Gertrude Chamberlin School
Family Newsletter May 21, 2021 Volume 15 Issue 39
Wednesday, May 26th - 12:30 Dismissal. Early Release for Staff Professional Development
Monday, May 31st - No School - Memorial Day
Wednesday, June 9th - 12:30 Dismissal. 12:30 Dismissal. Early Release for Staff Professional Development
Friday, June 18th - Last Day of School, 11:30 AM Dismissal
Enhancing Communication: Texting Going Live May 25!
In order to enhance our communication and engagement with families and staff, we will be adding SMS/text messaging to our SchoolMessenger notification system (the system the District uses to send phone and email communications to families and staff). We have established a "go live" date of May 25 at 6:30 pm. At that time, if you have a mobile phone number on file with the District, you will receive a one-time text message asking if you want to receive texts going forward. The message will come from the number 67587. Simply respond with the letter "Y" or the word "Yes" to opt-in. Ready to opt-in now? You can simply send a text to the number 67587 with the letter "Y" or the word Yes" to opt-in today!
Annual Registration for ALL STUDENTS is Open!
- Click on the big "P" icon in the blue ribbon on the top of the Gertrude Chamberlin home page.
- If you have forgotten your Username or need a password reset, please contact Mrs. Baechle at 652-7403 or Chamb_Reg@sbschools.net
- If more than one student is linked to the portal account, choose the appropriate student at the top left corner
- Choose the Forms link from the left navigation bar
- Under the Annual Student Update category, click “Update A. Getting Started: Annual Student Update 2021-2022” to begin completing the forms packet
The Registration website (www.sbschools.net/register) has helpful, translatable, information for parents/guardians. Instructions to register their students, lists of required documents, and guides to creating parent portal accounts and linking student(s) can be found there.
If you need assistance, please contact Mrs. Baechle at 652-7403, or Chamb_Reg@sbschools.net.
STEAM in Library Class
Chamberlin Gardens
News from the South Burlington Public Library
Our temporary location at the University Mall is now open for browsing, using computers and checking out materials. Curbside pickup will continue, but we hope to see many of you inside the Library. We’ve missed you! This is a great time to renew your library card, or even better, to get library cards for everyone in your household. Any legal resident of South Burlington over the age of five may obtain a resident library card with identification that clearly shows name and current legal address. We encourage each household member to get a card, as we do not have “family” cards. Please come to the library to sign up. We plan to be open at the Mall location through Friday, June 11th and then, re-open in mid-to late
July at the NEW LIBRARY on 180 Market Street at the New City Center. We can’t wait to share this amazing community space with our patrons. Our updated policies regarding behavior and safety at the library will be available on our website in June.
In the meantime, we have exciting events planned in preparation for this move. Our 2021 Summer Reading Program, designed to encourage and celebrate reading throughout the summer, features all kinds of animals. “Tails and Tales” begins on June 1 with Summer Reading Kits available through curbside or by visiting the library. Readers of all ages can log their reading through a new online tracking program called BEANSTACK. Read for fun and earn digital badges; once the library has reopened, enter your raffle tickets for the chance to win prizes. More information is coming soon, so keep checking the library website. This program is FREE and open to readers of all ages.
On Sunday, June 13 at 10am, we will kick off the move to our new library with a “Bag 'n Wagon Parade” It’s your chance to say “Good-bye!” to the old, and “Hello!” to the new, as we begin our move to the new library. After grabbing a bag of books, we will parade across Dorset Street led by Mike Randall’s “The Big Blue Train.” Readers can also pick up their Summer Reading Kits at the end of the parade. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public. Check out our library website for more details.
Celebrate with us at the official ribbon cutting and Open House on July 23rd. Stay tuned for more information. We look forward to seeing you soon!
For more information, please contact us at 846-4140 or email sbplinfo@southburlingtonvt.gov.https://southburlingtonlibrary.org
Open hours:
Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 11 am – 3 pm
Tuesday & Wednesday 2 pm - 6 pm.
School breakfast!
Planting "Grass Heads" in preschool.
Playing a memory game in kindergarten.
Health Office Updates
A COVID-19 vaccine clinic will take place May 25 at the SBHS Burleigh Gym from 11:00 am-6:00 pm. You can find an evolving list of vaccination sites and how to register here. Vermont residents 12 and older can also access vaccination walk-in clinics, but individuals in that age group should look for clinics that offer the Pfizer vaccine and bring a parent or guardian with them.
Here is a link from the VT Multilingual Coronavirus Task Force with informational videos about vaccinating children 12-15 in many languages.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3zjPpeFnXqvESr1y3d4DvQ
If you have questions about the vaccine as it relates to children, please take the opportunity to join local pediatricians for Zoom info sessions! The Vermont Department of Health began offering this series of online meetings last week and upcoming events will take place May 23 and May 26.
