The Pizitz Post
for Students, Parents & Families - September 6, 2022
Child Nutrition Program
Students, please take a moment to complete this survey to provide feedback to our staff.
October Adjustment
In October, our students have October 7, 10, and 11 off of school. We had originally planned for October 7 to be our parent-teacher conference date. However, due to changes in our professional learning schedule (with our outside speakers), we will need to make an adjustment. Instead, we will provide opportunities for a parent-teacher conference on Tuesday, October 11.
Of course, our teachers will be flexible to schedule these virtually or at a later time if a parent-teacher conference is requested for your child and you are unable to meet on that date. Thank you for understanding.
Attention 6th Graders!
Let's Luau, sixth graders! The sixth grade party will be held on Friday, September 16 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. Students should be picked up at 5:00 PM through regular 6th grade carpool. Students must have a wristband to attend. Wristbands will be on sale for $5 in the library beginning Monday, September 12 through 5th Period Friday, September 16. Wristbands will not be sold at the door.
All proceeds go to our school wide philanthropy, Miracle League Vestavia Hills. On Friday, leis will be sold for $1 each during the lunch period. At the party, drinks will be available for $2 each and water & snacks will be available for $1 each. Please contact Mrs. Button Smith with questions.
Chromebook Use
As a reminder, the student Chromebooks are school-issued and owned by the school. We remind students frequently about digital citizenship. We need your help to remind students that their Chromebooks should be used for school-related activities only.
For their protection, our student usage is monitored by teachers and administrators through GoGuardian. We have also added an adhesive name label to each Chromebook. We remind students to stay on their own device while working.
Parents, we appreciate your partnership with us to ensure that students are making the best use of their time when accessing digital tools both at school and at home.
Don't forget...Picture Day is THIS Thursday!
Picture Day is Thursday, September 8. Every student will be photographed for the yearbook. All students will take pictures during their PE classes.
Did you order a yearbook this year? We currently have 780 orders, but we have over 1000 students. You don't want to miss out on the yearbook in May. You can check your order history on My School Bucks. If you didn't order a book at the time of registration, you can still place your order now.
More News from Yearbook
Would you like to purchase an ad in the 2023 Privia yearbook? Personal or business ads can be submitted to Mrs. Wade. Here is the link to our ad contract. Contact Mrs. Wade by email if you have any questions about purchasing an ad (wadelb@vhcs.us).
Share your photos with the yearbook staff to help us make the best yearbook in 2023. Anyone can go to this link: https://www.hjeshare.com/eShare/?code=pirates22189 We love to get photos the parents take at games and competitions. You can also use the HJ eShare app on your phone. You will have to put in the code pirates22189. Upload your photos for possible use in the 2023 Pirivia.
Scholar's Bowl
Students, there will be a Scholars' Bowl Interest Meeting THIS Thursday, September 8th, during 8th period. The meeting will be held in room E108. This year two of our new teachers- Miss Stair and Mrs.Collins will be our sponsors.
Health Room Updates
Our student flu clinic will be held the first week of October. If you would like to learn more about this opportunity for your child, check out the link here. If you would like to register your child for the clinic, please complete the form here. In addition, you would need to provide a front and back copy of your insurance card for Nurse Nancy. All forms and copies can be turned in to Nurse Nancy or the front office by September 16. You are also welcome to email your copies to Nurse Nancy.
As a reminder, students are not able to drop off medications with the nurse. If it is a prescription medication, a current prescription label is required. Call or email Nurse Nancy with questions (hennekern@vhcs.us).
Attendance Matters!
For each absence, an excuse should be turned in within 3 days of the student's return to school. A parent note or doctor's excuse may be turned in at the front desk or emailed to Mary Watson, watsonme@vhcs.us or Luanne Carter, carterlg@vhcs.us.
A Pre-Approved Absence Request form should be submitted when you know in advance that your student will be absent for a full day. If you have multiple students at Pizitz, a separate form should be submitted for each student. Make sure to include the student's first and last name on the form.
Due to carpool traffic and congestion, checkouts after 2:30pm are discouraged.
Winter Athletic Parent Meeting
Parents, mark your calendars! If you have a child who will be participating in a winter sport this year, plan on joining our athletic directors and coaches for a parent meeting at 6:30PM on October 20.
Pizitz Bowling
Coming Soon to a lane near YOU! It's time for Pizitz Pirates' Bowling! Be a part of a winning tradition! Open to all 7th and 8th Graders. Sign ups begin today through September 9. The bowling season runs from October to December.
Join the Google classroom (code: prralvg). For more information contact Coach Maiola or Coach Knickrehm.
Pizitz Digital Media Class
Calling all students interested in creative writing, journalism, graphic design, or broadcast!
See Mrs. Wiggins for an application for the Pizitz Digital Media Class. This class meets 8th period and produces Pirate Vision, a student-driven news broadcast; Pirate Pages, the Pizitz newsletter; and The Cutlass, our own literary magazine.
Click here for an example of last year's Pirate Vision and here for an application. Applications are due TODAY!
Support the Arts!
Vestavia Arts Merchandise is available now! At checkout you can choose which school and which program you want the profits to fund. There are new color options, car magnets, and stickers this year. They will be sold through October 1st and delivered by November 1st. We are grateful for the support! Check out the link to order here.
Interest Clinic for VHHS Color Guard, Danceline, and Majorettes
The band auxiliary at VHHS is so excited to announce an informal interest clinic for middle school girls. This is an opportunity for ANYONE interested in learning more about the VHHS color guard, danceline (Rockettes) and majorettes. Use this link to find out more information about this informational clinic. Here is the link to register.
Partners in Education (PIE)
Our PIE program, in conjunction with PTO, has been a wonderful opportunity to engage individuals and businesses in our community in what is happening here at Pizitz. We are grateful for the many community partners who help to support the work of our school. If you or your business is interested in supporting Pizitz, feel to reach out to our PTO chairperson, Caroline Neely. She can be reached via email at cneely76@hotmail.com.
Applications are due by October 15, and more information can be found on the PTO website here. Thank you, in advance, for your support!
Off-Season Track and Field
Attention 7th and 8th Graders! Do you like running? Do you like jumping? Do you like throwing? Do you like team camaraderie? Do you like winning? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then the Pizitz Track and Field Off-Season is for you!
The Track and Field Off-Season Program is open to any 7th or 8th grader who is not currently participating in a fall sport. We will condition/work-out Monday-Thursday from 8th period until 4:00. On Fridays, we will work out during 8th period only. If you are interested in participating in the Track and Field Off-Season program, please join the Track and Field Off-Season Google Classroom for additional information.
The class code is SVEDZ7G. All paperwork must be completed in DragonFly in order to participate. If you have any questions, please contact Coach Wilder at wilderca@vhcs.us.
Mark Your Calendars for Softball Tryouts
7th & 8th grade students: Pizitz Softball Team Tryouts will be held on October 5 at the VHHS softball field from 4:30-6:00pm. You will need to bring cleats, a glove, and bat (if you have one). Join the Google Classroom for more information. Code: pftomi3
Coach Robinson's email is RobinsonB@vhcs.us . Feel free to reach out to her with questions.
Rebels Helping Rebels
Rebels Helping Rebels is a grace fund used to financially support students in need. The fund assists in paying school-related fees and activities. The goal of the program is to ensure that cost is not a
reason a student would not participate in a school activity or have the supplies needed.
If you would like to learn more about getting support or how to donate, check out the flyer here.
Community Night
Join the community for a night out at Vestavia Hills City Hall on Thursday, October 6. Check out the flyer here.