Dear BCS Community,

Over the next few weeks we will have our first round of student conferences. As we reflect on conferences, both from the perspective of a parent and an educator, we know that they can be challenging to schedule and follow through with, and also incredibly important. We often wonder how closely the reality of your children's day to day life at school matches the idea that parents and caretakers have in their head.

If you talk to your students regularly, you probably know that school can feel hectic. Honestly, it feels more hectic and chaotic than we remember school and that is for some good reasons as well as some challenges our community faces. We are asking our students to work differently than we worked in school. This is a good thing. Students are asked to collaborate, share opinions, and work through disagreements in ways that will ultimately be valuable to them. Sitting quietly in rows is no longer the goal. That being said, things can be chaotic when students disagree but do not have the skills to do so in a healthy way. We are always working on a variety of skills at the same time and that means that classes are louder, but there are also tes when the community needs quiet in order to work alone.

Stated more simply, we are actively cultivating an active environment that empowers our students and yet we all struggle to set boundaries and expectations that empower students withough disempowering others. Even more simply, students are unkind to each other, and helping them navigate that reality takes a lot of time for us at school.

As administrators, we are committed to the idea that transparency about how things go in school is a crucial step in improving things for all learners. This can be messy and it will take longer than we want it to, but ultimately, our students will benefit if they can work well with all classmates, not just their favorite people.

As we head into conferences, we hope to discuss these issues as well as anything you'd like to discuss.

Thank you for your continued support of our amazing school!

Jenny & Matthew

Interested in some Bridport swag?! The PTO is hosting a sale!

Click this link to find out more: https://802print.printavo.com/merch/bridportmerch2023/

Wednesday 10/25- All School Field Trip to Dead Creek

Friday 10/27- A.R.T. Performance

A Note about Halloween:

Our Family Handbook explains that we do not celebrate holidays (including upcoming ones like Halloween) at school. We acknowledge various holidays and classes may think about general principles behind some holidays - gratitude, caring, community - or we try to tell a more complete story about the holiday (ex. Thanksgiving). We do not celebrate individual holidays at school. We believe that informing students around the celebration of holidays can be the work of schools; however we do not celebrate, decorate, or otherwise condone holidays in classes or as a school. Education is different from celebration.

Please do not send your child in in a costume on Halloween. There will be other celebrations in the year when they will have a chance to dress up in a costume.

Kindergarteners are learning so many letters! This week they practiced vowels and played a game where they picked which vowel matched words.

1st and 2nd graders are working so hard during Literacy time! They are reading books with Ms. M, practicing sight words, reading to themselves, and practicing phonics skills on the computer. They are becoming incredible readers.

3rd and 4th grade started a new unit about Civics! They brainstormed ways to make Bridport even better. One student said we should add a hot tub!

5th grade continues to be role models for our school by stepping up to help in the cafeteria, being a big buddy to younger students and sharing their learning.

This week during community time, Volunteers from Middlebury College came and had lunch with us. Then they led literacy activities in our classrooms. We were so excited for them to join us!

All school meals will be free again for ALL students.

But, it's still VERY IMPORTANT to complete the free and reduced meal application form. Our district gets $475,000+ each year based on the % of students who qualify for free/reduced meals. So, if you fill out the form, you help us qualify!

A paper application will come home with your child, or apply now online.

Dear Bridport Community,

The change in weather has been abrupt, beautiful, and a little unsettling! It reminds us that the school year is well underway and that as temperatures cool, and fog begins to settle in the valleys each morning, the intensity and focus at school shifts as well. To be ready to access the challenging academics each day, students need to feel safe, be well rested, and come to school feeling loved and calm. These basic needs are universal for all of us, and our focus at school is to give each child what they need because we love them, and because we know that they will need the things we will teach them this year as they move through their lives.

Our school community is strong and getting stronger. We must hold each other accountable for our actions and words, give lots of recognition when people do wonderful things, and always approach each conversation (even challenging ones) with empathy and compassion. When our students experience adults working through disagreements calmly and kindly, they will learn those skills as well.

Conflict is an inevitable part of life...and it is often good and productive. Learning to work through conflict productively is the work we all share. Jenny and I continue to be honored to have the opportunity to work with all our students and caregivers.

Thank you for your continued support of our amazing school!

Jenny & Matthew

Interested in some Bridport swag?! The PTO is hosting a sale!

Click this link to find out more: https://802print.printavo.com/merch/bridportmerch2023/

Wednesday 10/18- Fire Safety Day!

Thursday 10/19- 5PM- Virtual Principal's Round Table

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/sdo-krrn-uey

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 405-588-8255‬ PIN: ‪116 364 475‬#

More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/sdo-krrn-uey?pin=1056336872088

All school meals will be free again for ALL students.

