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Friday Notes
March 17, 2022 - A Thursday Edition
No School Tomorrow!
Nurse Notes - Bonus Edition
As we begin navigating this transition period of moving through the pandemic and regaining some sense of "normalcy". That being said, "normal" going forward is likely to look a tiny bit different than the previously known "normal" because while Covid-19 has consumed much of the attention and focus for the last two years, now that we are moving forward, we are reminded none too gently of the other contagious illnesses we as a community should be trying our best to mitigate the spread of. Paradigm shifts can be tricky, but with all of us working towards the same goal - a healthy school community, I have no doubts we will be successful!
We are very excited to have our test-at-home kits arrive from the state, along with the current guidance on how they should be distributed and used. When a child is sent home for illness, they will be accompanied by a 2-pack Covid testing kit to be administered at home, with an instruction sheet regarding the 24-hour interim between test administrations.
Going forward, we will still be using the current Covid-19 symptom algorithm which has been previously published in Friday Notes. If a child is sent to myself or Mrs. Morrison in my absence for a (one) symptom of illness as found in the Covid-19 algorithm, those being: a fever (100.4 or higher) coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, sore throat, new loss of sense of smell or taste, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; you will be called to retrieve your student from school.
Within that, you as the parent have the option to request we administer an antigen test on-site while your child waits pick up to give the "Covid clock" a jump-start, leaving you the parent with only one test to administer, 24 hours later at home. If after both tests are negative, but your student is still experiencing symptoms of illness or "just not feeling themselves" you now will have the knowledge that it may not be Covid, but it’s *something* and that will lead you to either obtaining an alternate diagnosis or waiting until symptoms improve before sending the student back to school.
If your student presents with one of the listed symptoms, and it is determined to be consistent with another origin (such as menses, allergies, or other documented conditions), or one that is in keeping with symptom improvement from a previous illness and recovery, then the determination to remain in school will be made on a case-by-case basis, depending principally on whether the symptom impedes your student's ability to participate successfully in class.
We realize this isn't exactly ideal - looking at the potential for a missed day or two each time a student has signs of illness can be frustrating and tricky to navigate sometimes, gone are the days where when we were kids, it was the norm to "just go see if you can make it through the day". That is no longer the case, and will take some getting used to on all of our parts. It takes a village, the saying goes, and it's true on a multitude of levels, including keeping our Bishop Marshall School Village as healthy as it can possibly be every day.
~ Nurse Yates
Strep Throat Alert
Please be on the lookout for the following symptoms - which may be mild to severe:
General ill feeling - headache, nausea, loss of appetite
Complaints of sore throat - it may hurt to swallow and there may be white patches
Tender glands in the neck
Fever - good indicator, but not always present - may have chills
Doctors treat strep throat with antibiotics which should be taken as prescribed even if symptoms are gone after only a few days. Untreated, strep can lead to serious complications. BJAMS' policy is that your student must be on antibiotics for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
Please consult your family doctor with any questions or concerns you may have regarding strep throat.
Italian Dinner Take-out
Come and get the best Italian meal in town!
Each meal comes with noodles (topped with choice of butter [$9], pesto, marinara, or alfredo), salad, dinner roll, and dessert for only $10!
Orders must be placed by Thursday, March 24
Pick up is next Friday, March 25 from 3:00pm to 5:15pm
Look for an 8th grader with a clipboard between now and then or email Mr. Close to place your order.
Proceeds benefit the 8th grade class trip to Boston!
Does Your Student Like Chess?
The 35th Vermont Scholastic Elementary School Chess Championships will be held on Saturday, April 23rd, 2022 at the Capital City Grange Hall on Vermont Route 12 in Berlin, VT.
All Vermont elementary school students are eligible to compete for individual State Championships in six divisions -- each grade Kindergarten through Grade 5. All abilities are welcome and encouraged to participate. Advance registration is required. Complete rules and registration information can be found at http://vtchess.info or by contacting Mike Stridsberg, Tournament Director, at mike@vtchess.info.
The 35th Vermont Scholastic High School and Middle School Chess Championships will be held on Saturday, April 16th, 2022 at the Capital City Grange Hall on Vermont Route 12 in Berlin, VT. All Vermont students are eligible to compete for State Championships in Middle School (Grades 6 through 8) and High School (Grades 9 through 12) divisions. All abilities are welcome and encouraged to participate. Advance registration is required. Complete rules and registration information can be found at http://vtchess.info or by contacting Mike Stridsberg, Tournament Director, at mike@vtchess.info.
Yearbook production is wrapping up!
Reserve your copy by Friday, April 15.
Yearbooks are available on a pre-paid basis only. There is no limit to the number you can order, at just $20 each. Make checks payable to BJAMS with "yearbook" on the memo line. Cash will not be accepted.
Checks can be delivered to the front office or Mrs. Curran, or deposited in the drop box outside the main entrance or in the Pre-K wing hallway.
Please email Mrs. Curran with any questions.
Girls on the Run
Trained coaches use physical activity and dynamic discussions to build social, emotional, and physical skills in every girl while encouraging healthy habits for life.
Sign-ups have already begun (available for grades 3-5 only). Girls are expected to make a commitment to attend the following events:
- April 5-June 2 (no practice on school holidays or closings)
- Tuesday and Thursday practice at SES or MES from 3:00-4:30pm
- 5k walk or run Saturday, June 4 - Essex
Register now! The season begins the week of April 4.
For more information, check out GOTR online. Financial assistance is available.
Tuition Assistance Deadline
Follow this link to login to the BJAMS FACTS sign in page. You will see the FACTS Grant & Aid start application button. You will need your 1040 Federal tax return from 2020 or 2021 and 2020 W-2's. The deadline to apply is April 11.
Mrs. Marcoux in our business office will be glad to assist you with uploading your documents - just give her a call (888-4758, ext. 243) or email her.
Only completed and verified applications will be considered for tuition assistance. Keep in mind FACTS takes approximately 2 weeks to process applications.
TUITION ASSISTANCE - BLESSED SACRAMENT
From Father Schnobrich:
There will be a mandatory meeting on Thursday, March 24 at 4pm for all of those parish families who are registered at Blessed Sacrament and who are seeking tuition assistance this 2nd half of the year for their child(ren). Please RSVP to the parish office.Lacrosse Returns to BJAMS
Katie Marvin is excited to coach again this spring and on the lookout for more players and coaches!
If your child is interested in joining; you want to coach; you're looking for gear; you have general questions, please email please email Katie Marvin at katiemarvin@live.com.
Helping Hands
ASP Corner
Monday - Art Day
Tuesday - Sensory Play
Wednesday - Adventure Day
Thursday - Harvest of the Month curriculum - March/kale; April/carrots; May/cucumbers; June/berries
Friday- STEAM Day
Coming Up Next
Mar 18 - No school - staff development
Mar 25 - Italian Dinner Take-out
Community News
Stowe Youth Lacrosse
Stowe Youth Lacrosse is open to ALL area youth and they are actively seeking players from other towns. It is okay if your child has never played before and it is never too late to start.
Please reach out to Mike at michael.rapoport1@gmail.com if you are interested or have questions.
Bishop Marshall School
Email: kmorrison@bjams.org
Website: www.bjams.org
Location: 680 Laporte Road, Morristown, VT, USA
Phone: (802) 888-4758
Facebook: facebook.com/BJAMSVT
Twitter: @bjamsvt