Vermont's Easing of Mask Requirement:
Masks are only required outdoors in situations* where a 6-foot distance cannot be maintained. According to Dr. Levine with the health department: “This is why, now when you’re outdoors, masks will only be required when you’re in a crowd or with multiple households, where you can’t keep a 6-foot distance from others. This is regardless of whether you are vaccinated or not.”
Examples of when you do not need a mask include:
- if you’re outside on a run, your family is on a hike or out for biking,
- if kids are having an outdoor playdate,
- if you’re on the sidelines watching a baseball game or
- if you are heading to the beach with plenty of space around you.
*Students and staff will continue to wear masks while on school property.
Travel:
If you are unvaccinated (including children) and traveled outside the state, you must have a COVID-19 test within 3 days of returning to Vermont. For more details, visit COVID-19 "Frequently Asked Questions" on the health department's website.
People who have returned from international travel should follow the "After International Travel" guidance from the CDC.
A message to parents/guardians: if you have any symptom, no matter how mild, such as a headache, cough, fatigue or a runny nose, it’s best to get tested. It’s also important to avoid going to work, school or other places until you receive a negative result. COVID-19 is a highly transmissible virus, and this is how we can each protect our loved ones and our communities. If you have symptoms, talk to your health care provider. They can refer for testing.
COVID Vaccine:
People 12 and older can make appointments. Part-time Vermont residents, including college students, are also eligible to get vaccinated. The health department is arranging for more walk-in clinic opportunities. Visit the "make appointment" link above to find a walk-in near you!
The Vermont Department of Health is offering a series of online town hall meetings with local pediatric providers for parents who may have questions about the vaccine. Here is the DOH link to these meetings:
https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/vaccine/about-covid-19-vaccines-vermont#vaccinesforchildren
May 14th Update from Superintendent Young
Dear Parents/Guardians and Staff,
It seems like spring has finally decided to stay. The sun and warmer temperatures coincided perfectly with our first week back to more in-person learning for our students. Beginning Monday, May 10, elementary students moved from 4 to 5 days of in-person learning and the middle school also transitioned to 5 days in person. While this has been a big lift to have students and staff transition, yet again, overall I believe providing the additional opportunities for connection are invaluable and will position us well for a more normal looking 2021-2022 school year.
I wanted to share a couple of anecdotes that illustrate just how important having a little extra time at school means to our students. Gertrude Chamberlin Principal Holly Rouelle heard this quote from a 5th grader: "It feels like we are one step closer to normal."
While over at Rick Marcotte Central School, Principal Kathleen Kilbourne shared that as students were leaving school Tuesday afternoon, she heard a 2nd grader say, "I get to see you tomorrow without using my username and password!" The teacher's response: "I look forward to teaching in person tomorrow without my username and password too." Powerful words that drive home the importance of what we are doing. Thank you!
Please see more updates below including information on a vaccine clinic being hosted at SBHS May 25!
Current Year District Calendar Update
Please note that May 26th and June 9th will be a late start day at the HS/MS and an early dismissal for the elementary schools at 12:30.
SBHS to Host COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic May 25
We were excited to learn this week of the FDA's authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for youth ages 12-15. This is a hopeful step in the state and country’s transition out of this pandemic. To help facilitate this effort, many school districts across the state, including South Burlington will be hosting vaccine clinics. Our clinic will take place May 25 at the SBHS Burleigh Gym from 11:00 am-6:00 pm. You can find an evolving list of vaccination sites and how to register here. Vermont residents 12 and older can also access vaccination walk-in clinics, but individuals in that age group should look for clinics that offer the Pfizer vaccine and bring a parent or guardian with them.
If you have questions about the vaccine as it relates to children, please take the opportunity to join local pediatricians for Zoom info sessions! The Vermont Department of Health is offering this series of online meetings May 16-May 19 and they all take place from 7:00-8:00 pm.
Annual Student Update Forms Are Open for the 2021-2022 School Year
Get started today! Please register your student for the 2021-2022 School Year by completing the Annual Student Update forms before August 17th. These forms help families verify and share important health and contact information as well as allow for permissions to be set for school technology devices. To start, click this link: Getting Started: Register a Returning Student. If you have questions or need assistance with this process, please contact your school directly.
Connecting with the School Board: Upcoming Opportunities
Our school board wants to connect with you! Although they have regular bi-monthly meetings, we understand that the dates, times, and even the format are not ideal for everyone in terms of participation. If you are looking for another way to ask questions, express concerns, or maybe just get to know your board members a little better, please join individuals for their upcoming Zoom chats! The board began piloting these virtual pop-in sessions this week. Next week, you can join Board Chair Bridget Burkhardt Monday, May 17 from 9:00-11:00 am and Rebecca Day beginning Tuesday, May 18 from 10:00-11:00 am. Check out the School Board's Facebook Page and the District website for the latest dates and links!
