Update from Bernabi
Published on Sep 21, 2018 06:36

Friday, September 21, 2018

Greetings from Bernabi where we just keep rolling, right through our second full week of school (can you believe that?)!  Below are a few quick but important notes I want everyone to be aware of as we roll toward the end of September.

As I mentioned in my previous e-news, I have now formally met with each grade level to ensure all students’ understanding of our school-wide rules, our code of conduct and more importantly, their daily range of supports that include our teachers, aides, counselor, psychologist and principal.  We talked about the importance of reporting, the difference between bullying and conflict and the goal of learning from both mistakes and bad decisions, which we all make. 

I know I’ve mentioned PBIS before, but I want to be sure everyone knows that it’s more than just an acronym!  Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports is a national model that Bernabi and all of Spencerport implement each day, focused on teaching, modeling and celebrating students’ success with positive expectations.  While mistakes and consequences are an important part of learning, I want to ensure that every parent and every student is aware of and supports our only mission: to teach!  Whether it’s our rigorous academic program or our positive behavioral expectations, all students deserve the right to learn and grow in a supportive and caring environment, and there is nowhere better for that than Bernabi!  Thank you for your support as we grow together as a community of learners and remember: teachers are always your go-to resources for any questions or concerns.

With student safety always on the forefront our minds, our school safety team met this week to plan our fall emergency drills which will begin next week.  So you are aware of the full scope of our safety plan, we practice each of five different types of drills to ensure our preparedness and readiness to respond to any number of situations within, near or around our school and campus: shelter-in-place, hold-in-place, evacuation/fire drills, lock-out and lock-down

Get out your calendars and save the date: Curriculum Night/Open House is scheduled for Thursday, October 4, from 6 – 7:30 pm. Kids should come with you as they will lead you on a modeled tour of our blended learning experience.  In place of my traditional principal presentation in the café (that was always too crowded no matter how I planned it), I will have a brief introduction video for your child to show you within Schoology.  Mr. Shufelt and Mrs. Brien will have a quick hello video for you to view as well.  Classroom teachers will also present information to you verbally as well as some pieces that need to be on paper (note the blend of formats)!  One of the many important things to do on this night: sign up for parent conferences, which are scheduled for Thursday, November 15 (AM and PM) and Monday, November 19 (PM).  Be on the lookout for more information on Curriculum Night/Open House coming home soon in your kiddos’ backpacks!

While you have your calendars out, I have a few other important dates for you to be aware of: 

  • Tues, Sept. 25: Bernabi Parents Association Meeting, 6:00 pm at Bernabi
  • Wed, Sept. 26: School picture day
  • Tues, Oct. 2: Joint PTO Meeting, 6:00 pm at Cosgrove Library
  • We will be meeting with representatives from Bivona to discuss their "Child Safety Matters" curriculum.  Spencerport is partnering with Bivona throughout the 2018-2019 school year and we want to provide our parent organizations an overview of the topics/concepts that will be addressed.
  • Wed, Oct. 3 – Thurs, Oct 4, BPA Book Fair
  • Fri, Oct. 5: Superintendent’s Conference Day, no school for our kiddos

I would like to end by thanking you all for the trust and support you offer to the Bernabi family as we work together to educate your children.  I appreciate knowing that my teachers are communicating with you and that you are communicating back with them, all things from questions and worries to smiles and kindnesses.  In case you don't already know this, Bernabi is full of the world's greatest teachers and they will always make themselves available to work directly with you!  Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

David Caiazza
Principal