SCS Newsletter 4.2.24

Dear Salisbury Families:

Well, last week was an interesting one, especially with the weather! Sometimes I feel like I talk about the weather a LOT in this space, but I think it's because we get a lot of weird weather! The really "exciting" part for us last week was the collapse of our big "Covid tent" behind the library- all the snow was a little too much for it. We have kept the students away from the site as I have taken down the tent.

With every loss comes opportunity. While it was nice to have that tent, it was being used less and less over time. Now, with it removed, we have a large, pretty empty area that gets a lot of sun and has a lot of potential! I am hoping to collaborate with both FOSCS and ACSD facilities to develop a plan going forward about how we can not only clean the area up and make it nicer, but also how to REALLY improve it with plantings, maybe some umbrellas, a few more picnic tables, etc. Please stay tuned! We will be looking for community input, expertise, and probably a little labor!

See below to see stages in the removal process!

Also, please read through this newsletter- we have a lot going on, including a really interesting sale from FOSCS!

Sincerely,

Bjarki

Tuesday, April 2nd: "Education Week" visits SCS

Wednesday, April 3rd: Early Release- Inservice for teachers. School ends at 1:00.

Monday, April 8: Early Release- Eclipse Day! School ends at 1:00.

Friday, April 12: FOSCS Movie Night! Doors open at 5:45, movie starts at 6:00.

Tuesday, April 9- Wednesday,. April 17th: VTCAP Standardized Testing

Both Wednesday, April 3rd and Wednesday, April 8th will be early release days. School ends at 1:00. Busses do NOT run to MUMS or the High School in the afternoon on early release days.

Friday, April 12th we will have another FOSCS movie night! As ever, we will have the classes vote on what movie they'd like to see. We will have popcorn, lemonade, and other assorted snacks.

Doors will open at 5:45. Movie will start at 6:00!

Again this year, the Agency of Education is implementing the Vermont Comprehensive Assessment Program (VTCAP). This computer-based test is adaptive and will assess our state standards for English Language Arts (ELA), math, and science.

These assessments include:

VTCAP Language Arts and Mathematics: Grades 3-5

VTCAP Science Assessment: Grades 5

Prior to testing, students will have opportunities in school to explore the Student Readiness Tool (tinyurl.com/3e3rytnb) and practice tests (tinyurl.com/4bmt3c5r). You are welcome to check these out, too.

After students have completed testing, Individual Student Reports will be sent to families in the mail. This will most likely be in fall, 2024. These reports will provide information on what your student(s) learned in relation to the statewide academic standards. It is important to consider that these tests provide a broad overview of demonstrated learning and that results are most useful when viewed in the context of other information gathered by the teacher and the school.

Please note that Vermont’s test delivery system uses state of the art security features that protect your students’ privacy and adhere to all federal and state confidentiality regulations.

If you have any questions, please contact SCS Principal Bjarki Sears at 802-352-4291 or ACSD’s Director of Teaching and Learning and District Test Administrator, Courtney Krahn at 802-382-1276.

Jenn Larocque's 2/3 class took a trip to Dead Creek Wildlife management area last week! They held an exciting celebration of informational writing, and many parents came to see the exhibition of student work, surrounded by the animals they researched!

ACSD Preschool Enrollment: If you have a child who will be 3 by Sept 1, 2024 and needs preschool placement, please fill out the preschool interest survey by the end of March. ACSD has two school-based programs: Mary Hogan and Bridport. Space is extremely limited, so we also encourage you to consider other preschool options. ACSD partners with prequalified private preschool programs to pay tuition for 10 hours/week, 35 weeks/year of preschool. This means your child could receive a tuition discount at a private preschool. Your first step is to enroll with the program directly. They will help you to complete the preschool tuition paperwork. Visit this site for more about which local programs have met the quality standards for partnership or contact Meg Baker at mbaker@acsdvt.org or 382-0045

Eclipse Update: Remember, Monday April 8th, is an early release day due to the eclipse (this is in addition to the scheduled early release day on April 3rd). Every ACSD student will receive eclipse glasses. Visit our eclipse web page to learn more about what your students may be doing at school and activities to try at home! For eclipse-specific traffic and weather updates, VT Emergency Management is offering a text update system. Text VTECLIPSE to 888777.