But, it's still VERY IMPORTANT to complete the free and reduced meal application form. Our district gets $475,000+ each year based on the % of students who qualify for free/reduced meals. So, if you fill out the form, you help us qualify!

A paper application will come home with your child, or apply now online.

Dear Bridport Community,

We had an incredible week at BCS! Students played, learned and enjoyed being together in some of the most beautiful weather we've had!

Some highlights of the week were:

1) Watching 5th graders take on leadership tasks such as morning announcements, helping with lunch, or being a role model for younger students.

2) Practicing taking apart words in Kindergarten with Ms. Way

3) Starting Reading Groups in 3/4!

Matthew and I have been working to navigate the complexities of sharing two schools. We worked to finalize a schedule of when and where we will be each day, making sure our time is split equitably. Since this is a new leadership model for BCS, we want to invite feedback on how its going. It feels important to ensure that everyone's needs are being met, and make sure things feel as smooth as possible.

To that end, we invite community members to participate in a virtual Principals' Round Table discussion next week on Thursday, October 19th at 5PM. This will be on zoom. We will send out a link closer to the date.

Thank you for your continued support of our amazing school!

Jenny & Matthew

Interested in some Bridport swag?! The PTO is hosting a sale!

Click this link to find out more: https://802print.printavo.com/merch/bridportmerch2023/

All school meals will be free again for ALL students.

But, it's still VERY IMPORTANT to complete the free and reduced meal application form. Our district gets $475,000+ each year based on the % of students who qualify for free/reduced meals. So, if you fill out the form, you help us qualify!

A paper application will come home with your child, or apply now online.

Dear Bridport Community,

Its been a busy week here at BCS! It was lovely to see everyone at Open House on Wednesday. The students felt so proud to show off their work, their classroom, and our community.

Some highlights of the week were:

1. Playing with Balloons at PE

2. Getting on Lexia (an online program that practices literacy skills) for the first time

3. Practicing Math Facts during Workplaces

Yesterday, Mr. Brankman went to each classroom to talk about safety. He shared that BCS students have 1 job if there is an unsafe situation: Find the adult in charge and turn your voice off. Each class had a discussion about how we would stay safe if there was something unexpected that happened here at school. Our students were thoughtful, careful listeners and thinkers.

Next week is our first early release day! A reminder that on Early Release Days...

1. Pick Up students are dismissed at 12:45PM

2. Bus Riders are dismissed at 1:00PM

Have a great weekend!

Mrs. Urban

All school meals will be free again for ALL students.

But, it's still VERY IMPORTANT to complete the free and reduced meal application form. Our district gets $475,000+ each year based on the % of students who qualify for free/reduced meals. So, if you fill out the form, you help us qualify!

A paper application will come home with your child, or apply now online.

Dear Bridport Community,

Earlier this year, our district shared an overview of our ACSD safety practices and our efforts to keep our community safe.You can find that information here. At [school] we practice safety drills designed to ensure that our students and staff are familiar with how to be safe in an emergency. Some months, we practice what to do if we need to evacuate the building. Other months we practice what to do when unsafe people or hazards enter our school.

We are required to practice two options-based drills - one in September and one in January. Options-based drills introduce students to various strategies in response to a threat, such as when to evacuate from the school or barricade in a classroom. Please know that all options based drills are trauma informed and age appropriate. This means the drills are performed in a way that is sensitive to the emotional well-being of our students.

We will be holding our first options-based drill next week.

We use the A.L.I.C.E protocol for a response to an active threat. This type of drill will secure the school building and safely shelter all students, staff, and visitors inside the building. The purpose of this drill is to keep the students safe from any danger outside or inside the building. During a “lockdown drill” all of the perimeter doors to the school building will be locked and will remain locked until the danger or issue outside or inside the building is removed. To enable everyone to remain safe, no one will be allowed to enter the building or leave the building until the drill is completed.

We know that this is an emotional topic for parents and caregivers and want to assure you of a few things:

• The adults in our building work together to plan and ensure students feel safe and we remind them that the drill is practice.

• We talk with students in a developmentally appropriate way before and after each drill and our practice is developmentally aligned.

• We are available to support families. We will share resources below to help you talk with your child about these experiences and invite you to reach out at any time.

Next week, classes will practice quickly relocating from their classroom to another space in the building. As a faculty, we spoke about this drill as a way to help students move from an unsafe or unhealthy space to another. Teachers felt confident in their ability to articulate the drill to their students, they identified a space they will move to in an emergency, and have thought about scenarios that may lead them to move from one space in the building to another.

