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March 19 End of 3rd Nine Weeks 22-26 No School- Spring Break
April 2 3rd Nine Weeks Report Cards Ready
5 PTO Meeting, 12 pm 5-9 Pizitz Appreciation Week 14 Help the Hills Parent Awareness Meeting, City Hall and Virtually at 12 pm 16 No school- Inclement Weather Day
May 3 PTO Meeting with New Officer Installation, 12 pm 27 Homeroom Parties 27 End of 4th Nine Weeks 27 Last Day of School- 2-Hour Early Dismissal 28 End of the Year Lunch for Faculty and Staff 28 4th Nine Weeks Report Cards Ready |
 | | Hello everyone! We are getting ready to begin our last quarter of school at Pizitz. It has been a year unlike any other, but through it all, I can proudly say that our students and staff have risen to the challenges of an extraordinary situation. As spring nears, I look forward to opportunities that may allow for more activities and events. The potential for outdoor activities on our campus has everyone excited and motivated, so if they do happen, we want to take full advantage of them. Spring break is March 22nd – 26th, so please make the most of this opportunity to rest, spend time as a family, and make memories that will stay with you forever. We look forward to next school year’s possibilities of resuming all activities and events that make being a Pizitz Pirate so incredibly special! Go Pirates!! Sincerely, Chris Pennington, Ed. D. Principal Louis Pizitz Middle School
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 | | The 3rd nine weeks is almost over, and Spring is coming soon! We are excited to finish this school year and will keep you up to date on what the end-of-the-year activities will look like.
Pitch In - Our goal this year was $5,000; we raised $9,470!! WOW!! Thank you to everyone who "Pitched In" for the VHCS Foundation!
Last PTO meetings - We are down to the final two meetings for this school year. April 5 @ noon - most likely virtual but check your email May 3 @ noon - Officer Installation, TBD
Congratulations to our 2021-22 PTO Officers! President - Hollye Stigler President Elect - Lindsey DeRieux VP Communication - Allison Youngblood VP PIE - Marchelle Falkner Treasurer - Amanda Groce Treasurer Elect - Jordan Caudell Secretary - Kelli Threadcraft Parliamentarian - Jennifer Lynch
PTO is always looking for parent volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved next year, please reach out to President Elect, Hollye Stigler, at hollye.stigler@gmail.com. If you are moving to the high school and would like to get involved, please contact their President Elect, Christine Osborne, at christineandpat@yahoo.com.
Have a wonderful Spring Break!
Jennifer Lynch PTO President |
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 | Counselor's Corner  | |
 | | Got Spring Fever: Tips to stay Motivated in the Fourth Nine Weeks
Think of the last leg of a race. You’re exhausted and you can see the end in sight. It is so tempting to slow down as your motivation begins to dwindle. For kids, the fourth quarter feels a lot like this final leg. Despite the fact that motivation naturally lessens in kids after spring break, it’s the time of the year where they likely have the most on their plates. Exams, standardized testing, final projects and papers, last minute assignments: there is so much to get done! Just like a race, the last quarter of the school year can completely impact the outcome.
So how do you keep kids motivated when it seems like they’ve checked out?
We put together a few tips and strategies that you can employ during the fourth quarter to keep kids motivated and to finish strong!
1. Avoid long-term rewards
As you plan your summer activities, it may be tempting to tie your child’s academic performance to rewards during the summer, such as paying for grades or even a trip to Disney World. There’s definitely some merit in rewarding students for their grades, but the research tells us that when the reward is too far in the future or the task is too big (say getting all As), kids lose steam fast. Instead of rewarding your child for grades or test scores, try offering smaller rewards for tasks that lead to those big results, like studying for the test or planning ahead for a big project. The reward doesn’t need to be an item like a toy or game, but a privilege the student can attain in the near future, like going out with their friends on the weekend or thirty minutes of video game time.
2. Helping your child plan ahead
Planning ahead for a lot of kids is really tricky, which is why they often need help. We recommend having one time a week, preferably Sunday nights, to plan ahead for the upcoming week. Spend this time mapping out upcoming tests and projects, breaking every item due into small chunks that you spread out throughout the week. For example, if you see that your daughter’s science fair project is due on Friday, you may have her break the project into small tasks that she can work on nightly to avoid the last minute chaos.
