Bulldog Bulletin Weekly eNews

Dear Buena Vista Families,

We have had a wonderful start to the school year! I am so excited about the energy about learning and growing that I get to experience each and every day here at Buena Vista.

That said, I have a favor to ask my BV parents. Our PTA parent membership is the lowest it has been in my 4 years here. We currently have 50 people registered as voting members of our PTA. I would like to challenge more parents to join our BV PTA, this gives you voting rights over our the activities we provide as a PTA and how the PTA spends money on your students. It's only $15 to join and if we can double our membership, it would really help boost the free activities and events we can offer our students and families this year. By becoming a member, you show your support for our PTA and can join our monthly zoom meetings when you are available and learn about what is happening a Buena Vista. Join at this link. (It's quick, I promise)

(Our PTA has already organized A LOT of upcoming activities and events...scroll down so you don't miss anything.)

Great Ways To Get Involved

There are many ways to be involved as a parent here at Buena Vista. Here is some areas we would love to hear your voice:

• School Site Council (SSC)- This is a group of people elected to represent parents, teachers, administration and other staff. (5-7 meetings a year)The SSC is a decision-making committee that oversees:
• The School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA); the plan that identifies academic goals, evidence-based strategies, actions, or services - including addressing the needs of student groups.

• School Site Safety Plan

• English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC)-A school-level committee comprised of parents, staff, and community members designated to advise school officials on English learner programs and services. (3-5 meetings a year)

Please fill out this form if you are interested in joining our BV School Site Council or BV English Language Advisory Committee. Or just email me directly at agramlick@walnutcreeksd.org.

Diablo Assistance League Operation School Bell Clothing Program

We are pleased to continue our participation in the Diablo Assistance League's Operation School Bell Clothing Program. A limited number of qualifying students will receive a pass to spend on clothing at Burlington in Pleasant Hill on our designated shopping day, September 18th. Please complete this form if you're interested in participating and we will determine if you qualify (one form per family) and send you an authorization form.

Important Dates

• TOMORROW, Thursday, September 5: After School Enrichment classes start, please see details below

• Tuesday, September 10: PTA Meeting (virtual), meeting link to follow 6:30pm
  

• Wednesday, September 11: Coffee with the Principal, MUR, 9am

• Friday, September 13: Multicultural Night, MUR, 5:45-8pm

• Monday, September 9: 5th Gr Camp Fundraiser- Devil & Angel Desserts, 4-9pm

• Monday, September 16th-Friday, September 27: WCEF Read-a-thon

It's a great day to be a Bulldog!

Respectfully,

Angela Gramlick

Buena Vista Elementary Principal

It's time for another fundraiser! Devil and Angel Desserts (a BV family owned business) will be donating 20% of all sales to Buena Vista 5th Grade Camp on September 9th from 4-9PM. Please make sure to show this flier when you make your purchase. Thank you for your support!

Odyssey of the Mind teaches students how to develop and apply their natural creativity to solve a problem that requires an original solution.

• Teams meet once a week over the next 4-5 months to prepare and then perform their solution at the annual Odyssey of the Mind Regional Tournament on Saturday February 8th, or February 22.

• If you may be interested, please come to the informational meeting Wednesday, September 25th from 5:00-5:30 PM in Room 24.

• Parents and students should attend.

• If you have questions, feel free to email Kirsten Choy at Kchoy@wcsd.k12.ca.us or visit the Odyssey of the Mind website at www.odysseyofthemind.com.

We are pleased to continue our participation in the Diablo Assistance League's Operation School Bell Clothing Program. A limited number of qualifying students will receive a pass to spend on clothing at Burlington in Pleasant Hill on our designated shopping day, September 18th. Please complete this form if you're interested in participating and we will determine if you qualify (one form per family) and send you an authorization form.

• Thursday, September 5: After School Enrichment classes start, see below for more information on enrollment

• Tuesday, September 10: PTA Meeting (virtual), meeting link to follow
  

• Wednesday, September 11: Coffee with the Principal, MUR, 9am

• Friday, September 13: Multicultural Night, MUR, 5:45-8pm

As you may know, the PTA plays a vital role in enriching our school community. They organize a variety of events and activities throughout the year, aiming to provide enriching experiences for our students while fostering a strong sense of community. Unfortunately, current PTA membership is lower than in years past. Without a significant increase in membership, we will be forced to charge for, or cancel many events that we currently offer for free. This is a decision we would like to avoid, as we believe that everyone should have equal access to these valuable opportunities.

A strong membership base is essential for the PTA to continue operating as a non-profit organization. We pride ourselves on holding one main (Fun Run) fundraiser a year, but this alone is not enough to sustain our efforts.

Please consider becoming a PTA member to help maintain our current programs and explore new initiatives. Click here to join for as little as $15. Together, we can create a more vibrant and engaged school community for all.

We're excited to celebrate the diversity of ALL our families with the BV Multicultural Potluck on Friday, September 13, 2024 from 5:45pm-8pm. Please sign up for the event by 9/6.

If your child did not meet the grade eligibility for their favorite activity, please check again. Some of our providers have opened the grade eligibility for their most popular activities.

Beginner & Intermediate Basketball - now grades K-5

Flag Football - now grades 2-5

Math Fun & Games - now grades K-3

Mathletes - now grades 3-5

Go to www.homeroom.com and enter "Buena Vista Elementary" to see all the offered classes.

• Join the PTA here for as little as $15

• Follow, Like our Facebook page

• Email us: President@buenavistapta.org

Get ready to grab your favorite books! On September 16, WCEF will launch its 5th annual Read-a-thon in support of salaries for art, music, science lab, and additional elective classes. Stay tuned for more information on cool prizes and giveaways…

As of August 30, WCEF has raised over $340,000 – 21% of our $1.6M goal! Thanks to our amazing donors, key programs like TK-5 science lab, electives such as World Languages at WCI and Tice, and the Wellness Center at Las Lomas are available to our students because of you.

However, despite the generosity of many, we are currently tracking behind our goal for this time of year. Let's unite as a community, secure teacher salaries for this year, and ensure our students have access to programs and classes that otherwise would not exist.

Thank you to all who have given! If you haven’t donated yet, there is still time. Donate today. Work for a company that will match your donation? To learn more about matching, click here.

WCEF is proud to have Smile Power Orthodontics as a Platinum Business Partner. Serving the Walnut Creek community since 1999, with a state-of-the-art facility located near Walnut Creek Intermediate, Smile Power Orthodontics brings 3D X-Ray technology (scanning technology complete with outcome modeling software), Invisalign, clear braces, and traditional braces treatments to kids and adults in a COVID-safe environment.

Thank you to Smile Power Orthodontics for investing in WCEF and our 5,000 students across eight public schools!

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!

Buena Vista Elementary

Email: agramlick@walnutcreeksd.org
Website: https://www.walnutcreeksd.org/Subsite001
Location: 2355 San Juan Avenue, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Twitter: @BuenaVistaWCSD