Dolphin Parent Connection
May 2021 Volume 6, Issue 8
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, & Better Hearing and Speech Month
· Monday, May 3rd--Friday, May 7th: Teacher Appreciation Week
· Monday, May 3rd--Friday, May 7th: ESL Testing for select students
· Tuesday, May 4th: National Teacher Appreciation Day
· Thursday, May 6th: National School Nurse Day
· Sunday, May 9th: Happy Mother's Day
· Monday, May 10th: PALs testing Grades K-2
· Tuesday, May 11th: Technology Support Appreciation Day
· Wednesday, May 12th: SCA Leadership Council Meeting @ 3:00 PM
· Monday, May 17th: PALs testing Grades K-2
· Monday, May 17th: SOL Grades 3-5 Reading Test for Option 2 Students
· Wednesday, May 19th: Spirit Night: Tapped 5:00-9:00 PM (Be sure to mention Red Mill)
· Monday, May 24th: SOL Grade 5 VA Studies Test for Option 2 Students
· Tuesday, May 25th: SOL Grade 5 Reading Test for F2F Students
· Wednesday, May 26th: SOL Grade 4 Reading Test for F2F Students
· Thursday, May 27th: SOL Grade 3 Reading Test for F2F Students
· Monday, May 31st: Memorial Day--No School
· Wednesday, June 2nd: SOL Grade 5 VA Studies Test for F2F Students
· Thursday, June 3rd: SOL Grade 5 Science Test for F2F Students
· Monday, June 7th: SOL Grades 3-5 Math Test for Option 2 Students
· Tuesday, June 8th: SOL Grade 3 Math Test for F2F Students
· Wednesday, June 9th: SOL Grade 5 Math Test for F2F Students
· Friday, June 11th: SOL Grade 4 Math Test for F2F Students
· Monday, June 14th: SOL Grade 5 Science Test for Option 2 Students
PTA News
Teacher Appreciation Week
The PTA would like to thank our wonderful teachers and staff for going above and beyond to make this a successful school year. We will be providing a pizza lunch on Monday and a treat in the lounge on Tuesday. Please join us to show appreciation by participating in “Thank you Thursday” on May 6th. Your child can write a thank you note, draw a picture or send an email. Here are a few other ideas:
- Thank you for helping us Bloom! Bring in a flower from your yard or store.
- How Sweet it is to be taught by you! Bring in a sweet treat.
- Send a virtual thank you by going to thankateacherva.com
- Send a free online greeting card from sites like Bluemountain.com
End of the Year PTA Information
Please follow our Facebook page for information about volunteer opportunities, 5th grade events, the summer reading program and other PTA events.
Planning for the 2021-22 School Year
During the 2021-22 school year, it is the division’s intent to provide in-person instruction five days a week for those families who choose face-to-face learning. For families who choose virtual instruction for the 2021-22 school year, the Virtual Virginia (VVA) program will be the primary learning platform.
A pre-enrollment survey is now available to all families through ParentVUE, where you will be asked whether you intend to choose in-person or virtual instruction for your child(ren) for the 2021-22 school year. A survey must be filled out for each child enrolled in VBCPS. If you have not activated your ParentVUE account, instructions are attached to this message and available here. The questions in the survey are designed to help VBCPS plan for the resources and staff required for meeting the needs of each and every student during the 2021-22 school year. Families of English learners who need assistance with their ParentVUE accounts are encouraged to contact their school.
This survey will be open until May 16. For families who do not respond to the survey, their children will receive face-to-face instruction for school year 2021-22.
We are providing several opportunities to get your questions answered before you fill out the pre-enrollment survey. An FAQ page is available on vbschools.com, and there is also a wealth of information on the Virtual Virginia website. A hotline will be set up to answer questions beginning Monday, May 3. That number is 757-337-1641, and the line will be answered Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The hotline will be available for Spanish-speaking families Monday through Friday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. La línea de atención telefónica estará disponible para las familias hispanohablantes de lunes a viernes, de 18 a 20 horas.
There will be four Family Connection information sessions hosted by Virtual Virginia and VBCPS. The dates and registration links are below, but you may submit your questions about Virtual Virginia now by clicking here: Family Connection: Virtual Virginia Information Question Submission.
- May 3, 6 p.m.-7 p.m., hosted by Virtual Virginia
A sign language interpreter will be participating.
6 p.m.-6:30 p.m. – elementary school
6:30 p.m.- 7 p.m. – secondary school
Register in advance for this webinar HERE.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
- May 6, 6 p.m.-7 p.m., hosted by Virtual Virginia
A sign language interpreter will be participating.
