Branchville Bulletin

Dear Branchville Community,

Math Night was spectacular and had a great turnout. Below, you will find a question and the format used by math specialist Prajakta Oppel when she modeled a math lesson. With all of this math-mentum, I dedicate this newsletter to—you guessed it—mathematics!

Also, below are several slides showing strategies for students to develop number sense and mathematical fluency. As a product of a time when kids were taught, "Thou is not to ask why, just invert and multiply." I am struck by how absurd that sounds. I received the message, "Don't think; just follow these steps and do it as fast as you can." Today, the standard is that students develop number sense and mathematical comprehension, think, and make sense of what they are doing while learning to be efficient. Not only are we teaching students to understand and have fun with numbers, as shown in the strategy slides, we have shifted the teaching and learning format and types of questions. A graphic outline of these researched strategies appears below.

Some other significant spring events are coming up. The Inclusion Expo described in Dr. DaSilva's newsletter is also advertised below. More math will be featured! Mrs. Oppel will present alongside district elementary math coach Jamie Palladino. Also, Branchville speech and language pathologist Dr. Traci Casey will be there to talk about the CLUE program. You may remember from an earlier communication CLUE stands for Children Learning to Understand Everyone!

Don't miss the 5th-grade musical performance of Alice in Wonderland Jr., led by the Branchville Teacher of the Year, Betsy Anderson!!! Thursday's performance is ONLY for students and staff. Friday and Saturday's musical performances are open to the entire Branchville community. The premiere is Friday at 7 p.m., and the matinee performance takes place on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. That is followed up by the PTA Gala on Saturday evening!

In partnership,

Keith L Margolus

Principal

Click on the letter below to learn about the next NPFH student activity.

Question: Who is the Inclusion Expo on April 30 for?

Answer: Everyone!!!!

Here, you’ll find a short and special invitation from Dr. Anthony Showah and Dr. Liz Hannaway from the RPS Special Services Department to what will inevitably be a special night of community connectedness. The goal of the Inclusion Expo is to celebrate the instructional practices that foster belonging and are the bedrock of RPS, where “all means all.” In this “expo” event, attendees will have the opportunity to listen to and engage with a variety of RPS staff who will showcase a small piece of their work with our students - work that fosters connectedness and meaningful engagement. Please come and show your support for our inclusive community.

NOTE: The Inclusion Expo will be at RHS this year!

Click here to RSVP to join us at the Expo!

Openended Multi-step Math Quesiton

This was also sent as a stand-alone to parents of students in grades 3-5. It describes the upcoming SBA test dates and ways to support your child's success.

Coursey of the PTA, please see the budget timeline below.

If you don't follow Board of Education conversations, this is the time to listen in. I encourage you to watch the budget presentation here.

Click on the image below to visit the budget Information website.

RPS’s Forever Summer Bridge registration is open!

Our elementary program is low-tech and high-fun! It includes multiple opportunities for outdoor time with peers, creativity, an emphasis on social-emotional support, and thematic project-based sessions that integrate math and literacy, providing each student with a joyful experience!

The Jumpstart to Kindergarten experience for our rising K students was a HUGE hit! We are excited to run it again this summer.

Here is an overview of last year's program - Forever Summer Bridge 2024

Click Here to Register for Summer Bridge 2025

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.

April

4/10 - Early Release (parent-teacher conferences0

4/11 - Early Release (parente-teacher conferences)

4/14 - 4/18 - Spring Recess

May

5/21 - Art Show at 5:00

5/26 - No School (Memorial Day)

5/30 - Field Day

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