relek

Annual BCA Children’s Art Exhibition Now Available Online

May 7, 2020 By relek

While COVID-19 interfered the 33rd Annual Children’s Art Exhibition Ceremony scheduled at City Hall on Thursday, March 19, Burlington City Arts launched an online platform to host this longstanding community tradition and display over 189 young Burlington artists’ artwork.

(Photo right from River Shepard at Champlain!)

Started in 1987, the Children’s Art Exhibition displays the artworks of local elementary school children at City Hall each year. While the 2020 exhibition was installed in February of this year, the annual ceremony, where children meet the Mayor, was moved online due to the coronavirus.

This year, the exhibition features the work of the following elementary schools: Champlain Elementary; C.P. Smith Elementary; Edmunds Elementary; Integrated Arts Academy; J.J. Flynn Elementary; and Sustainability Academy.

This exhibition recognizes the incredible diversity and creativity of Burlington’s children.

Each year, one or two students from each school are awarded special honors with the Bentley Davis Seifer Award, sponsored by the Charles P. Ferro Foundation, which includes a special certificate (and $20 cash award). This year, the winners include Joe LaMonde and Emma-Rose Holas (Champlain Elementary); Carris Gaito and Adler Kuntz (C.P. Smith Elementary); William Cunningham and Jaylynn Jimenez (Edmunds Elementary); Enoch Ahmed and Rachel Cunningham (Integrated Arts Academy); Adrianna Greene and Bryson Gokey (J.J. Flynn Elementary); and Deeya Gurung and Maddy McHale (Sustainability Academy).

This annual event is one of many arts opportunities BCA provides for parents and children throughout the year. In addition to the Children’s Art Exhibition, BCA works with the middle school on after-school programs in its studios, hosts popular summer arts programming for children, and the BCA Studios at 405 Pine Street offer opportunities for children in our communities to access the arts.

Burlington City Arts would like to thank all of the young artists, their teachers and schools, as well as Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger for providing an introduction to the online exhibition.

Additional Food Benefits Due to Coronavirus

April 5, 2020 By relek

If you or someone in your family is losing pay due to the coronavirus epidemic, you should fill out a Free and Reduced-Price Meals Application today, and apply for 3Squares Benefits, even if you have already filled out these applications this year or have never been eligible in the past.

The thresholds have been lowered and more benefits have been added.

More information on both below, please do this TODAY!

Free and Reduced-Price Meals Application

The new stimulus package passed by the Federal Government features increased benefits for anyone eligible to receive free and reduced-price meals. Filling out the application can help you get extra money for food in addition to any other benefits you may already have or be applying for. Even if your change in pay is expected to be temporary you should fill this application. Even if you have already filled out an application this year, you should fill one out again if your pay is now different. You can find applications at all BSD meals sites or you can fill out the application online.

Below you can also find applications that you may print out and drop off at any BSD meal site.

English: Free-Meal-Application_2019_2020
Arabic: Application
Instructions

French: Application
Instructions

Nepali: Application
Instructions

Vietnamese: Application
Instructions

3 Squares VT

3SquaresVT is Vermont’s name for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (or SNAP). 3SquaresVT can help you stretch your food budget so you can put three healthy meals on your table every day. If your income has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, please apply today.

Not sure if you’ll be eligible? Hunger Free Vermont has created a great tool to show families if they might be eligible before going through the process of filling out the application. Try it today.

BSD Board Announces Tom Flanagan as Next Superintendent

March 12, 2020 By relek

School Board Votes Unanimously to Appoint Flanagan to Position

The Burlington Board of School Commissioners is pleased to announce Tom Flanagan will be the next Superintendent of the Burlington School District. On Thursday, March 12, the Board voted unanimously to approve a resolution and contract to appoint Flanagan to the position

“We are thrilled that Tom Flanagan has accepted the offer to be the next Superintendent of Burlington School District,” said BSD Board Chair Clare Wool. “Mr. Flanagan was selected after a thorough, nationwide search. He brings years of experience leading curriculum efforts and has significant expertise in special education. We are looking forward to Mr. Flanagan’s leadership and welcoming Tom and his family to Burlington.”

“I am delighted to accept the offer of the Board of School Commissioners,” said Tom Flanagan. “I’m very much looking forward to working with the community to build on the strengths of the school system and to improve outcomes for the students of Burlington.”

