3/19/2021

Dear Families,

This week marked a sobering milestone. It was a year ago on Monday that our school closed for in-person learning due to COVID-19. We couldn’t imagine then how devastating this pandemic would be. Through all of this, we have learned new skills, we have a better understanding of the importance of relationships and human connections, and we have also discovered that we have incredible resiliency. The pandemic has been taxing in every way. There is no other way to think about it, but we have done good work so far as a school and a community, and we will continue to do so. 

Hopefully we are rounding another corner as Governor Scott announced in today’s press conference that all adult Vermonters will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine by April 19, and the goal is to have adult Vermonters fully vaccinated by July 2021. More information on the vaccination eligibility schedule, as well as registration, is available at this link: https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/vaccine/getting-covid-19-vaccine.

Back to school matters, progress reports are being sent home with students today, and teachers are reaching out to families to schedule parent-teacher conferences. Please take note of the additional announcements below. 

Wishing you all a good last day of winter as we welcome in spring with some beautiful weather this weekend. I hope you and your kids can get outside and enjoy it!

Warm regards,

Tim

SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Next Week’s Meals Menu (March 22-28):
Click here for the menu. 

Water Bottle Reminder:
Please send your student to school with a reusable water bottle. Students are permitted to refill their water bottle at the sink designated for their classroom, while water fountains are not available this year. If you are not able to provide a water bottle for your student(s), please reach out to School Nurse Kaitlyn Hewson at khewson@vsnb.org or 802-442-5955.

VAE/VSNB Art Show:
We are excited to announce that awesome artwork (sculptures, masks, collages, and paintings) from every grade at our school will be represented in the student art show at the Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC). A flyer with more information was sent home with students this week. 

The Art From The Schools exhibit opens Saturday, March 20 and will be up until April 22. More information is available on the SVAC website: www.svac.org/class/art-from-the-schools-2021

COVID-19 Health & Safety Information:
Please visit the Health Department website for the latest COVID-19 guidance, restrictions, and travel and quarantine information. As a reminder, COVID-19 testing continues to be easily accessible and quick at SVMC and the Bennington Rescue Squad. Click on the following link for details about testing: https://svhealthcare.org/COVID-19/testing.

Yearbook Orders:
Yearbooks are now on sale for the 2020-2021 school year! Each yearbook costs $13. Payment can be made with a check by using the order form that was sent home with students this week. Or, you can order a yearbook online by going to ybpay.lifetouch.com. Enter the yearbook ID code: 11207821. 

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lake Paran Spring Break Nature Camp (April 12-16)

Registration is open for Lake Paran’s Spring Break Nature Camp from April 12-16, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Week-long or single-day participation is available. There will be enriching environmental education and place-based experiences in a COVID-19 safe environment, as well as a special live animal presentation by the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum. More info and registration are available online at https://lakeparanvt.org/programs-and-camps/

For questions email lakeparanvista@gmail.com or call 302-463-6907.

Bennington Softball Sign-ups

Softball sign-ups for girls ages 7-12 years old will be held on Monday, March 29, at Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral  Home from 6-7:30 p.m. There is a form on Facebook you may use or fill out a form at sign-ups. If you would like a form emailed to you that you can drop off with the sign-up fee or if you have additional questions, please send an email to benningtonyws@gmail.com

Bennington Little League Baseball & “T-Ball” Registration

Registration is scheduled for the 2021 season. Children who are ages 5-12 by August 31st wishing to play this season must register. This registration is for Bennington and the surrounding area. The cost for Little Leaguer’s is $80 per player, maximum $110/family, and $50 per player for T-Ball (scholarships are available upon request). Even returning players need to register. Birth certificates (xerox copies, no originals necessary) for new players are required. In-person registration will not be available this year, but online is a great option. Visit us at www.benningtonlittleleague.com for a link to register online For anyone not able to register online or if you have questions, please contact Geoff Metcalfe at mauhs92@yahoo.com

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THANK YOU TO THE VILLAGE SCHOOL’S 2020-2021 BUSINESS PARTNERS IN EDUCATION 

All of these partners are helping to support many of our school programs. You can learn more about these partners at https://vsnb.org/bpie-sponsors

GOLD LEVEL:

Bank of Bennington:  https://thebankofbennington.com/

SILVER LEVEL:

D.B. McKenna & Co., Inc.: https://www.dbmckenna.com/

RCS Consulting, Inc.: https://www.rcs.consulting/

Whitman’s / Poulin Grain:  https://www.whitmansfeed.com/

BRONZE LEVEL:

Adam’s Lock & Security: https://www.adamslockvt.com/

Danielle D. Fogarty, PLC: https://www.ddfplc.com/

Global Z: https://globalz.com/

Maple Leaf Realty: https://www.mapleleafvermont.com/

West Oil Company: https://westoilcompany.com/

Williams Financial, LLC: https://williamsfinancial.net/

SPONSORS

Bennington Express Car Wash and Repair:  https://www.benningtonlubeandwash.com/

Idena Beach Photography: http://www.idenabeach.com

Pembroke Landscaping:  http://pembrokelandscaping.com/