10.26

Hi All,

I apologize for not getting the blog out last week. I recognize that it was a particularly challenging and different week to not have it out. The disconnect in communication didn't support us as a whole. 

Thanks to everyone for dropping everything and playing on Friday as a community. It was so fun. We are waiting on more borders and wood chips, they should be here this week, fingers crossed. 

The Fall Festival//Trunk or Treat celebration went well and was very well attended. I want to send a huge thank you to staff who participated and to our lovely PTNA for all of their hard work. It's amazing that this small group of volunteers pulled off a last minute switch do to weather. 

News and Announcements: 

• Board News: As our superintendent shared last week the WCUUSD board is exploring a configuration option that would move all 6th graders to U-32 and close Doty Memorial School and Calais Elementary School. Our three PK-5 sites would be housed at Rumney, Berlin and EMES. Our Berlin School Board Members will be hosting a listening session on the 5th of November at BES. I believe it will start at 6:00 but will confirm this over the week. I invite you all to join us in learning and talking together.
• Act 139 Letters: A big thank you to Ashlyn Smith and Jessica Egizi for getting the required letters together to send out to families. Any child who scored in the "well below" category will receive a letter indicating strengths and next steps. 
• Caregiver Conferences: You all will have the 10th of November as a day to hold conferences or a "day in lieu" for conferences. Conferences should be held the week before of the week after if you are not using the day of the 10th. There will be no staff or teacher PD meeting the 5th of November as "time in lieu" for conferences. 
• Expectations: 
• Conferences are around 20 minutes each. 
• Classroom teachers offer ways for families to sign up (digital, email, in person) 
• Classroom teachers take attendance and ask for additional support at conferences if needed. I'm happy to join to any conference if needed/wanted.
• Non-classroom teacher. Please utilize the time to connect with families in a positive way. Please share the comments in a google doc or bcc me on the emails. 
• Halloween: I ask that students or staff do not wear costumes. 
• i-Ready. Great work on the MyPath usage! 
• 

                                                          

What's Happening at BES? 

Monday 10/27	BES SST 9:15-10:15  Curriculum Council 4:00-5:30
Tuesday 10/28
Wednesday 10/29	Staff Meeting 3:10-4:45
Thursday  10/30
Friday 10/31	8:20 Allied Arts PD  Team Meetings  3-6 Behavior  K-2 Academic

Where is Celia?

Monday 10/27	Student Meeting 8:15  SST 9:15-10:15 Meeting 1:00  Curriculum Council 4:00-5:30
Tuesday 10/28	No Preschool for Rowan---Celia Out
Wednesday 10/29	K-6 Teacher PD 8:20-9:20  Admin Team Meeting: Nuts and Bolts 1:00-2:00  Staff Meeting 3:10-4:45
Thursday  10/30	Math Night Planning Meeting 8:15  Student Meeting 1:00
Friday 10/31	8:20 Allied Arts PD  Team Meetings  3-6 Behavior  K-2 Academic

10.13

 

Hi All, 

I hope that you are feeling well rested after a VERY busy day on Friday. The elementary Principal's are working on a feedback form so expect that to come soon. There were so many moments of magic that I was witness to on Friday. I want to thank you all for your support in making this happen and for having fun with our young people. It takes a village and everyone played a role in making this event a success! You are all amazing. 

This weekend we had some moments of joy and sorrow. We got to spend some time camping in the woods and we also had to put our 16 year old dog down. We know he had a wonderful life and it's always a sad day as a pet owner. So, snuggle your fur babies a little extra for us!

News and Announcements  

• You may have noticed that there was a delay in the install of the new playground. Much to my dismay and frustration! The playground installation will start on Tuesday. I would plan on indoor recess for tomorrow, Tuesday October 12. I would imagine that we will be able to find a way on Wednesday to get kids outside safely. 
• Den Groups will happen on Thursday afternoon 2:55--3:25. 
• Dismissal Procedure: 
• 3:25 Lori will call Caregiver Pickups--they will walk to the gym. 
• Bussers will wait in their classrooms 
• Busses will be called by number as they are ready to load. Students will walk down to the busses from their classrooms.  
• Staff Meeting and PD this week---We will focus on the Science of Writing 

Week of October 13 - 17, 2025 Monday, Oct 13 Holiday Staff Meeting----3:15-4:45 Run, Hide, Fight  Science of Writing: Oral Language   Required October Comprehensive Assessments:	Paras: No Meeting
	K-6: Science of Writing: Transcription
	Allied Arts: 16 Personalities

Please take a peek at our iReady diagnostic numbers. The district goal is 30-40 minutes a week and we're looking to have students pass over 80% of there lessons. Go team! 

