relek – Page 7

BSD Statement on EPA Testing at IAA

August 8, 2018 By relek

The Burlington School District (BSD) released the following statement on August 8, 2018, regarding EPA testing at the Integrated Arts Academy in Burlington.

“Today we have received many phone calls regarding the testing that the EPA is conducting inside of our school, the Integrated Arts Academy, as well as in other homes and businesses in Burlington’s Old North End.

The EPA recently contacted BSD following their discovery of contaminants at a property in the neighborhood of our school. The school’s proximity to the property and believed contaminant source prompted the EPA to inquire about testing. We have cooperated thoroughly with the EPA, and they began testing on Tuesday and expect to finish tomorrow, Thursday, August 9.

At this time, we view this testing to be a proactive measure. We have been told that we can expect to receive the results before school starts and our team is prepared for any scenario the EPA may present.

We want to reiterate that there is no cause for alarm, Integrated Arts Academy was not the source of this contaminant, and that we have been cooperating to make sure this testing is done in a timely manner. We will update our community as more information becomes available.”

More information available via EPA release 8/7/18: EPA Environmental Study Begins in Burlington Neighborhood

FREE Summer Lunches in Burlington for All Kids 18 and Under

June 20, 2018 By relek

Beginning Monday, June 25th, lunch will be provided at no charge any child age 18 and under at a variety of Burlington Schools and other locations around the city. No fees. No registration. Just show up!

Lunches are provided via the Burlington School Food Project, a program of the Burlington School District. Any child can come to any of the following participating sites, regardless of what town, or state, they live in.

Burlington High School
52 Institute Road, Burlington
Lunch: Monday-Friday
12:00-12:30pm
Dates: 6/25-8/17

Fletcher Free Library
235 College Street, Burlington
Lunch: Monday-Thursday
11:45-12:30pm
Dates: 6/25-8/16

Franklin Square
1Franklin Square, North Avenue
Burlington
Lunch: Monday-Friday
12:00-12:30pm
Snack: Monday-Friday
5:00-7:00 pm
Dates: 6/25-8/17

JJ Flynn Elementary
1645 North Avenue, Burlington
Lunch: Monday-Friday
12:00-12:30pm
Dates: 7/2-8/3

Integrated Arts Academy
@ HO Wheeler
6 Archibald Street
Supper: Tuesdays
4:30-5:30pm
Dates: 6/26, 7/3, 7/10, 7/17,
7/24, 7/31, 8/7, 8/14

LC Hunt Middle School
1364 North Avenue, Burlington
Lunch: Monday-Friday
12:00-12:30pm
Dates: 6/25-8/3

Riverside Neighborhood
669 Riverside Avenue, Burlington
Lunch: Monday-Friday
12:00-12:30
Dates: 6/25-8/17

Roosevelt Park
57 Oak Street, Burlington
Lunch: Monday-Friday
11:30-12:30pm
Supper: Pizza in the Park
Monday-Friday
5:15-6:15pm
Dates: 6/25-8/17

South Meadow Apartments
South Meadow Drive, Burlington
Lunch: Monday-Friday
12:00-12:30pm
Dates: 6/25-8/17

Sustainability Academy
@ Lawrence Barnes
123 North Street, Burlington
Lunch: Monday-Friday
12:00-12:30 pm
Dates: 6/25-8/3

For more information on dates, locations, and meal times call (802) 864-8416 or visit www.burlingtonschoolfoodproject.org

Call 2-1-1 for information on free summer lunches for kids across Vermont.

Text mealsVT to 8770877 for information on lunch sites nearest you.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form

(AD-3027), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866)632-9992.

Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1)        Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
(2)        Fax: (202)690-7442; or
(3)        Email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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Burlington School District (BSD) is a pre-k-12 public school system of about 4,000 students in Burlington, VT. BSD’s mission is to graduate students who: value different cultures, engage with the community, communicate effectively, think creatively, skillfully solve problems, and achieve at their highest academic, intellectual, and personal potential.

BSD Climate Survey

May 11, 2018 By relek

We need your help! Our District-wide Climate Survey is live and we need to hear from you! Please follow this link to our Climate Survey page to have your voice heard today.

About the Effort

BSD continues to work towards building a stronger relationship with all parents/guardians, students, staff and teachers throughout our school community. As part of this work, we are conducting two district-wide climate surveys: A school-focused NCSS Climate Survey as well as District-Administration and Central Office Climate Survey. These surveys are a direct response to the district Strategic Plan forums and the focus on some of the goals which came out of that process regarding Equitable Culture and Climate and Inclusive Teaching and Learning.

We hope you will take a little bit of time to join us in this critical effort! Please see below for more information on the surveys and directions on how to participate in each.

Thank you for taking the time to “Join the Journey” and participate in this critical exercise. Visit our Climate Survey page today to learn more and take the surveys.

UPDATE: Community Events!

Need access to the survey or help filling it out? Join us on Thursday, May 24th from 5:30 -7:30 PM in our school libraries. We will have open computers, and volunteers and translators will be present to help. Children are welcome and all attendees will be entered into a raffle!

What: Climate Survey Community Gathering
When: Thursday, May 24th from 5:30 -7:30 PM
Where: The libraries at CP Smith, Edmunds Elementary, Champlain Elementary, Sustainability Academy, the Integrated Arts Academy, Flynn Elementary, Hunt Middle School, Edmunds Middle School and Burlington High School.
Questions about the Community Gatherings? Contact us today.

