Bridport Community Newletter

Happy Sunday!

Though last week was a short week, it was filled with learning, growth and connection. Students are working hard on their winter screeners to show us what they know in math and literacy- as well as beginning new Units of Inquiry.

This week will be COLD- so please dress for the weather, and have extra layers as the classroom temperatures can sometimes fluctuate. As a reminder, we go outside in all weather unless the "feels like" is below zero. Students are expected to wear hats, snowpants, boots, coats and mittens to play outside. We have plenty of extras in case they forget!

Keep an eye out for your child's progress report coming home on Friday. It will be in a manila envelope in their home folder.

As always, please reach out with questions!

Jenny

1/30- Progress Reports Go Home

Please check your child's backpack for it!

2/5 6:00- FOBCS Meeting

2/13- Day of Play

2/14- Bridport Community Line Dancing/Movie Night!

This week's student of the week is always trying his best, trying new things, and encouraging his classmates. We are so proud of Wyatt Carter for being a principled role model!

Bridport students are excited to see who will be this upcoming week's student of the week... stay tuned!

We had SO much fun in Burlington on Thursday at the UVM women's basketball game. We were invited as part of Catamount Classroom- an outreach program with UVM Athletics to bring VT kids to a college campus and celebrate together. We loved cheering on the Lady Cats and using what we had learned in PE about basketball to follow the game.

Bridport students were so thoughtful and caring to others that were there, and even picked up trash that wasn't ours that was left in the bleachers! We were very proud of their excellent sportsmanship and behavior. Go Bridport!

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

K-5 students have recording sheets for our whole school winter reading challenge! We are challenging students to do a combination of reading books and listening to others read to complete the challenge. Students who read or listen to 10 different books, write them on the record sheet and turn them into Ms. Abby will get to pick a prize from the prize bin!

We know that social emotional learning (SEL) is crucial for our students’ success in school and in life, so across ACSD we are working on systems to support strong SEL teaching and learning in our schools. As part of that work, we are using Panorama surveys, research-backed SEL measurement tools. We will use the data we collect with this assessment to reflect on student learning and strengthen our programs and instruction to help all students succeed.

ACSD students have been taking this survey for 6 years now, and we are actively using the data at the school and district level. At BCS , it helps us to know both how students are doing as well as respond with whole class, grade, and individual supports as needed.

This survey will be given to students in grades 3-12 between this week and 2/1. The survey asks students to self-reflect on skills related to self-management, self-awareness, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness. We ask that all students participate, because their feedback provides valuable insights to help us improve and adapt. K-2 students do not participate directly in the survey. Instead, K-2 teachers complete an SEL Teacher Perception checklist for each student.

Please notify your child’s teacher as well as Linda Barrett if you wish to opt your child out of taking the survey. Thank you in advance for supporting this important work. If you have any questions please contact me

Jenny

Unlock the power of confident, compassionate girls at Bridport Central and Shoreham Elementary! Become a Girls on the Run Vermont coach so more girls can:

• Build the confidence to share what’s in their hearts

• Use their voices even when they feel uncertain

• Help others to share their thoughts, ideas, and feelings

• Develop life skills like clear communication, listening to understand, and resolving conflicts with others

Girls on the Run Vermont’s programs empower girls and give them tools to thrive. Coach a team and watch participants find the confidence to be bold! Girls on the Run is open to girls in grades 3-5. Bridport Central and Shoreham Elementary will have a combined team once more this season. Each school will have 1 practice with their own students, and the second practice each week will combine participants from both schools.

Not a runner? Haven’t coached before? No problem! Girls on the Run VT (GOTRVT) provides training, easy to follow lesson plans, supplies and support for a transformational season. The 10-week spring season kicks the week of March 16th and ends with a celebratory 5K on Saturday, May 30th. Teams meet twice weekly for 90 minute sessions to connect, move, learn and have FUN throughout the season!

Visit gotrvt.org/coach to learn more about coaching or sign up to volunteer. Visit gotrvt.org/programs to learn more about GOTR and to complete the Participant Interest Form. Have further questions? Contact GOTRVT at stephanie@girlsontherunvermont.org or 802-871-5664. Have questions about the Bridport-Shoreham Team? Contact Carrie Harvey at charvey@acsdvt.org or 802-595-6055.

Happy New Year everyone!

Last week we started basketball practice for our 2 years - 5th grade teams. We are very excited for the season.

Photo of our 1st and 2nd graders.

Stay tuned for the 3rd-5th grade basketball games held at Bridport school!

Thanks

Molly