Survive & Thrive

December 2021

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!

December is, if nothing else, unique. While the hustle and bustle can be stressful and overwhelming, it also presents the perfect opportunity to pause and be in the moment, feeling whatever you may feel. For many, the year's end stirs the embers of reflection of the year-gone-by, and for others, the priority is looking forward to what could come next.

Here are a few fun and time-friendly resources to help us look back, look ahead, or just look around.

Susannah Conway invites us to "weave some mindfulness and calm into our days..." through pondering and photography in December Reflections, 2021.
With a practical list of do's and don'ts, Deepak Chopra advises us How to Radiate Peace During the Holidays.
Better than resolutions, a word-of-the-year provides encouraging focus and motivation. The Goal Chaser offers inspiring journal prompts to get you to your word, while Quizony asks a series of multiple-choice questions that end in a suggestion.

No matter what December looks like for you, be sure to be intentional, take a breath (or five), and be kind to yourself.

Shelley Labiosa

Professional Learning Specialist

Office of Professional Growth and Innovation (PGI)

#12DaysTwitter

This year’s #12DaysTwitter Challenge invites small practices that foster and spread connection and belonging in our VBCPS community. We invite you to follow @PGIVBCPS or @MrsN_VB on Twitter for the daily prompt December 7th through 22nd.

Professional Learning Opportunities

New Teacher Networking Events

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.

Compass to 2025 - Goal 2 Student Well-being

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Building a Positive and Supportive Learning Environment

Building relationships, nurturing social and emotional development, and modeling passion, care and support - these are the building blocks of a learning environment where students thrive academically and socially. In this short Schoology course, learn how VBCPS places a priority on a positive and supportive learning environment and get resources to do just that. Register in Frontline to get the Schoology Access Code. (Please note this course is an asynchronous version of the previous synchronous Zoom session.)

Contact Shelley.Labiosa@vbschools.com

Especially for Elementary - Learn game-changing Responsive Classroom practices

in a collaborative community of elementary educators. Join one or more of these self-paced, 6-week Schoology courses that allow you to engage at a pace that works best for your schedule. Register in Frontline for the Schoology Access codes.

Developmentally Responsive Teaching - OPEN NOW through January 7
Interactive Learning Structures -OPEN NOW through January 14
Brain Breaks & Energizers - Begins January 4
Introduction to Morning Meetings & Closing Circles - Begins mid-January

Ad for Elementary Responsive Classroom learning series

Contact Allison.Sansone@vbschools.com

Here's Your Next Professional Read - Open to ALL

What makes design thinking different from problem-solving? The answer is: the human element. In order to tackle a problem and find solutions that truly work in your reality, design thinking helps you identify places where opportunities for change exist and helps you empathetically connect with the needs and wants of those impacted by the problem. Whether you are looking to address a current challenge, more deeply develop SEL skills like social awareness and responsible decision-making, or employ 21st century skills like inquiry, collaboration and problem-soling with students, this interactive book study will present a practical and authentic walk through the design-thinking process. We’re excited to create a platform where you can dig deeper into specific problem areas, find inspiration for solutions that truly make a difference or fill your storehouse with tools to tackle the next big challenge. Join the Winter 2022 Thrive Book Club: Design Thinking in Play. Registration opens in Frontline 12/15.