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Hello First Branch,
We are excited to enter the last week of October! This week, we hosted a district dinner and math night, and it was wonderful! Many thanks to all the faculty and staff for their support. A huge thank you to families coming out to volunteer and participate with your family. Our Up for Learning Team also met and is working on more ways to gather community perspectives. Please be on the lookout for ways to add your voice to the conversation around our district identity. Please see the notes below about the week ahead. Also, good luck to all our cross-country runners in the state championship meet tomorrow! We are proud of you!
Book Fair: The book fair is back! Many thanks to our crew of volunteers. If you would like to still help, please reach out to Mrs. Anderson (janderson@wrvsu.org). Students will visit the book fair during library time this week, and the final after-school hours will be on Wednesday 3-4:30 pm. Setting up an account online is easy with the e-wallet feature. We also know some students will need financial assistance with the book fair. Please reach out to our main office or Mrs. Anderson directly. Our goal is for every student to have access to buy a new book if they would like to do so. Please know every purchase also supports our school through sponsoring books for school, student accounts, and overall fundraising.
TCS Book Fair Website: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/tunbridgectlschool
E-Wallet:
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/content/fairs/how-ewallet-works.html?fairId=5409713
Donations:
https://shop.scholastic.com/ewallet/fund?lang=en_US&walletId=1aeebf5d-e8b9-4ded-ba96-e21c89eb8d63
School Safety: Please remember any person approaching the building can be asked for identification. We are working to update our district safety plans, and these are areas we notice that we need to continue to communicate with our families regarding daily needs. Please make sure if you approach the building, you ring the bell and wait to be buzzed in by a faculty/staff member. As the weather changes, it is not always easy to tell who you are on camera. Please know the purpose of your visit will also be asked. During parent/teacher conferences we need all adults entering the building to sign in. This is important in the event we have an emergency.
Enjoy your weekend!
Janet Cash
Principal, First Branch Unified District
The Week Ahead:
In preparation for the holiday of Halloween and the days after we ask candy is not brought to school. We are still adhering to our school guidance on candy and sugary snacks. Candy brought will be collected and available for pick up in the main office after the school day ends. The day of Halloween, both schools will provide a fall sweet treat and no other treats are needed from home. We kindly ask families to assist students in storing candy in a way that works for you. We wish you all the best in the days ahead in these conversations.
Parent/Teacher(Student) Conferences: Conferences are live and will end the day or before 11/9/2023. If you need assistance in scheduling a conference please reach out to your teacher or main office. Teachers have shared how to schedule a conference via email.
Counselor Conferences: Click Here
10/29/2023: State Cross Country Meet (CPS)
When: Sunday, October 29
Where: Hard’ack Recreation Area, 179 Congress St, St Albans City, 05477
Schedule of events:
11:00 - 3k girls
11:40 - 3k boys
12:30 - awards
10/26-10/30/2023: Pumpkin Painting at TCS continues. This year Vermont Tech Solution Group (VTTSG) sponsored our Pumpkin Painting as a Universal Celebration for our students. The company is new and was really interested in support local communities impacted by the summer floods. As a tech company they were thrilled to sponsor a non-screen celebration! We are grateful for providing pumpkins for Prek-4th grade students to paint. In addition, a huge shout out to Mr. Tim, TCS night custodian for growing and providing large pumpkins to carve at CPS!
10/30-11/2/2023:Book Fair TCS
10/31/2023: Halloween
CPS PreK: Please see the teacher newsletter. Costumes are not being worn to school however other fun things are happening!
CPS 5th-8th: Costumes may be worn to school. For safety reasons, we ask that students not bring/wear full face masks to school, have excessive face paint or props. Students need to be able to get through their day safely. Hats, scarfs, mitten/gloves/arm/leg warmers are all fine. If students choose to wear a costume, please make sure the costume follows our school rules for our dress code that are below. Students can also just choose to be them and not wear a costume. If a student needs a costume, please have them see the main office for assistance this week.
- The dress code is not gender, weight, or size specific.
- Students must wear sufficient clothing so that underwear areas are not visible.
- Clothing that promotes alcohol, drugs, racism, sex, tobacco, violence, weapons, hate speech, or does not promote a positive school climate is prohibited.
In addition, Advisories will be judged on their pumpkin designs and a winning advisory will be announced on 10/31!
