Branchville Bulletin

Dear Branchville Community,

Between the single-digit days, I hope you have had a chance to enjoy a sunny day or two. While we’ve had our fair share of indoor recess lately, we know how important fresh air is for our students' focus and spirits. Our rule of thumb is that we get the kids outside whenever the thermometer allows- when the real feel is nearing 20 degrees! Please continue to send your children with warm layers, hats, and gloves so they are prepared to burn off some energy on the playground whenever we get those windows of sunshine.

With snow still on the ground, our school parking lot is extremely limited due to accumulated snow and ongoing cleanup.

To ensure a safe and efficient dismissal for everyone, please follow the guidelines for pickup this afternoon:

• Use the Car Line: Please use the traditional car route pickup process. This is the most effective way to keep traffic flowing and ensure student safety.
• Avoid Parking: We strongly discourage parking at the school due to abundant snow piles.
• Walk-ups for Pick Up Only, if necessary: Please park and walk to the sidewalk only if absolutely essential. This is true on all days. Please reserve the limited parking for parents and students who need walk-up pick up. When we have many walk-ups, the overall flow of traffic is impacted.

As we enjoy mid-winter, we are also keeping an eye on the horizon. "Budget season" is officially underway in Ridgefield. Following yesterday’s public hearing on the Superintendent’s proposed budget, the Board of Education is moving into the heart of their deliberations for the 2026-2027 school year. These discussions have a direct impact on the staffing and programs that support our Branchville tigers. If you don't typically follow these meetings, now is a great time to tune in and stay informed about the resources that shape our school's future.

In partnership,

Keith L. Margolus

Click on the slide below to view the Ridgefield Public Schools Budget website.

One of the ways we teach reading is through an approach called "shared reading" using the resource Bookworms. See below to learn more about this.

Believe it or not, it is time to register eligable students for kindergarten. Click on the slide to learn more.

As you know, each class holds a snack at a designated time. Please send your child with a snack. The snacks in the nurse's office are reserved for students who are not feeling well and those with allergies. If purchasing snacks is a hardship, don't hesitate to get in touch with Mr. Margolus.

Health Corner with Nurse Rohrer

Winter weather is here! Please help us keep the kids warm by sending them to school with a proper winter coat, hat, and gloves daily. Colds, flu, and stomach viruses thrive indoors during the winter. Effective hand washing is the single most important action we can take to stop the spread of germs at home and in school.

With the snow melting, we are going through dry clothes quickly! We are currently looking for a few donations of children’s leggings/sweatpants, long-sleeve shirts, and socks to help keep everyone warm and dry. If you have any gently used items to spare, we would be incredibly grateful for the help.

Please remember to pack a snack for your child. Snacks in the nurses office are reserved for students who are sick or need a safe alternative due to an allergy.

Hearing and vision screenings have begun! I will continue screening as scheduling allows. Kindly review the links below regarding mandatory screenings and guidelines for keeping your sick child home from school.

As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns!

Important information about Mandated Screenings

Respiratory Guidelines

When to Keep your Child Home from School

Head Lice Communication

If you are experiencing a hardship and your child needs financial support to participate in a PTA event or school event, such as a field trip. Please reach out to Keith at kmargolus@ridgefieldps.net

RPS is a caring and compassionate community that recognizes that some of our families are facing challenging times and experiencing food insecurity. Please reach out to Keith, the BES PTA or the PTA Council for help, with complete confidence that your discussions will be kept confidential. The RHS PTSA put together this list of resources for RPS families, neighbors, and friends.

Check out the new page,engagED on the RPS Curriculum Site pictured and linked below.

RPS distribution flyers for outside groups via a Digital Backpack.

Organizations that meet the RPS policy may submit their request for inclusion in the digital backpack. Please help us in our effort to go green by checking students' Digital Backpacks Organizations that meet the RPS policy may submit their request for inclusion to cmelagrano@ridgefieldps.net. Thank you!

This guide below was distributed at Open House. Click on the images below for an enlarged display. You may also request a copy from the Branchville Main Office.

If you are looking for a comprehensive description of our school practices and procedures, please review the K-5 Student Handbook.

Visiting BES

If you are visiting BES, one way to expedite the entry process is to fill out this form or use the QR code in advance of your planned visit (e.g., teacher meeting, PTA meeting, mystery reader, library, or art volunteer). Your badge will be waiting for you when you arrive. If you have something to drop off for your child during the school day, such as a forgotten lunch or instrument, please place the item on the table located outside the entrance.

• When you arrive to enter the building, we ask that you press the video doorbell button and identify yourself. You will then be granted access to the vestibule.
• Once in the vestibule, please do NOT hold the door open for a different guest entering the building. We cannot open the second set of doors until you are inside the vestibule. While this may be inconvenient and feel impolite, we are standardizing access to the buildings across the district so that everyone knows what to expect.

For visits to BES during the school day, I recommend arriving early, as it takes some time to process your visitor badge. For a visit that is not arranged in advance, calling the main office ahead of time is a helpful practice.

We are grateful to be able to conduct events like The School Store, The Bookfair, and The Beaver Boogie, to name a few. These events depend on volunteers. When you are volunteering, you may witness student interactions, behavior, or learning that differ from your experience with your own child. In the spirit of inclusivity, kindness, and respect for all students and families, I invite all to take a moment to read the confidentiality agreement you sign when you arrive at Branchville. It is essential that these are not just a step in your entry process, but that we live by them when we are here at BES.

Confidentiality Agreement

I acknowledge that as a volunteer and or visitor, I may have the opportunity to access or gain knowledge of confidential information. Confidential information may be made known to or learned by me via various sources, including but not limited to electronic media, interoffice communications, internal publications, and verbal interactions. I further acknowledge that making this information known or available to others who do not have a legal right to that information may violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), other Federal and State Laws, and Ridgefield Board of Education Policies.

Therefore, I agree that I will not reveal, make known, or provide access to confidential information except to those having a legal or otherwise permissible right to that information. Furthermore, I agree not to access confidential information for any reason other than the performance of my duties as a volunteer at Ridgefield Public Schools.

By signing this Confidentiality Agreement, I acknowledge that I have read and understand it. I understand that my failure to comply with this agreement may subject me to discipline and/or removal from the volunteer list in accordance with Ridgefield Public Schools’ Policies and may affect my future access to confidential information and/or Ridgefield Public Schools’ computing, telephony, and other information systems or databases.

By typing your name below, you are agreeing to this confidentiality agreement.

For a comprehensive list of upcoming events, please see the calendars below.

RPS Events Calendar

Rotational Calendar

PTA Events Calendar

To withhold directory and media publications (including Instagram) please follow this path when you are logged in to PowerSchool.

• On the left-hand side please click on "Demographic Change."

• A number of tabs will appear. Click on "Directory & Media OptOut.

There you will find the option to withhold directory and media information. It is helpful if you notify us of the change. Please email, administrative assistant, Catherine Basso, at cbasso@ridgefieldps.net

Never hesitate to reach out to us about this publication or any other questions you may have. We are a phone call or an email away.

Keith L Margolus

Principal

kmargolus@ridgefieldps.net

Website: https://bes.ridgefield.org/Home
Location: 40 Florida Road, Ridgefield, CT, USA
Phone: 203.894.5850