Superintendent's Message

I hope everyone had a nice break and that the first week back was an easy transition. This time of year, we are working on developing the FY25 budget and in particular we are focusing on academic rigor and school safety. I want to assure that we are meeting the needs of all of our students; those who are learning below, at and above grade level. Literacy and math specialists would help our students achieve success and meet Act 173/ Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) expectations. Looking to school safety, adding items including security cameras, visitor software, locks and shades as well as having an operating budget for safety items is a critical priority, and aligns with Act 29, which prescribes safety precautions for schools. Keeping students and staff safe, and educating them, are our top priorities.

In addition to Donuts and Discussion tomorrow, there are more opportunities to provide feedback as well as follow along throughout budget season leading up to Town Meeting Day in March. The Equitable Budget Feedback form allows you to provide thoughts on the budget. Please fill it out before December 11, 2023.

The full timeline for budget presentations is here, but highlights include:

December 1: Donuts and Discussion (no virtual option)

December 6: School Board Meeting and Community Forum

This meeting will have the Initial FY25 Budget Recommendation and time set aside to hear from the community.

December 20: School Board Meeting

Second presentation of FY25 Budget

January 3: School Board Meeting

Third presentation of FY25 Budget

January 10: Special School Board Meeting

Final date for board to adopt FY25 Budget

January 22: Steering Committee meeting

All School Board Meetings are held virtually or in person at 577 Dorset Street at 6pm. Zoom links are posted a week prior to the meeting and can be found at sbschools.net/schoolboard. All budget information and copies of the presentations will be available at sbschools.net/budget. As well, full recordings of school board meetings are available through The Media Factory Facebook and are posted on Thursday morning following the meeting.

We thank you and your family for being our valued partners as we work together with each and every student. As you may already be aware, building our social-emotional learning skills is an important goal for our schools. Over the next several weeks, students and teachers will be asked to reflect on their experiences in school in online surveys with our tool, Panorama.

Additionally, to better understand the needs of our community at large, we are asking families to also participate. From December 4th- December 22nd families can respond to a Social Emotional Learning survey about you and your students’ experience with school. This 15-20 minute online survey will help inform us on a systemic and individual school level of how to best support students and families socially and emotionally.

How can I access the survey?

Parents/caregivers with email addresses stored in PowerSchool will receive an email to their personal email accounts with their survey link. Directly from that email, parents/caregivers will be able to click on the link and be routed to the survey. Each family will be assigned one survey per school that their students attend. Once the survey has been taken, it will no longer be accessible by any other family member.

I have multiple children who are enrolled in the South Burlington School District. Do I have to take multiple surveys?

Caregivers will receive one survey per school that their students attend. Students have unique experiences at school, we would like to capture all student and family experiences.

What if I don’t want to take the survey? What if I don’t want my student to take the survey?

If you choose not to take the survey, no need to respond to the link via email. If you do not want your student to be surveyed, please let their classroom teacher or building administrator know.

Is the survey anonymous?

Yes, the family survey is anonymous meaning that there is no way to identify what you responded to in the survey.

Who can I reach out to with questions?

You are welcome to contact Monica Desrochers (mdesrochers@sbschools.net), the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Anti-racism and Social Emotional Learning or your students’ building administrator.

As we head into the winter season and the weather that it brings, you can familiarize yourself with how the decision for school closures is made here. Please also make sure all your information is up to date in PowerSchool so you can receive notifications for school delays and closures, as well as changes to bus routes.

Julia came to us right at the start of the new year in 2023. She hit the ground running developing the District’s Budget Book, creating flyers that shared budget highlights with our community, and arranging community budget events. Nowadays you can thank her for the SBSD app, Aptagy! If you haven’t downloaded it yet, make sure to do so! You can even send her feedback on the new website, which she was instrumental in researching, developing, training and implementing. Julia also manages our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts. You may see her behind the camera too- did you know she just finished a photography class in Burlington to make her photos even more compelling?! A picture is worth 1,000 words after all! Julia will be helping to develop and distribute family surveys through Panorama, a new communication tool to help us engage with each of you! And hey, if you have a tip, email Julia because she also writes press releases and assists with newsletters; Julia serves as the District’s media contact. She even got us featured in the New York Times! You may even remember seeing Julia at our back-to-school ice cream social because when staffing was short she jumped in the ice cream truck and began taking orders. If you’re a staff member you may have met her during teacher appreciations week where she thanked many of you for your incredible work. Julia touches much of our shared work and assists with many facets of our organization, often behind the scenes. Thank you, Julia, for your incredible work to improve communication at SBSD to benefit our students, staff, families and community! We are incredibly fortunate to have you on the team!

Know a staff member who deserves to be spotlighted? Fill out this form.

In less than two years, Julia Todd has already had an immensely positive impact on the SBHS community. She is a writer for the school newspaper, and takes great care in the research and writing of articles that cover matters of relevance and great significance. She is also an active member of SJU, and played an integral role in the recent Disability Visibility and Awareness campaign at the high school. Julia is a member of the track team and is respectful and positive in her interactions with all members of the school community and I cannot praise her enough.

-Carly Bennett, ELA teacher, Speech & Debate Advisor, Howling Herald Advisor

Know a student who deserves to be spotlighted? Fill out this form.

The Kathleen Buley Memorial Blood Drive will be at Gertrude Chamberlin on Saturday, December 2nd. Sign up here:

https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=CHAMBERLIN

The Rotary Club of South Burlington is holding its 7th Annual Ugly Sweater Fun Run on December 10th from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at FHTMS.

The beneficiaries of this annual fundraising event are the Rotary Club of South Burlington’s local charity initiatives, including the Rotary Band Shell at Veterans Park, the South Burlington Food Shelf, Little Libraries in Recreation parks, and the annual distribution of dictionaries to all 4th-grade students as well as many worldwide and national efforts by Rotary International. They also partner with the South Burlington Academic Boosters Fund. Academic Boosters support both students and teachers who seek to engage in extended learning opportunities. A new partner this year is the Champlain Housing Trust which supports the people of Northwest Vermont and strengthens their communities through the development and stewardship of permanently affordable homes and related community assets.

They encourage you to come out for a day of fun and exercise while proudly wearing your tackiest, craziest, and UGLIEST sweaters. Bring the whole family! Participants will enjoy complimentary food and beverages, a snapshot from our photo booth, face painting, and a commemorative gift! As always, prizes will be awarded to the Ugliest Sweaters!

NEW Entrance fee: $25 for Adults (18+) / Free for ALL under 18

To register, visit the Rotary Club of South Burlington website: https://www.southburlingtonrotary.org/

Our wonderful art teachers are having an art show! The show is opening on October 26th and running through January at The Gallery at City Hall. Be sure to stop in and support our art educators!

The district is hiring! Please follow the links to read the full descriptions for these roles.

Long Term 3rd Grade Substitute at Orchard

Director of Operations

Fiscal Coordinator

Bus Drivers (and Bus Aides)

Training available obtain Commercial Driver's Licenses to eligible candidates, full and part time positions available as well as van drivers and bus monitors

Interventionist (Rick Marcotte)

Interventionist (Orchard)

Interventionist (Chamberlin)

Special Ed teachers:

Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School

Lunchroom:

Middle School

Elementary

Traffic Monitors

Substitute Teachers

Full job descriptions are available on School Spring. If you have questions on hiring processes or on employment, please contact Elissa Galvez, Employment Specialist, egalvez@sbschools.net (802) 652-7247.

Thank you for reading!

Violet

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