Dear BRMS Families and Students,

Welcome back from summer vacation! We hope your summer was filled with fun, relaxation, family time, and wonderful memories. As we begin a new school year, we are excited to welcome our students and families back to Browns River Middle School.  The 2026 school year starts on Wednesday, August 26th.  Our doors open at 7:30 a.m. every morning and the school day begins at 7:55. Students are dismissed at 2:40 everyday.  Breakfast and lunch are provided free of charge everyday to all BRMS students.

A new school year brings new opportunities to learn, grow, make friends, and discover new interests. We are looking forward to seeing our returning students and welcoming those who are joining our school community for the first time. Remember that middle school is a time to challenge yourself, try new things, ask questions, and learn from both successes and mistakes. Set goals for yourself, stay organized, be kind to others, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Thank you for partnering with us in your child's education. Your encouragement, communication, and support make a tremendous difference in student success. We look forward to working together to create a positive, welcoming, and supportive school community.

As we begin the year, please take time to review school information, important dates, expectations, and communication from the school.  The River Raider is our weekly newsletter that provides all important details for our families. This year the Raider will be emailed to families every Monday instead of Friday afternoons.  Staying connected and involved will help make the transition back to school a smooth one for everyone.

This past spring our school board adopted a new student policy regarding the use of cell phones, smart watches, and smart glasses. Students in pre‐kindergarten through grade 8 may not bring or possess personal electronic devices during the academic day. Families are expected not to send students to school with personal electronic devices. (See Policy Below). Students must leave these devices home. We are asking families to go over this information with their children before the school year begins. We will be going over these expectations on the first day of school.

We are thrilled to begin another year at Browns River Middle School, and can't wait to see our halls filled with energy, laughter, curiosity, and learning once again.

Warmly,
The Browns River Middle School Faculty & Staff

Policy Code: 16 V.S.A. § 583

Adopted: April 27, 2026

Effective: 2026-2027 School Year

Statement of Policy

It is the policy of the Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District (MMUUSD) to maintain a school environment free from student use of personal electronic devices during the academic  day in order to promote student focus, improved mental health, and positive social interaction.

The goal of this policy is to enable both students and teachers to work free from distractions that

impact learning by prohibiting student use of and access to cell phones and other prohibited devices during the academic day from arrival to dismissal.Unless an exception applies, student access to and use of personal electronic devices is not permitted from the arrival bell to the dismissal bell.

Definitions

For purposes of this policy:

● “Personal electronic device” means any non‐district‐issued device capable of cellular

communication, internet access, or wireless connectivity, including but not limited to cell

phones, smartwatches, earbuds, smart glasses, and personal tablets.

● “Individualized health care plan” means a written plan developed to document a student’s

health needs and required accommodations.

● “Academic day” means the period from the arrival bell to the dismissal bell at each school.

Student Expectations:

Pre-Kindergarten Through Grade 8 Students in pre‐kindergarten through grade 8 may not bring or possess personal electronic devices during the academic day. Families are expected not to send students to school with personal electronic devices. Student Expectations: Grades 9 Through 12. Students in grades 9 through 12 are strongly encouraged not to bring personal electronic devices to school. If a student does bring a device, then during the academic day, all personal electronic devices must be powered off and stored in the student's assigned locker. Students may access personal electronic devices only before the arrival bell and after the dismissal bell, and use of a student's locker for storage of personal electronic devices is a condition of bringing such devices to school, unless an approved exception under this policy applies.Students are solely responsible for securing their personal electronic devices. The district assumes no responsibility for the loss, theft, or damage of personal electronic devices brought to school or stored in student lockers.

Exceptions:

A student at any grade level may be permitted to access or use a personal electronic device during the academic day when:

1. The use is required by an individualized health care plan, individualized education program

(IEP), or Section 504 plan, consistent with applicable law;

2. The use has been authorized by school administration for a specific, limited academic or

school‐sponsored purpose; or

3. The use is necessary to comply with the McKinney‐Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C.

§§ 11431–11435.

Family and Guardian Communication During the School Day

During the academic day, routine communication between families and students shall occur through the school, except as otherwise authorized.Administrative Responsibilities

The Superintendent or designee shall establish procedures that outline:

1. the daily routines, staff responsibilities, and communication strategies to uphold the

intent of this policy;

2. how staff monitor compliance, including in restrooms, hallways, locker rooms, and on

buses;

3. how exceptions are verified, documented, and communicated, including explanation in

student and family handbooks;

4. expectations during field trips, district-operated after-school programs, and

school-sponsored athletics and activities.

Enforcement

The Superintendent or designee shall establish a progressive sequence of consequences for policy violations, which shall be communicated to students and families at the start of each school year. Enforcement shall be consistent across classrooms within each school, and across schools at each level. Methods and processes of enforcement shall be designed to be minimally disruptive to the learning process and to staff and students.

Legal References

16 V.S.A. § 582, Definitions

16 V.S.A. § 583, Student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices in schools

16 V.S.A. § 584, Use of social media platforms in education

Act 72 of 2025

Vermont Agency of Education Model Policy on Student Use of Cell Phones (December 19, 2025)

Note from the P.E. Classroom- 

Mr. Lennon and Mr. Hight are excited for another fun year with our Phys. Ed Students! Our first units of the year will be soccer with 5th and 6th grade. And Flag Football / Throwing and Catching skills with 7th and 8th grade. We will be pausing the units for a week from Sept. 8-11 when we will have the Local Motion bike trailer at BRMS! Some students are familiar with this program from elementary school. You can find more info about Local Motion on their website

We will have enough bikes and helmets for every student in P.E. but students are welcome to bring their own bikes and helmets. Bikes can be stored on the front bike rack or they can be locked to the back fence by the athletic fields if the bike rack is full. It is recommended that students only bring their bike on their P.E. days and not leave their bikes at the school overnight. If your child does not know how to ride a bike, we have a plan for other activities during these classes, but we are also happy to teach kids how to ride safely! Over the years we have taught many kids how to ride when we have had the LM trailer at our school. 

Please email Mr. Hight and Mr. Lennon with any questions alex.hight@mmuusd.org matthew.lennon@mmuusd.org 

BRMS Athletics Note- 

Fall sports season is almost underway at BRMS. At this time students have signed up for soccer, field hockey, or cross country. We have almost 150 kids registered at this time!

If you have signed up, please make sure you have completed your forms on Rank One. You can follow the link on our athletic webpage. Reminder to families, please do not have your pediatrician fax a physical form to the school. The physical form must be uploaded to your child's Rank One profile in the parent portal. 

Email matthew.lennon@mmuusd.org with any questions