6/14/23
Dear Families,
Happy last day of school! It was a festive one starting with an all-school assembly to wish our sixth graders well on the next step of their academic journeys. I am always moved by the tradition of our kindergartners giving each sixth grader a sunflower, just as every sixth grader gave each incoming kindergartner a sunflower in September. We also gave out some special awards at today’s assembly (click here for details on the awards and their recipients).
Energies were high as students spent most of the morning outside engaged in a variety of fun Field Day activities (click here to see a wonderful slideshow that Leslie Koelker put together).
Last night, the Sixth Graders had a beautiful Graduation Celebration at The Park–McCullough Historic Governor’s Mansion. Among this group of graduates was a number of students who have been at our school for nine years: two years of Pre-K, followed by kindergarten through sixth grade. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to watch all of our sixth graders grow through the years under the care, instruction, and inspiration of our teachers. As I said at their celebration: “I am truly proud of the people they are and the people they will become.”
It meant a lot to hear today from the parent of a kindergarten student expressing that their child had “a great first year…we love the Village School!”
Thank you to all our families for their support and partnership and for entrusting your children to us for another rewarding year. Thank you to all the unbelievably dedicated educators at our school who have devoted countless hours to helping our students fulfill their potential. And, thank you to The Village School Board and the North Bennington Graded School Prudential Committee who volunteer their time behind the scenes for the school and for the benefit of all our students.
Last but not least:
•Progress reports were sent home with students today.
•Important end-of-year P-EBT information for families is available by clicking on this link.
•The 2023/2024 School Calendar is available by clicking on this link.
Have a fantastic summer!
Warm regards,
Tim
Community Announcements:
- The McCullough Library Summer Reading Program and Challenge for Kids 2023: All Together Now!
Children are invited to join the John G. McCullough Free Library‘s 2023 Summer Reading Program and Challenge. In addition to a robust schedule of free events, children who register and track their reading will be entered into drawings for fabulous prize baskets! Register online at this link: https://vermont.beanstack.org/reader365. If you have questions, email McCulloughYouthServices@gmail.com - The North Bennington Outdoor Sculpture Show (NBOSS) is the longest-running outdoor sculpture exhibition in Southern Vermont and it will take place on Saturday, June 17 (4-8 p.m.). Enjoy a family-friendly event with sculptures, live music, food, and refreshments! Click here for more details.
- The Vermont Arts Exchange + Sunrise Family Resource Center are teaming up once again to present SUMMER JAM: a free family day on Saturday, June 24th from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Lower Willow Park Pavilion. Enjoy live music with Moose Jr., hula hooping, food trucks, more than 15 vendors with activities galore, bike course, child safety car seat checks, Copsicles, VAE Art Bus, Music Making, Big Trucks, Bike Hub tune-ups, and more. Also check out the new playground at Willow Park! Sponsored in part by Bank of Bennington as well as Tri State Area Federal Credit Union and Fidium Fiber- Consolidated Communications.
- Southshire Youth Soccer – Fall 2023 Registration closes July 22nd
If you have a child entering Pre-K through 6th grade in the Fall, they are eligible to play on a Southshire Youth Soccer team. The league is designed to put kids first and winning and egos second. It is meant to be a fun, engaging team opportunity for kids to learn about soccer and enjoy the game. If your child hasn’t played in the past but would like to try soccer, you are encouraged to sign them up. Players must be at least 4 years old by September 1st. Registration Fee for Pre-K thru 3rd Grade (In-House Program) is $45 Registration Fee for 4th Grade thru 6th Grade (Travel Program) is $50.There is a $20 discount for registering 3 or more players from the same family. Registrations cannot be accepted after July 22nd. For more information and to register, please go to www.southshireyouthsoccer.org. All registrations are online. For any questions, contact: southshiresoccer@gmail.com.
