
Branchville Bulletin
Educating Everyone Takes Everyone

February 2, 2025
Dear Brachville Community,
This past Saturday, Ridgefield Public Schools presented our BOE Budget Workshop for FY26. You can watch the presentation here and find some highlights from the elementary proposed budget below:
- Next phase of the implementation of a world language program - addition of one full-time world language teacher
- One full-time staff member to support AIG (academically and/or intellectually gifted) coordination programming and professional learning
- Funding for math tutors in all elementary schools
- Addition of one full-time special education teacher at Farmingville, Ridgebury and Barlow Mountain Elementary Schools and .5 special education teacher to support students
The FY26 budget proposal brings us to the next level by…
- guaranteeing that learning materials and services are available and meet the needs of ALL students
- offering students in K-2 their first school experiences with a world language
- equipping all elementary schools with funding for math tutoring
Please find our RPS Budget Info Site linked HERE. We will continue to update this site with all budget information as we progress through the process.
In partnership,
Keith L Margolus
Principal
Cold Weather Clothing Required
Please remember that children typically go outdoors every day for recess unless the weather/temperature is unusually severe, with a "real feel" nearing the single digits.
When temperatures drop below 40 degrees, students should wear a warm top layer (coat, heavy sweater, thick hoodie with underlayers), hats, and gloves. Pants or shorts with underlayers should also be worn. Dressing in layers is the best option. When snow is on the ground, snow pants and boots are required for students to play in the snow (basically anywhere other than the pavement).
School Budget
Last Saturday, all cost centers, including the elementary schools, presented the budget proposals for the next school year.
If you don't follow Board of Education conversations, this is the time to listen in. The forthcoming discussions have a direct impact on Branchville. Below, you will find an excerpt from Dr. Da Silva's newsletter.
I encourage you to watch the budget presentation here. On Saturday, January 25, each of our school principals and cost center leaders will present their FY26 budgets at a virtual BOE special meeting. We invite you to learn more about the FY26 proposed budget either by viewing it live or at a later time.
Click on the image below to visit the budget Information website.
Budget Timeline
Coursey of the PTA, please see the budget timeline below.
Curriculumn Corner
Branchville Parent Workshops
THE BES PTA DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING COMMITTEE PRESENTS HOW DO I EXPLAIN THAT? TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT QUESTIONS SURROUNDING RACE, GENDER IDENTITY, CULTURE AND ABILITY
Branchville and District Workshops and Opportunities
Intersted to know more about RPS curriculum? Did you miss a District presentation?
Ridgefield Public Schools Digital Backpack
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!
K-5 Student Handbook
Visiting BES
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.
Important Upcoming Dates
February
2/3 - All District Orchestra Festival
2/4 - All District Band Festival
2/14 - No School (Professional Learning)
2/17 - 2/21 No School (February Recess)
For a comprehensive list of upcoming events, please see the calendars below.
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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.
Branchville Elementary School
Keith L Margolus
Principal
Website: https://bes.ridgefield.org/Home
Location: 40 Florida Road, Ridgefield, CT, USA
Phone: 203.894.5850