Dear Families,
The rain this week definitely hindered our Bike Week during PE, but Friday was a glorious day for recess, outdoor learning, and just soaking up some sunshine!
As students settle in to their classes and routines, we are continuing to look for and reinforce behavior that is safe, responsible and respectful. Students are able to earn fish and gems for following the school codes, which are collected by class towards group celebrations like pajama and stuffy day, extra recess or lunch in the classroom. This is part of our PBIS framework (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), which we practice school-wide.
Communication is essential for successful school-family partnerships. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's progress or behavior at school, the first point of contact should be your child's classroom teacher. For health/medical concerns, you may include Soph Hall and Allison Conyers, our nurse team. For social/emotional support, you may include school counselors Ashley Bergeron (last names L-Z) and Kately Mosher (last names A-K). For safety or building concerns, please reach out to co-principals Sarah Schoolcraft and Chris Neville.
Thanks so much for your continued support of our schools!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Warmly,
Sarah & Chris
Staff spotlight...
Amy Bryant - Early Childhood Special Educator
Hello Everyone! My name is Amy Bryant and I have been a part of the Brookside Community for over 25 years. Many years ago, after interning in special education here at Brookside, I was hired as the early childhood special educator/preschool teacher. Since then, I have had the opportunity to teach in grades K, 1, and 2. I am passionate about working with students of all ages and stages of development and have learned so much from all of them:)
I am excited to come back around to my original position as the early childhood special educator serving students ages 3-5 in our school and community.
Brandon Reynolds - Instructional Assistant
Hello my is name Brandon Reynolds. This is my first year working in the school as a para. I am looking forward to getting to know all the students as well as supporting them in what they need. Outside of school I enjoy sports, walking my family dog-Jackie and being with family. In the summers I work for the Vermont Lake Monsters. In the winters I work for UVM basketball.
October 8: Re-take day and Monday/Tuesday Pre-K picture day
Stay tuned...we MAY be rescheduling Walk & Bike to School in October!
Families are invited to Walk, Bike and Roll to school!
When?: TBD
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
PK Open House: Wednesday 10/9
4:30 - 5:00 Monday + Tuesday classes
5:30 - 6:00: 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.
Call for Donations
Dear Brookside Families,
The nights are cool, the days are warm, and the scent of autumn is in the air—what an exciting time of year! As we dive into the school year, we are thrilled to offer additional support to families in need through our Backpack Program, which provides weekend food assistance.
The Backpack Program strives to make a meaningful difference by addressing food gaps during weekends and school breaks. Every Thursday, enrolled students will find a backpack on their hook, filled with breakfasts, snacks, meals, and extras to help nourish them during times when they might not have access to regular meals. The program is free to all families—there are no qualifications for enrollment.
We are seeking donations of shelf-stable, non-perishable items, such as:
Breakfast cereal, oatmeal, and bars
Rice and pasta
Soups and sauces
Beef sticks and jerky
Snacks (e.g., fruit snacks, Goldfish crackers, individually wrapped cookies, applesauce)
Canned goods
Hygiene products
No donation is too small! Items can be dropped off in the front airlock at 47 Stowe Street, in the bin marked "Backpack Program Donations." Alternatively, items can be shipped directly to Brookside Primary School, 47 Stowe Street, Waterbury, VT 05676, c/o The Backpack Program.
If you have any questions or would like to make a monetary donation, please contact Kelsey Guziak or Eliza Chittenden.
Thank you for helping us make a difference in the lives of our students and families. Your generosity strengthens our entire school community!
Warm regards,
Eliza Chittenden
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.
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.
Comments