Flynn Flyer
November 5, 2021
Important Dates
11-7- End Daylight Savings- Turn Your Clocks Back
11/8-Sign Up for Conferences Begins
11/19-Report Cards go Home
11/19- Flynn Flyer Goes Home
11/22-11-23- Parent/Teacher Virtual Conferences
11/22-11/26-Thanksgiving Break-No School
12/2- Flynn PTO Meeting- 6 PM
Meeting ID meet.google.com/vfg-tbjd-hoy
12/8- Early Release Day 11:30- No Burlington Kids, No Sara Holbrook
12/23- Winter Break Begins
1/3- Back to School
Fall Conference Sign Up Information
Flynn
Scheduling for our November Parent Teacher Conferences will begin on Monday,November 8th for all Flynn Families. Please use the following link to begin the scheduling process:
https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/John_J_Flynn_Elementary_School
Please know that all conferences this November will be held virtually, using Google Meet. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions link below for more information related to virtual conferences using Google Meet.
Google Meet for Education requires that its users joining conference sessions either have a personal gmail or district gmail address. This is a Google Meet security feature.
Frequently asked questions can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/flynnptcsupport
If needed, please call the school office, 864-8478 for assistance.
BSD to Host Pediatric Vaccine Clinics
On November 2nd, the State of Vermont approved a COVID19 Vaccine for children ages 5-11. In preparation for this announcement, Burlington School District worked with representatives from the Vermont Department of Health to allow our six elementary schools to host school-based vaccination clinics.
On November 3rd, the healthvermont.gov website opened to parents and began accepting appointments for children to get their first dose of the vaccine.
Our clinics will be hosted at:
- Flynn Elementary, November 9th from 11 am to 5 pm
- Sustainability Academy, November 10th from 2-4 pm
- Integrated Arts Academy, November 10th from 9-12 am
- CP Smith, November 12th from 11 am to 5 pm
- Edmunds Elementary, November 17th from 11 am to 5 pm
- Champlain Elementary, November 19th from 11 am to 5 pm
To attend one of these clinics, families should schedule an appointment online. If you have trouble signing up online, you can also try to make an appointment by calling 855-722-7878.
Finally, we want to let you know that within 24 hours of our school clinics being available, we learned that many spots were already full. If this is the case, you still have options! Please remember,
- Your child can get a vaccine at ANY available school site that has open spots (you do not have to go to the clinic at your school, or even in your District or county)
- You may also arrange for your children to be vaccinated at a local pharmacy
- You can check with your child’s pediatrician's office.
Questions about Vaccines for children? The Vermont Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is hosting a number of webinars between now and December 15:
All events will be from 7pm to 8pm via Zoom on the following dates:
- Monday, November 8th with Leah Costello, M.D. (So. Burlington)
Click here to join Zoom meeting - Wednesday, November 10th with Elizabeth Richards, M.D. (Brattleboro)
Click here to join Zoom meeting - Tuesday, November 16th with Josh Kantrowitz, M.D. ( St. Johnsbury)
Click here to join Zoom meeting - Thursday, November 18th with Ashley Miller, M.D. ( So. Royalton)
Click here to join Zoom meeting - Monday, November 22nd with Colleen Moran, M.D. (Lamoille)
Click here to join Zoom meeting - Tuesday, November 30th with Alexandra Bannach, M.D. (Newport)
Click here to join Zoom meeting - Thursday, December 2nd with Tracy Tyson, M.D. (St. Albans)
Click here to join Zoom meeting - Monday, December 6th with Monica Benjamin, M.D. (Middlebury)
Click here to join Zoom meeting - Wednesday, December 8th with Judy Orton, M.D. (Bennington)
Click here to join Zoom meeting - Monday, December 13th with Stanley Weinberger, M.D. (Burlington)
Click here to join Zoom meeting - Wednesday, December 15th with Sarah Weidhaas, M.D. (Springfield)
Click here to join Zoom meeting
The Counselor Corner
Hello Flynntastic Families!
