What's Up at BCS!

Howdy BCS Families and Friends,

The school year is off to a great start, and it has been wonderful to see our students bringing energy and excitement into the building each day. We are learning routines and settling into the school year. We’d like to take a moment to introduce you to the Brownington Central School Middle School staff.

Our team is dedicated to creating a safe, respectful, and responsible learning environment where every student can grow and thrive. Each member of our staff brings unique talents, experience, and passion to their work, and together they make BCS a special place to learn.

In this newsletter, you will meet the teachers, support staff, and specialists who will be working with your children this year. We hope this helps you put faces to names and learn a little more about the caring adults supporting our students each day.

Thank you for your continued partnership. We are excited for a wonderful year ahead!

With Appreciation,

Jennifer Ullrich
Principal, Brownington Middle School

Hello BCS families! My name is Jennifer Ullrich, and I am excited to welcome you to a new school year. I am beginning my 28th year at Brownington Central School—25 years as an elementary teacher and now starting my third year as your principal. I have been married to my wonderful husband, John, for 25 years, and we have a son, Connor, who is 22. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and cherishing the moments we share together. I look forward to a fantastic year filled with learning, growth, and community!

Ms. Rosenbaum is the Language Arts teacher for 5th and 6th graders at BCS this year. She is very excited to support students as they enter middle school and begin this new, important phase in their lifelong journeys. This is her 11th year as a Language Arts teacher and her 5th year teaching at Brownington (Go Bears!). After earning her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Boston, she now lives in Charleston where she does a lot of swimming, hiking, gardening, shiitake mushroom farming, reading, and hanging out with her pets. Over the course of this school year, she hopes students and families enjoy the incredible middle grades libraries available at BCS. Our community has access to thousands of stories and resources of all kinds that community members are always welcome to check out. Ms. R is overjoyed each year to share the power of reading and writing with students and to see how these actions help us grow as people. "The helpful thought for which you look is written somewhere in a book" -Edward Gorey

Mrs. Cyr (Jessica) was born in Alabama and went to school in California. She attended Hollywood High School for Performing Arts and then the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she double majored in Sociology and Italian Studies. She travelled to Naples, Florence and the beautiful Amalfi Coast during college and to Rome (Abruzzo National Park) and Puglia after she graduated to work on organic farms. She also worked as a nanny in Catania, Sicily, climbed Mount Etna and even saw lava light up the sky from a nighttime eruption! She has also climbed an active volcano in Nicaragua. After more work away programs in the San Juan Islands in Washington State, she moved to Washington D.C. for a Summer and enjoyed seeing the Smithsonian Folkways Festival and many other incredible, free cultural events. She came to Vermont via cross country roadtrip to be an AmeriCorps Vista at the Franklin Grand Isle Bookmobile, where she began working in afterschool programs doing crafts with students. After teaching preschool, being a SpEd Para, directing the WIN program at NCUJHS, she got her teaching license in Social Studies through Champlain College's Teacher Apprenticeship Program. She attended a graduate course on Sectionalism and the Civil War at Ashland University in Ohio and also attended many fabulous plays at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival this Summer. She enjoys photography, travel, languages, meditation, biking and paddleboarding with her husband and their dog, Khema.

My name is Joe Cornelius, for the past 3 years I have worked as the middle school science teacher at the Orleans school. Leaving there was not easy as I had made friends there and enjoyed interacting with the kids in the lower grades. However working in the new Brownington Middle School has so far been a pleasure. I have a long history with science as my father was a science teacher throughout my childhood. At home science was an important part of my life and I enjoyed reading whatever I could find about the subject. I was so anxious to learn more that I continued to take science classes in highschool even after I had the needed credits to graduate.

I truly love what I do and look forward to coming to work every day. I hope to instill the same love for science into my students here as I had as a child myself.

Hi! I’m Rebecca Shea and I’ll be teaching 5/6 grade math this year. When I’m not at school, I live in the woods with my partner and my animals. I keep goats and ducks, with the help of my dogs and cats. I grew up in New Hampshire, and love this area. I love bringing math to life, and helping students to understand the applications in their own lives. I feel that math can best be learned with experiences and modeling to understand. I can’t wait for this exciting new year!

