UPDATED: 4.9.2020
(Please note that the small date Friday, March 13, 2020 is the date the thread was started and the large date is the date of the latest posting to the thread)

UPDATED INFORMATION 4.9.2020 at 7:30am

Communication to Parents and Students

This coming Monday, April 13th, NWTC and BFA will start our continuity of learning plan as instructed by the Governor and the VT Agency of Education.  In order to facilitate this process, students and families need to be aware of some common changes and support for students. During the past three weeks, teachers and students have been meeting to maintain their learning and we have found that over 95% of our students are able to contact our school via electronic means.  For those who lack access to high school courses through the internet, we are determined to find multiple ways to support learning. More...

Click here to read the full posting on the BFA Green and Gold Blog


UPDATED INFORMATION 4.8.2020 at 1:30pm

Dear BFA Seniors and Families:

I will be hosting a "live" YouTube web cast with seniors and families Thursday, April 9th at 6 pm.

Please join in by clicking on the link below.



During this event, we will focus on discussing the following senior activities:

  • Senior receipt of yearbooks and caps and gowns
  • Senior Class Family Brunch
  • Senior Sports Banquet
  • Class Night
  • Senior Potluck/ Class Slideshow / Project Graduation
  • Graduation

I look forward to this event with you.


Bill



UPDATED INFORMATION 4.7.2020 at 1:30pm



Remote Learning - From Superintendent Dirth

Here is a link to a letter from Dr. Dirth with information about some of our plans for remote learning: https://5il.co/eqa1


UPDATED INFORMATION 4.2.2020 at 1:30pm

Dear BFA Seniors and Families,

Last Thursday, I wrote to you after learning that Governor Phil Scott announced that schools would not be returning to in-person instruction for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.  I am still sad about the loss of our physical connections at BFA, but I remain optimistic that we will strive to provide some unique opportunities for the Class of 2020.  As you are aware, we are currently in the phase of maintenance of learning where you should be concentrating on catching up and being current in all of your work assignments.  We will be shifting to online continuous learning the week of April 13th. You will be hearing more about this in the near future and I encourage you to stay in close contact with all of your teachers, advisors, and counselors. 

In this letter, I want to focus our thoughts on our upcoming senior activities. The Agency of Education stated in their daily memo on Friday that we will not receive guidance until May 8th; however, I assure you that we’ve already started planning. I’d like to first thank you seniors and parents who have already volunteered to help and who have offered various senior activity suggestions including graduation ideas. I will be holding a YouTube “Live” parent forum next Thursday, April 9th at 6 pm. Please join in and we can discuss senior activity options and planning. 

As you know, in order to graduate, all seniors must complete ten hours of Community Service.  Currently, and for the foreseeable future, best practice dictates social and physical distancing to preserve the public health.  To ensure the safety of our seniors and community members, BFA is waiving the ten hours of Community Service as a graduation requirement. This unforeseen pandemic has required BFA to shift from its current practices in order to protect the health and wellbeing of all people and prevent the communicable spread of this virus to the most vulnerable among our population.  Many thanks to those seniors who already completed their community service hours. Your service to our community is invaluable. 

I’d like to also encourage you to watch the attached heartfelt YouTube message from one of your teachers, Mr. Moulton if you have not seen it. He talks about the three steps of success: preparation, confidence, and perseverance. He stresses that he and BFA as a whole cares about you, misses you, and believes in You.   I couldn’t say it any better than he did. Here is the link to watch the video:

https://youtu.be/YCXXs_r1s3A 

Lastly, I’d like you to know that if you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to me via email or calling 802-527-6400. 

Sincerely, 

Bill Kimball

Interim Principal


UPDATED INFORMATION 4.2.2020 at 1:20pm

Dear BFA and NWTC Students and Families,

Not in a million years did we think we would be in a situation like this. I want to take an opportunity to thank BFA’s Custodial Staff for working so hard to sanitize and get the school clean and accessible so that our faculty and staff can access the campus as needed to continue to work for you and your families.   As a school community, we are problem-solving new issues and concerns as they arise daily.  It is during times like this when we call upon BFA's greatest strength and an asset to support one another and the reason why students, faculty, and staff show up every day to the Academy; it is our collective *COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY AND EDUCATION* that keeps us strong and together.