I want you to know about it in advance and be able to talk with your children about it when they come home. Here are a few resources to support those conversations:

1. Talking with Your Children about Safety Drills (Johns Hopkins)

2. Talking with Children about Violence: Tips for Parents and Educators (NASP)

If you have questions or would like to connect please reach out to me directly.

Respectfully,

Matthew Brankman

As parents, teachers, and caregivers, we know that social emotional learning (SEL) is crucial for our students’ success in school and in life. To support this learning, we first need to understand how students are doing. Last year, a group of teachers and administrators identified research-backed SEL measurement tools and selected the Panorama surveys. This year, we will again be using Panorama as a tool. The survey will be given a total of three times (fall, winter, spring), and it takes students about 10-15 minutes to complete. We will use the data we collect to reflect on student learning and strengthen our programs and instruction to help all students succeed.

In the next month, we will provide a survey to our K-12 students. Students in 3rd-12th grades will self-reflect on skills related to self-management, self-awareness, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness. For grades K-2, teachers will complete a much shorter survey on the same topics about each student in their class. We ask that all students participate, because their feedback will provide valuable insights to help us improve and adapt our district to support all students.

Please notify us if you wish to opt your child out of taking the survey by emailing mcurran@acsdvt.org with your child’s name, grade, and class by September 15, 2023.

Thank you in advance for supporting this important work. If you have any questions please contact your school principal or Courtney Krahn, Director of Teaching and Learning (ckrahn@acsdvt.org; 820-382-1276).

All school meals will be free again for ALL students.

But, it's still VERY IMPORTANT to complete the free and reduced meal application form. Our district gets $475,000+ each year based on the % of students who qualify for free/reduced meals. So, if you fill out the form, you help us qualify!

A paper application will come home with your child, or apply now online.

Grade 5 boys and girls interested in working on their basketball skills and playing more games, we have a great opportunity for you. Mini-metro basketball has been around for more than 30 years. Come join the grade 5/6 team from Middlebury! We have both a boys team and a girls team. Games are every Sunday starting on Nov. 5th. We will have one or two practices a week throughout October in Middlebury. We work on fostering a positive environment and focus on skill and team development.

Tryouts will be on Sept. 9th for the grade 5/6 boys at the Town Rec. gym from 4:30 to 5:45pm. The grade 5/6 girls tryouts/first practice will be on Sept. 10th from 5:45 to 7:00pm at the same gym. In both cases please arrive up to a half hour early to get fitted for uniforms. The Middlebury Basketball Association will be covering all fees and expenses. Players will need to travel for some games, we will also host games in Midddlebury at the Town Rec. gym.

For more information please email info@middhoops.com

Dear Bridport Families,

This year is very different for me, and like everyone else, I am adjusting to being the principal of both Bridport Central and Shoreham Elementary Schools. I have been spending a lot of time in Shoreham, and Jenny has been spending the majority of her time in Bridport. Both of us are learning a lot, and I think that we are putting our skills where they are most needed, minute to minute and day to day.

In all ways, Jenny is an elementary teacher and her leadership strengths include expertise in curriculum and instruction, Responsive Classroom, IB, systems development, and supporting students who struggle with behaviors. With all those skills, one might ask, what is left for Matthew to do?!? Honestly, I feel so lucky to have Jenny as a partner this year. I think that our skillsets compliment each other, and I am certain that both communities will be better off because of the work that Jenny will do with students, staff and families.

As we continue the school year, I will be asking for your feedback in a variety of ways. We will rely on your feedback, the feedback from students and our teachers and staff to make sure that we are doing everything we can to helpf all our students succeed.

In the meantime, I continue to be thankful for the opportunity to serve Bridport and Shoreham!

Please have a safe weekend!

Respectfully,

Matthew Brankman

Principal

• Drop off / Pick Up Procedures
• Back to School Night: Wednesday, September 27th 5PM
• Nurse Landwehr's Health/Safety Update

All school meals will be free again for ALL students.

But, it's still VERY IMPORTANT to complete the free and reduced meal application form. Our district gets $475,000+ each year based on the % of students who qualify for free/reduced meals. So, if you fill out the form, you help us qualify!

A paper application will come home with your child, or apply now online.

As parents, teachers, and caregivers, we know that social emotional learning (SEL) is crucial for our students’ success in school and in life. To support this learning, we first need to understand how students are doing. Last year, a group of teachers and administrators identified research-backed SEL measurement tools and selected the Panorama surveys. This year, we will again be using Panorama as a tool. The survey will be given a total of three times (fall, winter, spring), and it takes students about 10-15 minutes to complete. We will use the data we collect to reflect on student learning and strengthen our programs and instruction to help all students succeed.

