We showed our school spirit with “fancy day” today and a 3rd grade student approached me this morning and said, “I’m wearing this dress because I couldn’t find my wedding dress.” We are great problem solvers.

THANK YOU to our community for supporting our schools and passing the budget last week by a healthy margin. We are grateful that we are able to move forward in finishing this school year strong and starting to plan for 25-26!

As we shared in the Budget update meeting and materials, there are some direct impacts of this at BPS for next year. BPS will be reducing the number of classrooms so there are 3 classes at each grade level, K-4. In the coming weeks, we will be sharing more details about the specific class implications, particularly at grade 3. We will also be sharing details about which teachers will be teaching at which grade levels.

We greatly appreciate your partnership and support and look forward to a great spring term!

With appreciation,

Sarah & Chris

• Monday, March 17: 3rd & 4th Grade XC ski day at Trapps

• Tuesday, March 18: District Choral Concert with 4th Grade

• Thursday, March 20: 1st Grade XC day at Trapps

• Friday, March 21: No School (parent-teacher conferences)

• Sign up: Monday, March 10 - Friday, March 14
• When: Monday, March 17 - Friday, March 21
• Login: https://www.canyoncreeksoftware.com/scheduler/vt/wwsu/
• Password: The password for parents to access the Online scheduler is “BPS" (Not case sensitive).
• As a reminder, there is NO SCHOOL March 21st
• If you miss the window to sign up for conferences, please reach out to your child's teacher directly

Upcoming field trips this month for nordic skiing:

• Monday, March 17: 3rd & 4th grad (final date)
• Thursday, March 20:1st grade (final date) - this is a makeup date for the canceled trip on 2/6

Additional Reminders:

• On the days your child is skiing, please send them to school with snacks, appropriate layers to be outside, dry socks, and snowpants. Nordic ski gear will be provided for all students.

• If your child has their own nordic gear, they can bring it to school the day of and keep it in the airlock at the front or back entrance. Please make sure gear is labeled.
• If you have signed up to volunteer, you should have already received information.

PLEASE NOTE THE UPDATED TIME, BELOW:

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. Measles is almost entirely preventable with vaccines. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective. There are currently two measles outbreaks in the United States. Measles is also common in some countries, so make sure you’re protected against measles, especially before traveling. If you are unsure about your child’s vaccination status, you can contact your primary care provider or your school nurse.

You can read more facts about measles here.

Dear 4th Grade Parents/Guardians,

This year your child will participate in HUUSD District Choral Night on March 18, 2025 (snow date March 19th). During the school day there will be a rehearsal at Harwood Union High School. Students will be back in time for lunch, but please bring snacks that they can have during break.

The concert will be held at Harwood Union High School, March 18th, at 7pm. All 4th grade students must arrive at 6:40pm. Concert attire is white top/black bottom or all black. We look forward to sharing our beautiful music with you!

HUUSD is committed to fostering students’ social-emotional growth alongside their academic success. This year, our schools are focusing on helping students develop personal responsibility—the ability to make thoughtful choices, take ownership of their actions, and follow through on commitments.

Personal responsibility is an essential life skill that empowers students to be accountable for their learning, behavior, and relationships.

Families play a key role in reinforcing these skills at home. We encourage conversations about responsibility, modeling it in everyday tasks, and celebrating progress, big or small. With Family Conferences coming up, here are some questions you might consider asking your child and your child’s teacher.

Dear HUUSD Community,

The Harwood Unified Union School Board is seeking to fill two (2) vacant seats from Waterbury and one (1) vacant seat from Duxbury. The Board seeks volunteers who reside in Waterbury and Duxbury to fill these seats until Town Meeting Day in March 2026. If the appointees would like to serve beyond that date, they would then run for election on Town Meeting Day 2026. Please note that you must be a resident of the respective town with an open seat in order to apply.

Board Meeting Details

• When: Wednesdays 6PM - 9PM
• Frequency: 2-3 times/month
• Where: Harwood Union High School library

There are often a couple hours of reading preparation before each meeting. No previous board experience is necessary, but an open mind and interest in learning about the way school boards work are important!

Being on the school board can be a challenging volunteer experience; at the same time it offers a chance to make a meaningful difference for residents and families in our six towns. School boards are an important part of Vermont's local governance tradition as well as an important way that we keep Vermont's current governing structures vital and effective. School board members learn a lot about our community, education funding and policy, and the democratic process.

All Waterbury and Duxbury residents who are interested in appointment to these seats should send a letter of interest to HUUSD Board Chair Ashley Woods (awoods@huusd.org) and to Superintendent Mike Leichliter (mleichliter@huusd.org) by the end of the business day on March 28th. The school district will forward all materials to the appropriate town office.

Waterbury Residents Only: To apply for the position, the Town of Waterbury also requests that you complete this application: https://tinyurl.com/BoardAppForm

Both the Waterbury and Duxbury Select Boards have meetings scheduled on April 7, 2025 and will interview respective candidates on that date.

Both towns will then forward recommendations to the School Board, which has the legal authority to make the appointment. The School Board plans to officially act on the recommendations and make appointments at its meeting on April 16, 2025.

You can find more information about the district and the Board at https://huusd.org, and you will find answers to frequently asked questions ("Join the School Board FAQ") here: https://huusd.org/joining-our-school-board.

