The Bobcat Bulletin
A Newsletter from Founders Memorial School
September 13, 2019
The Principal's Office
Social Emotional Learning at Founders
What is Social Emotional Learning?
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. (CASEL)
As you know, we are a Responsive Classroom school here at Founders. The principles, beliefs, and practices outlined in Responsive Classroom allow us to teach the necessary social emotional skills children need in our world. Below you will find a brief video outlining what social emotional learning is and how if can benefit our kids. The Responsive Classroom approach is positively endorsed by CASEL, which you will be hearing more about as we move through the school year.
SEL video for parents - What is Social Emotional Learning?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2d0da6BZWA
Spanish version - SEL parent video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz_aCbDI9uk&t=4s
Confident Parents - Confident Kids: A site for parents actively supporting kids' social and emotional development
https://confident parents confident kids.org/
Educationally Yours,
Wendy Cobb
FMS Principal
Important Dates to Remember
September 13 - Ellis Instrument Pick Up starting at 6PM - Ellis will have all instruments ready for pick up - please meet in Mr. Valyou's room.
September 26 - FMS Open House and Spaghetti Dinner
September 27 - FMS PTO Fun Run
FMS News
Meet our new SEL Coach... Sierra Smith!
My name is Sierra Smith and I am the new Social Emotional Learning Coach at Essex Elementary School and Founders Memorial School.
I have spent the past nine years working with children, families, and schools all across Vermont and have dedicated my career to improving the social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes of children. I truly believe that Social Emotional Learning is absolutely necessary for preparing our children to become successful participants in our communities and am thrilled to be able to continue this work in Essex.
I graduated with a Masters Degree in Education in Applied Behavior Analysis from Johnson State College and am currently pursuing my certification in Behavior Analysis. Although originally from a small beach town in New Jersey, I took to the mountains of Vermont immediately upon moving here about 12 years ago. I love spending time outside equally as much as cozying up with a good book, both of which I most enjoy during winter! Both of these schools have shown me such a warm welcome and I really look forward to all of the exciting work we have ahead!
Nuts and Bolts
Reminder.... morning drop off times
Please remember that drop off times for non-bus students is 7:45 to 8:00 am. Buses typically arrive starting at 7:30 and we are staffed to meet the numbers of students on those buses. Please see information that was sent to all families in mid-August.
School hours for students are 8:00 am - 3:00 pm (Tuesdays 8:00 am-2:00pm).
Students will meet in the gym prior to 8:00 am for dismissal to classrooms.
Buses start to arrive at 7:30 am. If you opt to drop your student off in the morning, you MAY NOT drop off your student until 7:45am.
Class time starts promptly at 8:00 am.
If you are running late, you and/or your student must stop at the front desk to sign in and get a late pass.
FMS Early Release on Tuesdays
Tuesday, Sep 17, 2019, 02:00 PM
33 Founders Road, Essex Junction, VT, USA
Dogs at School
In order to respect all, we are asking that you do not bring your dogs into the cafeteria at dismissal. Your students can see their best friends anxiously waiting for them at home!
Yearly Health Information Forms
Transportation Updates
News from our Staff
Tech and Your Kids
Common Sense Media is website that provides education and support to families to promote children's safe use of technology. The website is a great resource for parents to find advice. They rate websites, movies, and books and include recommended ages. We use their Digital Citizenship curriculum with our students here at FMS. Each newsletter, we will share a different article to support parents when navigating the world of technology! https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
Music News - Band and Orchestra Sign Ups
Band and Orchestra sign-ups are wrapping up, however, it is not too late. If you have not signed up and would like to join, we’d love to have you! Parents should e-mail Mr. Valyou as soon as possible at: tvalyou@ewsd.org . You can also find more information at the registration page (see button below).
4th grade students are able to join the Orchestra (violin, viola, cello, bass)
5th grade students are able to join the Band (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, percussion) or Orchestra
Practices will begin the week of September 16th and a schedule will be sent out on September 13th by Mr. Valyou. We hope to have a lot of fun learning about and playing music with you this year!
Mr. Valyou - 857-6327
News from the FMS Library
The library is open and all students have now visited us at least twice! For the first few months of school, all classes are scheduled to come weekly to learn how to use the library and how to participate in library programs. Last week, all students participated in a scavenger hunt to get to know our newly rearranged space. This week, 4th and 5th graders worked on their alphabetizing skills by locating books organized in alphabetical order. 3rd graders learned about how the picture book section is arranged and read the book Sam & Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen.
Last week, all students brought home this welcome letter. It includes usernames and passwords that allow access to our subscription resources from home!
Community Resources
- Aunt Dot's Place - https://www.auntdotsplace.com/ - Essex based local food shelf
- Essex Eats Out - http://www.essexeatsout.org/ - Providing healthy, free meals in a warm, safe, and inclusive atmosphere on Fridays
Founders Memorial School
Website: www.ewsd.org/fms
Location: 33 Founders Road, Essex Junction, VT, USA
Phone: 802-879-6326
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Founders-Memorial-School-1509308329359547/timeline/
Twitter: @FMS_Essex