SCS Newsletter 2.2.24

Dear Salisbury Families:

Happy February!

If you recall, back about two months ago I wrote you all to tell you that I would be taking on some additional responsibilities for a little while, as I would also be the acting principal at Cornwall School while their principal went on a medical leave. Well, that leave is over, and I'm excited to say I am back in just Salisbury Community School!

It was a good experience overall, I think. Thanks to our awesome faculty and staff at Salisbury Community School, things kept moving along smoothly here. My goal was to minimize the amount that students and staff "felt" that I was out of the building, and I think we were able to do that, but I got some big time help with that along the way. I would like to specifically thank Paraeducator Sandy Hayes, who took on more moment-to-moment behavior interventions when I was out of the building, Administrative Assistant Donna Simpson, who always picks up the slack when I leave something hanging, and of course Mike Dudek, who worked with me in an Assistant Principal role during that time. Although Mike was mostly in Cornwall, his contributions extended to Salisbury too. I enjoyed working with him very much, and wish him luck as he returns to Mary Hogan to focus on providing behavioral supports to administrators, teachers, and students there.

Thank you, as well, to community members who offered encouragement and support (and sometimes sympathy!). It was actually a great experience for me professionally, as it was really interesting to be in another school environment and see how different systems and structures can result in different outcomes. It allowed me to reflect on what I have learned about school leadership and administration on the job the last year and a half, and it has prompted me to keep thinking about how to get better and better at things in the future. Still, I am glad to be fully back!

Let's go Bobcats!

Sincerely,

Bjarki

Important dates:

February 5th-16th: Kid's Heart Challenge (Details below)

Wednesday, February 7th: Early Release Day (Details below)

Monday, February 12th: Rural Elementary Band Concert 6:30 (Doors open at 6:00), Salisbury Community School Gym.

February 19-23: February Break : No school

Last year we started a new tradition on February 14th (the day folks celebrate Valentine's Day). We wanted kids to have a treat, and have fun together, and feel connected (all Valentine's Day type stuff) , but we recognized that the candy and snacks part of Valentine's Day is pretty disruptive to classes, and even to kids, who can sometimes feel anxious or left out during such events. Instead we had an all-school ice cream social, and it went great. So great we've decided to do it again!

So please, this year, we ask families to not send in candy or snacks on Valentine's Day. The school will instead be providing ice cream sundaes to all the students as a community event in the afternoon. We'll all eat together in the gym.

This Wednesday, February 7th, is an ACSD early release day. That means school starts at the same time, but it ends at 1:00. Busses work like normal (except that they leave school at 1:00, not 2:45). However, there is no bus in the afternoon that goes from Salisbury School to either MUMS or MUHS, so there is no way to get to those schools for any students who occasionally do that. Thanks!

Our school is kicking off the American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge! Students and staff are excited to care for their hearts and minds, help kids with special hearts and learn lifesaving Hands-Only CPR! The Kid's Heart Challenge will run from 2/5 to 2/16.

If you haven’t joined our Kids Heart Challenge team yet, get started today! We need your help to reach our goal of 100% of families completing Finn’s Mission!

Here’s a sneak peek of this year’s Kids Heart Challenge! You’ll definitely want to check it out!

Here’s how you can help:

• Register: www.heart.org/schools or download the free “AHA Schools” app.

• Complete Finn’s Mission: Watch the 2-minute Hands-Only CPR video featuring cardiac arrest survivor, Damar Hamlin, and watch a music video on the warning signs of a stroke (F.A.S.T.).

• Share with Family & Friends: Send messages via social media, text messages and/or email.

Help our class win the classroom challenge by registering and completing Finn’s Mission. We can create a community of lifesavers!

With Heart,

Miss T

We are quickly approaching our winter concert, which will be held in the Salisbury Community School gym on Monday, February 12th at 6:30 PM (doors open at 6:00 PM). We will be combining the instrumental students from Cornwall, Ripton, Salisbury, Shoreham, and Weybridge to create an ensemble of about 60 musicians! The Ripton and Weybridge choruses will also combine to showcase some of their work. To prepare, students will rehearse at Salisbury on Mon. 2/12 (band 12:30-1:45, chorus 1:45-2:20, snow Mon. 3/4). On Mon. 2/12, the combined rehearsals will be open to Salisbury K-5 classes and any friends and family who might not be able to attend in the evening.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Over the last couple weeks we have focused on improving our outdoor lighting, partially because we want our parking lot to be super safe for the Winter Concert, but also because we wanted it to be better lit in general! Thanks for Peck Electric for working on our parking lot lights and getting them all up in running order, and ACSD Assistant Facilities Manager Eric Warren for making everything happen!

We have also been replacing any missing bulbs on the school exterior as well.

Dear ACSD Families,

This February, ACSD will launch text messaging for ACSD families. This won't replace our current email/phone communication, but it will help us reach you quickly for urgent issues. We will not text you often and only for short, time-sensitive messages (like early dismissal and snow days).

To receive texts, you must opt-in. Directions to opt-in:

• Text “yes” to 67587. You will get a reply confirming your registration. If you ever want to stop, just text STOP.

• Make sure we have your wireless number in our student database. This is the number you share on school forms in August. (If you currently receive school/ACSD calls on your cell phone, we probably have your wireless number.) If not, please share it with your school.