The Bobcat Bulletin

Founders Memorial School News: April 25, 2023

From the Principal

Dear Families and Caregivers,

March and April have been a whirlwind of activity at FMS! With class projects, new learning, field trips, state testing, assemblies and more, time is just flying.

I am so proud of our FMS students for the deep learning they do every single day. Our students are showing amazing growth in reading, writing, math, science and social studies.

They are enriching their lives through their learning and performances in unified arts classes.

In addition, our school has received great compliments from visitors to our school AND from places our students have visited on field trips. Feedback has been that our students are thoughtful, respectful and an excellent audience. Thank you for all you do to nurture our students outside of school. You are the most important and influential people in our students’ lives!

I hope that you all take some time over the break to relax and recharge. Please read below for some important updates and information.

I am always glad to talk with you about questions or concerns you may have - my door is open!

Sincerely,

Sara Jablonski

Principal

sjablonski@ewsd.org

802-857-6303

Placement for Next Year

On April 6, families received a letter that discussed student placement for next year at both EES and FMS. Within that letter was a parent feedback form. For more information, please see the parent letter linked below. Parent feedback is due by May 1st.

EES and FMS Placement Letter

Parent Placement Feedback Form

State Testing

Before break, our 4th and 5th graders began taking the new State Assessment called VTCAP (Vermont Common Assessment Program). While we experienced a few technical glitches as the state launched this new testing platform, our students showed great flexibility and perseverance! Now the testing program is operating very smoothly. Testing will continue after the break. Please see below for the remaining testing dates.

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Nutrition Assembly

On Monday, April 10, Callie Flynn, Registered Dietician at Hannaford Supermarkets led a schoolwide assembly about healthy snacking. She emphasized the importance of “eating a rainbow” every day! Ask your student about the benefits of eating all the different food colors each day. At the end of the assembly, Hannaford provided a healthy snack for all students, that consisted of Cabot cheese squares and fresh bananas.

Mrs. Kitchen’s Class - Music Video Excitement!

This winter, Sarah Kitchen’s 3rd grade students participated in a storyboard contest sponsored by the Clemmons Family Farm in Charlotte, Vermont. 3rd graders engaged in learning experiences during Black History Month through a unit from the Windows to a Multicultural World curriculum. Through the unit, students learned about Bessie Coleman and Bessie Stringfield, who are the subject of a song for children by local musician KeruBo. Mrs. Kitchen’s students won the storyboard contest and now will be featured in the music video, which is being produced this spring! On April 17, Kia’Rae Hanron from Clemmons Family Farm and KeruBo visited FMS, dressed as Bessie Stringfield and Bessie Coleman. They answered questions prepared by the third grade students in a class interview. We can’t wait to share the finished video with our school community!

Kevin Kurtz Author Visit

Nonfiction author Kevin Kurtz visited FMS on April 13 and 14, 2023. He met with classes and talked about his experience as a writer and creator of books. Students asked wonderful questions. Kevin’s books have a science and nature focus. Kevin reported that our FMS students had extensive knowledge about these topics - he was very impressed with all of our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders!

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Schoolwide Field Trip

On Thursday, May 18th, we have an exciting opportunity to take a schoolwide field trip. Our school community will be attending a student-directed production of James and the Giant Peach Jr. at Essex High School. Be looking for a permission slip that will come home with your student after the break.

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Student Council Updates

Our third cohort of student council representatives is now “in office.” These grade-level groups meet weekly with Mrs. Jablonski and Ms. Lambert to discuss ways to improve our school. Some of student council’s accomplishments have been:

Student-organized grade level talent shows
Schoolwide Clean-Up Day (during the first few weeks of May)
Positive Behavior Modeling (buses, hallways and more)
Playground Improvement: Recommendations and brainstorming to improve recess

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Read-a-thon

Be looking for more information soon about a K-5 Read-a-thon! Thank you to the PTO for helping organizing this exciting event that will encourage some competition around reading in our school. Students will be asked to log reading minutes over a 2-week period. We will kick the read-a-thon off with a schoolwide assembly in early May.

Important Dates: Mark Your Calendars!

Monday, 4/24 - Friday, 4/28: Spring Break, No School for Students

Friday, 5/26: Comfy Cozy Day, Schoolwide Read-In

Monday, 5/29: Memorial Day, No School for Students

Tuesday, 6/20: Last Day of School for the 22-23 School Year - Half-Day for Students

Wednesday, 6/21: Summer Break Begins

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Founders Memorial School

Here are some of the ways you can stay in touch!

Email: sjablonski@ewsd.org
Website www.ewsd.org/fms
Location: 33 Founders Road, Essex Junction, VT, USA
Phone: 802-879-6326
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Founders-Memorial-School-1509308329359547
Twitter: @srjablonski

FMS Mission

FMS is a caring and inclusive school community, where all voices and perspectives matter. We grow critical thinkers who seek truth and contribute to a diverse global community. Together, we inspire each other to create an equitable, joyful school where all students belong.