Monte the Tiger's Weekly Update
News from Buena Vista Montessori ~ April 8, 2022
Hello Tiger Families -
The 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders who went to High Trails safely returned and had incredible stories to share! We are excited that High Trails is bringing their program to Bear Creek on Monday for our 1st and 2nd graders and then coming to BV on the 18th to be with our Primary Friends! We are continually amazed by the programming from High Trails staff and excited to continue this "going out" relationship!
Included in this Issue . . .
- Upcoming Events
- Clubs Updates
- News from the Health Room
- News from Your PTA
- School and District Updates
- News from the School Accountability Committee
Upcoming Events
Monday, April 11th
- 1st and 2nd Grades to Bear Creek Park
Wednesday, April 13th
- BV Staff Meeting - Front Office Closing at 2:45pm
- High Trails at Buena Vista with Primary Children
Tuesday, April 19th
- PTA Meeting ~ 2:40pm ~ Big Playground
Friday, April 29th
- BV Community Spring Dance
4th Quarter Clubs
Monday, April 11th
- Reading Tutoring with Ms. Michele
- Math Tutoring with Mr. Chad, Ms. Heidi, Ms. Casi, and Ms. Karen B.
- Primary Authors Club Make Up Session with Ms. Jill
Tuesday, April 12th
- Reading Tutoring with Ms. Michele
- Math Tutoring with Mr. Chad, Ms. Heidi, Ms. Casi, and Ms. Karen B.
- Kindergarten Spanish with Ms. Lulu
- Lower El Sewing with Ms. Kirsten
- Elementary Animation with Ms. Marni
Wednesday, April 13th
- PTA Art Class with Barbara Dimond
Thursday, April 14th
- Reading Tutoring with Ms. Chantel and Ms. Michele
- Primary Crafty Science with Ms. Casi
- Kindergarten Spanish with Ms. Lulu
- Elementary Mystery Science with Ms. Jill
- Upper El Sewing with Ms. Kirsten
- Upper El Advanced Art with Mr. Bakken
Friday, April 15th
- Math Tutoring with Ms. Heidi
- Primary Animal Science with Mr. Chad
- Kindergarten ASL with Ms. Lulu
- Lower El Storybook STEM with Ms. Marni
- Elementary Mystery Science with Ms. Jill
- Upper El Graphic Novel with Ms. Kirsten
News from the Health Room
How Sick is Too Sick?
Evaluation of a sick child must consider which diseases are currently circulating among students, staff, and the community. Known exposure to cases or an outbreak of a contagious disease (including but not limited to those listed here), even without a confirmed diagnosis, may necessitate more stringent return to school requirements.
During Colorado's ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, children and staff who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should receive testing, and follow the COVID-19 isolation guidance until testing is complete or if they test positive. If the individual tests negative for COVID-19, the individual should then follow the recommendations for their disease or symptoms using the below guidance.
There are four main reasons to keep children and adults at home:
1) The child or staff is at risk of infecting others with COVID-19 or another contagious illness, either because of symptoms or recent close contact.
2) The child or staff member does not feel well enough to take part in usual activities. For example, a child is overly tired, fussy or will not stop crying.
3) A child needs more care than teachers and staff can give while still caring for the other children.
4) A child or staff member has symptoms or an illness on this list, and staying home is required.
Please reach out to our school nurse, Katie Bots, with any questions. kathleen.bots@d11.org
Yuck! Norovirus!
Norovirus is making a big comeback post-COVID and our nurses are seeing a trend of the tummy aches, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Norovirus is viral and very contagious. In an effort to isolate the illness, students need to be 24 hours symptom free (fever, diarrhea, vomit) before returning to school. Please review the information at the link below for more information and contact the school office with any questions!
News from Your PTA
Let's Shower the BV Staff in April!
To support our teachers and staff during the month of April the PTA is facilitating weekly snacks for the break room at the school. Each week will have a different color for it's theme. Please see the following link for more information on how you can help out!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4FA5AA2BAAFAC52-midweek [signupgenius.com]
April PTA Meeting
Tuesday, Apr 19, 2022, 02:30 PM
Buena Vista Montessori Elementary School, West Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Easy Ways to Help Out the BV PTA
AmazonSmile
Sign up to support the BV PTA through AmazonSmile.
- You can select Buena Vista Montessori PTA as your charity recipient when you shop online at amazonsmile.com.
- AmazonSmile is also now available in the app on your Apple or Android devices. You can set this up in the app under "Settings">"Programs & Features".
- If you shop for girts on Amazon, this is an easy way for you to support our students and school.
