Volume 81 | September 4, 2020
Diablo Vista Middle School
Danville, California
Calendar Reminders

  • 9/7 - Labor Day - No School
  • 9/11 - Spirit Day: Remembrance Day
  • 9/11 - Math Counts Parent Meeting at 7 pm - Register for Meeting Link
  • 9/12 - Parenting During Crises: Tools & Tips at 10 am - Register for Meeting Link
  • 9/14 - 6th Grade Picture Day - See Schedule
  • 9/14 - Bell Schedule Adjustment, Odd Periods Block Day
  • 9/15 - Bell Schedule Adjustment, Common Learning Day (All Periods)
  • 9/16 - PTSA Association Meeting at 7 pm - Register for Meeting Link
  • 9/18 - Spirit Day: Sports Day
  • 9/18 - Math Counts Student Placement Test at 3 pm
  • 9/25 - Spirit Day: Tie-Dye Day
  • 9/28 - Bell Schedule Adjustment, Even Periods Block Day
  • 10/2 - Floating Work Day - No School
  • 10/7 - Sup. John Malloy Town Hall Meeting (MVHS Feeder Schools)

DVMS hosts a public school calendar here. Subscribe to a Google Calendar or Apple iCal with Student Bell Schedule and Events.
From Our Principal
Hello!

Welcome to the 2020/21 school year. I just wanted to take this opportunity to Thank you for all you have done to make the beginning of the school year go smoothly! We know this year is very different from any other year ever and we appreciate working with you to make it a positive and productive one. We continue to learn more and more each day as we navigate the waters of Remote Learning. We know we are in this together and together we will make this year a great one! Thank you to our PTSA and Foundation. If you have not yet had an opportunity to complete a site registration or visit our online store we welcome you to do that at any time. We value our partnership with our parent organizations and are appreciative of all their efforts that began last spring and continue every day! 
 
With much appreciation and gratitude,
 
Rebecca Ingram
Rebecca Ingram DVMS Principal
New Student of the Month Character Themes
DVMS PTSA is proud to support the Student of the Month program. Every month, each teacher selects one student who exemplifies the monthly character trait. We have 10 new character traits to celebrate for our 20th Anniversary and beyond. See the Student of the Month School Year Calendar for details.
August Students of the Month
For the month of August, we recognize the following students by their nominating teachers for exemplifying CURIOSITY:
  • Samantha S. - Berglund
  • Moumita B. - Berke
  • Dylan R. - Briggs
  • Ariyana M. - Buckle
  • Rakshith R. - Chan
  • Addison M. - Clay
  • Ethan K. - Darrah
  • Jeffrey C. - Demos
  • Sydney S. - Descombaz
  • Sana P. - Downing
  • Jordan T. - Dyrness
  • SaiMonish B. - Edington
  • Georgie W. - Healey
  • Mackenzie F. - Hughes
  • Rishabh J. - Lindblom
  • Audrey L. - Meyers
  • Sahana R. - Montgomery
  • Sara R. - Muse
  • Avery J. - Nair
  • Hagen G. - Pappachan
  • Lucas H. - Rhodes
  • Paloma J. - Saksena
  • Max B. - Scott
  • Andrew M. - Simpson
  • Ethan K. - Sison
  • Marissa R. - Vasudeva
  • Aurora L. - Vawter 
  • Seamus K. - Wildy
  • Mikhail V. - Wren and Parkey
  • Billy S. - Yanes
The character theme for the month of September is Adaptability!
Math Counts
DVMS MathCounts is an after school program on Fridays with a mission to nurture a student’s love for mathematics in a healthy, competitive environment. This year, it's starting off virtually!

Register and more information here.
  • Parent's Meeting: Friday, September 11 at 7 pm, register for meeting link
  • Student Placement Test: Friday, September 18 at 3 pm
Parent Presentation: Parenting During Crises - Tools and Tips
San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs invites you to join us for a 90-minute Panel Presentation "Parenting During Crises -- Tools and Tips" on Saturday, September 12th at 10:00 am. Our expert panelists will discuss the current challenges that families are experiencing and share some insights, tools and tips. View additional details about the presenters. Register to receive your unique zoom link.
PTSA General Association Meeting
Our first PTSA Association Meeting for the school year will be held online.
Please join us on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at 7:00 pm.
  • Welcome by Mrs. Ingram
  • Health Tips while in Remote Learning
  • Committee Updates
The DVMS PTSA’s vision for 2020-2021 is to inspire and support a resilient learning community, virtual or in-person, that advocates for positive academic, social and emotional growth for every student and family. While we may not be physically here at school, the PTSA’s commitment to this vision is unwavering.

For this to succeed, there’s someone else we need…. You! Your support is essential. As a Parent, a Teacher or a Student, become a member of our PTSA, and be active in our committees. Support the PTSA through site registration or our online store. Thank you for supporting DVMS!

