To read the full newsletter, click here.
Hello again, EMS Families!
These last few weeks have been busy with field trips, Open House, preparations for Fall Conferences (yes, they’re coming up!), the start of budget planning, and student projects and presentations. It’s hard to believe the first quarter of the year is already drawing to a close in two weeks!
At this week’s EngageEMS meeting, I presented BSD’s equity-driven budget model. I am genuinely excited about this new approach and the extent to which it will include and lift the voices of students, families and staff in the budgeting process. If you are interested in learning more, but were unable to attend that meeting or the Oct. 4th Town Hall, please see the slides here. If, after reviewing the slides, you are interested in participating in the School Advisory Group (SAG), please email either me (swestdij @bsdvt.org) or Mia Marinovich (mmarino @bsdvt.org) directly to communicate your interest.
I also want to make you aware of another opportunity to share your perspective on important district decisions. The Board will vote on granting a three-year contract extension to Superintendent Tom Flanagan on November 2nd and is asking the community to provide thoughts and feedback through this Board Superintendent Feedback Form before the meeting. Please consider completing this form if you have input you wish the Board to consider.
Finally, I am excited to share another way to connect with other families, teachers, and administrators. BSD’s Office of Equity will again sponsor a series of free, participatory Equity Workshops open to the greater BSD community. Based on the success of last year’s Equity Webinar series, this year’s workshops are intended to be an interactive learning experience that makes space for authentic engagement with small-group breakout sessions. The workshops are free to attend and open to any community members interested in learning more and becoming more invested in equity. The first of the series, “Let’s Talk About Restorative Practices” will take place Thursday, October 21st from 6-7 pm via Google Meet: http://meet.google.com/ybe-zoyj-ghs. This will offer a great way to better understand the work underway at EMS and across the district in creating spaces that promote relationships and repair. I hope you will consider taking advantage of these ways to influence decision-making, connect, and learn together.
Have a wonderful weekend and, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to me with questions, concerns and ideas. I am so grateful to be part of such an invested, creative, and compassionate community!
In partnership,
Sabrina Westdijk
EMS Principal
