FIRST BRANCH

Weekend Newsletter

March 16 & 17

Janet Cash, Principal

Dan Rivers, Associate Principal

Jill Interlandi, Newsletter Coordinator & 4th Grade Teacher

UPCOMING EVENTS

-Mar 19th at 3:45 CLiF Storytelling and Free Book Giveaway

-3rd & 4th Grade VT CAP DATES

3rd-5th Grade VTCAP Letter 2024

3/25 - Math Session 1

3/26- Math Session 2

4/4 - ELA Session 1

4/11-ELA Session 2

-5th-8th Grade VT CAP DATES

5th-8th Grade VTCAP Letter 2024

4/2, 4/3 - ELA

4/9, 4/10-Math

4/16, 4/17 (5th & 8th) Science

-Mar. 27: Art & Soul

-Mar 29: In-Service Day - No School

REMINDERS

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Lunch Menus

Online Safety:

We know it's hard with tech. It's part of our world and there are benefits to tech. This is a reminder to check your student's accounts if they are online for social media: facebook, tiktok, instagram, and anything else.

Here are Some Quick Tips:

1) Set screen time rules and expectations.

a) How much time per day/week.

b) What apps may be installed and what apps are not allowed.

c) Parent -Student check ins to review what is in the phone and online together.

2) Have all logs in and passwords.

3) Establish downtime without tech.

4) Charge all devices in one spot that is not a bedroom.

Resources:

Common Sense Media

How to Find Hidden Apps

How to Block and Restrict Apps

Beyond the Screens: Managing the Screen Time Dilemma

Downtime Links

The Benefits of Boredom

Boredom Isn't A Bad Thing for Kids

Hello First Branch!

Hello First Branch,

This week we hosted We R Hope at TCS for a Community Dinner and Conversation. We R H.O.P.E. approaches mental health by bringing support to young people at an early age and breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness at the school and community level.We had small group and it was great for meaningful conversation! In addition Sean was kind enough to share his resources. If you missed this great event please check out the resources shared with us:

We R Hope Website

Pathways to Empowerment

Quick Guide

Tomorrow is the last call for Art & Soul Permission slips for 4th-8th grade. This is a wonderful event, and all students can participate in the choral component. Students in our band 5th-8th grade are also invited to participate in the band portion and choral component. The permission slip packet links are list and hard copies are in the office.

Family Letter

Permission Slips

Lunch Order

In closing, please stay tuned for bus route info for the week. We will let families know this afternoon about if we are staying mud routes or if we are back on track with our typical routes.

Be Well,

Janet Cash

Principal, First Branch Unified District

2024 Spring Conference Sign- Up Document

Hope My Boata Floata Regatta

4th-grade students were excited to eagerly embark on a thrilling engineering adventure: building their very own boats. These budding engineers are tasked with the challenge of designing, constructing, and optimizing boats capable of conquering both speed and capacity. But this isn't just about building boats; it's about incorporating every facet of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education into the process. As they assemble their boats, the students grapple with principles of physics, and buoyancy They apply mathematical concepts to calculate dimensions and proportions, ensuring their boats strike the perfect balance between speed and stability. Artistic flair comes into play as they decorate their vessels, transforming them into works of nautical art.

Kick Off to BridgeUP!

It's that time of year again in First BranchThe BridgeUP program through Northern Stage kicked off in 5th & 6th grade humanities class this week with visits to each class by Director of Education (and Vershire native), Rob Grant, and Education Associate & Technical Guru, Courtney Buzzell. Students played with words and rhythm, exploring iambic pentameter, and spent time learning about the plot of this year's play, Twelfth Night.

The program runs for seven weeks, and takes students through full auditions, casting, rehearsals, and productions of an abbreviated Shakespeare play. It then culminates in a day time school performance and an evening performance in the professional theater at Northern Stage in White River in early May.

Chelsea Middle School students executing their stellar culinary skills for an Iron Chef Junior competition!

Staff Spotlight

Karen Colby

How long have you worked at First Branch?

I came to Tunbridge Central School in the fall of 2005, after teaching at Hartford High School for 10 years. This is my 19th year of teaching middle school math at Tunbridge Central School/First Branch.

What is your favorite thing about working at First Branch?

I like that I am able to teach students for multiple grade levels, I love looking back to where they were as 5th grade students and see their growth over the years! I also really enjoy the short commute to work each day!

What do you want people to know about your job?

That I am currently working on my Master’s in Mathematical Instruction. I get excited about the wonders of math and love to share that with students.

What is one fun fact about you?

I am a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame at Endicott College and was selected as an Academic All-American and Regional Scholar Athlete of the Year.

WRVSU CALENDARS

2023-24 CALENDAR

Learn more about Vermont Family Support programs here!

First Branch School

Tunbridge Elementary 523 VT rt 110 Tunbridge, Vermont

Chelsea Middle School 6 School St. Chelsea, Vermont

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