Burlington School District

Celebration of Learning Update #2

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Dear Parents and Guardians,

Today, we will be holding the EMS 8th grade Celebration of Learning event at Burlington High School, 52 Institute Ave, starting at 2:30pm. Due to the heavy rain and potential thunderstorms that are forecast for the next two days, we will be moving the event indoors. The Celebration of Learning will take place in the BHS gymnasium. Please, do not arrive prior to 1:45pm, because we need for HMS to finish their ceremony and depart before we can enter. Thank you for your patience with the planning.

Take care,

James Kiefer

Summer Reading 6 – 8

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Summer Reading and Writing for EMS 6th graders 2021

Summer Reading at EMS!

Your 6th-grade teacher would love to hear from you this summer! You are welcome to write about any book you’ve read this summer. Please use the stationery and an envelope provided to you (or create your own) to write to your sixth-grade teacher. You can tell them about yourself and what you have been doing over the summer. Please make sure that you include a summary of your book and an answer to one of the following questions. 

  • Who was your favorite character and why?
  • Who would enjoy this book and why?
  • Reference a quote or text from the book and tell why you think this is important.
  • Compare or contrast this book with another book or a movie.
  • What was the best or most interesting part of the book? Why?

Step 1: Read a book that interests you!

Step 2: Write a letter to your teacher telling them about yourself and what your book is about using the questions above.

Step 3. Address an envelope to your teacher’s home address

Step 4: Don’t forget to put a stamp on it and place it in your mailbox!

Summer Reading and Writing for 7th and 8th Graders 2021

Summer Reading at EMS!

Tell us what you have been reading this summer!

 During the final week of school, you were given a gift book to read over the summer along with directions on a bookmark and a postcard addressed to EMS. We look forward to reading your postcards! Enjoy the summer and we’ll see you next school year. The directions are below. 

Step 1 : Send a postcard to your teacher this summer of 2021!

Step 2: Write your teacher’s name at the top of the postcard.  For example, Dear Mrs. Gallagher,.

Step 3: Write about one thing you are doing over the summer and one interesting fact about the book that you selected and read! 

Don’t forget to sign it!

If you need help finding ways to access ebooks & audio over the summer go to the information below.

Read the Vermont Golden Dome Nominees books available through the Fletcher Free Library all summer!

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Pre-Register your family Now for the Summer Reading Challenge 2021Tails & Tales sponsored through the Vermont Department of Libraries. It’s easy!!!   Go to…https://vermont.beanstack.org/reader365

Library Online Catalogs

Destiny Discover 
The EMS Online Catalog
The Fletcher Free Online Catalog

EMS Library Links to Resources

Free Summer Meals for all Kids!

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Press Release: BURLINGTON SUMMER MEALS 2021

Media Contact: Doug Davis, Director

Burlington School Food Project

ddavis@bsdvt.org

FREE Summer Meals in Burlington for All Kids 18 and Under

Kids from any town or state are welcome!

Beginning Wednesday, June 16, the Burlington School Food Project will provide meals at no charge to kids 18 and under.  No fees, no registration – just show up. This year only, parents may pick up meals for their children if necessary.

For more information on dates, locations and meal times, visit the Burlington School Food Project website at: www.burlingtonschoolfoodproject.org

Call 2-1-1 for information on free summer meals for kids and other resources across Vermont.

2021 SUMMER MEAL LOCATIONS (EXCLUDING MONDAY, JULY 5)

June 21-August 13

Andy A-Dog Williams Skate Park City Hall Park Roosevelt Park

1 Lake Street, Burlington (College Street side) 57 Oak Street

Lunch: 12:00 – 1:00, M-F Lunch: 12:00-1:00, M-F Supper: 5:00-6:00, M-F

2021 SUMMER FAMILY MEAL KIT DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS

Each Family Meal Kit will contain grocery items to cover Breakfast and Lunch for 7 days for one child. Parents can pick up on behalf of their kids. Intended for consumption by children aged 18 and under.

WEDNESDAYS 3:00-4:30 through August 18th (last pick up day)

BURLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL (52 Institute Road)

SUSTAINABILITY ACADEMY (North Champlain Street Parking Lot)

CHAMPLAIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

To view the full USDA non-discrimination statement, visit the Burlington School Food Project website or this URL: https://education.vermont.gov/nondiscrimination-policies#usda-english

EMS Newsletter May 28, 2021

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Full Newsletter here!

Dear EMS Families,

It has been a busy spring as spring sports continue, the end of the 2020-21 school year approaches, and planning for the 2021-22 school year begins. Students, whether on-site or fully remote, are working hard at having a strong finish to the school year.

As we approach the end of the year, I want to share some important dates again:

Monday, May 31 = Memorial Day = No school.

Monday, June 7 = Afternoon parent conferences = Students dismissed from school at 11:30am.

Tuesday, June 8 = Afternoon parent conferences = Students dismissed from school at 11:30am.

Wednesday, June 9 = Parent conferences from 8-11:30am.

Friday, June 11 = The last day of school for 8th grade students.

