Wildcat Pride

We are excited to announce that registration is open of the 2025 KESD Summer Camp! Please review the information on the forms below, and use the forms to register your students:

Elementary Registration Form (students currently in grades K-4th)

Middle School Registration Form (students currently in grades 5th-8th)

Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Thank You,

Morgan Moore
Director of Experiential Learning

Summer School Program Director

Kingdom East School District

(802) 626-6100 x4731

morganmoore@kingdomeast.org

March 10, 2025

Dear Concord School Families,

Our school cares about the well-being of all students and has programs designed to support students’ improvement of their social/emotional development. To help stay in touch with our students’ development and potential social/emotional concerns, we will be conducting school-wide screenings of students using the SSIS SEL Brief + Mental Health Scales. This measure of students’ social and emotional functioning is aligned with state Social Emotional Learning standards and provides results used to guide instruction for all students and support for students experiencing emotional behavior concerns. This brief rating scale assessment is not a comprehensive diagnostic measure for classification of difficulties or disorders but rather highlights a student’s social and emotional strengths and areas of need.

The social emotional learning (SEL) skills and emotional behavior concerns (EBC) measured by the SSIS SEL Brief + Mental Health Scales are described below. The screeners include items tied to each of the competencies and concerns and provide information about a student’s current functioning levels. The social/emotional functioning can change over time; periodic re-screening is thus used to continue to monitor students’ progress.

The SSIS SEL Brief + Mental Health Scales can be administered to students (self-assessment), teachers (answering items about each student) and parents (answering items about their student(s). In our school, we will be administering to parents and teachers (of students in grades K-2) and to students, parents, and teachers (of students in grades 3-8). Parents will receive an email and will include a direct link to access your assessment. If you have more than one child at our school, you will receive a separate email for each of your children. Each assessment will take only 5-8 minutes to complete.

Your 3rd through 8th grade child will take a self-assessment between March 31st and April 8th. More information will follow regarding how results will be shared with you. If you have questions or concerns or would like for your child to opt out of participating in the self assessment, please contact Andrea Fressie. If you notify the school in the fall that your child will not be participating in the self assessment, your school team will honor this request for the spring as well.

Sincerely,

Andrea Fressie

Angelique Brown

For more details and the research behind the SSIS SEL Brief + Mental Health Scales, visit ssiscolab.com. THANK YOU!

The marking period for Trimester 2 ended on Friday, March 7th. We will email report cards to families on March 31st. If you would like a printed copy instead, please contact Karen West at kwest@kingdomeast.org or at 695-2550.

Proficiency-Based Grading

What is Proficiency-Based Learning, Grading, and Reporting?

Proficiency-Based Learning is a requirement of the Vermont Agency of Education. It is a key component of Act 77 which is all about flexible pathways and personalized learning plans. Schools must determine the proficiencies that students must meet in order to show college and/or career readiness. Students are not scored on these proficiencies using letter grades or a 100 point scale. Instead, teachers use student work and performance to determine whether students have demonstrated mastery.

Student performance is scored using a 4 point scale that does not equate to letter grades or the 100 point scale in any way. Here’s what the numbers on the scale mean:

4

Exceeding Student Expectations

• Demonstrates a greater depth of knowledge and application of a standard

• Typically, few students perform at this level

3

Meeting Student Expectations

• Consistently meets grade level expectations of the standard for the current reporting period

2

Progressing Toward Student Expectations

• Progressing toward that grade level standard

1

Below Student Expectations

• This is an area of concern

*

See additional report

It’s important to understand that the level of difficulty changes throughout the school year. Therefore, it is possible to move from exceeding or meeting to approaching or below throughout the year.

Schools score students on their content proficiencies, but also on the following transferable skills: communication, self-direction, problem solving, citizenship, and informed and integrative thinking. While these skills look different at each grade level, we are teaching students what these words mean as early as preschool.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is proficiency-based grading?

A proficiency-based report card informs parents of the most important skills and concepts students should learn in each subject area at a particular grade level. It’s designed to give parents a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of their child’s learning.

What is a learning target?

A learning target is a description of what a student should know and be able to do. Some of our learning targets are for a particular content like reading, math, science, or physical education, and some of our learning targets cover all content areas. The latter are referred to as transferable skills.

What examples of data do teachers use to assign grades?

With a proficiency-based approach, teachers evaluate student learning in a variety of ways using classroom observations, student performance, and classwork, which are formative assessments because they inform the instruction. Teachers also use summative assessments such as tests, projects, and presentations, which are administered after the learning to show what a student can do on their own.

What if a student earns a 3 on one report card and then a 2 on the following report card on the same learning target?

