*Out of District Access Only*

Prospective Parent Visits and Information Sessions
Visit our magnet schools and register for the 2012-13 school year.

Come visit on February 13, 14, or 16th. See the announcements for more information!
February Schedule

Kindergarten Registration Now Open

Registration is open from now to March 16, 2012. We encourage you to register your incoming kindergartner as soon as possible, so we can better plan for next year. The week of April 30, families will be notified about placement.
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Nellie Mae Grant Awarded
January 26, 2012

The Burlington and Winooski school districts have won a three-year grant of about $3.5 million designed to help customize the high school experience and allow more young people to succeed in college or the workplace.

The Nellie Mae Education Foundation confirmed Wednesday that the two Chittenden County school districts, which applied jointly for the grant, are winners and would receive an amount close to the $3.5 million they sought in their application, although the precise number won't be finalized for a week or more.
To read the full article, Click Here
To visit our Nellie Mae Grant page, Click Here

Adolescent Sexuality Health Chat
January 26, 2012

Parents of Tweens and Teens at Flynn Elementary and Hunt Middle School grades 4-8 are invited to a health chat with our own Dr. Barbara Frankowski, on Monday, January 30, from 6 -7:15PM. Dr. Frankowski is a pediatrician at Vermont Children's Hospital at Fletcher Allen, has been teaching sexuality education classes in the Burlington schools for over 15 years, and she firmly believes that parents are the most important partners in this process! She looks forward to sharing her experiences teaching your sons and daughters, and discuss ways you can take an active role in influencing your adolescents to make the best decisions! Bring your questions and concerns as there will be discussion time. Dr. Frankowski will bring some of her favorite books on the subject and she encourages you to bring yours too so we can share recommendations.
Questions? Contact Kate Belluche at huntmiddleschool@gmail.com or 658-6831

Board Committee Meeting Updates
January 23, 2012

Tuesday's Diversity and Equity Committee meeting will be held at the Sustainability Academy, and the Finance Committee meeting is postponed until January 31. Please check the Board Meeting Calendar page for the latest meeting dates and locations

Mayoral Forum to be Held at Sustainability Academy!
January 18, 2012

On Monday, January 23, 2012, The Sustainability Academy at Lawrence Barnes School will proudly host a Mayoral Forum featuring the three candidates for Mayor of the City of Burlington. This Forum, organized and put on by the school's fourth and fifth graders, will host Miro Weinberger, Wanda Hines, and Kurt Wright, who will answer questions put together by students that come directly from their units of study this year. The Forum will begin at 10 a.m. and last for approximately an hour.

The public is welcome! For more details, contact Anne Tewksbury-Frye at 864-8480.

Culturally Competent Daily Practice through Intentional Acts of Resisting: Ten Things I Can Do to Be a Better Multicultural Educator
January 16, 2012

The Burlington School District Equity Council and Diversity & Equity Office welcome Paul Gorski, long-time board member of the National Association for Multicultural Education, founder of EdChange and Multicultural Pavilion, and nationally recognized consultant on equity and social justice in education. On January 16, 2012, Dr. Gorski will be speaking with district teachers, staff and the larger Burlington community as part of an in-service session at the Burlington High School Auditorium at 52 Institute Road, Burlington, VT 05408. The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 8:00 am. Parking is free but limited, given the expected audience.
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PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 11, 2012

The Burlington School District is excited to announce its participation in the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program at two of our afterschool programs. The Sustainability Academy at Lawrence Barnes Elementary School and the Integrated Arts Academy at H.O. Wheeler will offer dinner at the beginning of the program to all students participating in the afterschool programs. This program enhancement will allow us to offer a healthy and nutritous meal to all of our participants at no cost, while allowing us to continue offering a snack at the end of the program day.

Unique Opportunity for Community Service
January 10, 2012

A School Commission position is up for election in every ward March 6. The position is responsible for a $70 million budget, over 900 employees, and serving the educational needs of 3800 students. The term is two years with attendance at several meetings each month. There is no compensation, but you will receive a tremendous satisfaction serving one of Burlington's greatest assets, her children.
There will be an orientation for school board candidates Wednesday, January 18th at the Ira Allen School District office. Please RSVP at 864-8474. In order to run for school board election you will need to have a petition signed by at least 30 registered voters in your ward and turn it in to the city hall clerk's office by 5 PM January 30, 2012. The petition can be downloaded from the City of Burlington's clerk/treasurer's office website. See the City website for more information -
Click Here

