The Kids are Home... Now What?
Bobcat Bulletin - Distance Learning Edition - May 19, 2020
Memorial Day Reminder...
The Principal's Office
Dear Founders Families,
I hope this message finds you all safe and healthy! It looks like we are finally having some beautiful weather so we can all get outside to enjoy the sunshine and warmth. This is a great time for our kids to move away from their screens for a little while and get outside to explore the world around them. Go on a scavenger hunt, explore the woods, build a fort, go on a family bike ride, or just take a walk and soak up some vitamin D.
Thank you all so much for sharing your feedback in our weekly surveys on Thursdays. This valuable information helps our teachers plan for future lessons. We appreciate all of the positive messages you are sharing, as well as the constructive feedback. All teachers are doing their absolute best to bring your children positive, meaningful learning experiences every day. I am continually amazed and so very proud of what they have been able to accomplish in such a short period of time.
Peace and Good Health to You All,
Wendy
From our Staff...
Lots of Things to Do and Learn!
How are you? I hope you had a nice weekend. Wow! I just filmed my 50th episode. Thank you for watching and for sharing my online drawing tutorial series.~Bren
Library News
Red Clover and Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award Voting
We will be voting for the the Red Clover Award (grades 3 & 4) and the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award (grades 4 & 5) this week! The voting form is linked in the library lessons for the week, or also right here.
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award Voting Form
Spend a moment to share your opinion with the state. We are also anxiously awaiting news on the renaming of the Dorothy Canfield Fisher award for next year - but in the meantime, take a look at the 2020-2021 readling list or checklist brochure.
Family Reading Book Club Feedback
If you haven't had a chance to fill out this short survey about the Family Reading Book Club this year, please do! Your input is always appreciated.
Library Book Returns and Summer Book Checkout
We are working out details to both collect FMS library books AND check out new books to students for the summer. Please stay tuned for more details!
Sara Jablonski
Librarian
Founders Memorial School
33 Founders Road
Essex Jct., VT 05452
802-857-6306
sjablonski@ewsd.org
Follow fmslibraryvt on Instagram!
Where To Watch Wildlife While You’re Quarantined
This week, you get the opportunity to visit Lions at Reid Park Zoo, located in Tucson, Arizona @ http://reidparkzoo.org/cameras/lion-cam/
The Reid Park Zoo offers seven different live streams to enjoy. There are two separate elephant cams and two grizzly bear cams. They each show footage of the same exhibit from different angles. There is also a giraffe, lemur, and lion webcam. You are sure to find an exhibit of interest at this great zoo!
You can also look at the zoo blog: https://reidparkzoo.org/blog/let-us-bring-the-zoo-to-you/ "Every day at 9 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5 p.m. check our blog (or Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages) for fun facts, fabulous photos, and looks behind the scenes at the Zoo. We’ll have soothing videos, in-depth stories, and activity pages for children.
The more you know....
SEL with Coach Sierra Smith
Promoting Self-Management at Home
Self-Management is one of the key components of social emotional learning. The Collaborative of Academic and Social Emotional Learning (CASEL), defines Self-Management as the ability to successfully regulate one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations — effectively managing stress, controlling impulses, and motivating oneself. The ability to set and work toward personal and academic goals. It is important for both children and adults to know how they can manage their own emotions so that they can get the job done.
Often, when we talk about managing our emotions, we focus on how to calm down when we are getting angry, upset, or scared. Here are two short videos that demonstrate two tools that may help promote this type of self-management at home:
Ms. Smith and Claire Take-a-Break
Ms. Smith and Claire use a Calming Space
It is important to know how to manage our emotions so that we can calm down and get refocused, but sometimes we need to know how and when to energize ourselves when we are feeling bored, tired, or just “not in the mood.” Here is a tool with some great ideas of how we can “psych ourselves up” during these times from Infants to Adults.
Self Management (Aperture Education)
Parent Take A Break (Video from Mrs. Mayer - FMS Guidance)
News from Nurse Smith
The EWSD nurses are available by phone or email for questions and concerns. We do want you to have a few updates on staying well and thinking ahead to warmer and happier experiences.
Please know that pediatric practices are open. Most are still doing well visits/yearly physicals. They have very careful practices in place to keep everyone safe in their offices. If your child needs immunizations, please be in touch with your pediatrician. If your graduating senior will need a health form completed before attending college, think about scheduling that appointment now.
Please contact your physician if you are ill. Do not delay seeking medical care due to fears around Covid 19. There are excellent practices in place to protect patients.
Warmer weather brings more outdoor fun and unfortunately ticks! Ticks are out in Vermont. Please do daily skin checks for ticks when you go outside. Check here for more general information on ticks in Vermont and here for details on checking children for ticks.
Bleach, rubbing alcohol, lysol and other disinfectants are meant to be used on hard surfaces with the use of gloves, but never to be used on skin, ingested or injected.
School Nurses across the state are collaborating with educational leaders to keep our schools safe as we look toward the future. Please feel free to contact your school nurse with questions or concerns. Our email contact information is on every school site.
Diana Smith, Founders school nurse, is checking her school phone messages daily. While specific health questions would be best directed to your health care provider, general questions can be left as a voice message at 802-857-6304 or sent to her email address at dsmith@ewsd.org.
PTO NEWS!
FMS Yearbooks 2019-2020 - Order Today!
We have had so many people asking if we will still have a FMS yearbook this year and the answer is YES!! It is not too late to order with the link:
https://www.balfour.com/vermont/essex-junction/founders-memorial-school
Love the FMS yearbook and looking for a way to give back to your school? We are looking for a Yearbook coordinator for the 2020-2021 school year.
