Branchville Bulletin

Dear Branchville Community,

We came, we ran, and we boogied! Thank you to the PTA and all of the organizers and volunteers who brought together the event of the fall! The students were truly amazing and showed their Branchville spirit. Check out Instagram for some great moments!

While this past week ended with us in shorts taking laps on the lower field, we all got a preview of the weather to come earlier this week. 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. Hats and gloves should be worn when we get to those lower temperatures. When the temperature is below 40 degrees, pants or shorts with underlayers should be worn. Dressing in layers is the best option. While it likely will be some time before we are into snow season, 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).

Finally, thank you to the parents who showed up for the vote for the Alternative High School. Not unlike the Beaver Boogie, it is amazing to see what is possible when a community is commited and together behind making a positve change.

In partnership,

Keith L Margolus

Principal

In November, we will hold formal parent-teacher conferences.

Our parent-teacher conferences will occur on November 22, November 25, and November 26. The elementary schools have early dismissal on these dates to hold conferences. We also have an evening option for conferences on November 25. Fall conferences are scheduled for twenty-minute sessions. Teachers will reach out in the week to come to plan your conference.

Each November, we honor the veterans who have touched our lives with an assembly.

Branchville will hold a Veterans Day ceremony in the cafeteria on November 8th at 9:00 a.m. Students in kindergarten and first grade will sing to our veterans, and students in grades 2-5 will participate in a ceremony that will last approximately one hour.

If you have a family member (or even a family friend) who is a veteran, we would love to meet them!

Veterans will have an opportunity to come to the school, meet other veterans, and take part in our assembly. Before the assembly, veterans can enjoy some refreshments in the library. Space is limited, so we ask that no more than two family members and the veteran attend. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate other spectators.

Complete this form by October 28th if your family has a veteran who will attend.

The BES student associated with each veteran will read the information in the form during the assembly. If more than one veteran is attending, please complete this form more than once. If you have questions, please get in touch with veteransday@branchvillepta.org

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.

October

10/11 Ealry Dismissal 11:40 (Professional Development)

10/14 No School - Columbus Day

10/18 Beaver Boogie

10/25 Beaver Boogie (Rain Date)

November

11/1 Beaver Boogie (Rain Date)

11/8 Veterans Day Celebration (for veterans and families of veterans)

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