The Bobcat Bulletin
A Newsletter from Founders Memorial School
January 24, 2020
Important Dates to Remember
February 6-10 - Book Fair
February 12 - PTO Meeting - Library - 6:30 PM
February 13 - Orchestra Concert @ 7:00 PM
February 24 to March 3 - Winter Break
March 4 - Back to School!
FMS News
Legris and Savio Classes to Vermont State House
As part of their Service Learning Project, the Fourth Graders traveled to the Vermont State House Wednesday, January 15, 2020. The students had a tour and also spent time with Lieutenant Governor, David Zuckerman, and several Representatives, and Senators speaking with them about their desire to end homelessness in Vermont!
MLK Service Project Update - Thank You!
THANK YOU, Berlin City Kia!!
Miss Gray's 5th grade class and Mrs. Mack's 3rd grade class traveled to South Burlington on Thursday, January 16th to accept grants from our friends at Berlin City Kia through Kia's Drive for Education Grant program!
Miss Gray's class accepted a $1,500 grant and the money will be used by the team for students who need financial assistance with the end-of-the-year Boston field trip. Mrs. Mack's class accepted a $1,000 grant that will be used for flexible seating for the classroom.
A warm thank you to Berlin City Kia for all they do to help further education!!!
Miss Gray's class $1,500 grant
Mrs. Mack's class $1,000 grant
Thank you, Berlin City Kia!!!
YMCA Winter Specialty Classes
POUND – Parents Welcome!!
POUND® is an infectious and energizing cardio workout that encourages participants to rock out to today’s music! Adults are welcome to join this fun and exciting workout class with their child(ren)!
When: Mondays, January 27th to February 17th
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Where: Music Room
Cost: $55 per child, $10 per parent/guardian
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
The adventure keeps going and so does the curiosity for the natural world! This session, students will explore the woods around Founders, search for animal tracks, and participate in outdoor-focused activities. This class strives to be outside no matter the weather, so bring your warm clothing and get ready for fun!
When: Tuesdays, January 28th to March 17th
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Where: Learning Lab C107
Cost: $80, Y Kids $40
GERMAN
Are you curious about learning another language? Come learn German from a native speaker! This engaging class will teach students basic German skills through fun conversation and cultural activities.
When: Fridays, January 31st to March 13th
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Where: Learning Lab C107
Cost: $80
For more information or to sign up please contact:
Melissa Werle
Youth Development Coordinator
GREATER BURLINGTON YMCA
298 College Street, Burlington VT 05401
(P) 802.652.8150 (E) mwerle@gbymca.org
(W) gbymca.org (O) Facebook
Vermont National Education Association "Essential Support Professional"
Our 2020 ESP of the Year Runner-Up is: Laura Walker-Sewell!
This year’s VT-NEA ESP of the Year runner-up is Laura Walker-Sewell of the Essex Westford Education Association. As a member of the Vermont-NEA Board of Directors, Walker-Sewell is no stranger to union activism. But she is also known for her dedication to students and her fellow educators. “We refer to ESPs as ‘Essential Support Professionals’ because they are,” she said. “ESPs are a large and diverse group who perform many varied jobs, and all are essential in the smooth day-to-day operations of any district.”
Walker-Sewell also has a tasty “side-hustle,” as she calls it: Comfort Cookies. “My husband and I for the last 12 years have been donating our cookies to various charities but mainly to active duty military members in far off places,” she said. “We feel it is the very least we can do to bring a little bit of home closer to someone very far away.”
Essex Fire Girl and FMS Student...Addi Carroll
A Message from FMS Parent, Tammy Carroll...
Good afternoon,
My 9 year old daughter and honorary Essex Fire Girl, Addi Carroll, inspires countless people every day by courageously fighting a progressive battle against a complex life-threatening disease currently being documented as novel disease by National Institutes of Health. She has required frequent out-of-state medical care which, over her lifetime, has averaged one day per week. One of the times when we feared the worst was late in 2018, when she was hospital and homebound for over two months but the support of her community, Essex Fire & Rescue and blood transfusions brought her back to continue inspiring us. Addi’s firefighters and other loved ones are so very thankful for this gift of life and we would like others to have the same fighting chance. To support others in our community who are in need, The Essex Fire Firefighter’s Association has organized a Blood & Food Drive as well as an Angel Flight NE Fundraiser --- all in honor of their Fire Girl Addi. If you are interested and able to help here are some ways you could chose to do so:
· Blood or Power Red Donation: Click here to schedule an appointment for 2/15 (I’ll see you there). If that date and location won’t work, you can click here to pledge your next donation to count toward the in-honor-of-Addi drive.
· Angel Flight Fundraiser: Our family turned to Angel Flight NorthEast in March 2019 when it was no longer safe to drive Addi out of state to receive much needed (and frequent) medical care. In the first 8 months, they humbly and compassionately coordinated more than 60 free flights with volunteer Pilots for our family and will continue to do so for as long and as often as we need their assistance. Click here to learn more about this amazing organization by watching a 13 minute video featuring Addi (first 4 minutes) and 2 other patients. To give in her honor (as an individual or business): Click here.
· Food Donation: Aunt Dot’s Place is a food shelf serving the residents of Essex, Essex Junction, Jericho, Underhill and Westford. Addi’s special educator is the President of the food shelf and the food drive is how our three children are supporting this event. Bring a food donation to the 2/15 blood drive and/or place it in the kitchen in the container!
