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

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

    • Superb Owl Party – Sunday, February 12 at 1 p.m.  (Village School Gymnasium)

    Don’t miss the opportunity to see live owls as they touch down at the Village School Gymnasium! Naturalists from the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum (SVNHM) will introduce these native birds of prey and talk about some of their amazing adaptations and more! Many thanks to The John G. McCullough Free Library for hosting this free event; and thank you to the Village School Business Partner in Education platinum-level sponsor Williams Financial for helping to make special events like these possible at the Village School!

    Register now for the 2023 Lacrosse season with Mount Anthony Lacrosse Association (MALA)

    MALA is a  youth lacrosse club serving Bennington, North Bennington, Pownal, Shaftsbury, Woodford, and surrounding areas. Visit MalaVT.com for more information and to register for Spring lacrosse today!

    • February and April Vacation Arts & Wellness Camps Are Taking Place at The Sage Street Mill

    All Village School families receive 10% off the cost of these camps when using this coupon code: VSNB23FA.  For more details and to register, go to this link: https://form.jotform.com/220255439096155

    Campers will engage with nature outside and explore using natural materials to make site specific work and learn wellness practices through daily gratitude circles, fun individual art making, as well as team building activities inside beautiful Soulspace studios! The February break camp takes place from February 20-24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with an option to register for early drop off at 8 a.m. The April break camp takes place from April 17-21st with the same times as listed above. Space is limited to 15 campers.

    The YMCA is offering a February Break Camp from February 20-24 (8 a.m. – 4 p.m.) at the Bennington Sports Center.

    Join the Y for a fun filled and active week. Indoor and outdoor sports, games, crafts, activities, and swim at the Rec Pool. The cost is $130 for the full week. Sign up at www.bfymca.org/programs or contact 802-442-1053 or kbecker@bfymca.org.

    • Lake Paran’s School Break Camps are perfect for 6-12 year olds to explore and have fun over the vacations!

    Visit this website for more information and to register: https://lakeparanvt.org/programs-and-camps/

    Winter Break Recreation Camp: February 20th-24th | 8:30am-3:30pm
    Camp activities will include sledding, nature exploration, learning about hibernation, snowshoeing, making comfort-food soup in our kitchen, and more!

    Spring Break Recreation Camp: April 17th-21st | 8:30am-3:30pm
    Camp activities will include canoeing, meet and greet baby animals, planting seeds, discovering insects, and more!

    • Myers Prouty Children’s Campuses, Inc. (MPCC) is offering February and Spring break camps for kids in First Grade through age 12.

    Those interested should fill out an enrollment form at the following website: MPCCVT.ORG. For more information, contact Tel: 802-733-0212.

    • Chess Program for kids 6-16 years old with Trevor Plizga, Chess Coach, at the Bennington Free Library: Saturdays, January 28, February 11, and February 25th.

    How the Pieces Move (1-1:30 p.m.) // Check & Checkmate (1:30-2 p.m.) // Experienced Players (2-3 p.m.)

    2022-2023 Business Partners in Education

    Thank you to the following businesses for their support of the Village School! 

    PLATINUM LEVEL:

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

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

    GOLD LEVEL:

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

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

    SILVER LEVEL:

    Global-Z International: https://globalz.com/

    BRONZE LEVEL:

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

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

    Madrus Masonry: madrusmasonry@outlook.com  

    Pangaea: https://vermontfinedining.com/

    Power Guru: https://www.power-guru.com

    Powers Market: https://powersmarket.com/

    The Studio on Main: https://www.idenabeach.com/

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

    SPONSORS:

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

    Bennington House of Tile and Carpet: https://bennington.abbeycarpet.com/

    Bolio Propane Service, LLC: https://www.facebook.com/BolioPropaneServiceLLC/

    The Bennington Bookshop:  https://www.benningtonbookshop.com/

    The Richards Group: https://therichardsgrp.com/