Bridport Community Newletter

Hello, BCS!

We had an amazing week last week at Bridport! It was so fun to be back together, and start our final stretch of school! We began reading A Boy Called BAT together, celebrated 5th grade at Exhibition and learned about some new tools available at recess (hint: giant legos!)

This week we are:

1. Continuing to Read together! Please try to make time each night or morning :)

2. Meeting Kate Gridley, our artist in residence, and going to the Tilly Trail with the Otter Creek Audubon Society.

3. Starting our spring academic screeners for math and literacy

Its also Teacher Appreciation Week! Please join me in celebrating our amazing teachers that support our school each day. If you have time to write a quick note this week, or have your student write a note it would be amazing.

Thank you for your continued support!

Jenny

I'm so excited to share with you our team for next school year! We are saying goodbye to some amazing educators, and saying "hello!" to new ones.

Some changes to note:

• Sally Nadeau will be headed to Salisbury Community School as a Math Instructional Specialist. We are so happy for her as she starts on this new journey!
• Angela Foley will also be at Salisbury as a special educator. They are so lucky to have her!
• Martha Santa Maria (currently at Shoreham) will be joining us as a Academic Interventionist. She brings extensive early literacy knowledge that will be of immense support to our schools.
• We have not determined which teacher will teach which grades yet- that will come after a decision is made about configurations.

Heather Adams- PK Teacher

Andrea Way- Classroom Teacher

Kate Moehringer- Classroom Teacher

Sara Thurber- Classroom Teacher

Victoria Flynn- Special Educator

Martha Santa Maria- Academic Interventionist

Andrew Hirsch- Math Instructional Specialist

Amber Bragg- School Counselor

Carrie Harvey- CSAC Clinician

Danielle Girard- School Nurse

AJ Bellomo - PE/Wellness

Kate Cunningham- Music

Sarah Flinn- Art

Meeka Sands- Spanish

Abby Adams- Library

Linda Barrett- Admin Assistant

Hello Families!
We hope you're all enjoying reading A Boy Called Bat together—it’s been so much fun diving into this heartwarming story as a school community!

Just a friendly reminder that we’re starting Week 2 of our reading journey. We can't wait to see what Bat gets up to next!

To make it extra fun this week, try reading a chapter together in a silly voice, or let your child be the "reading teacher" and lead the discussion. Happy reading!

Week 2: May 5th - May 9th

Chapters 11 - 18

Chapter 11: Apartment 2A

1. How does Bat feel about nicknames? Do you have any nicknames?

Chapter 12: Finally

1. How does Bat feel at the beginning of the chapter? How does that change at the end of the chapter?

Chapter 13: What’s in a Name

1. After getting home, Bat and his family had peanut butter on crackers as a snack. What is your favorite after school snack?

2. Bat wanted to name the skunk kit “Stripy” but his sister suggested “Thor”. Do you think Thor is a good name for the skunk kit? What name would you have given the kit?

Chapter 14: Sleeping Arrangements

1. In this chapter Bat shares that he doesn't like cleaning off the leftover food from his plate at dinner time. Do you have any chores that you do at home? If so, which one is your least favorite?

Chapter 15: Dr. Jerry Dragoo

1. According to the skunk expert, Dr Jerry Gragoo, :what makes a good pet is a good pet caretaker.” What does this mean? Do you agree?

Chapter 16: A Correspondence

1. If you had a change to correspond with Dr. Dragoo, what would you ask him and why?

Chapter 17: At the Clinic

1. Why does Bat feel nervous when he goes to the clinic with the skunk?

2. How does Bat’s care and concern for the skunk show his growth and responsibility?

Chapter 18: Dinner Date

1. In this chapter, Bat and his family had a dinner date with a new friend. Who was that friend and why was it so important to Bat that they be included?

Activities:

Family Name Tree

• Create a family tree together, but instead of just listing names, share the stories or meanings behind each family member's name. Talk about how Bat feels about his name and whether anyone else has a special or unique name story.
  
  

Animal Expert Day

• Have each family member choose an animal and learn some interesting facts about it. Afterward, share what you've learned with each other, just like Bat learns from Dr. Jerry Dragoo about skunks.

Family Dinner Theme Night

• Have a fun "family dinner date" by choosing a theme for dinner (like "taco night" or "pizza night"). Everyone can help cook and set the table to make it special. Afterward, talk about how Bat feels during his dinner and how sharing meals can help build relationships.

Tuesday 5/6- First day of Residency!

Wednesday- 5/7- Field trip to the Tilly Trail

Thursday 5/8- Shoreham/Bridport Q&A @ Shoreham Elementary School- 6:00PM

Tuesday 5/13- Kate Gridley is here!

Friday 5/16- Career Day

Monday 5/19-Friday 5/23- 5th graders at KEEC

Monday 5/26- No School

Wednesday 5/28- 5th grade to MUMS for Move UP, then Field trip to Tilly Trail

When students Irene and Charles end up as partners for a poem-writing project, they slowly and bravely begin to explore how the issue of race affects their lives. Irene’s white perspective and Charles’s black perspective are inherent even when they begin by writing about a subject seemingly devoid of racial context—shoes. Their next topic, hair, opens a dialogue that includes the emotional effects of race-based conflicts at school.

Students at BCS will be exploring a few poems each week and exploring these complex themes.

Substitute teachers are crucial for our students, staff, staff, and schools! We are increasing our daily substitute teaching rate to $160/day for unlicensed subs and $200/day for licensed subs. This flat rate replaces our sliding rate of pay for subs depending on the number of days worked. To apply, email HR@acsdvt.org with subject: "Substitute Position". Or visit this listing.

Did you know Bridport School has an instagram!? Follow us- @bridportschoolvermont for pictures and videos :)