WEEKLY FAMILY FOCUS January 8, 2022
RICK MARCOTTE CENTRAL SCHOOL Principal Kathleen Kilbourne
Snowflake Bently
Inspires our artists
To create Salt Snowflakes
Happy New Year and Welcome Back!
Hello RMCS Families and Commnity,
I am hopeful that you had a relaxing and rejuvenating break with time for family and friends. The new year provides us an opportunity to hit reset and start again. It is often a time of reflection and future planning.
Over the break I hope you got to do some reading and relaxing too! I revisited the book Onward, by Elena Aguilar. While this text's main focus is on cultivating emotional resilience in educators, there are many topics that would apply to several of us during this pandemic. It seems to me that in these complex times it easy to hold onto our own perspectives, experiences, and views; when in fact it is also important to grow our own compassion for ourselves and compassion for others. We really have no idea what other people are trying to balance. in addition to having their own careers, they likely have their own families/children at home who are living through this stressful time, some have elderly parents they are caring for, some have illness with themselves or a loved one, some have financial hardships, and some may just plain feel isolated, not understood, tired physically and emotionally, or not as cheerful as they typically are.
The Author, Aguilar states :"Compassion for ourselves, as well as for others, helps us deal with the interpersonal challenges we face on a daily basis. Perspective allows us to recognize the complexity of a situation. Perspective allows us to empathize with others, see the long view, extricate ourselves from the drama of a moment, and identify a wider range of responses to an event." (Chapter 8, page 197)
She also reminds us that compassion makes us more resilient, healthier and happier, primes our minds for collaboration, and makes difficult relationships a little easier. Lastly, compassion strengthens our communities, so that we can continue to do this challenging work together. Aguliar suggests "Think of compassion as a muscle that we all have, that we are born with and need to strengthen" (p.199)
I share this reminder for myself, our staff, our families and as a springboard to remind our students, who are returning from a long break, how to help care for one another. Together with compassion and empathy for one another we will continue to persevere through these unprecedented times!
With appreciation,
Principal Kilbourne
Please send pictures or copies of your student's COVID VACINNATION CARD to Nurse Cannon at mcannon@sbschools.net. Their vaccination status will determine the next steps if they are a close contact in a positive case case in our school community.
Important Dates:
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Jan. 11th -PTO Zoom Meeting 6:00- 7:00
Jan. 17th- NO SCHOOL , MLK Day
Jan 28th- Early Release at 12:30
Feb. 4th- Report Cards go home
Feb 8th- PTO Meeting on Zoom 6:00- 7:00pm
Feb 11th- Early Release Day, 12:30 dismissal
Feb. 21- Mar. 1 Winter Break
PTO MEETING DATES: PTO Meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month, via zoom.
1/11/22
2/8/22
3/8/22
4/12/22
5/10/22
Do you love fresh air? Do you like exercise? Do you want to support your child's school community? Do you have 3 hours a week to share? We have the PERFECT OPPRTUNITY to get involved at school!
We need 3 -4 adults to be outside for recess supervision at one time, as we have a large playground and 3 or 4 classes outside at once.
Teachers are already covering lunch duties to help out, so they cannot also go outside.
Even if you could commit to just 1 day a week, for 3 hours, as a sub at recess duty it would be hugely helpful. Subs must have high school diplomas, and pass a background check and fingerprinting. The pay is $16.75/ hour for recess supervisors.
If you would like to sub for 3 hours, even just once a week, please contact Kathleen Kilbourne at RMCS at 802 652 7201 or Elissa Galvez in HR at 802 652- 7247. ! We would love your support so that we do not have to cancel services and students supports to provide the needed direct supervision needed at recess.
Do you know who this is at RMCS? It was -4 degrees and yet Mr.Kolbenson was outside very early before we all arrived, clearing a safe path for us all on the sidewalks!! Thank you ! We appreciate you!
PTO Meeting for RMCS
Tuesday, Jan 11, 2022, 06:00 PM
https://sbschools.zoom.us/j/84498170867?pwd=WHVnMEtRbmlRbkFuK0RwalpLWko1dz09
Ms.Hilary shares a rhyming book in music class that mimics "I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly"...Only this character swallows some musical instruments!
School Nurse Notes Jan 8 2022
GET THE MOST PROTECTION WITH A BOOSTER SHOT!
You should get a booster if you are 12 or older and you received:
- your Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago or
- your second dose of Moderna vaccine at least six months ago or
- your second dose of Pfizer vaccine at least five months ago
Health Classes Next Unit for Grades K-4: Internet Safety
In our next health unit guided by CDC educational standards and Vermont Health Education Guidelines, students in grades K-4 will be introduced to the skills and knowledge needed to keep themselves safe when using the internet. You can expect that your student will have discussed topics such as what is personal information, what types of sites and downloads are unsafe for them to use, and how to safely use social media when they are old enough to do so. This important topic is also taught by Ms Springer in the library, so students will have the information reinforced throughout the year. If you have any questions or would like to talk with me about this unit, please feel free to reach out. My email is eguido@sbschools.net.
-Ms. Lizzy
Lizzy Guido
RMCS Health Teacher
Parenting Supports from Prevent Child Abuse VT
Greetings from the Family Support Team at PCAVT!
Please see below for upcoming programs, ALL ON ZOOM. All programs are being offered over Zoom and are FREE to Vermont residents. Each of the sessions will run for between 60-90 minutes – on average, it takes 12 sessions to complete the program and receive a certificate of completion.
