The Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) induction program begins with Teacher Orientation and continues throughout the school year with a variety of division and site-based resources and support.

This newsletter brings you information intended to inspire your professional practice, spark a yearning for continuous learning and growth, and help you to survive and thrive as an early career teacher or an experienced teacher new to VBCPS. Enjoy!

November has become National Gratitude Month. A simple Google search brings up thousands of gratitude challenges from just about any angle you can imagine from faith-based to becoming a minimalist to a global perspective (and everything in between).

As Quarter 1 wraps up, take some time to remember the small wins: a student's smile; a parent's praise; a colleague's warm words. Or the fact that you're still here, exhaling in exhaustion, relief, or (and?) satisfaction that you made it this far.

In this issue:

• The Science of Gratitude - Each of these three videos shares gratitude's physical and emotional impact on us.
• 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge encourages daily, focused action that just might become a habit of mind.
• Glows and Grows is your opportunity to share what's going well and what challenges you're facing.
• FACE Resources include an opportunity to extend to families and one to support your efforts in engaging your students' families.
• Professional Learning Opportunities lists several upcoming events, both synchronous and asynchronous, that will deepen your knowledge and strengthen your practice.

Light the fire, grab a soft blanket, enjoy. And know you are appreciated beyond words.

With gratitude,

Shelley Labiosa

Professional Learning Specialist

Office of Professional Growth and Innovation (PGI)

CLICK ON THE FORM BELOW to answer just two questions. Your feedback will help to identify areas in which you are thriving, and those in which you might need support surviving.

November is also Family Engagement Month, and the Office of Family and Community Engagement has resources and an event to help you engage your students' families

• The Resource Flyer contains live links to a wide variety of articles, webinars, and other resources aligned with the National PTA Standards for Family-School Partnerships.
• Restock-n-Roll is a free event where families can receive much-needed school supplies - Share this!

Whether you're new to the profession or simply new to VBCPS, you are invited to attend these optional, informal, virtual sessions hosted by PGI. Take-aways include practical application strategies, resources, and connections with colleagues and central support staff. Search "Survive and Thrive" in Frontline to register.

In the book, From Behaving to Belonging, Julie Causton and Kate MacLeod detail how teachers can shift from a "behavior management" mindset (that punishes students for "bad" behavior or rewards students for "good" or "compliant" behavior) to an approach that supports all students—even the most challenging ones—with kindness, creativity, acceptance, and love. This session will focus on ideas for building a sense of belonging and community in our school buildings and offices.

Thinkers that pursue

Heartwork,

Resiliency,

Identity, and

Value growth in order to

Elevate self and community

Come learn these powerful, game-changing Responsive Classroom practices in a collaborative community of elementary educators.

Register now in Frontline for this interactive, hands-on, inspiring class!

Join one or more of these self-paced Schoology courses that allow you to engage at a pace that works best for your schedule. Register in Frontline for the Access codes.

Building relationships, nurturing social and emotional development, and modeling passion, care and support. These are the building blocks of a learning environment in which students thrive academically and socially. Register in Frontline to get the Join Code for this short Schoology course.

October newsletter

September newsletter

Email: pgi@vbschools.com
Location: 641 Carriage Hill Rd.
Phone: 757-263-6972
Twitter: @PGIVBCPS