Travis Barrett is the English Language Arts teacher at Brownington School for grades 7 and 8. He was a high school English teacher for 22 years, and became a middle school ELA teacher in 2020. This is his fourth year in the district and his first year teaching at Brownington.

Mr. Barrett is a published author and enjoys games of all types. He was born and raised in the Kingdom and loves Vermont, especially the trees and canoeing on the rivers and lakes. He loves the theater, acting, directing, playing the guitar and spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.

Miss Gratton is excited to be teaching 7th and 8th grade Social Studies at Brownington this year! She previously taught 5-8 Language Arts for five years at Orleans Elementary School and then co-taught 5-8 Humanities for five years, also at Orleans. After taking a two year break from teaching (but remaining in education in other capacities), Miss Gratton returned to the classroom last year as a 5/6 Humanities teacher at Irasburg Village School. When she is not teaching, Miss Gratton loves to play, coach, and watch soccer. (Go Vermont Green!) She also enjoys drawing portraits on her iPad.

Lindsay Davis is starting her third year here at BCS and15th year teaching science at OCSU. She loves nature and being outside with her two teenage sons, husband and dog. She enjoys walking through the woods, fishing, or just being near the water as well as gardening in her vegetable and flower gardens.

Hello! My name is Jennifer Riendeau and I teach 7th and 8th grade Math. This is my 16th year as a teacher at Brownington and I'm very excited for this school year! Brownington is near and dear to my heart as I grew up in Brownington and attended school here for grades K-6. When I'm not at school I enjoy spending time with my husband, Dan, and our two sons. We like being outside hiking, swimming or making s'mores over a campfire!

I grew up in central Vermont and have called the Northeast Kingdom home for the past 15 years. With a degree in Elementary Education and a background in outdoor recreation and coaching, I transitioned to teaching physical education five years ago. I love sharing my passion for the outdoors with students by bringing activities like biking, fishing, skiing, geocaching, archery, disc golf, and paddle sports into my classes. My ultimate goal is to help all students discover activities they enjoy so they can build a lifelong love for healthy movement. I believe physical education should go far beyond team sports—it’s about giving every student the chance to explore the many opportunities for active living available right here in the Northeast Kingdom.

I am excited to join the staff of BCS in my second year of being part of the OCSU community. In addition to being a teacher in our district I am also a parent of two daughters who are attending kindergarten and 6th grade. I have been a West Glover resident for the past 8 years and truly enjoy the lifestyle and natural beauty found here in the NEK. My favorite hobbies include knitting and snowboarding in the winter, gardening and jewelry making in the summer. I am grateful to be able to share my love of art with my students and I look forward to seeing all of their wonderful creations and accomplishments this year!

I am looking forward to a second year at OCSU, returning to my position as music teacher at both the Brownington Central School and the Orleans Elementary School. I was born in New Hampshire and grew up in Rhode Island, and graduated from the University of Dayton and the University of Florida. I've taught music at all levels. My wife Lauren is also the music teacher in Barton and Glover. Please reach out to me at the school if you need anything!

And I will forward you another email that has a picture. It's me hauling a set of chimes in the back of a pickup truck in North Dakota. :)

Brittany Armstrong grew up in Burke, VT and moved to Utah as a young adult where she got her Bachelor's degree in English teaching and her Master's degree in education from The University of Utah. She taught high school English language arts in Utah for ten years while also working on a library media specialist endorsement. Ms. Armstrong moved back to Vermont this summer and joined our staff here at Brownington and Orleans as our school librarian. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, swimming at the lake, skiing, hiking, camping, and traveling.

Anne graduated from Lyndon State college and has been a special education teacher in the area for 33 years. She has taught in a few different schools including Jay/Westfield and Lyndon Town, but BCS is by far her favorite school community. She is very excited about the coming school year, because it is the first time that she will be teaching in a designated middle school. Anne enjoys kayaking, hiking with her dogs, and playing guitar. She lives in Lyndon with her husband, three dogs, two cats and three chickens.