Currently, Tom Flanagan is the Chief Academic Officer of Providence Public Schools, a position he has held since June of 2016. Previous to that, he was the Deputy Chief of Specialized Instruction for Washington, D.C. Public Schools from 2012-2016. He also worked as a Principal for three years in Washington, D.C. In addition to being certified as a Superintendent in Vermont, he holds a Master’s degree in Special Education and also a Master’s in Educational Administration from Trinity College in Washington, D.C.

Following the October announcement that current Superintendent Yaw Obeng would be stepping down at the end of the school year, the Board of School Commissioners launched a national search for a new Superintendent. More than 20 individuals applied for the position and a search committee comprised of board members, staff and parents worked to narrow the field to three qualified candidates. Last week, those three candidates were interviewed by the board and participated in a community forum.

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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. Join the Journey! www.bsdvt.org

Note Regarding Coronavirus

March 2, 2020 By relek

March 2, 2020

Dear Students, Parents, Faculty, and Staff,

We look forward to welcoming everyone back from break. School will be open on Wednesday as planned.

In the Burlington School District, the health, safety, and well-being of our students and staff are our top priorities. I want to share that we are proceeding with an abundance of caution regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

As this is a rapidly changing situation, I have established a District Health Team tasked with looking at on-going actions and communication regarding coronavirus. We will continue to work closely with public health officials at the local and state levels to monitor the spread of the virus.

BSD has been in contact with the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) who has been monitoring the situation closely with the Department of Health. In an update memo on Friday, February 28th, the AOE provided the following suggestions and guidance:

“Many of the precautions that help prevent other respiratory diseases, like colds and the flu, can also help keep an illness like COVID-19 from spreading:

✔ Frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. (Don’t forget thumbs and in between your fingers.)

✔ Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

✔ Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

✔ Cover your cough or sneeze with your sleeve or a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash.

✔ Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

✔ Stay home when you are sick.”

Going forward, we will assemble a Q & A for questions that come in and provide regular updates including one later this week. In the meantime, please visit the Vermont Department of Health’s COVID-19 website or dial 2-1-1 for more information.

Thank you for reading.

Superintendent Obeng

First Day of School 2020: August 26

February 21, 2020 By relek

The first day of the 2020/2021 school year for students in Burlington School District is August 26, 2020.

The full calendar will be presented in April at a Board meeting, but for now please pencil it in!

Next Year’s New Principal Named for Edmunds Elementary

February 11, 2020 By relek

As you may have heard, longtime BSD Principal Dr. Shelley Mathias is retiring at the end of this year. We are grateful for her leadership and commitment to the social and emotional wellbeing of students, equity, inclusion, restorative practices and more. Dr. Mathias, you will be missed!

Looking towards next school year (2020/2021), it is with great pleasure that we announce Bonnie Johnson-Aten has accepted Superintendent Obeng’s offer to step into the vacant principal position at Edmunds Elementary following Dr. Mathias’ retirement at the end of this school year.

In 2017, Johnson-Aten was promoted to a leadership position at the District level, where she assisted with District alignment, principal capacity building, and closing the achievement gap. Due to budget reductions and constraints, the District Lead Principal position has been eliminated from the budget.

With her new appointment to Edmunds Elementary, we are fortunate to be able to retain Johnson-Aten as a leader in the Burlington School District. She has the necessary credentials and experience to lead an elementary school and has significant familiarity with the Edmunds Campus and community, having served as Principal of Edmunds Middle School (EMS) for more than a decade.

During her time in the Central Office, she retained connections to several families whose children attend school on the campus. In addition, her passion for equity and knowledge of PBIS aligns well with the foundations of what has been laid by outgoing Principal Mathias.

Please find Bonnie Johnson-Aten’s bio below and be sure to say hello and welcome her BACK to the Edmunds campus. Look out for the opportunity to meet and greet your new principal this spring.

Bonnie Johnson-Aten, 2019

Bonnie Johnson-Aten is currently the District Lead Principal for the Burlington School District. In her role, she utilizes a blended coaching model to ensure district coherence and provide ongoing support to the school-based leaders within the District. Her goal is to increase the capacity of building leaders, thereby ensuring equity of opportunity for all students. Johnson-Aten has spent more than 20 years of education in the state of Vermont, serving in a number of different roles. Prior to her assignment as the District Lead Principal, she served as the principal of Edmunds Middle School for 11 years. Johnson-Aten has always had a passion for equity and served as Burlington School District’s first-ever Equity and Diversity coordinator.

