Gertrude Chamberlin School
Family Newsletter October 8, 2020 Volume 15 Issue 13
Reminders:
There is NO school on Friday, October 9th and Monday October 12th.
Grades PreK, K, 1 and 2 begin in person learning 4 days a week, starting Tuesday, October 13th.
Grades 3, 4 and 5 will continue in hybrid with 2 days of in person learning until the week of October 26th.
Grades 3-5 Blue pack comes on the 13th and 14th next week.
Grades 3-5 Gray Pack comes on the 15th and 16th Next Week.
We Earned an all school celebration by filling our hive! wacky outfit days will be on Thursday, October 8th and Wednesday, October 14th.
World Mental Health Day is October 10th! Here are some free community engagement opportunities offered by the Howard Center.
Long Weekend Travel
Farm To School
We are fortunate to offer Farm to School through Common Roots, a non-profit that has 12 years of experience delivering explicit lessons with taste tests. They provide children with active lessons and experiences engaging youth in nutritious food education. They have a wonderful video for at home learning! This video is intended for school and/or home use. This is their response to Covid, where we know more students will be active with on-line learning. They are teaching young children in socially distanced groups outdoors. Through the magic of video, their new series brings elementary school learners into growing spaces to explore and learn new things--especially where, how, and by whom our food is grown. In this video, children will:
-discover how to celebrate the traditions and nutrition of a Vermont apple harvest
-come along on an “almost in-person” adventure through an heirloom, organic orchard being reclaimed to promote symbiotic relationships between apple trees, native plants, and pollinators -provide wellness info for pre-natal to elder apple eaters
- provide follow up apple adventures, recipes, farm to school lessons on our website - www.commonroots.org
International Walk To School Day
Arrival and Dismissal Updates and Reminders:
THERE WILL BE AN INCREASED NUMBER OF CARS AT ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL, AS OUR PRE-K-2 STUDENTS COME BACK 4 DAYS A WEEK. PLEASE BE PATIENT, FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS OF THE STAFF, DRIVE SLOWLY AND ARRIVE AT YOUR DESIGNATED TIME.
OUR MORNING HEALTH SCREENINGS ARE NOW INSIDE. ALL STUDENTS ARE SCREENED IN EITHER THE LOBBY OR HALLWAYS. ONLY STUDENTS WILL ENTER THE BUILDING AND WILL BE GUIDED TO THE HEALTH SCREENING AREA.
PARENTS OF WALKERS, PLEASE REMEMBER TO SOCIAL DISTANCE AS YOU GATHER ON THE SIDEWALK. We are now having a staff member cross students over to you on the sidewalk, for safety reasons.
We have some gentle reminders for arrival:
- Please remember to slow down and drive through the bus lane.
- All families with a PreK or K student (even if you have a student in grades 1-5 as well) will always go to station 3 in the small parking lot.
- For families with older students, our traffic controllers will let you know if you should go to station 1 or 2. Please roll down your window so they can direct you to the correct station.
- We really appreciate that so many of you have your card visible on your dashboard. Please remember that the card is for grade level, not your arrival/dismissal station.
Please do not arrive before 7:50, and 7:55 is the official start time for arrival. Please do not arrive before 2:30, including walkers, as we are getting busses loaded and out to stagger the process. The last dismissal group ends at 2:50. Staff have meetings to go to at this time, so we appreciate that you arrive by this time so they are not late to their next commitment. Thank you for all of your help with this new process!
Arrival for cars and walkers:
Students in PK, 1, and 5 will arrive between 7:55-8:10am.
Students in K, 2, 3, and 4 will arrive between 8:10-8:25am.
Dismissal for cars and walkers:
2:30pm-2:40: Car and Walkers dismissal out the by grade level
PK, K, and older siblings of those grade levels out the kindergarten door (stop #3)
1st grade and older siblings of first graders out the main door (stop #2)
2:40-2:50: Car and Walkers dismissal out the front main entrance by grade level
2nd and 3rd grade and older siblings of those grades out the kindergarten door (stop #3)
4th and 5th graders out the main door (stop #2)
Wolf Pack Time - Talking About Covid
This week during Wolf Pack Time, the K-2 Blue Pack and the K-5 Gray Pack had a restorative circle to talk about Covid. Grade 3-5 Blue Pack will have this circle time on Wednesday, October 14th. Students are living in a time of a pandemic. In our community it is important to feel safe and be able to express how you are feeling. Students watched a video (the link is below) with kids sharing their thoughts about Covid-19 and then shared their own ideas and feelings. In our circles, children know that they can "pass" if they don't want to share a response. We have spent time in the first few circles developing a safe and trusting environment so students hopefully feel that they can share their thoughts and feelings during Wolf Pack Time. Here are the circle "rounds" and "closing" that children participated in so you can continue the conversation at home.
