Current Announcements

Night of the Notables is an annual fourth grade project when students study and learn about noteworthy people as part of their biography unit. Students write a first-person report about “their” lives, followed by a summary speech that is shared, in costume, during the Night of the Notables. As pictured here, the gym is turn into a “biography museum,” with each student displaying artifacts that they created to represent the life of their notable. 

2/10/23

Dear Families,

One of this week’s highlights was Night of the Notables, when the fourth graders learn about a person who has accomplished greatness in the world. Fourth grade teacher Ms. Gibbons reminded students: “Many of [these great figures] had adversities and problems, but they learned how to preserve, work hard, get help, and forward themselves through their lives and have goodness for others, as well.” These are characteristics that we value and hope all of our students will cultivate. I appreciate that the fourth graders put on a dress rehearsal for the whole school yesterday, giving all students a chance to learn about these notable figures and also see the enthusiasm and effort with which fourth graders approached their projects. 

Next week there’s another special learning event on tap with the Vermont Family Network’s social-emotional learning program called Puppets in Education, which will take place on Thursday, February 16. Teachers sent home a letter this week explaining the topics that will be discussed at each grade level. The Vermont Family Network uses life-sized puppets to teach children how to keep themselves safe and healthy and to appreciate each other’s differences. We appreciate the generous support of Bennington Chevrolet in sponsoring this program and making it possible for the benefit of our students.  

Lastly, I want to inform you that the federal government has approved Pandemic-EBT benefits for the current school year, until the end of the public health emergency. The Village School offers free meals to all students, and this makes all students eligible to get P-EBT benefits for any days that they had an excused COVID-related absence, or there was a COVID-related school closure.  

These benefits are meant to replace the value of free school meals students would have received at school. They will be provided to students who had an excused COVID-related absence. Benefits will also be provided to all students for any days when our school had/has a COVID-related closure.  Getting free meals to eat at home during a closure or absence will not impact a student’s eligibility for P-EBT.  

Our school is documenting COVID-related absences for all students and has provided (and will continue to provide) this information to the Agency of Education. This information is not being used for any other purpose than to determine Pandemic-EBT benefits. If your student is eligible for any benefits for September to January, these benefits will be mailed to your residence in April. Benefits for the rest of the school year will be sent this summer. If you have any questions, please reach out to me at tnewbold@vsnb.org or 802-442-5955 ext. 201. 

Warm regards,
Tim