The First Branch Newsletter
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A bi-weekly newsletter from Principal Mark Blount and Principal Michael Livingston featuring photos, stories, and updates from the Chelsea and Tunbridge schools. |
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Upcoming Dates to Note:
A recording of last week's Community Forum can be found here. Please join us at the next one on Feb. 9th!
January 28th: Middle School Progress Reports, K-8 Art & Music Reports sent home.
February 4th (CPS) and February 8th (TCS): Tentative NAEP Testing for Grades 4 and 8 English Language Arts/Math.
February 9th: Community Forum on Restructuring Efforts, facilitated by Tarrant Institute 5:15 - 6:15pm hosted at the Tunbridge Central School and virtually.
February 9th: First Branch Board Meeting 6:30pm hosted at the Tunbridge Central School and virtually.
February 11th: Half Day, noon dismissal.
February 21st - March 1st: Winter Vacation.
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Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are excited to introduce to you the new First Branch website and Facebook page. It is our intention that the new website will be easier to navigate and become a source of up-to-date information for our families. The new Facebook page will be a place for families to follow along with glimpses, videos, and anecdotes of school life at the Tunbridge and Chelsea schools.
If you have any suggestions, edits, or remarks about the new website, please send them to our Communications Coordinator, Kate MacLean at kmaclean@wrvsu.org.
Respectfully,
~ Mark and Michael
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It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of a beloved member of our school community. Terrence (Terry) Rooney passed unexpectedly at his home on Monday, Jan 17th. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Dori, and their three kids Kealin Grace, Maddy Ann, and Crosby Flynn.
Dori wrote of Terry in yesterday's Herald "To say Terry was the best, while true, seems so trite, like that isn't enough. The best dad, the best brother, the best son, the best husband. When I look at the words my kids wrote down to describe their dad, that's what they wrote: "The Best Dad Ever." I could give a million examples, but at the end of the day it would all boil down to he was just that: The Best. He was a family man. We were his priority. Never a day went by that any one of us questioned his love for us. Ever".
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The family is planning a memorial for the spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Terry's memory to the college fund for Kealin, Maddy, and Crosby at Mascoma Bank P.O. Box 218 Chelsea, Vt. 05038. |
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In Chelsea the kindergarteners in Tracy Crocker's class are learning to read. They are learning these "Super Reader" tips which are the building blocks that they will carry through the spring as they work on their reading strength. |
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In Tunbridge the kindergarteners of Elizabeth Dutton's class focused on on equations, and working on how to use their fingers, and manipulatives, to solve them. The kids practiced writing equations and how to incorporate math into their every day classroom. |
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Caitlyn MacGlaflin's second graders in Tunbridge have been reading books that explore the idea of finding beauty and joy in the world around them. Many characters in these stories have found beauty in unexpected places. In the story Jamaica Louise James by Amy Hest, a young girl sees beauty in the people around her and is inspired to paint them. Jamaica’s paintings beautify a subway station and bring joy to all those who see her work.
Inspired by this story, the students painted all the faces they see in the halls at Tunbridge Central School. The students found beauty in the faces around them and wanted to share that joy with you all.
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Third and Fourth Grade News |
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In preparation for MLK Jr. Day, Christina Depoian's 3rd and 4th Grade class spent time reading books and learning all about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Students responded to the writing prompts of either What do you admire most about Martin Luther King Jr.? or What are some things you can do to make the world a better place?
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In Tunbridge Jess Anderson's 4th graders tried out their school's snowshoes. The first time out was a great success- with 16 kids getting comfortable in snowshoes, they looped out back behind the school. They hope to go out every week while the snow lasts. |
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Students have begun reading the Red Clover books in the library. Red Clover books are a collection of books nominated for an award every year by librarians across Vermont. The kids (k-4) get to vote which wins. |
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5th and 6th graders are attempting to publish a newspaper. This is integrated with an independent unit Librarian Pura Scott is teaching about publishing a school paper. The kids brainstormed things found in a normal newspaper and voted on what they wanted to include in theirs, including advertising.
The publication will be paid for with library funds and any advertising will supplement the costs or pay for a party to celebrate the completion. Details forthcoming about buying ad space :)
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This past Monday Chelsea boys 3/4 played Sharon and won 26-8. |
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Chelsea students took advantage of the snow during recess on one of the few recent days above 10F.
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TCS parent Seth Johnson clearing the ice at Tunbridge. Seth and his middle school daughter Sylvia, keep the rink open and the ice perfect for our students and community.
In Chelsea, CPS parent Pete Amber and his kids work to keep that rink smooth and clear for all to benefit.
Please be sure you thank these families for their efforts!
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ICYMI: Please check Jan. 14th's Newsletter No. 4 for a timeline on the Restructuring Process. |
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