What's Happening at BES? 

Monday 10/13	No School
Tuesday 10/14	**Indoor Recess---start of the playground installation.
Wednesday 10/15	Lunch Group 11:00-12:10 **Reminder it will switch days and times throughout the year.  WCUUSD Board Meeting 6:00 @ U-32
Thursday  10/16	Den Groups 2:55-3:25
Friday 10/17

Where is Celia?

Monday 10/13	No School
Tuesday 10/14	8:00 Re-Entry Meeting  9:00 Student Meeting  9:30 Goals 10:00 Goals  11:00 Goals  11:40 Goals 1:00 Goals  1:30 Goals  2:00 PK Presentation  3:45 IEP Meeting
Wednesday 10/15	K-6 Teacher PD 8:20-9:20  Admin Team Meeting: Nuts and Bolts 1:00-2:00  Meeting w/Jen and Julia 2:00-2:30  2:30 Goals Meeting  Staff Meeting 3:10-4:45
Thursday  10/16	8:15 Goals Meeting  10:00 Goals  11:40 Goals  1:00-3:00 District Safety Team **Celia Out--Tyler on Deck
Friday 10/17	8:20 Allied Arts PD  Team Meetings  3-6 Behavior  K-2 Academic  **Steven in building from 1:30-3:30

10.5

Hi All,

I hope this late blog finds you well. This weather is incredible and I am finding myself having some fall scaries. The to-do list just keeps getting longer! The weather for Friday looks incredible, fingers crossed it stays that way. 58 degrees and sun! 

You all rocked the Fire Drill last week. Thank you for getting our young people out quickly and safely. You all were amazing. Also, thank you for supporting the wacky dismissal on Thursday. 2nd grade you did a beautiful job with our all school meeting. 

Jessie thank you for creating additional opportunities for our young people and families to meet together and share their love for books. 

Also, thank you to all of you who are interested in running an Afterschool Club. I have gotten lots of positive feedback from families already. Let's keep the excitement going! 

News and Announcements 

• Please keep your eyes our for the lock to the ball box. 
• Goals: Please make sure that you make an appointment with Lori to meet with me to set your goals for the year. This will need to be done by the 15th of October. 
• School Board Seat: We are still seeking a Berlin Community Member to serve on our School Board. If you can think of a parent that would be a good fit for this important role please reach out to me! 
• Staff Meeting: EQS Presentation---Please bring a charged device.  Remember to bring your fob if you use one!  Bring headphones if you have them.
• October is Fire Safety Month. If you'd like more information or to connect with our Fire Department please let me know. 
• Week at a glance: 

Week of October 6th - 10th, 2025 Staff Meeting----3:15-4:45 EQS 1 Fall Festival  TShirts  Required October Comprehensive Assessments: LCAP 25-26	Paras: Connection---needs for Fall Festival
	K-6: Literacy Strategies  K-2–Independence, routines and sharing   3-6 – writing and reading strategies—comprehension
	Allied Arts: 16 Personalities/Problem of Practice

• Playground---You may share this photos with your students. Please know that the tree will stay! Many students have asked. We will also be getting a new sandbox in the coming weeks. Once the structure is in place!

What's Happening at BES? 

Monday 10/5	HJC 8:15-8:45
Tuesday 10/7	Para PD 8:15-8:45
Wednesday 10/8	K-6 PD 8:20-9:20 (Art Room) Staff Meeting 3:10ish-4:45 **Important EQS Rollout  **Share of Groups for Fall Festival **T-Shirt Distribution
Thursday  10/9	**Indoor or Modified Recess---start of the playground installation.
Friday 10/10	Fall Festival at EMES busses leave at 9:45

Where is Celia?

