SCS Newsletter

Dear Salisbury Families:

Another week brought another set of weather stories to Salisbury, as many were affected by the snow and wind that we got last week. Thank you to everyone who had to be flexible along the way, and I hope folks are coming through things okay. A special thanks, too, for those who brave the elements to help their communities during storms: plow drivers, first responders, linespeople for electric companies, tow-truck drivers, and the like. We appreciate the cold and sleepless nights, and the rigors you go through to keep others safe.

I want to keep this short, because there's a lot to read in this newsletter, but I do want to emphasize our FOSCS Movie Night, which will be taking place this Friday and which I haven't really promoted enough. The doors will open at 5:45, and the movie will begin around 6. We will be providing popcorn, lemonade, and some other small snacks. We have not yet picked a movie, but we will have students make suggestions on Wednesday, and then take a vote. We will make sure it is a good choice for students of all ages, and we really hope to see students there!

As I said above, there's a fair amount to this newsletter, so please do read it through!

Sincerely,

Bjarki

Important dates:

Monday, January 15th: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School)

Tuesday, January 16th: Teacher PD Day (no school)

Friday, January 19th: FOSCS Movie Night. (5:45-7:45)

Saturday, January 20th: On-line school store closes

FOSCS is hosting a "Movie Night" on Friday. The doors to the gym will open at 5:45, and the movie will begin at 6:00. FOSCS will provide popcorn, lemonade, and some other assorted snacks! We have not yet decided on a movie- students will be choosing it on Wednesday. We will make sure that it is accessible and appropriate for all ages.

This year we have partnered with 802 Print of Vergennes to offer a wide array of Salisbury Community School shirts, hoodies, hats, and fleeces. The online store will be open until January 20th- so folks can go online and order, and then 802 Print will print all the items and send them to us, and we will send them home to you! The items will arrive at SCS in Mid- February.

Please note that there are two logos to choose from! Our traditional "circle" logo and one with a bobcat jumping into action!

Progress reports went home on backpacks on Friday- If you didn't find one please reach out to us. Also, parent teacher conferences are underway! Hopefully everyone has been able to find a time to schedule for conferences. They are such a important piece of the home-school connection, which really is an incredibly valuable piece in helping students get the most they can out of school. Please reach out to the school or your child's teacher if you still need to sign up- we'll help you out!

It's getting colder, so please always send students in with the "High 5" of winter clothing. Kids these every day to be safe and have fun at recess.

1. Boots
2. Hat
3. Gloves
4. Jacket
5. Snowpants

The FOSCS parent group is in the initial stages of exploring the need for and feasibility of after-school care. While we don't yet have an idea of when such care would be available or what it would look like, understanding the scope of need is the first step in solving such needs. Please take a moment to fill out this brief survey.

Last Tuesday, music teacher Sarah Metcalf and our band students hosted an in-school band concert! It was awesome to hear them play! It was really impressive how quicky new players like Kalyce can pick up an instrument, and it was awesome to hear Zane and Maison improvise on "Whole Step Blues". Some younger students came away talking excitedly about what they are going to do when they are in band- very cool! Thank you, Ms. Metcalf, for all your hard work with our students!

On Thursday, presenters from Fort Ticonderoga visited Amy Clapp's 3-4 class to learn about a soldier's life during the Revolutionary War. The presenters kept students enraptured with descriptions of the time, and with hands-on pieces that the students could touch to bring history alive. Thanks to Ms. Clapp and Fort Ti!

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.

Over the next several weeks, 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 bsears@acsdvt.org with your child’s name, grade, and teacher by January 19th, 2024.

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).

ACSD schools are participating in the 802 Smiles Network, which promotes dental health programs in Vermont schools. This means your child is eligible for a free dental screening at school and may be eligible to receive preventive dental services at no cost to you. All you have to do is to fill out the online consent forms by February 1st, 2024. We also have paper forms that will be sent home.

The registered dental hygienist can provide the following free services:

• Dental Screening (simplified dental check-up)

• Fluoride Varnish (brush-on liquid that can help prevent cavities)

• Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) (brush-on combination of silver and fluoride that can help stop cavities from getting bigger)

• Dental Cleanings (helps keep the mouth healthy and clean!)

• Oral Health Education (teaches students how to brush, floss, maintain good oral health)

• Dental Sealants (a thin layer of material placed on back teeth to prevent decay)

Our schools will be served by dental hygienist, Michael Messina. If you choose to participate, Michael will send you a follow-up letter after your child’s screening explaining the services provided, whether additional treatment is recommended, and help connect you to a dental professional, if needed. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the school’s dental hygienist, Michael Messina at michaelmessina.rdh@gmail.com or our school nurse