Dolphin Parent Connection
January 2020 Volume 5, Issue 5
A Message from the Principal
I want to give you a quick update on where our Boosterthon fundraiser money has been spent so far. Every grade level and department put together a list of wants and needs in November, and we have been able to order nearly all of these items. The list of items is too long to list here, but it has included new sets of headphones, new books for the guided reading library, colored paper and cardstock, construction paper, new student cubbies, chart paper, electric pencil sharpeners, new markers and dry erase markers, book bins, Snap Circuits, items for Creation Station, picture books, and art supplies. Some items, such as new classroom tables and flexible seating options will be delivered soon. We will also be purchasing new iPads later this spring to replace some of our older models. Additionally, the PTA is using a portion of their fundraiser earnings to purchase a Cricut Maker for the school, new PE mats, and furniture for a reading nook in the cafeteria. We thank you once again for all your support with the Boosterthon Fun Run, and we promise we are spending the money wisely and for the benefit of your students.
Lastly, the beginning of a new calendar year is a good time to stop and reflect. So as we ask students to reflect on their progress and set goals here at school, I would like to ask you to reflect on how your child is doing at home following our 3 school-wide behavioral expectations: Be Responsible. Be Respectful. Be Safe. As part of the November Virtual Learning Day, students were asked to think about what it means to follow these expectations at home. For example, what does it mean to be respectful during mealtime? What does it mean to be safe when enjoying free time? What does it mean to be responsible when getting ready for school in the morning? As part of our school's Positive Behavioral Supports and Interventions Program (PBIS), we continue to review and reinforce our school's expectations and specific routines on a regular basis so we encourage you to do the same. Hold a family meeting periodically to review your family's expectations and essential routines. With the help of your child, create a home matrix such as the one below and take time to model and role-play specific situations if needed. Remember that you may need to repeat this process several times. Just like learning to ride a bike, write a paragraph, and learn an instrument, appropriate behavior must be learned and practiced. As I say often, we want the best for your child. We know that by working together your child will grow as both a student and a person this school year.
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
· Wednesday, January 2nd: Back to School from Winter Break
· Wednesday, January 8th: SCA Meeting @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Wednesday, January 8th: Helping Hands @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Wednesday, January 8th: STEM/Robotics Club @ 2:45-4:15 PM
· Tuesday, January 14th: Maker Club @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Tuesday, January 14th: PTA General Meeting @ 6:00 PM (via Facebook Live)
· Wednesday, January 15th: Helping Hands @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Wednesday, January 15th: STEM/Robotics Club @ 2:45-4:15 PM
· Wednesday, January 15th: Spirit Night at Panera @ 4:00-8:00 PM
· Monday, January 20th: No School in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
· Tuesday, January 21st: Art Club @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Wednesday, January 22nd: STEM/Robotics Club @ 2:45-4:15 PM
· Friday, January 24th: Last day of the 2nd Marking Period
· Friday, January 24th: PTA Family Game Night @ 6:00-8:00 PM
· Monday, January 27th: Staff Work Day--No School for students
· Tuesday, January 28th: Start of the 3rd Marking Period
· Tuesday, January 28th: Maker Club @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Wednesday, January 29th: STEM/Robotics Club @ 2:45-4:15 PM
· Monday, February 3rd: SCA Valentine's Day Candy Grams sale begins this week
· Wednesday, February 5th: Anchored4Life Club @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Monday, February 3rd: Report Cards Issued
· Monday, February 3rd: PTA Talent Show auditions held this week
· Tuesday, February 4th: Art Club @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Wednesday, February 5th: STEM/Robotics Club @ 2:45-4:15 PM
· Tuesday, February 11th: Maker Club @ 2:45-4:00 PM
2019-2020 Yearbooks On Sale Now
You can pre-order your 2019-2020 RMES Yearbooks. Yearbook order forms are available in the Art Room. You can also pre-order yearbooks online at ybpay.lifetouch.com with code 13007620. Standard yearbooks are $20.00 and personalized yearbooks are $25.00.
Gifted News
All Grade 1-5 Parents,
Timelines and procedures for all gifted application services to include gifted identification, Old Donation School acceptance, dance and visual arts programs are posted at https://www.vbschools.com/academic_programs/gifted/application_process
The direct link to the online application can be found by clicking the link below.
Application Deadlines:
- Grades 2-5: January 10, 2020 4:00 p.m. (Testing date: February 20, 2020)
- Grade 1: February 10, 2020 4:00 p.m. (Testing date: April 23, 2020)
- Gifted Visual Arts and Gifted Dance Education Program applications are due February 3, 2020. *Please note that the gifted visual arts application also requires a portfolio to be submitted which must be turned in to Mrs. Natividad (room 36) to complete the visual arts application.
Information Nights:
- Tuesday, January 7, 2020 5:00 p.m. Old Donation School Parent Information Night for students currently in grades 1-4. (Old Donation School 4633 Honeygrove Road)
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Thursday, January 9, 2020 5:00 p.m. Parent Information Night for the Gifted Dance Education and Gifted Visual Arts programs for students currently in grades 2-4. (Old Donation School 4633 Honeygrove Road)
If you have questions, please reach out to Tamyra Natividad, Gifted Resource Teacher, at tamyra.natividad@vbschools.com
School Counselor Corner
Please feel free to contact me by phone (648-3572) or e-mail (erin.whitt@vbschools.com) if you have any questions or concerns.