- Be sure to ask your friends and family to select BV on AmazonSmile, as well.
To enroll your Loyalty Card with BV:
- Log on to www.kingsoopers.com/communityrewards and click "Enroll Now" to sign in to your account. If you have never used your Loyalty Card online before you will have to create an account. You will need an e-mail and your Loyalty Card number or your alternate ID (often your phone#).
- Find Buena Vista Montessori School (programs are listed alphabetically) or use our Code: UQ795 as the program you want to support!
- You are DONE! THAT'S IT! Now whenever you shop you are earning BV PTA money!
- This program is a big "Free Money" maker that helps to fund many great BV and PTA events and equipment.
School and District Updates
Attendance Matters!
In order to build classroom community and as we advocate for every student’s growth and achievement, it is essential that students are at school, on time, each and every school day. While we realize that some absences are unavoidable, we also know that when students miss school—regardless of the reason—it can cause them to struggle academically and socially.
Absences add up quickly. State law defines Truancy as 4 unexcused absences in one month or 10 unexcused absences in a school year. The definition of Chronic Absenteeism is missing 10% or more of the total school days, whether or not excused.
Here are a few practical tips to help support regular attendance:
• Establish a regular bedtime and morning routine, including eating a healthy breakfast.
• Lay out clothes and backpacks the night before.
• Leave early to get to school on time.
• Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up, including parent or caregiver illness.
• Consult with your child’s teacher if your child hesitates to come to school.
• Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments when school is in session.
We are here for your children and want to finish the school year strong! If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher or call the office.
ATTENDANCE EXPECTATONS
What is the law?
· Every child between the ages of 6 and 17 years old shall attend school for at least 1056 hours each school year if in secondary school and 968 hours each school year if in elementary school. (C.R.S. 22-33- 104)
What is School District #11’s policy regarding attendance? (School Board Policy JH)
· ¨The Board of Education believes that two of the most important factors in ensuring a child's educational development are parental involvement and parental responsibility.
· The Board of Education further believes that it is the obligation of every parent to ensure that every child under such parent's care and supervision receives adequate education and training.
What kind of absences can be excused?
1. Temporary illness can be excused by a parent—3 days or less. More than 3 days will require documentation from a doctor.
2. A student who is absent for an extended period due to physical, mental, or emotional disability (includes residential treatment centers) can be excused by a school administrator if documentation is provided by a doctor.
3. Absences related to school activities can be excused by the school supervisor.
4. Absences due to severe weather conditions can be excused by a parent.
5. A student who is in the custody of a court or law enforcement authorities will be excused by a school administrator or designee.
What is a truancy?
A truancy is any unexcused absence.
When is absenteeism considered chronic?
Chronic absenteeism occurs when a student misses 10% or more of any marking period whether excused or unexcused. (for example: 4 days in a quarter)
When is truancy considered habitual?
Truancy is considered habitual when a student misses 4 days in a 30-day span or 10 days in a school year.
What are the possible consequences for being chronically absent?
· Requiring doctor’s note for documentation of illness
· Being placed on an attendance plan or contract
· Going to attendance court
· Other consequences as determined by the Principal
Buena Vista Community Spring Dance
Friday, Apr 29, 2022, 04:00 PM
Buena Vista Montessori Elementary School, West Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Dear D11 Families,
We want to learn from our families! You're invited to join other D11 families to share your experiences as parents, caregivers, and community members. This is a time for your school district to learn from your lived experiences through a confidential sharing circle.
Join us on Monday, April 25, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. at the East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd. Childcare and a light meal will be provided. Please RSVP by clicking here or on the QR code in the graphic.
Superintendent Search
The District 11 Board of Education is currently working with a national search firm, McPherson & Jacobson, to help identify and select candidates to be our next superintendent of schools.
One of the firm's activities in this process is to gather stakeholder feedback on our schools, our community, and the desired characteristics we hope to see in our next superintendent. This information will help inform our consultant's work, guide the Board of Education in the selection process, and will also be critical to helping our selected candidate smoothly transition into the role of our next superintendent.
We highly value the perceptions of our community, so we hope you will take a few minutes to participate in this online survey and share your thoughts with us. The survey will open Friday, April 1, and will remain open through April 15, 2022. To participate, simply click the link to the online survey below:
Montessori Moments
We are taking a break from Montessori Moments for this week! Check back next week for our next video.
News from the School Accountability Committee
What is the School Accountability Committee (SAC)?
Buena Vista Elementary
Email: karen.bleibaum@d11.org
Website: www.d11.org/buenavista
Location: 924 West Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Phone: 719-328-4100
Facebook: www.facebook.com/buenavista.d11.org