Brookside Blast

As we move closer to the Thanksgiving break, our school is filled with a spirit of generosity and connection. This week, we’ve been inspired by the participation in our food drive and in celebration of World Kindness Day. Thank you to all the families who contributed—your donations will make a meaningful difference for members of our wider community. We are especially proud of the kindness shown by our students, who have been eager to help, encourage one another, and understand the impact of giving.

Our staff and volunteers have also modeled this spirit of care, reminding us how powerful it is when adults and children work together toward a shared purpose. It has been a wonderful reminder of the supportive community we are fortunate to be part of.

With just one more week before break, we look forward to carrying this gratitude with us. We are also excited to welcome families for parent-teacher conferences next week. These conversations are an important opportunity to celebrate growth, discuss progress, and strengthen our partnership.

Thank you for your continued support and for helping our school shine so brightly.

Hello!

The BPS ski program is back:) We will be skiing at both Trapp's and Sugarbush again. Here are the dates so you can mark your calendars: BPS Ski Program 25-26.

A few reminders:

• This program is free for all students.
• We will provide rental gear for students that need it on ski days only.
• Pinnacle Ski and Sports in Stowe and Waterbury Sports in Waterbury offer seasonal rentals. Families that choose this option will pay the shops directly. Brookside is not paying for seasonal rentals.
• We would love for you to volunteer. Here is the process if you are not already an approved volunteer: https://huusd.org/apply-to-volunteer. Volunteering = FUN and a free ski pass for the day:)

More specifics (including how to sign up to volunteer) will be communicated in the coming weeks.

THINK SNOW!!!!!

As the holiday seasons approach, several local organizations are partnering with our school to support families in need. If your family could benefit from assistance with food or gifts, please review the information below.

Food Assistance

We’ve partnered with the Waterbury Common Market to connect families with holiday food boxes for both the Thanksgiving and the December holidays. Families who sign up will be able to pick up their food boxes at the Waterbury Common Market. Specific details are in the sign-up form.

Gift Assistance

Families are invited to share their children’s clothing and shoe sizes and gift wishes for the December holidays. This information will be used to create a Giving Tree, allowing community members to anonymously select and fulfill gift requests. Gifts will be available for pick-up at Brookside School, as outlined in the sign-up form.

How to Sign Up

To request food or gift assistance, please complete the 2025 Holiday Sign-Up Form by Wednesday, November 12th.

2025 Holiday Sign-Up Form

Questions?

Please contact the BPS Nurse Team at:
bps-nurses@huusd.org

Thank you to all of our local partners for helping make the holidays brighter for families in our community!

November 15 & 16 9am - 5pm Lantern Making in BPS Gym

December

December 6 -Lantern Parade 5pm

December 23 - Early Release

December 24- January 4 - NO SCHOOL

Kids at BPS Are Seeking Mentors!

I have a waiting list of 2nd Graders at Brookside Primary School eagerly awaiting a Mentor to read with on Thursdays from 11:15 - 12:00.

Everybody Wins! Vermont is a statewide, nonprofit, children’s literacy and mentoring program.

Clean New or Used Backpacks NEEDED for the Brookside Backpack Food Program

You may drop off donated backpacks inside the main entrance air lock with a note stating they are for the Backpack Food Program. THANK YOU!

Brookside Primary School is sponsoring, free of charge, a “weekend of food” for your child program, aka the Denise Goodnow Backpack Program. We are able to offer a supply of nutritious meals and snacks for children over their weekends and extended breaks, at no cost. Any child enrolled (or with a sibling enrolled) in Waterbury, Duxbury or Moretown is able to receive these weekly bags of food.

If you believe your child could benefit from this program, we encourage you to sign them up by filling the form out below and returning it to the main office or sending it back via email. Only one form is needed for all the children in your family, but include information for each child in the form below. This information is kept confidential. Once your child is signed up, they will receive a backpack full of food each week. We encourage you to take advantage of this program for your family and your children.

Please note: empty backpacks should be returned to school on Friday or Monday so that they can be refilled and ready to go on each Thursday. This is key to sustaining the program.

Questions or concerns? Please contact Eliza Chittenden echittenden@huusd.org

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZgp71bbEsyqg-9f3_hLd4Ls2wQCfUoFVaqe3a44zKw1PhWw/viewform

Arrival & Dismissal
Our doors open at 7:30am each morning, and students are invited to stop by the “grab and go” breakfast station in the main lobby for a healthy breakfast—always free for all students. Dismissal begins at 2:20pm. Thank you for following staff directions during arrival and pick-up to keep everything safe and efficient.

Transportation
Bus route information can be found here: HUUSD Bus Routes. Please take a moment to review your child’s route so that the first days of school run smoothly. Additionally, please familiarize yourself with Pick Up Patrol, as it is the system we use to manage absences, tardies and dismissal plans. Please ensure your child has default plans entered prior to the first day of school!

Meals
We are delighted to remind families that both breakfast and lunch are provided free of charge every day for all students. This ensures every child is nourished and ready to learn. The October menu can be found here.

Volunteering

Are you interested in volunteering this year? There is a formal process that must be complete before you are able to volunteer with our students. Please follow the link below to get started!

https://huusd.org/apply-to-volunteer

Special FREE Programming from The Children’s Room:

• Free Speech Screenings at The Children’s Room: Saturday, November 15th from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Have questions or concerns about your child’s communication development so far? Meet with local Language-Speech Pathologists to screen your child and get feedback. Email childrensroom@huusd.org to register. The Children’s Room will be open during this time for your child to play while waiting for a screening session.

• Lantern Workshops for Small Children & Families: The Children’s Room and Makersphere are pleased to offer FREE lantern workshops in conjunction with The River of Light parade held in December in Waterbury each year. Children will work with their adults and facilitators to make their very own lantern for the River of Light parade! Parade is on Saturday, December 6th, but participation in the parade is not required. Email childrensroom@huusd.org to register. Choose date below. FREE

• Thursday, November 13th, 4:00-6:00 pm in the preschool rooms

• Saturday, November 15th, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at The Children’s Room

• Drop-ins welcome!

• Waterbury Dads Club Nature Outing: Wednesday, November 19th, 4:00 pm to sunset. Join us for a walk from the Brookside Primary School main entrance down to the Thatcher Brook. Come connect with other dads, enjoy the outdoors, and give the kids a fun afternoon together. Sign up HERE to join the club email list.

Please note that the opportunities/events listed below are not specifically endorsed or screened by school staff. As always, families should use their own standards and review processes to determine appropriate activities.

TCR open hours and days:

• Monday through Friday: 8:00 am to 2:00 pm

• Open to any families or caregivers with children ages 0-6.

• Check out our weekly and monthly programs on the TCR website.

• TCR is not open when there is no school. Check the TCR calendar for no school dates. See the TCR website for location and directions to the room. Be sure to sign in AND sign out with the school main office. Also, please take care of this community space while you are there- please help your child tidy up after the play session is done. Many thanks!

Friday, Nov. 14 at 7:00 p.m. in Stowe: At Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, VSO’s string orchestra is joined by The Moth Radio Hour guests for a concert with storytelling at its heart. Music by Edvard Grieg, Edward Elgar, Benjamin Britten and more are interspersed with storytelling about summer family camping adventures, a beauty pageant, and road trips. Conducted by VSO Music Director Andrew Crust. Tickets from $30 plus tax/fees. Click here for more information; note this concert is not broadcast.

Website: https://bps.huusd.org/

Instagram: BrooksidePrimarySchool

Facebook: HUUSD

Phone: 802-244-7195

Location: 47 Stowe Street, Waterbury, VT