October 2, 2020
Dear Families,
CONGRATULATIONS are deserved all around, as we finish our fourth week of school!
As challenging as it is at times to meet all of the extra COVID-19 precautions and procedures, the students and staff are doing an incredible job! You are, too! We recognize how much extra effort and support it requires from families to follow the school’s new policies and uphold the COVID-19 Community Commitment.
“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” -Henry Ford
I shared this quote with the faculty and staff earlier this week, as part of a message thanking them for ALL they are doing to teach our children and care for them. It’s a privilege to be able to have our school open for in-person instruction. We are grateful to everyone for making this work.
Please review a few important notes below regarding our school’s illness policy, short-term distance learning policy, and next week’s breakfast and lunch menu.
In an effort to keep our community connected and engaged with enriching and fun activities outside of school, we are including a Community Events section below.
Have a great weekend, and get out and enjoy the beautiful colors and the awesome sculptures that will be on display for the North Bennington Outdoor Sculpture Show (see below for details)!
Warm regards,
Tim Newbold
Head of School
ILLNESS POLICY
As we enter the typical cold and flu illness season, please refer to the school’s Illness Policy for when to keep your student(s) home from school.
We are using the Vermont Department of Health algorithm for determining triage, evaluation, testing and return to school.
SHORT-TERM DISTANCE LEARNING
We need to make a change regarding short-term distance learning for students who are out of school due to illness and/or COVID-19 precautions. We were trying to make it possible for such students to jump onto distance learning and keep connected with their class. However, we have realized this is not feasible for a short term illness or other absence.
Starting on Monday, October 5, classes can only provide distance learning materials and synchronous virtual learning to students who are out of school for more than TWO days (excluding Distance Learning Wednesdays). If your student does not have their Chromebook and/or their books at home, you are welcome to reach out to the school office at info@vsnb.org or 802-442-5955 to arrange pick up.
Depending on your student’s class, the student may have access to online tools and applications for learning on their own while out of school. We encourage you to talk with your student and/or reach out to your student’s teacher if you are unclear about what tools and resources your student might have access to at home. Most of all, if students are sick, we encourage them to rest and get well.
If your student will be absent, please contact the school office at 802-442-5955 or info@vsnb.org. The office staff will notify your student’s teacher. When your student is absent, please minimize contact with the teachers, as their class schedules (with all the COVID-19 procedures and requirements) do not afford them much prep time or break time to respond to communications during the school day.
Students who are out for longer than two in-person school days will be contacted by their teachers regarding their options for joining their class through distance learning.
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MENU – WEEK OF OCT. 5-11
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
• North Bennington Outdoor Sculpture Show (NBOSS)
NBOSS will take place on Saturday, October 3, from 12 noon until 4 p.m. It will be a family-friendly COVID-19 safe community event for children and families to view sculptures and enjoy an artists’ reception, including food, drinks, and live music. Here’s a link to the invitation: https://vsnb.org/nboss-10-3-20/.
• Bennington Free Library “Imagine Your Story” Summer Reading Program:
Over the summer, the BFL offered a reading program for students in grades K – 4. If your children participated, and you have not yet picked up a recognition certificate for your child(ren) and would like one, please notify the school office at info@vsnb.org or 802-442-5955. The BFL has provided us with blank certificates to send home for students who participated.
• 28th Annual North Bennington Halloween Parade:
Save the date of October 31 at 4 p.m. for another “stay in your car” parade! Car costumes (and people’s costumes) will be judged.