CLASSWORK: Teachers are in the process of setting up their Google Classrooms or Unified Classrooms.  BFA will be distributing new work the week of April 13th as per the Governor's and the Agency of Education's directive to shift from a Maintenance of Learning to a Continuation of Learning format. We have been working hard to figure out the needs of each and every student. For those who are accessing the work digitally, we ask that you work through that mode and do not ask for packets as well.  For those students who do not have internet access, we ask that you call Matt Bloom at 802- (527-6503) and leave a message that you need internet access. We are compiling a master list of students who will need hard copies of the work (i.e., no electronic access, students with plans, etc.).  New packets will be mailed the week of April 13th.   

DEVICES:
If a device is needed, one can be picked up at the cafeteria window on Academy Drive on Mondays and Thursdays between 11:00 and 12:30.  If you do not have the means to pick up the device, please contact your Guidance Counselor so that arrangements can be made for you to get one. 

LOCKERS AND PERSONAL ITEMS: Lastly, we are aware that there are still students who have belongings that were left in lockers.  We are working with our Custodial Team and a select group of staff to transfer belongings from lockers to bags and have them labeled.  The campus is about to go into a 72-hour shutdown to help effectively eliminate any possible chance that the COVID-19 virus is on campus. Following that, based on how many lockers we have emptied, we will devise a schedule for content pick up.  If you left something at school, outside your locker, please send an email to Matt Bloom or your guidance counselor to let them know you need to pick up something additional to your locker contents.   The building will remain off-limits as to keep it as sanitary as possible during this time.  Stay tuned for pick up times and dates.

BFA & NWTC: ONE COMMUNITY If you have not seen the video to BFA and NWTC from the staff, please go to .  A big thank you to all the BFA and NWTC staff who created messages of hope and love to the students.  Also, Luke Cioffi and Karla Kane deserve a shoutout for coming up with the idea, organizing and producing the video.  Way to go BFA and NWTC!!!

Thank you all for your patience and continued support.

#BFASTRONG

Sincerely,

BFA and NWTC Admin Team



UPDATED INFORMATION 3.29.2020 at 3:30pm

Updated Schedule for Maple Run Free Breakfast & Lunch Program here: Click here to download flyer with more information

Shared Franklin County Food Resources here: https://5il.co/e8du

Shared How to Reduce ACEs at the time of COVID here: https://5il.co/eakm


UPDATED INFORMATION 3.26.2020 at 8:30pm

March 26, 2020,

Dear Families, Students and Staff,

Governor Scott just announced that all Vermont schools will remain closed through the end of the 2019-2020 school year. Districts will close schools for in-person instruction and be required to implement continuity of learning plans for remote learning. This extends the Governor’s previous directive dismissing PreK-12 schools from March 18 to April 6.

This decision was made in consultation with the Vermont Department of Health and the Agency of Education in the continued effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. To minimize disruption to students’ learning, the Governor’s order directs school districts to come up with plans for distance learning by April 13.

We recognize how shocking this information is for you. It is equally as surprising to us. We expect guidance to be forthcoming with answers to your specific questions of “what now?” However, I wanted to share this with you as soon as possible.

You can read Governor Scott’s full press release online.

Sincerely,
Kevin Dirth, Superintendent of Schools
Maple Run Unified School District

An important update from Dr. Dirth about school closings can be read at this link: https://5il.co/e7r5



UPDATED INFORMATION 3.26.2020 at 8:30pm

Hello Bellows Free Academy Seniors and Families,
 
By now I am sure many of you have heard that Governor Phil Scott announced at 6:00 pm tonight that schools will not be returning to in-person instruction for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.  While this announcement was not entirely unexpected, the timing was earlier than we anticipated. We have not, at this time, received any guidance from the Agency of Education. I am sure that this news creates many questions and concerns for all of you.  I have some of my own as well.
 
When I was a high school teacher I mostly taught seniors. I remember that the spring of the senior year was a time that most students looked forward to making some lasting memories.  We have many traditions for Seniors at Bellows Free Academy, such as Prom, Graduation, Class Night, the Bobwhite/Comet Variety show, Project Graduation at the Complex, the Senior Brunch, NWTC Appreciation Night and many other important and meaningful events.  I am saddened that this might not be the case this year, but I am also optimistic that we might be able to provide some unique opportunities for the class of 2020. Our goal is to uphold as many of these traditions as possible.  
 
Our Maple Run Unified School District Mission Statement has always been the guiding document we have looked to in our decision making process.
 
