Bridport Community Newletter

February 8, 2026

Happy Sunday!

This week's newsletter is FULL of information and joyful bursts of learning.

Below you will find:

- Upcoming Events

- An opportunity to support the Bridport/Shoreham Transition

- Information about ACSD's new Elementary Transfer Policy

- An update from Shoreham Rec

- A glimpse into our learning this past week

- Lots of pictures!

As always, please reach with questions

Best,
Jenny

2/9- Mat Heagerty Author Visit!

2/10- 100th Day of School!

2/13- Day of Play

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

2/20- VSO Concert 2:30

Mark your Calendars!

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

K-5 Open Houses

Tues, Feb 10, 5:30-6:30: Mary Hogan
Thurs, Feb 12, 5:30-6:30: Salisbury Community
Mon, Feb 16, 5:30-6:30: Cornwall Elementary
Tues, Feb 17, 5:30-6:30: Bridport Elementary
Weds, Feb 18 5:30-6:30: Weybridge Elementary

This Week's Update

Initial discussions about classroom assignments in the 2026-27 combined community have begun with our staff. Classroom assignments in all schools are usually finalized in April.
Licensed employees in both buildings met to begin envisioning ideas and making plans for combined student events.
Facilities walkthroughs are scheduled to take place before February break, and again in March to finalize summer work.
We will not be taking any playground equipment out of the SES playground as we cannot do so without damaging the equipment.
The PreK team reviewed a final version of a PreK/Early Childhood needs assessment for our community. This survey will inform formal planning needs at Shoreham. We plan to send that out next week so we can begin to hold upcoming information sessions for PreK parents and gauge possibilities for early childhood programming.
Information about our new School Transfer process can be found here. It has gone out to families by email and will be sent home in paper copies. It has also been posted on our website and in local community forums.

Join us to plan ahead!

We would like to invite you to join our collaborative planning groups as we prepare for the upcoming transition of Bridport and Shoreham students. Your input is vital in ensuring a seamless experience for our students and families.

We are seeking volunteers for two focused committees:

Transportation and Afterschool: Working alongside Principal Sells, this group will review transportation routes and develop a proposal tailored to the needs of our community.
Logistics and Events: Working with Principal Urban, this group will plan joint events and coordinate operational details, such as arrival and dismissal procedures.

How to Join

If you are interested in participating in one or both of these groups, please email Jenny and/or Lashawn by February 20, 2026. Meeting schedules will be established once the committees are finalized.

Thank you for your dedication to supporting a successful transition for our students.

Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table

Will Allen is no ordinary farmer. A former basketball star, he’s as tall as his truck, and he can hold a cabbage, or a basketball, in one hand. But what is most special about Farmer Will is that he can see what others can’t see. When he looked at an abandoned city lot he saw a huge table, big enough to feed the whole world. No space, no problem. Poor soil, there’s a solution. Need help, found it. Farmer Will is a genius in solving problems. In 2008, the MacArthur Foundation named him one.

These resources are helpful to learn more about Jacqueline Briggs Martin

Jacqueline Briggs Martin’s Website

Audio Name Pronunciation

Author’s Interview

Here are some videos of Will Allen:

Will Allen: The Urban Farmer

Urban Farmer Starting His Own Revolution | SuperSoul Sunday | Oprah Winfrey Network

Growing Together Through Kindness

Hello, Bridport Families!

In a world that often feels like it's moving at a hundred miles an hour, we sometimes forget the simplest tool we have for building resilience and happiness: Kindness. It’s more than just "being nice"—it’s a superpower that changes the chemistry of our brains and the culture of our homes.

Why Kindness Matters (The Science Bit)

When our kids practice kindness, it’s not just the recipient who benefits. Research shows that performing acts of kindness:

Boosts "Feel-Good" Hormones: It releases oxytocin (the "hug hormone") and dopamine.
Reduces Anxiety: Focusing on others helps quiet the "self-alarm" system in the brain.
Builds Perspective: It helps children step outside their own experiences to understand others.

Kindness in Action: This Month’s Challenge

You don’t need grand gestures to make an impact. Here are four "Micro-Acts" your family can try this week:

At Home

Leave a "thank you" sticky note for a family member on their mirror.

At School

Invite someone sitting alone to play at recess.

In the Community

Pick up three pieces of litter during a walk in the park.

For Themselves

Say one positive thing out loud about themselves.

Tips for Parents: Modeling the "Why"

Kids are world-class observers. They see the way we treat the grocery clerk, the way we react to a driver cutting us off, and how we speak to ourselves.

Pro-Tip: Try "Thinking Aloud." Instead of just doing something kind, narrate it.

“I noticed our neighbor’s trash can blew over, so I’m going to set it upright because I know how much I’d appreciate the help if that happened to me.”

Reflective Dinner Conversation

Instead of the standard "How was your day?", try one of these prompts tonight:

"Who did you see do something kind today?"
"Was there a moment today where you felt someone really understood how you were feeling?"
"If we could do one secret project to make someone smile tomorrow, what would it be?"

Let's Keep Growing

Kindness is a muscle—the more we flex it, the stronger it gets. We are so glad to have you in our community, working together to raise compassionate, empathetic humans!

Winter Reading Challenge

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!

The ACSD Board recently revised Board Policy C30, School Assignment and Intra-District Transfer, to offer more flexibility to ACSD families when choosing an elementary school for their child(ren). If you are interested in having your child attend a different K-5 elementary school, please read more about the policy and the application process here. To apply, use this form or visit your school’s front office or the ACSD District Office for a paper application. The application window opened January 30th, and all applications must be received by March 2nd, 2026.

There will be a second information session to learn more, ask questions, and get support filling out the application: Weds, February 18: 8:30-9:30am: at the Superintendent's Office (49 Charles Ave, Middlebury)
Schools have scheduled open houses for all interested families.

Tues, Feb 10, 5:30-6:30: Mary Hogan
Thurs, Feb 12, 5:30-6:30: Salisbury Community
Mon, Feb 16, 5:30-6:30: Cornwall Elementary
Tues, Feb 17, 5:30-6:30: Bridport Elementary
Weds, Feb 18 5:30-6:30: Weybridge Elementary

Do you have young children birth to 5? We are expanding our early childhood offerings and want to hear from you! Share your hopes, needs, and ideas for building strong childhood care and education for our community. Find the survey link here. Survey is open 2/6-2/20.