In the next month, we will provide a survey to our K-12 students. Students in 3rd-12th grades will self-reflect on skills related to self-management, self-awareness, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness. For grades K-2, teachers will complete a much shorter survey on the same topics about each student in their class. We ask that all students participate, because their feedback will provide valuable insights to help us improve and adapt our district to support all students.

Please notify us if you wish to opt your child out of taking the survey by emailing mcurran@acsdvt.org with your child’s name, grade, and class by September 15, 2023.

Thank you in advance for supporting this important work. If you have any questions please contact your school principal or Courtney Krahn, Director of Teaching and Learning (ckrahn@acsdvt.org; 820-382-1276).

Grade 5 boys and girls interested in working on their basketball skills and playing more games, we have a great opportunity for you. Mini-metro basketball has been around for more than 30 years. Come join the grade 5/6 team from Middlebury! We have both a boys team and a girls team. Games are every Sunday starting on Nov. 5th. We will have one or two practices a week throughout October in Middlebury. We work on fostering a positive environment and focus on skill and team development.

Tryouts will be on Sept. 9th for the grade 5/6 boys at the Town Rec. gym from 4:30 to 5:45pm. The grade 5/6 girls tryouts/first practice will be on Sept. 10th from 5:45 to 7:00pm at the same gym. In both cases please arrive up to a half hour early to get fitted for uniforms. The Middlebury Basketball Association will be covering all fees and expenses. Players will need to travel for some games, we will also host games in Midddlebury at the Town Rec. gym.

For more information please email info@middhoops.com

Dear Bridport Families,

As we start another school year, I feel like there is so much to think about and to celebrate! Our school is continually a work in progress, but we ARE making great progress and I'm so proud to be part of this community! Students returned to school this week and focused on the foundational components of what it means to be part of a team. We learned and practiced school expectations. We began creating rules and agreements in each classroom and school-wide. We welcomed new students to our classes...and we began getting settled and ready.

As always, our staff is working hard, getting settled, and preparing for another great year.

Please enjoy the long weekend! See you Tuesday!

Respectfully,

Matthew Brankman

Principal

• Drop off / Pick Up Procedures
• Back to School Night: Wednesday, September 27th 5PM
• Nurse Landwehr's Health/Safety Update

As parents, teachers, and caregivers, we know that social emotional learning (SEL) is crucial for our students’ success in school and in life. To support this learning, we first need to understand how students are doing. Last year, a group of teachers and administrators identified research-backed SEL measurement tools and selected the Panorama surveys. This year, we will again be using Panorama as a tool. The survey will be given a total of three times (fall, winter, spring), and it takes students about 10-15 minutes to complete. We will use the data we collect to reflect on student learning and strengthen our programs and instruction to help all students succeed.

In the next month, we will provide a survey to our K-12 students. Students in 3rd-12th grades will self-reflect on skills related to self-management, self-awareness, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness. For grades K-2, teachers will complete a much shorter survey on the same topics about each student in their class. We ask that all students participate, because their feedback will provide valuable insights to help us improve and adapt our district to support all students.

Please notify us if you wish to opt your child out of taking the survey by emailing mcurran@acsdvt.org with your child’s name, grade, and class by September 15, 2023.

Thank you in advance for supporting this important work. If you have any questions please contact your school principal or Courtney Krahn, Director of Teaching and Learning (ckrahn@acsdvt.org; 820-382-1276).

All school meals will be free again for ALL students.

But, it's still VERY IMPORTANT to complete the free and reduced meal application form. Our district gets $475,000+ each year based on the % of students who qualify for free/reduced meals. So, if you fill out the form, you help us qualify!

A paper application will come home with your child, or apply now online.

Grade 5 boys and girls interested in working on their basketball skills and playing more games, we have a great opportunity for you. Mini-metro basketball has been around for more than 30 years. Come join the grade 5/6 team from Middlebury! We have both a boys team and a girls team. Games are every Sunday starting on Nov. 5th. We will have one or two practices a week throughout October in Middlebury. We work on fostering a positive environment and focus on skill and team development.

Tryouts will be on Sept. 9th for the grade 5/6 boys at the Town Rec. gym from 4:30 to 5:45pm. The grade 5/6 girls tryouts/first practice will be on Sept. 10th from 5:45 to 7:00pm at the same gym. In both cases please arrive up to a half hour early to get fitted for uniforms. The Middlebury Basketball Association will be covering all fees and expenses. Players will need to travel for some games, we will also host games in Midddlebury at the Town Rec. gym.

For more information please email info@middhoops.com