TCS K-4th: A Fall Ball will occur at the end of the day for all students! Students will participate in a variety of social dances and enjoy a festive snack. There will be an alternative space for students to enjoy a less loud activity. Students may wear costumes if they wish. For safety reasons, we ask that students not bring/wear full face masks to school, have excessive face paint or props. Students need to be able to get through their day safely. Hats, scarfs, mitten/gloves/arm/leg warmers are all fine. Please keep what is worn to school simple and easy to participate in. Students can also just choose to be them and not wear a costume. For safety, do not send full face masks, weapons, or accessories. Costumes are to be appropriate for school in content, movement, and presentation. Please see the dress code in the handbook for info. This info is also noted above in the CPS blurb. If a student needs a costume, please have them see the main office for assistance this week.
11/2/2023:
2nd Grade goes to the Tunbridge Library for a field trip!
High School Info Night at CPS 5:30-7:00 pm
11/3/2023:
No One Planet, Staff Training
On the Horizon:
11/6/2023: Picture Retakes at CPS and TCS
Nurses' Corner:
Dear Families,
We want to keep our community healthy and safe as we head into cold, flu and increased covid season. Please contact your child's school nurse if you have any questions or need Covid tests immediately. Health Offices do have a small supply.
It is advised that everyone get a flu vaccine yearly.
Visit: https://www.healthvermont.gov/disease-control/flu/preventing-flu
With the increased cases of Covid showing up in our community it is recommended that all family members stay up to date with their Covid vaccine.
Visit: https://www.healthvermont.gov/disease-control/covid-19 for the most recent information from the Vermont Department of Health.
Each family can order 4 Covid tests for free from the Federal Government. To order your tests,
Visit: https://www.covid.gov/tests
-First Branch School Nurses
First Branch Reminders:
All snacks coming from home should be items that will set students up for success. We ask no gum, candy, or other high-sugar items come in (food or drink). The school offers a fresh fruit or vegetable daily. We understand growing kids need different things. We are looking to empower our students through healthy choices. If your family needs support for snack options, please reach out to our school nurses. There are local programs ( Family Food Backpack) that can support families quietly. Items not setting students up for success will be asked to be returned to backpacks. If there is a struggle or constant concern, the item will be collected and a parent/guardian can pick it up at the end of the day. Please remember breakfast and lunch are free this year, and there are items included in these meals that can support snacks throughout the day for students in need of more fuel.
Choosing Healthy Snacks for Kids Link
(American Academy of Pediatrics)
Dismissal Info: If your student has a change in dismissal we need to know by 1pm daily. We cannot honor last minute requests. All changes are noted for the bus company and for teachers.
CPS Daily Reminders: All students should have a backpack, water bottle, ROADS binder (blue binder with agenda, folder, pencil case), and chromebook bag with them each day (chromebook, charger, bag).
Bus Route Schedule: With 10/2/2023 T1 Updates
First Branch Handbook: Click Here.
Responsive Classroom Resources for Families: Click Here
Ever wonder why we use the word expectations, agreement, morning meeting, etc? Here is the scoop!
Friends of First Branch: Please consider joining our community organization “Friends of First Branch.” You can join at any time by contacting our volunteer team at friendsoffirstbranch@wrvsu.org, all are welcomed!
Follow Up In Real Time!
Facebook: First Branch Unified District
Instagram: @first_branch
Photos: Community Connections
Mrs. Allen's Math Challenge!
Tunbridge Library: Dracula Dash 5K (10/29)
Tunbridge Library Middle School Program:
Come join the fun with needle felted stop motion animation, cooking, and enjoy a
special guest NANDO from Moon and Stars Arepas coming! The program starts the first Wednesday in November!!!!1
Here is the link for kids to sign up.
Magic Mountain Childcare
NCF Kids's Club
Holly Jolly Letter
Our history and Who’s involved?
The Holly Jolly Project is one of the oldest and longest running holiday gift programs in the community. Holly Jolly is a non-funded program that originated at CVCAC and was taken over by two parents from the community Prudence Pease and Joan Colburn. It was
passed down to another area parent Pam Doyle in 2003. Pam Doyle is the Head Elf and director/coordinator of the program working with; Community Action, Sunapee Bank, Randolph Chamber of Commerce, Valley Bowl of Randolph, Colburn’s Store in
Strafford, local area businesses, churches and people from the community. We operate only by donations and help from community members. We do not receive any government (Federal, State, or Local) funding. All gifts and donations stay in the community. Many
of the local “Angel Trees” or “Mitten Trees” are children that are being served by this program.
Holly Jolly Application
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