Interested? Email pto@ewsd.org
THANK YOU, PTO!!!!
Family Resources!
Free Breakfast and Lunch for Children Throughout Closure
Beginning on Thursday, March 19 and every school day onward, EWSD will be providing free meal service. Meals are free to all children ages 18 and under, no application or prior approval is needed.
MENUS: Breakfast and Lunch Schedule for Free Meals
Pickup for packaged breakfast and lunch will be distributed - via a drive-through system - at the following locations and times.
- Albert D. Lawton Middle School (ADL), 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.
- Essex Elementary School, 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
- Westford School, 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
All meal pick up sites, drive-thru locations, and meal deliveries will be practicing the recommended 6-foot social distancing. Please help us all stay healthy by keeping this distance from others.
As we move forward, we will continue to explore and develop additional drive-thru pick-up sites as well as develop a meal drop-off system to increase convenience. We will communicate any updates as they become available.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email Scott Fay (sfay@ewsd.org) or call the Child Nutrition Office at 802-857-7333.
More Resources...
Food Supports
Feeding Chittenden: https://feedingchittenden.org/
Phone number: 802-658-7939
Aunt Dot’s Place: https://www.auntdotsplace.com
Phone number: 802-857-8208
Essex-based foodbank located at: 51 Center Road, Essex (door and parking are in back of building)
Heavenly Food Pantry:
Phone number: 802-878-5745 - Call first.
(2nd Monday (5:30-7:30) and 4th Thursday (2-6pm)
Essex-based food pantry located at First Congregational Church (1 Church Street, EJ) The notation regarding clients only visiting once a month has been waived for the time being and families can visit each time that they are open, giving them two opportunities for food assistance.
Hunger Free Vermont: https://www.hungerfreevt.org/coronavirus (This is a new link is effective 4/6/2020) This website hosts many links to various area resources. They are keeping it up to date with information related to federal and local resources related to food access.
WIC: If you’re pregnant, a caregiver, or a parent with a child under five, WIC is right for you! To find out more and get help applying, dial 2-1-1 or text ‘VTWIC’ to 855-11.
3SquaresVT: https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/3SquaresVT
Has your household lost pay? Have your childcare expenses increased? 3SquaresVT is here for you and your family to help put food on the table! To find out more and get help applying Visit our 3SquaresVT page, email 3svt@vtfoodbank.org, call 1-855-855-6181 or text VFBSNAP to 85511. You can also dial 2-1-1.
Meal Programs for Older Vermonters: For more information about meals for older adults age 60 and older, please call the Helpline at 1-800-642-5119.
Vermont Foodbank network: The Vermont Foodbank is dedicated to supporting Vermonters during all times of need. To get help during this time of crisis, visit https://www.vtfoodbank.org/coronavirus-services-for-individuals or call 1-800-585-2265.
Mark BBQ/Heart and Soul:
Please call 802-495-1480 or 802-662-4381 or send a message through Facebook first. Serving meals such as: chicken pot pies, stew, fruit, and a veggie option. Pick up will be at: 34 Park Street, Essex.
Transportation:
Green Mountain Transit is free: https://ridegmt.com/covid-19-update/
Utilities:
Green Mountain Power: https://greenmountainpower.com/covid-19/
GMP will waive/look at bill for financial hardship during this time.
New Internet Essentials: https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19
Customers will receive two free months of Internet service, which is available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month plus tax. Apply by April 30, 2020.
Comcast: https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19
Internet Hot spots, increase in Data/waive
T-Mobile: https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/ongoing-updates-covid-19
AT&T: https://about.att.com/pages/COVID-19.html
Other Community Based Services:
Vermont 2-1-1: https://vermont211.org
The Vermont 2-1-1 database contains detailed descriptions of programs and services available to Vermonters that are provided by local community groups, social service and health-related agencies, government organizations, and others. Vermonters can call or access their website to find information and assistance.
Economic Services: https://dcf.vermont.gov/esd/benefits
This is the department that administers state benefits. Applications can be completed online or by phone. Benefits include: 3SquaresVT (food stamps), fuel assistance, and emergency assistance. If your financial situation is impacted by COVID-19, consider accessing this resource to see if you may become eligible for state benefits.
Department of Labor: https://labor.vermont.gov/unemployment-insurance
The Vermont Department of Labor administers Unemployment Insurance for Vermonters. This is the website that you should consult to access unemployment benefits if your employment is impacted by COVID-19.
Childcare Services:
UVM has students who are willing to drive up to 20 minutes to provide volunteer care - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1WtXhniBjOFAM8VAZz6FwTLebXfzikqalpvvhKF8mS3lYBA/viewform
Obtaining Supplies/Delivery:
Walgreens is offering free shipping on orders of any amount for all goods and free delivery on prescriptions
CVS is offering free delivery on RX and everyday essentials: https://www.cvs.com/
Social/Emotional Supports:
Outright Vermont is moving their Friday night group online - http://www.outrightvt.org/
Facebook group for parents with supports around managing kids anxiety - https://www.facebook.com/groups/getsuperpowered
Alcoholics Anonymous Online Meetings: http://aa-intergroup.org/directory.php
Guide to Mental Health during Pandemic -
Founders Memorial School Contact Information
Website: www.ewsd.org/FMS
Location: 33 Founders Road, Essex Junction, VT, USA
Phone: (802) 879-6326
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Founders-Memorial-School
Twitter: @FMS_Essex