Bridport Community Newletter

Hello, Bridport Community!

We had an awesome 2nd week of school here at BCS! Our preschool friends had their first day on Tuesday and they added so much joy and energy into our building. K-5 students started digging into academics and reviewing skills. Next week, our fall assessment window opens. Students will be showing what they know in both math and literacy in different ways. We are excited to see their progress!

This year, as in previous years, we have "Community Time" each Friday. The purpose of this time is to create cross grade connections, shared experiences, and strengthen our school community. This week we had all school meeting where we began brainstorming rules. Some ideas were : "Have Fun!" "Be Safe" "Try your best, and be yourself" and "Be Kind"- we will take next week to think about these ideas and finalize next week! We are excited to have whole- school rules and expectations to live by.

We are looking for your feedback too! If you have time to fill out the survey linked below (it works now!) we would appreciate it as we build our new community.

Survey

We are looking forward to seeing you all next week at Open House!

Best,

Jenny

Each month this year, BCS students will be digging deep into one book together during community time. We are using a curated list that are focused on Diversity and Inclusion that was created by two Mary Hogan teachers.

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."

Each student began creating a visual representation of their name to create a whole-school art installation.

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.

Library at Bridport Central School

2024 - 2025

Welcome back to another school year!

• We are excited to be offering library class once a week to Bridport students. Library class will be on Thursdays this year.

• Please help your child remember to bring their books back every week. You can tell a library book because it will have Bridport Central School / Bridport Library stamped in the front.

• All students can borrow up to 3 books every library class.

• If a student forgets to bring back their books (or are still reading them) they may be allowed to borrow up to 5 books total. Books can be borrowed for one week. Students should return their books to the library on the day they have library class.

• Sometimes, students may take home other giveaway books. Giveaways always go home with a note telling you you can keep them. If you want to return giveaway books, that’s also fine.

• Questions? Comments? Concerns? Feel free to send me an email at aadams@acsdvt.org

Hello ACSD community and families,

Due to a human case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) being detected in Vermont this August the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) is recommending that anyone who spends time in an area where EEE virus activity has been identified is at risk of infection. People should take steps to avoid mosquito bites, especially in late July through September. People who engage in outdoor work and recreational activities, especially near wetlands and swamps, are at increased risk of infection.

Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites

• Limit the amount of time you spend outdoors at dawn and dusk.

• Use insect repellent labeled as effective against mosquitoes. Apply repellent when you are going to be outdoors, especially at dawn or dusk.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.

• Mosquitoes breed in standing water that lasts more than four days. To reduce the number of mosquitoes around your house, get rid of standing water.

• Find more information about preventive measures at this link

Most people with EEE virus do not develop symptoms. For those who do, they typically occur four to 10 days after a bite from an infected mosquito.

Most people who do get sick experience a flu-like illness with fever, chills, body aches, and joint pain. This illness can last one to two weeks, and most people recover completely.

In rare cases, infection of the brain and spinal cord occurs, causing sudden high fever (103° to 106°F), stiff neck, and a headache that keeps getting worse. If these symptoms occur, please contact your PCP who will direct you on next steps.

For more information and resources please use this link to access the VDH website.

Tuesday September 10- 5th grade goes to Starbase!

Thursday September 12, 6-7PM- Open House

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.