IAA Newsletter

PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) helps adults and children at the Integrated Arts Academy to behave in safe and respectful ways so that students are ready to learn. Many years ago we set up 4 common rules that guide our involvement in this learning community. The four rules that we have chosen as a framework to create this respectful learning community are:

RESPECT YOURSELF

RESPECT OTHERS

RESPECT ALL LEARNING

RESPECT PROPERTY

Each Monday morning we focus on one of these ROAR rules and how we want to align them with the different areas in our school. The lessons are presented through the stories and books we read and by sharing the students of the week, that exemplify these expectations in action. Staff reinforces the routines and language with respect to appropriate school behavior so that they are consistent throughout the school. Parents can also partner with school by giving their child responsibilities in the home and recognizing positive behaviors with positive language.

Finally ask your children about the Academy ROARwards. Over the next couple Monday morning meetings we will highlight class made PBIS or ROAR videos. These videos are a creative way to give gentle reminders and reflection on how we are living up to our community norms.

Upcoming screenings:

Friday, April 26th at Main Street Landing, Lake Street in Burlington – hosted by the Burlington

Community Justice Center

Tuesday, May 7th at Essex Cinemas in Essex Junction – hosted by the Essex Community Justice Center

All shows begin at 6:30 p.m.

Downstream is a one hour documentary film featuring the compelling stories of those left behind when a parent goes to prison. Vermont children and caregivers share their experiences, revealing the complex and emotional terrain they navigate in the wake of a parent’s incarceration.

The film also includes the voices of a number of Vermont leaders and advocates whose perspectives help give larger context to the children’s and family’s stories. Those appearing in the film include: elected and state officials, educators, a law school professor, and a pediatrician. A discussion will follow the film.

“’DOWNSTREAM’ paints a vivid picture of the generational impact of incarceration on Vermont’s children and families. Kudos to the Lamoille Restorative Center for illustrating the challenges that confront young people when a parent is in prison. And thanks to the subjects who have agreed to share their most personal stories so that others may better understand the plight that they and others face.” U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy.

The screenings are free and open to the public. RESERVATIONS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED – The Montpelier show was “sold out”.

To learn more about the film and to see the film trailer go to: www.Downstreamfilm.com.

Reserve your seat by going to the Lamoille Restorative Center’s web site at: www.lrcvt.org.

Downstream is produced by Brad Salon, of Bear Notch Productions, in association with Resilience Beyond Incarceration a program of the Lamoille Restorative Center. For more information contact Tricia Long at tlong@lrcvt.org or 802.888.0538.

Congratulations to Brynna, whose original piano piece, New Moon, was played at the Opus 34 concert at the Vermont College of Fine Arts on March 26. Brynna spoke to audience before her piece was played and let them know what the piece meant to her!

The 5th graders are in the middle of an Integrated Arts unit that combines music, dance, drama and visual art. They are interpreting two Native American folk tales, one from the Snohomish (Seattle area) called Pushing Up the Sky, and one from the Iroquois (Northeast) called How the Birds Got Their Feathers. We are having fun deciding what music goes where and how to play it for the actors!

The 4th graders are learning about composers and making composer collages that include the composer’s picture, history and a music example.

3rd graders are not only starting violins in their classroom, but are also starting to learn the recorder in the music classroom! Wow!

bmyregaa@bsdvt.org

Iaamusic.weebly.com

@IAAmusicvt

This month the fitness testing window opens which means I will be assessing all 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in the Back Saver Sit and Reach (flexibility), PACER (cardiovascular endurance), and Curl Up and Push Up (muscular strength and endurance) tests. Students will have an opportunity to retake the test any time before the end of May. Fourth grade assessments will be sent to the state as this is now an identified area of assessment by the State of Vermont to be reported to the Federal Government.

ALERT! ALERT! This just in! The IAA Fun Run will now be held on Thursday, May 9th at 9:30. The entire IAA community can participate by running/walking and cheering for each other in this annual event. We had to move the event to accommodate a change in the All School Flynn Show that is now at noon on April 19th. So please mark your calendars and consider volunteering at this fun event.

Danielle Vierling

dvierlin@bsdvt.org