/The Maple Run Unified School District is where inquiring minds, compassionate hearts, creative expression, healthy lives and service to the community develop so all can learn,/
/achieve and succeed./
 
It will continue to serve as such as we determine how to best support our faculty, staff, students and families during this challenging time.
 
Next week we will update you on any guidance we receive and processes we will be putting in place.  Until then, take a deep breath, stay safe, get outside, and keep in touch with your friends and family.

 
Bill Kimball
Interim Principal and Assistant Superintendent


THIS IS AN UPDATED MEALS FLYER. IT REPLACES THE FLYER FROM EARLIER THIS WEEK




Maple Run Unified School District will be providing free breakfast and lunch
meals for all children 18 and under in our MRUSD communities. Meals can be 
accessed Monday through Friday!



Click here to download flyer with more information


UPDATED INFORMATION 3.26.2020 at 4:00pm

Good evening Bellows Free Academy & NWTC,







This message is to provide clarification around the Green and Gold Schedule that was sent out yesterday.

It is Not the expectation that students are doing work or are always available throughout the dayduring the Green and Gold scheduled times.

We know that students are providing childcare, working, and have others in the house competing for internet connection.

The schedule offers a structured time when a teacher could pre-schedule a meeting with their class without running into the periods that others may be meeting.

If the schedule helps a student stay organized, then they can follow it.

It will be up to the individual teacher to determine the format and communication with the students.

Thank you for your support, and reach out if you have any further questions or concern

Warmly,
Bill, Sara, Lisa, Heather, and Leeann




UPDATED INFORMATION 3.26.2020 at 12:00pm

Dear MRUSD Community,

I learned yesterday afternoon that there is a positive COVID-19 case that has occurred
within our school community - specifically, an employee of our SATEC community. I
have been in contact with the Secretary of Education, Dan French, and officials at the
Vermont Department of Health for their guidance...



Read the full letter here:

Link in English https://5il.co/e6qs
Link in Spanish https://5il.co/e6wh


UPDATED INFORMATION 3.25.2020 at 3:30pm

Food Program Continues

We are sending you this message to assure our families that the MRUSD Free Summer Feeding Program will remain in place and we will continue our essential task of distributing meals to our families through bus routes and school pick-ups.  

Remember - there is no charge for this meal program. It is free to all children 18 and under.  If you have any questions or want to be added to the meal delivery list, please reach out to your local Pre K - 8 school.



UPDATED INFORMATION 3.24.2020 at 9:00am

Information on Childcare for Essential Workers: https://5il.co/e3h7  



UPDATED INFORMATION 3.23.2020 at 10:30am

Information on Free Residential Internet Services and Offerings
Click Here: https://5il.co/e15q

List of free wifi access in the state of Vermont

UPDATED INFORMATION 3.22.2020 at 10pm

Maple Run Unified School District will be providing free breakfast and lunch
meals for all children 18 and under in our MRUSD communities. Meals can be 
accessed Monday through Friday!

Click here to download flyer with more information



UPDATED INFORMATION 3.20.2020 at 5pm

Video messages from:

Dr. Kevin Dirth, Superintendent, MRUSD,
Bill Kimball, Interim Principal BFA / Assistant Superintendent
Leeann Wright, Director NWTC

Click Here to view these video messages


Check out BFA's Administrative Blog: Growing Green and Gold for the latest updates

https://gggbfa.blogspot.com/


UPDATED INFORMATION 3.18.2020 at 4pm
Please review the attached March 18th update from our Guidance Dept.

https://5il.co/dwus



UPDATED INFORMATION 3.17.2020 at 4pm

Dear BFA and NWTC Students and Families:

First and foremost, we want to thank all the students for their patience during these uncertain times.  Their cooperation has been essential as we have moved to an online environment for learning the next two and half weeks.  We will also take this opportunity to update you on topics for the next few weeks.    

During a time of unrest or high anxiety, for both children and adults, it is best to have a routine and stay active. We understand that the more we adhere to a routine and participate in daily physical exercise, the better we will be able to deal with the unexpected.  Therefore, we suggest that you have a routine for your children and yourself while you are at home that includes physical activity multiple times a day.  Keep a regular sleep/wake schedule,  get outside for a walk or a hike with the family or something else that is fun and can be done around the home, while keeping isolated from others in the community.

