UES Swoop Scoop

Happy October Wise Owl Families!

This month's school-wide theme is "Fostering a Growth Mindset-The Power of Yet!" One of the most important things we teach our learners at UES is the importance of having a Growth Mindset. Having a growth mindset is believing in the power of YET (I can't do that, YET) and our brain's capability to grow and learn new things. As we have all experienced in our lives, learning something new can be challenging. When we have a growth mindset though, we tackle new things with determination, a positive attitude and view our mistakes as an important part of the learning process.

We are excited to be coming together for our second Community Time of the year this week! Our K-4 learners will gather on Thursday morning to enjoy a whole school Read Aloud and learn about the many ways they can practice having a growth mindset during the month of October and beyond.

• Congratulations Sylvia Fagin-Named 2023-2024 WIDA Fellow
  
• September Fire Drill at UES
• Halloween Note From MRPS Principals
  
• MRPS Website Updates
• News From Nurse Megan
• MRPS PIE Is Seeking a Part Time Executive Director
• Next MRPS School Board Meeting

Sylvia Fagin (Multilingual Learner Teacher), Montpelier, VT

Sylvia Fagin began her education career as an HIV/AIDS educator in rural central Pennsylvania. She then served in the Peace Corps in Senegal, training community health educators; and led groups of teenagers on bilingual community service trips in Québec with Global Works. She received her MA in TESOL from the School for International Training in 2005. This is her 20th year teaching Multilingual Learners in grades K-12 in Montpelier, Vermont. Sylvia is a 2012 graduate of the Vermont Leadership Institute; and was a National Endowment for the Humanities summer scholar in 2019, studying lived religion. Sylvia strives to hold the strength, dignity and agency of students and families first and foremost in her professional practice.

Check Out the Offical Announcement Here!

Last Friday, we had our first UES Safety Drill of the year, a Fire Drill. Learners and staff could not have done a more beautiful job. They exited the building safely and the drill finished in record time. Way to go Wise Owls!

As Halloween falls on a Tuesday this year and it is a school day the MRPS's Administrators are communicating out together the expectations for the day. MRPS's Handbook states "There shall be no school-initiated or -sanctioned formal or informal celebration or observance of religion, religious holidays or religious festivals." We have this in place to support all students, from different backgrounds, beliefs, and socio-economic statuses. In accordance with our district handbook, each school will NOT be allowing costumes to be worn at school on Tuesday, October 31st.

For those who choose to trick-or-treat and celebrate this holiday after school, stay safe and have a fun evening. Thank you in advance for your support!

-The MRPS Principals

Starting today, families can order 4 Covid-19 antigen test kits FREE to their homes. You can sign up for these free kits through this website:

https://www.covid.gov/tests

If you have yet to fill out an Annual Health Questionnaire, please do so and return it as soon as possible. If you are in need of a new form feel free to contact Nurse Megan or print out a new copy here: Annual Health Questionnaire - 2023-2024

Great opportunity to support MRPS Schools and build a wonderful, nonprofit organization, MRPS PIE (Montpelier Roxbury Partners in Education). https://www.mrpspie.org/

For the first time ever, MRPS PIE is seeking a part time Executive Director to continue to build the organizations day to day operations, support the MRPS PIE Caregiver groups, build and support the MRPS PIE Board, be a strong advocate for our students and develop strong fundraising strategy.

Here is the job description with more information.

Job Title_ Executive Director_MRPSPIE.pdf

The MRPS Board of School Directors is meeting Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 6:30pm at MHS. Everyone is welcome to attend. Find the meeting agenda, minutes from past meetings, information about the work of the various School Board Committees, and more by visiting www.mrpsvt.org/school-board