Birdneck Briefing
Week of Dec. 3
Week of Dec. 3
Dec. 4 - Using Google sites in the Classroom C-4 3:30-6:30
Dec. 4 - PLC Training in Pre-k 4:00-6:00 in Library
Dec. 6 - Cocoa with Santa 6:30-8:00
Dec. 6 - Dan St. Romain Training 4-6:00
Dec. 6 - Hyper about Hyperdocs C-4 3:30-6:00
Dec. 7 - Grade 4 to the Plaza Planetarium. 9:30am
Dec. 7 - Voices of Tomorrow practice
Upcoming:
Dec. 10 - Voices of Tomorrow to Sullivan House 10:30-12:30
Dec. 12 - PBIS training on Functions of Behavior and referrals with Rose Coates in collabs during PE time
Dec. 13 - PTA meeting and Winter Chorus Musical 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Dec. 13 - Voices of Tomorrow to Leigh Hospital 10:30-12:30
Dec. 13 - Hyper about Hyperdocs C-4 3:30-6:00
Dec. 14 - Staff Holiday Party 6:30-10:00pm
Dec. 14 - Progress Reports Issued
Dec. 14 - Grade 2 SPCA visit 1:00-2:00 Library
Dec. 19 - Gifted Testing Grades 2-5
Dec. 19 - Noblemen Presentation/party 4:00-9:00
Dec. 21 - Adjusted Dismissal
This is your Captain Speaking!
Hello Birdneck Family,
I can't believe it is already December and the holiday season is among us. Last night 46 students were able to go shopping with $30.00 in gift cards, eat pizza, visit Santa, and they received a hooded sweatshirt and beanie hat. What amazed me the most was that most children wanted to first spend the money on others rather than themselves. The rewards from giving much out way the rewards of receiving. You all give love, guidance, and an education to students each and every day and for that I thank you and wish you an amazing day!
Captain out,
RV
BIRDNECK MISSION
Mission: We build relationships to encourage, inspire and empower students and each other to meet the challenges of today and to foster the love of learning.
BIRDNECK VISION
Vision: We are dedicated to nurturing an inclusive environment to ensure engaging, student-centered learning resulting in confident independent learners.
Shout Outs!
If you would like to give a SHOUT OUT to a colleague, it is as simple as sending an email to RV to be added to our Shout Outs each week!
A shout out to Meghan Stafford for planning the Kidz Kruz fieldtrip and to Sara Mills and family, Karen Thoms and Emily, Robyn Hofheimer, Michele McNeil, Cindy Clark, Amy White, Linda Taylor, Lisa Allman, and Leighanne Beaumont for volunteering to assist.
I would like to give a big thank you to Mr. Keels and Mrs. White for complimenting my class when they are doing well. We are earning class compliments towards a big reward and their participation really gave my class a big boost in seeking positive attention outside our classroom.
Heather McVeen thank you for all of your help. You always have a smile on your face regardless if it is first thing in the morning or at the end of the day. It is pleasure working with you and we are so grateful for everything you do. You have many hats at Birdneck!
Anne Stauch you are such an asset to Birdneck. Thank you for your ear, for all of your hard work and dedication, and for you abounding knowledge that you share. It is a pleasure to work and learn from you.
Heather Crabtree and Aubrie Wagaman thank you for all of your help, your passion, and love for the kids.
Mr. Tim you are doing a wonderful job! Thank you for all of your hard work and your diligence.
You Make a Difference Amy White!
Whenever you see Mrs. White she always greets you with her smile and her wit. While many of us know Mrs. White as the assistant librarian she is also in charge of the PTA, and is responsible for our many Birdneck Family Events! Let’s not forget that Mrs. White is also the one to go to about our Birdneck apparel and merchandise! Whether she is checking out books or assisting with library lessons Mrs. White is always full of joy when working with our Birdneck students. Mrs. White we appreciate you for everything that you do! Thank you for being part of our Birdneck Family!
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and What Can Go Home to Our Students and Families
- Many programs, including Adobe, can run accessibility checks on documents to see if there are any problems.
- Do not use pictures which are not necessary to the content of your writing (i.e. streamers, balloons, seasonal icons).
- Using Microsoft Word (either through Office 365 Online or Windows laptop) when creating such media can limit the number of issues assistive technology runs into.
- Using 3rd party software or programs (such as this Smore) is not held to the same governmental standard with ADA requirements. Many of these programs are already designed to be compliant.
If you are unsure, please email your ITS, Nick Dzendzel (nadzendz@vbschools.com).
Mathnasium
Our 1st math night will be Jan 17th from 6 – 7:30. Mathnasium will be putting this event on – all we need is to provide volunteers. We will need about 20 volunteers to arrive at 5:30 to get directions for your game station. Please let me know if you can volunteer for this event. Thank you in advance for your support.
Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Multiple staff have family members, who have been struggling with health concerns recently. Please keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers.
It was shared that Raymarie Sarsfield, one of pur previous teachers and Birdneck Family members has passed away. Please keep her loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.
Annual Mandatory Employee Traning: AMET
Training is now open and the deadline for training will be February 15, 2019.
