Bulldog Bulletin Weekly eNews
Here's what's on top for November 1, 2023
From Your Principal
Good Evening Buena Vista Parents,
What a couple of super busy weeks we have had at BV. Thank you to all of the families who joined us for the Halloween Parade yesterday, it means a LOT to our students to have parents join in our fun when you can! Thank you to the PTA for having coffee and donuts to keep parents warm on our chilly morning.
We also had a great time at our BV fun run! Thank you to all staff, students and families that donated and made this day a great success! We raised over $30,000...final funds are coming in. Lots of rewards were earned, we are going to start next Thursday, November 9th, with our first earned reward....Crazy Hair/Wear Neon Day! (This is also a shortened day schedule). More rewards to follow...Way to go Bulldogs!
Staff Learning
Today staff spent the day working, collaborating, and learning additional ways to support students at Buena Vista School. We spent the morning focused on equity and looking at how we as designers/educators can influence equitable change as we develop freedom dreams for a more just world and how we can make a difference right here at Buena Vista.
This quote from Tourmaline (she/her), a filmmaker and activist, resonated with many of us, "Freedom dreams are born when we face hard conditions not with despair, but with the deep knowledge that these conditions will change--that a world filled with softness and beauty and care is not only possible but inevitable."
It reminds us, as we show up to work everyday, that the students walking through the door each morning have their own story, experiences, families, opportunities, and their own narratives that differ from the other students and the teacher in their classroom. With all that is going on in the world it is important to take in other perspectives as we continue to work with children, make connections, and listen.
With an equity lens in mind, staff participated in a deep dive into student data performance. We looked at many things...classroom assessments, district testing, state testing, attendance data...and discussed performance gaps that we may see and then worked to identify ways to close those performance gaps starting right now. We looked closely at our English language learners, students with disabilities, students who are economically disadvantaged, and at students by their race or ethnicity. We also spent time at looking at our instructional strategies in the classroom and how to best support our English language learners, which make up twenty percent of our student population.
The afternoon session focused on many important instructional strategies to support learning in the classroom. This included early learning foundations, phonemic awareness, word study, early literacy best practices, small group math instruction, Document Based Questioning in Social Studies, and more. It was a great day!
Coffee with the Principal
If you would like more information about the data we looked at and discussed and our school site plan for this year; I encourage you to join our next coffee with the Principal next Wednesday, November 8th at 9am in the Multi-Use Room.
It's a Great Day to Be a Bulldog!
Respectfully,
Angela Gramlick
Important Dates
- Thursday, November 2nd- 5th grade field trip to Chabot, 8:30am-2:30pm
- Wednesday, November 8th-Coffee with the Principal 9am
- Thursday, November 9th- Shortened Day, TK/K: 8:10am-11:30am, Gr 1-5: 8:10am-12:25pm
- Friday, November 10th- Veterans Day Holiday, NO SCHOOL
- Tuesday, November 14th- Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day is November 14th
On November 14, 1960, six-year-old first-grader Ruby Bridges stepped into the history books when she integrated William Frantz Elementary School. She was not looking to make history. She just wanted to go to school and have the opportunity to learn, and to do so safely. But her courageous action and historic steps initiated the desegregation of New Orleans’ public schools.
Now, more than 60 years later, Ruby is looking to make sure school-age kids around our nation have that same experience. Her vision is for them to become the next generation of leaders who create positive change in their communities, one step at a time.
Help honor Ruby Bridges and get inspired to find your passion and strength by walking to school on Tuesday, November 14th.
5th Grade Camp Fundraiser!
The fifth grade will be hosting another camp fundraiser at Extreme Pizza on Thursday, November 16th, from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. When you order, please make sure to mention the fundraiser. Extreme Pizza would like to encourage you to order ahead of time. They can take orders in advance, which will help them prepare for a busy day to benefit Buena Vista. Please see attached flyer HERE. Thank you for helping the fifth graders go to Outdoor Science Camp!
Is your child home from school?
Parents, it is very important that you remember to leave a message on the attendance line at (925) 944-6822 ext. 3801 or email jlouie@walnutcreeksd.org if your student will not be coming to school. Emails to teachers or the Principal do not always get communicated to the office. Thank you!
Recess volunteers needed!
We are looking for volunteers to help facilitate some playground games & activities during lunch recess on Friday, November 3rd and Friday, November 17th (weather permitting). Please complete the volunteer training module and email Shelley Purcell in the office if you're interested!
LOST & FOUND- WE ARE DROWNING!
We have tons of Lost & Found items that need to be reclaimed!
Please remember to label your student's belongings (jackets, sweatshirts, water bottles, etc). This way they will find their way back to your student. Any unlabeled lost & found will be donated on the Friday before Thanksgiving Break. Our lost & found cart is located outside of the MUR.
ITEMS WILL BE DONATED on November 17.
CAC Parent Trainings
Our Contra Costa SELPA invites parents to attend the following information sessions: CAC Parent Trainings.
Extended Learning Opportunity Program (ELOP) Available
Walnut Creek School District’s new Extended Learning Program offers student enrichment from dismissal time until 6:00 pm each day. Some families qualify for free tuition based on income. To learn more and to register, visit our ELOP website here.
Get Connected with BV PTA
This is an unofficial community group for families of Buena Vista Elementary School! It's a place to share, connect, and get to know each other and the happenings of our Bulldog community.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1269114227104365
Thank you!
Ongoing PTA Volunteer Opportunities
Please take a look at the Sign Up Genius for ongoing volunteer opportunities. You are not required to be a PTA member to contribute. This is a great way to build community and support our students - we can't do it without you!
Fundraising Update
Thanks to our amazing donors, every month we get closer to our $1.5M goal! As of October 31, WCEF has raised over $729,000 - 48% of our goal. Without your support, key programs like TK-5 science lab, World Languages and other electives at WCI and Tice Creek, as well as the 7-period schedule at Las Lomas would not be possible. Thank you to all who have given! Next month is WCEF’s phone-a-thon! Save us the call and donate if you haven’t made your donation for the school year. Donate today. Work for a company that will match your donation? To learn more about matching, click here.
It’s time to register for the Forma Gym Turkey Trot!
Home for Thanksgiving? Add Forma Gym’s 31th Annual Turkey Trot to your holiday plans. Start the morning off right and gather your friends and family for a morning run/jog/stroll through downtown Walnut Creek. Or sign up for the energetic Kids Fun Run! The Turkey Trot donates to WCEF and is a BIG supporter of our public schools. Register here today! We also need volunteers on Thanksgiving morning! Direct racers, cheer them on, or help with packet pickup. Grab a friend or family member and sign up to volunteer today. You can also email contact@wcefk12.org for more info!
Important Links
Angela Gramlick-Principal
Email: agramlick@walnutcreeksd.org
Website: https://www.walnutcreeksd.org/Subsite001
Location: 2355 San Juan Avenue, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Twitter: @BuenaVistaWCSD