JBD FRIDAY FOCUS
MARCH 29, 2019 "Embrace the Adventure!"
We Remember
Dear Families,
As we celebrate the Month of the Military Child, I want to share my experience. As spouse of a 30 year Navy veteran, I remember the challenges. I remember the long months of deployments, I remember moving 15 times, I remember the anxiety of starting different schools, and I remember the fear of what exactly my husband was doing and where he was at the time. I remember showing my children framed pictures of Daddy and making calendars for his return (no cell phones or much email communication back then!). I also remember the feeling of pride I had, and still have, that my husband was part of a bigger mission, defending and preserving our rights as citizens and ensuring safety.
We have been retired for about 10 years now, but my husband is still supporting the military families through the services from the Navy Exchange Commands and the DECA Commisary. When faced with retirement, he had other options to work in the civilian world, but chose to continue a life of service to the military-out of uniform.
This past weekend, we attended the Navy Supply Corps Birthday Ball in Norfolk. We have been attending these balls for the last 37 years. They are always fun and festive, but there is always the moment remember our fallen comrades and those that are serving in the field. The picture above is the symbolic POW MIA table. The speech below was read aloud to a silent crowd of 200 people. Please take a moment to read this if you haven't ever read or heard of this before. To those of you who know it well, please know, that as the principal at John B. Dey Elementary School, I understand the military challenges and appreciate the service of our over 300 military families.
Sincerely,
Beth Bianchi
"The POW MIA Remembrance Ceremony"
As you entered the banquet hall this evening, you may have noticed a small table in a place of honor. It is set for one. This table is our way of symbolizing the fact that members of our profession of arms are missing from our midst. They are commonly called POWs or MIAs, we call them "Brothers." They are unable to be with us this evening and so we remember them. This Table set for one is small ‐‐ Symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his oppressors…….. Remember! The Tablecloth is white ‐‐ Symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country's call to arms…….. Remember! he single Red Rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades‐in‐arms who keep the faith awaiting their return Remember! The Yellow Ribbon tied so prominently on the vase is reminiscent of the yellow ribbon worn upon the lapel and breasts of thousands who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting of our missing………….. Remember! The Candle, the candle is lit ‐‐ Symbolizing the upward reach of their unconquerable spirit……….. Remember! A Slice of Lemon is on the bread plate to remind us of their bitter fate………. Remember! There is Salt upon the bread plate ‐‐ Symbolic of the families’ tears as they wait…….... Remember! The Glass is inverted ‐‐ They cannot toast with us this night……….. Remember! The Chair – The chair is empty. They are not here ……. Remember! All of you who served with them and called them comrades, who depended upon their might and aid, and relied upon them, for surely, they have not forsaken you…………. Remember! Remember! – Until the day they come home,………Remember!......
MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD SPIRIT WEEK!
April 1-5:
Monday-Camo Day
Tuesday-Patriotic Day
Wednesday-Military Word Shirt Day
Thursday-Stars Day
Friday-Super Hero Day
Scholastic Book Fair April 1 -5
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school next week! The book fair has a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level.
March 28 all classes visited the library to create a wish list.
The week of April 1st each class will visit the library one time to purchase items. (schedule to come soon)
Parents are encouraged to come shop with their child before PTA Movie Night on Wednesday, April 3rd from 3pm to 6pm.
Here are some tips to consider before your child visits the fair:
Take a look at our flyer to see a sample of the great titles that will be available. Make a wish list ahead of time: scholastic.com/bookfairs/books
Get a jump-start on shopping through our Online Book Fair starting March 21 through April 3! Go to http://www.scholastic.com/bf/dey Any Scholastic Book Fair online purchases will be delivered to your child’s class.
Students will only be able to shop during their scheduled time.
NEW digital payment option: Book Fair eWallet! Now your student can shop the Fair cash-free! Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and to create an account. http://www.scholastic.com/bf/dey
You may also pay with cash or check, made payable to the John B. Dey Elementary School. Book fair purchases are not taxed.
All sales are final, so please make selections carefully. All proceeds go toward purchasing new books for our library. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you at the book fair.
Thank you,
Susan Hardesty and Susan Mangum
PICTURE DAY -THURSDAY, APRIL 4
Class and individual pictures will be taken on April 4. Class pictures are pre-pay only on or before Picture Day. Class picture order forms went home this week.
Payment: $17.00 check payable to LIFETOUCH, exact cash only, on online payments accepted at www.lifetouch.com with ID CODE: VA45812G0.
Any questions, please call the Office at 648-2440. Extra Picture day forms are in the Office.
NEXT WEEK AT DEY
Monday, April 1:
- PTA Spanish (K-1)
- Camo Day - Military Child Spirit Day!
Tuesday, April 2:
- PTA Tennis (K-2)
- Patriotic Day Spirit Day!
Wednesday, April 3:
- Military Word Shirt Wednesday!
- PTA Spanish (Gr. 2-5)
- PTA Meeting 5:00 p.m.
- BOOK FAIR open for parents (3:00 - 6:00 p.m.)
