One of the components that we believe makes Brookside a special place is our sense of community. When students feel like they really belong in a community, they are more likely to act in a way that takes care of others in that community. When people feel like they are important, contributing and valued members of a community, they are all the more likely to take healthy risks and push themselves to take on academic and social-emotional challenges.
The first few weeks of school are spent intentionally building community in each classroom. We also work to build school community in many ways, including:
School-wide celebrations, providing opportunities for students across grades to celebrate following our school codes: be safe, respectful and responsible.
All school morning meetings that build share experiences and celebrate our shared values
Sharing student work (in hallways, using Seesaw, with other classes and through shared experiences) to reinforce our academic standards and share our accomplishments with one another
Ongoing conversations about our shared hopes, values and expectations
We hope building this sense of belonging has been evident to you through talking with your child, listening to them share about school, and visiting our building at our Open Houses this past week. We look forward to continuing to build community throughout the year, and invite you to be a part of that!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Sarah & Chris
Marguerite Martin - RIVERS Support
Hello my name is Marguerite!
I started working with kids 4 years ago right here at Brookside; I was employed through an outside organization but have always wanted to return here to my roots.
Outside of work I have a dog named Jackson, a cat named Phoebe, and a quite a few plants. I love to aimlessly explore and fill my mind with whatever the world provides me.
I am so exited to join the HUUSD and learn from staff and students alike!
Gus Roberson - RIVERS Special Educator
My name is Mx. Gus Roberson and this is my first year at BPS! This is my third year teaching and being a special educator. I am super excited to be the classroom teacher for the new RIVERS program and to be a part of the HUUSD community.
Outside of work I love making art, gardening, learning, and creating. Here’s to a great year!
KC Shogren - Rivers Support
Hi! I'm KC, I provide support in the new Rivers classroom. I am working on my masters degree in special education. I'm ecstatic to be able to provide support to kids in class and in the community.
In the summer, I taught swim lessons and lifeguarded at the Waterbury Rec Pool. I grew up all the way over on the West coast, just east of Seattle. As I am in the classroom and in the community, I love how much I learn every single day, from the kids, my mentors, and community members. I have two cats, a housemate, and a living room full of plants.
Tuesday 9/24: Late forms for picture day DUE
October 8: Re-take day and Monday/Tuesday Pre-K picture day
From the Library
I hope you all have received your first notice from the Library listing the books your child has selected so far this year (if not, please reach out: nnorwod@huusd.org)! These will come to you every week and are just a gentle reminder to send the ones your child is done with back to school so another child may have a turn.
A few reminders:
You determine how many books your child takes home.
I always encourage students to take at least one book they can look at independently.
I encourage them to take as many as they "need" (you can help determine how many that is).
Books are circulated for 1 week typically.
Thanks for raising such book-loving readers!
Warmly,
Nancy Daigle
PE News: Bike & Scooter Week, September 23 - 27
Student's may bring their own helmet and or bike/scooter to use during their PE class. BPS has plenty of bikes/scooters/helmets for students to use. Very Important: we have had bikes and scooters stolen from the playground if they are left overnight. All bikes/scooters should be picked up as soon as possible after school ends. We cannot store bikes overnight.
Families are invited to Walk, Bike and Roll to school!
When: Wednesday, September 25, 2025
Time: Meet at 7:00, depart at 7:15
Location: Rusty Parker Park
Note: Helmets are required to participate
Need a helmet? Waterbury Recreation has partnered with the University of Vermont Medical Center to provide affordable helmets. We are selling helmets for $15 each. This partnership is thanks to the non-profit program Protect Your Head at All Times (PHAT). PHAT has the mission to promote the use of helmets in all sports and activities that involve a risk of head injury. Research shows that helmets work in preventing or reducing the impact of head injuries, such as concussion or traumatic brain injuries.
If you are interested in a helmet, please complete the request form: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAANAAV1ALxlUODQySkpZR0tKTDdETUc5VFNYUlAzQTk3Sy4u&route=shorturl
From the Health Office:
We enjoyed seeing so many students and families during open house!
Here are a few great tips on staying healthy from the Vermont Department of Health:
Being sick is so ick!
As we head into the colder months, we hear a lot about protecting our health and the health of those around us. Here’s the Vermont Department of Health's list of some simple ways to stay safe:
Wash your hands often with soap and water.
