JBD FLASH
May 2-6, 2016
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
A Teacher's Heart
JBD has the best. When it comes to student and teacher relationships, you all knock it out of the park. Every day, when I go through the halls or in and out of classrooms, I see smiles, hugs, quality teaching, inspiring words, problem solving and genuine concern and care for the students.
There is so much to each of you that doesn't meet the unfamiliar eye.
For some of you, when you leave your homes, you may have finished struggling with small children or children with special needs and you are battling with them to finish eating, put on their socks, get their stuff together or just get out of bed to and begin the day. You come in feeling like you already worn out and it is only 7:30 in the morning.
For some of you, concern for elderly or sick parents make it challenging to focus as you are worried about them and know they need you. Sometimes they just don't understand that you just can't be with them every moment they need you, but in your heart, you wish you could be, and that makes things difficult.
For some of you, the 'sandwich' caretaker role is what fits and you have both children that need you and parents and you just never feel like you meet anyone's needs the way you feel you should. In these cases, you are in a constant state of guilt and feeling there is no way to make everyone happy.
For some of you, a variety of illnesses or physical challenges make it more difficult to keep up your energy level and stay motivated as it is twice as hard to do some things that many people take for granted...but what I notice is, you never complain.
For some of you, struggling to make ends meet keep you stressed as you are working two jobs, or managing another source of income and time is of the essence. Sadly, that is the plight of being a teacher...I mean no teacher EVER said they teach because of the money!
For some of you, there are family struggles, difficulties with spouses or teenagers and each day is just a fight or just plain exhausting because most of your meals are in the car as you drive kids from activity to activity and when you finally settle down after all that, you just crash into bed, along with that list of things that you still need to do rolling in your brain.
For some of you, grieving over the passing of loved ones, whether it is recent or even years gone by, creates a sadness at times that make it difficult to find that smile as you are still feeling the pangs of loss. Those days can make it hard to slip out from under the covers and just get in the shower.
But....for ALL of you, you do what you need to do. In spite of what is going on in your world outside of JBD, I am always amazed at the way our teachers smile and come in with a positive attitude. As I have gotten to know many of you over the last three years, and you have shared many aspects of your personal lives, I can only admire your strength and dedication along with determination to do what is best for our students. You don't let your personal world affect your professional world and that is so difficult at times. The children come in with all sorts of stories and baggage from their homes, and you take on their issues, become their champions, and become their advocates. You become more than their teachers, you are mothers, fathers, counselors, social workers, and nurses. That is what true professionalism is all about and that is what I, as your principal, appreciate the most. Training is out there for all kinds of pedagogy and methods of implementing instruction, but there is no training that prepares a teacher to love their students. That comes from the heart, and the heart is what it is. You had that heart already and it holds so much and must be made of spandex. The hearts of teachers hold love for their own families and continuously expand to make room for our kids, and they have no idea how challenging life can be for their teachers. They only know you love them.
Please know you are tremendously appreciated by me, Jill, the parents, but mostly, by your students. I hope next week is full of flowers and fun for you all as you deserve it all and much more.
Ever thanks,
Beth :)
WEEKLY HAPPENINGS AT DEY
Monday, May 2:
SOL Parent letters to go home (Grades 3-5)
Spanish K-1 (last class)
Tennis K-2 (last class
"We Haz Jazz" Gr. 5 Chorus Rehearsal ends 4:15 p.m.
Tuesday, May 3:
PTA Board Meeting 9:30 a.m.
GOTR 3-4:30
Spanish (Gr. 4-5)
SOL Training: Grade 3-5 Teachers including Support Staff & SOL Proctors 3 p.m.
Author’s Nook Open Mic Night 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 4:
SCA Officer Applications DEADLINE by 3 p.m. to Kate Miller
W.O.W.
SCA Exec. Mtg.
Art Club
Spanish (Gr. 2-3)
Spirit Night at Sweet Frog (3-9 p.m.)
Thursday, May 5:
PTA is hosting lunch to honor our wonderful Teachers!
Lego Club K-5 (last class)
Computer Club
Friday, May 6:
Tennis Gr. 3-5 (last class)
"We Haz Jazz" Gr. 5 Chorus Rehearsal ends 4:15 p.m.
