Dolphin Parent Connection
March 2018 Volume 3, Issue 6
School Safety Remains a Priority
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
Music in Our Schools Month
Youth Art Month
National Nutrition Month
· Thursday, March 1st: Dolphin Academy @ 3:00-3:45 PM
· Friday, March 2nd: Dr. Seuss Spirit Day (see more info below)
· Friday, March 2nd: Progress Reports issued to select students
· Monday, March 5th--Friday, March 9th: National School Breakfast Week (see info below) & School Social Workers Week
· Tuesday, March 6th: Battle of the Books Semi-finals @ 6:00 PM (Central Library)
· Tuesday, March 6th: STEM/Robotics Club @ 2:45-4:10 PM
· Wednesday, March 7th: Running Club @ 7:15 AM
· Wednesday, March 7th: SCA & Anchored4Life Team Leaders Meeting @ 3:00-4:15 PM
· Wednesday, March 7th: Spanish Club Make-up Session @ 3:00-4:00 PM (Art Room)
· Wednesday, March 7th: Minecraft Club @ 3:00-3:50 PM (Science Lab)
· Thursday, March 8th: Dolphin Academy @ 3:00-3:45 PM
· Thursday, March 8th: Grade 4 VA Aquarium Outreach in AM
· Friday, March 9th: Dress Like An Artist Spirit Day (see Youth Art Month info below)
· Saturday, March 10th: Battle of the Books Finals @ 6:00 PM (Central Library)
· Monday, March 12th: Grade 2 and Grade 5 Field Trip to see Peter Pan in AM (Kellam HS)
· Tuesday, March 13th: Art Club @ 3:00-4:00 PM (spring club members 1st session)
· Tuesday, March 13th: STEM/Robotics Club @ 2:45-4:10 PM
· Tuesday, March 13th: Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A @ 5:00-8:00 PM
· Wednesday, March 14th: Running Club @ 7:15 AM
· Wednesday, March 14th: Anchored4Life Activity Groups
· Wednesday, March 14th: Helping Hands Club @ 3:00-4:00 PM
· Wednesday, March 14th: Minecraft Club @ 3:00-3:50 PM (Science Lab)
· Wednesday, March 14th: Spanish Club Make-up Session @ 3:00-4:00 PM (Art Room)
· Thursday, March 15th: Grade 4 Field Trip to see Peter Pan in AM (Kellam HS)
· Thursday, March 15th: Dolphin Academy @ 3:00-3:45 PM
· Friday, March 16th: Wear Primary Colors Spirit Day (see Youth Art Month info below)
· Friday, March 16th: Helping Hands Spaghetti Dinner @ 5:30 & 6:45 PM (3rd Grade will perform Personal Code at 5:30 PM)
· Saturday, March 17th: Operation Smile Final Mile @ 11:00 AM (VB Oceanfront)
· Monday, March 19th--Friday, March 23rd: SCA Food Drive
· Tuesday, March 20th: STEM/Robotics Club @ 3:00-4:25 PM
· Wednesday, March 21st: Anchored4Life Training for New & Returning Team Leaders
· Wednesday, March 21st: Minecraft Club @ 3:00-3:50 PM (Science Lab)
· Thursday, March 22nd: IPT Testing for 4th Graders in AM
· Thursday, March 22nd: Dolphin Academy @ 3:00-3:45 PM
· Friday, March 23rd: IPT Make-up Testing for 4th Graders in AM
· Friday, March 23rd: Wear Crazy Patterns Spirit Day (see Youth Art Month info below)
· Friday, March 23rd: Grade 3 Field Trip to see Peter Pan in AM (Kellam HS)
· Tuesday, March 27th: Art Club @ 3:00-4:00 PM (spring club members)
· Tuesday, March 27th: STEM/Robotics Club @ 3:00-4:25 PM
· Wednesday, March 28th: Anchored4Life Activity Groups
· Wednesday, March 28th: Minecraft Club @ 3:00-3:50 PM (Science Lab)
· Thursday, March 29th: Wear Secondary Colors Spirit Day (see Youth Art Month info below)
· Thursday, March 29th: Dolphin Academy @ 3:00-3:45 PM
· Friday, March 30th: Staff Work Day--No School for Students
· Monday, April 2nd--Friday, April 6th: Spring Break
· Tuesday, April 10th: PTA Board Meeting @ 1:30 PM
· Tuesday, April 10th: STEM/Robotics Club @ 3:00-4:25 PM
· Tuesday, April 10th: Art Club @ 3:00-4:00 PM (spring club members)
Dr. Seuss Spirit Day on March 2
Help us celebrate Dr. Seuss Spirit Day! To celebrate the birthday of one of our favorite authors and Read Across America Day, dress up as your favorite Dr. Seuss character on Friday, March 2. Wear your best Cat in the Hat hat, be inspired by The Lorax and wear green, find a friend and be Thing 1 and Thing 2. Just like Dr. Seuss, let your imagine soar.