Monday 10/6	HJC 8:15-8:45  Goals 10:00  Phone call with Joelle V. 12:30 Student Meeting 1:30
Tuesday 10/7	Student Meeting 8:15-8:45  WCLT Meeting 8:15-12:15 **Celia Out  Meeting 1:00-1:30
Wednesday 10/8	K-6 Teacher PD 8:20-9:20  PBIS Check In-10:00-10:30  Admin Team Meeting: Nuts and Bolts 1:00-2:00  Staff Meeting 3:10-4:45
Thursday  10/9	Virtual Training----Behavioral Threat Assessment Level 1 8:00-3:00  **Celia Out
Friday 10/10	Fall Festival!!!

9.29

Hi All, 

I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend. This weather felt like a dream. I wanted to highlight our BES Wish Tree. This was a nice point of connection for families and students at Open House. I encourage you to fill out a wish leave and pop it on the tree if you haven't yet done so. Thanks for the idea from staff and thanks to Mrs. Heinz and Mrs. Egizi for making so many leaves. I couldn't have done it without you! 

Thank you also for those of you who came out to the Community Meal at U-32 and or supported it by garlic smashing with our students! It was amazing to see so many families and community members from across all of our towns. We had many volunteers.

                                       

News and Announcements

• Fire Drill: We will complete a Fire Drill Tuesday at 9:15am.  
• Whole School Meeting: 2:55-3:25. We are going to try and dismiss from the gym. Please have your students bring their bags. We will have designated spots for them to leave their stuff. 
• Goals: This is a reminder that it’s time to complete your self-assessment and create your goals for the year. WCUUSD is using a new form this year. The good news is that it’s only one form for both the assessment and the goals. Once you’ve completed this form, please reach out to me with times that you are available to meet for our goals meeting. 
• To Access the Goals Document:

• In Vector ➡️Licensed Educators ➡️Self-Assessment (Clusters 2 and 4) and Goals

  
  
  

  

  
  
• Paraprofessional Staff it is also time for you to set goals for the year. 
• To Access the Goals Document:

• In Vector ➡️ Paraeducator ➡️ Paraprofessional Goal Setting.

• 

• Afterschool Clubs! Thank you to all who have signed up already. Please indicate your interest to run a club or support a club by filling out this form.  Club Interest Form. 
• I will be sharing more information about clubs and afterschool needs on Wednesday this week. 

What's Happening at BES? 

Monday 9/29	SST 9:15-10:15
Tuesday 9/30	Fire Drill 9:15
Wednesday 10/1	K-6 PD 8:20-9:20 (Art Room) Staff Meeting 3:10ish-4:45
Thursday  10/2	Whole School Meeting 2:55-3:25  PTNA Meeting 6:00--7:30
Friday 10/3	Allied Arts PD 8:20-8:50 Team Meetings  K-2 Academic 3-6 Behavior/SEL

Where is Celia?

Monday 9/29	SST 9:15-10:15  Student Meeting 10:00-11:00 Meeting 12:15  Rowan Pickup leave at 4:10
Tuesday 9/30	Student Meeting 8:15-8:45  Fall Festival Planning Meeting  Goals Meeting 9:30-10 PK Meeting 11:30-12:30  Student Meeting 1:30-3:00
Wednesday 10/1	K-6 Teacher PD 8:20-9:20  Admin Team Meeting: Nuts and Bolts 1:00-2:00  12.10 Planning with Jen M-A Staff Meeting 3:10-4:45
Thursday  10/2	Student Meeting 8:00-8:45  In House Safety Team Meeting 9:00 Celia and Susanne Check In 10:00  Student Meeting 3:45-4:15
Friday 10/3	Allied Arts PD 8:20-8:50 Team Meetings  3-6 Academic K-2 Behavior/SEL  **Row ENT appointment**--Celia out at 12:30

9.21

Hi All,

I wanted to take a moment and say THANK YOU to everyone who made Den Groups such a success this past week. I shared the expectations with BES Families in this week's newsletter. We've got a busy week ahead and it will be a fun one! 