Johnson-Aten’s experience extends beyond the schoolhouse having served as a member of the Vermont State Board of Education and as a policy analyst for the Dean administration. Her extensive service in school-based leadership positions reflects expertise in the areas of collaboration, communications, and management. Johnson-Aten’s contributions to education include service at the local, state and national levels and demonstrate her ability to understand and contextualize the interplay between practical leadership at the local level and policy leadership at the state and national levels.

She has served as a board trustee for the Vermont Principals Association, the National Association Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and the Vermont State Colleges. In 2018, Johnson-Aten was recognized by the State of Vermont’s State Board of Education for “extraordinary service and commitment to the State of Vermont” as well as “commitment to equity, student voice, and independence.”

BSD Board Approves Proposed FY 21 Budget

February 6, 2020 By relek

Last month, BSD’s School Board unanimously approved a proposed budget for next school year. Entering into our budget planning, we knew that the District’s baseline budget was predicted to go up $3.5 million without adding any new programming. Our projections showed that a budget increase of $3.5 million would have resulted in a 10.5% tax increase. The Board and I knew we needed to bring that tax impact down and we worked closely to do so.

Because of careful financial management over the past five years, we were able to use a $1.3 million surplus to bring the tax impact down to 8.5%. Our District leadership then went line-by-line to identify additional savings and the Board also made suggestions. Ultimately, the Board voted to make more than $1 million of reductions, which allowed us to add a few key investments while still bringing the estimated tax rate increase down to 7.36% for property payers and 3.18% for income payers.

In addition, we have begun to pay back debt associated with our voter-approved capital plan. Thank you for supporting the plan, Burlington, and thank you to everyone who attended our recent Ribbon Cutting on the Edmunds Campus which demonstrates how your tax dollars are being spent in the service of our students.

For a complete budget breakdown, including all additions and reductions, please view our budget presentation or take a look at our proposed budget one-pager.

Don’t forget to vote on March 3rd!

Join the Journey,

Superintendent Obeng

Fall 2020 Kindergarten Registration Now Open

December 16, 2019 By relek

If you have a child turning five on or before September 1, 2020, it is time to register them now for Kindergarten!

Registration can only be done online through the district website. If you do not have access to a computer or need assistance, please stop by your neighborhood school and you will be given access to a computer and help with any questions.

To complete registration, you will need:

1) a copy of the child’s birth certificate or other proof of age
2) a copy of their immunization records
3) proof of residency.

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT KINDERGARTEN AND THE REGISTRATION PROCESS?

Learn about the day in the life of a kindergartener.

Join us at an information session in your community. Hear from kindergarten teachers, talk to our Afterschool team, connect with our Preschool director, and ask questions with the registration team.

Wednesday 1/15/20 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Flynn Elementary
1645 North Ave, Burlington, VT 05408
Thursday 1/23/20 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Champlain Elementary
800 Pine St, Burlington, VT 05401
Wednesday 1/29/20 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the Family Room (in room #4344)
20 Allen St, Burlington, VT 05401
Wednesday 2/12/20 9:00-10:00 at Ira Allen Pre-School
150 Colchester Ave, Burlington, VT 05401

Visit Our Elementary Schools

To learn more about our schools, join us for a tour! We have several tours and presentations scheduled throughout the District, all geared toward families looking to enroll in the following school year. Please find a day and time below that works for you and call the school to reserve your spot. Don’t see a time that works for you? Call any of our schools to schedule a tour by appointment.

Champlain Elementary:
Thursday, 1/9, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, 1/15, 8:30 a.m.
Thursday, 1/16, 9:00 a.m.
Please call the school at 864-8477 to let us know that you are coming.

C.P. Smith:
Monday, 1/13, 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 1/15, 8:30 a.m.
Friday, 1/24, 9:00 a.m.
Monday, 2/10, 1:00 p.m.
Please call the school at 864-8479 to let us know that you are coming.

Edmunds:
Tuesday, 1/14, 8:15 a.m.
Thursday, 1/23, 5:30 p.m. (Kindergarten “Sneak Peek” Pizza Party)
Monday, 1/27, 4:30 p.m. Friday, 1/31, 11:00 a.m. Friday, 2/7, 2:00 p.m.
Please call the school at 864-8473 to let us know that you are coming.

