EMS Newsletter

Dear EMS Families & Community,

I hope that the decisive arrival of spring finds you well and in good health. The weather warms and the snow recedes a bit too slowly every year for my taste, but many of our teachers are taking advantage of the slightly better weather to get their classes out for body breaks, and PE classes (currently engaged in EMS Olympics) will soon venture back outside. Time outdoors is proven to have health benefits, so I encourage all families to consider ways to get young people outside at home, too! Whether it’s planting veggies to harvest this summer, walking the dog, or hiking up a mountain, getting fresh air and sunshine is good for mind and body.

Friday, 4/7 marks the close of the third quarter, so please check in with your student around their grades, any missing work, and plans for completing any overdue tasks that may be negatively impacting their grade. Quarterly grade reports will come out late next week via the mail, but you can check where your learner is at by accessing Schoology at any time (see directions here).

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s grades or progress as we move into the final stretch of the year, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher(s). We had excellent turnout at Parent Conferences this year, but that’s not the only time you can touch base with teachers about concerns. We’re here for you all school year!

Please read below for info about the upcoming PTO meeting, the opportunity to help support this year’s Spring Dances at EMS, a link to complete BSD’s important annual Restorative Culture survey, and registration info for summer programs & camp opportunities in Burlington!

As always, thank you for your support of our learning community. We truly could not do it without you.

In partnership,

Sabrina Westdijk

EMS Principal

Seeking Parent/Guardian Volunteers for EMS School Dances

We are hosting two dances this year, a 6-8 school dance on May 12th, and an 8th grade only dance on June 9. If you’re interested in helping out at either/both, please let us know by completing this quick survey. Dances are always a favorite for students, and there are a variety of ways to help and to support these activities. Thanks for considering!

EngageEMS (PTO) Meeting on Tuesday, April 11, 6-7pm

All parents and guardians are invited to join us for a PTO meeting coming up on Tuesday, April 11 from 6-7pm. We'll meet at the library at EMS and online.

Joining via Google Meet? Here’s the info:

Meeting ID

meet.google.com/hfp-jftm-fae

Phone Numbers

(‪US‬)‪+1 347-380-6595‬

PIN: ‪112 892 401#‬

Thanks!

Beckie, Connie and Kerrie

The BSD Restorative Culture Family Survey is Out!

Every year, BSD surveys K-12 students, staff and families. These surveys are being used for our year-over-year comparison data collection as well as providing baseline data for the metrics of the Strategic Plan, so it is vital that we have high response rates for students, staff, and families.

The survey takes around 15-20 minutes to complete at most, and is incredibly helpful as we work to create more responsive, inclusive and supportive school communities for all our learners and families. Thank you!

You can take the survey via this link: Family Restorative Culture Survey

Registration is Open for Burlington/Winooski Middle School Summer Program

The Burlington School District, Sara Holbrook Community Center, and Winooski School District are excited to offer the 2023 Middle School Summer Program, free of charge, to all incoming 6th - 9th graders of the Burlington and Winooski school districts. Breakfast and lunch are provided and school bus transportation to and from the program is available.

Programs will run Monday - Friday, June 26th - July 28th. Enrichment programs will run full-day (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) and academic programs will run half-day (morning or afternoon with the option to enroll in an enrichment program for the rest of the day). Registration is open now through Friday, May 31st. Due to limited space, it is expected that registered students are able to attend all 5 weeks of the program​, with priority registration given to those able to attend all 5 weeks. More details and instructions, including class offerings, can be found here.

The registration form can be completed here.

Contacts:

HMS: Emma Steer - esteer@bsdvt.org

EMS: Malik Mines - mmines@bsdvt.org