Bridport Community Newletter

Hello Bridport Families (and supporters!)

We had a FABULOUS week at BCS. I am so grateful for our community of learners and the effort and work we all put in each day. Many folks have had, or will have their parent/teacher conferences this week. I have loved hearing the excited voices of students sharing their learning and proud moments.

I wanted to make sure folks knew about our band/chorus concert this Wednesday at 6:00! We will be at Wilson Hall on Middlebury College campus. Anyone is welcome to attend and hear the amazing talents of Bridport and Cornwall musicians.

Some other big news is our summer program offering this year! We will be running a full day summer program with options of Morning, Afternoon or full day attendance. Please see the flyer below for more information :)

As always reach out with questions

In partnership,
Jenny

Combined Band & Chorus Concert- 3/25 - 6:00 - Wilson Hall @ Middlebury College

3/26- VEEP Science Day 3

3/30- VTCAP Testing Begin!

4/1- Early Release

4/2- Events Planning Committee Mtg- 5PM @ BCS

4/2- FOBCS Meeting- 6:00PM @ BCS

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  This past week, at both Bridport and Shoreham parent teacher conferences were in full swing. It was so great to hear all the amazing progress our students have made. It was also a great time for parents and teachers to ask questions about our year next year and start thinking about the big transition. Some things we are doing this upcoming week:

  1. An interview committee is coming together to hire a classroom teacher for our new learning community. We hope to have classroom teacher positions finalized soon!

  2. Staffs from both schools are coming together on Monday to think about room and building needs as well as how to best set up our spaces for successful learning environments. Bruce MacIntire, director of facilities, will be with us to answer questions and outline the timeline for moving and cleaning this summer.

  3. We have also finalized our summer program plans. We will run a full day summer program in the month of July at Shoreham School. Please see the flyer above. You can also sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdmqRx-ZvSExSoHoVZJhGpPZqiytz1k0KTC5DTv_hZeVPFJHg/viewform?usp=dialog

  
  

  Upcoming dates:

  
  

  1. April 10th from 6-7:30 at BCS for a Potluck and Game Night!

  2. April 2nd at 5:00 in the BCS Library- Events Planning Committee

Dear Caregiver(s),

Again this year, the Agency of Education is implementing the Vermont Comprehensive Assessment Program (VTCAP). This computer-based test is adaptive and will assess our state standards for English Language Arts (ELA), math, and science.

ACSD schools will administer these assessments this year between March 9 and April 24. These assessments include:

VTCAP Language Arts and Mathematics: Grades 3-9

VTCAP Science Assessment: Grades 5, 8, and 11

VTCAP at Our School

Tests can be administered at any time during the test window and will be administered in the school building during the typical school day. The schedule for testing at Bridport is as follows:

Prior to testing, students will have opportunities in school to explore the Student Readiness Tool (tinyurl.com/3e3rytnb) and practice tests (tinyurl.com/4bmt3c5r). You are welcome to check these out, too.

After students have completed testing, Individual Student Reports will be sent to families in the mail in fall, 2026. These reports will provide information on what your student(s) learned in relation to the statewide academic standards. It is important to consider that these tests provide a broad overview of demonstrated learning and that results are most useful when viewed in the context of other information gathered by the teacher and the school.

Please note that Vermont’s test delivery system uses state of the art security features that protect your students’ privacy and adhere to all federal and state confidentiality regulations.

If you have any questions, please contact me, Jenny Urban 802-758-2331, or ACSD’s Director of Teaching and Learning and District Test Administrator, Courtney Krahn at 802-382-1276.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Urban

Bridport School Principal

Thanks to FOBCS we have been able to have VEEP (Vermont Energy Education Program) this month at Bridport. Their mission Is to build a deep understanding of energy and climate through education, inspiring and empowering people to take action for increased sustainability in our communities, economy and environment.

In each classroom, they are working on different science concepts in hands on engaging ways. It looks like designing a boat that can travel with wind, understanding electricity usage and experimenting with different energy sources. It has been AMAZING to have Janet, VEEP educator, with us to support this learning. According to her, Bridport is her favorite school she's ever worked at with the most principled and knowledgeable students. Go BCS!!

We are thrilled to announce the start of the IB PYP Exhibition for our 5th grade students. This is a monumental milestone in our student’s elementary education—a "capstone" project that celebrates everything they have learned during their time in the Primary Years Program. Exhibition is a student-led, collaborative inquiry process. Students identify a real-world issue they are passionate about, conduct research, and take meaningful action to make a difference.

5th grade families will receive a longer email with more details, but our entire ACSD community can support our students: 1) If you know a student involved in Exhibition ask them what they are discovering and how it affects our world! 2) If you want to be a mentor or offer your real-world expertise for students whose topic relates to your work, contact your principal or Brandi Corbett, PYP Coordinator, bcorbett@acsdvt.org

In this lyrical and empowering picture book, Canadian poet Scott tells a story based on his own experiences as a boy who stuttered. In simple, evocative language, he captures the isolation, social devastation, and self-doubt of a child who feels incapable of communicating his thoughts and offers an affirming way to think about difference. As the boy’s dad picks him up from school one day and takes him for a walk by the river to de-stress and relax, the narrative goes beyond the calming solace found in the natural world to make a more profound comparison and connection.

These resources are helpful to learn more about Jordan Scott

Author & illustrator discussions about their book on Youtube and on The Yarn-School Library Journal

Here, Scott talks about what inspires him to write this book and reads it aloud

Preschool Interest Survey

If you will have a child who will be 3 years old by September 1, 2026, and you are interested in enrolling in an ACSD preschool for the 2026-2027 school year, please read more here and fill out this interest survey by March 31st, 2026.