Check your email for the attachment of information on how to use and access the VBCPS Annual Mandatory Employee Training Program. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Steve LePock in the Office of Risk Management (263-2460). Thank you.
Beach Girls Rock
The Beach Girls Rock! (BGR), a leadership empowerment series for girls in grades 5-8 in VirginiaBeach City Public Schools (VBCPS) since 2013, will host its first workshop of the year Saturday,Nov. 17, at Princess Anne High School from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The workshops are designed to give girlsthe opportunity to focus on leadership skills, college-career readiness and interpersonal skills as well as,elementary to middle and middle to high schools transitions. Parents or guardians are welcomed toparticipate in the parent-focused breakout sessions which occur concurrent to student breakout sessions.While there is no cost, it is recommended that elementary school principals limit fifth-grade girls’invitations up to 10 girls. There are several elementary schools and 14 middle schools. Staff wants to
ensure that we are able to accommodate all participants.
The student registration form and registration process as well as the BGR poster are attached. A printedcopy of the poster will be made available to each elementary and middle school and hosting high schoolfor display. Principals are asked to help publicize the event through the selection of students at theelementary level, recruitment of students at the middle school level, morning announcements, websites, school newsletter, Parent Teacher Association newsletter and other materials sent home to parents/legal
guardians.
Registration for the first BGR will open the week of Oct. 1. The registration link is only accessible to thefollowing school staff members: school administrators, office associates, school counselors and schoolactivity coordinators. Selected VBCPS school staff may register students for the workshop by inputtingthe registration form information using the Beach Girls Rock SharePoint link at: https://www.vbcps.com/sites/OTS/bgr/SitePages/Home.aspx. Once on the link, click on new item, add the student’s information, parent’s information (if applicable) and then save. Once the student is registeredonline, the process is complete. Student information on the online link will be used to prepare for the workshop.
Please direct questions about Beach Girls Rock Empowerment Series Workshops to Dr. LaQuiche Parrott at 263-1218 or LaQuiche.Parrott@vbschools.com. Thank you.
Join our PTA
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Join the PTA! Our goal is to have 100% Staff participation!!!!!!!!!
Support Birdneck Elementary students by joining the PTA. Don't miss out on the benefits from joining the PTA. Receive over $300 in savings... all for just $5 for a membership. Check out the PTA website at http://birdneckpta.weebly.com/
Beach Employee Wellness (BEWell) support services
To ensure all staff are knowledgeable of available Beach Employee Wellness (BEWell) support services, the Office of Consolidated Benefits requests education on Critical Incident Response services and Employee Assistance Program and Work-Life services.
Critical Incident Response (CIR) services are a highly specialized individual and group session services designed to minimize the negative emotional and psychological impact of traumatic events. A CIR can begin as soon as two hours after the initial request and are available to all school sites with approval by appropriate CIR contact list personnel. The goal of the CIR is to enhance participants’ ability to transcend workplace trauma and resume focused and productive work activities. Utilizing CIR services make an immense difference to employees’ recovery process in the face of a crisis. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Work-Life Services (WL) through Humana, are available to provide FREE and CONFIDENTIAL support to ALL School employees (full-time, part-time and temporary). Services are available, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Employees are happier and more productive when personal needs are being met, and when work and personal lives are in balance.
-EAP offers short-term in-person and telephonic-based counseling with a licensed counselor. Up to five in-person sessions per concern per year. Referrals are issued for longer-term concerns and additional benefits as appropriate.-WL offers services and resources that help with everyday needs. Humana assess the employee’s needs and then researches to provide referrals and resources that meet budget and requests.
Senior Staff, All Principals/Assistant Principals, All Executive Directors
-Supervisor Referral – In addition to offering assistance to employees and members oftheir households, Humana offer services and resources that are specifically designed toaid directors, supervisors, and human resource professionals with employee-related andpersonal concerns. Please note: In the case of a referral, Humana will only report backto the referring supervisor that the employee attended the session(s). Please seeattachment for more information.
-Humana professionals are bound by confidentiality laws and professional ethics. They donot report to BEWell and/or Virginia Beach City Public Schools on individual cases.Personal information about employee and household members remains confidentialaccording to all applicable state and federal laws.
If further information and/or clarification is needed, please contact, Matt Herman, consolidated benefits office, BEWell program, 757-263-6918 or matthew.herman@vbschools.com. Many thanks for your assistance.
BIRDNECK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BIRDNECK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Twitter@BNESeagles
BIRDNECK MISSION
Mission: We build relationships to encourage, inspire and empower others to meet the challenges of today and to foster the love of learning.
BIRDNECK VISION
Vision: We are dedicated to nurturing an inclusive environment to ensure engaging, student-centered learning resulting in confident independent learners.
BIRDNECK BELIEFS
We believe in a collaborative community in which teachers, administrators, students, and parents work together for student success.
We believe in creating a safe, nurturing, and positive environment in which all students can strive for excellence and achieve their individual potential.
We believe we will prepare our students for success by providing 21st century learning and developing within our students critical thinking, effective communications and problem solving skills.
Website: http://www.birdneckes.vbschools.com/
Location: 957 South Birdneck Road, Virginia Beach, VA, United States
Phone: 757-648-2120