Happy Friday, Brookside!
We’ve had a busy short week with picture retakes, Four Winds training for parent volunteers and lots of fun riding bikes in PE. Enjoy this beautiful Fall weather while it lasts:)
From Mrs. Baitz:
Brookside students are enjoying our extended summer weather by biking and scootering during PE this past week and next week. Many students are bringing their own wheels, but for those that can’t, Brookside is thrilled to offer 8 new bikes (5 more coming) purchased from Waterbury Sports with a generous grant from the American Heart Association. The AHA offers grants to encourage healthy lifestyles starting at a young age. Sending much gratitude to the AHA, Waterbury Sports and all the parents that have transported bikes and scooters for their children to use in PE.
A student is missing his red and black bike helmet. If you accidentally brought it home, can you please bring it back to school next Monday and give it to Mrs Baitz?
Carol Baitz, Brookside Primary School PE Teacher
Music Notes:
This week, Kindergarten students received their first "Ask Me!" sheet. Students will bring these home throughout the year. On the sheet is a song or rhyme students have been practicing in music class. Ask your student to perform and/or teach it to you! Singing and speaking rhymes at home are both great ways to strengthen your child's music skills.
If you have any questions, email Lizzy Carlson at ecarlson@huusd.org.
Lizzy Carlson (she/her)
From the HUUSD Board Chair:
Dear Community Members,
Did you know there will be a school bond question on the ballot this November 2? The request, for nearly $60 million, would go towards much-needed repairs and renovations at Harwood and a small addition at Crossett Brook. Here’s a link to the 10-minute video the school board just produced that gives a good overview of the project and its costs.
The school board is reaching out to community organizations, like our PTOs, in our six towns to let them know that this is going on and to encourage organizations to be sure their communities know about this important election.
Developed over a period of several years, this bond proposal has widespread support from our Board, whose members hail from all 6 towns in the district. The essential repairs and recommended improvements will directly benefit every child who moves through our school system. We anticipate that the bond will also be a boon to community members because of increased access to school facilities like the gym and track.
Bond proposals are always a long-shot. In recent years in Vermont, school bonds have passed about half of the time. Our district's school board is clear that this bond is needed to bring our schools up to snuff for the next generation of use. Delaying the work by not proposing, or by not passing the bond, means that our students will wait even longer to enjoy the benefits of going to school in buildings that are designed to meet the needs of today’s learners.
Bonds pass in communities when those who support them come out en masse and cast their ballots in the affirmative. If you think that asking the community to make this renewed investment in our school buildings is likely to be something of interest to your membership, we are asking you to reach out to your membership, your friends, and your neighbors and encourage them to learn more about the proposal, and to vote on or before November 2.
In addition to the video mentioned above, our website (huusd.org/bond-plan) has lots of information and answers to frequently asked questions. We will also be hosting online Q&A sessions on October 14th and 18th at 6:30PM. On October 27th, the Board will host a hybrid (in-person and online) Public Informational Meeting at Harwood, at 6PM.
Please let me know if I can answer any questions about this or related work.
Best regards,
Torrey Smith
Chair, HUUSD Board
Bond proposal Q and A
Halloween on Randall and Elm Streets:
Once again the residents of Randall, Elm and Park Row streets are gearing up for a great Halloween for your ghosts, goblins, zombies and princesses!
The neighborhood streets will be closed to traffic starting around 5:00 on 10/31.
We often have 700-800 trick or treaters!
There are Candy Donation Stations at both BPS and CBMS (in the front airlocks) through Friday 10/29. Thanks for helping!
The Children's Room Tag Sale
The Children’s Room Tag Sale is today from 3-6pm and Saturday from 8-1pm at the Methodist church. They received an amazing amount of donations for kids ages 0-8, clothes, winter wear, gear, toys, books and games! Come shop.
More details on flyer here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NizuBh3MW6zFTwmgn3LUwz3_j80hLL8L/view?usp=sharing