EMS Newsletter

Hello EMS Families and Caregivers,

It was wonderful to see so many of you last week at our EMS Band Concert! What an amazing demonstration of what our kids are capable of, and of what community can mean when we all come together. I want to thank our indispensable Band Leader Graham Lambert and Assistant Matthew Pellegino, our entire Music Department, our EngageEMS PTO, our student musicians, and all of you for an incredible night of music on a cold January evening.

In other news, your students may have mentioned that there have been a number of folks walking through their classes this week at EMS. Myself, Assistant Principal Antony Dennis, members of Edmunds’ Instructional Leadership Team, folks from the BSD Central Office and Office of Teaching and Learning, and even some folks from outside our district have been present in our building and in our classrooms, doing walkthrough observations this week. This is all part of a multitiered effort to continually develop our instructional practice here at EMS and improve learning outcomes for all students. I am incredibly proud of the group of professional educators who work with your children every day. We are exceptionally lucky to benefit from a significant level of tenure and experience amongst our teaching staff. And each and every one of us remains a lifelong learner, modeling for our students the practice of continual reflection, learning, and improvement.

How do we introduce concepts in ways that are accessible and yet challenging to every student in the room, even when students come in with a range of skills?

How do we ensure that students have the support they need to succeed, but are still made to do the heavy lifting that drives learning and cognitive development?

How do we teach kids not to just do math, but to think like mathematicians?

How do we help equate literacy with liberation?

These are the types of questions that drive the evolution of our instructional practice. These are the answers we seek with your children in our classrooms every day. The joy lies in the challenge. Thank you for all of your support, your trust, and your community as we continue this endeavor together.

• John

Approximately 100 EMS 8th graders were randomly selected to participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). NAEP representatives will be administering the assessment on February 6th, 2024, Families of students who were randomly chosen to take part will be notified in a detailed email that contains specifics about the assessment. Results will be released as The Nation’s Report Card and are not directly connected to individual students, teachers, our our school. Anyone interested in learning more about NAEP may click on this link for additional information.

Upcoming Equity Workshops This year’s disability workshops will be a hybrid offering of either in person or online & will center around the theme of disability advocacy. Featuring a series of special guest speakers, student panelists, and community partners, the Office of Equity is partnering with Student Support Services to co-facilitate these workshops. All workshops will be held in person at the Integrated Arts Academy Library or online with google meet.

Ableism in Schools: Thursday, February 8, 6-7:00 pm meet.google.com/psx-xabk-tbr or in person at the Integrated Arts Academy Library - What is ableism and how does it show up in schools and in our community? We will review how discrimination against people with disabilities shows up with a lack of accommodations, deficit mindsets, harassment and more and discuss how combating ableism benefits all.

Neurodivergence; Celebrating Unique Minds: Wednesday, March 20, 6-7 pm meet.google.com/psx-xabk-tbr or in person at the Integrated Arts Academy Library - Instead of focusing on problems and deficits, this workshop will focus on neurodivergence as a strength. We will review terms and definitions and share tools for educators and families to support students on the autism spectrum.

Safe Routes To School: Our district is participating in Safe Routes to School, and data collection is at the heart of making sure this program is successful for us! In order for our district to qualify as a Safe Routes to School Partner, each BSD school completes the Family Survey every year.

Family Surveys help us identify barriers to walking and rolling to school. We use this data to understand what is working and what isn't and provide that feedback to advocates and planners.

Thanks for completing this Family Survey.

In the second half of the school year, EMS French classes will be learning about the lives of middle school students at École l’Odysée, a school in a suburb of Québec city. Our French classes will likewise tell our Canadian peers about life in Burlington. Later, we’ll be sending packages of letters to each other. Families of French students, be on the lookout for a permission slip related to this initiative.

The BHS Counseling department warmly invites Hunt and Edmunds Middle School parents and caregivers of current 8th grade students to downtown Burlington High this Wednesday January 31st from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm for the 2024 Rising 9th Grade Parent Information Night! Counselors will provide an overview of the class selection process to help parents/caregivers support their students through the thoughtful navigation of the Program of Studies and getting ready for high school. Students will be invited to return to dtBHS in the spring for an open house opportunity to connect with the campus and teachers; however, this brief adult-focused session will help outline the semester ahead. Guests should enter the campus through the main entrance on Cherry St. and meet in the downstairs Music Room (rm.143) for a 6:30 pm start. We look forward to seeing you next Wednesday! Your students will meet with the high school counselors

Looking for Students interested in joining the Afterschool Music Production and Recording Club. The Club Starts Wednesday 1/31 from 2:30 to 4:30. Email Mr Nick if you are interested. nchmura@bsdvt.org

The annual Indoor "Field Hockey" Clinics back for another year at Edmunds Middle School thanks to Coach Tammy Sauve! FREE clinics for grades 4-8. These clinics are for current players looking to improve their skills and for those looking to try a new sport. Equipment is provided and signups are not necessary.