Current Announcements

Second graders learn about Martin Luther King Jr. and listen to a recording of his “I have a dream” speech.  

Dear Families,

Tomorrow afternoon (Friday, January 20th) our school will be holding a Fantastic Friday assembly at 2 p.m. in the school gymnasium for all grades. In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, presentations will be focused around the theme of diversity and inclusion. Like many other schools, we see this as a time to bring awareness to the commitment, the life, and the legacy of this national hero and reflect on values that were important to Dr. King, such as diversity and equality. All families and friends are welcome to attend Fantastic Friday. Following the assembly, students will be dismissed as usual from their classrooms. 

I am hoping that the anticipated snow storm will not interfere with our plans. If there is a morning delay or school cancellation, we will reach out to families via text and email by 6 a.m. tomorrow and update media outlets, as well. 

On a personal note, I am excited to share that I have an opportunity to participate in a fellowship at Columbia University’s Teachers College Klingenstein Center from January 23 to February 3. This is a fully-funded fellowship for independent and international school heads to receive professional development and pursue a research-based project, which, in my case, will apply to the advancement of our school as related to financial sustainability. 

During my absence, Rachel Maher, the Assistant Head of School, and Pam Hubbs, the School Counselor, will be available as primary contacts for families. I encourage you to reach out to them if you have any questions or concerns while I am attending the fellowship. 

Below are some important reminders about the best way to contact our school if your student will be absent, tardy, or leaving early. 

I look forward to seeing you at tomorrow’s Fantastic Friday!

Warm regards,
Tim

P.s. Our lost and found racks are overflowing. Please encourage your students to take a look at the racks in the main lobby. Parents/guardians are also welcome to come in and take a look. Any items still here on January 31 will be donated. 

SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please follow these procedures at times when your student will be absent, tardy, or leaving early:  

Absent: If your student will be absent, please contact the office at 802-442-5955 or info@vsnb.org. The office staff will notify your student’s teacher. 

Tardy: If you know in advance that your student will be tardy, please contact the school (as you would do for an absence) with your student’s estimated time of arrival. The office staff will notify your student’s teacher. Tardy students should use the main entrance doorbell and wait to be greeted by an office staff member.  If your student will be tardy and needs a school lunch, please call the school before 9:00 a.m. 

Early Dismissal: Parents must either send a signed note to the main office, email the main office at info@vsnb.org or call 802-442-5955 to notify the school that their student(s) will be picked up early. The main office will inform your student’s teacher of the early pick-up. Anyone, other than a parent/guardian who is picking up a student early must be on your student’s Emergency Contacts list. 

The adult picking up a student should ring the school doorbell upon arrival. An office staff member will greet you and then call the classroom. Please be prepared to show your photo ID (e.g. a driver’s license). The process of dismissing a student early may take up to five minutes, and we recommend you build this extra time into your schedule.    

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

• North Bennington’s annual Winter Festival will take place on Sat., Feb. 4, 2023, including the Lake Paran plunge, local food, music and performances, games for kids, the Weekend Fest Hockey Tournament, and much more! Proceeds will benefit the North Bennington Fire Department. Visit the North Bennington Winter Festival Facebook page for more info: https://www.facebook.com/NoBennWinterFest.

• VSNB Indoor Winter Carnival – The Indoor Winter Carnival is one of the Village School’s signature events and largest classroom fundraisers. The carnival will take place on Saturday, February 4 from 1:00 – 4:00 as part of North Bennington’s Winterfest. We are looking for volunteers to help with the bounce house, ticket sales, prize table, video game tournament, coat check, and clean up. If you can volunteer for an hour or two, please email Tammy Carpenter and Rachel Maher at  info@vsnb.org.

   

• The North Bennington Graded School District Prudential Committee is seeking a candidate for two vacant seats. Ray Mullineaux, the current Chairman, will stand for re-election for one of the seats. The NBGSD Prudential Committee is responsible for the annual budget and fiscal items, the annual meeting, facility issues pursuant to the lease agreement with the Village School, and residency issues. Residents of North Bennington or Shaftsbury District 1 can be considered for candidacy (as long as they are not SVSU, MAU, or SVUESD employees). Please help spread the word! For questions or to suggest a candidate, please reach out to Ray at rhmullino@gmail.com or to any of the other Committee members: Kim Krall, Kiernan McNamara, and Matthew Patterson.