Dear BFA Community:
It's hard to believe that we've already completed the first full week of November. When I think of November, I think of gratitude and all that I am thankful for. This year, I am especially thankful for good health during these challenging times. Our college students will soon be coming home (including my daughter) to enjoy the holidays and I've included some health recommendations at the bottom of this blog.
I am also thankful for the work that I do with students every day. This past week brought parent conferences and I hope that you had an opportunity to meet virtually with your teen's teachers and learned more about what they've been accomplishing in this hybrid environment. Next week, begins our second quarter and I encourage you to reach out if you have any further questions.
Today was a non-student day and I am writing this as I watch a large number of our students engaged in vibrant, positive competition during an all-day student field day at the Plex. Twenty teams competed in broomball starting at 8 AM (and nary a kid was late!), went on to badminton, and created new teams to compete in volleyball. The patience and dedication of the students was shown as they waited outside through health screenings and once we reached capacity. It was especially nice to see some of this to remind me of all that is good in life, and that when we leave it to students, they will find a way to be positively engaged. Personally and professionally, I need to give open thanks to many of our dedicated staff who volunteered to spend their day with our BFA kids. Mary Brouillette, Shawn Lefebvre, and Theresa Callan arrived at 7 AM to see everything was set up, organized, and will not depart until late in the afternoon in order to take care of all the cleanup. Josh Corrigan, Dan Marlow, and Michael Atwood also arrived to help see the day was a great one. And as collaboration and teamwork are the keys to any successful large event, Tim Viens and Mark Deso saw the playing fields were lined, with equipment ready to go.
Over the years Thanksgiving has become my favorite holiday. The lack of pomp and hype is a blessing, and being able to spend quality time with friends and family, especially in today's world, is the greatest of good fortune. Being part of today's BFA Student Field Day reminded me of the importance of being thankful that the joy of working with our BFA kids.
Sincerely,
Brett Blanchard
Principal
Photos and More Information
Congratulations to the Math Students of the Month of September. The names are in the same order as the pictures.
Casey Bechard, Grace Burnor, Tara Monet Ditch, Drew Ducolon, Grace Fraties, Lydia Hodgeman, Meagan Kuhn, Gianna Rodd, Olivia Rogers, Karli Rucki, Ryan Stine
Comets at Quarterfinal
Students engaged in classroom learning inside and outside.
BFA Student Field Days:
Superintendent Search:
The Maple Run Unified School Board seeks two-parent/community members to participate in the Superintendent Selection Committee. Interested parties should email Brenda Comstock bcomstock@maplerun.org no later than Monday, November 16, indicating your desire to participate and in what capacity: parent/community member or community member.
Health Recommendation:
With the holidays approaching, for college students returning to Vermont homes, and a growing list of people who are “close contacts” of people with COVID-19, it’s important to know what to do if someone in your home is under quarantine.
If you have out-of-state visitors in your home who come from a red or yellow county, they need to quarantine for 14 days (or the duration of their stay). This means they should:
• Wear a mask in common spaces
• Use a separate bathroom
• Eat separately
• Stay 6 feet apart and otherwise not be in close contact with other household members
Household members who are NOT under quarantine do not then also need to quarantine – meaning they can go to school, work, or the grocery store. However, be sure to disinfect commonly touched surfaces, and check yourself for symptoms for 14 days. The same guidance applies to people living with Vermonters who leave the state to go visit a red or yellow county, and people living with close contacts. If you are in quarantine, you have the option to get a PCR test after seven days. If you test negative and have no symptoms, you can end your quarantine. If you develop symptoms during quarantine, please consider getting tested.