FIRST BRANCH

Weekend Newsletter

April 13 & 14

Janet Cash, Principal

Dan Rivers, Associate Principal

Jill Interlandi, Newsletter Coordinator & 4th Grade Teacher

"A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth that either fully or partially blocks the Sun’s light in some areas. This only happens occasionally, because the Moon doesn't orbit in the exact same plane as the Sun and Earth do."

Learn More from NASA

5th-8th Grade at U32 for the Solar Eclipse!

Our very own Mr. Kenny checking out the solar eclipse at CPS!

TCS students at the One Planet Extension Program!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

4/15: FBUD Annual Budget Vote

@ 7pm Tunbridge School Gym

After School Program Open To All 3-5:15 pm (Permission Slip)

Community Dinner @ 5:30-6:45 pm

(no fee and open to all)

Childcare Provided starting at 7:00 pm

(no fee and open to all)

4/15-4/19: Spirit Week at CPS 5th-8th Grade

-3rd & 4th Grade VT CAP DATES

3rd-5th Grade VTCAP Letter 2024

4/11- ELA Session 1

4/15 - ELA Session 2*

-5th-8th Grade VT CAP DATES

5th-8th Grade VTCAP Letter 2024

4/9, 4/10-Math

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

4/22-26: Spring Vacation - No School

REMINDERS

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Lunch Menus

FBUD Budget Informational Session, Mailer and Vote

BUDGET VOTE:

The budget vote will be held by IN-PERSON by FLOOR VOTE in the Tunbridge School Gym on April 15th at 7pm.

Dinner will be provided before the vote, beginning at 6pm. Childcare will be available during the meeting/vote

Hello First Branch!

Hello First Branch,

On Monday, April 15th at 7pm at TCS we have our First Branch Annual Meeting to discuss and vote on the First Branch Unified District school budget.

Before the discussion and vote, we are hosting a community dinner from 5:30-6:45 pm and an after-school program with One Planet from 3-5:15 pm. There are no costs associated with any of these events. Permission slips went home on Friday for students K-8th grade. We will also have babysitting during the Annual Meeting starting at 7 pm. Our hope is to provide access needed to get as many community members out to TCS. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

In addition, I would like to thank all the faculty and staff who made Monday, 4/8, possible. We offered a developmental, appropriate program with access to all learners to enjoy the solar eclipse. We had middle school students at U32 and students at CPS and TCS. Seeing the shadows and the temperature change in our school community was magical. I can't think of a better place to be than with First Branch Unified District for this historic event! As our eclipse adventure closes, we are looking to work with Astronomers Without Borders or a similar organization. Please drop off your glasses at the FBUD Annual Budget meeting on Monday night or send them in with a student.

In closing

Be Well,

Janet Cash

Principal, First Branch Unified District

Middle School Health & Safety Update:

Daily, there are many moments we are proud of at CPS within academics, essentials, and peer interactions. As a maturing middle school community, we know there are, at times, tough conversations to be had with teens and preteens.

To that end, when a concern is brought to the administration by a student, teacher, parent, or community member, there are several steps we have to take to ensure safety for minors mandated by the state, SU, and local district. We do everything to keep a minor's information confidential and connected with their parent(s)/guardian(s). We know being a teen or preteen is tough in 2024, and being a parent of a teen or preteen is even harder.

Should you have any questions or concerns, it is important to contact the following faculty/staff with specific details and confirmed facts. We also ask families not to spread rumors. This is especially true with community members under the age of 18. We value the trust families put in us each day. We are here to support all of our learners. Below are some links to guide conversations by Vermont agencies and a few national agencies/organizations . Should the school ever have founded concerns, we will reach out to the family impacted and the community at large with information.

Contact People:

Student Advisor (Homeroom Teacher)

Janet Cash, Principal

Dan Rivers, Associate Principal

Mindy Farnham, School Counselor CPS

Emily Dumont, School Nurse CPS

Topics:

Adolescent Health

Digital Devices

Exercise VT

Substance Abuse Concerns VT, Vaping

Mental Health:

Clara Martin

Instant Support via Cell and Test for Mental Health

Parent Support:

Vermont Family Network

Parent Up

Community Prevention Program

Sleep:

Sleep Concerns

Congratulations to Tunbridge Afterschool Program for earning 4 stars!

Staff Spotlight

Elizabeth Dutton

How long have you worked at TCS?

This is my 18th year at TCS! In my first year at TCS, I taught a combination 4th and 5th grade class. Then for the next 9 years I taught in the 3rd - 5th grade range. Now I am happily settled into Kindergarten.

What is your favorite thing about working at TCS?

I have loved getting to know the community and families of Tunbridge. Even though I do not live in town, I feel that Tunbridge is an important part of my life and feel very connected to it. I have the most beautiful commutes to work each day, getting to savor the Route 110 corridor and all the amazing farmland and views.

What do you want people to know about your job?

Teaching kindergarten is the best job in the world. I get the unique opportunity to play and laugh with great kids each day at school, and to see them change, grow and learn throughout their years. The kids keep me busy and motivated to learn new things each day.

What is one fun fact about you?

As much as I love my job, summers are a special time for me. I spend a great deal of time in Maine with my family, often swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding in the ocean. Once I even saw a small shark while paddle boarding -- though usually it is just the seals that like to slap the water and scare me!

Senator Sanders invites youth to his Second Annual Youth Chess Day on Saturday, April 20th at Vermont State University in Randolph!

To help more young Vermonters try chess for the first time – and for experienced young players to have the opportunity to compete against each other – the Senator's office has organized a Youth Chess Day. It will feature learn-to-play sessions for students interested in trying out the game as well as a recreational tournament for experienced players. We encourage ALL young Vermonters in grades 1-12 to come join us. Students are strongly encouraged to register as soon as possible, as space is limited.

Where: Judd Hall, Vermont State University, 124 Admin Drive, Randolph Center, VT

When: Saturday, April 20, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Learn-To-Play Session (Grades 1-8)

12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Lunch (free for all participants)

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Recreational Tournament