· Share: Please share freely with other organizations and individuals if you feel compelled to do so. If, instead, you’d like to share a story that inspires others to support their communities…Click here to watch the 2 minutes that talks about the relationship between Essex Fire & Rescue and their firegirl Addi. OR click here If you’d like to watch the full 22 minute Hearst TV national holiday special about how communities come together to support each other.
Thanks for your consideration and time,
Tammy Carroll
News from our Staff
FMS Band & Orchestra Concerts
Mr. Valyou sends out a weekly e-mail newsletter. If you are a band and/or orchestra parent and have not received any of the past 12 newsletters, please e-mail Mr. Valyou to request your name be added at tvalyou@ewsd.org
FMS Dental Clinic Openings
There are 3 openings for the Vermont Technical School Dental Clinic sponsored by FMS.
The clinic takes place in the FMS Health Office on Wednesdays beginning in March and ending April 1st. Students who participate in the free clinic can receive x-rays if they are due, check up, cleaning, sealants, and flouride. Many of you filled out the paperwork and permission form at the beginning of the school year. Due to an overwhelming response not everyone was able to be scheduled. Because of several cancellations, there are now openings for the clinic.
If your child has not had a recent visit to the dentist and you would like them to participate in this clinic, please call Diana Smith, FMS School Nurse to inquire about scheduling your child. The phone number for the health office is 857-6304. Thanks!
Gather at the Table - January 11, 2020 - THANK YOU!!
THANK YOU! to those who participated in the Gather at the Table event that was on January 11.
It was a great success. Almost 500 people were fed a great meal and enjoyed many fun activities in the gym that evening for free!
We are already beginning to plan for the next year, so if you weren't able to make it this year .. COME AND JOIN US NEXT YEAR!!
Gather at that Table Team
News from the FMS Library
Founders Memorial School Book Fair
Why We Do It
The annual FMS Book Fair will take place from February 5-10, 2020. The book fair is an essential fundraiser for our school library program. Each year, the book fair provides our library with hundreds of exciting new books.
Book Coupons
This year, we will again provide a $2 book coupon for every single FMS student to be used to purchase a book at the fair.
Volunteers Needed
We need your help to make this terrific event happen. Volunteers are needed to help set-up, run the cash register, and to help break down the fair as well. Please visit the Volunteer Signup Form to sign up for a slot (or two)!
Please contact Sara Jablonski with any questions at sjablonski@ewsd.org or 857-6306.
Sara Jablonski
Librarian
Founders Memorial School
33 Founders Road
Essex Jct., VT 05452
802-857-6306
sjablonski@ewsd.org
Follow fmslibraryvt on Instagram!
Tech and Your Kids
Not sure if the movie your child wants to watch is age appropriate? Did you know Common Sense Media can also be used to read movie reviews? Check out this link to read thousands of movie and TV show reviews.
LOST AND FOUND is OVER-Flowing!
Please check the lost and found!
The wall of lost jackets and sweatshirts
So many pairs of gloves and many hats!
Nuts and Bolts
FMS Early Release Tuesdays
Afternoon Dismissal
If your student has an EARLY DISMISSAL and you need to pick him/her up early (before 3pm or 2pm on Tuesdays) we need a note, a phone call, or an email BEFORE 2:00 PM (or 1:00 PM on Tuesdays). Please plan on arriving before 2:40 pm (1:40 pm on Tuesdays). You must go to the office and we will call to have your child dismissed to meet you in the lobby. Please plan in advance.
If you need to make changes to your students after school plans (ie. Pick up, bus change, etc.) please contact us BEFORE 2:00 PM (or 1:00 PM on Tuesdays). Notes go up to the classrooms one hour prior to dismissal and teachers are getting their dismissal sheets ready for the end of the day. This helps for planning and eases the afternoon rush.
Reminder... Absences and Tardies
ABSENCES/Tardies:
The front office NEEDS to know if your student will be absent or tardy for attendance! If you do not let us know your student is out, please expect a call from the front office to ask you about your child. In order to avoid a call, please do one of the following:
Call: The office number is 802-879-6326 -please leave a message
Email: kkedzierski@ewsd.org and jolesen@ewsd.org
Online Report an Absence form: Go to www.ewsd.org, go to Schools, select Founders, you will see a Clipboard on the right hand side. Click on it and it will take you to an easy online form to report an absence that goes straight to the front office.
Community Resources
- Aunt Dot's Place - https://www.auntdotsplace.com/ - Essex based local food shelf
- Essex Eats Out - http://www.essexeatsout.org/ - Providing healthy, free meals in a warm, safe, and inclusive atmosphere on Fridays
- Heavenly Food Pantry - www.fccej.org/v5/living-our-faith/outreach/ - Essex based local food shelf located at First Congregational Church - Main Street, Essex.
- Heavenly Cents Thrift Shop - www.fccej.org/v5/living-our-faith/outreach/ - Essex based thrift shop located at 37 Main Street, Essex Junction, VT - ph# 879-6552
Founders Memorial School
Website: www.ewsd.org/fms
Location: 33 Founders Road, Essex Junction, VT, USA
Phone: 802-879-6326
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Founders-Memorial-School-1509308329359547/timeline/
Twitter: @FMS_Essex