The Pizitz Post
for Students, Parents & Families - September 12, 2022
Our FIRST Home Game at Pizitz!
ACAP & iReady Results
As you know, each spring our students participate in state assessments. This past spring, our students in grades 2-8 across the state took the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (referred to as ACAP).
As a district, we give a benchmark assessment to our students three times yearly to measure student growth toward mastery of grade-level standards in reading and math. This assessment was given at Pizitz over the last two weeks.
We will have both assessment results ready to send home with your child later this week. The ACAP will be from the end of the prior school year and the iReady assessment is from the start of this school year. If you have questions about your child's results, feel free to reach out to your child's teacher or an administrator.
Attention 6th Graders!
Let's Luau, sixth graders! The sixth grade party will be held THIS 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.
We encourage students to stay for the entire party. They will not have access to their cell phones during the party. If you plan to pick your child up early, he/she will need to touch base with a chaperone to escort them out.
PTO
At Pizitz, we are grateful for the on-going support of our PTO. The PTO is one way that parents have the opportunity to stay engaged in the life of our school. Each month, PTO hosts meetings that are held in person on Mondays at 12:00pm. If requested, our PTO, will provide you with a link to join virtually as well. In addition to PTO business, we have teachers share about an area of growth in and around the school, and the administrative team gives an update as well. If you are available, please plan to join us TODAY at noon for our meeting.
In addition to monthly meetings, our PTO helps to support our teachers, students, and families through volunteering for events, offering hospitality, initiating schoolwide projects for continuous improvement, and providing connection between the school and community. Thanks, PTO!
Cross Country
Congratulations to Garrett Jones for his top 10 finish at the Trussville 2-mile race.
Our Cross Country team is competing in the Oak Mtn. Invitational on Friday, Sept. 16 at Heardmont Park beginning at 4PM. Come out and cheer on your Pirates!
Volleyball
Come out and support the volleyball teams TODAY, September 12, against Mountain Brook! Our 8th grade team will play at 5:00p.m., followed by 7th grade at 6:00p.m. in the Lower Gym. Tickets are $5 and can be found on GoFan. The teams will also travel to Berry on Wednesday! Go Pirates!!
The Pizitz Debate Team
Interested in research, current events, and verbal argument? Join the Pizitz Debate Team- open to all 7th and 8th grade students! There is a student interest meeting on September 16 at 7:30am in E104 (Mrs. Lushington’s room.) A virtual parent interest meeting will be held on September 20th at 6pm. Here is the link to join us. Please email pressleyab@vhcs.us or lushingtonhm@vhcs.us if you have any questions about Debate Team.
Tennis Anyone?
If you are a 7th or 8th grader interested in trying out for tennis this year, please go to the tennis tryout Google Classroom by joining with this code: bpby5k2
Come see or contact Coach Spain (room A111) or Coach Tice (room A128) for more information.
First Priority
First Priority is a student-lead club that is starting back at Pizitz. This is a Christian organization that meets before school. Come join us as we gather every Thursday morning at 7:25 AM in the choir room! Our first meeting will be this Thursday, September 15th. Everyone is welcome! Contact Mr. Sutter or Mrs. Windle if you have questions.
First Priority Leadership Team: Please check Google Classroom for details about this week's leadership meeting.
Girls' Wrestling
The AHSAA has named Girl's Wrestling as an emerging sport and we are planning on having a full team this year. Coach Tucker is hosting two meetings for girls only to provide more information. If you are interest and/or want to know more then plan on attending. For students only, we will have a meeting THIS Thursday, September 15 in school during 8th period. On Tuesday, September 20, parents and athletes are encouraged to meet at Pizitz at 5:45 PM. The location for the meeting has not been set yet. If you want to know more before the meetings, please email Coach Nick Tucker tuckernc@vhcs.us
Yearbook Updates
Did you miss last week's picture day? Make-up picture day is on Thursday, September 22. If you missed the first picture day, Mrs. Wade will be contacting you with a pass to take your make-up picture on the September 22.
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.
Share your photos with the yearbook staff to help us make the best yearbook in 2023. Anyone can go to this link here. We love to collect photos taken by parents 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.
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).
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.
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.
October Adjustment for Parent Teacher Conferences
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.
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.
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!
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 is October 6th!
Join the community for a night out at Vestavia Hills City Hall on Thursday, October 6. Check out the flyer here.