You may have similar or different thoughts than the kids we just heard from, and that is okay. We are going to answer the same questions. What do you know about the Coronavirus?
How do you feel about the pandemic?
What should adults be doing about the Coronavirus?
Name one thing that you can do to help you and your friends feel safe and comfortable here at Gertrude Chamberlin School?
Closing: Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings. This is a very challenging time for all of us. We are all working together to make sure that we feel safe and comfortable. Some ways that we are doing this are: wearing a mask, keeping space between us, washing and sanitizing our hands, and sharing our ideas and feelings with each other. We will end with a quote from Audrey Hepburn: “You will discover that you have two hands. One is for helping yourself and the other is for helping others.”
Below is the link to the SoBu Spooktacular through the South Burlington Recreation Department
October 8th Health Office News From Mrs. Farrell
Vermont Department of Health
COVID 19 Information for Families: Return to School Following Illness
This week I sent home a paper copy of this document from the VDH that explains how we are handling illness at school this year. I know it is very different from previous years and it can be challenging for families. Please read carefully. I will be following up with any students who are called out sick or are sent home with any symptoms to determine when they can return to school. These decisions ultimately ensure the health and safety of your child’s school and community.
Annual Flu Shot Reminder
Video from the CDC: Roll up your sleeve for your annual flu vaccine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02ICysV_t1E&feature=youtu.be
World Mental Health Day
October 10, 2020
Mental health is one of the most neglected areas of public health. Close to 1 billion people are living with a mental disorder and now, billions of people around the world have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is having a further impact on people’s mental health. I have included two links, one is a children’s storybook from the World Health Organization to help children cope with COVID-19 and one contains resources from the Center for Disease Control regarding mental health for children during covid.
World Health Organization:
Center for Disease Control
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/parental-resource-kit/childhood.html
I hope you all enjoy a few days off from school and a chance to pause, regroup, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy our beautiful state of Vermont.
You can purchase comfy clothing with the SB Chamberlin School Logo!
October 2nd Update from Superintendent Young
October 2, 2020
Dear Parent/Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,
It finally looks and feels like fall has arrived in Vermont. Whether you have been heading to the orchards for apple picking, relishing the first taste of those delicious cider donuts, or have simply been enjoying watching the trees brighten our landscape, these are the moments that make Vermont so special this time of year. Our Farm to School programming has even jumped on theme with their focus on apples!
I have heard from many of you over the past couple of weeks about the frustration you have been experiencing during hybrid learning. While not our intent when we decided to open in Step II, I am hearing loud and clear the stress this model has caused you and your families; from juggling remote lessons to finding adequate childcare. With this in mind, I wanted to provide an update on our thoughtful plan for reopening our elementary schools for additional days of in-person instruction.
Reopening Update
Currently, the Strong and Healthy Start Guidelines from the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) have moved from Step II to Step III effective September 26. Therefore, in consultation with our administration, we have created a phased reopening plan to bring back our Grades PreK-2 students October 13 followed by our Grades 3-5 students October 26 for 4 days per week of in-person instruction. Since schools will be closed Monday, October 12, in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, during this first week, Grades PreK-2 will attend school 4 days (Tuesday-Friday), while grades 3-5 will attend with their current cohorts on either Tuesday and Wednesday or Thursday and Friday. The following week, grades 3-5 will return to their regular cohort schedule (Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday). Then, beginning Monday, October 26, all elementary grades will return to our schools 4 days per week. Wednesdays will remain remote (except for Grades PreK-2 the week of October 13) for now to allow for deep cleaning.
More detailed information on the elementary reopening plans will be coming directly from the school principals in the coming days. Please keep in mind that these dates and plans are subject to change based on evolving data from the Vermont Department of Health, the CDC, and guidance from the Vermont Agency of Education.
In terms of bringing grades 6-8 and 9-12 back for more in-person instruction, we do not yet have plans to do this. When discussions occur, we will consider the same data as noted above.
Curriculum Update
As we have implemented the hybrid model of learning (Step II), I have heard concerns from parents/guardians around assessments; how, if, and when they will be conducted. We realize that for our youngest learners, online learning is the most challenging, social belonging the most critical, and transmission risk the lowest. Therefore, in terms of assessments, we have been initially concentrating our efforts on rebuilding a sense of community and ensuring that all families are connected to school and getting the resources they need for their children to be able to access a free and appropriate public education. As we transition to more in-person learning in the coming weeks, we will continue our important work with social emotional learning while also ramping up traditional academic subjects in the lower grades, starting with literacy and math assessments to identify our students’ strengths and needs.
