Bridport Community Newletter

Hello, BCS Community!

Spring has officially sprung, and with it comes a renewed energy and excitement throughout our school! The longer days, warmer sunshine, and blossoming trees seem to mirror the growth and joy we see in our students each day.

We’re so proud of how much our students have accomplished this year. Their hard work, curiosity, and perseverance continue to impress us. From mastering new math concepts to exploring creative writing and diving into hands-on science projects, the learning happening in our classrooms is truly inspiring.

As we head into the final stretch of the school year, thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we’re creating a joyful, engaging, and caring environment where all our students can thrive.

Wishing you a wonderful spring break!

Warmly,
Jenny

I'm so excited to share with you our team for next school year! We are saying goodbye to some amazing educators, and saying "hello!" to new ones.

Some changes to note:

• Sally Nadeau will be headed to Salisbury Community School as a Math Instructional Specialist. We are so happy for her as she starts on this new journey!
• Angela Foley will also be at Salisbury as a special educator. They are so lucky to have her!
• Martha Santa Maria (currently at Shoreham) will be joining us as a Academic Interventionist. She brings extensive early literacy knowledge that will be of immense support to our schools.
• We have not determined which teacher will teach which grades yet- that will come after a decision is made about configurations.

Heather Adams- PK Teacher

Andrea Way- Classroom Teacher

Kate Moehringer- Classroom Teacher

Sara Thurber- Classroom Teacher

Victoria Flynn- Special Educator

Martha Santa Maria- Academic Interventionist

Andrew Hirsch- Math Instructional Specialist

Amber Bragg- School Counselor

Carrie Harvey- CSAC Clinician

Danielle Girard- School Nurse

AJ Bellomo - PE/Wellness

Kate Cunningham- Music

Sarah Flinn- Art

Meeka Sands- Spanish

Abby Adams- Library

Linda Barrett- Admin Assistant

This spring Bridport Central School will be working with local Middlebury artist Kate Gridley as our artist in residency. Our students will be learning the art of drawing from nature. Throughout our residency students will be going on 2 field trips to a nature trail to observe, interact, learn, and create art. The Otter Creek Audubon Society will also be supporting our residency field trips as they will have learning stations for students and their members will be sharing their knowledge. During the residency Kate will be coming to school to work directly with students 5 separate times to work on learning how to sketch, learn to draw from life, and create a piece of work based on nature. Our students will each create their own work of art as well as a culminating class mural on the last day. At the conclusion of the residency students will have their own sketchbook, art kit, and newly found skills to take home to continue practicing and exploring.

Dear Families,

We’re excited to share that after we return from April break, our school will be launching this year’s One School, One Book program! This special event brings our whole school community together to enjoy the same book — and this year, we’ll be reading A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold.

A Boy Called Bat is a heartwarming and thoughtful story about a young boy named Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat), who sees the world a little differently. When his mom, a veterinarian, brings home a baby skunk, Bat is determined to prove he can care for it — and maybe even keep it. It’s a heartwarming tale about understanding, kindness, and finding your own way.

We can’t wait to kick off this shared reading experience after break. We encourage you to read along with your child at home and enjoy the conversations that come from sharing this story together. Look out for reading schedules, discussion questions, and fun activities coming home soon!

Happy reading!

During library class on Thursday students got to pick out up to 3 give-away books to keep them reading over April break! These books are generously funded from a variety of sources: BIRD - Bridport is Reading Daily, Bonnie's Books, Reading is Fundamental (funded by Sylvamo), and private donations. If you have new or like new books at home you'd like to donate towards our end-of-the-year book give away, Ms. Abby would gratefully accept them!

Mrs. Cunningham will be leaving on maternity leave starting Friday April 18th. She will be on leave from April vacation through the end of the school year and will be returning in the fall. Chris Foster will be covering her maternity for general music at Bridport, Shoreham and Cornwall and Bridport band lessons. If you have any questions please direct them to any building principal.

Friday 4/18-5:30-6:30- Open House @ Shoreham School

Monday 4/21- Friday 4/26- April Vacation

Tuesday 4/29-7:30AM- Parent Meeting with Wendy Baker

Wednesday 4/30- Relocation Drill (more info to come!)

Thursday 5/1- FOBCS Meeting 6:00-7:30PM

Friday 5/2- 5th grade Exhibition

When students Irene and Charles end up as partners for a poem-writing project, they slowly and bravely begin to explore how the issue of race affects their lives. Irene’s white perspective and Charles’s black perspective are inherent even when they begin by writing about a subject seemingly devoid of racial context—shoes. Their next topic, hair, opens a dialogue that includes the emotional effects of race-based conflicts at school.

Students at BCS will be exploring a few poems each week and exploring these complex themes.

Substitute teachers are crucial for our students, staff, staff, and schools! We are increasing our daily substitute teaching rate to $160/day for unlicensed subs and $200/day for licensed subs. This flat rate replaces our sliding rate of pay for subs depending on the number of days worked. To apply, email HR@acsdvt.org with subject: "Substitute Position". Or visit this listing.

Did you know Bridport School has an instagram!? Follow us- @bridportschoolvermont for pictures and videos :)