- PTA Movie Night (Mulan) 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 4:
- Smile: It's Picture Day! Individual and Class pictures will be taken in the Gym
- PTA Tennis (Gr. 3-5)
- Kenny Davis Event - Shorebreak, Doors open 4 p.m. Live Band "The Watermen" 5 - 8 p.m.
Friday, April 5:
- Super Hero Spirit Day!
- Yearbook orders due today - Online orders
PTA CORNER
PTA EVENTS
April is the MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD: SPIRIT DAYS APRIL 1-5
April 3-PTA General Meeting/Spring Movie Night (Mulan)
April 26-Totally 80s spirit day and Lip Sinc Battle (during lunches)
April 27-Family Fun Fitness Day
We need volunteers to help at every PTA event. To volunteer for PTA events, please register at http://www.jbdpta.my-pta.org
MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD
April is the Month of the Military Child. A month dedicated to honoring the sacrifices made by military families worldwide, with an emphasis on the experience of the dependent children of military members serving at home and overseas. The PTA is kicking-off the month with a “Celebrate Military Kids” Spirit Week from 1-5 April so get ready to show your spirit to honor our JBD military kids:
Monday, 1 April: Crazy Camo Day--wear your camouflage clothes
Tuesday, 2 April: Proud to Be an American Day--wear red, white and blue
Wednesday, 3 April: Military Word Shirt/Service Shirt
Thursday, 4 April: Stars Day—JBD’s military kids are stars--wear anything with stars…the more the better
Friday, 5 April: Super-hero day—Military kids are super-heros; wear your favorite super-hero T-shirt or dress like a super-hero.
SPRING MOVIE NIGHT-Mulan
On Wednesday, April 3 from 6:00-8:00, plan to bring the family for a free movie night. This is not a drop off event, and we ask that students leave their electronic devices at home, so everyone in the audience can enjoy the show.
Concessions will be offered for sale.
BOOSTERTHON REWARD
JBD reached the Boosterthon fundraising goal and the students have earned the school wide reward!!!! On Friday, April 26 the students and staff can dress in their totally 80s attire and enjoy an 80s Lip sinc battle during lunches.
HARRIS TEETER is NOW OPEN!!!!!
Be sure to link your VIC Card to John B Dey (#5338-use this number when signing up)
YEARBOOK ORDERS-APRIL 5 DEADLINE
The John B. Dey 2018-2019 Yearbook is on sale now! Order online at ybpay.lifetouch.com with YEARBOOK CODE : 2077919.
Yearbooks are $25.00. Online orders only.
Deadline to order yearbooks is April 5.
Thank you!
GIFTED CORNER
Gifted Corner
First Graders with applications submitted by the March 1st deadline received a purple testing reminder about Tuesday April 2. Please attend school on that day if at all possible! Absentee testing will take place prior to April 30th. Three attempts will be made, unannounced.
Cluster Classes in Action
The second graders had a hands-on experience with natural resources that the Native Americans may have used. They came to the conclusion that WHERE you live affects HOW you live.
Third grade writers are soaring by working at their independent developmental level in a writer’s workshop. Book Publishing is coming up after Spring Break. Don’t forget to send in empty cereal boxes and colorful contact paper to support our book making!
Fourth grade learned the history of Jamestown through story telling using props. Ask them to tell it to you!
Fifth grade is polishing their performance tasks through Scratch, videos and more! The Hands-on Equations program is preparing the students for Algebra and Junior Great Book shared inquiries teach them how to be critical thinkers by holding an argument and a counter argument in their heads at the same time.
COMING SOON
April 8: Report Cards go home
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION - APRIL 23 9:00 A.M. JBD CAFETERIA
For families at the beginning of their educational journeys with Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS), the division is hosting the annual Kindergarten Registration and School Orientation event, which takes place at Tuesday, April 23, at 9 a.m. at all of the division's elementary schools (with the exception of Newtown and Bettie F. Williams since those schools do not have kindergarten programs).
Parents of children who will be 5-years-old on or before Sept. 30 are invited to attend this event.
While families can register their child for kindergarten any time leading up to the school year, this registration event includes an open house for future students and their parents, tours of the school and an overview of the kindergarten program. Students also will experience a school bus ride for the first time and meet with kindergarten teachers while parents fill out the necessary registration paperwork. Activities may vary by school.
Registration forms are available at www.vbschools.com. In order to register their child for kindergarten, parents need to bring the following documents:
- two proofs of address: 1) a lease agreement/mortgage statement; and 2) a current gas, electric or water bill
- a certified copy of the child's birth certificate
- a physical examination (dated within 12 months prior to starting kindergarten)
- a current immunization report
- two current emergency contact phone numbers
Parents can determine their child's zoned school for kindergarten by visiting the School Locator/Map Center on www.vbschools.com, or by calling their neighborhood school. Detailed registration information and an overview of the kindergarten program can be found on the division's kindergarten registration page, www.vbschools.com.
For more information about kindergarten registration, parents should contact their neighborhood school or the Department of School Leadership at 757-263-1088.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
John B. Dey Weekly Family Newsletter
Beth Bianchi
Proud Principal
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