Safety Patrol Application Deadline by 3 p.m. to Kathy Morris
SOL EXPEDITED RETAKE PERMISSION SLIPS
Grade 3, 4, and 5 Teachers:
The SOL Parent letters will be in your mailbox Monday morning to send home with each student.
The last page (Retake test Authorization Form) needs to be signed by the parent and returned to school prior to May 19th.
- Please highlight names on the class list provided as forms are returned to you.
- Turn your folder in to Mrs. Barger when you have received all of the forms.
Thank you!
May 9: Fire Assembly (K-3) 8:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. (Schedule TBA)
May 10: Spring Music Program 8:30 a.m./1:30 p.m. Assemblies
Concert/PTA Meeting/Scholarship Presentation 6:30 p.m.
May 11: National School Nurse Day
May 13: Field Day
May 14: Computer Challenge at O.D.U.
May 16-20: Educational Bosses' Week
May 17: Progress Reports issued
May 18: SCA Spirit Day-Wear your JBD Spirit Wear
May 18: Grade 2 Field Trip 9:15-1:00
May 18: Math Night at Food Lion
SOL TESTING SCHEDULE
SOL Test Dates
Thursday, May 19: Grade 4 Reading (Part 1)
Friday, May 20: Grade 4 Reading (Part 2)
Monday, May 23: Grade 4 Math (Part 1)
Tuesday, May 24: Grade 4 Math (Part 2)
Wednesday, May 25: Grade 5 Reading (Part 1)
Thursday, May 26: Grade 5 Reading (Part 2)
Friday, May 27: Expedited/Make-up
Tuesday, May 31: Grade 5 Math (Part 1)
Wednesday, June 1: Grade 5 Math (Part 2)
Thursday, June 2: Grade 3 Reading (Part 1)
Friday, June 3: Grade 3 Reading (Part 2)
Monday, June 6: Grade 3 Math (Part 1)
Tuesday, June 7: Grade 3 Math (Part 2)
Wednesday, June 8: Grade 5 Science
Thursday, June 9: Grade 5 History
Friday, June 10: Expedited/Make-up Testing
Monday, June 13- Thursday, June 16: Make-up Testing
END OF YEAR DATE FOR LIBRARY MEDIA SERVICES
Friday, May 27 is the final date for circulation of library materials to students. This will allow the library media staff sufficient time to retrieve books and other items checked out by students and compete necessary end-of-the-year library processes.
Friday, June 3 is the final date for students to return books to the library.
Debbie Cathey ... In the News!!!
I MAKE A DIFFERENCE AWARD!
Elementary teachers are special, as we all know!
In second grade they inspire children to grow!
She pours her heart into every single child!
A true leader who sometimes goes wild!
You’re an amazing educator, the children are the proof we see!
Thank you for your dedication Elizabeth T!
You make a difference Elizabeth Tosten!
From Julie Cullen
- Michelle R. for your father's upcoming heart surgery.
- Nick T. for your grandfather's recent car accident. Glad he is ok!
- Lynne L. during your mom's hospitalization.
KUDOS!
Debbie Cathey, Thank you for taking care of my kindergartener! Your kind heart is appreciated. Erin
- Jill, Thanks for visiting our kindergarten class. You are truly going to be missed. Erin and Sara
- Kudos to Brenna Ashton for being an outstanding teacher assistant to our little cupcakes in preschool while also being an accomplished student enrolled at ODU! You are going to be an AWESOME teacher! Congratulations on all you have accomplished! Stacey
- Thank you EVERYONE for the wonderful treats, cards, coffee, lunches, flowers and making us feel so special and appreciated! This JBD Staff is amazing!! Thank you!!! Angela, Kelley & Corinne
- Special KUDOS to Kathy Morris, Lynne Logan & Rose Chick for "holding the fort down" while we were at lunch! We love y'all!! Hope is wasn't too traumatic! Angela, Kelley & Corinne
BETH BIANCHI, PRINCIPAL
Email: Elizabeth.Bianchi@vbschools.com
Website: deyes.vbschools.com
Phone: 757-648-2440
Twitter: @JbdElem