I also wanted to give a Shoutout to Lucia Burke who has been fixing up the Garden and encouraging students to help participate in it's beautification. 

News and Announcements

• Bus Evacuation Drills: We will do Bus Evacuation drills on Thursday morning. Teachers, you don't need to do anything special but please know that students may be running later than usual. Each bus, unloads and reloads to practice an evacuation. 
• Humanity and Justice Group: We will meet for the first meet-up of the year in the conference room. Please join us! Come one, come all. 
• Goals: This is a reminder that it’s time to complete your self-assessment and create your goals for the year. WCUUSD is using a new form this year. The good news is that it’s only one form for both the assessment and the goals. Once you’ve completed this form, please reach out to me with times that you are available to meet for our goals meeting. 
• To Access the Goals Document:

• In Vector ➡️Licensed Educators ➡️Self-Assessment (Clusters 2 and 4) and Goals

  
  
  

  

  
  
• Afterschool Clubs! Thank you to all who have signed up already. Please indicate your interest to run a club or support a club by filling out this form.  Club Interest Form
• Community Meal: 

Thursday (9/25) at 5:30 there is a FREE community meal for EVERYONE. 

We know that food brings people together, and that connections build community. 

Please come with your families, your neighbors, and friends, and be in community over dinner. We are proudly sourcing from local farmers, bakers, and growers and would love to see you there. Plus many of your students are (or will be) involved in some way in preparing food for this meal!

Details: 

- Thursday, September 25th @ 5:30 

- Outside the Events Lobby / Front of School at U-32 **(Rain plan: cafeteria). 

- Chili dinner - Vegan and Meat options, with all the fixings, sides & dessert 

- Bring your family, friends and neighbors, and a blanket if you want to picnic (but there will be tables and chairs).

RSVP HERE  (just for a head count, but come either way)!

• Playground Update: The playground is en route and is scheduled to land in VT at the end the month 9/27! This is great news. We are looking at installation in the first week of October. FYI: There will be a disruption to where recess happens. More to come on that. 
• I started the Staff Spotlight in the Weekly Bobcat Beat. Thank you for those of you who have completed the form. If you could take a few moments and fill this form out, we can share a little about ourselves with the larger school community weekly all year long! https://forms.gle/fsdpAsQkErKP9uMM8
• Here is the 25-26 WCUUSD LCAP. 

Reminders  

• You must be ontime for your duty. 11:40 and 12:10 are the start times of both lunch and recess blocks. 
• If you leave campus during the school hours you need to sign out in the clipboard in the front office. For safety purposes we need to know where you are/when you are back. 
• You must be moving around to supervise and utilize proximity at recess.
• Connection and communication/play with students at recess and lunch goes a long way in building relationships and managing behaviors. 
• Pledge of Allegiance: 
• Students are to be respectful and not speak during the pledge. 
• Students are not required and cannot be made to stand up or recite the pledge.
• Community Bobcats! Please share appreciation for your colleagues! The slips are in the copy room.   

What's Happening at BES? 

Monday 9/22	HJC 8:15-8:45
Tuesday 9/23
Wednesday 9/24	K-6 PD 8:20-9:20 (Art Room) No Staff Meeting  Open House 5:30-6:30
Thursday  9/25	Bus Evacuation Drills Community Meal 5:30 @ U-32
Friday 9/26	Allied Arts PD 8:20-8:50 Team Meetings  K-2 Academic 3-6 Behavior/SEL

Where is Celia?

Monday 9/22	HJC 8:15-8:45  Meeting with Steven 10:00-11:00  Student Meeting 1:30  Curriculum Council 4:00-5:30
Tuesday 9/23	WCLT Meeting @ CO 8:30-10:30  PK Meeting 11:30-12:30  Parent Meeting 1:00-1:30  Rowan Pickup leave at 4:10
Wednesday 9/24	K-6 Teacher PD 8:20-9:20  Admin Team Meeting: Nuts and Bolts 1:00-2:00
Thursday  9/25	Student Meeting 8:00-8:30  Bus Evacuation Drill 8:40-9:10
Friday 9/26	Allied Arts PD 8:20-8:50 Team Meetings  K-2 Behavior/SEL 3-6 Academic