Integrated Arts Academy (IAA):
Monday, 1/13, 8:15 a.m.
Wednesday, 2/5, 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, 2/6, 5:00 p.m.
Please call the school at 864-8475 to let us know that you are coming.

J.J. Flynn:
Wednesday, 1/8, 8:45 a.m.
Wednesday, 1/22, 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, 2/4, 5:00 p.m.
Monday, 2/17, 9:00 a.m.

Please call the school at 864-8478 to let us know that you are coming.

Sustainability Academy (SA):
Thursday, 1/16, 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday, 2/4, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, 2/11, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 2/19, 5:30 p.m.
Please call the school at 864-8480 to let us know that you are coming.

*Please check school websites for any updates to tour schedules.

Learn More About Our Elementary Schools

Champlain Elementary: Champlain’s mission is to provide opportunities for students to achieve their personal best, become responsible and productive citizens, and embrace lifelong learning. Striving for academic excellence in our caring, diverse learning community represents our highest ideal. Champlain’s faculty, families, and community partners plant and harvest together in our school gardens and cook healthy treats in our classrooms with a mobile kitchen. Our students learn in our forest and outdoor classroom, and especially enjoy our annual fall Harvest Fest and community focused events. Located in the South End of Burlington at 800 Pine Street, Champlain serves approximately 300 students K-5. To learn more about upcoming activities and events, visit champlain.bsdvt.org, where you can read the principal’s blog and Champlain’s Family Handbook. Feel free to contact Principal Joe Resteghini at 864-8477 or jrestegh@bsdvt.org, see also the Champlain Community Facebook page to get a sense of community and read the Blue Notes.

C.P. Smith Elementary: C.P. Smith Elementary School is a Grades K-5 school of approximately 280 students located on Ethan Allen Parkway in Burlington’s New North End. Since 1959, we have worked hard to build a learning community that is respectful, responsible, and safe for all who come through our doors. We offer equal amounts of academic rigor and joy in a wide variety of hands-on learning activities. A focus on science and the environment engages students in learning using the Ethan Allen Woods, the Community Sailing Center, Star Base, Shelburne Museum, and Shelburne Farms and other exciting venues as extended classrooms. C.P. Smith serves a diverse population of students and strives to make sure each one becomes an inquisitive learner and contributing citizen. We engage parents and guardians as vital partners in the education of their children. All are welcome at our Friday Community Meetings from 8:15-8:40. To learn more about upcoming activities and events, visit smith.bsdvt.org or contact Principal Len Phelan at 864-8479 or lphelan@bsdvt.org.

Edmunds Elementary: Recognized as an Exemplar School by the State of Vermont for the fourth consecutive year for our achievements in our climate and academics, we work continuously to provide an exciting and engaging school experience that balances developmental needs with academics. When touring EES, you will encounter happy learners as we work to meet students where they are. We are excited about our research based literacy program that is used around the world that addresses successfully meets the needs of all young children through sound, sight, motion and stories. Walking field trips provide our students with ready access to the Flynn, the Fletcher Free Library, the Echo Science Center, UVM, as well as North Beach, Centennial Park, geological formations along the lake and the city center. Visit our website and come to our Thursday Morning Assemblies from 8:10 to 8:30 to get a feel for EES. To learn more about upcoming activities and events, visit the ees.bsdvt.org or contact Principal Shelley Mathias at 864-8473 or smathias@bsdvt.org

John J. Flynn Elementary: Flynn School is a strong, community-based school where adults, parents and staff consistently focus on meeting the various needs of all students, helping them learn, play and laugh. It is a professional community that partners with a wide range of community organizations to support and enrich student learning. Some examples of our community partnerships include: ECHO Center, VT National Guard Starbase Program, Very Merry Theater, Burlington Community Sailing Center and the Flynn Theater. Located at 1645 North Avenue in the New North End of Burlington, Flynn serves approximately 340 Pre-K through 5th grade students. To learn more about upcoming activities and events, visit flynn.bsdvt.org or contact Principal Lashawn Whitmore-Sells at 864-8478 or lsells@bsdvt.org

Integrated Arts Academy (IAA): The mission of the IAA is to explore academic knowledge through intentional art experiences. Our diverse community collaborates and celebrates the world through meaningful learning and creative self-expression as we prepare students for success in the 21st Century. At this magnet school, students are learning through the lens of the four art forms: movement, drama, music and visual arts. IAA core partners include the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, Burlington City Arts and St. Michael’s College. Located at 6 Archibald Street in the Old North End of Burlington, IAA serves approximately 300 students in grades Pre-K-5. To learn more about upcoming activities and events, visit iaa.bsdvt.org or contact Principal Kevin Robinson at 864-8475 or krobinso@bsdvt.org.