Chinese New Year Menu
January PE News
Operation Smile Shamrock Final Mile
Register to run with Red Mill in the Operation Smile Shamrock Final Mile! Saturday, March 20th, 11 AM
PTA News
Happy New Year from your PTA! Below you’ll see info on upcoming events. Please remember, we couldn’t do any of this without parent volunteers. Our PTA executive board will be turning over in the Spring. If you’re interested in becoming further involved in our school, please contact us. More details on exact needs will be released soon.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Family Game Night
You are invited to a family-friendly game night on Friday, January 24th from 6-8 PM.
The PTA will have board games in the cafeteria, and for those wanting a little more physical activity, we’ll have basketball, volleyball and Four Square set up in the gym.
The event is free, and you do not need to RSVP. Lago Mar Pizza and drinks may be PRE-ORDERED for the event with proceeds going to the Red Mill SCA. Orders must be turned in to the office BY January 22nd. Pizza pre-orders will be available for distribution beginning at 6 PM. Please see attached order form and flyer.
Dolphin Splash Variety/Talent Show
We will be holding our variety/talent show the evening of Friday, February 21st. Students who wish to participate should fill out the and turn in the attached intention form by Friday, January 24th! Copies are also available in the main office. Auditions will be held the week of February 3-7. See attached flyer for details. You can also contact Keegan Daly for more information: 716-381-7200, KDaley8349@gmail.com. Also, if you’re interested in volunteering, see our SignUp Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a094caba82ea4fd0-volunteers
Facebook LIVE PTA General Meeting
The PTA will hold a meeting ONLINE through Facebook on Tuesday, January 14th at 6 PM. We will have several give-aways as well as lots of good info. If you haven’t already “liked” our page, search Red Mill PTA and look for the dolphin. If you can’t make that time, the meeting should be archived for later viewing.
Our next PTA board planning meeting will be held February 11th at 1 PM at the school. These are usually smaller meetings, but parents are welcome to attend.
Dolphin Academy
Mark your calendars. We are planning to host our Spring Dolphin Academy on Wednesdays after school in March. These free extra-curricular offerings allow students to explore a variety of educational, yet fun classes. We need a couple of assistants who can be there for check-in and dismissal. Please e-mail redmillpta@yahoo.com if you’d like to help.
Recent Past Events
Thank you for coming to our annual Winter Wonderland festival in December. We received a lot of positive feedback and enjoyed seeing our Red Mill families have fun! A huge “thank you” to those who volunteered time and donations to help make it a success.
Budget Update
The PTA has recently approved purchasing several items for Red Mill students including supplies to build a reading nook in the cafeteria, a Cricut Maker for the library’s Creation Station, and new P.E. mats. We are still considering other spending options that would benefit our students. If you have any suggestions, feel free to submit them via e-mail.
Contact us
E-mail redmillpta@yahoo.com or go through our Facebook page with any questions or concerns.
Helping Hands & Garden Club Information
Helping Hands is still collecting New and Used Coats for families through February. A drop-off box is located in the lobby. Helping Hands is always collecting New and Used shoes. So clean out those closets and bring them to school.
Please note that due to the Teacher Inservice Day on January 27th, there will be NO Garden Club meeting in January.
Smart Watches, Cell Phones, and Other Technology Devices
Ocean Lakes HS Winter Carnival
Dismissal Change Reminders
Free Access to Virginia Beach Public Library Digital Resources
Did you know that Virginia Beach students have digital access to the Virginia Beach Public Library? Through a partnership between Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) and Virginia Beach Public Library (VBPL), all K-12 students have year-round public library digital access.
Browse for resources using this link VBPL's Digital Library or access the Virginia Beach Public library through Clever. When prompted for a library card or account number, enter the following:
Login: S + VBCPS Student ID number. Example: S1234567
Password or "PIN": Date of birth in MMDD format. Example: a Jan. 1 birthday would be 0101
Details
- Students only need their login and password to access digital resources 24/7. No physical library card is issued.
- Student accounts include public computer access at all VBPL locations except for the TCC/City Joint-Use Library.
- VBCPS accounts expire 30 days after a student graduates or leaves the VBCPS district.
- Access to Hoopla and Newsbank resources is not included in VBCPS student accounts.
- Students may also hold a Youth Library card (with parent signature) to check out physical items from the library.
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.
School Cafe
If you would like to do any of the following regarding your child's lunch account, please visit https://www.schoolcafe.com/virginiabeachcps
· Make Payments
· Set up Auto Pay
· Set Purchase Restrictions
· Get Low Balance Alerts
· Submit Applications
· View Purchases
· View Menus
Destination Graduation
Students and their parents are encouraged to visit the Academic and Career Planning webpage to view and engage with K-12 career resources, middle and high school academic and career planning documents, and career pathway guides. Likewise, the Destination Graduation site offers students and families grade-level specific information and resources to help students and families navigate the journey from preschool to high school graduation.