PTSA Board for 2020-2021 School Year
  • Principal: Rebecca Ingram
  • President: Kathy Dimalanta
  • Executive Vice President: Mian Mendoza
  • Treasurer: Tricia Peterson
  • Financial Secretary: Kristen Heiden
  • Secretary: Karen Choi
  • Auditor: Anna Stratton
  • Historian: Deanna Karlson
  • 1st VP Membership: Terranessa Lewis
  • 2nd VP Ways & Means: Danny Kraus
  • Health & Safety: TBD
  • Hospitality/Staff Relations: Karen Neff
  • Inclusion & Diversity: TBD
  • Legislative Advocacy: Christian Park
  • Programs & Student Services: Jessica Huard
  • Student of the Month: Jenni Rhee

DVMS Education Foundation
Whether a school is virtual or in-person, the fact remains the same: the fewer students the teacher has, the more time they will have to support your student. 

The Foundation has one purpose: class-size reduction in Core, Math, and Science.
  
The DVMS Foundation requests an annual enrollment donation of $375/student on behalf of Diablo Vista Middle School. The donation is:
  • 100% tax-deductible
  • eligible for corporate match benefits
 
Support the Foundation through site registration or our online store.

Thank you to all of our wonderful DVMS families for your donations during registration.  The generosity in our community makes all of the difference for our children.  Last year we started a new program during providing individual families the opportunity to become Foundation sponsors. These contributions make a significant impact on our ability to meet our goals. THANK YOU to our Foundation Sponsor Families for their generous support.

Foundation Board for 2020-2021 School Year
  • Principal: Rebecca Ingram
  • President: Lisa Gross
  • Vice President: Kathy Dimalanta
  • Treasurer: Cristin Sanchez
  • Financial Secretary: Amy To
  • Secretary: Nancy DiOrio
  • Communications: Cari Anderson
  • Corporate Match: Lisa Luengo and Jenny Quinto
  • Auditor: Rene Ziegenfus

Reflections Art Contest
"I Matter Because...." is the theme for the 2020-21 Reflections Art Program which has been bringing the arts to life for more than 10 million students since 1969. This program celebrates the artist's expression and interpretation of the theme, so all are encouraged to participate regardless of artistic ability. 

All students are invited to participate and submit original artwork in one of six areas:
  • Dance Choreography
  • Literature
  • Photography
  • Film Production
  • Music Composition
  • Visual Arts

Reflections is also a competition. Artworks are submitted first to school-level PTAs, then a selection of entries are sent on to councils and then districts for consideration. The final artworks submitted to California State PTA by districts are then considered for Outstanding Interpretation, Awards of Excellence or Awards of Merit. Outstanding Interpretation and Award of Excellence entries then go on to represent California in the final National PTA judging round.

Entry submissions will be virtual this year and will be due on Friday October 16, 2020 by 7 PM.

The link for submitting entries will be available mid-September. Entry rules, additional information about the program, and past winners can be found on the California State PTA website. Questions? Contact the DVMS Reflections Chair, Christian Park.
New to DVMS? Want to Help out New Families?
PTSA would like to connect families new to DVMS, the area or the state with some of our more seasoned families through our new Navigator Program. See flyer for details and how to sign up as a New Family or to Help Out new families.
Questions? Email [email protected].
Run for Education
Registration is now open for the 37th Annual Run for Education!

Need an excuse to get the family off of screens and outside? Start training for the Run for Education! This family event can be a great motivator for kids and parents alike… 
  • Set a goal!  
  • Start small: Walk or jog 20 minutes, 3 times per week 
  • Choose a new route! 
  • Let your kids choose a route for the day 
  • Make it fun! 
  • How many dogs do you pass? 
  • Point out where friends live 
  • Play follow the leader: skip, jump, march! 
  • Have teenagers? Talk about something new they have done these past few months that they otherwise would not have tried 
Our school benefits from registration - Select "Diablo Vista Middle School"
  • 40% of registration net proceeds go directly to our school 
  • 70% of Pledge Page donations go to our school 

Your benefits from registration 

The low registration price of $25 includes a cape for Mini runners, while Friendship and Virtual runners receive a running buff! You can still order a shirt to keep your collection up to date. Certificates of completion can be printed from September 12 - October 11 if you choose to upload your results. 

We are excited about the possibilities this new format offers our school! This is a healthy, family activity we can all enjoy while still observing proper physical distancing AND raising funds to support our programs and people! Register at www.srvef.org/the-run. Questions? Contact Karen Robman.
We are here as a united community to support and encourage each other to become positive, well-rounded, lifelong learners and successful leaders of the future. -Mission Statement DVMS
This newsletter is produced by DVMS PTSA in the effort to keep the parent and teacher community informed of upcoming events at the school, in the district, and in the community. You may unsubscribe or change your preferences at anytime using the links below. Can't find information on something? Email [email protected].

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