Dear Families,
As we release for the December break, I am reflecting on the way in which the holiday season brings some of the most important lessons that we can teach our children about care and compassion for others and spreading joy and generosity. We saw this exemplified in numerous ways, including small acts of kindness that teachers encouraged among their students, in the festive holiday music students performed in the Winter Ensembles Concert, in the enthusiastic school-wide participation in the second grade’s food drive for the community food shelf at St. John the Baptist Church in North Bennington, and in the success of the Holiday Bazaar.
The Holiday Bazaar raised over $1,000 thanks to the efforts of sixth grade teacher Tony Kasulinous, the sixth graders, many volunteers, and all of our student shoppers (and their supportive families). I am delighted to share that the sixth graders voted to donate the proceeds of the Holiday Bazaar to two local charities: The Emergency Needs Fund (formerly known as the Greater Bennington Interfaith Food and Fuel Fund) and the Bennington County Coalition for the Homeless. >> Click here to enjoy photos from the Holiday Bazaar.
Photos from the Winter Ensembles Concert and also from previous 2022 events, such as the First Day of School and Track and Treat, are now available for all families to download and enjoy thanks to our talented in-house photographers: VSNB parents Idena and Michael Beach (of The Studio on Main). You can access these photos on the Friends of the Village School Google Album. We respectfully request that you do not share these photos publicly on social media.
Below are some January calendar announcements for those who would like a look ahead to 2023.
All best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season and a joyful, peaceful New Year! We look forward to welcoming students back to school on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.
Warmly,
Tim
P.s. My wife, Amy, and I will be making our year-end donation to our school’s Annual Fund this week. This fund helps cover the gap between tuition and what it actually costs to operate the school. We are grateful to our exceptional faculty and staff for all they have done to provide an outstanding education for our children and for many others. If you can, will you consider donating by December 31? Your gift, no matter the size, will have a meaningful impact. You may donate online or mail a check to VSNB, PO Box 847, North Bennington, VT 05257.
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January 2023 Calendar Announcements:
• The January Breakfast and Lunch menu will be available online after January 1st at this link: https://vsnbfood.abbeygroup.info/menus.aspx
• School will reopen from the holiday break on Tuesday, January 3rd.
• There will be half-day dismissals at the Village School every Wednesday in January: 4, 11, 18, and 25th (as well as throughout February and half of March 8). All students will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. The Berkshire Family YMCA will be offering half-day After Care at the Village School on these days. Click here for more information and a link to register.
• The Junior Instructional Ski Program (JISP) will begin on Wednesday, January 4, and will continue through March 8. Please note that this program coincides with the scheduled half days and all students will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m.
• Troy Wunderle will be at the Village School for a week-long residency of Wunderle’s Big Top Adventures from January 9-13, culminating in an evening circus performance on Friday, January 13.