The score is an indication of performance with the expectations of difficulty increasing throughout the school year. The learning targets should increase in difficulty as the year progresses so that students can master all elements of this target by the end. Therefore, a student who demonstrates a score of 3 in the first trimester can earn a 2 in the second trimester when the rigor of the target has increased. This indicates that the student understands some elements within the target, but may need more development of the details or application and more teacher support.

What if students don’t get all 3s on their report card?

Some concepts and skills are more difficult to grasp than others, but given time and motivation, students can continually challenge themselves. A score of 2 while learning a new skill or concept is appropriate. A score of 3 by the end of the school year demonstrates thorough understanding of the skill or standard.

Is it possible to achieve a 4?

Yes, it is. However, a 4 means that the child is presently demonstrating work that is beyond what is expected for mastery of the grade level proficiency. They demonstrate advanced thinking and understanding of the skills and concepts. Typically, few students perform at this level.

Will the proficiency-based scoring be comparable to the traditional report card?

The simple answer is “no.” Traditional report cards are based on a 100 point scale or use letter grades that are assigned a number value based on the 100 point scale. Traditional grades are a collection of effort, habits or work, assignments, and more. These grades are often averaged together to create one grade for a given class for a given trimester.

Proficiency-based grades are an indication of how your child is performing towards a given learning target at a given point in time. If a child does poorly on one assignment, but does well on the next few assignments that assess the same target with the same level of rigor, the later assignments override the first one. After all, it’s natural for a child to struggle when first learning to ride a bike, but once the child learns to ride it, all of the initial practice and mistakes are not counted against the child.

Resources:

Agency of Education, Proficiency-Based Learning,. (2017). What is Proficiency-Based Learning? (p. 1). Vermont.

Wichita Falls Independent School District. On Target with Standards Based Grading K-2 Parent Guide. Retrieved from www.wfisd.net/standardsbasedreportcards

Concord School is currently looking for an instructional assistant and an intensive instructional assistant to work with our middle school students. We're also in need of an intensive instructional assistant to work 1:1 with a student during KEAP. We need to fill these positions as soon as possible. If you are interested, or know of someone who is, please encourage them to apply on SchoolSpring or to reach out to Angelique Brown.

Concord Families,

This year, Vermont will be implementing the Vermont Comprehensive Assessment Program (VTCAP) provided by Cognia for the third time. These assessments replaced the Smarter Balanced Assessment and Vermont Science Assessment. The VTCAP is administered annually in the spring to students in grades 3 through 9 in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics; and to students in grades 5, 8, and 11 in science. The ELA and mathematics assessments are designed to measure students’ mastery of the Common Core State Standards. The science assessments are designed to measure students’ mastery of the Next Generation Science Standards. The VTCAP assessments are computer-adaptive with a variety of accessibility features available to students.

Schools can administer these assessments this year between March 11 and May 3, 2024. These assessments include:

VTCAP English language Arts and Mathematics: Grades 3-9

VTCAP Science Assessment: Grades 5, 8, and 11

Tests can be administered at any time during the test window and will be administered in the school building during the typical school day. We are currently working out the details of this testing but we do know the following:

• 5th and 8th graders will take the science assessment during the week of March 31st
• All 3rd-8th graders will take the math assessment during the week of April 7th
• All 3rd-8th graders will take the writing assessment during the week of April 14th

After students have completed testing, Individual Student Reports will be mailed to families as soon as available. These reports will provide information on what your student(s) learned in relation to the statewide academic standards. When reviewing test scores, it is important to consider that these tests provide a broad overview of demonstrated learning and that results are most useful when viewed in the context of other information gathered by the teacher and the school. The primary purpose of our testing program is to provide families and school leaders with an increased understanding of how teaching and learning is taking place and how students’ needs are being met.

Please note that Vermont’s test delivery system uses state-of-the-art security features that protect your students’ privacy and adhere to all federal and state confidentiality regulations.

To learn more about the VTCAP, please visit Vermont Help & Support (cognia.org).

If you have any questions, please contact Angelique Brown.

Concord School has some goals for the 2024-2025 school year. We want to improve student outcomes, student engagement, student attendance, and family engagement. Please help us by providing feedback.

The sixth grade students will take CPR on Thursday, March 13, 2025 from 9:00-1:30. They will have lunch at their typical time and then have recess at 1:30. Due to this, the students will miss their essential arts classes.

The 8th grade graduation for Concord students has been set for June 10th at 6:00pm in the gym.

The class is interested in going to The Great Escape and spending at least one night in the Lake George area. They've been looking at houses to rent. Houses would need to fit all 20 students, plus at least 5 chaperones.

