EMS Newsletter
June 18, 2019
Dear EMS Families,
Before the 2018-2019 school year comes to an official end I wanted to send a newsletter with a few final updates.
Assistant Principal Search
After careful consideration of the candidates and initial interviews, the hiring committee agreed that we did not have a viable Assistant Principal candidate from the current pool.
Thus we proposed to Superintendent Obeng and the Board that we
commence a full search for an Assistant Principal in October of 2019
and install Brent Truchon as a Dean of Students to fulfill the necessary responsibilities for the 2019-2020 school year.
EMS is in great need of a strong Assistant Principal who can fully fulfill the articulated roles. Until we are able to find that person, we believe that a trusted colleague committed to doing whatever it takes in the community will serve us best. Please join me in welcoming Brent Truchon into his new role as Dean of Students.
Algebra Seminar
Before the end of the year, 8th grade students were given the opportunity to opt into Algebra Seminar for the 2019-2020 school year. In the next week, details regarding expectations of the Seminar and the Algebra contract will be sent home to those students who opted in.
Please note: The Algebra Seminar is not a requirement in order to take Geometry as a 9th grader, but proficiency in 9th grade level Algebra is.
Students who wish to take this Algebra Seminar exploratory class should meet the recommended criteria (see below) and must sign a contract outlining the related expectations. The interest to participate in the Seminar should come from the student. If the student is not motivated to be in the class and work diligently, then the student is less likely to be successful and may not benefit from this opportunity, thus taking away from his/her learning and that of the others in the class.
The Algebra Seminar class recommended criteria include the following:
Student achievement of B+ or better in 7th grade math or otherwise determined by their 7th grade math teacher to be secure on all standards
7th grade SBAC test score of level 3 or 4 (Proficient or proficient with distinction)
Easy CBM math score that meets or exceeds grade level
Recommendation by 7th grade math teacher.
In January of 8th grade and again at the end of 8th grade, teacher recommendations for Geometry for 9th grade will be based upon a student:
demonstrating proficiency in 8th grade math, including a grade of B+ or better.
demonstrating proficiency in high school Algebra 1, and, if taken, Algebra Seminar.
demonstrating proficiency on the final exam.
conducting themselves appropriately in both 8th grade math and Algebra Seminar.
Success in the seminar helps determine entry into Freshman Geometry, and lack of success leads to a recommendation for Freshman Algebra.
Continued participation in Algebra Seminar will be reviewed each academic term based on this criteria. Students not consistently meeting the contract criteria may not be allowed to continue in Algebra Seminar. The Algebra Seminar criteria and parent/student contract will be shared with families by May 29th.
2019-2020 Schedule Update
As we work to continue to ensure all of our students have the opportunity to explore different interests, we will be offering the following exploratory rotations next school year:
6th graders will take the following one day a week:
Design Tech
Art
Spanish
Health
Music
Additionally, students will take PE and have the opportunity to opt into Chorus, Strings or Band.
7th/8th graders will take the following on a semester rotations:
Health (each year)
Art
Design Tech
Additionally, students will take PE and performance Music (if desired). The rest of their exploratory classes will be based on their interest, shared in a survey given at the end of the year, as well as availability.
Hopefully the summer will grace us soon with some enjoyable weather.
Please be safe and have a pleasant summer,
Meg
Friendly Reminders
August 28th - First day of school for 6th graders - dismissal at 2 p.m.
August 29th - First day of school for 7th/8th graders
Community Announcements
2019-2020 School Year Calendar has been released - please find here and on our website
A Note from Katie Wyndorf to Students
Sixth grade teacher Katie Wyndorf and her husband Pete have an amazing opportunity to spend the next two years teaching in Viet Nam. Here are her wishes for her students:
"I hope you have a stellar summer, work hard and keep shining bright! I am so grateful to have worked with you this year. I’ll see you on the flip side of two years, sending my best.
May you be well,
Ms.Wyndorf
PS. I will send out contact information once it is solidified so you can share all of the rad things that you are doing :)"
More Information about Global Girls Camp
Proposed schedule of daily activities: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-IswaX-fUblN0k4RnRoMk9TbEV3aGExZC13REQ1QlEtR0NN/view?usp=sharing
Dear Parent or Guardian,
The United States is seeing the greatest number of people with measles since the disease was declared eliminated from the country in 2000. So far this year, as of June 6, 2019, Vermont has not had any cases of measles, but there have been cases in neighboring states and Quebec. Measles is one of the most contagious of all diseases and it can be disruptive and dangerous.
Measles Outbreaks in the U.S.
The majority of people getting measles are unvaccinated children. Because measles is still common in many parts of the world, unvaccinated travelers continue to bring the disease into the U.S. It can then spread, particularly in communities where groups of people are not vaccinated.
Ensure your child is up to date on their immunizations.
The best way to be protected against measles is with a vaccine that provides protection against three diseases: measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). To make sure your child is protected from measles, the Vermont Department of Health recommends you do the following:
Make sure your child has had two doses of the MMR vaccine.
Call your child’s primary care provider to schedule an appointment to get vaccinated if needed. If uninsured, your child may be vaccinated at your District Health Office.
Share updated immunization information with your child’s school nurse or administrator.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Call your child’s health care provider if your child shows symptoms of measles:
High fever
Cough, runny nose and red eyes
Three to five days after the fever, a rash of tiny, red spots. The rash starts on the face at the hairline and spreads to the rest of the body.
How does measles spread?
Measles spreads through the air when a person infected with the measles virus breathes, coughs or sneezes. Measles is so contagious that an unvaccinated person can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been up to two hours after that person has left the room.
Someone with measles is contagious from four days before the rash appears to four days after the rash appears. Before someone even knows they’re sick, they can spread measles to other people.
Is measles serious?
For some children, measles can lead to diarrhea, ear infection, pneumonia (a serious lung infection), lifelong brain damage, a suppressed immune system, deafness, and in rare cases, death.
Thank you for doing your part to protect the health and wellbeing of the children in our community.
Learn more at healthvermont.gov/measles