5th Annual Summer Camp Fair

April 6, 2018 By relek

Want to learn more about Summer Camp options in Burlington? The Vermont Afterschool Coalition invites you to attend the 5th annual, free Summer Camp Fair on Tuesday, April 17th, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Sustainability Academy.

Families can visit with different summer camp providers. Some Summer Camps will have registration available, others will hand out information and talk about the enrollment process. Interpreters will be available and BSD’s After School Program will provide kids activities and refreshments!

Participants include:

Burlington School District’s Summer School Program
Greater Burlington YMCA
Fletcher Free Library
Child Care Resource
Burlington City Arts
Burlington Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront
Sara Holbrook Community Center
King Street Center
Flynn Center for the Performing Arts
One Arts Center
Rock Point Camp

This free event is geared toward families with children in grades K-5, but everyone is welcome to attend.

“Love Your Neighbor Day” April 3rd

March 29, 2018 By relek Leave a Comment

In response to the international threat that has been directed towards the Muslim community, and particularly in response to the rhetoric of April 3rd being referred to as “Punish a Muslim Day,” BSD has dedicated April 3rd as “Love Your Neighbor Day” in the Burlington School District. Staff are being asked to engage students and coworkers in meaningful and critical dialogue around diversity and inclusivity and the benefits of living, working, and learning together in harmony.

District’s DEALT team stands ready to support teachers, staff, and administrators in the efforts to have these conversations, and they have compiled a list of resources. Those who want to learn more about these resources can refer to the School Board’s 2017 Equity Reaffirmation Letter or the ‘All Are Welcome’ logo created by the BHS International Club for inspiration, or contact Miriam Ehtesham-Cating or any member of the DEALT team at – dealt (at) bsdvt (dot) org .

Please join us as we seek to reiterate to our students, faculty, and staff that “All are Welcome” and that we are a community bound together by mutual respect and love.

Voters Pass School Budget!

March 7, 2018 By relek Leave a Comment

“Thank you, Burlington, for your continued support!” says Superintendent Obeng.

On March 6th, 2018, Town Meeting Day, Burlington voters overwhelmingly approved Burlington School District’s proposed 2018-2019 budget. The budget passed with 72% of all votes cast in favor of its passage!

“On behalf of the School District, I want to thank everyone who voted on Town Meeting Day,” says Superintendent Yaw Obeng. “We are pleased our community turned out to support the budget and we look forward to using these resources to implement our strategic goals, as we strive to reduce disparities in the system, and close the achievement gap while raising the bar for all of our students. There’s work to be done and we’re excited to continue in our efforts.”

“For the past five months, the Burlington Board of School Commissioners has worked diligently to put forth and advocate for a school budget we believe will help our District achieve our goals while staying mindful of the impacts our budget has on the greater community,” said Board Chair Stephanie Seguino. “It took a lot of time and effort, and we wholeheartedly thank the voters for their support by passing this budget. I look forward to watching the Board’s new leadership work with the administration to accomplish the District’s goals.”

Beyond Black History Month

February 20, 2018 By relek Leave a Comment

Continuing in the spirit of inclusive curriculum, and recognizing that Black History does not end when March begins, an inclusive Burlington School District-wide event will take place at the Burlington High School on March 9, 2018 at 6 PM to continue – not conclude – the community’s momentum in expanding dialogues, shifting perspectives, and boldly addressing present day injustices.

Join our students and staff for an evening of conversation, education and reflection. Featuring music from a Sustainability Academy, CP Smith, and Integrated Arts Academy combined choir, a conversation from the Social Justice Union, and the dance team at BHS. Attendees can also watch as the team from Hunt Middle School participates in a Restorative Practices Circle, or visit with a variety of our community partners in attendance.

Child care and refreshments will be provided.

Get more information or let others know that you’re coming!

Safety Note

February 15, 2018 By relek Leave a Comment

Dear Parents,

I want to take minute to remind you that safety in our schools is paramount and we look to refine and improve on daily basis. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Burlington School District has established emergency procedures which are routinely reinforced and reviewed, and our safety teams did spend additional time looking through them today and identifying any soft spots.
We have well established monitoring practices and safety dialog with Burlington Police Department and district representatives meet with them regularly.
Teachers and staff are aware of reporting protocols in the event of any threatening behavior.
Students who are identified as having maladaptive behavior and social emotional challenges are referred to the appropriate social agency and authority. We have had success monitoring and directing students for supports.
Please contact your school directly if you have any suggestions or concerns regarding safety. If you see something, say something.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please feel free to contact my office if you have questions about anything above that cannot be answered by your school.

-Superintendent Yaw Obeng

Achievement Gap 101

February 6, 2018 By relek Leave a Comment

Backpacks Hanging

The Burlington School District’s priorities are to work on “reducing the disparities and closing the achievement gap, while raising the Bar.” But just what exactly does that mean? What is the achievement gap anyway?

Burlington School District’s “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” Board Committee is hosting a community workshop, “Achievement Gap 101,” to help answer that question. Join district staff, educators, and school board members on February 20th from 6:00 – 7:30 for this free workshop designed to help community members gain a foundational understanding of the achievement gap and the district’s strategies for closing it. Come learn more and connect with others in your community who are interested in helping all of our community’s children succeed!

Space for this event is limited to 50 participants and will be on a first come, first served basis. If you’re interested, please RSVP via email to Mary Hewitt by February 12.

RSVP’s will receive an email confirming attendance and additional event details, including location.

In the event that there is a large amount of community interest, we will work to hold another session.

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