Superintendent's Message
Jeanné Collins
March 1, 2010

BUDGET UPDATE As a proud member of the Burlington schools community, I would like to thank you for your continued support of Burlington's students. The polls are now open! Here is a quick recap of the priorities reflected in this year's budget:

  • 1) Cuts made to keep costs down in the face of rising expenses
  • 2) Focus on core mission of educating all of our students
  • 3) School safety and critical needs work begun as approved by voters last March.

    • We have worked to be responsive to both our students' needs and to community input through an open and transparent process. We have provided budget information at December, January and February NPA meetings, in North Avenue News, and in neighborhood front porch forums. Our full line item budget, budget summaries, and a review of this year's budget decisions, are available at www.bsdvt.org. To reduce mailing and printing costs, we have moved to an online annual report. However, you can ask for your own copy of our annual report with the full budget by calling the district office at 864-8474.

    Burlington's enrollment continues to be stable. We continue to pursue and secure grants to cover approximately twenty percent of our expenses for all students. This enables the Burlington School District to keep the local cost of education per equalized pupil at the lowest level in Chittenden County and one of the lowest levels across the state. At the polls, you will also be able to vote for your school commissioners. Please remember to vote on March 2nd between 7am to 7pm or you can vote before Town Meeting day by requesting an absentee ballot or going into city hall to vote early.

    NATIONAL DISCUSSIONS
    This past month, I was fortunate to participate on the national level to get updated information on federal programs and to make recommendations to federal education policy. Proposed changes to some federal programs could mean less funds to support our neediest students here in Vermont. We are working with the Vermont Superintendents Association, our federal delegation, and a number of other local and national partners to ensure a voice on behalf of Burlington's children in the decision-making process. Read More

    NEW GRANTS FOR TECHNOLOGY, MUSIC, MATH & SOLAR ENERGY
    We have recently received several grant awards for innovative teacher programs and partnerships. Burlington High School, Integrated Arts Academy and district music teachers were awarded special technology federal grant stimulus funds totaling $22,300. The math teachers at BHS will increase use of clicker technology, which are cell phone-sized tools with calculator like keypads that allow students to wirelessly submit answers to questions presented digitally by the teacher. The results are displayed instantly, allowing students and teachers to have immediate feedback on student understanding. Students at the Integrated Arts Academy will use video cameras and mp3 players to tell their own digital stories while learning about writing structure and applying that knowledge to reading and analysis of text. Music teachers will use technology to enhance students abilities to read music, compose, share their work and receive feedback.

    BHS teacher David Rome received the 2009 Siemens Award for Advanced Placement for teachers. Mr. Rome is the one teacher selected from Vermont and one of only 50 teachers selected nationally to receive this award. BHS will receive a $1,000 grant to be used to support math and science education. Read the Burlington Free Press story.

    The Sustainability Academy is one of 10 Vermont public schools to be awarded a federal grant of $50,000 for solar energy projects. This funding will be used to purchase small scale solar installations which will be used for educational purposes. The proposal will engage students in developing hands on scientific, technical, and other curricula involving the solar equipment. Our proposal was a joint collaboration of teachers, parents, local businesses and Shelburne Farms. Read More

    DON'T MISS...

  • Kindergarten registration! Magnet registration and district-wide kindergarten registration will occur until March 16th. To enroll, children must be 5 by September 1, 2010. Registration information is being placed on the district website. Magnet applications are available magnet.bsdvt.org.
  • "Vietnamese in Vermont" on March 10th, the third installment of our Cultural Diversity Series in partnership with the Fletcher Free Library.
  • The "Marvelous Land of OZ" at Edmunds Elementary School March 12th & 13th at 7pm
  • Hunt Middle School Cultural week events March 15-20th.
  • Dr. David Walsh, author of Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen will be speaking at Burlington High School on March 31st

    • For more information, go to www.bsdvt.org.

    As always, you can contact me with questions or suggestions at 802-864-8474 or superintendent@bsdvt.org.