Dear BRS Community,
We are fast approaching spring, and with the warmer weather comes a lot of laughter, learning and fun experiences! From concerts, to Book fairs, field trips to whole school walks- spring is our chance to continue to enjoy one another as a community. Of course, this also means a change in routine and structure, which can sometimes cause students to behave differently. I ask that you continue to work with your children to remind them of expected behaviors - every day, but especially during the fun that spring always seems to bring!
Incoming Kindergarten
Do you have an incoming Kindergarten student? Contact Lola Johnson or Bethany Freeman in the North Office to begin the registration process! Save the date: Tuesday May 2nd in the afternoon we will have a Kindergarten Orientation! More information will be forthcoming!
Parent Conferences and Class Placement
Spring parent conferences are coming soon! There will be two minimum days with 1:10 PM dismissal on April 3rd and April 5th. 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 28th. Please note that this does not guarantee the placement request, but it helps us to be informed when building the classroom communities.
News from the Nurse
All 6th graders are required to have a physical exam prior to entering seventh grade. If your child has had a recent exam, please have their provider complete the CT Health Assessment form and return it to the Health Office. These forms may be obtained through the Beecher website as well as at most doctors' offices and the CT State Dept. of Education website. Your child will also need to receive the mandated 7th grade vaccines (TDAP and meningococcol) prior to the start date of their 7th grade school year or they will not be able to start school. Physical exam/vaccine appointments fill up quickly in the summer, so scheduling an appointment early will ensure they will be ready to start middle school at the end of August.
At the end of April, the health office will be performing scoliosis screening for all 5th grade females. Please keep a look out for a notice that will be sent home at the beginning of April with more information. We continue to see many cases of the stomach bug this month. As a reminder, students need to stay home until they are 24 hours free of both vomiting and diarrhea. Once symptoms have resolved, students may still need an additional day of rest before returning to school, depending on the severity of their illness and if they have been able to resume a regular diet. Encourage good hand washing and wipe down high touch surfaces at home such as door knobs/handles and faucets. Please also continue to report Covid cases directly to the nurses as we are still reporting cases to the state.
Green Team Tip
Charging electronics @ 80%
Did you know keeping your phone's battery always charged at 100% degrades the life of the battery? You shouldn't use it until it's 0% either. The ideal spot is keeping your battery between 40-80%. Slower chargers can keep your battery healthy and more effective longer. Some phones have a Battery Health setting that will take care of this for you. If not, try using a mechanical timer on your chargers and save on your electric bill. For example, have your phone charger timer stop charging from midnight to 5am.
This doesn't just apply to phones. Check out all the tech with batteries that you keep plugged in (i.e. cordless vacuums, cordless tools, etc). Set your timer so your vacuum only charges for an hour every day. You not only preserve the life of your device but save on electricity too!
TAG Update
Families of 3rd grade students and those who have opted in for grades 4 and 5: Please note the administration of the NNAT-3 Screener for TAG will now be administered after break. We apologize for the delay, as we were waiting for additional materials to arrive. The original timeline of notification in late spring will remain the same. If your student is absent on the day of the screener, that time will be made up at a later date. Should you have specific questions, please email cborcherding@woodbridgeps.org.
Youth Services News
Call 203-389-3429 or email: NPfund@woodbridgect.org for information.
Sign up for Youth Services Notifications:
https://www.woodbridgect.org/list.aspx
Follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/WoodbridgeCT
Home Alone Class-April 12
Home Alone class is offered for Woodbridge students ages 9 – 12 on Wednesday, April 12 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm in the Woodbridge Library meeting room. Learn what to do in an emergency and when to answer the phone or the door. Guidance is offered regarding house rules, nutritious snacks, and internet safety. Cost is $20 payable to Woodbridge Youth Services. Permission form and advance payment required. Call 203-389-3429 to register soon. Discount for siblings. Space is limited. Healthy snacks are provided. Woodbridge First Selectman's Youth Award-Nominations Now Due April 10th.
If you know a Woodbridge youth (age 18 or under) who has worked to improve the Town of Woodbridge or has assisted its residents, please nominate that deserving youth for the First Selectman's Youth Award. School counselors, peers, principals, neighbors, and group leaders are encouraged to make nominations. Parents and family members may not nominate relatives. Nominations are due to Youth Services by April 10, 2023. Please mail form to Youth Services, 11 Meetinghouse Lane, Woodbridge, CT 06525 or send via email to npfund@woodbridgect.org. The nomination form is available on the Woodbridge Town Website under the Services link: Youth Services. Nominees will be invited to a celebration of volunteers in the spring where the winner will receive the award.