Monday, June 14 = 6th and 7th grade students dismissed from school at 11:30am.

Monday, June 14 = Celebration of Learning for 8th grade students: 2:30-3:30pm. Two tickets will be allocated for each student. Families of 8th grade students will continue to receive information as we get closer to the date.

Tuesday, June 15 = The last day of school for 6th and 7th grade. Dismissal at 11:30am.

Tuesday, June 15 = Rain date for the Celebration of Learning if it is delayed due to weather conditions.

There is a higher level of energy in the building due to spring weather and the increased number of students on site. It has been a very, very good energy. Students are enjoying having more peers with respect to socialization and collaboration. The students are working hard and building relationships. With each change, I continue to be grateful. I am grateful for these amazing kids with whom we get to work each day. The kids bring their best, and we are so fortunate to have them.

Take care, and thank you.

James

EMS Newsletter May 14, 2021

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Dear EMS Families,

It’s hard to believe that we are coming so close to the end of the 2020-21 school year. At the most recent Engage EMS PTO meeting, I spent some time reflecting upon all the topics that had been covered at the Engage EMS meetings from August through the present. The range of topics and potential solutions that were discussed as we all navigated this year together were immense. I need to thank all families as we made our way through this incredibly complex year with guidelines that continually evolved.

Looking forward, we also discussed the 8th grade Celebration of Learning event:

– It will be on Monday, June 14, at 2:30pm. (The rain date is June 15.)

– It will be conducted outdoors at the BHS campus.

– Each student will have access to 2 tickets to give to family members; this will be the policy for all ceremonies in Burlington School District due to Covid guidelines.

Also, please be aware that we have four half-days coming:

– June 7 = 11:30am dismissal for parent conferences

– June 8 = 11:30am dismissal for parent conferences

– June 11 = last day of school for 8th grade students

– June 14 = 11:30am dismissal for 6th & 7th grade (Afternoon Celebration of Learning)

– June 15 = 11:30am dismissal for 6th & 7th grade (Last day of school)

The return to having students on-site 4 days has been very smooth, and we are grateful to have students with us. We miss our fully remote students, and we look forward to having them returning on-site in the fall.

Take care, and enjoy these beautiful days

James Kiefer

Full Newsletter Here

EMS Newsletter April 30, 2021

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Dear EMS Families,

Thank you for all of your patience and support as we have worked to bring all students on site in the middle of the quarter. There were many logistics that needed to be considered, and the staff pulled together to minimize scheduling impacts. As I reflect upon this week, I have only gratitude. The students and staff have been wonderful, and the culture remains calm, collaborative and productive.

This week, I have been asking students about their experiences. The responses have been varied. Some students have stated that they preferred the hybrid model because “class sizes were smaller.” Others prefer having students on site, because they “have more friends in the building now.”

In each case, I have asked students if they feel “heard” when they have something to share and if they get answers when they have questions. In each case, whether the students preferred hybrid or on-site, they have replied that they feel as though their voices are being heard. Thus, my gratitude. We are here to lift students up and pull students closer. We value an inclusive culture, because that is when students feel comfortable taking risks in learning and growing.

Thank you for the opportunity you have given us to work with your kids. We are here to serve, and we are grateful.

Take care,

James Kiefer

Full newsletter here

EMS Newsletter April 16th, 2021

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New guidance:

  • 3-feet of physical distance between students when masks are worn.
  • When eating and masks are off: 3-feet of distance for Pre-K through 6 and 6-feet of distance for grades 7-12.
  • Pods can be crossed if it is for educational purposes.
  • Health screening should be conducted at home.
  • There are many more changes. However, these are the changes that create the most impact.

School changes after break:

  • Students will line up outside, in the mornings, as we did in the fall. On rainy days, we will utilize the gym as we currently do.
  • Students will enter the building at 8am.
  • Please have your child arrive as close to 8am as possible.
  • GMT may experience an increase in students who require transportation. If possible, please drop your child off at school or (if it is safe to do so) encourage them to ride their bike or walk.
  • For lunch, students will eat outdoors as the default. On rainy days, students will eat in classrooms.

Other Important Information

  • SBAC testing will begin May 3.
  • We are currently planning a “Celebration of Learning/Promotion” ceremony on the afternoon of June 14. It will be conducted outdoors at the original BHS campus. Each student will receive two “tickets” for family member attendance in order for us to comply with Covid guidelines. June 15 will be the rain date.
  • Information regarding the remote exploratory classes is below.

I hope that you have a safe and relaxing break. We are already looking forward to having the students return on April 26.

James Kiefer

Full newsletter here

Contact Info

Edmunds Middle School
275 Main Street
Burlington, VT 05401

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Tel: (802) 864-8486

Important Links

Important Contact Info

  • Main Office
    (802) 864-8486
  • School Fax
    (802) 864-2218
  • School Nurse
    (802) 864-8486 x 41006
  • Guidance Office
    (802) 864-8486 x 41003
  • Afterschool Program
    (802) 540-0285 x 71241
  • Tech Support
    (Leave detailed message and call back info)
    (802) 864-8437
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