BAMS NEWS
December 15, 2020
A MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL LYMAN
Dear BAMS Families,
As the virus rages on, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. I, like many of you, am cautiously optimistic there is relief in the relatively near future. Until we get there, the precautions and safety protocols remain as important as ever. We continue to operate a very safe school and the students and staff have been amazing as we work through this challenge.
I cannot think of a worse time to ask you to make a decision about the second semester. Receiving your response to the survey helps all of us plan and prepare. We have received over 200 responses so far, but we are missing some and if you have not completed the survey, I ask you to send it in ASAP.
Click Here for additional Information
We will be leaving soon for the holiday break. This is a long break under a normal calendar and with the week after the break being remote, some students will be out of the building for almost a month. I hope you can find ways to keep your children safe, but also find ways for them to get outside and enjoy the crisp air. I worry about our students who have been looking at screens for months now. It is hard for adults to keep teenagers off their screens. This is especially true when many adults are off to work and other responsibilities during the day. Kids are bored when they are home and they have a need and desire to socialize. I have provided a link to the Building A Positive Community below. In addition, Common Sense Media will give you incredible resources for parents regarding technology use.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
At the end of this Newsletter, I have included additional resources I recently receive from BAPC.
I hope you will take a few additional minutes to read the additional sections below.
Thank you and have a wonderful holiday season!
Sincerely,
Keith Lyman- Principal
Mid-Term Grades
Teachers have updated grades in Powerschool and we are at the mid-term point in quarter 2. Please login to the parent portal to pay attention to your child's grades. If you need assistance, please call the school for help. We are invested in getting parents connected to the portal and to keep you informed about your child's academic progress.
Attendance
As a reminder, we take daily attendance in all classes (remote and in-person). If your child is sick and is unable to attend classes for the day, please be sure to contact our attendance clerk Dawn Petrovsky to report an absence. I have included the information here
BAMS Leadership Council
Do you want to talk about what is happening at BAMS and learn more about parental opportunities? You don't need to be a formal member to join our meetings! We would love to see more parental/guardian participation in our group. We are meeting on a monthly basis via Zoom. Our meetings are scheduled for the 1st Tuesday of each month via Zoom. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 5 at 5:30 PM. Please email Keith Lyman for the link at klyman@wsesdvt.org.
IMPORTANT- Holiday Calendar and Remote Sessions
We will have our regular advisory periods and Zoom office hours on Wednesday, Dec 23. School dismisses at 12:30 on the 23rd and we will be on break until January 4. It is important to note that we will conduct classes remotely during the week of January 4-8. The building will be closed that week. Students will return to in-person learning on January 11 for Team Canis Major and Draco, and Jan 14 for Team Leo and Team Taurus.
School Forms
We are missing some of the beginning of the year required forms. We ask that you login to Powerschool to complete the forms. We hoped to avoid printing paper copies, but we have for those of you who we are waiting for. Please get them in ASAP!! Thank you.
Food Service Menus
Students who are hybrid are now ordering meals in their advisory. you can find the menus here: https://brattleboro.nutrislice.com/
Additional Parental Resources
Project Learning Tree has fun and easy-to-do activities can be used while you explore your own backyard, visit a local park, or walk in the woods—as well as indoors - - https://www.plt.org/activities-for-families/ -
VINS, ECHO, Fairbanks, and Montshire have developed STEM experiences for Vermonters in this time of crisis - https://foursciencevt.org/
4-H at Home empowers kids through inspirational, hands-on learning experiences. Find educational resources, activities, and curriculum for kids and teens. https://www.uvm.edu/extension/youth/4-h-home-
4-H also has other oppurtunities for youth such as coding and babysitting coursed for free https://www.uvm.edu/extension/youth/announcements
Vermont Civic Challenge - This new Challenge (December to March) to will help you learn more about your state and your country, and give you a chance to help others, as well. https://goodcitizenvt.com/at-home-challenge/
Young Writers Project is a community of young writers and artists who create and connect online and revolves around three core areas — the website, publications, and workshops — for young people between ages 13 and 19.https://youngwritersproject.org/
HITRECORD is an open online community for creative collaboration. www.Hitrecord.org
To see more resources (or share some!, visit www.CopeandConnect.org