Superintendent's Message
Jeanné Collins
January 3, 2012

Greetings! As we enter the new year, it is good to take a few moments to reflect back on 2011 and all of the good things happening in the schools. Our annual report will be issued in mid-February. Meanwhile, I would like to comment on the following accomplishments....
For more information about staff accomplishments, Budget hearings, and events at the Academies and for Martin Luther King day,
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Recent Staff Accomplishments
December 30, 2011

Misa Lindberg, ELL Teacher at Edmunds Elementary and the Integrated Arts Academy, Dr. Shelley Mathias, Principal at Edmunds Elementary, and Dan Balón, Director of Diversity & Equity all have noted significant accomplishments in the last month. Read about these and other staff accomplishments!
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Interim Co-Principal Appointed for IAA
December 16, 2011

Due to Principal Trevor Christopher's recent injury and his doctor's insistence that he pursue more aggressive medical attention, as well as his desire that "children come first", we have mutually agreed upon the assignment of a co-principal to help the school and the community to continue a smooth forward movement through the remainder of the current school year.
Read our Press Release.
Read More in the Burlington Free Press.

High School Transformation Initiative Update
December 15, 2011

The grant for this work was submitted to the Nellie Mae Foundation on October 31! Whether or not we receive the grant, there is a commitment from educators, parents and community members to move forward with efforts to transform Burlington and Winooski High Schools. This work will affect many different community members (including teachers, parents, students, community partners, and people from diverse backgrounds). With this in mind, we are making the transition to a more diverse steering committee that is representative of the community.
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Preliminary FY2013 Presented to the School Board
Dates for Public Comment Released
December 13, 2011

The Burlington School District's Board of Commissioners was presented with the preliminary budget for FY 2013 by the Board's Finance Committee. This presentation begins the public portion of the budget review process that will lead to the budget that is presented to the Burlington voters on March 6, 2012.
Click here for full press release.

Fill the Bowl - A Benefit Dinner to Raise Awareness about Hunger
December 15th, 2011

Fill the bowl to help your community - A benefit dinner to raise awareness about hunger sponsored by the 3rd Grade at The Integrated Arts Academy - this Thursday, December 15th from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Integrated Arts Academy, 6 Archibald St., Burlington.

Select from over 200 original handcrafted bowls made by 3rd graders and faculty at IAA, sample delicious soups and breads from local restaurants and bakeries. Proceeds from your donation ($5 minimum per bowl) will benefit locally,The Intervale Center, as well as globally, the Heifer Foundation. The bowls are to be taken home as a reminder that someone's bowl is always empty. There will also be a silent auction of artist made ceramic bowls that you may bid on.
For details, click here.

School Board Update: Diversity & Equity
Paul Hochanadel, School Commissioner
December 7, 2011

I am pleased to announce that on Tuesday, November 29th we held the inaugural meeting of the new Diversity and Equity Committee of the Burlington School Board.

On October 11, 2011 the Board created the new Diversity and Equity Committee, charged with oversight of diversity and equity issues, collecting data relating to diversity and equity, and monitoring implementation of our initiatives to achieve inclusion, equity, and diversity.

In the coming months this committee will work with the administration to delve into the recommendations of the Task Force Report with the goal of creating a strategic plan to be adopted by the full School Board. We will work to identify what steps are already in place, such as the District's affirmative recruitment and hiring process, as well as what work needs to be done now and in the future. One of our first topics of discussion will be the goal of creating an "equity report card," which is a set of data points to be tracked annually that tells the Board and Administration what is working well and what needs to be addressed in creating an inclusive school community focused on student success. As the chair, I am very interested in creating opportunities for communication and collaboration with students, parents, teachers, and community members. I welcome anyone who is interested to contact me at phochanadel@bsdvt.org.

Superintendent's Message
Jeanné Collins
December 2, 2011

Greetings all
I hope the unseasonably warm weather is enjoyable to you this year! Don't worry - the snow will come! In the meantime, I want to give an update on activities across the District.