Avoid contact with others if you or they are sick.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue.
Consider wearing a mask, especially if you or people you are with are at higher risk of serious illness.
Learn about this year’s vaccines and make a plan to get your shots. Get a flu shot before Halloween!
Clothing
Please consider sending your child in with a change of clothing in their backpack. They'll have their own clothing in the event they need to change. The Health Office is also willing to accept donations of elastic waisted shorts and pants and short sleeved shirts up to side 12.
PK Open House: Wednesday 10/9
4:30 - 5:00 Monday + Tuesday classes
5:00 - 5:30: Thursday + Friday classes
Backpack Program is back!
The BPS Backpack Program, started by Denise Goodnow, is again sponsoring, free of charge a “weekend of food” for your child. We are able to offer a supply of nutritious meals and snacks for children over the weekends and extended breaks at no cost. Any child enrolled at Brookside Primary School is able to receive thee weekly bags of food for themselves and each child in their family.
If your family could benefit from this, please email Kelsey Guziak at kguziak@huusd.org or complete this form.
From the PTO
Are you interested in being a point person for volunteers/support for your child(ren)'s classroom? Consider becoming a Room Parent! Please fill out the link here to receive more information from a PTO representative!
Four Winds Volunteers Needed
Calling all parents, grandparents and community members! Do you enjoy the outdoors and want to get involved in the classroom?
Brookside Primary School's Four Winds Nature Education program is seeking volunteers to help teach students about our natural world. This year the theme is “Ecosystems” and we will be teaching 6 different lessons over the course of the academic year. Curriculum materials including background information and activity descriptions are provided by the Four Winds Institute and are accessible online. We have an in-person training session prior to teaching each of the 6 lessons. The training sessions are led by a professional environmental educator and naturalist. There are a variety of different activities for each lesson, including an informative puppet show, hands-on experiments, games, crafts, dances, songs, examination of provided specimens, and observations in nature.
Our training sessions are on Thursday mornings, and our first training is on Thursday, September 12th. If you can’t make the in-person meeting you can study the materials at home to prepare for teaching the lesson. Ideally each class is taught by a team of two volunteers. The classroom teacher is always there to help with managing the kids as well. Four Winds Institute provides us with many of the scientific materials and we organize and gather household items to be used for the lesson activities.
Please email Heather LaRocca at fourwindsbps@gmail.com to let us know if you are interested in volunteering this year or if you have any questions about the program.
COMMUNITY POSTINGS
Please note that the opportunities/events listed below are not specifically endorsed or screened by school staff. As always, families should use their own standards and review processes to determine appropriate activities.
Registration for Harwood Youth Basketball is now open and will be closed on October 6th. An earlier registration period will help us organize teams, ensure uniforms arrive in time for the start of the season, and recruit the appropriate number of coaches. All1st-6th graders interested in having fun, getting exercise through the winter months, and learning the game of basketball are encouraged to register at: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/446609
The full list of age groups and options is below, along with pricing which helps cover insurance, equipment, referees, and uniforms the players will get to keep. We have scholarships available for anyone who needs one.
· 1/2 Boys in MRV (primarily mid-week) - $75 / player
· 1/2 Girls in MRV (primarily mid-week) - $75 / player
· 1/2 Boys in Waterbury (Saturday Mornings and possible mid-week practice) - $75 / player
· 1/2 Girls in Waterbury (Saturday Mornings and possible mid-week practice) - $75 / player
· MRV 3/4 Boys (2 practices in MRV, 1 game per week) - $125 / player
· MRV 3/4 Girls (2 practices in MRV, 1 game per week) - $125 / player
· MRV 5/6 Boys (2 practices, 1 game per week) - $125 / player
· Waterbury 3/4 Boys (2 practices, 1 game per week) - $125 / player
· Waterbury 3/4 Girls (2 practices, 1 game per week) - $125 / player
· Waterbury 5/6 Boys (2 practices, 1 game per week) - $125 / player
· Waterbury & MRV 5/6 Girls (2 practices, 1 game per week) - $125 / player
Practices will begin in early November. Games schedules will be created in early November and games will begin in late November / early December. The season runs until the week before February break.
Harwood Youth Basketball is looking forward to another great winter of basketball, and we hope to have another great turnout! Please also consider volunteering to coach. Patience, enthusiasm, and availability are just as important as experience, and many hands make for lighter work and more fun!