I have had such a wonderful time getting to know your kiddos over the past few months and I am excited to begin sharing with you what we have been doing in Classroom Guidance! Please read below for an overview of this week's Classroom Guidance lessons in Kindergarten, 4th grade, and 5th grade!
Kindergarten:
In Kindergarten this week we learned the difference between a “little problem” and a “big problem”. A “little problem” is something that may bother us, but we can move on from it and keep doing what we need to do. A “little problem” is something that we can handle on our own and sometimes we can ignore it (like when someone is annoying us in class). These types of problems may make us feel sad, annoyed, or disappointed, but they don’t need to ruin our day! A “big problem” may occur when someone is hurt or in danger and we need to get help right away. When something is a “big problem”, we may feel angry, terrified, overwhelmed, or devastated. In these situations we may need time to calm down alone or with adult help. Sometimes a “little problem” can turn into a “big problem” if we have tried over and over to solve it and it remains unresolved.
4th and 5th Grade:
In 4th and 5th grades this week we talked about what “strength” means and how it can mean different things to different people. Some students identified strength as physical strength such as being a superhero or being athletic. Other students identified strength as being able to overcome obstacles and having emotional strength (being able to express their emotions in respectful, controlled ways). A viewpoint one student shared that really stuck with me was the idea that strength was being “able to let go and forgive”. Students then had the opportunity to reflect on their own strengths - I hope they are able to share those strengths with you! We have a really strong group of students in this school community!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Emily Russen
School Counselor
802-864-8478 x51005
Firefly of the Day
Firefly of the Day is a school-wide initiative that was revived last winter to promote positive behavior choices in our school. It is based on the Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) of teaching and acknowledging positive behavior choices. There was overwhelming feedback that students and adults enjoy this fun initiative therefore we decided to continue it again this year.
Each week, teachers nominate a student in their classroom that has demonstrated positive behavior choices and explains specifically what they have seen. Then, each morning students are acknowledged over the intercom. Students listen in anticipation as Ms. Sells recognizes the new Fireflies. For example, ¨Joe hops out of the car each morning ready to be safe and responsible in line. He listens carefully, asks thoughtful questions, and is so happy to learn new things & to help all of his friends.¨ It is the norm for students to cheer for their friends that are recognized.
Each child receives a certificate with the coveted coupon for an ice cream treat. Also each student gets a special lanyard and their picture taken for the bulletin board in the hallway.
We appreciate the generosity of Jolley Mobil on North Avenue and Ben & Jerry´s for their donations for ice cream.
In an interview of a sample of students at all grade levels and the majority reported that Flynn kids really want to be Firefly of the Week. According to a fourth grader, Firefly of the week makes people feel if they work hard they get something. A second grader shared, ¨I think it's more fun. It is a funner way to be recognized by our teachers.¨
Ask your child about what they think of Firefly of the Day and how they may be recognized.
Flynn Fireflies of the Day
Week of November 1st
Flynn's Advisory Group
Please add your voice as we build our budget for next school year! There are three ways to participate:
You can give input to the district using the form on our website
Email Karen Priebe at kpriebe@bsdvt.org if you are interested in joining our School Advisory Group (SAG).
In November, we will announce the members of our School Advisory Group -- you can share your thoughts with them directly as well.
EVERYBODY WINS! VERMONT-LOOKING FOR FLYNN SITE COORDINATOR
Help children and reading mentors enjoy books together over lunch. Site coordinator openings in Chittenden County at J.J. Flynn Elementary School in Burlington and Shelburne Community School in Shelburne. 10 hours/week starting in September, follows the school calendar and ends in mid-May with minimal and flexible summer hours.
Learn more about our program and see the job description at https://www.everybodywinsvermont.org. Apply with a letter of interest and resume or detailed work experience to info@everybodywinsvermont.org