BUDGET FOR FY 13
The Finance Committee of the Board is in the process of developing the budget for FY13. There have been a few meetings to date and the information reviewed has been posted on the Finance Committee meeting agendas located on BoardDocs (linked at our website). The full Board will review a recommended budget at their December 13th Board meeting, and will then hold public forums at 7 p.m. at BHS on December 15th and January 4th. A final budget will be adopted by the Board at the January 10th meeting.
Read my update for this month

BSD Students and Schools in the News!
December 1, 2011

National Novel Writing Month at BHS
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Claude Mumbere, Boys' Soccer Player of the Year
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The New BHS Pep Band
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The Sustainability Academy's 3rd Year
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The Sustainability Academy 5th Annual Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction
November 30, 2011

It's that time of year again when the Sustainability Academy PTO hosts its biggest fundraiser and the best silent auction this side of Lake Champlain! Made possible by community members and artists, the Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction will be this Saturday, December 3rd from 8:30-11:30 in the cafeteria of the Sustainability Academy. The menu will feature local Vermont foods including: scrumptious homemade pancakes, Vermont maple syrup, Cabot butter, Vermont apple cider, fresh brewed coffee and much more. Family entertainment will be provided.
For details, click here.

Principal Search Announced by Superintendent Collins
November 28, 2011

I am pleased to announce the start of the Edmunds Elementary Principal Search. I want to thank Dr. Shelley Mathias for stepping in as interim this year and I do invite her to apply, if she is interested. The search will commence with faculty and parent meetings on Dec. 5, the identification of a Principal Search Advisory Committee, and a posting being placed on Schoolspring and some national networks by mid December. I plan to close the posting by mid-Jan, with interviews held in late January/early February. It is hoped a decision will be made around the winter break. For more details, I will ask Edmunds Elementary to post info on their website for people to track.

I am also pleased to announce that Brian Williams has agreed to remain as Interim Principal at Sustainability Academy at Lawrence Barnes School for a second year. This school has been going through some changes in the past year and anticipate finalizing this work later this winter, allowing us to advertise next year for a permanent principal with solid information to allow for a good match.

Tardiness Policy in Works
November 21, 2011

The Burlington Schools is doing a pilot test of procedures to address tardiness. This is in conjunction with a proposed policy under review by the School Board.
The pilot test will begin on Monday November 28 and conclude on December 22nd. Parents will receive an Alert Now message if their student has been tardy more than five times during this school year, and a meeting will be recommended if there have been 15 or more instances of tardiness during this school year. Attendance at school is important for student success. Under this policy, we will be tracking tardiness as well as absences. Excessive tardiness causes students to miss important instructional time, and we strive to partner with parents to ensure students are in school on time.
Click here to read the proposed policy.

C.P. Smith Harvest Dinner, November 17th, 5 p.m.
Posted Nov. 15, 2011

An invitation to Smith students and their families to attend a (free of charge) Community Dinner this Thursday! Please email shart@ppeclaw.com to RSVP.

Vermont School Nurses on the Front Lines of Child Health Care
November 9, 2011

Some days, Christine Armstrong wishes she could turn back the clock to the 1950s, when she was a student. A school nurse at Burlington's C.P. Smith Elementary for the last 20 years, she says her students would be much healthier if they were growing up in a world without super-sized sodas, prepackaged lunch meats, TVs in every bedroom and weekends spent playing video games.
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Recent Staff Accomplishments
November 7, 2011

Rich Tulikangas, Executive Director of Linking Learning to Life, Inc., is the 2011 Administrator of the Year, selected by the Vermont Association of Educational Office Professionals. Tulikangas received his award at the 73rd annual fall conference at the Stoweflake Resort & Conference Center in Stowe on October 29th.

Frank Whitcomb was named Music Educator of the Year by the Vermont Music Educators Association. Frank teaches Chorus, Piano, and AP Music Harmony/Theory. He serves as the Music Advisor for the BHS Musical and leads the BHS Madigral Singers. He is lead teacher for Music/Art this year at BHS.

Congratulations, Rich and Frank!

Parent Information Sessions: Puberty, Sexual Development & Safety
Tuesday November 8th and Tuesday November 15th
Integrated Arts Academy at H.O. Wheeler
6 Archibald Street
Posted Nov. 3, 2011

November 8th Two Sessions:
6-6:45pm In English, with Interpreters for Somali/Somali Bantu & Nepali
7-7:45pm In English, with Interpreters for Vietnamese and Kirundi

November 15th Two Sessions:
6-6:45pm In English, with Interpreters for Swahili and Burmese
7-7:45pm In English, with Interpreters for Russian, Arabic, French, Bosnian

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Update on Nellie Mae Grant Proposal
November 3, 2011