Greetings!

My name is Ms. Morgan, and I am thrilled to join the Brownington Middle School community as a special education case manager! I have spent 23 years in the OCSU district, 14 years as a student and 9 years as a special educator and case manager. In my free time, I enjoy practicing martial arts, camping, traveling, spending time at the beach, or working second or third jobs. I have worked with staff and families in all OCSU schools and am excited to support the communities in growing lifelong learners within the district. I'm always available via email and look forward to working together to support our students in their achievements and successes!

I’m excited to welcome you to a new school year and to introduce myself as your school counselor! This is my sixth year at Brownington Central School, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such a supportive and caring community. I’m looking forward to connecting with each of you and getting to know your families.

A little about me: I was born and raised right here in the Northeast Kingdom, so working in this community is especially meaningful to me. I earned both my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and my Master’s degree in School Counseling from Northern Vermont University–Johnson. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time outdoors, reading a good book, and making memories with my husband and our two children, Charles and Eleanor.

Throughout the school year, please know that I’m here as a resource for you and your family. If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to check in, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help in any way I can, and I look forward to working together to support your child’s success and well-being.

I’m truly excited for the upcoming school year at Brownington and grateful for the opportunity to introduce myself.

My name is Melisa Jacobs and I am the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Specialist at BCS. While this is only my second year here, I bring four years of invaluable experience from my time supporting students at the junior high. I earned my B.S. in Human Services and have been passionately serving students in the school system since 2011.

Your student’s well-being is at the heart of everything I do. Whether I'm offering a calming break during a tough moment, or simply being present in classrooms and hallways, my mission is to support the whole child emotionally, socially, and academically.

Outside the school walls, I cherish time spent with my partner and our three wonderful children. Whether we're exploring new places, enjoying the outdoors, or simply connecting through family activities, those moments keep my heart full and inspire my work here at Brownington.

Please feel free to reach out to me anytime with questions, concerns, or just to say hello. I can’t wait to get to know you better and support your students on their journey ahead.

I love my job. The most important thing about it is the relationships we foster with the

young people we are helping. I have been in Education for 56 years. I bring my love of guitar, painting and athletics such as biking, kayaking in summer and snowshoeing and skiing in winter.

Performing concerts with Emily Nyman for students and around the community. Giving

joy is key.

For 25 years I have been teaching at Community College of Vermont. I teach Drawing,

Painting and Art History. I was a Counselor at North Country Union High School and Junior High School until I retired from Full Time Work in 2003. I look forward to the new school year as there is so much more to give!

My name is Mrs. Jessica Burdick, and I am the Administrative Assistant at Brownington Central School. I have been with OCSU for 24 years, and for the past 14 years, I have been proud to call BCS my home. I will often be the first welcoming face you see when you enter the school and the friendly voice you hear when you call. Outside of school, I enjoy cheering on my children at their sporting events, spending summer days on Lake Willoughby, and making memories with family and friends.

Hello! My name is Cheryl, and I’ve been the head cook at Brownington Central School for 23 years. I have two daughters who live in Florida with their families, and I love visiting them whenever I can, especially to spend time with my three wonderful grandchildren!

In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors...going out on the boat, fishing, walking, and even mowing my lawn. During the winter, I find it so cozy to sit by the wood stove, where I enjoy crocheting.

I absolutely love my job! One of the best parts of my day is seeing the students’ happy faces as they enjoy a home-cooked breakfast and lunch. It brings me so much joy to be part of their school experience!

Hello, my name is Ryan Caldwell. I’ve been cooking for 17 years, mostly in restaurants around the area, and I’m excited to bring that experience to Brownington. I’m especially looking forward to working with Cheryl to create new and exciting meals for the kids. I’ve been hired as the production cook for the district, where I’ll be helping with baking and preparing food for schools across the district. In my free time, I stay busy spending time with my son.

