IAA Newsletter
June 2020
Principals Message
Our 2019-2020 school year is coming to its conclusion. It has truly been a unique school year. We often use the term unique to describe events that are not always all that singular in their characteristics. I believe it’s safe to say this school year, especially this spring, adequately fits the definition of being unique. This school year has presented us with novel situations beyond our precognitions. Our entire school community, state, nation, and planet were thrown into the midst of a global pandemic which initiated the need for us to engage with our students in a remote learning environment. None of us prepared for this in advance but we worked together to persevere through this reality. I believe we have experienced tremendous learning and growth as individuals and as a community as we sought to figure out new realities. While many of our physical connections were severed due to these events, other forms of our connections with each other have been strengthened. Sometimes challenges and adversity give us an opportunity to pause and take stock of what’s truly important in our lives. Separations may create time for us to reflect on the importance we each play in each other’s lives. We may come to a deeper understanding of how interconnected we truly are and the value we each add to the other’s life as a collective, singular human race.
So, while this school year has certainly been unique and definitely has not permitted many of the interactions we wish to have engaged in with our students and you. Personally, I believe it has presented us with some treasures to appreciate along the way. I hope we will be in a situation where we’re ready to come back together as an IAA community for the start of the upcoming school year. I hope our appreciation and connections with each other will be even deeper as we reflect on the spring of 2020 and all of its challenges. I adamantly believe we are stronger together and enthusiastically look forward to our face-to-face interactions. In the meantime, I wish you and your families an enjoyable summer break. I also continue to hope you remain safe and well.
Interconnectedly yours,
Kevin Robinson
Principal
Arts Integration
Although we could not be physically together to conclude this school year, the arts continue to bring us together as demonstrated by the IAA Virtual Variety Show and this collection of performances from beloved IAA Teaching Artists.
Our students continue to engage with the arts. I receive emails every day from students, staff, and families just excited to share pictures of the artwork they are creating at home. By the end of the school year, I will have delivered 15 swag bags to IAA students that are exploring new ways to stay committed to the arts through the Unified Arts Raffle.
I hope that the arts remain a part of your lifes through the summer months. Here is a short list of activities, from near and far, for art-making and art-appreciating alike:
“Life is a lot like jazz. It’s best when you improvise.” So, from June 4-14, we are going virtual and bringing the music directly to you with the Burlington ReDiscover Jazz Festival —11 days of jazz in partnership with Vermont PBS, Vermont Public Radio, and Burlington area restaurants.
TED-Ed Lessons in Music has a collection of ‘lessons’ that includes topics like “The physics of playing guitar,” “Why our brain likes repetition in music,” “Music and math: The genius of Beethoven,” and “How to beatbox” just to name a few that I will be exploring.
Burlington City Arts Home Studio has art activities for all ages, curated and created by BCA's Gallery Education and Art from the Heart teams, to enhance your experience and inspire creativity.
Creative ReUse site from local teaching artists, Renee Greenlee and Alissa Faber, features artmaking activities that explore the recycling stream such as making envelopes, tin foil sculptures, and plastic bag weaving.
For families with a flair for the dramatic, Storyline On-line has dramatic readings by famous actors of your favorite children’s books. Check out Trombone Shorty read by Angela Bassett, Harry the Dirty Dog read by Betty White, or Turkey Trouble read by Marc Maron!
Many contemporary artists and illustrators have tutorials and lessons on-line such as: Lisa Cogden (Drawing for Kids), Mo Willems (Thank You Thursdays, Yo-Yo Mo Doodles, Lunch Doodles), Dave Pilkey (Dogman), and Rob Biddulph (Flat Stanley).
PBS Learning Media-- The Arts has videos, interactive activities, and galleries in all the art forms that are searchable by grade level.
Stay safe this summer!
Emily Titterton
Arts Coach
Summer Camps and Opportunities
Daisy Girl Scout Registration
Girl Scout Registration
Talent Development Institute
Health
I have missed seeing all of your smiling faces! Although this year was a little hectic and unconventional, I wanted to let you all know that I am so PROUD of you! I hope you’re all healthy and don’t forget to wash your hands!! Have a great summer! :)
Nurse Ali
School Counselor
Having positive, nurturing relationships in our lives is an important way to build resilience. Helping others is another thing we can do that actually improves our own self-esteem and benefits the folks whom we are providing support. Being relationally resourced and giving to others are two of the most important things we can do to support our abilities to cope with stress.
I can’t end this submission without mentioning George Floyd. If you want to advocate for racial justice in our community, I encourage you to contact the Peace and Justice Center. They are giving away Black Lives Matter signs. Hang one of these signs in a front window where people can see it. If you are white, read a book by a person of color. If you don’t like to read, watch a movie that was written or produced by a person of color. If you like podcasts, Seeing White is an excellent, in depth account of our country’s racist history. These ideas are also great ways to strengthen your connections with your community and help others.
Please let me know if you would like to get involved in some kind of advocacy group in the fall. I’m envisioning a group where we meet weekly and address social issues. My email is mhoising@bsdvt.org and you can email me if you think you might be interested.
Take care.
Ms. Meredith
Unified Arts
Drama: My fabulous friends, what a year we have had! I think we should write a play :) It has been such a joy creating, playing, and growing with all of you. We shared in some great laughs and created some magic while bringing stories to life through drama. Perhaps your adventures will lead you to create a new skit, story, or some fun new improv ideas. I hope this summer is filled with lots of smiles and adventures. Keep creating, keep smiling, and we will see you soon!