The WSD-BSD Partnership for Change proposal was submitted to the Nellie Mae Education Foundation on October 31, 2011. The proposal describes the community's hopes and plans for high school transformation, focusing on personalized learning, youth engagement, family/school/community partnerships, community-based learning opportunities and effective teaming at the high school level.
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4th Annual Hunt Community Dinner
October 25, 2011

We hope that all families will join us (6pm-7pm) for this free community building meal. The PTO is organizing volunteers to best support this event and provide the support necessary for all families to participate. Please contact Barb Prine if you are able to help. We need many parent volunteers to help make this event work and there are many options to be involved. Parent volunteers are organized into shifts are from 5:30-6:30, 6:30-7:30, and 7:15 until all cleaned up. All volunteers will have the opportunity to participate and eat with their families. This is a very special dinner celebrating the fall harvest and our community. Thank you for joining us.
Barb Prine
864-5587
paulandbarb@burlingtontelecom.net

Board accepts Task Force Report on Recommended Strategic Plan on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
October 12, 2011

Last night, the School Board accepted the Task Force Report on the Recommended Strategic Plan on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Burlington School District. This report, generated by a Board appointed committee of 20 community members, faculty and staff, is the culminating work of 10 months and many hours of research and discussion. The executive summary and the full report can be found here.
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Task Force Report to Board
October 10, 2011

The Task Force on Diversity and Equity has completed their report, and will be presenting it to the Burlington Board of School Commissioners at their regular October meeting, Tuesday October 11, 7:00 PM at the BHS Cafeteria. The report includes recommendations on the multi-year strategic plan to further diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Burlington School District.
To read the report, Click Here!

Community Forum in Winooski October 5th
October 10, 2011

Our Schools Are Changing! Burlington and Winooski High School are re-designing learning to prepare all students for their future. Read the Burlington Free Press story on the meeting.
Click Here!

School Health Fair Sept. 8
August 23, 2011

On Thursday, September 8, 4:30 - 6:30, BHS will host the first annual Health Services Fair in the cafeteria. Representatives from our Tooth Tutor program, the School Based Health Centers, School Nursing Services, the Vermont Dept of Health, Howard Center, Medicaid, the Community Health Center of Burlington and others will be there. Anyone who has a student in any of our schools is invited to come and learn about various health-related services that we offer through our schools. Registration forms will be available for these services, and help will be available in completing those forms Snacks are provided!

Update on Nellie Mae Grant Proposal
August 18, 2011

Winooski and Burlington have partnered together and applied for the Nellie Mae Foundation's, District Level Systems Change Grant. The initial WSD-BSD Grant Application was one of 70 applications from New England School Districts and our application was chosen as one of 12 for further consideration. After additional grant writing and site visits, we again were chosen as one of 7 applicants to participate in the Planning Year.
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BSD Farm to School Recognized by USDA
July 14, 2011

A report released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers useful "how-to" lessons for schools interested in joining the burgeoning Farm to School movement.
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BHS Grad Named Presidential Scholar
July 12, 2011

Colin Gliech, Class of 2011, was recently named as a Presidential Scholar, the first one at BHS since 1979. Colin was among just 141 selected of the 3,000,000 graduating seniors this past year and was honored in Washington D.C. from June 18-21. Colin attended many different events with the other Scholars, including an incredible concert by some of the students at the Kennedy Center. David Rome (BHS Math Department) also traveled to D.C., having been selected by Colin as a recognized teacher. Colin will be attending Stevens Institute of Technology on a merit-based scholarship this fall.

Family-School Partnerships
April 6, 2011

Learn more about the family-school partnership teams, research and programs at each of our schools.
Click Here

Requesting Extra Support

Several of our schools provide Supplemental Educational Services - extra academic assistance/tutoring to improve students' academic performance -- free of charge to a limited number of eligible students. We offer these services as required by the the No Child Left Behind Adequate Yearly Progress standards. It is available only for children who are eligible for free and reduced-price federal meals. Click here for more information.
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READ MORE NEWS

Stay Informed

Watch school board meetings, hear podcasts online, and get school updates on your neighborhood Front Porch Forum.

Commissioner's Corner is broadcast on CCTV Channel 17.Click here to find out when programs air, and listen to podcasts.

Click here to watch School Board Meetings from Channel 16 RETN online now or to find out when programs air on TV.School Board Broadcasts on RETN

Superintendent Jeanné Collins e-mails regular updates to neighborhood Front Porch Forums. Click here for Front Porch Forum. Front Porch Forum

Students in various school settings