6 p.m.-6:30 p.m. – elementary school
6:30 p.m.- 7 p.m. – secondary school
Register in advance for this webinar HERE.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
- 6 de mayo, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Esta sesión será organizada por Virtual Virginia
7:30 p.m.-8 p.m – e incluirá información de primaria
8 p.m.-8:30 p.m. – e información de secundaria
Regístrese con anticipación para este seminario web.
Después de registrarse, recibirá un correo electrónico de confirmación con información sobre cómo unirse al seminario web.
- May 13, 6 p.m.- 7 p.m., hosted by VBCPS
A sign language interpreter will be participating.
Questions about both elementary and secondary school will be addressed.
Register in advance for this webinar HERE.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Kindergarten Registration for 2021--22 School Year
It is hard to believe it is that time of the year again, but we have begun registration for rising Kindergarteners for the 2021-22 school year. To begin online registration, please visit https://www.vbschools.com/parents/student_registration/OLR.
Once you have completed the online registration portion, our registrar, Mrs. Mariangela DiCroce, will reach out to you to schedule a follow-up time for you to bring in the remaining paperwork to the Red Mill main office.
We hope to offer a face-to-face orientation for our future kindergarteners in August. More information will follow later this summer. In the meantime, we have put together a virtual orientation for you and your child. Click here to access: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1HHFhVIEs6ZULe3vqqxyg3a-VwERgt6HN80hA44VSa6U/present
Please note that at this time only rising kindergarteners are able to register for the 2021-22 school year.
If you have a rising kindergartener or you have any family, friends, or neighbors with rising kindergarteners, please share this information with them. The sooner we have students registered, the better we can plan for staffing and instructional spaces for next year.
If you have questions, feel free to call the main office at 648-3560.
Spring SOL Testing
Spirit Night at Tapped on May 19th
Trex Recycling Challenge
Great news! Red Mill was the winner of the Trex Recycling Challenge for the Mid-Atlantic division. Below is a picture of the new bench we will be receiving. Thanks to everyone that contributed plastic to the collection.
StarTalk Russian & Chinese Academy
The World Languages program of Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) has been selected to receive funding from the National Security Agency for the 2021 STARTALK Elementary Chinese and Russian Summer Academies.
This is a free, four-week, immersive experience for students which runs from June 28 to July 22 at Kempsville Meadows Elementary School. Students who have attended the academy in prior years (2009-2019) have received national recognition for their proficiency levels after 16 days or less of instruction.
All rising 5th graders are eligible to apply. Use the QR code in the flyer below or access the application via the program website: www.virginiabeachstartalk.org.
Family Life Education for the 20-21 School Year
Congratulations to Our Red Mill Artists
Ava S.
Lynnlee J.
Eason L.
Cassie G.
Mia N.
Madeline K.
Bailey K.
Lilly S.
Reagan S.
Calista V.
Lyric G.
Ethan M.
Benjamin T.
Emma W.
Emily W.
Savannah R.
Featured in the Audubon Art Show
Eason L.
Ada C.
School Counselor Corner
During the month of May, we are turning our focus inward to learn about self-esteem and the importance of showing ourselves the same care and compassion that we show others. In the lower grades, we will be identifying our strengths and showing love and appreciation for our smart and strong brains and bodies. In upper grades, students will set personal goals, practice positive affirmations, and reflect on their support network.
Self-esteem can be a daunting topic to address. How can we make our kids believe what we already know - that they are strong, smart, and capable of accomplishing anything that they set their mind to? A lot of this comes down to confidence, and there are things you can do at home to help your child feel capable of handling anything that comes their way. See the below linked articles for some ideas!
12 Tips for Raising Confident Kids
Simple Ways to Boost Your Child's Self-Esteem
The Red Mill School Counseling website is now up and running! On this page, you will find information about schoolwide programs, monthly lesson topics, and helpful resources: https://sites.google.com/vbschools.com/rmes-school-counseling/home
Sincerely,
Erin Whitt and Karen Racicot
Food Service Menus: Please Note the Bold Print
Pearl School Campaign
Please help Red Mill maintain its Pearl School Designation. Use the links below to become a designated Pearl Home and help our neighborhoods be more sustainable and keep our waterways clean. The application is simple, and you will find that you likely already do many of the activities listed. For more information, go to https://www.lynnhavenrivernow.org/vb-residents/. You can complete the Pearl Home application online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/pearlhome.