They also expressed interest in a coach bus. Coach buses are roughly $4000.00, which only leaves them about $4000.00 for housing, food, and park tickets. A coach bus may not be an option with the funds that the class has right now. Butlers cannot provide buses for overnight trips. If the class cannot fund a coach bus, they will need chaperones who are willing to drive and transport four students. If you are a licensed driver with a vehicle that will accommodate four students, and you are willing to chaperone, please reach out to Angelique Brown via email or phone. Chaperones must follow the expectations listed below.

Guidelines for Chaperones on School-Sponsored Trips

Failure to comply with any of the expectations outlined below could result in a chaperone being removed from the trip and being responsible for their transportation home. It could also result in a chaperone being removed from the approved chaperone/volunteer list.

1. Class trips are an extension of classroom learning. Students and chaperones are expected to act in a safe, kind, courteous, and reasonable manner at all times.

2. Chaperones are responsible for student behaviors for the duration of the trip. If a chaperone needs to leave their group for any reason, it is the chaperone’s responsibility to find coverage for their group of students.

3. Chaperones must be able to supervise the students they are assigned. Therefore, chaperones cannot bring students who are not part of the field trip group.

4. Students have a right to receive an appropriate education in an alcohol, tobacco, and drug-free environment. No chaperone is allowed to partake in alcoholic beverages, use tobacco products, marijuana products, or illegal drugs at any time for the duration of the class trip.

5. Hazing, harassment, or bullying behaviors and Title IX sexual harassment among students or chaperones will not be tolerated at any time. Any concerning behaviors should be reported to a school staff member at once and this person will report to the building administration.

6. No student or chaperone is allowed to purchase any type of weapon or firearm as a gift or souvenir during the duration of the trip. Students and chaperones also cannot bring weapons or firearms on a school trip.

7. Students have the right to privacy. Information gained about students on this trip cannot be shared with others.

Field Trip Policies

We must follow the KESD's field trip policy and the Concord Handbook Policy. Please find both below.

District Policy:

The Board endorses the use of field trips as extensions of classroom experiences.

Implementation
Teachers shall organize and carry out field trips according to the following guidelines.

1. Teachers shall submit to the Principal a written request for a field trip which includes a statement of learning outcomes and associated costs.

2. At the conclusion of the trip, the teacher responsible shall submit a brief report to the Principal indicating the extent to which the objectives of the trip were met.

3. Teachers organizing field trips will be responsible for obtaining permission slips from parents, scheduling transportation, and overseeing arrangements with the site of the field trip.

Student Handbook Policy:

Field trips are basic to a well-rounded approach to learning. While most of our curriculum can be conveyed through engaging teaching strategies, experiences that can be found in the community workplaces, museums, public service agencies, and the natural world can also be considered educational tools. The same guidelines that are indicators of a good lesson are also guidelines for an appropriate field trip. Proper behavior while on a field trip is expected at all times and the principal reserves the right to deny any student permission to participate in a school trip if recent behavior by that student indicates that their safety or the safety of others would be a risk.

At the beginning of the year, you will be asked to sign a field trip permission form. Each time a trip is planned for your child, you will be notified. If you decide that your child should not be included in the trip, please notify the appropriate teacher of your decision. If the teacher receives no such notice from you, your child will be expected to participate in the trip.

Parents and guardians who wish to volunteer to accompany student groups on trips are welcome as approved by the classroom teacher and principal following a criminal background records check. Your participation is greatly appreciated and encouraged.

GUIDELINES STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

Field trips are offered to enhance the learning experience of all students. While the goal is for all students to participate, it is important that individual students demonstrate the willingness and ability to participate in a way that ensures a positive experience for all participants. Students must have demonstrated through their behavior at school that they can conduct themselves in a manner that values the safety of themselves and others, shows respect for those around them and accepts personal responsibility for their actions.

When student behavior presents a safety concern and/or creates a disruption for the learning experience of those around him/her, individual students may lose the privilege of attending field trips. Serious and/or repeat violations of school expectations may also lead to a student being ineligible to participate in field trips.

In reviewing field trip eligibility, the following will be considered:

• Does the student demonstrate a concern for the safety of self and others?

• Does the student follow adult directions on a consistent basis?

• Does the student’s behavior create a disruption in the learning experience of those around them?

• Any other information deemed relevant for the individual student.

At any time in the school year, student conduct may lead to a review of his/her eligibility to attend a specific field trip. For end of year class field trips, teachers will review the conduct of all students following the middle of the third marking period. If a student’s eligibility to attend an end of the year field trip is in question, that student may be placed on probation and their parents will be invited to meet with the principal and classroom teacher to discuss the concerns. Except in extreme cases, a student will be given the opportunity to develop a plan to address staff concerns about their behavior that will be reviewed with the principal and classroom teacher. For students on probation, decisions regarding eligibility will take place approximately one month prior to the date of the trip.

