JBD Focus Newsletter
March 31, 2017
Service and Sacrifice Go Hand in Hand
"But Mom! We can't move again! I finally have a best friend! I mean, Ben really gets me and we like all the same things! And Mom, I really like this yard and I don't want to ever leave John B. Dey!!!!" Okay, so maybe the last part is a stretch, but this diatribe is a common thread of conversation that our military children have with their parents. They just get settled and then BAM! The moving truck is back at the front door, carting away their Legos, books, and stuffed animals. Not only that, Mom or Dad may have been gone for 6 months, home for a month, gone for 3 months, home for a week...you get the picture. Routinely folks will say, "Thank you for your service" to the active duty service member, but we need to remember to say, "Thank you for your sacrifice" to our military children and spouses that stay behind while mom or dad defend our country.
To pop into a new class midyear is very stressful for the military child or any child for that matter! Actually it's difficult anytime after the first day of school. The children are jumping into previously established friend groups, a new curriculum, and in some cases, like our NATO families, a new language and culture. To be expected to breeze on in and just get adjusted is a lot to ask of the 5-11 year old set! Many adults have all kinds of trouble adjusting to change and new situations, so imagine how hard it is for our little ones!! In reality, they are literally troopers. The military kids make it happen. No choice in the matter. My oldest daughter still talks about being in 7 elementary schools and feeling like no matter what, she just couldn't quite fit in at times. My youngest child's memories are mostly of Dad being gone or coming home on weekends if he was 'geo-batching' in DC or Philly, while we stayed here in VB. Both girls are doing fine in spite of it all; that's the resilience our military children develop that many others do not. No time for coddling kids; this is what we do.
So, with that said, we are celebrating the MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD in April. Check out the events on the calendar and plan to join us if possible for Muffins for the Military. Also, if you have a picture of your child with their military mom or dad, please send it in with names so we can proudly display it on our morning slide show. You can always email them to me. ecbianch@vbschools.com.
Thanks again for your sacrifice and service,
Beth Bianchi
Navy Wife for 35 years
Next Week At Dey
Monday, April 3:Military Monday - Wear camo
- PTA Spanish (Gr. 3-5)
Tuesday, April 4:
- PTA Board Meeting 9:30 a.m.
- PTA Spanish K-2)
- Tennis (Gr. 3-5)
Wednesday, April 5:
- Art Club
- Boys Running Club
- Tennis (K-2)
- Joint NEHS/SCA Meeting (Exec. only) (Café)
- Chick Fil-A Spirit Night 5-8 p.m. (Don't forget to mention JBD when you place your order.)
- Author's Nook Open Mic Night 6-7 p.m. (Café)
Thursday, April 6:
- Intermediate Spanish 3-4 p.m.
Friday, April 7:
Adjusted Dismisal (Grade 1- 5) 12:10 p.m.
AM Kindergarten 8:10 a.m. - 10:10 a.m.
PM Kindergarten 10:10 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.
Sunday, April 9: Online Deadline to order a Field Day T-Shirt
April 10-14:
- Have a nice Spring Break - School closed
MILITARY MONDAY SPIRIT DAYS
To celebrate the Month of the Military Child, Military Mondays Spirit Days will start in April.
April 3: Wear camo
April 17: Wear red, white & blue
April 24: Wear any military wear
MILITARY APPRECIATION EVENTS
April 20: Muffins for the Military 8:00 a.m. (Café ) More details coming soon!
April 21: Purple up for the Military- All purple!
FILL A BAG FEED A CHILD
The Dey "Fill a Bag Feed a Child" Beach Bag Food Drive is happening right now. The Dey Scholars and SCA are currently collecting food items to fill Beach Bags. Please consider sending in items such as: applesauce cups, fruit cups, packaged oatmeal, Ramen noodles, granola bars, juice boxes, soup with flip tops, individual cereal boxes, shelf-stable milk, ravioli in a can, cheese crackers, peanut butter crackers, and toaster pastries.
The Dey "Fill a Bag Feed a Child" Beach Bag Food Drive is happening right now. The Dey Scholars and SCA are currently collecting food items to fill Beach Bags. Please consider sending in items such as: applesauce cups, fruit cups, packaged oatmeal, Ramen noodles, granola bars, juice boxes, soup with flip tops, individual cereal boxes, shelf-stable milk, ravioli in a can, cheese crackers, peanut butter crackers, and toaster pastries.
Our collection ends Wednesday, April 5th. Our goal is to fill at least 100 Beach Bags. Our Beach Bags will feed over 100 needy children over spring break! Fill a Bag Feed a Child with Dey. Thank you.
Clinic Corner- Spring Break
I wanted to share with you that Lets Be PALS, a professional lice treatment service offers FREE Walk – in lice head checks on Sunday and Monday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The address is 2525 Oconee Ave. Suite 103 in Virginia Beach. Usually 1-2 weeks after a school break we tend to see these itchy critters. Nits tend to look a lot like dandruff or dry scalp and can often be misdiagnosed. Please continue to check your child’s head during spring break and the following weeks. Most important when dealing with head lice you need to remember to remove the nits (eggs). One egg left in the hair can hatch and then you’re facing the issue all over again in 7-10 days. If you’re unsure if your child has lice or you just want peace of mind this is a great opportunity.
Enjoy your Spring Break.
Michele Self, R.N
Jenni Booth- Mericle, L.P.N
Class Pictures
Elizabeth Bianchi, Principal
Email: Elizabeth.Bianchi@vbschools.com
Website: www.deyes.vbschools.com
Location: John B Dey Elementary School, North Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach, VA, United States
Phone: 757-648-2440
Twitter: @JbdElem