Remember to add Red Mill Elementary in box 2 on the application. Yard flags and magnets will be delivered to Red Mill, and you will be contacted to schedule pick up.
Gifted News
Office Hours for Students:
Mondays 8:45-9:15 Google Meet code RMENAT
Email anytime at Tamyra.Natividad@vbschools.com
Grade 1: First Grade Parents, if you submitted an application for gifted identification and/or ODS by the February 26 deadline, the timeline for the remainder of the identification process is below.
- May 5 - 7, 2021--Gifted Identification and Placement Committee meetings for grade 1
- May 13, 2021--Old Donation School Selection Committee meets to review grade 1 applicants for placement in grade 2 for the 2021-2022 school year.
- May 18, 2021--Old Donation School decision letters for grade 2 emailed to parents/guardians.
- June 1, 2021--Letters of Intent for grade 2 due to Old Donation School
- June 15, 2021--Deadline to appeal Old Donation School Selection Committee decisions for grade 2. Due by 5:00 pm to Gifted Office.
- June 2021--Grade 2 Old Donation School Appeals Committee
- June 2021--Old Donation School appeal decision letters for grade 2 emailed to parents/guardians
Free Parent & Student Resources
Office of Family & Community Engagement Resource Page
Mission of the VBCPS Office of Family & Community Engagement: Engage and empower family and community stakeholders through division collaboration of resources, services and information that leads to a well-balanced and successful student. https://sites.google.com/vbschools.com/face-resources
Parenting and Professional Resources from CHKD
Dedicated to providing quality information based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, CHKD offers classes, conferences, webinars, and more for parents and professionals interested in gaining knowledge, skills, and confidence in parenting. From parent education to children's health and mental wellness to injury prevention and sports performance, CHKD has got you covered.
https://www.chkd.org/patients-and-families/parenting-classes-and-resources/
Free Tutoring for Military Families
- Work with a tutor from any internet-connected device, anywhere in the world
- Connect to an expert tutor available on demand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week*
- Get online tutoring help three ways: request a tutor’s help right now, schedule a future tutoring session, or upload a document for offline review and get comments back within 24 hours
- Use the free Tutor.com app for IOS and Android mobile devices—take a picture of a homework problem and upload it for the tutor to see
- All Core Subjects, All Skill Levels
- Expert Tutors You Can Trust
- Safe, Anonymous Learning Environment
Having Trouble with Your Chromebook?
Accessing Student Report Cards
Guidelines for Student Participation in Virtual Learning
Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 4, student cameras must be turned on at the beginning of class for teachers to verify attendance. In addition, cameras should be left on during live instruction and group work and may be turned off during independent work.
The Department of Technology is working on a solution for students to be able to either blur their background or to use a virtual background when their Chromebook camera is activated for video conferencing via Zoom or Google Meet. In the meantime, parents are encouraged to assist their children with identifying a suitable location in their home when engaging in synchronous instruction.
If you wish to discuss these requirements or have specific concerns, please contact your child’s principal, who will work with you to resolve those concerns.
2020-2021 Student Face Coverings and the Code of Student Conduct
For the 2020-2021 school year or until further notice, all students are required to wear a cloth face covering at bus stops, on school buses, and in school buildings unless they provide documentation from a healthcare provider that they are unable to wear a face covering due to a health condition. Face coverings are subject to the same expectations outlined in Policy 5-41 and may not depict lewd graphics, display offensive or obscene language, advertise alcohol or an illegal substance, or have any gang-affiliation. With the same parameters a face shield is an acceptable substitute, if a cloth face covering cannot be used. Staff is required to direct the student to place the face covering over the mouth and nose. When a student is not wearing a face covering nor wearing it properly, the teacher shall tell the student to wear the face covering and/or to do so properly. Should a student refuse to wear a face covering after being told to do so by staff, then the student will be cited for violating the COSC.
Not Receiving Text Messages from the School?
Our records indicate that we still have some families not receiving text messages from the school with important reminders and transportation changes. If you have not received any text messages from Red Mill this school year, you may have not yet Opted in to receive text messages. See below for directions on how to Opt In or Opt Out of text messages.
How do I know if I have Opted-in?
You can check if you are opted-in by texting “Y” or "YES" to 67587.
How do I opt-out?
You may opt-out at any time by texting “STOP” to 67587.
What if I opted-out but later decide I would like to opt-in again?
As long as your child’s school has your text-enabled phone number on record, you may request to begin receiving text messages by texting “Y” or "YES" to 67587. If the school does not have your text-enabled number on record, you will need to contact the school.