Shoreham School Family Newsletter

Dear Shoreham Community,

The first week back from break is always exciting for students and staff. We spent time this week sharing about our experiences over break, connecting with one another and creating new memories.

I want to share with you, first, an announcement about the leadership structure for Shoreham and Bridport. Starting Monday, Matthew Brankman will be the day to day supporting principal for Bridport, and I will be the supporting principal for Shoreham during the week. On Friday afternoons, we will spend time in the opposite building so we can maintain connections to all students. Matthew and I will still maintain constant communication about both buildings and he will be available to support Shoreham as needed. This structure will last until at least February break, and then reevaluated.

A new year is also a time to evaluate priorities and reinvest energy into what feels the most important. For me, that is continuing to create a safe, joyful and respectful community with the incredible educators of Shoreham School. This work takes the entire school community: teachers, students and families. It takes time, energy and persistence, and we are taking it one component at a a time. We are using a framework called Responsive Classroom. All teachers and staff have been trained, and we are taking this new year to focus back in on the core components.

Next week, we will be focusing on our whole-school expectations and rules. They are:

1. Respect Ourselves

2. Respect Others

3. Respect the Environment

We will be spending time talking about what those words mean, and what it looks like and sounds like in each area of our school day. I'm looking forward to sharing with you all what the students come up with.

As always, please reach out with questions, concerns or wonderings.

Best,

Jenny Urban

We welcomed two new faces to our school this week:

Breaya Walker is a phenomenal paraeducator who has worked at Bridport for the past 10 years. She brings with her a passion for supporting students, laughter & joy. She will mostly be supporting 4th and 5th grade. (The students call her Mrs. Walker)

Riliegh Steinhour is a long term substitute that joined us on Wednesday! She recently graduated from Castleton with a degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She will be covering for Ms. Longchamp, then stay on and cover for Ms. Broughton's maternity leave! We are so excited to have her be part of the team.

At Morning Recess, a few parents have been staying and playing with kids! Including one dad in his state troopers uniform! (Thank you!) The students loved playing football with someone new.

Kindergarten, 1st Grade and 5th Grade took their weekly walk on Friday. They had a great time connecting, laughing and being outdoors.

Winter Progress Reports will go home on Friday, January 12th. They will be in an envelope in your child's backpack. If you have signed up for duplicate mailings, they will be mailed that day.

January 16th is listed as an inservice day for teachers on the district calendar you received at the beginning of the year. There has been a change in how this day will be used. We will be offering progress report check-ins starting on January 16th. You will receive your child’s progress report on the 12th and then on the 16th you have the opportunity to sign up for a 10-15 minute check-in with your child’s teacher. During this time you can ask questions regarding the progress report and on-going goals for your child. Meetings will be offered over the phone, through google meet, or in person at the school. We will hold parent conferences again in the spring during March/April.

Look for a sign up sheet coming home from your child's teacher

1. We finished our Hip Hop dance this week with a dance/pizza party. Next time we plan to offer dance is March 2024 with Coach Neon.

2. Reminder: basketball starts 1/8/24 on Monday's after school. Also offering Wednesday's 5-6pm. See flyer attached.

Updates on future events:

1. The skating rink will hopefully be set up by next week. Pray for good weather folks. Skates will be available in the black shed on the basketball court for some sizes.

2. Let's think about a winter festival for January or February. If you would like to join the planning committee please reach out by messaging or emailing Shorehamrecdeptvt@gmail.com

3. Who likes Pokemon? We have a couple kids interested and would like to offer a new Pokemon group plus work with the library.

We officially have a school newspaper! 5th graders with the help of Ms. Abby worked so hard this month to put out their first addition. Check it out here! https://www.canva.com/design/DAFxFDNT37A/QjqbBICP3hK3_cAJ5GOouQ/watch

Our next issue will come out in January- stay tuned!