Gifted News
GIFTED PROGRAM Application deadlines
- Thursday, March 1, 2018--Gifted Identification applications due by 4 p.m. for students currently in grade 1 (Late applications not accepted).
- Thursday, March 1, 2018--Old Donation School Full-time Intellectual Program applications due by 4 p.m. for students currently in grade 1 (Late applications not accepted).
Gifted Application Link (use student's log in and password)
https://giftedapplication.vbcps.com/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f
Helping Hands Club News
Helping Hands will offer their annual Spaghetti dinner on Friday, March 16th. Two seatings will be available: 5:30 PM or 6:45 PM. Reserve your tickets now. See flyer below.
Plan for your spring gardens now by keeping your eye out for the Helping Hands Flower sale later this spring.
Starting your spring cleaning yet? Remember The Helping Hands Club will take your used shoes/never worn shoes, bras, blankets, coats, and used towels. We will also take your extra toiletries such as travel-sized tooth brushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, etc.
We try to recycle/upcycle everything that we can at Red Mill. You can bring your empty egg cartons. and we will be sure one of our local egg farmers has a great supply.
Kids Writing Workshop at Public Library
Save Me a Seat author Gita Varadarajan is hosting a workshop and question and answer session for budding writers in 3rd – 5th grades on Saturday, March 10, from 2 – 3 p.m. at the Virginia Beach City Central Library. Gita will share writing tips, along with her own experience in writing Save Me a Seat. Ms. Varadarajan will be available to sign your personal copy of her book. Space is limited so register now at VBgov.com/library-events.
March Is National Youth Art Month
Let's celebrate with some fun spirit days in March.
Friday, March 9th- Dress like an artist
Friday, March 16th- Wear Primary colors
Friday, March 23rd- Wear crazy patterns
Thursday, March 29th- Wear Secondary colors
Camp Invention is Returning to Red Mill
Back by popular demand, Camp Invention returns to Red Mill this summer. Come join the fun from July 9 – July 13 from 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM. Camp Invention is for children entering Kindergarten through 6th grade this coming fall.
Students will enjoy hands-on activities as they become robotic pet veterinarians and receive their own robotic dogs that they personalize and bring home, create their own mini mansion smart homes, and explore sensors by experimenting with their own Optibot (a small driving bot). If your child is enjoying the Creation Station in our library or STEM/Robotics, your child won’t want to miss Camp Invention.
The price for the week remains $230. Register by March 23rd and save $25. Use promo code IDEAS25. You may register at campinvention.org or call 800-968-4332. Contact Terry Quinn at Theresa.Quinn@vbschools.com if you have any questions.
We can’t wait to see your child this summer!Red Mill Yearbook Preorders
Pre-orders for the 2017-18 RMES yearbook are available for students. All yearbooks will be hardcover and full page color! Would you like to add a personal touch to this year’s yearbook? Well, you may purchase a personalized yearbook for $25 until 4/9. A personalized yearbook includes your student’s name & picture on the cover. Also, you may pre-order a standard yearbook for $20. Standard yearbooks will be on sale all school year long while supplies last! You may preorder at school with an order form or order online at ybpay.lifetouch.com with code 13007618.
Munching through March
March is National Nutrition Month! Let’s eat our fruits and vegetables! Eat a minimum of 2 fruits AND 2 vegetables a day from March 1-28th. Use the tally sheet attached to keep track of your meals. If students meet this goal for at least 20 days, they will earn a brag tag! See the attached fact sheet for more details!
Pearl Home Application
Red Mill is running the Pearl Home Campaign to gain points toward the coveted Pearl School Award for schools that demonstrate excellence in Stewardship, Environmental Education and Sustainability. The Pearl Home program is run by Lynnhaven River NOW to reward families and individuals that live in Virginia Beach who are doing things to help clean up the waterways. You can go to the website www.lynnhavenrivernow.org or go directly to the survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HTKK2T6 and fill in the application online. If you complete the survey online, please place the name of your school in the NEIGHBORHOOD space, so that you can get your flag and give credit to Red Mill. If the online application does not apply to you because you live in an apartment, condo or townhome, you can download the application, fill it out and return it to your school with your contact information and student’s teacher name. For this application, please write on the back if you would like a flag for your yard or a magnet for your door. Both applications list things that you can do that will make a difference, just check off those things that you are doing. If you are able to check off at least 15 items (for homes) or 10 items (for multi-family dwellings), you will receive your choice of garden flag or a door magnet. Return the paper application to Mrs. Natividad at Red Mill with your child’s name, child’s teacher, and your contact information. You will be notified when flags and magnets are available for pick up. Thank you for making our water cleaner and healthier for future generations.
