Brookside Blast
September 18, 2026
Greetings, Brookside Families!
Can you believe we have already completed 17 days of school? The initial whirlwind of August routines has settled into a steady, joyful rhythm across our classrooms. As the cool crisp air rolls in and the leaves begin to show their autumn colors, our students are thriving, playing hard outside, and diving deep into their learning.
This week, we successfully conducted our first fire drill and our first "Clear the Halls" safety drill of the school year. Our students did an extraordinary job following directions quickly, quietly, and respectfully. These routine practice runs help ensure that all students and staff know exactly what to do to keep our community safe, calm, and prepared.
On Wednesday morning, we gathered for our first All School Morning Meeting of the year! It was wonderful to have our entire community together to review our schoolwide codes: Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful, and Be Kind. This year, we are exploring how our actions create a "ripple effect." Just like a pebble dropped into water, every act of kindness, safety, and respect spreads outward, touching our classmates, our school, and our broader community. Small positive choices make big waves! Students are already working to earn classwide celebrations and together, we will work to earn schoolwide celebrations when our positive actions complete the ripples!
We are putting a fresh spotlight on safe and respectful behavior in the cafeteria. As students work together to demonstrate these habits, they are earning rewards toward a schoolwide celebration: Chocolate Milk for a Day as part of school lunch! Stay tuned as we fill our special cafeteria fishbowl!
Thank you for your continued partnership, energy, and support. Have a wonderful, restful weekend with your families!
Warmly,
Sarah & Chris
Brookside Primary School is again sponsoring, free of charge, a "weekend of food" for your child through our Backpack Program. We are able to offer a supply of nutritious meals and snacks for children of the weekends and extended breaks no cost.
Any child enrolled at Brookside Primary School is able to receive these weekly bags of food for themselves and each child in their family. If you believe your child could benefit from this program, please complete the form linked below.
If you have questions or concerns or need help with this form, please email Eliza Chittenden at echittenden@huusd.org or call BPS at (802) 244-7195.
Bus route information can be found here: https://huusd.org/bus-routes. Please take a moment to review your child’s route so that the first days of school run smoothly. Additionally, please familiarize yourself with Pick Up Patrol, as it is the system we use to manage absences, tardies and dismissal plans. Please ensure your child has adequate default plans!
When: Saturday, November 14, 2026, 9AM-4PM
● Volunteer Shop 7-8 AM
● Ticketed Early Shop 8-9 AM
● General Public 9AM - 4PM
Where: Waitsfield Elementary School, 3951 Main Street, Waitsfield, VT
What: New and Used Gear: Alpine, Nordic, Skate, Backcountry, and hard/soft goods
More Info: http://www.waitsfieldpta.org/ski-and-skate-sale.html
Consignment Registration is Open!
Consignors are required to pre-register items online to receive item tags; no unregistered or
untagged merchandise will be accepted onsite. You can register online to consign at
https://sale.waitsfieldpta.org/register.
Consignment registration deadline: Monday, Nov. 9th at 11pm
Consignment tag pick up: Wednesday, Nov. 11th -Friday, Nov. 13th at WES
Pre-registered consignment drop off: Friday, Nov. 13th from 4pm to 7pm at WES
Volunteer for the Earliest Shopping Access!
Volunteers get first dibs! We need support from all families to make this a success! This is the
school’s only fundraiser for the year, and all proceeds support educational and enrichment programs
for students, including our Winter Ski & Ride Program, ECO, and field trips.
Announcing: “Owls and Their Calls” Green & Gold Presentation at Mad River Glen, Saturday, October 3rd At 11AM
FAYSTON, VT. September 4, 2026 — Join Stark Mountain Foundation for a family-friendly presentation “Owls and Their Calls” by the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences (VINS). The presentation will take place at 11 AM on Saturday, October 3rd on Green & Gold Weekend. Held on the third floor of the Basebox at Mad River Glen, the family-friendly program offers community members an up-close look at native nocturnal raptors. Register at https://www.starkmountain.org/news-events.
Contrary to popular belief, not all owls hoot—some screech, whistle, or bark. Attendees will meet live owls, hear their unique calls, and have the chance to handle biological artifacts to discover how these apex predators hunt and thrive in Vermont's forests.
The event will occur during Green & Gold Weekend at Mad River Glen, which will feature a variety of events including the MRG Annual Shareholders meeting, scenic lift rides on the single chair, and a naturalist-guided hike down Stark Mountain starting at 1:00PM.
“Owls and Their Calls” is free and pre-registration is required. Please reach out to contact@starkmountain.org if you register and are unable to attend. Donations to Stark Mountain Foundation are encouraged to support various projects, including future environmental educational programs! To register or learn more about upcoming events visit: https://www.starkmountain.org/news-events.
About Stark Mountain Foundation
Stark Mountain Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to preserve and protect the environment and ecosystem of Stark Mountain, in Fayston, Vermont, including its recreational access and historic value, and to support programs that promote and sustain that environment for the enjoyment of present and future generations. Find out more about Stark Mountain Foundation at https://www.starkmountain.org/.
About Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences
Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences (VINS) is a Quechee-based non-profit whose mission is to motivate individuals and communities to care for the environment through education, research, and avian wildlife rehabilitation. Learn more at https://vinsweb.org/.
About Us
Website: https://bps.huusd.org/
Instagram: BrooksidePrimarySchool
Facebook: HUUSD
Phone: 802-244-7195
Location: 47 Stowe Street, Waterbury, VT