Ms. Piper
Library: This year has been a wild and crazy ride, but through it all you have all been amazing learners and voracious readers!! I can't wait to connect again with all of you in the fall. If you have library books, you can return them to the school if you are stopping in to pick up your students belongings, and drop them in the boxes labeled "IAA Library Book Return"; otherwise, keep them until we begin the next school year in the fall.
Ms. Jen
Email: jpeake@bsdvt.org
Instagram: @IAA_Library
Music: Congratulations IAA students on finishing another year! We had fun making all kinds of music this year in the music room, and I have been impressed at how much music students have been making at home during this new way of schooling! I hope you continue to pursue your musical ideas this summer! See you next school year!
Mr Myregaard
Email: bmyregaa@bsdvt.org
Website: iaamusic.weebly.com
Twitter/Instagram: @IAAMusicVT
PE: Hey wonderful IAA family,
I want to start off by telling you all how proud I am of you. This year has been crazy and it came right out of left field, however we got through it together. I wouldn't change anything because this year has also been one of my favorite years ever! Our students and staff are some of the strongest people I have ever met. We have learned that our community can get through anything together. We are one well oiled machine, as I always say. Wherever this summer takes you, I hope you stay active and healthy and always remember how much I love each one of you. Never forget that the light is inside of you. You are beautiful, strong, and one day you are going to change the world. Keep shining and be the best you that you can be.
Love always,
Miss Molly
Special Ed
Tips for a great summer:
Maintain a routine (especially for bedtime and mealtimes)
Praise & reward positive behavior
Stay connected (virtual playdates and physically distant hellos)
Check in with your mental health and reach out for help if needed
Limit screen time
Have fun!
EL
To all of the students and families we got to know this year we say a big thank you. It wasn’t easy, but we learned to connect with the help of chromebooks, multilingual liaisons, moms, dads and many big sisters and brothers. It was great to learn with you. We are so proud of how hard you worked and the progress you made. Try to keep reading over the summer!
Ms. Andrea, Ms. Aranka and Ms. Kristen
Kindergarten
What a year this has been!? We can’t believe this year is over and the Kindergarteners are going to be first graders! They have learned and grown in so many ways and we are so impressed with their ability to adapt to remote learning. We are so proud of each and every one of you kiddos!
Here are some highlights from this year: - making new friends - learning about writing, reading, math and more - academic choice time and getting to play - studying different artists like Jasper Johns and creating paintings - solo dance circle and epic dance parties - field trips to the Flynn - inviting our families in for our literacy breakfast - singing songs together as a K community during our Kindertime - choreographing our own dance and performing it during FTM - ROAR celebrations and the 100th day of school - and so much more... It has been such a joy getting to know your child and family this year. We can’t wait to see what adventures you all have this summer and look forward to the stories you bring back to IAA next year. Have a safe and happy summer! With lots of love, The kindergarten team
First Grade
Dear 1st Grade Families,
We wish we could have ended the year in person with all of your smiling faces and shared some last memories together with you. Thank you for all your support during this difficult time. Virtual Morning Meetings weren’t the same as in person, but still put a big smile on our face every morning. We wish you all an amazing summer and hope to see you back in the fall!
Love,
Ms. D and Ms. Rose
Second Grade
Second Grade Families,
We are so proud of our second graders and their families! It is enough just to survive in these times, but you have done what you needed to take care of yourselves, keep your kids happy and engaged, and face an overwhelming situation. That is quite the accomplishment.
Second graders: We spent a lot of time this school year learning about different genres of stories and learning how to be writers. We read the biographies of interesting and inspiring people who lived in difficult times and worked for change.
And surely now YOU have all lived a story yourselves and have many tales to tell!
Write your stories. Sing them. Paint them. Sketch them. Dance them. Keep a journal. Paint a picture, or write a comic. Someday a hundred years from now, you may be in a nonfiction book yourself, or an art museum, or on the radio—your artifact a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the midst of a historic pandemic.
We have enjoyed having you in class and wish we could have had more classroom time together. But it is more important to us that you are safe—so keep safe, keep well, keep your spirits up, and wait for the light that is coming. It will come, and you will be ready.
Be well and take care of yourselves,
Mr. Leal and Ms. Heather
STEP
Dear STEP students and families,
Thank you for inviting us into your homes through the computer this spring. We love you all so much and we are so grateful to see your smiling faces everyday. You fill our hearts. Have a great summer. We will miss you!
Love, Ms. Mary, Ms. Quinn, Ms. Chaska and Ms. Ellen
Third Grade
Hello 3rd Grade Families!
We are grateful to have had such wonderful support from all of you this year! We are fortunate to have shared so many special memories along the way. Please continue to stay safe and healthy and enjoy the nice weather and brighter days ahead of us. We appreciate you all very much!
Love,
Mr. Whitman and Mr. Scott
Fourth Grade
Dear 4th Grade Families,
We missed seeing your smiling faces and winding down the school year in person. These are very difficult circumstances that we are dealing with. Thank you all for your support, we wish you all an amazing summer, and we hope to see you in the fall. Continue to be safe and well.
Sincerely,
Mr. Mike & Mr. T
Fifth Grade
Dear 5th Graders & 5th Grade Families,
We are so proud of our amazing group of 5th graders. Throughout the year they showed their creativity, their effort, their curiosity, their ability to learn hard things (long division! dance collaborations! editing multiple drafts of their writing!) and their willingness to do the hard work of being kind, listening, and connecting, no matter our differences. None of this stopped when we had to stop going to school - students have shown these same exact qualities in our virtual meetings and in their online schoolwork. We will miss them dearly, but we know they will rock middle school! We are looking forward to celebrating their graduation with them online on Thursday June 11 with our virtual viewing party!
Cheers,
Ms. B & Mr. Currier