The BFA/NWTC buildings are closed to all outside visitors as we do a thorough cleaning of our facilities; however,  the Academy Street entrance will remain open.  If you need to communicate with any of the staff members or administration, we ask you either call or e-mail us.  Our e-mails can be found on the BFA/NWTC website, under the staff link in the menu on the left-hand corner of the main webpage.   

The faculty at BFA/NWTC have created work packets for those who do not have internet access or would like paper.  If your child was not here this week, work packets will be ready for pick up on Thursday, 3/19/20 from 12:00 until 5:00 and from 8:00 - 3:00 on Friday 3/20/20.  Please come to the BFA entrance at Academy Drive. You will be met at the front door.  Once we know your student's name, we will look up his/her schedule and send staff members to the cafeteria to gather your student's work.  We are hoping this whole process will take less than five minutes.  

Additionally, for families that indicated through our technology survey that they needed a device, a Chromebook will be provided and available at the same time on Thursday and Friday during the work packet pick up.  Furthermore, if your family is in need of internet access during this time to support the maintenance of learning,   Comcast is offering free internet through internetessentials.com.  There will most likely be a waiting period, but as we are dealing with an ever-changing landscape it may not hurt to set this up as we do not know exactly when operations will be back to normal.  

If you have questions or concerns, we ask that you call your child’s counselor as they will be assisting with either answering your questions or finding any information you might need.  

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.   

Sincerely,    

Bill Kimball                                                                  Leeann Wright

Interim Principal                                                           Director

Bellows Free Academy                                                  Northwest Technical Center

Click here to download this letter

UPDATED INFORMATION 3.17.2020

The Maple Run Unified School District has switched to the Free Summer Feeding Program to help feed the children of our community during the COVID-19closures. Here is a link to the details: English: https://5il.co/dv5j Spanish: https://5il.co/dv67



UPDATED INFORMATION 3.17.2020 at 2pm

The Maple Run Unified School District has switched to the Free Summer Feeding Program to help feed the children of our community during the COVID-19 closures. We will have our pick-up sites listed below and we are also delivering to bus stops in Fairfield, St. Albans City, and St. Albans Town. You will be getting a short phone survey to help us prepare for delivery and pick-up by Thursday March 19th.

Please help us plan by answering the survey that you will receive shortly.

If you have any questions please reach out to the following staff at your school:

FCS - Brenda Goodhue 827-6639 or bgoodhue@maplerun.org 

SACS - Jennifer Seymour 527-0565 or jseymour@maplerun.org

SATEC -Tammy Deso 752-2700  or tdeso@maplerun.org

BFA - Teri Brunelle 527-6404 or tbrunelle@maplerun.org


Please click here for more details.


UPDATED INFORMATION FOR 3.16.2020

Here are links to Maple Run Specifics for Schools Closings:

English: https://5il.co/dqh0

Spanish: https://5il.co/dqh1



UPDATED INFORMATION FOR 3.13.2020


Parents and Community Members;

I want to give you an update on what we know as of today on COVID-19.

First, we want to let you know that the District is continuing to work closely with the Health Department and to follow their guidelines on COVID-19, as mentioned in last week's letter to you and the community. We are told the absolute best line of defense is keeping surfaces clean, washing hands, not touching your face, stay home when you are sick (very important), etc. I also want to say how impressed I have been with the Vermont Department of Health and the AOE for assisting us and keeping us informed through their website which is updated daily.

In this rapidly developing situation, there are some updates. As you will see, most have to do with ensuring we avoid large groups of people who are coming from different areas of the country or the state:

• As you probably know, we now have 2 known cases of the virus in the state - one in southern Vermont and one in Chittenden County. Currently, there are no other known cases.

• Until further notice, all trips outside the country have been cancelled or postponed. You should speak with your principal if you have questions on a trip.

• The All-New England Music Festival has been cancelled.

• The division 1 and 3 Semifinal Girls' Basketball Games that were scheduled for March 12th

will be postponed until further notice.

• The March 17th SCRIPPS Spelling Bee event has been postponed until further notice.

• Spring sports and all other related VPA events and meetings, as of today, are currently

scheduled without disruption.

This list is not exhaustive - only what I know at this time.

We have been advised that all school events which are taking place within our community can take place - concerts, assemblies, meetings, etc. In addition, schools will remain open at this time.

Our Safety Team has scheduled a meeting for tomorrow morning which will include our local representative from the Vermont Dept. of Health. At that time, he will update us and answer questions for us. After that meeting, we will send out any additional information we have.


From the Superintendent of Schools, Kevin Dirth: