ABS Newsletter: February 9, 2024 · Albert Bridge School

Hello ABS families,

This week we had WISE join our 3rd-6th graders. WISE has been a valuable resource

not only within the school community, but the community at large. Below gives you as a

parent/guardian insight on what will be discussed based on the grade level of the student. If you

have any questions or wish for your student to not participate in this program. Please feel free to

contact Andrew McPhillips our School Counselor at andrew.mcphillips@wsesu.net or contact

Annalise Ennis one of the SEI’s at annalise.ennis@wsesu.net .

ABS Maple Sap boiling sign up

ABS is gearing up for the Maple sugaring season!

Here at ABS we tap trees along the school property, collect the sap, and boil the sap on sight.

Throughout the next 6-8 weeks, students will learn about plant needs, tree identification, maple trees throughout the season as well as the history of maple sugaring. This is a small list of the gained knowledge during this time but it will not be limited to these topics! In previous years we've been fortunate to have a Place Based Coordinator to boil the sap for the classrooms. This year we are looking for more community and parent involvement within our school community. We are calling on you to volunteer for as little or as much time as you are able to assist in keeping our school evaporator fire running. We will provide all the tools and equipment you need. All you need to do is sign up, show up and be comfortable feeding the evaporators small fire with pre-cut wood. The times available are when classes have their place based time and would be joining the volunteer at the evaporator where they may perform an activity, learn more about the tool or collect their classes sap bucket. Please feel free to reach out to Jackie Borelli with any questions! jaclyn.borelli@wsesu.net

Thank you! Please fill out the Google Form below.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1M0TbIZuEitsPPOEdBFvHL1b0f_I3Ixj9kdctWN6v2gE/edit

Lunch with a Loved One, Next Wednesday, 2/14

Please fill out this google form if you will be attending. We need to get a meal count for our food service crew.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1U608QY4l4YP5gBWHY86sEn-LDhmMGdrHr96_bZGHXJk/edit

ABS Library News

Library News: It’s award season! Next week we’ll begin reading and rating the ten Red Clover nominated books during library class. The Red Clover Book Award was created for Vermont students in grades K-4, and in May students from all over the state will vote to determine the year’s award winning picture book. Last year, the ABS favorite won the award! You can learn more about this year’s nominated books at: https://sites.google.com/view/red-clover-book-award/home

Many students in grades 4-6 have been reading and rating the Golden Dome Award nominated books - all of which are novels or graphic novels. Students have to read at least 5 of the 25 nominated books to be able to vote for their favorite in May. These books can be challenging and it is a real achievement to read 5 or more of them. You can learn more about the Golden Dome Book Award and this year’s nominated books here: https://libraries.vermont.gov/vermont-golden-dome-book-award

Library Request: Families, would you please help your students find and return their library books at least every two weeks? Grades K, 1 and 6 have library every Wednesday; grades 2, 3 and 4/5 come in on Thursdays. It’s hard for all of us when students want to borrow new books but have not returned their old ones. Many thanks for helping us minimize disappointment in the library!

Thank you to our Volunteers!

Global School Play Day 2024!

ABS is joining in on Global School Play Day 2024 on February 16th. Play is an essential part of learning and development. While play is incorporated into our daily routine at ABS, we feel it’s important to highlight the value by participating in the Global School Play Day.

On February 16th, students will arrive at ABS as normal, and will begin and end their day in their classrooms with their morning meeting and closing circles. During the day students will have the opportunity to visit a variety of classrooms and outdoor play spaces to participate in student-directed play as they choose. Students will be supervised at all times by ABS teachers and staff overseeing activities but staff will not be structuring or directing activities.

If you are interested in supporting this event here are some options.

If you want to donate craft materials please reach out to April Sykes.

small cardboard boxes

masking tape

loose parts: plastic shopping bag sized donation of small craft pieces, scraps, string, beads etc.

If you’re interested in joining for some play, please contact Jenifer Aldrich to schedule your time to participate at jaldrich@wsesu.net .

Peter Gray, researcher and scholar has a Ted Talk titled The Decline of Play which highlights the value of play in child development.

If you’d like to learn more about Global School Play Day check out the website: https://www.globalschoolplayday.com/

Or learn more about the connection of play and learning check out these links:

The Evolutionary Importance of Self-Directed Play

The Serious Need for Play -Scientific American

Play is more than just fun - Ted Talk by Stuart Brown

Do Schools kill creativity? TED talk by Sir Ken Robinson

Join the play revolution

Things we encourage students to bring:

Appropriate clothing for indoor and outdoor play.

Towel, sheet or blanket for fort building.

Games and toys students are willing to share with the community.

Things that can stay at home:

Favorite, sentimental items.

Electronics

Nerf guns or anything resembling a weapon

Important Dates

2/9 - Winter Sports Day

2/14 - Lunch with a Loved one 12:00 (Family & Community welcome)

Please fill out this form below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1U608QY4l4YP5gBWHY86sEn-LDhmMGdrHr96_bZGHXJk/edit

2/16 - Winter Sports Day

2/19-2/23 - Winter Break - No School

3/15 - Early Release Day - Students dismissed at 12:00 PM

3/28 - Early Release Day - Students released at 12:00 PM

3/29 - No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences

4/8-4/12 - Spring Break - No School

5/1 - Early Release Day - Students dismissed at 12:00 PM.

5/23 - Kindergaarten Screening ( No school for current K students)

5/27 - Memorial Day - No School

Masters of the Mountain!

Two ABS and two Windsor students competed in the Masters of the Mountain competition at Whaleback (Slalom and Slope Style). Jace got 3rd place and Kalem got 2nd place with Lev and Tyler very close behind.