Gertrude Chamberlin School
Family Newsletter March 25, 2021 Volume 15 Issue 32
Thursday, April 1st and Friday, April 2nd will be half days with 11:30 AM dismissal for parent teacher conferences. Please sign up for a conference through your child's teacher.
April 1st and 2nd
11:25 School's Out
11:30 Students who ride the bus
11:35 Grades PreK, K and 1 for pick up
11:40 Grades 2, 3, 4 and 5 for pick up
Integrated Arts Parent Teacher Conferences
To schedule a conference with the art teacher, Ms. Wales, please email jwales@sbschools.net or call 652-7412.
To schedule a conference with the physical education teacher, Mrs. DeGuise, please email ldeguise@sbschools.net or call 652-7432.
To schedule a conference with the music teachers, Ms. Finlayson or Mrs. Rito, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B4CA9AB22A5FC1-music or call 652-7413.
To schedule a conference with the librarian, Ms. Balk, please sign up here or call 652-7445: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C48AAA92FA3FBCF8-library
Scholastic Book Fair: March 29th - April 11th
Kindergarten Registration
Congratulations to our 5th Grade D.A.R.E. Graduates!
Last Thursday, our 5th graders graduated from the DARE program! For 6 weeks, they have had classes with Officer Bri, our School Resource Officer, to complete the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program. DARE has been around since 1983, so they join millions of students who have completed the program. The DARE mission is in line with our mission at Gertrude Chamberlin School: To teach skills to make good decisions to lead healthy and safe lives. We hope this program helps students envision a world where students everywhere are empowered to respect others and choose to lead lives free from violence, substance use, and other dangerous behaviors. Here in South Burlington, we are grateful to be working together with Officer Bri Williamson and Officer Dennis Ward to support this vision. Students learned how to use the DARE Decision Making Model to be assertive with peers and make good choices at home, at school and in the community. The culmination of the program was to write an essay about their learning. Officer Bri picks one winner from each class, who reads their essay during the graduation. Congratulations on your graduation from the DARE program, 5th graders!
Health Office Updates
Let's all continue to do our part in helping keep ourselves and others safe and healthy.
IF YOU ARE CARPOOLING:
Be sure to follow these health department and CDC guidelines:
- WEAR MASKS at all times.
- Limit the number of people you carpool with.
- Carpool with the same people, ideally those who are following the COVID-19 prevention steps in their day-to-day lives.
- Keep a log of who you and your family have carpooled with that includes dates, names of other riders, and the duration of the ride.
- KEEP THE WINDOWS or VENTS OPEN for fresh air.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces often.
- WASH or SANITIZE HANDS before getting in and out of the car.
IF YOU PLAN TO TRAVEL:
- The Health Department advises against non-essential travel, even within Vermont. All travel to and from Vermont requires quarantine. The only exceptions are essential travel and travel by people who are fully vaccinated.
- You may travel outside of Vermont, once you are fully vaccinated, and at least 14 days have passed since your last COVID-19 vaccination. See Health Department information here and here.
**A reminder: Anyone who is not vaccinated and travels with you will need to quarantine (including children) and must follow the cross state travel guidance when they travel to or return to Vermont.
IF YOU PLAN TO GATHER WITH OTHERS:
Please see this link for updates on Vermont's most recent gathering restrictions for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
IF YOU NEED TO GET TESTED:
COVID-19 PCR Testing Sites:
- If you/your student has symptoms of COVID-19, contact your health care provider first, to determine if testing is needed. If you don't have a health care provider, call 2-1-1 to connect to care.
- If you/your student are not sick, but need a test, consider scheduling a test at a pop-up site on the Health Department's website: "Where to Get Tested," through your provider, or call the Health Department @ 863-7240.
- Please remember, if a test is indicated, a PCR test is required (not a rapid test) for returning to school.
IF YOU ARE WONDERING ABOUT THE COVID VACCINE:
Visit "Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine" site on the health department's website by clicking here, for information about making an appointment.
March 20th Update from Superintendent Young
March 20, 2021
Dear Parents/Guardians and Staff,
We have had another busy week in the District! A number of our staff took advantage of the opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at one of the state run clinics early in the week which is very exciting and gives us all hope that we are slowly but surely making our way out of this pandemic. In addition, equity was the focus of our staff’s professional development day this week as well as the primary theme of my CVSA (Champlain Valley Superintendents Association) two day training. Exploring how we can better serve all of our students is at the heart of these trainings and I am proud to have a staff so committed to taking on this crucial work.
Statement on AAPI Violence
In the wake of this week’s violent attack in Atlanta on the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, I wanted to take a moment to reaffirm what we in the South Burlington School District stand for: we strive to protect and celebrate the identity of all of our students, staff, and community members and work daily to ensure they have a safe space to learn, grow, and thrive. Our hearts are with our Asian American and Pacific Islander students and families. Please reach out if we can be of assistance to you at this time. Additionally, we shared the following resources with educators this week, but I wanted to pass them along to families as well as you potentially navigate difficult conversations with your child(ren). Please see the following for those looking for ways to affirm the experiences of Asian American Pacific Islanders:
Anti-Racism Resources from Cornell's Asian American Studies Program
Staff In-Service a Success
This week, as part of our important work around diversity, equity, and inclusion, our staff took part in our District wide in-service March 17 where they heard and were inspired by a keynote address from Dena Simmons. Afterward, staff split off into virtual Zooms by building to continue their learning. In addition, 60 staff members also participated in Virtual Courageous Conversations March 16 and 17. We are proud to be able to have our staff take part in these important training sessions that tie directly to our District mission.
