3.22

Hi All, 

I wanted to share another deep thank you for all that you did to make Caregiver Conferences and Winter Wellness (Spring Thaw Wellness) a success. You show up in ways that make our school better everyday. Thank you for all you do. 

This weekend was Maple Open House Weekend! I hope that you got a taste of something sweet. Rowan and I took a detour after a ski day and visited a small home based operation this weekend and I'm still dreaming of the smell in the sugarhouse. 

                         .                     

News and Announcements 

• Winter Wellness (Spring Thaw) 2025 Feedback. Please take a moment to fill out this survey.  
• https://forms.gle/QM46aYU1NTMiYn8M9
• Reminder: WCUUSD (K-6) Opinion Writing Prompt due March 31 ---- LCAP link
• WIN Cycle 3 ends: 4/10/26 - consider upcoming need & necessary Form A's
• VTCAP
• Weeks will be as follows: 
• March 31st-April 2nd.  5th Grade Science 
• April 7th-9th- Math Week for 3-6
• April 14th-16th-- Literacy Week for 3-6 
• Testing Days: 
• Tuesday—- Downing/Velez          
• Wednesday—- Wagner/Armstrong           
• Thursday—- Rob
• Notes: 
• 3/6 Teachers if you'd like to switch days around I am more than happy to do that. 
• Schedule with accommodations/assignments and groups will be out ASAP. Kudos to the 3-6 SPED team for helping me with accommodations!
• Important: Training for VTCAP will take place during staff meeting this week. Please plan to be there especially if you support a student grades 3-6.
• Reminders about the iReady Program 
• The Principals had an opportunity to meet with Curriculum Associates and do some professional learning. I was reminded of the Try---Discuss---Connect Framework that anchors the curriculum. 
• Remember that students make meaning out loud and with actions. We want smart math thinkers not just the "right answers" thinkers. 
• Here are a couple of resources about getting kids talking about Math 
• Talking about Math --- Video of math in action. 
• Student Signals Video  https://login.i-ready.com/central/Search?resource=645b5f47-0ae7-4ef5-9596-041d1dbf272

Here is the link to that PDF if it's helpful!

Mid-Session Legislative Report

The mid-session legislative report is now available. This information was current through 3/15/26. There are 21 summaries of education related discussions and/or bill pro!posals from the Vermont 2026 Legislative Session. 

Military Children Support/Resources

I'm not currently aware of any families that are in active deployment. However, there are some families who may be wondering about this or anticipating an event in the future. Please utilize these resources as needed. 

• MIC3 and Partner Organization Deployment Resources
  
• Month of the Military Child Toolkit
  • Interactive Map
• Vermont’s page on mic3.net
• Guide for Parents, School Officials, and Public Administrators
• MIC3 Brochure
• Webinars and Videos
• Sign up for The Wire – The Commission’s Monthly Newsletter
• Commission Training Available

Here's a great Article from the Marshall Memo! 

An Adaptable Classroom Desk Arrangement 

            In this Edutopia article, instructional coach Tyler Rablin says that for years as an ELA teacher, he was constantly dreaming up new desk arrangements for his classroom. Sometimes he would have students practice shifting from one to another, moving desks and chairs to different configurations for individual, whole-class, and small-group work. But he found that switching was disruptive and time-consuming, and the search for the perfect desk arrangement continued. 

Rablin found a strategy that allowed students to quickly shift between three different formats without moving their desks. How is that possible in a small classroom (his was 35 feet by 30 feet) with 34 students? Here are the key elements (click the article link below to see his diagrams):

-   Student desks (with unattached chairs) are arranged in a double horseshoe.

-   The desks in the outer horseshoe are against the side and back walls of the classroom.

-   Three tables are in the middle of the inner horseshoe.

-   Two tables are against the wall at the front, by a whiteboard and smartboard.

-   Bookshelves are below the whiteboard and smartboard.

-   In the middle of the front, there’s a podium (no room for a teacher desk).

Here’s how the three configurations happen, with desks and tables remaining stationary:

            • For individual work, quiet reading, and tests – Students sit at their desks facing outward, signaling the shift to independent work mode. This reduces distractions, increases student privacy, and allows the teacher standing at the front of the room to look over all students’ shoulders and see every laptop screen. Rablin also found it easier to have individual conferences with students at one of the middle tables. “With most students facing outward,” he says, “the layout created a little bit of privacy for those interactions.” 

Students can also use the middle tables for impromptu collaboration with other students (after checking with the teacher). “This collaboration would happen close to the middle of the room and out of sight of the other students,” says Rablin, “which allowed me to monitor things and minimize the distraction to those still working independently.” 
            • For all-class mini-lessons, videos, student presentations, and discussions – Students spin around and sit behind the inner horseshoe of desks and the two tables. Rablin has found two benefits to this configuration: (a) students are now facing away from their own laptops and are less likely to be distracted by them; and (b) students are somewhat closer to each other and to the teacher at the front of the room, with greater proximity supporting a full-group dynamic.

            • For small-group work – Students form groups (designated by the teacher) using the inner horseshoe, the middle tables, and the tables at the front of the room. Students bring their own chairs, or use extra chairs at the new locations. 

            This plan worked for Rablin, facilitating the three different types of learning experiences. He notes one additional benefit: “The quick physical transitions helped students transition mentally to each activity.” 

“An Unconventional Seating Plan Designed to Benefit Focus and Learning” by Tyler Rablin in Edutopia, March 5, 2026

What's Happening at BES?

Monday 3/23	HJC 8:15 Curriculum Council 4:00
Tuesday 3/24
Wednesday 3/25	K-6 Teacher PD 8:20-9:20 Staff Meeting 3:10-4:45 Art Room  Board Meeting at U-32 6:15
Thursday  3/26
Friday 3/27	Team Meetings K-2 Academic 3-6 Attendance/Behavior

Where is Celia?

Monday 3/23	HJC 8:15 Union Meeting 9:15-10:00 SPED Team 11:40  ***Celia out at CO from 12:15 on Act 78 Review 12:30-1:30  Discussion with JMA and Steven 3:00 Curriculum Council 4:00
Tuesday 3/24	WCLT Meeting in Person  **Celia out until 11:00
Wednesday 3/25	K-6 Teacher PD 8:20-9:20 Meeting 12:00-1:00  WCLT Nuts and Bolts 1:00-2:00 Staff Meeting 3:10-4:45 Art Room
Thursday  3/26	Student Meeting 8:15  BES SST 10:00-10:45
Friday 3/27	Student Meeting 11:40-12:10  **Steven in building 11:30-12:30  Team Meetings K-2 Academic 3-6 Attendance/Behavior