Branchville Bulletin

Dear Branchville Community,

December has officially announced its arrival this week, and the snow on the ground has set the perfect stage for our winter celebrations.

Congratulations to our Fifth Grade Special Chorus! They performed at the Ridgefield Holiday Stroll on Friday night, drawing a crowd. I truly appreciated how the Ridgefield community comes together to celebrate this season. Speaking of coming together, last week the PTA hosted a Family History Fair, where the students' presentations were impressive and very well delivered. It was fascinating to hear the family stories that brought them to Ridgefield. Learning about one another undoubtedly strengthens our community!

There are more celebrations and gatherings on the way! Our winter concerts are open to all BES community members. The 5th-grade band, orchestra, and chorus will perform their winter concert on December 12th at 7:00 PM.

This will be the last Branchville Bulletin until the New Year. I wish everyone a happy holiday season filled with quality time with family, friends, and the opportunity to explore the splendor our community has to offer.

In partnership,

Keith L Margolus

Principal

P.S, If you plan to attend Come Play School on Friday December 13th at 9:30, please RSVP here by December 9th. If we do not receive enough RSVPs, we may need to cancel the event. See below for details.

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).

Snowflakes, snowmen, hot chocolate, scarves, winter hats, boots, mittens, and rosy cheeks are all hallmarks of the winter season. On Wednesday, December 18th, we encourage everyone to wear a wintered-themed school outfit!

Please be sure that the outfit does not interfere with a student's ability to learn, can be worn all day, and is school-appropriate, of course.

The approach and programs we use to teach our youngest students have shifted. Please join us on December 13 at 9:30 a.m. to learn how you can support your child's learning to read.

First-grade teacher Libby Wein and Literacy Coach Donna Walsh will provide you with a hands-on learning experience similar to how your child learns to read every day.

This morning, we will focus on the types of books students are reading and why. You will have the opportunity to explore the books, and you will be guided through lessons that align with the different types of books.

Find out and experience firsthand how we are teaching phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. What is your child reading in grades K-2, and why?

If you plan to attend, please RSVP here by December 9th.

Please remember report Cards are not printed and sent home, and grades are only available electronically on the Parent Portal.

Grades will be available after 10:00 on December 16th.

Trimester Grades:

To access your child’s grades on the Parent Portal, please follow the steps listed below:

• Go to the Ridgefield Public Schools website – www.ridgefield.org

• Click on the Parents and Students tab

• Click on PowerSchool Portal Login to access the Parent Portal and enter your login credentials.

The portal offers two ways to view your child's report. You may open the file on the left side of the screen labeled "Report Cards." You may also access the grades by clicking on the "Standards Grades" tab on the screen when you first log on (this initial view is also the "Grades and Attendance" view). If you choose to access the grades this way, please note that the academic key is not on this screen. It is only available through the "Report Card" file view.

PLEASE NOTE: The academic key differs for grades kindergarten - 3rd grade and 4-5.

Academic Key:

Kindergarten - Grade 3

3 - Meets Grade Level Expectations

2- Progressing To Grade Level Expectations

1 - Needs More Time and Help

Grades 4 and 5

3- Exceeds Grade Level Expectations

2- Meets Grade Level Expectations

1- Needs More Time and Help

The Aimsweb and NWEA Score Reports

We conduct universal screener assessments for all grades K-5 three times a year. These assessments take place in the fall, winter, and spring. The fall assessment results are available for you to view in PowerSchool in December. The winter results are typically available in late March The spring assessments are staggered.

Below, you will find instructions for accessing your child’s score report and for more information about universal screeners see: Elementary Universal Screeners: aimswebPlus & NWEA

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.

December

12/12 Early Release Day - 11:40 (Professional Learning)

12/23 - 1/1 Schools Closed (December Recess)

January

1/9 Early Release Day - 11:40 (Professional Learning)

1/20 Schools Closed (Martin Luther King Jr. 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