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Brian Godfrey: brian.godfrey@mmuusd.org
Danielle Kent: danielle@daniellekent.com
ONE Arts Studio at Camp Meade
More info visit https://www.oneartsstudio.org/ or email fionas@oneartsvt.org
After School Art for K-4th Grade.
Registration is now open for Spring 2025 After School Art. Available Monday-Friday.
It's not too late to sign up for this semester, Fall 2024! We still have open slots on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Upcoming Camps for 1rst-7th Grade include:
Indigenous People’s Day Camp | October 14th
In this camp we will spend time with tree and plant identification. Time will be taken to learn plant anatomy and move forward creating artwork inspired by surrounding flora. Choices will range from sewing plant designs, collaging plant shapes, sunshine permitting cyanotype plant prints, and creating plant flashcards with scientific names.
Printmaking Camp | November 11th
In this camp we will explore the art of gelli printing guiding students as they experiment with the mirror image effect in printmaking. Throughout the class we will build up the printmaking process incorporating sketches, chine-collé, texture and multiple layer printing.
Gratitude Camp | Nov 25th-Nov 27th
Leaving space for students to create with a multitude of art supplies. In this camp we will encourage imagination to take root and grow with abundance. Camp will kick off with students sketching things for which they are grateful and will move forward with the young artists creating three-dimensionals objects from clay, cardboard and paper. If students enroll for all three days, time will permit for the favorite activity of miniature house building! Students create a miniature house using cardboard boxes and custom decorating.
Save the Date - 45th annual Ski & Skate Sale!
When: Saturday, November 9, 2024, 9 AM to 4 PM
Volunteer Shop: 7:00 - 8:00 AM
Ticketed Early Shop: 8:00 - 9:00 AM
General Public: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PMWhere: Waitsfield Elementary School, 3951 Main Street, Waitsfield, VT
What: New and Used Gear: Alpine, Nordic, Skate, Backcountry, and hard/soft goods too
Consignment Registration is Open!
Consignors are required to pre-register items online to receive item tags; no unregistered or untagged merchandise will be accepted onsite. You can register online to consign at https://sale.waitsfieldpta.org/register. Upon registration you will receive an email to login to your Ski & Skate sale account to enter your consignment items.
● All items must be entered by Monday, Nov. 4th at 11pm
● Pick up tags Wednesday, Nov. 6th after 8am at Waitsfield Elementary School
● Drop off Friday, Nov. 8th from 6pm to 9pm at Waitsfield Elementary
Volunteer for the Earliest Shopping Access!
Volunteer and get first dibs - we need support from all families! This is the school’s only fundraiser for the year, and all proceeds enable the school to support educational and enrichment programs for students, including our Winter Ski & Ride Program, ECO, and field trips. Volunteer opportunities will be posted on our website soon. Visit http://www.waitsfieldpta.org/ski-and-skate-sale.html and click on “Sign Up To Volunteer”.
One Arts Studio at Camp Meade is now offering After School Art for kindergarten through fourth grade on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. If your child attends Moretown Elementary School transportation is available from school to camp; otherwise parents must arrange transportation. The camp includes both student and teacher led projects covering activities from clay, beading, and mask-making to gelli-printing and more. To register and learn more visit: https://oneartscenter.com/
Explore Nature with Family-Friendly Hikes at Mad River Glen!
Join Stark Mountain Foundation and Mad River Glen this summer and early fall for three, exciting nature hikes! Guided by naturalist Amanda Palumbo, these hikes are a fantastic opportunity to explore local plant life and enjoy the beauty of Stark Mountain’s environment.#FamilyHikes #Botany #MadRiverGlen #StarkMountainFoundation #Vermont
Hike Details:
Dates: August 31st, October 5th, and October 12th, 2:00-4:30 pm.
Location: Stark Mountain Trail to Kent Thomas Nature Center (Meet at the flagpole in front of the Mad River Glen Basebox).
Duration: 2.5 hours, depending on the group.
Ages: 5 years and up (Accompanied by an adult).
Cost: Free, but you must pre-register.
What to Pack: Hat, sunglasses, water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, raincoat, and sturdy shoes.
Pre-registration Required: The hike will be limited to the first registered people. Please click on the link to register. bit.ly/NatureHikes.
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