The Bobcat Bulletin

Founders Memorial School News: June 13, 2024

From the Principal

Dear FMS Families,

We are honored to have spent this past year with your children! The growth, maturity and change that takes place during the year is truly remarkable. I know these last weeks can feel chaotic and overwhelming. I hope, as parents and caregivers, you give yourself a little grace and find time to take care of yourselves!

When families ask, what can my child do this summer to avoid any summer regression, the best answer we can give is READ, READ, READ! Just 20 minutes each day over summer break is the absolute healthiest habit for a growing mind. Your child has had the opportunity to borrow summer books from the library, and our ebook and audiobook library on the FMS website is open all summer.

Please see below for some important updates and end-of-year information. Thank you for your partnership in educating our students this year!

Sincerely,

Sara Jablonski

FMS Principal

Fifth Grade Party

Our fifth grade party is tonight, from 6:30-7:30. There will be games, music and fun. This is a drop-off event. Thank you to the 5th grade student council for helping to plan this exciting event!

The Gauntlet

We will be saying goodbye to our fifth graders on the last day of school with the FMS tradition of “The Gauntlet.” Our fifth grade class will parade through the entire school community for well wishes and high fives. Families are welcome to be part of this sendoff. If you would like to join us, please arrive at FMS by 11:15 and enter through the front door. If you plan to bring your child home and that is not their regular dismissal plan, please update Pickup Patrol or contact the front office.

Placement Letters

Placement letters will be mailed at the beginning of next week for students entering grades 3, 4 and 5. We have some exciting changes in our building for next year! We are currently finalizing the hiring process for our new third grade teachers and will be able to share that information soon.

See below for our grade-level teams (in alphabetical order).

Progress Reports

On Friday, June 14th, progress reports will be viewable to families. You will get an email message on that day that explains how to access your child’s progress report. Please be sure to review all the thoughtful feedback our teachers provide about your child’s learning. If you would like a printed copy of your child’s progress report mailed to you, contact Emily Kim at ekim@ewsd.org.

From the Health Office

Medication Pick up

As we approach the last days of school, I’d like to remind all caregivers of students with medications kept at school, including Inhalers and Epipens, to stop by the Health Office over the next few days to collect these items. All medication not picked up by Tuesday June 18th will be disposed of per the EWSD medication policy.

If you have questions or need to make arrangements for pick up outside of normal school hours please reach out to me at 802-857-6304 or Agoodkind@ewsd.org.

Vaccinations for Incoming 6th Grade Students

I want to remind you of the importance of getting your child vaccinated before they go back to school this fall. Vaccines are the best way you can protect your child from several serious diseases.

As you are making your back-to-school checklist for your preteen, I encourage you to make sure your child gets all the vaccines that are recommended for them. Schedule your child’s appointment today to ensure they are up to date on the vaccines they need. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommend children receive the following vaccines:

• Quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended for preteens at age 11 or 12 for protection against bacteria that cause meningococcal disease, a very serious illness which can lead to death in as little as 48 hours. A second shot is recommended for teens at age 16 to continue providing protection.

• Two doses of HPV vaccine are recommended for preteens between ages 9 to 12 to protect against cancers and other diseases caused by HPV infection. All children should get vaccinated against HPV to protect against these serious diseases.

• One dose of Tdap vaccine is recommended for preteens at age 11 or 12 to continue providing protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).

Protect your preteen and talk with your child’s clinician about what vaccines they need. You may also contact me with any questions.

To learn more about adolescent vaccines, please visit CDC’s Vaccines for Preteens and Teens website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/teens.

Thank you and have a fantastic summer break!.

Alicia Goodkind
Agoodkind@ewsd.org

802-857-6304

From the Learning Center

Summer Reading!!

Many students took advantage of our summer check-out program and brought home library books to read this summer. Reading can be the ideal summer activity, as it's fun, portable, can involve the whole family, and will help your student academically. By just reading for 20 minutes a day, students will continue to develop critical skills, retain learning from the school year, and prepare for the next school year!

Happy Reading!

-Mrs. Biggs