RIVER RAIDER

Dear BRMS Families:

It was nice to finally have the sunshine return to BRMS this week!  The longer days and increased light greatly improved the spirits of our students and staff.

It looks like it is going to be a great day for a dip in Lake Champlain tomorrow morning. Our plunging team will be heading into the water around 10:00 am.  The air temperature will be a balmy 45 degrees and the water will be a comfortable 35 degrees. We have 55 students and staff members combined who are jumping into the water.  They have raised nearly $20,000 dollars for the Vermont Special Olympics!  We are closing in on our all time record for this event.  Be sure to get out tomorrow morning to support the team or donate to the cause on the Cool Schools Link.

Our basketball season will be wrapping up next week with games against ADL on Monday and Milton on Tuesday.   We have had several exciting games over the season including a thrilling double overtime Boys A team win last Tuesday afternoon.  Once the basketball season has concluded we will be starting our volleyball season.  This activity is open to all students and they should contact Mr. Lennon if they are interested in playing this year.  

Have a great weekend and good luck to the BRMS Plungers!

Kevin

Dear Penguin Plungers and Families,

We are very excited to have you on board and ready to jump for such a good cause! The outpouring of support and enthusiasm for this fundraiser has been truly astounding, so congratulations to you and your families for doing something so amazing!!!  Now, it’s time to take the plunge into frozen Lake Champlain (Yes, we were serious about jumping!).

Here are a few important times and places to remember:

• Date: Saturday, February 10, 2024

• Time: Schools jump earlier - AROUND 11:00 am - so we will meet at 10:15 right in front of the ECHO Center on the Burlington Waterfront.

• Place: We will be meeting at ECHO Center for a group photo and final preparations. 

• Plunge Time: The Plunge is scheduled to begin around 11 AM.  Best guess is we will be in the first 10 or so school waves so jumping between 11 - 11:30.

You’ll notice we have asked to meet early in order to organize, orient, and prepare the students for the Plunge. Also, the earlier you arrive the better choices you’ll have for viewing the Plunge itself (it gets very crowded). If a family is going to attend, maybe sending a few people down to the waterfront to “stake out” a spot would be worthwhile.  It would be great if a few people did just this, and were able to get some close-up photos of the event.

• What to Bring:  

  • We suggest arriving in outer clothing that is warm and can be changed into and out of easily.  

  • Bathing suit; no wet suits or dry suits will be allowed 

  • You MUST wear shoes (or Teva-like sandals – flips flops are not recommended) into the water.   Some folks even wear shoes that can be dried out.  Water shoes work as well 

  • Bring an extra towel, even though you will be handed one after leaving the water. 

  • Bring a plastic garbage bags or grocery store bags to put all those cold, wet clothes and towel in while you change in the tent! 

  • You should leave your wallet, valuables and jewelry with your family or don’t bring them at all.  

  • The less you wear into the water, the less you will have to strip off after the Plunge. Remember, the only thing worse than taking off a wet cotton t-shirt is taking off a really cold, wet cotton t-shirt when you are really cold and wet. Most people plunge in bathing suits.

  • Plan on dressing in layers after the Plunge. Bring the big, puffy coat, but also bring multiple layers to wear underneath it. 

  • Finally, warm hats are so nice after submerging yourself in 32˚F water!

Large tents with heaters will be available at the Plunge site where you can dress down and back up again!  

Important to Remember!  Costumes are encouraged!   The Plumage Award will be given to the best costume!

In addition, we would love to have any pictures you take of the event for future Plunge efforts. Please email or share these pictures for us, if possible.  We would also request a videographer.  Anyone good at making videos????  Our last GREAT one is from 2016.  We would love to update to show kids what they are missing if they don’t plunge in the future!!!!

Parking:  There is very little parking available at the event site.  There is street and metered parking around the ECHO Center and a good parking lot south of ECHO - King Street.  Participants and spectators are encouraged to park in the city garages and take the Penguin Plunge shuttles (Mountain Transit buses).  Shuttles will run from 9:00am – 1:00pm and will pick up on the corner of Church Street and Main Street. Spread the word!  

Thank you again for joining us for this amazing adventure!  We look forward to seeing you Saturday morning February 10th!!!!

February Jazz Band Rehearsals:

Mondays at 7:30 am - Feb 12 & 19

Wednesdays after school at 2:40 - 3:20 - Feb 14 & 21

A parent’s to-do list is never-ending. Let Kids VT lend a hand!

Join us on Saturday, February 10, 2024, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Burlington Hilton for the 27th annual Kids VT Camp & School Fair presented by Vermont Federal Credit Union. Admission is free.

This is a great opportunity to:

• Discover dozens of great regional summer camps and schools.

• Connect with representatives and get your questions answered.

• Get all your research and planning done in one day — and have fun, too!

LINK>    Free Kids Camp & School Fair Finder for Summer 2024

**THE BRMS SCHOOL COUNSELING OFFICE HAS A FOLDER OF MANY SUMMER CAMPS & OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR CHILD TO EXPLORE THIS SUMMER! PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US OR MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO VISIT.

The Summer Camp located in Readfield, Maine is a nonprofit, residential summer camp for inner city and rural girls, ages 7-18, from low-income and foster homes.  We provide a safe, fun, supportive environment in which campers explore new, challenging and educational experiences,learn from positive role models, and have the opportunity to build skills for life year after year.  Donor support provides full camperships for each girl every summer.

We have 3 free scholarships to give for this upcoming summer!  For more information, please reach out to your School Counselor, Gregory Martin (greg.martin@mmuusd.org) or Jenn Wisniowski ( jennifer.wisniowski@mmuusd.org).

Vermont Family Support Programs

Free VIRTUAL Parent Education Programs for Vermont Parents!

Do you or someone you know want to learn more about the programs we offer?



Visit our website at: www.pcavt.org/family-support-programs,

email us at familysupport@pcavt.org or

call 1-800-CHILDREN

We’re raising funds to help bring Sweethearts & Heroes to BRMS in Spring 2024!  Sweethearts & Heroes is a social and emotional wellness and youth leadership team focused on student empowerment and empathy activation.  Check out their website for more information:  https://www.sweetheartsandheroes.com/

Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation!  Or you can check out our Daily Drawing Fundraiser HERE!  Only 1,000 tickets will be sold!  Tickets are $5.00 each.  Tickets are on sale now through February 29, 2024.  Each ticket has 31 chances to win!  The Daily Drawing Fundraiser runs for the entire month of March 2024.  Winning tickets will receive $50 with a special St. Patrick’s Day Drawing on March 17, 2024 for $200!