Flynn Flyer
September 25,2020
Annual Student Update
Superintendent Flanagan Announces Advisory Groups
District Leader Seeks Engagement from Teachers, Families, Students
Burlington, VT Burlington School District (BSD) Superintendent Tom Flanagan is passionate about engagement.
“My 100 Day Entry Plan was intentionally created to focus on three things I believe every school district needs to be successful: equity, deep learning, and engagement,” said Superintendent Flanagan. “As part of that, I am forming three Superintendent Advisory Groups to meet monthly with teachers, families, and students.”
Applications to join the three advisory groups are due September 30 and can be found at www.bsdvt.org.
Flanagan noted that the goal of the monthly meetings will be to build relationships and get feedback on what is happening around the District, what is being planned, and how the Superintendent and Central Office can be effective partners.
“I want to engage families, students, and staff as true partners in the educational process, to make sure that the needs of a broad range of people are included as decisions are made in the District.”
With an eye on equity, the District will work to have a representative sample of the BSD population involved. Each group will have at least 12 members, including representatives from each school and those who are receiving special education or EL services; groups will also be deliberately created to reflect a diversity of race, class/socio-economic background, and sexual and gender identity.
“All of you play an important and integral role in promoting the social, emotional, and academic success of all students, and I want to hear from you,” added Flanagan.
To learn more about the three different advisory groups and how to get involved, please visit www.bsdvt.org.
Principal Coffee Every Wednesday with Principal Whitmore-Sells
Join Principal Lashawn Sells
Wednesday, September 30th.
9:00 A.M.
Follow this link to join the coffee:
Join by phone
(US) +1 650-735-3344 PIN: 875 758 258#
Sara Holbrook Offers FREE Child Support Program
Picture Day
A Day October 19th
Remote students may come either day between 8:30 and 11:00. I will be mailing you the order form.
Order forms for students coming to school will be sent home Friday October 9th. Please do not send in your envelopes until Picture day.
News from Nurse Mary
It is wonderful to have students back at school. I just wanted to mention a couple things. If you have not done so, please complete the annual student update through the parent portal. The form gives us valuable information about who to contact if you child is sick or has an accident at school. It also allows you to select whether you would like me to administer Tylenol or Ibuprofen at school.
Allergy and cold season are approaching. If you have students with a prescribed inhaler or Epi Pen please be sure to send it to school. Inhalers and Epi Pens are necessary to keep your child safe at school and especially on field trips. Please send in or have your Primary Care Physician fax a current Asthma or Allergy Action Plan.
Once again it will soon be that time of the year when we will be seeing head lice in the classroom. We ask that you start inspecting your child’s head on a regular basis and treat if necessary. Head lice should be suspected when there is intense itching and scratching of the scalp or back of neck.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact me at 864-8478 Ext 2 or mdunsmor@bsdvt.org thank you.
Nurse Mary
Meet Ethan Benton
Hello Flynn Families!
My name is Ethan Benton and I am the new part-time music teacher at JJ Flynn Elementary. I am honored to join such a strong community. I grew up in Essex Junction and later moved to Burlington. It’s exciting to give back to a place that has given me so much!
I love making and listening to all kinds of music. I am continuously amazed at how much there is to explore in the musical world! I just graduated (virtually) from Western Connecticut State University in the spring. While there, I studied the drum set among other instruments and enjoyed playing live music in my free time. I look forward to meeting you all and hope we can share some musical joy soon.
Thank you for your support,
Mr. Benton
.2 Music Teacher
PTO News
Dear Families,
During this challenging time, our teachers and students need more help than ever. No matter what school looks like, Box Tops for Education is a fast and easy way for you to help out from home.The Box Tops program has been around for over 20 years, and it really works. In fact, Box Tops for Education has helped give almost a billion dollars to schools since 1996. In 2019, the program evolved to become digital so that you can earn for your school with just the touch of a button. HERE’S HOW IT WORKS: Buy participating products and use the Box Tops mobile app to scan your store receipt. The app identifies eligible products and automatically adds Box Tops to your school's earnings online. Even if you’re shopping online or doing grocery pickup, you can still submit your e-receipts and earn Box Tops. Twice a year, our school gets a check!Your earnings may seem small, but they really do add up. The more people that par-ticipate, the bigger the impact we can make. So let's give our teachers the support they need and help give more kids the opportunity to dream. Little by little, we can help make a big difference. LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW BOX TOPS WORKS ATBTFE.COM
World Mental Health Day Celebration
Howard Center will be connecting to the global world mental health movement and hosting its first annual community-wide recognition and celebration of World Mental Health Day (WMHD) throughout the month of October 2020. This year WMHD is on October 10 and is an opportunity for community education and engagement to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and to connect to the global movement to ensure our communities have access to mental health supports when they are needed.
https://howardcenter.org/community-education/world-mental-health-day/