11.10

Hi All, 

I hope that caregiver conferences went well and that you are feeling more connected to our families and also feeling a sense of relief for getting back to a normal schedule! 

Please take a moment to celebrate the moment of community in the library on Wednesday evening last week! Our library was busy with families and U-32 students and it was a moment to highlight.

I also wanted to share that I am going to be adding a new section to our weekly blog called "Observations from the Field." I will seek to highlight (without names) observations of adult behaviors that are in line with our mission and practices. 

Observations from the field:  

• The sharing of beautiful student artwork. It's lovely to see the student work displayed
• I noticed adults getting on eye level with students to problem solve 
• Respectful conversations with families 
• Staff greet students and welcome them with a smile 
• Staff were adaptable, asked for resources and tapped out when they needed a break   

News and Announcements: 

• When you can please take a moment to fill out this Budget Survey. 
• The playground is finally finished, hooray! 
• School Reminders:
• We've noticed a change in behaviors in the hallways. There have been a lot more students roaming and we've had some reports of students helping themselves to other's bags.
•  Hallway expectations:
• Adults should have eyes on students 
• Students must check in with adults before they leave the room (signal, sign out, verbal contract, visual)
• One student should leave the room at the time unless an emergency or part of a project, service, etc.
• Student's should be able to identify the "what they are doing" if asked by an adult
• Lunchroom reminder: Walk-Around/Check-In with students/Proximity is your biggest tool to ensuring that the lunchroom is more manageble. Please fill out ODR's at lunch/recess if needed.
• Whole School Meeting Structure
• We are looking for ways to make All School Meeting more successful. Moving forward we are going to ask: 
• Classes sit on the bleachers 
• Adults join all students on the bleachers 
• The PBIS team will support in providing more structure to the start and end of the meeting so that classes can focus on what they are presenting. 
• We also ask that classroom teachers review expectations with classes prior to entering the gym
• General Reminders: 
• Please make sure that phones are away
• We're spreading out to greet students in all areas of the building 
• Contracted times: 
• Classroom teachers: 8:15-3:45 
• Paras 8:40-3:40 
• If you are not in school during these times you MUST utilize leave in Frontline. 
• Communication with families should be through school email unless you have gotten permission from me to communicate using a different form. 

What's Happening at BES? 

Monday 11/10	No School--Conference Day
Tuesday 11/11	Veteran's Day
Wednesday 11/12	K-6 Teacher PD 8:20-9:20  Harvest Luncheon  Staff Meeting 3:10-4:45 Art Room
Thursday  11/13	District HJC Meeting 12:30-1:55
Friday 11/14	8:20 Allied Arts PD  Team Meetings  3-6 Acadience K-2 Behavior

Where is Celia?

Monday 11/10	Student Meeting 8:00-9:00  Meeting w/Tyler and Jess 9:15-10:00 Budget Meeting 12:00-3:30 Curriculum Council 4:00-5:30
Tuesday 11/11	Student Meeting 8:15-8:45  Meeting 11:00-11:30  PK Meeting 11:30-12:30  Steering Committee Meeting 4:00-5:30
Wednesday 11/12	Teacher PD 8:20-9:20  WCLT: Nuts and Bolts 1:00-2:00  Student Meeting 2:00-3:30  Staff Meeting 3:10-4:45 Art Room
Thursday  11/13	Planning Meeting 8:15-9:00 SST 10:00-11:30
Friday 11/14	8:20 Allied Arts PD  Team Meetings  3-6 Academic K-2 Behavior  Student Meeting 3:45

November 2

             

Hi All, 

I hope that your weekend went well. I know everyone earned some much needed rest after a Halloween Friday with indoor recess...I am sorry. But, you made it! We're onto a new week. Remember, consistency and positive recognition for expected behaviors goes a long way.

News and Announcements: 

• Thank you for your patience as we are getting Afterschool kinks ironed out. Kids are excited and we're trying out best to get the 10 minute gap figured out. If you can remind them to get a snack and sit quietly that would be extremely helpful. 
• Reminder: Students must be signed up through the afterschool sign-up in order to attend a club.
• Afterschool Update: I believe that CC is moving forward with the hiring of a site director for our program. This is VERY exciting, it means we will continue to off club model after school programming for students at BES. If you are currently running a club and are interested in continuing for one day, two days or more through CC please let me know ASAP.  
• Please see Tyler's email regarding Bus Rider assembly:

I need all students who ride the bus in the gym at 9:15 on Monday.  I fully recognize that first thing on Monday morning is a less than ideal start of the week, and appreciate your future flexibility!

• We will make a call over the intercom at 9:15 for students who ride the bus to come down.  
• We will go over bus expectations, and explain how write ups from the bus will be handled (differently) starting on Monday (when I send you all the letter this step will make more sense).
• After going over expectations U1 and U2 students will return to class.  U3 riders will stay to practice expectations on Bus U3 (which will stay after dropoff and is why it needs to happen first thing).
• Once U3 riders have finished practicing, they will return to class.

• Please review bus expectations in class at least once next week to help reinforce!

• Here is the document for all of the Bobcat 3 if you're in need of refreshers or want a digital copy. Bobcat 3
• Reminder: There will be NO Staff Meeting or K-6 PLC/PD this week. This is time in lieu for conferences. 
• 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. 
• 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.
• Caregiver Conferences for 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. If you are interested in swapping 2 hours for supporting the community library night or helping with childcare please let me know.  

• Upcoming Dates: 

  • November 12— Fall Harvest Meal 

  • Potential GFG—December 15th

• Community Listening Night
• Invitation: Community Invite
• Configuration Information from the Board: 
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• Here our our updates BES Staff Agreements. These are the revised agreements we worked on at inservice:

What's Happening at BES? 

Monday 11/3	HJC 8:15-8:45
Tuesday 11/4
Wednesday 11/5	No Staff Meeting  Para and Celia Check in 3:10-3:40
Thursday  11/6	All School Meeting 2:55-3:25-- (3rd Grade)
Friday 11/7	8:20 Allied Arts PD  Team Meetings  3-6 Acadience K-2 Behavior

Where is Celia?

Monday 11/3	Student Meeting 8:15  Meeting 12:30-1:00  Student Meeting 3:45
Tuesday 11/4	PK Meeting 11:30-12:30  Student Meeting 2:15
Wednesday 11/5	Admin Team Meeting: Nuts and Bolts 1:00-2:00  Para and Celia Check In 3:10-3:40
Thursday  11/6	Meeting 8:15-8:45  Safety Team 9:00-10:00  Meeting with Susanne 10:00  SST--Attendance 10:45--11:45 All School Meeting 2:55-3:25
Friday 11/7	8:20 Allied Arts PD  Team Meetings  3-6 Academic  K-2 Behavior Student Meeting 3:45

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!!!