Bridport Community Newletter

Happy New Year!

We had a fabulous first week settling into familiar routines and jumping back into learning. We were so impressed by our student's engagement and excitement for all our learning activities this week. Its so fun to see their growth.

This upcoming week our students will begin taking academic winter screeners, which give us an important snapshot of their growth and progress so far this year. These assessments help teachers better understand each child’s strengths and next steps, and guide us in supporting their continued success.

We would love your help in making sure students are ready to show their very best selves. A good night’s sleep, a calm and consistent morning routine, and arriving at school on time all make a big difference. When children come to school rested, regulated, and feeling secure, they are better able to focus, engage, and demonstrate what they truly know.

Thank you for your partnership and support. Together, we can help our students feel confident and ready to shine.

Best,

Jenny

1/13- Options Based School Safety Drill

1/19 and 1/20- No School

1/22- All School Field trip to UVM!

2/5 6:00- FOBCS Meeting

2/6- Day of Play

Dear Families,

Earlier this year, our district shared an overview of our ACSD safety practices and our efforts to keep our community safe. You can find that information here. At Bridport we practice safety drills designed to ensure that our students and staff are familiar with how to be safe in an emergency. Some months, we practice what to do if we need to evacuate the building. Other months we practice what to do when unsafe people or hazards enter our school - the response to these events are called “Options-Based” responses.

We are required to practice two options-based drills - one in September and one in January. Options-based drills introduce students to various strategies in response to a threat, such as how to respond to cues and listen to and follow safety directions from a trusted adult at school. Please know that all options based drills are trauma informed and age appropriate. This means the drills are performed in a way that is sensitive to the emotional well-being of our students.

We will be holding our 2nd drill on 1/13 in the morning.

During an options-based drill, all of the perimeter doors to the school building will be locked and will remain locked until the drill has been completed. To enable everyone to remain safe, no one will be allowed to enter the building or leave the building until the drill is completed.

We know that this is an emotional topic for parents and caregivers and want to assure you of a few things:

• The adults in our building work together to plan and ensure students feel safe and we remind them that the drill is practice.

• We talk with students in a developmentally appropriate way before and after each drill and our practice is developmentally aligned.

• We are available to support families. We will share resources below to help you talk with your child about these experiences and invite you to reach out at any time.

I want you to know about this safety exercise in advance so you can talk with your children about it when they come home. Here are a few resources to support those conversations:

1. Talking with Your Children about Safety Drills (Johns Hopkins)

2. Talking with Children about Violence: Tips for Parents and Educators (NASP)

If you have questions or would like to connect please reach out to me directly

Drawn from author Kao Kalia Yang's childhood experiences as a Hmong refugee, this moving picture book portrays a family with a great deal of love and little money. Weaving together Kalia's story with that of her beloved grandmother, the book moves from the jungles of Laos to the family's early years in the United States.

When Kalia becomes unhappy about having to do without and decides she wants braces to improve her smile, it is her grandmother—a woman who has just one tooth in her mouth—who helps her see that true beauty is found with those we love most. Stunning illustrations from Vietnamese illustrator Khoa Le bring this intergenerational tale to life.

These resources are helpful to learn more about Kao Kalia Yang:

Watch Kalia in an author study with the Minneapolis Public Schools:

How to pronounce Kao Kalia Yang

The impossible happens every day in the life of the refugee | Kao Kalia Yang | TEDxMinneapolis

The Power in Sharing Stories | Kao Kalia Yang | TEDxUWRiverFalls

This year, to grow their skills as math leaders at Bridport, Samantha and Joy are taking a math class at Middlebury College and learning about best practices in math teaching. One assignment for their class is videoing class time in order to learn how to create learning experiences that are meaningful for students. These videos will only be viewed by Samantha, Joy and their professor and will not be posted anywhere. If you have any questions please reach out to Samantha or Jenny

Bus safety is a shared responsibility between riders, drivers, and motorists. Whether you are a student, a commuter, or a parent, following these updated 2026 safety protocols helps ensure every trip ends safely.

🚌 For Students & Children

The "Danger Zone" is the area 10 feet (about 5 giant steps) around the bus where the driver cannot see you.

• Waiting at the Stop: Arrive at least 5 minutes early. Stand at least 6 feet away from the curb.

• The 10-Foot Rule: Always cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus. Never walk behind it.

• Eye Contact: Before crossing, make eye contact with the driver and wait for them to signal that it is safe to proceed.

• Gear Check: Ensure backpack straps or drawstrings are tucked in. These can easily get caught in the bus doors or handrails.

• Dropped Items: If you drop something near the bus, never lean down to pick it up. Tell the driver first.

• Never run to or from the bus, especially when it is icy.

ACSD's Bus Expectations:

For everyone’s safety, it is important that students follow expectations while riding on the school bus.

Our bus expectations are as follows:

1. Bus drivers are in charge at all times.

2. Students will talk quietly and use respectful language.

3. Students will remain seated and keep the aisle clear.

4. Students will keep all parts of the body inside the bus.

5. Students will keep the bus clean and remove all personal items and trash.

6. No food, beverages (except water bottles), or candy will be allowed on the bus.

7. Use of personal electronic devices (i.e. cell phones) will follow the grade level policy of the students’ school. (At BCS, we do not allow cellphones)

A BIG thank you to the Bridport Community- there is now a food pantry installed next to the ice skating shed right next to school. In times of uncertainty- it is magical to know that our community will step up and wrap around one another.