Bridport Community Newletter

Hello BCS Community!

This week our school was focused on our winter screeners and allowing students to show what they know about math and literacy. Though not all testing is done- I couldn't wait to share with you the progress that our students have made this year.

Schoolwide, our students have made 45% growth in literacy and 47% growth in math! This is an incredible feat and it deserves to be celebrated! Please congratulate your child(ren) on their hard work in our first semester of school. We are SO proud of them.

Soon, you will be receiving a progress report for your student(s) that will give an overview of where they are in relation to grade level standards and approaches to learning. Please see below for more details.

Finally, our students' growth wouldn't have been possible without each and every member of BCS. It shows that when a community can come together- great things happen.

Thank you,

Jenny

This past week, Nurse Dani and Mrs. Urban visited each class and talked about dressing for the weather - especially during the winter months. We introduced a visual to each class that will help with knowing what to wear. We would love some help! If you have time in the morning, to talk about the temperature and plan with your child of what clothing they need- that would be phenomenal!

We appreciate your teamwork and support.

This Wednesday, Ted Scheu is coming to BCS for a day of poetry! He is visiting each classroom and leading them in a writing workshop. All students (even PK) will be writing a poem on Wednesday- make sure to ask them to share with you what they learned.

January 27th- 31st is the Great Kindness Challenge!

Check out this link for more info https://thegreatkindnesschallenge.com/

If youd like to participate as a family- here is a handy checklist to use!

One of the BCS traditions I am most looking forward to this year is Day of Play! Bridport has been participating in the Global Day of Play for over a decade- and I've heard that it is a highlight of the year.

Check out this link for more details: https://globalschoolplayday.com/about

Additional Resources

• Teacher’s Guide by Penguin School

• Lesson Activity by Library Lessons

• NPR A Boy Named 'Milo' Reminds Us To Choose Imagination Over Impressions: Interview with the authors

• Read aloud by The Lit Kid Corner

• Behind the Book by Stenhouse Publishers

• Reading Comprehension Activity

Monday January 20th- No School

Tuesday January 21st- No School

January 27th-31st- Global Kindness Challenge Week

Friday January 31st- Progress Reports are sent home

• Do you have a 3-5 year old ready for preschool? Every preschool age child in ACSD is eligible for 10 FREE hours of preschool at a pre-qualified preschool program and NOW* is the time to begin thinking ahead to the 2025-26 school year. Visit https://mbaker61.wixsite.com/uprek/partners for a list of preschools and more information. Reach out to Ashley Bessette, Universal Prek Coordinator, at abessette@acsdvt.org for support or to ask questions.
  *Most preschool programs will begin enrolling in February/March for the 2025-26 school year.

• Do you have a child who plans to start Kindergarten in 2025-2026? Make sure they are on our incoming student list! If your child will be 5 years old by September 1, 2025 (or you know a friend or neighbor whose child will be) please reach out to our front office at [your school #]

Please note that report cards will be sent home in students’ backpacks on January 31st. Parents should anticipate a phone call from their child’s teacher shortly thereafter. The purpose of this phone call is to follow up on students’ first semester progress reports and see if families have any questions. Thank you.

A draft of the Fiscal year 2026 Budget was presented to the ACSD Board on January 6th. You can watch that presentation and find accompanying materials on our Budget Development page. A public Q+A was also held on January 9th, a recording will be posted on the budget page soon. The board is expected to continue the discussion and vote on the budget at their January 13, 2025 meeting at 6:30pm. Find details for that meeting here.

Please join the Addison Central Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) and Superintendent Wendy Baker to learn more about ACSD Administration’s proposed changes to the configuration and budget for Student Services and Special Education next year. This is your opportunity to learn more about the district’s vision for Student Services and Special Education and to share your perspective about what it might mean for your student(s) and family. Your perspective and voice are important! Please join us! Learn more about the SEPAC at https://www.addisoncentralsepac.org/ Sign up for SEPAC updates here.

Thursday, January 16th

6:00 – 7:30pm

MUHS library (virtual option: https://meet.google.com/gjk-ymhg-drj)

Learn more about ACSD Administration’s proposed budget HERE (see Block 5 on Student Services).

Learn more about ACSD’s budget development process HERE