Third Grade students learning about the life-cycle of spiders during a Four Winds class with Judie Brower. Scroll down to see a photo of the Second Grade class learning about spiders with Becky Manning.
10/14/2022
Dear Families,
Our school is fortunate to have strong partnerships with organizations that help diversify and deepen our students’ learning opportunities. Last week, I mentioned the Bennington College Foreign Language Program. Another great organization we work with is the Vermont Four Winds Nature Institute. Four Winds is a program run by trained adult volunteers who are passionate about sharing their love of nature with students. The program is designed to encourage children’s curiosity and concern about the world they live in, as well as their role in it. This year’s Four Winds theme is “Structure and Function,” and students will have five different lessons exploring ways in which animals and birds are equipped for survival. This week you may have heard your students telling you all about spiders, as their first unit was on “Web-builders and Wanderers.” You can learn more about Four Winds at this website: https://fwni.org.
While on the topic of nature, I’d like to call your attention to a Bulb Planting Party happening at the McCullough Library this Saturday, October 15, at 11:30 a.m Join the volunteer gardeners on the library’s lawn to plant hundreds of daffodils and crocuses in the pollinator and herb gardens. More details are below.
Also, I encourage you to save the date of Sunday, October 30th for Halloween festivities. Our school is holding its 4th annual Track and Treat event from 9-11 a.m. A registration form is being sent home with students today for the Family Fun Run and 5K run/walk. You can also click here to download the registration form from our website. Everyone is welcome to enjoy pumpkin painting, face painting, and festivities at Track and Treat. Costumes are encouraged! If you can volunteer or donate a baked good or apple cider, please email friends@vsnb.org. In the afternoon, the Vermont Arts Exchange invites everyone to the 30th North Bennington Halloween Parade at 3 p.m. More details about the parade are below. I have a feeling more than a few kids will be dreaming up costumes this weekend, if they have not already!
Have a great weekend!
Tim Newbold
ANNOUNCEMENTS
McCullough Library Bulb Planting Party – Saturday, Oct. 15 at 11:30 a.m.
Join the volunteer gardeners on the library’s lawn to plant hundreds of daffodils and crocuses in the pollinator and herb gardens. Volunteers of all ages are welcome. The rain date is October 22 at 11:30 a.m. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own tools and gloves.
Track and Treat – Sunday, Oct. 30, 9-11 a.m.
Register for Track and Treat—our school’s annual family fun run/walk (9 a.m.) and 5K run/walk (9:30 a.m.). The family fun run will be free for participants and the 5K will cost $10 for each runner. Kids of all ages, family members, and friends are invited to enjoy the races, pumpkin painting, music, and more. We are looking for volunteers to help out with the races and to contribute baked goods (homemade or store bought are appreciated). If you can volunteer or contribute a baked good, please email friends@vsnb.org. Registration forms were sent home with students and a PDF of the forms is available on our website at this link: https://vsnb.org/track-and-treat-10-30-2022/.
Halloween Parade – Sunday, Oct. 30, at 3 p.m.
The Vermont Arts Exchange (VAE) invites everyone to the 30th year of the North Bennington Halloween Parade on Sunday, October 30, at 3 p.m. Meet at the VAE (next to the Post Office) at 48 Main St. as the parade meanders down Main St. and returns to Lion’s Park. Bonfire, refreshments by Norshaft Lions Club and live music, PLUS the Halloween costume awards! (Note: this is a walking parade only). Join the fun, get creative, get weird!
Junior Instructional Ski Program (JISP) and KAP (Kids Alpine Program) are now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 ski season.
More information is available on the Bromley Outing Club website: https://bromleyoutingclub.org/boc/programs/jisp/. Registration is at the following link: https://bromleyoutingclub.com/boc/jisp-and-kap-registration/. The deadline for applications is October 31 (after that there are hefty late fees).
Business Partners in Education
The Village School is fortunate to have generous donors that support our school’s mission and model, and we also have a Business Partners in Education (BPIE) program that helps make possible our school’s enrichment experiences, such as field trips and Specials programs, including: Art, Music, Nature, Physical Education, and STEM. BPIE partners include businesses of all sizes that represent a broad swathe of our community. We are now actively reaching out for 2022-2023 partners and encourage you to share this program with any business that might be interested. It’s a win-win for our school and businesses, with partners benefiting from strong year-round promotions, marketing, and recognition within the school and the greater community. Sponsorship levels start as low as $250 for basic benefits, and benefits increase with higher level opportunities. For more information, please visit our BPIE website page at https://vsnb.org/bpie-2022-23.
A tremendous thank you to the Village School’s 2022-2023 Platinum Sponsor Williams Financial LLC and Gold Sponsor D.B. McKenna, & Co.