In addition to receiving traditional grades on their report cards, all of our students in Grades 6-12 will receive proficiency scores in subject areas and on the South Burlington Student Learning Expectations (SLEs). The SLEs are transferable skills that apply across discipline areas and in both academic and professional settings. We are proud of the work that our teachers have done to identify clear, shared learning outcomes at each grade level and are pleased to be fostering the 21st Century skills that will serve our students well in the coming years.
Outdoor Learning
We have been enjoying using our tents for classroom instruction, PE when it rains, Farm to School activities, outdoor lunch and snack times, and reading aloud, however our tent season will be coming to a close as the temperatures dip. The current plan is to remove the tents November 2.
School Happenings
It’s open house time! Virtually of course. The SBHS Virtual Open House will take place October 6 beginning at 6:30 pm with opening remarks from Principal Patrick Burke. All of the details are available at the SBHS reopening site linked above.
This fall, FHTMS will be putting on a production of the play Jane Eyre, based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë. Auditions (held outdoors under the tents!) wrapped this week and the current plan (subject to change based on COVID-19 factors) is to present Jane Eyre to a live audience. According to play director David Bailey, he has added 2 additional performances (for a total of 4) to allow for adequate spacing and appropriate numbers in the auditorium. The performance dates are currently set for Friday, January 8 - Sunday, January 10, 2021. We can’t wait to see how this amazing production comes together!
Last week, Gertrude E. Chamberlin School held their annual carnation ceremony to officially welcome kindergarteners to school. This tradition was modified this year to be held outdoors where adequate distancing could be maintained. Fifth grade students held signs welcoming their youngest classmates and each was given a carnation. A video compilation of photos from this event is in progress.Welcome to our youngest learners!
Has hybrid learning affected library book circulation? Not for the 400 plus students at Orchard School who love to read! According to Library Media and Instructional Tech Specialist Donna Sullivan-Macdonald, “First week results are in: 521 books were checked out in four days last week, including 171 Fiction titles and 132 Graphic Novels!” Way to go!
Rick Marcotte Central School artists have been busy in Kelsey Lewis’s art class. All students, K-5 engaged in a self portrait project involving masks. The K-2 students made simplified portraits with pre-folded paper and a face/mask template while grades 3-5 added descriptive language and more detail to theirs (see some of the portraits on the RMCS Art Facebook page). Lewis said, “I wanted the students to embrace the new normal of mask-wearing with a positive spin. It was fun for them to decorate the mask with designs of their choice. I also wanted the lesson to be a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) experience so the older students were encouraged to include positive words to describe their personality (Kind, Smart, Brave, Athletic, Helpful) on the inner fold of their portrait...the part that shows their smile.”
Distance Learning Resource
Have you heard? The Vermont Public Broadcasting System (PBS), DISH Network, and the Agency of Education (AOE) have expanded their partnership to support continuity of learning for Vermont students and school communities this fall.This partnership provides access to free educational programming, curricular connections, and distance learning tutorials through Vermont PBS Distance Learning. You can check out the schedule for October with programming for grades K-12 on topics ranging from science to language arts. It’s a great resource!
Transportation
Elementary routes will be modified to accommodate increased ridership. Adjusted routes and times will be posted on the District website by Thursday, October 8th
Nutrition Services
The Step III guidance allows for more flexibility to use cateterias as intended with distancing and frequent sanitation in place. However, exact procedures will be determined and communicated by individual schools. The current meal pickup location at the concession stand in the Farrell Family Pavillion on Munson Field/Iverson Track from 9:00-10:30 am continues Monday through Friday. Delivery by bus for middle and high school students and remote learners will also remain the same. These meals need to be ordered weekly, in advance, via an online meal ordering system. As always, you can find the latest menus and information on the Nutritional Services section of the District website.
Athletics
Part of the transition to Step III meant that interscholastic sports could resume competition (with health and safety measures in place) on September 26. Check out the updated co-curricular digest for 2020-2021 which includes what is expected of spectators and ticket policies for games. You can find the latest game schedules and results via Director of Student Activities Michael Jabour’s Twitter @sbwolfpack and the SB Wolves website. At FHTMS, the fall sports schedule will get underway Saturday, October 3rd!
Thank you all for your patience and understanding as we continue to transition to the next step. I am grateful to you for your support and continued adherence to COVID-19 precautions. It is making a difference in getting our students back to more in-person learning.
Sincerely,
David
Family Resources:
Family Support with Technology/Chromebooks
How Can I Get Library Books During Hybrid Learning?
Here's the link to the breakfast and lunch menus.
Chamberlin School
Email: hrouelle@sbschools.net
Website: https://vt01819219.schoolwires.net/Domain/10
Location: Chamberlin School, White Street, South Burlington, VT, USA
Phone: 802 652 7403
Twitter: @hrouelle