Woodbridge School District Principal's Message
Dear BRS Community,
"Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another." Unknown. I had the great pleasure of reading to students recently to celebrate Read Across America. When I asked students to tell me the message the author was trying to share with the readers, their answers reminded me, once again, of the power of literature to connect and teach. It also reminded me how incredibly important it is to have conversations with our children about kindness and respecting differences. If you haven't read to or with your children recently, grab a book—a picture book will do just fine, I promise!—and spend some time reading together. Looking for a list of titles? Common Sense Media has some suggestions for you here: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/books-that-teach-empathy Teaching our children to lead with kindness in their actions and empathy in their hearts might just be one of the greatest gifts we can give to the world.
Assistant Principal Search Committee
Empathy Across America/Read Across America On Tuesday, March 3rd Beecher Road School welcomed many guests to read books to all of our classrooms in honor of our annual Read Across America event. This year we once again focused on books with an empathy theme! We continue this focus with our One School One Read book: The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig. Students will read this book with book buddies and will engage in many activities around it throughout the week. Many thanks to the PTO for purchasing a copy of this book for every classroom!
The Multi-Age Group is a four-year program beginning after kindergarten that is designed to recognize and work with children as centers of power, creativity, and intelligence. The program encourages diversity in areas of study, exploration, and invention. The opportunity is given for children to work in varied groupings. Parents with children in kindergarten through grade three can learn about the Multi-Age Group during two information nights: The first night, March 24 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., is a presentation. The second night, Thursday, April 2 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., invite parents to ask questions about the program. Attendance at both of the informational sessions is very helpful in making an informed decision for your child. Please see the attached flyer for more information. A brochure will go home in kindergarten folders. Additional brochures are available in the North Office.
Thanks to all the parents who attended 7th grade Orientation recently! If you were unable to attend, the information can be found on our website: https://www.amityregion5.org/amsb or you can call the main office at 203-393-3102 and an informational packet will be mailed to you. Please consider registering your child ASAP with the Amity School District. See the attached flyer with instructions for registering. All incoming students must be registered by March 20, 2020, so counselors can begin scheduling. If you have questions, please contact Heidi Gianquinto, AMSB guidance administrative assistant, by emailing Heidi.Gianquinto@amityregion5.org or calling 203-392-2058.
As a reminder, morning extended day does not start until 7:30 am. There is no supervision for children before that time. Please do not drop your children off prior to 7:30. We appreciate your attention to this important safety matter.
This year Kindergarten Orientation for students and parents will take place on May 5th from 4:00-5:00 pm. Parents will be provided a detailed overview of kindergarten while their children visit a kindergarten classroom with one of our kindergarten teachers. They will listen to a story, complete a craft or activity and spend some time taking part in free exploration of the kindergarten classroom; for example: dramatic play, building and/or art centers. Documentation will come to you via mail. Information must be returned by April 24th. Upon receipt of the required documents, you will receive information to complete online registration. If help is needed to complete registration, please contact the North Office. All children must be 5 by January 1, 2021.
Spring parent conferences will be here before you know it. There will be two minimum days with 1:10 PM dismissal on April 6th and April 8th. This is a perfect opportunity to discuss your child's progress and set goals for the rest of the school year. Often the topic of class placement comes up at spring conferences. Please know that the grade-level teams, and support staff, take the placement process very seriously and class communities are built thoughtfully. Teams work diligently and consider many factors when deciding upon student placement. These are not decisions made in isolation and are always made in the best interest of the student. As always, you are asked to refrain from asking for a specific teacher during conference time. If there is a particular situation regarding placement that you need to share, please submit that in writing to the Principal, Analisa Sherman asherman@woodbridgeps.org by April 30th. Please note that this does not guarantee the placement request, but it helps us to be informed when building the classroom communities. Quicklinks
Parent Information Please be sure all demographic information has been updated. This includes phone numbers and email addresses.
Upcoming Events Individual Classroom Events and Field Trips are not posted here. Please look for communications from your child's classroom teacher regarding field trips and class events.
Dates to Remember:
3/6–3/7 - CMEA Southern Regional Middle School Festival
3/8 - Daylight Savings Time Starts
3/13 - Report Card Distribution
3/16 - Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m. Stella Library Media Center
3/20 - No School - Teacher Workshop Day
3/24 - M.A.G. Information Night, 6:30 tp 8:00 p.m.
3/25 - Jump Rope for Heart Night, 6:15 to 7:30 p.m.
3/30 - PTO Spring Book Fair begins!
4/1 - PTO Spring Book Fair Family Night 5–7 p.m.
4/2 - M.A.G. Information Night, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
The Woodbridge School District does not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability (including, but not limited to, intellectual disability, past or present history of mental disorder, physical disability or learning disability), genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by Connecticut state and/or federal nondiscrimination laws Woodbridge School District, Beecher Road School |