Any serious student misconduct in the month (30 days) leading up to a field trip may result in a student being determined ineligible to participate. The school administration or designee will make the final determination regarding student eligibility to attend field trips. Please refer to the KE field trips policy.

We have scheduled 3/12/25 and 3/19/25 as make-up days for the two Winter Activity Wednesdays that we've missed due to cold temperatures. The arena is not available in March, so the skating group will spend one day at Siskin and the other at Northwoods. All other groups will report to their typical venues.

We cannot wait to see all of you next week. Conference invitations will go home with students no later than Tuesday, March 11th. If you do not receive an invitation, you can contact Karen West to schedule a conference. We'll do our best to find a time that works well for you.

If you are coming to your conference in person, remember to visit the cafeteria for cookies and juice and to purchase any Date Night raffle tickets. There will be staff available to provide childcare so that you focus on your child's conference. All raffle tickets and money must be turned into the office no later than 2:40 on Friday the 21st. The drawing will occur at 3:00 in the cafeteria and we'll announce winners on our Facebook Page.

Upcoming Meetings

Please consider joining our meetings. New membership is always welcome! All meeting dates are listed below. They are held at 6:00pm at the Concord School.

March 10th

April 7th

May 5th

June 2nd

Date Night Raffle

Tickets will be sold from February 17th-March 21st. Students went home with 2 tickets each on Friday, February 14th. Tickets can also be purchased during Student-Led Conferences in the cafeteria. The drawing will occur at 3:00pm on 3/21/25.

​Kingdom East Athletic families,

Here is the final Community Connection newsletter of the winter season. As a reminder, registration is open for KESD spring sports and can be found on the KESD website.

Have a wonderful weekend, and I look forward to seeing many of you on the fields and track for spring sports.

Courtney

KESD SPRING SPORTS REGISTRATION FORM

https://secure.smore.com/n/q2f8a-middle-school-news-6th-edition?ref=email

Please find health news provided by our school nurse, Barandee Peterson here. It's important that students begin dressing for the cold and snow. We have some winter apparel available in certain sizes. https://secure.smore.com/n/ycnwm

https://secure.smore.com/n/m19avh-keap-updates?ref=email

Food & Drinks

Students may bring juice, tea, water or milk to school to have during a snack and/or lunch. Students may only consume water outside of snack and lunch times, unless they have a documented medical need. Students are encouraged to bring healthy snacks to consume during their scheduled snack break.

USDA School Beverage Guidelines define beverages as: unflavored low fat milk or flavored or unflavored nonfat milk or milk substitute or 100% fruit or vegetable juice, plain or carbonated water. Beverages will be kept within these parameters at all times. Soda and energy drinks will not be allowed throughout the school day.

The Kingdom East School District provides several opportunities for students to access healthy and nutritional food before, during, and after school. We have received federal grant funding for pre K-8th grade students to receive fresh fruit and veggie snacks during the week. Our students up to age 18 who stay after school receive a free after school expanded snack as well. Breakfasts and lunches are free this year for all students. The Abbey Food Service Group currently provides delicious, nutritious, and high quality meals to students and staff.

Adult breakfast and lunch prices are listed below. Please still fill out the Free and Reduced lunch application as it is used to determine eligibility to participate in a variety of child nutrition programs. Menus are sent home and are available online www.abbeygroup.net at the beginning of each month to help you plan in advance. Menus are subject to change.

Adult Breakfast $3.00

Adult Lunch $5.25

You will find the March menus below.

-3/12, and 3/19 Winter Activity Days (weather permitting)

-3/13 6th Grade CPR 9:00-1:30

-3/20 8th Grade CPR 9:00-1:30

-3/20 and 3/21 Student-Led Conferences (early release day on 3/21)

-3/24-3/28 3rd/8th Grade Student will take the SSIS

-3/31 Report Cards Emailed Home

-3/31-4/4 5th and 8th Grade Science Assessments

-4/4 Early Release Day

-4/7-4/11 3rd-8th Grade Math Assessments

-4/14-4/18 3rd-8th Grade ELA Assessments

-4/21-4/25 VACATION

Communication is our goal! In this age of instant communication, sometimes the best way to reach out is still using a telephone. Please call 695-2550 if you want to reach us during school hours via phone. You can also email Principal, Angelique Brown at angeliquebrown@kingdomeast.org, Assistant Principal, Kandi Greaves at kgreaves@kingdomeast.org, or Administrative Assistant, Karen West at kwest@kingdomeast.org.

Concord School is committed to developing young people with active and creative minds, a sense of understanding and compassion for others, and the courage to act on their beliefs. In partnership with parents and the community, we will provide an environment which supports the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development of students, while fostering an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of good citizenship.

Website: kingdomeast.org
Location: 173 School Street, Concord, VT, USA
Phone: 802-695-2550
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=concord%20school