Monte the Tiger's Weekly Update
News from Buena Vista Montessori ~ April 15, 2022
Hello Tiger Families -
A huge thank you to all of the families for preparing their children each day to join us at school! We had a wonderful week and the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders we incredibly successful with the CMAS tests they undertook! We noticed grace and perseverance in each child, of which we are incredibly proud!
There is one more week of CMAS testing for those three grades, then we can consider this year's testing, complete.
We are unendingly grateful for each of our children and the community that our families have built around this little school! THANK YOU!
Included in this Issue . . .
- Upcoming Events
- Clubs Updates
- Montessori Moments
- School Updates
- District Updates
- News from Your PTA
- News from the School Accountability Committee
- News from the Health Room
Upcoming Events
The Week of April 18th
- Volunteer Appreciation Week
Monday, April 18th
- High Trails at Buena Vista with Primary Children
Tuesday, April 19th
- PTA Meeting ~ 2:40pm ~ Big Playground
Friday, April 29th
- BV Community Spring Dance
4th Quarter Clubs
Monday, April 18th
- Reading Tutoring with Ms. Michele and Ms. Chantel
- Math Tutoring with Mr. Chad, Ms. Heidi, Ms. Casi, and Ms. Karen B.
- Primary Authors Club Make Up Session with Ms. Jill
Tuesday, April 19th
- Reading Tutoring with Ms. Michele
- Math Tutoring with Mr. Chad, Ms. Heidi, Ms. Casi, and Ms. Karen B.
- Primary Authors Club with Ms. Jill
- Kindergarten Spanish with Ms. Lulu
- Lower El Sewing with Ms. Kirsten
- Elementary Animation with Ms. Marni
- Upper El Botany with Ms. Chantel
Wednesday, April 20th
- NO PTA ART CLASS (Make up session scheduled for May 18th)
Thursday, April 21st
- Reading Tutoring with Ms. Chantel and Ms. Michele
- Primary Crafty Science with Ms. Casi
- Kindergarten Spanish with Ms. Lulu
- Elementary Mystery Science with Ms. Jill
- Upper El Sewing with Ms. Kirsten
- Upper El Advanced Art with Mr. Bakken
Friday, April 22nd
- Math Tutoring with Ms. Heidi
- Primary Animal Science with Mr. Chad
- Kindergarten ASL with Ms. Lulu
- Lower El Storybook STEM with Ms. Marni
- Elementary Mystery Science with Ms. Jill
- Upper El Graphic Novel with Ms. Kirsten
Montessori Moments
Band and Orchestra at Solo and Ensemble
Andrew M. ~ Violin
Camdyn C. ~ Clarinet
Starla N. ~ Flute
Lorena R. ~ Percussion
Gemma H. ~ Violin
Sadie L. ~ Violin
School Updates
Buena Vista Community Spring Dance
Friday, Apr 29, 2022, 04:00 PM
Buena Vista Montessori Elementary School, West Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
District Updates
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 Monday, April 25, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. at the East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd. Childcare and a light meal will be provided. Please RSVP by clicking here or on the QR code in the graphic.
Attendance Matters!
In order to build classroom community and as we advocate for every student’s growth and achievement, it is essential that students are at school, on time, each and every school day. While we realize that some absences are unavoidable, we also know that when students miss school—regardless of the reason—it can cause them to struggle academically and socially.
Absences add up quickly. State law defines Truancy as 4 unexcused absences in one month or 10 unexcused absences in a school year. The definition of Chronic Absenteeism is missing 10% or more of the total school days, whether or not excused.
Here are a few practical tips to help support regular attendance:
• Establish a regular bedtime and morning routine, including eating a healthy breakfast.
• Lay out clothes and backpacks the night before.
• Leave early to get to school on time.
• Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up, including parent or caregiver illness.
• Consult with your child’s teacher if your child hesitates to come to school.
• Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments when school is in session.
We are here for your children and want to finish the school year strong! If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher or call the office.
ATTENDANCE EXPECTATONS
What is the law?
· Every child between the ages of 6 and 17 years old shall attend school for at least 1056 hours each school year if in secondary school and 968 hours each school year if in elementary school. (C.R.S. 22-33- 104)
What is School District #11’s policy regarding attendance? (School Board Policy JH)
· ¨The Board of Education believes that two of the most important factors in ensuring a child's educational development are parental involvement and parental responsibility.
· The Board of Education further believes that it is the obligation of every parent to ensure that every child under such parent's care and supervision receives adequate education and training.
What kind of absences can be excused?
1. Temporary illness can be excused by a parent—3 days or less. More than 3 days will require documentation from a doctor.
2. A student who is absent for an extended period due to physical, mental, or emotional disability (includes residential treatment centers) can be excused by a school administrator if documentation is provided by a doctor.
3. Absences related to school activities can be excused by the school supervisor.
4. Absences due to severe weather conditions can be excused by a parent.
5. A student who is in the custody of a court or law enforcement authorities will be excused by a school administrator or designee.
What is a truancy?
A truancy is any unexcused absence.
When is absenteeism considered chronic?
Chronic absenteeism occurs when a student misses 10% or more of any marking period whether excused or unexcused. (for example: 4 days in a quarter)
When is truancy considered habitual?
Truancy is considered habitual when a student misses 4 days in a 30-day span or 10 days in a school year.
What are the possible consequences for being chronically absent?
· Requiring doctor’s note for documentation of illness
· Being placed on an attendance plan or contract
· Going to attendance court
· Other consequences as determined by the Principal
News from Your PTA
Let's Shower the BV Staff in April!
To support our teachers and staff during the month of April the PTA is facilitating weekly snacks for the break room at the school. Each week will have a different color for it's theme. Please see the following link for more information on how you can help out!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4FA5AA2BAAFAC52-midweek [signupgenius.com]
April PTA Meeting
Tuesday, Apr 19, 2022, 02:30 PM
Buena Vista Montessori Elementary School, West Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
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 School Accountability Committee
What is the School Accountability Committee (SAC)?
News from the Health Room
How Sick is Too Sick?
Evaluation of a sick child must consider which diseases are currently circulating among students, staff, and the community. Known exposure to cases or an outbreak of a contagious disease (including but not limited to those listed here), even without a confirmed diagnosis, may necessitate more stringent return to school requirements.
During Colorado's ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, children and staff who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should receive testing, and follow the COVID-19 isolation guidance until testing is complete or if they test positive. If the individual tests negative for COVID-19, the individual should then follow the recommendations for their disease or symptoms using the below guidance.
There are four main reasons to keep children and adults at home:
1) The child or staff is at risk of infecting others with COVID-19 or another contagious illness, either because of symptoms or recent close contact.
2) The child or staff member does not feel well enough to take part in usual activities. For example, a child is overly tired, fussy or will not stop crying.
3) A child needs more care than teachers and staff can give while still caring for the other children.
4) A child or staff member has symptoms or an illness on this list, and staying home is required.
Please reach out to our school nurse, Katie Bots, with any questions. kathleen.bots@d11.org
Yuck! Norovirus!
Norovirus is making a big comeback post-COVID and our nurses are seeing a trend of the tummy aches, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Norovirus is viral and very contagious. In an effort to isolate the illness, students need to be 24 hours symptom free (fever, diarrhea, vomit) before returning to school. Please review the information at the link below for more information and contact the school office with any questions!
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