COVID Update
A number of staff members in the SBSD participated in state run vaccination clinics March 15 and 16 at the Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center where individuals received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. These clinics filled quickly, but luckily a wait list was kept on hand and 55 staff were called off the list Monday and around 70-80 Tuesday. An additional clinic was held at CVU March 17 where staff who weren't able to secure a slot on Monday or Tuesday could go to receive a vaccine. Clinics also opened for staff at the Essex Fairgrounds Thursday and Friday. There will continue to be opportunities to receive the vaccine at state run sites as well as Walgreens and Kinney pharmacies in the weeks to come.
It was announced at the Governor’s press conference March 19 that Vermonters aged 60 plus will be able to register to receive a vaccine beginning March 25 with additional age bands opening swiftly thereafter. See the latest eligibility timeline here.
Although more people are becoming vaccinated every day, the virus continues to circulate. Last week, 4 classes at Orchard School needed to quarantine due to positive cases and the SBHS hockey team had to quarantine due to a positive case. I want to stress that we as a District have been doing very well overall in managing COVID-19 and that is in large part to all of you. I urge you to continue to follow all of the guidelines. I know it has been a challenging year, but we have come this far, let’s keep it up!
COVID-19 Staff Surveillance Testing
The South Burlington School District will participate in our fifth round of COVID-19 surveillance testing March 30. We have had an average of between 200 and 300 staff members participate in this voluntary testing since it began. It is one of several tools the state and District has to monitor the spread of the virus. As more staff become vaccinated, we are unsure of how often this testing will take place, but will continue our participation as long as the state warrants it useful. You can read more about school staff surveillance testing here.
School Happenings
SBHS Competitions this Weekend
This weekend will be a busy one for many SBHS students as the state cheerleading and dance competitions are held as well as bowling, girls hockey and boys basketball. Find more information about the events and streaming information on the sbwolves website. In addition, the Vermont-NEA Scholars’ Bowl will hold their state finals tomorrow and SB will have two teams competing. Good luck to all!
FHTMS 7th Graders Learn about the Human Body
Amelia Lutz, science teacher for the Why Not? Team at FHTMS reported that 7th graders have been learning about human body systems, how they work together, and how to identify the body’s response to a stimulus in order to maintain homeostasis. Part of this learning activity involved building a body as a class. The final projects are on display in the hallway!
Gertrude Chamberlin School Students Try to Trap a Leprechaun
Chamberlin 5th graders got into the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day by working on a STEM project based on the book, “How to Catch a Leprechaun” by Adam Wallace. According to Library Media Specialist Allison Balk, students were asked to think like engineers to design and build a trap that would catch a leprechaun for them! They could work alone or work with a partner. They had to think about what would attract a leprechaun and how their contraption would trap the leprechaun once it was drawn into their creation. Math and science were the STEM subjects utilized as students calculated the size of the materials they wanted to use and determine how they would work together to create an effective trap!
Rick Marcotte Central School 4th Graders Crack the Code!
Recently, all three 4th grade classes at Central School worked to crack a code to open a lock box by solving math problems. According to teacher Lizzy Appleby, students used strategies for addition and subtraction they had been working on to unlock all 8 locks. All three 4th grade classes were able to solve all the problems to unlock the box. Well done!
Orchard’s Reimagined Poetry Slam
In lieu of the annual fifth grade poetry slam that is held each year at Orchard School, Mr. Wright’s 5th grade class developed a flipgrid of his students reading poems that parents could view from home. After learning about 8 common types of poems, students made their own poetry books which included 8 class poems, 8 of their own poems, and 8 poems from other well-known poets. They then recorded themselves in a flipgrid reading two poems they had written.
The temperatures are going to warm up over the weekend, I hope you all get out to enjoy a bit of Vermont spring!
Thanks,
David
Family Resources:
Family Resources from our Howard Clinician
Caregiving is hard enough without a global health pandemic! Now more than ever, it is CRITICAL that we encourage our caregivers to practice diligent self-care. Our health depends on it, and the health of our children depends on it. It is difficult for caregivers to put themselves first – and we know they are equally as deserving and in need of it. Please consider using these helpful resources.
The Importance of Care for Caregivers (National Association of School Psychologists)
Parenting During Coronavirus: You are Enough (PBS Kids)
Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope (National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
COVID Support VT (from 211)
Apps for Self-Care and Wellness
Your School Services Clinician,
Sharon Davis
Family Support with Technology/Chromebooks
Here's the link to the breakfast and lunch menus.
Gertrude 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