“To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains,
but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
- Nelson Mandela
Last week's Groundhog showing promised six more weeks of winter and then the week was cut short with two snow/weather days. February is a busy month - just 28 days long, including one week of school vacation and lots to celebrate! Highlights include 2-2-22 (tutu tutu), the 100th day of school, Valentine's Day and opportunities to honor and celebrate Black History all month long.
In the Fall of 2020, community members became aware that the namesake of the school (and related brook), was Partridge Thatcher, a Duxbury landowner who had owned enslaved people. The Waterbury Area Anti Racism Coalition (WAARC) hosted community education and engagement sessions to raise awareness and potentially prompt action in the broader HUUSD community in December 2020. The matter was then taken up by the HUUSD School Board, a timeline and process were proposed then approved. The name Brookside Primary School was approved and adopted on 6/26/21 by the HUUSD School Board and a student panel. Over February Break, the new sign for Brookside Primary School is scheduled for installation. We look forward to freeing our building from a namesake whose values aren't reflective of the compassion, inclusivity and equity we are committed to as a learning community, to "live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."
Last year, The Conscious Kid shared the origins of Black History Month:
Carter G. Woodson, the "Father of Black History Month", observed that in spite of Black Americans being central to the story of America, their accomplishments were largely neglected in the books and discussions of American history. He founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) to promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about Black life, history, and culture. In 1926, Woodson and the ASALH launched "Negro History Week". This was established the week of Abraham Lincoln & Frederick Douglass' birthdays in February—to support schools in promoting greater knowledge of Black history. Colleges started extending it to a full month & in 1976, Black History Month was decreed a national observance.
Throughout this Black History Month (and every month), we invite you to pause and consider how all members of our community - from families to classrooms to town, district, state, nation, continent and globe - can be seen, heard, included, represented and valued. We can do this with intentional and conscious efforts to include stories, truths and perspectives that represent a broad range of the human experience. The more diverse voices that speak and join the chorus, the deeper our collective understanding, stronger our empathy and richer our experiences will be.
Here is an article with additional tips and resources for talking with children about Black History Month.
From Mrs. Baitz
Kids Heart Challenge donations are due by Friday, Feb. 18th. It's not too late to sign up. Go to https://www2.heart.org/ and search for Brookside Primary School.
Thanks for supporting this important event. Mrs. Baitz
School Counseling Notes
Technicool: Keeping Kids Safe on the Internet
FREE for Vermont Residents February 23rd 6:30-7:30pm
There are multiple kinds of digital risks for children today, such as internet pornography, online groomers, and sexting. It is important for caregivers and teachers to have the information and tools to respond. Adults in this workshop will: a) learn the digital risks for children and strategize ways to keep children and youth safe in digital environments and b) learn effective strategies for dealing with children exhibiting concerning digital behaviors. Please join us to learn how to support youth in digital environments! Space will be limited, so please register to attend in advance. Questions? E-mail Kirstie Granthttps://www.pcavt.org/healthy-relationships-project
Parent Information Session about Special Education Rule Changes
February 28, 2022. Details here: https://education.vermont.gov/sites/aoe/files/documents/edu-parent-info-sessions-on-sped-rule-changes-flyer.pdf
New Brookside Spirit Wear orders open!
We have child and adult t-shirts, long-sleeve t-shirts, zip hoodies and sweatpants for sale!
Happenings around BPS
Community Postings
Harwood Youth Wrestling is back!
First practice will be Thursday February 17th
Where: Harwood Union High School, Wrestling Room/Upstairs Gym
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays
5:45pm-6:45pm (Feb 17th- Feb 24th)
5p-6:30p (beginning Mar 1st)
Who: Anyone grades 3rd-6th
Cost will be AAU membership cost ($14) and cost of tournament entry fees.
Bring: Workout Clothes, Wrestling Shoes, Water, Masks
See you in the wrestling room!
If you are interested please contact:
Casey Moulton 802-522-5502
Harwood Youth Lacrosse
HYL for kids in grades 3-8 registration is now open. HYL has teams at the 3rd-4th, 5th-6th and 7th-8th grade levels. The teams practice a few times a week and have games with other NVTYLL (Northern VT Youth Lacrosse League) teams. Games are played on weekends after April vacation, primarily in May and early June. HYL emphasize player development with the primary goal of teaching local players how to play and enjoy the sport of lacrosse.
No experience necessary
To register please go to http://www.harwoodyouthlacrosse.org Financial Aid is available
There is free loaner equipment at the 3/4 level.
Please feel free to contact us (info@harwoodyouthlacrosse.org) with any questions. Interested coaches and volunteers are encouraged to touch base as well.