The First Branch Newsletter
One river, two towns, unlimited discoveries
A newsletter connecting and celebrating the Chelsea & Tunbridge schools
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Through this bi-weekly newsletter Principal Mark Blount and Principal Michael Livingston bring to our First Branch families photos, stories, and updates
from the Chelsea and Tunbridge schools.
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Dates to Note:
Wednesday Dec. 22nd, Noon dismissal.
Holiday Vacation: Dec. 23rd - Dec. 31st.
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Dear Parents and Guardians,
It is with gratitude, respect and certainly a measure of regret that we write this letter to inform you that as of June 30, 2022, Michael will be retiring as the Tunbridge Central School principal and Mark will be stepping down as the principal of Chelsea Public School.
With restructuring efforts underway and our schools consolidating in the fall of 2022 in K-4 and 5-8 configurations in Tunbridge and Chelsea respectively, it is time for new leadership to move this important work forward. Please know, we will continue to work with all of you for the remainder of the year. There is much to be done and we are completely committed to that work.
These last two years have been an incredibly challenging time for our school community in the face of an unprecedented pandemic. We are so grateful for our committed faculty and staff who have shown patience, teamwork, flexibility and a willingness to learn new practices, implement new programs, and systems of student support which have benefited all of our students in the First Branch Community.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank parents and guardians for their remarkable support and the opportunity to work with your children. Thank you for the dedication of the First Branch faculty and staff, the tireless work of our First Branch Board, Superintendent Kinnarney, the WRVSU administrative team
and the communities of Tunbridge and Chelsea.
We love you and will miss you.
In the very near future Superintendent Kinnarney will be providing all of you with an outline and process about how you might be involved in selecting the next leadership team.
Respectfully,
~ Mark and Michael
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December's Annual Kindness Tree |
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In keeping with tradition, this December, students and staff will decorate their school's Kindness Tree.
Students, families, faculty and staff
are invited to:
Donate hats, mittens & socks
New, used, hand-me downs, too small - we’ll get them to those who need them in our community.
Donate non-perishable food items
Canned soups, veggies, fruits, or boxed foods. - we’ll donate all items to the local food shelf.
Donate non-perishable pet food items.
Canned or unopened bags of dog & cat food - for the food shelf & the Central VT Humane Society.
Our trees are a reminder that we can take care of each other in our school community
and our greater community.
Students take on this project with generosity, creativity and leadership.
Please send any donations of gently used winter items and non-perishable goods into school with your child in the coming weeks.
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Test to Stay at CPS & TCS |
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Chelsea Public School and Tunbridge Central School are ready to implement the Test to Stay
Program in the event an unvaccinated student has been identified as a close contact in a
COVID19 case at school. The Test to Stay program is offered for those close contacts who are not fully vaccinated and would otherwise need to quarantine.
For families to participate, they need to pre-register!
Form AND the self-registration link for your student's school at the links below:
If you do not have computer access, please contact your school and we will help you register.
We ask that you register your children now so that if a close contact situation arises everything is in place.
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In the event that Test to Stay is conducted for a positive COVID case, families will bring their child(ren) to the school on the first day of testing, (no earlier than 7:30) to ensure all registrations have been completed correctly. For subsequent days your child may ride the bus as long as they remain symptom free.
Parents will need to be prepared to pick students up within 30 minutes of notification of a positive antigen test.
This is voluntary program. If you chose for your student to quarantine rather than participate in the Test to Stay program you will need to reach out directly to your teacher(s) for learning expectations for the duration of the quarantine period.
Thank you parents and guardians for your incredible support. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the school directly.
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Chelsea and Tunbridge middle schools are working on a production of Dr. Suess's How the Grinch Stole Christmas for TCS and CPS kindergarten and first grade classes. Stay tuned for photos in our next newsletter.
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December at the Chelsea Public School |
Mr. Anderson's middle school students surprised Mrs. Crocker's kindergarteners with handmade chairs for their Woods Wednesday classroom. |
The 8th grade class is running a fundraiser during the week of Dec 13th. Fifteen teachers have volunteered to get a pie in the face to help the 8th graders raise money for a trip at the end of the year.
The teachers have been randomly split into groups of three. Students and teachers may "vote" for the group of their choice by putting money in the jar of their choice. The jars will be in the lobby before school and during lunch time. The group of teachers that has earned the most money by Friday the 17th will get a pie in the face during the last week of school before vacation.
Students should talk with their parents if they would like to contribute to one of the jars and make sure they are bringing in an appropriate amount of money.
All donations are appreciated.
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Art just finished up at Chelsea where Ms. Dee worked with her students teaching line, shape, color, watercolor skills, drawing skills, mixing colors, and guided drawing. Students used resource papers to look and find figures or elements of shapes that they want to use in their paintings.
In a recent class, Ms. Dee read picture books to students and as a group, they discussed the use of the illustrations to tell the story. Afterwards, they drew together building upon what they had discussed.
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December at the Tunbridge Central School |
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Ms. Dee returned to Tunbridge this week. Here, she is teaching art in the Library to the 1st grade class as the 1st grade room was under maintenance. We are so proud of our students and staff for their flexibility and adaptability. |
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Funky Socks Fridays !!
For students and adults... EVERY FRIDAY!
Brought to you by the middle school advisory group known as:
The Galloping, Groovy, Grumpy, Gummy, Grizzly Bears of Rainbow Sparkle Poop Land....
We all need some silly fun!!
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The Tunbridge Central School is happy to announce that their annual Book Giveaway will be celebrated Friday, December 17th.
All TCS students will be selecting a special gift to bring home for a loved one Friday, December 17. We are so excited to keep this tradition going and Mrs. Howe will be involved to make sure it is a success.
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Recently, the Tunbridge 5th and 6th grade Humanities class used two Vermont maps, one geological and one of roads & highways, to identify the locations where twenty different native rocks were found. Students are learning about the rock cycle in Science class with Mr. Franske and TCS's own Myra Hudson -front office extraordinaire who has a degree in geology- was a guest presenter. |
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