ways you can help us!! Thank you!!! Anne
I love my team!! Kudos to Elizabeth and Sierra! Anne
Robin is amazing! My kids LOVE it when she comes into our room! Thank you for keeping our room so nice! Anne
Kudos to Nicole for sharing your ideas with me! Thank you! Anne
Jamie... the sticky note idea in the journals is fantastic! Thank you!! Anne
Kudos to Amy Maurer for being so light hearted and making work fun! You are a wonderful addition to JBD! Karen Callis
Thank you to Mrs. Linderman for being on top of things. She always has snacks for the Girls on the Run. Also our practice 5K was only a success because of you!!! You Rock!! Amy
Thanks to Kimpan, Cress, and Glaspell for taking the time to run the practice 5K with our Girls on the Run. It meant so much! Amy
Thank you to Nicole for being an amazing teaching partner! I don't think I would make it through this year without you! Amy
Thank you to Dr. Sedory and Mrs. Bianchi for being "on call" to help some of my friends in a time of need. Amy
Thank you to Karen Reidelbach for our morning chats! Amy
Thank you to Mrs. Glaspell and Mrs. Buhner for leading our 5th grade team. Amy
Thank you to Mrs. Gangwer for taking time to gather email addresses. Amy
Thank you to Mrs. Frayne for showing me how things are done here. Amy
Thank you Rose Chick for coming to help my kiddos be better citizens. Amy
Thank you to Mrs. Callis, Mrs. Harvey, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Connolly and Mrs. Baugher for the laughs and chats. Amy
Thank you to Mrs. Schafer for "sharing" your kindergartners during book buddies.
Thank you Mrs. Smith for being a wonderful assistant in the room. You are amazing! Amy
Thank you Robin Hill for always have a smile on your face and doing your job with a positive attitude. Amy
Thank you Shawn for hosting the upcoming Holiday Party AND my sincerest apologies for adding it to the Focus in error! Corinne
Thank you Mrs. Bianchi for sending me to the VSTE conference. It was awesome and so are you! – Valda
Elizabeth Bianchi, Principal
Email: Elizabeth.Bianchi@vbschools.com
Website: www.deyes.vbschools.com
Location: John B Dey Elementary School, North Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach, VA, United States
Phone: 757-648-2440
Twitter: @JbdElem