Sustainability Academy (SA): The mission of SA is to educate and empower all students to improve the quality of life for all – economically, socially, and environmentally – now and for future generations. At SA, one of BSD’s two magnet schools, students are learning through the lens of sustainability by exploring our diverse society, our local economy, and the environment. We do this through hands-on, place-based and project-based learning. Education for Sustainability comes to life through SA’s learning environment. We use geothermal energy to heat and cool our building and solar panels to power our school! Additionally, at SA we have a thriving school garden that each of our classes use to cultivate fruits, flowers, and vegetables as a part of our curriculum. SA’s core partner is Shelburne Farms, which hosts all SA students for learning trips each school year. Located at 123 North Street in the Old North End of Burlington, SA serves approximately 180 students in grades Pre-K-5. To learn more about upcoming activities and events, visit sa.bsdvt.org or contact Principal Nina Oropeza at 864-8480 or noropeza@bsdvt.org

Student Update Form and Free/Reduced Meal Application

August 16, 2018 By relek

It is time to prepare for the 2018-19 school year! We need to gather accurate information about each student and family in our schools. It is very important we have this information to ensure the safety of all students, fulfill state requirements, receive State and Federal funding, and communicate important messages to families.

The District requires that all student information be updated for the 2018-19 school year using our online system, PowerSchool. All families must use their PowerSchool account to update information and complete the yearly mandated forms, including: Field Trip, Media Permission, Dismissal, Health forms (and Lunch forms, if applicable). Student information can only be updated online by families; it cannot be updated by your school or the District. Please do this during the next few weeks by following the steps below.

NOTE: If student information is not updated by Tuesday, September 4th (the fourth day of school) that student will not be allowed to attend school until their update is complete. If a student without updated information comes to school on September 4th he/she will be sent home.

Here follow the instructions below to complete the Annual Student Update Form or fill out the Free and Reduced Meals Application.

Annual Student Update

Many of you already have a PowerSchool account connected to your students; you can update your student information on your own. Follow the steps below to do so.

HOW TO UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION:

To update your students’ information on your own, please follow the steps below.

Step 1. Go to the PowerSchool Parent Portal at https://psapp.bsdvt.org/public

or visit the district web page at www.bsdvt.org then click on the PowerSchool link in the upper right-hand corner.

Step 2. If you already have an account, skip to Step 3. If you don’t have an account, create one by clicking on Create Account and follow the steps. You will need an email address in order to do this. Once your account is created, log in by using your username and password that you just created.

Step 3. Connect to your students by doing one of the following steps:

a) If your student’s name is shown on the bar in the upper left corner, click on the student’s name then click the 18-19 Student Update Form and complete the information. Once you finish with this student, move on to the next student. All students must be updated one at a time.

b) If your child’s name doesn’t appear, click on Account Preferences, then click on Students. Enter your student’s name, your access ID and access password. Then select your relationship to your student through the Relationship drop down. Once your student is added to your account, click on 18-19 Student Update form and complete all information. All students must be updated one at a time.

c) Click Submit when you are finished with the update form.

d) You are now on the confirmation page. If your child attends Champlain, Edmunds Elementary or Middle School, or Burlington High School, or the Burlington Tech Center, PLEASE click on the Apply Now link to apply for free or reduced lunch.

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE:

Come to or call your student’s school during the school day and ask for help there.
Come to our Central Office location at 150 Colchester Ave.

Free and Reduced Meals Application

The Free and Reduced Meals Application should only be filled out for students attending:
Burlington High School
Burlington Technical Center
Champlain Elementary
Edmunds Elementary
Edmunds Middle

Click here to fill out the Free and Reduced Meals Application

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT KINDERGARTEN AND THE REGISTRATION PROCESS?

Learn about the day in the life of a kindergartener.

Visit Our Elementary Schools

Learn More About Our Elementary Schools

Contact Info

Important Links

Important Contact Info