Please feel free to contact Michelle Richling, Family Support Programs Director, at mrichling@pcavt.org or 802-498-0623, with any questions or be in touch with us at familysupport@pcavt.org or 1-800-CHILDREN if you are interested in attending any of these programs.
Circle of Parents
Circle of Parents is a professionally facilitated, peer led
support group for parents and other caregivers.
Ongoing Groups:
• Circle of Parents with Children Identifying as LGBTQ (Weds at 6:30 pm)
• Circle of Parents for Single Moms - (Thursdays at 5:00 pm)
• Circle of Parents of Teens - (Mondays at 10:00 am)
• Circle of Support for Moms of Color (Wednesdays at 10:00 am)
• Circle of Parents in Recovery (Wednesdays at 5:30 pm)
• Circle of Parents (open to all) (Thursdays at 10:00 am)
• Circle for Adoptive & Post-Permanent Families (Thursdays at 5:00 pm)
• Circle for Adoptive & Post-Permanent Families (Thursdays at 8:00 pm)
Nurturing Parenting Programs
Nurturing Parenting Programs are curriculum-based, parenting education
programs for families experiencing stress.
Upcoming Nurturing Parenting Programs:
- Nurturing Program for Young Parents - starting Jan 25, Tuesdays 4:30-6
- Nurturing Skills for Families - starting Jan 10, Mondays 5:30-7:30pm
- Nurturing Skills for Families - starting Jan 11, Tuesdays 10am -12pm
- Nurturing Program for Families in Substance Use Recovery - starting Jan 19, Mondays 6-8pm.
- Nurturing Father’s Program - starting Jan 12, Wednesdays 6-8pm
Keeping Kids Safe on the Internet - Technicool Presentation for Parents
February 23rd 6:30-7:30pm
There are multiple kinds of digital risks for children today, such as internet pornography, online groomers, and sexting. It is important for caregivers and teachers to have the information and tools to respond. Adults in this workshop will: a) learn the digital risks for children and strategize ways to keep children and youth safe in digital environments and b) learn effective strategies for dealing with children exhibiting concerning digital behaviors. Please join us to learn how to support youth in digital environments!
We invite Vermont schools and childcare centers to share this digital invitation with all parents and caregivers within their community. Space will be limited, so please register to attend in advance.
Questions? E-mail Kirstie Grant
January 2022 South Burlington Library Events
Our PRE K Friends Study Community Helpers and Their Jobs!
Vermont Food and Energy Programs
Click on the link below to find information about programs in VT to support families in need of food or energy/fuel resources.
Farm to School Weeks at RMCS:
TOPICS in 2022:
1/31-2/4: Garlic
3/2-3/7: Microgreens (Wed,Thurs,Fri, then Mon following week)
3/28-4/1: Maple Syrup
4/25-4/29: Olive Oil + Foraging (early release Friday)
5/16-5/20: Spring Planting, Radishes, Peas, Spinach
Did You Know.....?
Non Fiction Reading Explored
Students sharing, "What I learned..."
SBSD ARP ESSER Community Engagement Survey
SBSD ARP ESSER Community Engagement Survey
In response to COVID-19 and its impact on student learning, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) was signed into law by the federal government in March of 2021 and provides funds to support the Elementary and Secondary School Relief Fund (ESSER). School districts across the State of Vermont have been asked by the Vermont Agency of Education to create Recovery Plans to outline how we will support our students using Federal ESSER funds.
For the third phase of funding, SBSD will be awarded $3,103,484. Federal guidance requires that all funds must be spent to address the ongoing impact of the pandemic specifically targeting three pillars: Social-Emotional Learning, Student Engagement, and Academic Success. We are seeking community input on how best to meet the needs of SBSD learners in these areas.
Please take a few minutes to provide us feedback on our proposed uses for these funds below. You can also read more about how we have spent recovery funds so far and review more detailed information on our Recovery Plan on our SBSD Recovery Planning/ESSER website:
https://sites.google.com/view/sbsdrecoveryplanningesser/home
Survey Link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyB3fWkJoqN_DShAccoWfRJ8LNd8mA1Exk5pJTqzgWrzHEOA/viewform
RMCS 2021-2022 Yearbook NOW ON SALE!! $15.00 Each
Don't miss a single edition of the Rick Marcotte Central School Year book!
Order forms have been sent home, but if you would like purchase your yearbook online, please click here:
https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1140092/Rick-Marcotte-Central-School/
Then select Order My Yearbook to make your purchase and check out. Please put your child's teacher's name under 'Homeroom' All yearbooks are shipped to the school then delivered to your child's classroom the last week of school.
Any questions please contact Holly Young or Carrie Rice.
RMCS has open positions for:
Interventionists- Full time
Behavior Facilitator- Full time
Recess/Lunch Supervisors (3 hours a day)
Substitute Teachers ( 1full time floating sub, 5 days a week)
Substitute Teachers- Flexible scheduling
Please apply via SchoolSpring.com or call Kathleen Kilbourne for more information at 652-7201.
Need Help with Technology? Use this link to access Tech supports!
https://sites.google.com/sbschools.net/sbsdedtechforstudentsfamilies/home
Rick Marcotte Central School
Email: kkilbourne@sbschools.net
Website: sbschools.net
Location: 200 Market Street, South Burlington, VT, USA
Phone: 802 652 7200
Twitter: @rmcschool