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December 4, 2009
Dear Parents,
Last spring our school was honored to be recognized by the Vermont Department of Education for the improved student performance on our NECAP state assessments. Over the four years our students have been taking the tests there has been steady improvement. Last March a team of Department of Education researchers spent two days at our school interviewing staff, students and parents looking for the reasons behind our students' success. There were only two other schools across the state who were identified by this study. A report titled "Roots of Success" was published last month that highlights the findings of this team. A copy was distributed to every school in Vermont and is available online at www.rootsofsuccess.wordpress.com. In this report Bradford Elementary School is referred to as "Spruce School" for reasons of confidentiality. A team of our staff presented the story behind our success to the Vermont Board of Education two weeks ago. We are very proud of the hard work being done by our students and the dedicated efforts of you at home to support the learning program being skillfully led by our outstanding staff. This is a total community effort and we should share the pride as we continue to move our school forward.
UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS
12/5 Snowmobile Safety Course
12/7 BES PTO mtg. 6:30pm Library
12/9 Walking Wednesday
12/9 Kids on the Block
12/9 BES School Board mtg. 6:30pm Tech Lab
12/11 Morning Assembly grades K-3
12/16 Walking Wednesday
12/17 2nd H1N1 vaccination clinic
12/17 Holiday Feast -RSVP by 12/11
12/17 Holiday Concert grades K-3 6pm
12/18 Revels performance grades K-6 9am gym
12/21 PTO Christmas Caroling
12/23-1/1 Winter recess- NO SCHOOL
HAPPENINGS THIS WEEK
Before the Thanksgiving break our 6th graders had Greek Day- complete with traditional foods and Olympics and togas! Grandparents & grand-friends of 6th graders joined us for breakfast and returned to the classrooms for activities. On Monday Riverside Grange #455 delivered dictionaries to 3rd graders. Bread baking for grades 4-6 started this week- be ready for some great homemade bread! Walking Wednesday was a success- it is great to see how many do join in on a chilly morning. On Friday we had a Tobacco Free Assembly for grades 4-6- be sure to ask your child(ren) about it. Friday was Red (Really Excellent Decisions) Ribbon Day- the reason your child may have asked to wear red!
FLU VACCINATION CLINIC UPDATE
For those students requiring a second H1N1 vaccination the second H1N1 flu vaccination clinic will be held Thursday, December 17th. Please mark your calendar- and remember to have your child(ren) wear a short sleeved shirt- or have one under other clothing. Once your child(ren) has received the second dose, a vaccination card will be sent home. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Susie Tann, our school nurse.
HOLIDAY FEAST on DECEMBER 17th
The kitchen would like to invite family and friends to a Holiday Feast on Thursday, December 17th. Please RSVP by Friday, December 11th to Darlene in the office. The price is $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for children. You may have the lunch charged to your child's lunch account or pay at the office the day of the feast and pickup a lunch ticket.
PENNIES FOR PEACE
Classrooms will continue to collect pennies for this program that will build schools in communities that have no buildings dedicated to helping children learn. This program will run through MLK Day in January.
GARDEN CREW WORKERS NEEDED
We need volunteers for the FINAL Garden Crew workday on Thursday, December 10 at 2:45pm. Bring gloves and warm clothes. Just show up!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED.......
We are looking for volunteers for various "opportunities". Please contact Darlene in the office.
ÿ December 17th kitchen help for the Holiday Feast.
ÿ Tuesdays from 8:45 to 10:00am in December, January and February with students in grades 4-6 for bread making. No bread making experience needed- learn as you go!
ÿ Wednesdays from 9:30 to 10am in the School Store.
ÿ Friday afternoons in January and February for our Winter Activity Program on - we need help with downhill skiing & snowboarding, cross country skiing, ice skating, snow games & sculptures, sledding, snow shoeing, orienteering, board games and crafts.
LUNCH ACCOUNTS
Lunch envelopes were sent home today. We apologize for the delay. Please remember that the balances reflect purchases from early November - the last envelopes went home November 6th.
SPECIAL THANKS
Visitors to our school have commented how wonderful our school looks, how clean it is, and how GREAT our meals are! Congratulations and thank you to Corinna, Betty, Kelly, Fred & Mike!
BES PTO MEETING DEC. 7th
Monday, December 7th the BES PTO will hold a meeting at 6:30pm in the library. Please join us!
SKI PROGRAMS FOR 3RD GRADERS
This week we sent home information from Mt. Ascutney- they have free season passes for 3rd graders. Whaleback in Enfield also has a program for 3rd graders- an unlimited season pass for $30.00. Proof of student status is required when pass is picked up. For questions on this pass e-mail:
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or call them at 603.448.1489.
USED SKI EQUIPMENT SALES
Be sure to hit the Used Ski Equipment Sales and Swaps going on. There is a sale on Saturday, December 5th beneath the church in West Burke VT from 9am to noon- skis & boards are $20, poles & boots are $10- and there are also accessories.
CHRISTMAS CAROLING
The PTO will be Christmas Caroling on Monday, December 21st at 6pm. We will be meeting at the Congregational Church for caroling followed by hot cocoa and cookies. Bring a flashlight and join us for a night of singing!
K-3 WINTER CONCERT
The K-3 band and chorus will be performing on Thursday, December 17th at 6pm in the gym. Please invite friends and family. Look for more information to come!
WINTER BREAK
Reminder- our winter break begins Wednesday, December 23- this is a change from the original school calendar. School reopens Monday, January 4.
Grandparents Day for 6th graders was a hit- complete with a turkey that serenaded us....
The Grange delivered dictionaries to our 3rd graders
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