Branchville Bulletin

Dear Branchville Community,

A couple of weeks ago, we sent the community a letter describing that starting this fall, we will kick off this year’s No Place for Hate (NPFH) program. The Ridgefield Public Schools middle schools and high school have participated in the program for several years. With the addition of the elementary schools' participation, we will be one of the only districts in Connecticut to have students K-12 engaged in the NPFH promise to create a safe and inclusive space for all students.

Led by student council representatives last week, students learned about The NPFH Promise. Each student added their “paw print” to a schoolwide display we are putting up to support our NPFH promise.

The components of the NPFH Promise are:

● I will do my best to treat everyone fairly and respectfully

● If I see someone being hurt or bullied, I will act as an ally or ask a trusted adult for help

● I will do my part to help others feel safe and included in school

● I will help make our school No Place for Hate

We will hold a few activities across the year associated with the NPFH promise designed to empower students to do their part in making our school a place where we all belong and where we respect each other’s differences. Below, I describe the first schoolwide activity, creating the “Who am I?” or identity bag. Following the student's completion of the identity bag, the classroom will have students share their bags.

If you find that your child enjoys this activity and would like to extend the project, the PTA offers an opportunity for fourth and fifth-grade students to explore their family stories. The PTA invites current 4th and 5th graders to share what makes them unique and their family story with our BES community! Were you named after a favorite place? Do you have family who were trailblazers? What are your favorite family traditions or memorable events? Register here by November 24, 2024. See below for more details about the What makes us who we are? PTA project.

Finally,​ similar to our schoolwide assembly, the days leading up to Thanksgiving are a time to reflect on our gratitude and perhaps our personal and family stories. I am indeed grateful that we are a community that strives to make everyone feel a sense of belonging and respect for each other’s differences.

I wish you a happy Thanksgiving.

In partnership,

Keith L Margolus

Principal

• A strong community is a place where there is understanding, where we all belong, and where we respect each other’s differences. We are inviting each student to share who they are on the inside and outside. Below are the directions discussed in the whole school assembly we held.

  
  

  • Think about what makes you, you.

  • Decorate the identity bag that was sent home to show who you are on the inside and on the outside.

  • At home, find up to three items that represent who you are on the inside and on the outside.

  • The items should fit in the bag.

  • The items should be school-appropriate.

  • The items should not be very valuable.

  • Examples of items -

  • Picture of an item.

  • A leaf because I like to play outside and to explore.

  • A bookmark because I am a learner. I like to learn every chance I get!

  • A sticker from Ellis Island because my grandparents immigrated to our country through Ellis Island.

  • A lego constructed engine because I am someone who is always busy and like to move around a lot.

  • A baseball card because it is one of my favorite things to play and watch

• Bring the bag back to school and share it with your class on the date your teacher provided.

Attention Branchville students and staff:

Let's show our spirit!

Wednesday, November 27th is Turkey Dress Up Day!

Wear turkey colors or fall colors, a turkey hat or headband, or a Thanksgiving/turkey shirt.

- The 5th Grade Spirit Student Council

The approach and programs we use to teach our youngest students have shifted. Please join us on December 13 at 9:30 a.m. to learn how you can support your child's learning to read.

First-grade teacher Libby Wein and Literacy Coach Donna Walsh will provide you with a hands-on learning experience similar to how your child learns to read every day.

This morning, we will focus on the types of books students are reading and why. You will have the opportunity to explore the books, and you will be guided through lessons that align with the different types of books.

Find out and experience firsthand how we are teaching phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. What is your child reading in grades K-2, and why?

If you plan to attend, please RSVP here by December 9th.

RPS elementary students are learning about digital citizenship in the library media center! Students grades 2-5 are engaging in developmentally appropriate lessons connected to the 6 domains of digital citizenship: Media Balance & Well-Being, Privacy & Security, Digital Footprint & Identity, Relationships & Communication, Cyberbullying & Digital Drama, and News & Media Literacy. (Students in grades K and 1 study the first two domains while they are still learning how to use their devices.)

This work is important because it prepares students to navigate the online environment in a safe and savvy manner, knowing their rights and responsibilities as digital creators and consumers.

For parents who would like to learn more about how they can support this work at home, there are resources available at Common Sense Media. Click here for Family Tech Planners, Social Emotional Learning Conversation Starters K-2 and 3-5, and more family resources.”

In November, we will hold formal parent-teacher conferences.

Our parent-teacher conferences will occur on November 22, November 25, and November 26. The elementary schools have early dismissal on these dates to hold conferences. We also have an evening option for conferences on November 25. Fall conferences are scheduled for twenty-minute sessions.

What makes us who we are? Current 4th and 5th graders are invited to share all about what makes them unique and share their family story with our BES community! Were you named after a favorite place? Do you have family who were trailblazers? What are your favorite family traditions or memorable events? Register here by November 24, 2024.

Check out the new page,engagED on the RPS Curriculum Site pictured and linked below.

RPS distribution flyers for outside groups via a Digital Backpack.

Organizations that meet the RPS policy may submit their request for inclusion in the digital backpack. Please help us in our effort to go green by checking students' Digital Backpacks Organizations that meet the RPS policy may submit their request for inclusion to cmelagrano@ridgefieldps.net. Thank you!

If you are looking for a comprehensive description of our school practices and procedures, please review the K-5 Student Handbook.

Visiting BES

If you are visiting BES, one way to expedite the entry process is to fill out this form or use the QR code in advance of your planned visit (teacher meeting, PTA meeting, mystery reader, library or art volunteer, etc.) and your badge will be waiting for you when you arrive. If you have something to drop off for your child during the school day such as a forgotten lunch or instrument, there will be a table outside of the entrance to place the item.

• • When you arrive to enter the building, we ask that you press the video doorbell button and identify yourself. You will then be granted access to the vestibule.

  • Once in the vestibule, please do NOT hold the door open for a different guest entering the building. We cannot open the second set of doors until you are inside the vestibule. While this may be inconvenient and feel impolite, we are standardizing access to the buildings across the district so that everyone knows what to expect.

For visits to BES during the school day, I recommend that you arrive early as it takes some time to process your visitor badge. For a visit that is not arranged a day ahead of time, calling the main office ahead of your visit is a helpful practice.

November

11/22 Early Release Day - 11:40 (Conferences)

11/25 Early Release Day - 11:40 (Conferences)

11/26 Early Release Day - 11:40 (Conferences)

11/27 Early Release Day - 11:40 (Thanksgiving Recess)

11/28 - 11/29 No School (Thanksgiving Recess)

December

12/12 Early Release Day - 11:40 (Professional Learning)

12/23 - 1/1 Schools Closed (December Recess)

For a comprehensive list of upcoming events, please see the calendars below.

RPS Events Calendar

Rotational Calendar

PTA Events Calendar

To withhold directory and media publications (including Instagram) please follow this path when you are logged in to PowerSchool.

• On the left-hand side please click on "Demographic Change."

• A number of tabs will appear. Click on "Directory & Media OptOut.

There you will find the option to withhold directory and media information. It is helpful if you notify us of the change. Please email, administrative assistant, Catherine Basso, at cbasso@ridgefieldps.net

Never hesitate to reach out to us about this publication or any other questions you may have. We are a phone call or an email away.

Keith L Margolus

Principal

kmargolus@ridgefieldps.net

Website: https://bes.ridgefield.org/Home
Location: 40 Florida Road, Ridgefield, CT, USA
Phone: 203.894.5850