Hello, My name is Rhonda Colburn, I am the Health office Assistant . I just started my 6th year here hard to believe. I have 40 years or more of medical knowledge, I was a nurses aide for 34 years in various nursing homes. Then I took a career change and was a cashier the loud friendly one at C&C supermarket for 6 years then jumped at this opportunity. I have been married for 42 years to a wonderful husband have one daughter, son in law and 2 grand boys 13 and 11, love spending time with my family, doing outside things weather permitting., cooking and socializing.

My name is Seth Rowell, and I was born and raised right here in Brownington. I attended BCS from first through eighth grade, and now I’m proud to see my family rooted in the same community. I have two children that live locally, and I’m blessed with five wonderful grandchildren. I love this area and this school, and I’m deeply connected to both. In my free time, I enjoy outdoor activities and volunteering with the Orleans Fire Department. I’ve worked in OCSU for 7 years, with the last 5 of those here at Brownington, where it truly feels like home.

My name is Dustin Owens, and I moved to the area four years ago from Montana. I am happily married to my wife, Miriam, who works as a safety specialist for OSHA. I enjoy living a simple and relaxing life, and one of my favorite hobbies is loom knitting. I love creating hats, scarves, and other handmade items.

Family is very important to me, even though mine is spread across the United States. I am especially proud of my children and all of their accomplishments. Working at BCS has been a wonderful experience; it feels like a small family, and I’m grateful to be starting my second year here.

Hi, I am Jennifer Rodriguez, AKA Ms. Jen, a paraprofessional, at BCS. This will be my third school year here, after moving to Browningtown from the Philadelphia area. I have a son that attends UVM and my daughter is a recent graduate of UC Davis. I love to travel, cook and garden and can often be found during recess harvesting fresh vegetables from our school garden with students!

Hi my name is Jessica Buckley and I am new to Brownington School and I am super excited. This will be my 2nd year as a Paraeducator. I have a wonderful husband and 3 big beautiful fur babies. Their names are Freya, Hela and Loki.

Haley Zola is a paraprofessional here at Brownington. She has worked at Brownington since the 2023-2024 school year and has worked in education since leaving high school, holding various positions, including in preschools, speech and language, and behavioral intervention. Haley is from Wyoming but has lived in Vermont for most of her life. She spends most of her free time with her family, exploring cool places in Vermont. She is saving up to go to the Mothman Festival in West Virginia next year. She is excited to get to know the kids coming in from Orleans and to spend the year learning new things and making new memories with the middle schoolers.

Bailey is coming into her 8th year of being a paraprofessional and providing services to students in the area, this is her second year at Brownington! Bailey really enjoys cats, especially her pet Maine Coon, Ferdinand, as well as music and concerts. In her free time she can be found making pizza at Parker Pie.

• Butler's Bus, is asking for ALL families to show patience while they are getting the new routes worked out!
• Students will start arriving on the bus at 7:35.
• They will start departing the building on the bus at 2:55.
• Parent drop off is at 7:45 at the back of the parking lot, behind the buses.
• Parent pick up will be at 3:00 at the back of the parking lot, behind the buses.
• If you have recently moved and need to be added to the route? Please contact Butler’s Bus at 802-754-6508. 🚌
• If you have changes to your child’s dismissal routine throughout the school year, please call the school office by 2:00 p.m.

Please use this link to sign up.

Here is the athletic presentation that was given to the school board to discuss

how middle school sports will run this year in OCSU.

• September 1st NO SCHOOL Labor Day

• September 11th 8th Grade Gleaning Field Trip

• September 19th Early Release Day

• September 23rd School Picture Day

• September 24th BCS Open House 5:00-6:00

• October 9th Early Release Day

• October 10th NO SCHOOL (teacher inservice)

• October 13th NO SCHOOL (Indigenous Peoples Day)

• October 31st Early Release Day

Email: jullrich@ocsu.org

Website: https://bcs.ocsu.org/o/bcs
Location: 103 Chase Road, Brownington, VT, USA
Phone: (802)754-8467 ext. 101
Facebook: facebook.com/browningtoncentralschool

BCS Online School Store: Coming Soon!