Best,

The HUUSD

Please note that the opportunities/events listed below are not specifically endorsed or screened by school staff. As always, families should use their own standards and review processes to determine appropriate activities.

Join the Waterbury Planning Commission for a planWTB community workshop to share your ideas on the opportunities and challenges of living, working, and learning in Waterbury.

• Thurs, March 20 | 6-8PM | Virtual (Online) Meeting
• Sat, March 29 | 1-3PM | Brookside Primary School
• Wed, April 2 | 6-8PM | Grange Hall Cultural Center

What is planWTB?

planWTB is a community planning process designed to help Waterbury residents and stakeholders shape the future they want for the community.

Throughout 2025, the Waterbury Planning Commission will host a series of activities and events designed to gather broad public input about Waterbury, build a vision for our future, facilitate conversations and critical choices, and lead to a new community-driven Town Plan.

The Waterbury Town Plan serves as the framework for the future of Waterbury, especially with regard to the decisions that will guide growth and investments, as well as ensures the Town has a seat at the table during state regulatory proceedings.

Learn more about the process and timeline to update the Town Plan, opportunities to get involved, and more: https://sites.google.com/vnrc.org/planwtb/home

Registration is preferred but not required: https://sites.google.com/vnrc.org/planwtb/vision-plan/community-visioning-sessions?authuser=0

Questions? Contact: nleitner@waterburyvt.com

Maple Celebration at Inklings Children's Books

It's that time of year! Come and celebrate all things Maple at Inklings Children's Books. Starting at 10:30am with a reading of "What the Maple Tree Gives", followed by maple themed crafts, Inklings will honor one of Vermont's sweetest treats.

Children will have the chance to make samara (maple seed) dragonflies, decorate wooden maple leaves, and learn about the sugaring process!

FREE and Open to All

UVM String Quartet Visits Inklings Chidren's Books

Inklings is proud to host the UVM String Quartet on Saturday, April 5th at 10am!

Join us for a celebration of the power of music; beginning with a reading of PLAYING AT THE BORDER, followed by a performance from the UVM String Quartet!

FREE and Open to All

Spring is almost here and we are gearing up for a great baseball and softball season! All remaining Clyde Whittemore Little League registrations will close on April 1st so get your registrations in soon at www.clydewhittemorelittleleague.com! Space is still available in the following programs (registration is closed for any programs not listed):

T-ball (ages 4-5)

Farm League Baseball (ages 6-8)

Coach Pitch Softball (ages 6-8, girls only)

Minor League Baseball (ages 8-10)

Major League Baseball (ages 10-12)

Scholarships are available for those with financial need to ensure all kids are able to play regardless of ability to pay.

Please reach out to CWLL at cwllinfo@gmail.com with any questions or concerns regarding any of the programs listed.

Calling all young athletes, grades K–8! Registration for the 2025 Highlander Lacrosse spring season is now open.

Chillax Sundays for K–2: A fun, beginner-friendly program every Sunday starting in May, with sessions in both the Valley and Waterbury. Sticks available!

Boys and Girls Teams including:

• 3/4 Girls, 3/4 Boys teams
• 5/6 Girls, 5/6 Boys teams
• 7/8 Girls, 7/8 Boys teams

Season Dates: Practices start in March/April and Jamboree-style games start the first weekend in May. Boys play jamborees on Saturdays, Girls jamborees are on Sundays. Practice times and locations vary by team.

Gear Provided: Equipment is available for K–4 players, and we offer gear borrowing for grades K–8 (while supplies last).

Learn more and register at: www.highlanderlacrosse.com

This free training is brought to you by Prevent Child Abuse Vermont and Hannah's House...

Today’s youth live in a world that is fully intertwined with technology. Tweens and teens make decisions daily, often independently, regarding online relationships. This training provides adults with a deeper understanding of the multiple kinds of digital risks all youth encounter in the digital environment: online grooming, in-person grooming facilitated by digital communications, sexting, and online pornography. We also look at the legal consequences for minors engaging in consensual or non-consensual sexting. Participants will a) strategize ways to keep all youth safe in digital environments. b) learn effective strategies for dealing with youth exhibiting concerning digital behaviors. C) identify supports when youth encounter unwanted behaviors online and resources that can be accessed to remove unwanted images from the internet. This program is designed for teachers, coaches, afterschool professionals, parents and caregivers of adolescents and teens. Light refreshments will be served.

Reserve your spot by emailing Kirstie Grant at kgrant@pcavt.org.

This training counts for afterschool and advanced specialized care in BFIS.

Vermont professionals in particular professions can earn 2 CE credits by attending.

• Monday 3/10: 3rd & 4th Grade XC ski day at Trapps

• Wednesday 3/12: 2nd Grade XC ski day at Trapps

• Friday 3/14: Fancy dress day

• Monday, March 17: 3rd & 4th Grade XC ski day at Trapps

• Thursday, March 20: 1st Grade XC day at Trapps

• Friday, March 21: No School (parent-teacher conferences)

Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences

• Spring conferences are March 17th-March 21st
• Parents/Guardians can sign up March 10th-March 14th
• As a reminder, there is NO SCHOOL March 21st

Website: https://tbps.wwsu.org/

Instagram: BrooksidePrimarySchool

Facebook: HUUSD

Phone: 802-244-7195

Location: 47 Stowe Street, Waterbury, VT