October 30, 2024
Dear Buena Vista Families,
Thank you to our PTA and amazing parent volunteers for putting on an amazing fall Glow Dance last Friday. What a great night to see all of our students and their parents. It was fun to see those who dressed up and wore costumes.
Halloween Parade, Tomorrow, October 31st
Halloween is nearly upon us - a fun day at Buena Vista Our parade starts at 8:30. (Students who do not want to participate are invited to spend time in the Paw Patch, our Wellness Center, or the Library during the parade or any classroom Halloween activities. Please let your teacher know you need alternate arrangements.) Parents are invited to come to the parade festivities, PTA is hosting donuts for parents and will have a coffee truck available for you to purchase your favorite morning beverage. Students need to arrive to school at regular time. All TK/K students arrive at 8:10 and are dismissed at 12:55 on Thursday, October 31. Grades 1-5 are on normal schedule. Note that November 1st is a regular school day this year.
To support our efforts to ensure we are an inclusive school community where everyone feels as though they belong, students should avoid wearing costumes that are racially, ethnically, and/or culturally based, or those that play on gender stereotypes. Here are some thoughts to consider as families prepare Halloween costumes to wear at school:
- Consider the impact a costume depicting an ethnic/racial/cultural group can have on others, including making people feel unsafe and/or disrespected
- Reflect on what it means to depict a culture or race even for a day because for many people it is not just a costume, it is part of their identity. Even if your child is part of the group of people the costume is intended to represent, it is helpful to ask if the costume is perpetuating a negative stereotype.
- Consider that a costume meant to be funny because it is making light of an ethnic or racial group is most likely a caricature, and thus not appropriate.
Also, please keep in mind the following reminders about appropriate Halloween costumes:
Keep it Safe: Avoid tripping hazards, and ensure that nothing is covering your student’s face.
Keep it Simple: Make sure the costume can be put on and taken off independently.
Keep it Friendly: We ask that overly scary costumes are avoided so that Halloween is fun for students of all ages. Please, no gore or weapons. Masks can be worn during the parade, but will need to be removed afterwards. Blow up costumes may be worn during the parade, but not throughout the school day.
Silly String the Principal on Friday
Our Top 5 Read-a-thon earners will silly string me during our November assemblies this Friday! Parents of our winners are invited to attend the following assemblies in the MUR:
9:30am- 3rd - 5th Gr: Naomi G. & Shahin M.
10:20am- TK - 2nd Gr: Reese V. Fintan C. & Celeste S.
Digital Citizenship
Elementary schools are highlighting the importance of digital citizenship during their library sessions. A few schools have already kicked off the fall learning sessions with others occurring in the coming month. Students participate in meaningful discussions and sign pledges through engaging lessons from Common Sense Education. In 2nd grade, one key topic was identifying when it's important to put technology aside and stay focused. Interestingly, one school reported that 2nd graders overwhelmingly wanted parents to stop using technology while driving cars and during mealtime.
Important Dates
Thursday, October 31st: Halloween Parade, 8:30am
Friday, November 1st, Monday, November 4th & Tuesday, November 5th: Halloween Candy collection for the Armed Forces
Friday, November 8th: Shortened Day, TK & K: 8:10-11:30am, Gr 1-5: 8:10-12:25pm
Monday, November 11th: NO SCHOOL, Veterans Day
Wednesday, November 13th: ASE Drama performance, 7pm, MUR
Wednesday, November 13th: Chipotle Fundraiser for 5th Grade Camp, 4-8pm
It's a great day to be a Bulldog!
Respectfully,
Angela Gramlick
Buena Vista Elementary Principal
Post-Halloween Candy Collection!
Donate your extra/unwanted Halloween candy here at BV! Collected candy will be donated to a local group sending care packages to our troops serving in the Armed Forces. All candy must be store-bought and individually wrapped. Send questions to Ms. Iyengar: piyengar@walnutcreeksd.org
Collection dates: Friday 11/1, Monday 11/4, and Tuesday 11/5
Collection locations: San Juan Ave (during morning drop off), Kinder/Club circle (during morning drop off). All other donations can be dropped off at the BV Library (before or after school).
Parent Social
The kids can't have all the fun. We are hosting a "Sip and Paint" BV Parent Social at Creative Art & Clay studio on 11/7 @7pm. Grab your friends or come meet new ones as we paint fall trees (with guided instruction). $60 includes all materials and glass of wine. Open to all BV parents, caregivers and staff. Space is limited. RSVP: creativeartandclay@gmail.com
Your donations to WCEF impact all students
With your help, WCEF will donate $830,000 to Walnut Creek School District — directly enhancing the educational experience for every student in TK-8. Your contributions make a profound impact, funding credentialed music teachers, art and science lab specialists, a credentialed librarian, and 12 additional middle school electives. Our students' days would look very different without the additional classes WCEF helps fund.
But, with your generosity our students have the resources they need to thrive! To date, we have only raised $400,000 from Walnut Creek School District families. We can’t do this without you!
Donate to WCEF today @wcefk12.org/donate
Join Our Team of Volunteers!
WCEF is looking for passionate volunteers to help make a difference!
- Are you organized? Help us with fundraising efforts and building relationships with business partners
- Creative? We’d love your help with marketing and designing in Canva
- Handy? We could use a hand repairing some of our signs
- Persuasive? Help us with grant applications
No matter your skills, we likely have a spot for you! Reach out for more information: contact@wcefk12.org
It’s almost that time of year – order your holiday cards at Minted and support WCEF!
Make your holiday card & gift purchases count this year by shopping at Minted using WCEF’s unique code at checkout. You’ll get a 20% discount AND Minted will donate 15% of your purchase back to WCEF at the end of the year. Simply enter the code FUNDRAISEWCEF at checkout to save and giveback!
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!
Angela Gramlick-Principal
Email: agramlick@walnutcreeksd.org
Website: https://www.walnutcreeksd.org/Subsite001
Location: 2355 San Juan Avenue, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Twitter: @BuenaVistaWCSD