EMS Newsletter

We have just completed the 2nd quarter, and we have already begun the third quarter. You will be receiving report cards in the mail very soon.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us. The entire staff wants to engage with your child. If you have questions you would like to ask the teachers, please do so. If you need support from the counseling staff, let us know. We still have half of the year remaining, and there is a lot of time for engagement and growth.

We are grateful that our Covid mitigation strategies have been successful in keeping students and staff safe. Thank you for continuing to keep your child home if they demonstrate any symptoms of illness. I sincerely feel more confident and safe in school than when I go to a grocery store, because this community has taken safety in school very seriously.

I am deeply grateful for having this opportunity to work with your children.

Yours in partnership,

James Kiefer

Happy Black History Month! It's hard to believe it's almost February! Please take a moment to look through some special events for Black History Month hosted by BSD. Drop into a virtual Restorative Circle to talk about race. Participate in the BHS Social Justice Union Black History Film Series or attend the next Equity Webinar on Racialized Trauma. As always do not hesitate to reach out for support or with questions.

BSD Special Events:

BHS Social Justice Union Black History Film Series

SAVE THE DATES:

Racialized Trauma February 3, 6:00 – 7:30 pm Explore the Intersectionality of Racism and Mental Health and participate in a conversation with a multigenerational panel from the BSD community. Cosponsored by the Howard Center. Facilitated by Courtney Casper and Zachary Key. See bios below. Join via Zoom; RSVP and invite your friends and neighbors on Facebook! To learn more about this equity webinar series visit BSD Equity Webinars

“Let’s Talk About Race” Restorative Circles The Office of Equity will be hosting some drop in Restorative Circles. Please come and join us in a circle format discussion!

Thursday, February 11th 3:30-4:30 Let’s talk about Black History meet.google.com/acv-mcrd-rgu

Thursday, February 18th 3:30-4:30 Let’s Talk about White Privilege meet.google.com/jer-epfi-wam

Beyond Black History Month March 12, 5:00 – 6:30 pm Recognizing that Black history doesn’t end when March begins, join us in this annual BSD tradition. Sit back and enjoy a movie night with family that highlights teaching and learning about Black History at BSD followed by breakout room discussions on Anti-Racism. Join via Zoom; RSVP and invite your friends and neighbors on Facebook!

The VBA, along with its Diversity Section and Young Lawyers Division, hosted the fourth annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School Poster-Essay Contest. Each year, a committee comprised of representatives from the VBA, the VBA Diversity Section and the VBA Young Lawyers Division, chooses a quote by the late Dr. King to inspire the students to participate in the contest. This year’s quote: “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends” served as inspiration to over 70 students who submitted a record number of entries!

William Cunningham and Elizabeth Cunningham from Edmunds Middle School won the contest with the first place traveling trophy for their school and plaques. William and Elizabeth (6th and 8th grade) described the poster in detail and explained how the eagle in the cage, while caged literally and figuratively by the words of hate, instead looks through the bars to the free eagle, flying away with the key to unlock the cage. The students described how the free but silent eagle with the key has more power to hurt the caged eagle than the cage itself. Although the judging was completely blind and anonymous, Justice Robinson noted that Elizabeth Cunningham once won this contest and once came in second in prior years, showing her creativity knows no bounds! This poster and essay will be featured in the Winter Vermont Bar Journal being published within the month.

Becca McCray, MSN MA RN NCSN

Edmunds Middle School Nurse

Phone: 864-8486 x3