Operation Smile Final Mile
There’s still time to sign your son or daughter up to run with Red Mill in the Operation Smile Final Mile on Saturday, March 17th! You can register your child for the race online at any time at www.shamrockmarathon.com. The registration fee is $25.00 through race weekend. All participants receive a race T-shirt, goody bag, special medal, and certificate upon completion of the race. Participants also receive coupon incentives beginning in January from various local restaurants, museums, etc.
The P.E. department will also be selling hats to wear on race day and Red Mill water bottles for $5 each. Students will have the opportunity to decorate their hats before race day. If you would like to purchase a hat or water bottle, have your child bring cash or check to Ms. Parker in P.E.
SCA Food Drive
PBS KIDS Writers Contest
WHRO invites Kindergarten through 5th grade students to create a great story, illustrate it and enter it in our PBS KIDS Writers Contest! This year, in addition to the original contest, we will present the Batten Environmental Education Award to winning stories with an Environmental theme or topic. See the link for more information.
http://education.whro.org/regional-services/for-schools/writers-contest
Anchored4Life Update
“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” – Japanese Proverb
“Don’t struggle alone. Ask for support.” – Trevor Romain
“One positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.” - unknown author
School Counseling Program Notes
Guidance classroom lesson topics for March will include career exploration and managing feelings. Fifth graders will work on their Academic and Career Plans using Google Classroom. Also Small Group Counseling opportunities will continue with deployment support and managing feelings groups. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Draughon, our School Counselor at 648-3572 or by email at Marilyn.Draughon@vbschools.com. Mrs. Draughon is available to discuss your child's academic and social/personal needs.
National School Breakfast Week
Red Mill will be sponsoring the “School Breakfast Challenge.” Students sign up with a “breakfast challenge” card. Each day the student brings the breakfast card to the server and he/she will receive a punch on their card with the purchase of a grab and go breakfast. At the end of the week, the cards will be tallied and prizes will be awarded on Monday, March 12 to every student who participates. Cards will be available at breakfast and lunch during February 26 – March 2. Please fill the card out with your name and bring them to the cafeteria manager by Friday, March 2.
Some Facts about School Breakfast
Students who eat school breakfast are more likely to:
Maintain a healthy weight
Have better concentration and memory
Be more alert
Reach higher levels of achievement in reading and math, and score higher on standardized tests
Drink more milk and eat more fruit daily
Eating a school breakfast is associated with:
Lower rates of absenteeism and tardiness
Fewer behavioral problems
Reduced number of nurse’s office visits
Higher grades and increased standardized tests scores
Positive learning environments
School breakfast can also:
Decrease the risk of food insecurity
Improve children’s overall dietary intake
Help protect against childhood obesity
Protect against other negative health outcomes
Reduce students’ stress and anxiety
Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A March 13th
News from the Nurse
It is that time of the year again to start preparing for your upcoming Kindergartner and rising 6th grader. Please schedule your physical for your upcoming Kindergartner as the appointments book up fast! Rising 6th graders need to have their Tdap done BEFORE they can enter 6th grade. You can get this done at your doctor office, clinics, and even your local pharmacy.
Also, please remember that with cold and flu season upon us, there are guidelines in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. Students, who are experiencing diarrhea, vomiting, or fever (equal to or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit) should NOT return to school until they are symptom free for 24 hours and without medication needed to treat the symptoms.
If you have any questions, please contact our school nurse, Ms. Janice Hart.
Spring Pictures
Spring pictures will be taken on Thursday, April 12th. Order information will come home later in March.
Destination Graduation
2017–2018 Parent Connection Workshop Series
All Parent Connection Workshop Series sessions are offered at no charge and online registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Parents will receive an invitation to register from parent.connection@vbschools.com approximately two weeks before each Parent Connection Session. Space is limited and registration is required to attend Parent Connection Workshops. You may also contact the Community Engagement Office at 757-263-1936 or email parent.connection@vbschools.com should you have any questions.