The next regular school board meeting will take place Wednesday, May 19 beginning at 7:00 pm. You can also watch board meetings (livestream and after the fact) via the Media Factory website and see the meeting minutes and backup information on the District website. The board will also be joining the City Council for a steering committee meeting May 18 beginning at 7:00 pm.
Enhancing Communication: Texting Going Live May 25!
In order to enhance our communication and engagement with families and staff, we will be adding SMS/text messaging to our SchoolMessenger notification system (the system the District uses to send phone and email communications to families and staff). We have established a "go live" date of May 25 at 6:30 pm. At that time, if you have a mobile phone number on file with the District, you will receive a one-time text message asking if you want to receive texts going forward. The message will come from the number 67587. Simply respond with the letter "Y" or the word "Yes" to opt-in. Ready to opt-in now? You can simply send a text to the number 67587 with the letter "Y" or the word Yes" to opt-in today!
School Happenings
Big Picture Program Student Minelle Sarfo-Adu’s Equity in Housing Project
For Big Picture student Minelle Sarfo-Adu’s service thesis project she decided to focus on the issue of equity in housing and recently gave a presentation of her work as part of CVOEO’s Fair Housing Project. Minelle wrote, “Essentially, I became interested in real estate and started noticing how people that are African Americans don’t own many homes in South Burlington. Which got me thinking to learn more about this and so I wrote a paper on it then made it my service thesis project which is a service project for students in Big Picture South Burlington (self directed, community based, project based learning project). I decided to make my project have the goal of bringing awareness to the situation.” Minelle will present her project to the South Burlington City Council at their May 17 meeting. The agenda and participation information can be found here. We’re looking forward to it!
SBHS New Club Beginning on Gender Based Violence Awareness
SBHS student Maddie Merrill will be launching a new club at SBHS to help spread awareness regarding gender based violence. SBHS ELA teacher Carly Bennett will serve as the advisor. The current plan is to meet once per week. According to Bennett, some potential learning and activities proposed include relevant film viewings, self-defense classes, readings and conversations about global gender-based violence issues, school-wide awareness-raising activities, and fundraising for organizations working to end/prevent gender-based violence and support victims.
FHTMS Why Not Team Virtual talent show
Christine St. Clair, who teaches on FHTMS’ Why Not? Team reported that in late April, a virtual talent show was held where students sent in videos of their talents. “We had skiing, magic, piano, fiddle, unicycling, painting, guitar and singing all included in the show. Our kids are amazingly talented. The teachers also put together a very silly music video that featured many of the off-team teachers that Why Not? students have, as well as the administration, librarians, etc, dancing around in bumblebee tutus. It was ridiculous and really fun,” St. Clair wrote. Much needed levity for all!
Gertrude Chamberlin School Poet to be Published
April was National Poetry Month and 5th graders entered a national poetry contest through Creative Communications. According to Library Media Specialist Allison Balk, Creative Communications is a program run by educators that offers free poetry contests that provide students with the opportunity to become published writers. However, only a select few students are chosen to be published in their book, “A Celebration of Poets.” Leela Sides entered a Haiku and her poem "Cherry Tree" was selected for publication. Balk wrote, “Leela is beyond proud of herself and so are Mrs. McKegney, her parents and myself.”
Cherry Tree
Oh great cherry tree
You are so pink, so pretty
A light in the dark
RMCS to Receive Books Thanks for Grant Garnered by SBHS Student
RMCS students will soon benefit from the industriousness of SBHS student Niko Lekkas, who after being inspired by working with a student at Central School on their reading for half an hour each Tuesday over Zoom, decided to apply for a grant to help buy books to support the third grade and literacy support teams. The books are for low-level readers (K-1-2) and intentionally multicultural in theme/representation. Lekkas is a senior at SBHS and wrote the grant proposal to the Academic Boosters fund after finding out about it from CDC Director Christine Lundie. He was awarded $640 to buy two sets of books from Leff Books.
Niko wrote, “I noticed that this is a very diverse class, and for some of the students, English is a second language. I absolutely wanted to work on the grant and help get the books for them. This was my first grant that I ever wrote. Every room in my house has books and I know the importance of books for developing creativity, imagination, writing, and communication. So, working on this grant to get the books for these 3rd graders was important for me.” Well done!
Orchard’s Reading to Raise Anti-Racists Program will Continue!
Over this past year, Orchard School has had a schoolwide "Reading to Raise Anti-Racists" project in which each class reads the same book for each month of the school year. The project has been so successful that the organizers were encouraged to plan for year two. Donna Sullivan-MacDonad reported that Donors Choose had a promotion for Teacher Appreciation Week where Sonic (and later Google) matched donations. Six copies of ten different books were selected and submitted to Donors Choose. Orchard’s project, which totaled over $1000 was fully funded in two days! Sullivan-MacDonald wrote, “We are ever so grateful to our very generous donors and corporate sponsors. The school population is so excited that they will be continuing this important work for a second year!”
Thanks for reading and enjoy the sunshine this weekend!
Sincerely,
David
Family Resources:
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
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