Bridport Community Newletter

Hello, BCS Community!

It was a great week to be at Bridport!

Beautiful weather had us outside alot, and some classes celebrated their hard work with popsicles! Our PK-5 students have really settled into routines, and beginning to dig into academic concepts in all subject areas.

Our hallways are filled with the sound of learning, joy and laughter everyday at BCS. Our teachers and staff are always finding ways to bring student interest and fun into each activity. For example- Ms. Abby spent all day on Thursday in character as a pirate for "International Talk like a Pirate Day!"

I'm looking forward to seeing what the next four weeks bring!

Best,

Jenny

This month, we listened to Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow. A quick synopsis- "When a child is frustrated by a day full of teachers and classmates mispronouncing her beautiful name, the girl tells her mother that she never wants to go back to school. The child’s mother responds by teaching her about the musicality of African, Asian, Latinx, Middle Eastern and Black-American names on their walk home through the city. Empowered by newfound understanding, the girl shares her knowledge with her class."

This week, students created a "song" using their name. Each letter was a different beat. Ask your BCS kiddo to demonstrate!

If you'd like to learn more about this book- here are some resources:

• Your Name Is A Song performed by singer

• Read- Aloud: Your Name is a Song Story board is clear throughout the video

• Symphony Storytime • "Your Name is a Song" featuring percussion

• Storytime with The Met: “Your Name Is a Song” conversational, artifact linked to name, art related to name

• Your Name is a Song Author Jamilah Thompkins Bigelow pronouncing the names from the book.

Tuesday 9/24- 5th Grade to Starbase

Thursday 10/3- Friends of Bridport Central School (FOBCS) Meeting 6-7:30- Library

Do you volunteer in our schools? Join Superintendent Wendy Baker for a discussion about how to streamline, strengthen, and improve our volunteer program at ACSD schools. We will schedule a time to meet this fall to gather your feedback. Interested?

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1H6laR0CJwNAVk9RKvXDYd2kvHeiw0vzwBb_9qcRNwg4/edit

As a reminder, all children are entitled to free breakfast and lunch!

All school meals will be free again for ALL students.

But, it's still VERY IMPORTANT to complete the free and reduced meal application form. Our district gets $475,000+ each year based on the % of students who qualify for free/reduced meals. So, if you fill out the form, you help us qualify!

A paper application will come home with your child, or apply now online.

Due to growing instances of phishing scams and concern for potential hacks of our computer networks, we will be removing all staff email addresses from our website directory. This change comes at the direction of our Technology Dept and we join many K-12 schools, colleges, and businesses in making this change. Staff phone numbers will still be available in our staff directory. You may also request a teacher’s email by phone or by calling our front office 802-758-2331. Thank you for your understanding as we balance family communication needs with tech privacy and safety.

In addition to our phone/email communication, ACSD has a text messaging system. Families must opt-in to receive texts. ACSD will only use text messaging for short, time-sensitive messages (like early dismissal and snow days). Your school may also text you for important school updates. We will test this service on Thursday Sept 19th after the school day. To receive texts, you must opt-in:

• Text “yes” to 67587. You will get a reply confirming your registration. If you ever want to stop receiving texts, just text STOP.

• Make sure we have your wireless number in our student database. This is the number you share on school forms. (If you currently receive school/ACSD calls on your cell phone, we probably have your number.) Please contact your front office if we do not have this number.