EMS Newsletter
March 13, 2020
Dear EMS Families,
As we collectively navigate the uncertainty and ongoing changes to the status of the Corona Virus in Burlington, I would encourage you to look at the resources on the Burlington School Districts website. Thank you to those who have reached out with resources and questions to consider during this time.
As a community we are seeking to be pro-active. With that in mind, all students at school today went home with their Chromebook and a charger in order to provide access to digital learning materials in the event of a school closure. Additional information and materials will be shared if it becomes necessary.
As you have seen from the frequent communication from our Superintendent, Yaw Obeng, we remain in close communication with the CDC, and are adjusting and updating our response accordingly.
As this reality ensues, the learning of your children continues inside the walls of EMS. Recently I had the pleasure of observing:
our Library Club creating games in the Maker Space that bring to life children’s books that they are reading to Edmunds Elementary School students. A beautiful example of maximizing learning by putting the creation in the hands of students and partnering it with inspiration and mentorship.
a Reading Cafe in action where 6th graders “browsed the menu” to pick their book club book.
students have a round table discussion about different types of stress and strategies/tools that could be provided to support their peers in managing these different types of stress.
Additionally, this past Tuesday at our PTO meeting, students partnered with a trainer from A World Of Difference to share the curriculum being taught to 6th graders as we continue the work of fostering a community where all feel connected, safe, seen, heard, understood and respected.
In partnership,
Meg
Friendly Reminders
3/26 - ½ day of school for students - noon dismissal
3/27 - NO school for students
3/26 & 3/27 - Parent Teacher Conferences
06/11 - 1-2 p.m. - 8th grade Celebration of Learning *While the final day of school won’t be announced by Superintendent Yaw Obeng until after April Vacation, we have finalized the date for the Celebration of Learning.
08/26/20 - First day of School for the 2020-2021 school year
Community Announcements
Parent Teacher Conferences - We are looking forward to the upcoming opportunity to connect, share and celebrate growth and collaborate around next steps. Please use the following tool to help schedule a time to meet with your child’s team. Conference scheduler
Principal and Assistant Principal Search Update - The Hiring Committee for the EMS Principal search is underway. The Committee includes EMS faculty and EMS parents led by Bonnie Johnson-Aten. The hope is to complete the search by the April break. Once a Principal is hired, the search for an Assistant Principal will begin again.
A MUST READ - As educators and families collaborating to support adolescents in making healthy choices in regards to social media and use of technology I would encourage you to read the following article.
8th grade course selection for 9th grade at BHS - We will continue to register 8th grade students for BHS classes. Please know we still have time to complete. Students registered by computer and paper. Any questions please call Pat Hulbert 864-8486 ext 41011. Thank you.
Jr. Iron Chef Update
To our wonderful Jr. Iron Chef Vermont community,
We write with the news that we have decided to cancel our Junior Iron Chef VT event on Saturday, March 14th, 2020. We promised you that we would monitor and respond to the unfolding reality of COVID-19, and in the past two days, that reality has changed. WHO has announced a global pandemic, many Vermont colleges have cancelled classes, and an additional case of the virus in Chittenden County has been confirmed.
The Vermont FEED partners, NOFA-VT and Shelburne Farms, take seriously our collective responsibility to those most vulnerable in our society. We are committed to helping to flatten the curve of this infection rate to slow the spread of the virus.
We want to acknowledge and honor the immense amount of work that the students, coaches, families, judges, sponsors, friends and organizations have invested in this event, and their sadness at the event’s cancellation. However, we also want to acknowledge that Jr Iron Chef VT is so much more than this culminating event. The heart of Junior Iron Chef VT has always been about celebrating and creating community through food, and this important work has already happened, as students have worked as teams to develop their recipes in the months leading up to the event. Despite the event’s cancellation, we are proud of the students and inspired by their energy and commitment. They make us hopeful about the future of our agricultural community here in the state of Vermont.
Thanks to all of you for your understanding. We are living in extraordinary times, and we all need each other.
With gratitude,
The Junior Iron Chef Planning Team from VT FEED, a project of NOFA-VT + Shelburne Farms
EMS Cabaret Coming!
The EMS annual Cabaret night is on April 11th this year- mark you calendars! This a fun night showcasing EMS students' passion for music.
Along with the cabaret, there will be an on-line auction (which culminates the night of the cabaret) whose proceeds benefit the music program. These funds make it possible for ALL students to participate in the music program, regardless of their ability to rent an instrument.
To make this night a success we need multiple volunteers and donations! Do you own a business that can donate a gift card/item or service? Are you an artist or craftsman who can donate some of your work? Do you have friends or associates who might be willing to donate? If so, please reach out Teal Doggett at teal.doggett@gmail.com.
We also need help preparing for the auction, setting up and taking down the night of, and organizing the bake sale refreshments at the event. If you can help with any of these tasks, please also let Teal know!
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/Engage_EMS/CAK-WCHrSrBrN4An0Uk52%2B1TF1q-LKfu%3DsDB6e2PWko84Aozr2A%40mail.gmail.com.
Free Summer Programs!
Did you know we offer FREE summer programs for all Burlington and Winooski middle schoolers, including people going into 9th grade?
You can sign up for programs like Rock Climbing, Sailing, Gardening and Cooking, Softball, Flag Football, Fishing, Print Making & Design, Woodworking, TV Production, Sculpture, and so much more! Stay tuned for the full list of programs and registration, which will be available in April!
Spring Production: Big Fish
Hello EMS Families,
Good news for EMS Students! If you missed play auditions you can still join the EMS school play, Big Fish. We are looking for students who want to experience theatre but without a heavy time commitment, likely one day per week. If you're interested in joining, please look for a signup sheet outside the gym or email me at nctwohig@comcast.net or Very Merry Theatre Executive Director Don Wright at don@verymerrytheatre.org. Feel free to reach out with any questions as well!
Rehearsals for Big Fish begin on Monday, March 16th. There will be no rehearsals on Tuesdays. Crew members will meet once per week (day TBD) while rehearsals will be held the other four days per week but not all cast members will be called every day.
We will need parent volunteers to help with all areas of the production: costumes, sets, props, playbill, lights/sound, fundraising, concessions, hair/makeup, green room. Please indicate on your child's permission slip how you can assist.
We will obviously be following any guidance from the school district re: COVID-19 regarding the play.
If you have any questions or would like to be added to our mailing list, please contact Executive Director Don Wright at don@verymerrytheatre.org or EMS parent volunteer Nicole Twohig at nctwohig@comcast.net.
Many thanks,
Nicole
To view this discussion on the web visit
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/Engage_EMS/3f8b4bbd-82ff-4246-9f2e-46a724af6fa4%40googlegroups.com.
Lacrosse Update
We're just a few weeks away from another great season of Burlington Youth Lacrosse!
Burlington Youth Lacrosse, a nonprofit committed to providing kids the opportunity to be great teammates, have fun, and learn a healthy/fast-growing sport, starts the season on April 1.
SIGN UPS ARE OPEN - BUT FILLING UP FAST!
Help sign up boys and girls in grades 3-8
at https://burlingtonyouthlacrosse.org/registration.
WE NEED NEED COACHES...AND NONPROFIT BOARD MEMBERS
Our coaches and board members are positive, supportive, and make things fun. If that sounds like someone you know, please email us at btvlax@yahoo.com to inquire about becoming a coach or board member.
Please help us spread the word about this great experience for kids by posting a link to our website - https://burlingtonyouthlacrosse.org/ - on your social media.
Bill Carter
Burlington Parent and Coach of Girls 10U and 12U
Our mailing address is 110 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401.
