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EMS Newsletter
December 17, 2021
Dear EMS Families,
As we near a break, I wanted to share some of our recent efforts to sustain a positive school culture that elevates youth voice, celebrates students' strengths, and encourages everyone to bring their best to our learning community!
First, YPAR students began visiting Community Time last week to introduce all students to the vision and important work of our Youth-Led Participatory Action Research group. They have done a tremendous job of building and delivering a presentation, and we hope that more students will be inspired to join.
Second, we rolled out several incentive programs last week, with the goal of rewarding and celebrating students who are modeling school expectations and contributing positively to our community, including...
AP All-Stars: In its first week alone, 17 teachers participated in nominating students for this award. Honorees were announced today, and were given both a certificate that names the reason for their nomination, and an EMS spirit bracelet. It was wonderful to hear cheers and applause erupt in classrooms around the building as winners were announced this morning! Please see below for a picture of the first two weeks' nominees.
Superstar Slices: Last week and this week, the cafeteria supervision staff closely observed each lunch to find 2-3 tables in each who were exemplifying the cafeteria expectations. Students were delighted when we approached tables each Friday to tell them that they had won a slice of pizza, and when they walked back into the lunchroom to eat their prize, we overheard many other students commit to winning in the future. Beyond this week, we are considering randomizing these kinds of rewards so that students always know there is the potential to be celebrated for doing right in the lunchroom!
Over the last week, we also celebrated Spirit Week and launched a Clean School Challenge! We have seen many exceptional costumes this week, and watched many students really step up to take better care of our shared learning space. I have appreciated the positive energy in the building. Again, I feel so lucky to be part of this school community.
Please remember that school is in session through Wednesday, December 22. Beyond that, I wish you all a relaxing, joyful, and safe school vacation!
In partnership,
Sabrina Westdijk
EMS Principal
AP All-Stars from December 6-17
Chromebooks Over December Break
School chromebooks will be available to EMS students over the December school break. All chromebooks will continue to filter content and monitor activity through GoGuardian. The normal "night-time" restrictions will still apply over break, affecting devices from 10 PM to 5 AM. Please reach out to Margaret Talbot (mtalbot@bsdvt.org) with any questions.
Title 1 Update
Districtwide, Title I funds support:
- Multilingual Liaisons and Multilingual Liaison Coordinator
- Summer programs
- Homeless students
- Personalized Learning Specialist - embedded PD, grades 6-12
- Technical and leadership team support for developing CIPs
- Online tools for reading assessment, digital student portfolios, math, informational articles
- BSD Coordinator of the Office of Engagement
- Parent Engagement materials (at each school)
At EMS, Title 1 funds support:
- Pierre Charles' Interventionist position
- A portion of Jennifer Trapani's Food Science Coordinator position, which spreads across several schools.
Please join our next Engage EMS meeting to learn more about Title 1 in our district on Wednesday, January 12th.
Hi EMS Students,
Stop into the EMS Library after school on MONDAY 12/20 for FREE hot chocolate and friendship bracelet-making, sponsored by BE Above!
News from the Art Room: Intuitive Painting
Inspired by the work of artist Flora Bowley, as well as local artist and CP Smith Art teacher, Emily Mitchell, student artists have been painting their own intuitive paintings. These are layered paintings that feature many visual elements, including color and texture. Take a look at some of the beautiful results below.
8th Grade Mural Painting!
If you have an 8th grader who enjoys painting, send them to the after school mural painting program. It runs on Thursdays, from 3-4:30 in the art room. The more the merrier!!
EMS Art Studio Wish List!
It's the time of year for giving, and if anyone wants to give to the EMS Art Studio, here is a wish list of classroom art supplies. If you are opposed to Amazon shopping, feel free to find them elsewhere! Some of these items are basic supplies and some of these items are special items that add a bit of ZING to our artwork.
Thank you so much for considering and as always, I am deeply appreciative of the support you give to the art program here at EMS!!!
Judy Klima (she/her)
Art Teacher
From the Library Makerspace
The EMS makerspace has been growing in popularity and could use some additional supplies. We are looking for a strange assortment of items. Raid your junk drawers, random hardware tins, recycling bins, and craft supplies! Please contribute any quantity of any of these items, scraps included. All items should be clean and dry with no personally identifiable information please. Send items in with your child or drop off in the office. Thank you for providing opportunities for student creativity and deeper learning. Please contact Librarian and Makerspace Specialist Jordan Funke with questions. jfunke@bsdvt.org.
Wish list is here
*Space is limited.
*Students who sign up are expected to be able to attend all 8 practices, as well as compete in the regional Jr. Iron Chef competition on Saturday, March 12th at the Champlain Valley Exposition.
Click Here to sign up! (you must be logged in with your student BSD account to access the sign-up form)
More information:
Free Cross Country Skiing Program!
Hello,
I am the Outreach and Youth Program Coordinator for the Catamount Trail Association. This year we are offering a free cross-country skiing program for youth who might not otherwise have access to skiing or are new to Vermont winters. This program takes place on Saturdays in January (starting 1/8) and February at the Bolton Valley Nordic Center and we provide all transportation, equipment, and instruction. Pick-up locations are at Sustainability Academy in Burlington and the O’Brien Community Center in Winooski. This is a great program for students (~ grades 3-12) who are interested in learning how to ski and who are excited about exploring the outdoors in the winter, especially New American students.
If you know of any students who might be interested, please share the attached flyer and enrollment waiver with them! We will need enrollment waivers back during the first week of January and a waiver is all that is required to be officially signed up.
We also have an online enrollment waiver if that is easier to access. It has gone out in school newsletters in the past. Here is the link to the google enrollment waiver: https://forms.gle/w7UGmHjAYUkvwgF36
We still have room in the program, so we are hoping to have more sign-ups! Anyone 3rd-12th grade is welcome, so feel free to share with any other classrooms/students/parents who might be interested.
Please let me know if you have any questions about the program or if you know of anyone else I could contact about reaching interested students.
Thank you,
Asha DiMatteo-LePape