3. Keep things visual
One of the things that parents say often is that they’ve become the parents they never wanted to be: nags. They say that they feel like they have to give their child seventeen reminders before he or she actually does anything and it doesn’t feel good. If you find yourself slipping into the nagging role, try implementing visual reminders. This can be done by just placing sticky notes or checklists in your student’s study area or by the front door, where they are sure to see it. For example, if your student is frequently forgetting his homework at home, put a note next to his desk that says “homework in homework folder.†Students always respond more positively to visual reminders than verbal ones.
4. Keep Routines Consistent and Communication Open
Students aren’t the only ones who lose steam as the school year comes to a close. Many times, parents themselves report checking out and not being as involved in their child’s academics. By the end of the year, many parents have loosened routines and decreased structure. The routines that were set up in the beginning of the year, things like Designated Homework Time or using the Launching Pad, have gone by the wayside. If you notice this happening, it’s essential that you stick to the routines and get them back in place. Consistent routines, all school year long, are really the biggest key to continual success.
5. Incorporate exercise and play into your afternoon routine
Every kid is a little different, but most students need about a 30-minute break after school before they get started on their homework. This is a great time for kids to grab a snack and relax a bit. A lot of kids are tempted to hit the couch and zone out playing a video game during this time. There’s nothing wrong with a 30-minute video game session, but this might not be the best time for it. Instead, exercise is beneficial for most students. Studies have shown that aerobic exercise for just 20 minutes before homework or learning can have the same positive effect on focus.
The fourth quarter is tough on students, teachers, and parents. There is so much to get done in such a short amount of time and with summer right around the corner, it’s easy to lose focus and steam. But by implementing just a few of the tips above, you could see a real boost in motivation and in-turn your child’s fourth quarter grades.
*Taken from Got Spring Fever? Tips to Stay Motivated in the Fourth Quarter
April 14, 2015 by Allison Clark*
If you would like more information, please visit the counselors’ website by clicking here. You may also contact your child’s counselor at any time. 6th grade Counselor: Chase Hodge, 402-5368 7th grade Counselor: Amber Payne, 402-5369 8th grade Counselor: Becca Poe, 402-5370 Secretary: Kim Nall, 402-5371 |
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 | Pirivia 2020-2021 Yearbook | |
 | | The 2020-2021 yearbook is complete, and it is in the process of being published. Yearbooks are expected to arrive at Pizitz in May for distribution to students who pre-ordered a book. If there are any extras, an announcement will be included in the daily announcements. |
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 | | PTO’s annual Supply Sale is coming up in August!
Pizitz PTO teams up with your child’s teachers to gather the supplies he/she needs for classes. This sale makes your back-to-school shopping super easy and convenient. All you have to do is order the pre-assembled supply kit. Through parents' support of the Supply Sale last year, PTO was able to give back $22,000 in grants. We hope that you will help us do the same--or better--this year! Look for more details to come. Ana Moore and Anna Louy, Supply Sale Co-Chairs |
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| PIE: Partners in Education for Pizitz | |
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Partners in Education is a system-wide program that partners with businesses and families by accepting in-kind donations for a variety of school-wide needs and events. In exchange, the PIE Program offers recognition through social media, signage, and more. To learn more, please contact Marchelle Falker at marchelle11@aol.com or (205) 902-6005. 
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 | | Help the Hills Coalition is a community partnership among stakeholders in Vestavia Hills. Its mission is to reduce the use and abuse of harmful substances among youth in Vestavia Hills and to promote healthy living.
Parents are invited to attend the last Parent Awareness meeting of this school year. It will be held on April 14 at noon at City Hall in the Council Chamber and virtually. Space is limited to 100 participants on Zoom meetings and 30 people at City Hall Council Chambers, so reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit helpthehills.org for more information or complete this form to register for the meeting.
April 14 What I Wished My Parents Knew- VHHS Student Panel  |
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| Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation | |
Donate through Publix Partners! Register online with Club Publix (https://www.publix.com/myaccount/register) and select Pizitz Middle School as your Publix Partner. Please make sure your account is still active and up-to-date or re-register if you need to. Confirming your account and Publix Partner school can be tricky. On a mobile device, log in via your web browser (not the Publix app), then swipe across the menu options in the middle of the screen. Select “My Publix Partner†to select or confirm your account is linked to Pizitz. When you checkout at Publix, enter your phone number into the keypad. It is that easy! Our last check from Publix was more than $400, so this partnership is meaningful to our school!
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Vestavia Hills City Schools (VHCS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Dr. Patrick Martin, Section 504/Title IX Coordinator, at 1204 Montgomery Highway, 205-402-5100. For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights website for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481. |
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