RIVER RAIDER

Dear BRMS Families:

It certainly was a cold end to our week at Browns River Middle School!   On extremely cold days we will continue to offer outdoor recess opportunities for students with appropriate gear and who enjoy getting outside no matter the weather.   Additionally, on those days with colder than normal temperatures we will offer quieter indoor activities for our students.   On rare occasions we will not allow students due to inclement weather.   Please remind your child to be prepared for all weather conditions and let us know if you have any clothing needs during these colder months. 

This week there were significant changes made to our COVID protocols. Information was sent out early this week through a district communication (link).   All testing has been shifted to families and contact tracing guidelines have been adjusted as well.  If you are in need of an antigen test for your child please click on this link.   The Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District will be hosting a community vaccination clinic on 2/8/22 and again on 3/8/22 at MMU High School. Note that these dates have changed from the original document from MMUUSD.   The clinic will run from 9 AM - 3 PM both days.  This clinic is open to anyone 5 and older.  First dose, second dose and boosters will be available. This registration for this will open on the state Website at 8 AM on Tuesday January 18th. You can either sign up online or call the registration line. 855-722-7878  https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/vaccine/getting-covid-19-vaccine

On a more exciting topic our A and B Girls and Boys basketball season is off to a tremendous start in the new year.   Between all four teams we have only had one loss the entire season.  We are proud of all of the hard work and dedication these student athletes have had towards their sport.  They are a terrific group of students who have demonstrated positive teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the winter schedule.  Thank you for coming out to support our teams. Go Raiders!

Have a great weekend and stay warm!

Kevin

AFTER SCHOOL FIDDLIN' with Laura Markowitz, violinist!  

Open to violinists only, all grades. FREE!

February 3rd,  2:45 - 4pm. No experience needed!  Beginners 2:40 - 3:15, Intermediate & Advanced players 3:20 - 3:40pm. Stay for both sessions if you are advanced!

REGISTER HERE

January 21, 2022

Dear Parent or Guardian:

Some of our 8th grade students will participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on February 10. NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students know and can do in various subjects. NAEP is different from our state assessments because it is a common measure of achievement across the country. The assessment is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics, within the U.S. Department of Education. The results are released as The Nation’s Report Card, which provides information about student achievement to educators, parents, policymakers, and the public.

Your child may take a mathematics or reading assessment. In addition to subject-area questions, students voluntarily complete NAEP survey questions. These questions provide valuable information about participating students’ educational experiences and opportunities to learn both in and outside of the classroom. More information about NAEP survey questions is available at https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/parents under the section “What Questions Are on the Test?”

The assessment takes approximately 2 hours for most students, which includes transition time, directions, and completion of survey questions.

The information collected is used for statistical purposes only.

• Your child’s grades will not be affected.

• Students may be excused for any reason, are not required to complete the assessment, and may skip any question.

• While the assessment is voluntary, NAEP depends on student participation to help policymakers improve education. However, if you do not want your child to participate, please notify Jennifer Wisniowski in writing by February 7, 2022. 

There is no need to study in preparation for NAEP, but please encourage your child to do their best. A brochure that explains what participation in NAEP means for you and your child is available at http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/pdf/parents/2012469.pdf. Contact Jennifer Wisniowski at (802) 899-3711 or at jennifer.wisniowski@mmuusd.org if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Kevin Hamilton

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is authorized to conduct NAEP by the National Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization Act (20 U.S.C. §9622) and to collect students’ education records from education agencies or institutions for the purposes of evaluating federally supported education programs under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 34 CFR §§ 99.31(a)(3)(iii) and 99.35). All of the information provided by participants may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S.C. §9573 and 6 U.S.C. §151). By law, every NCES employee as well as every NCES agent, such as contractors and NAEP coordinators, has taken an oath and is subject to a jail term of up to 5 years, a fine of $250,000, or both if he or she willfully discloses ANY identifiable information about participants. Electronic submission of participant’s information will be monitored for viruses, malware, and other threats by Federal employees and contractors in accordance with the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015. The collected information will be combined across respondents to produce statistical reports.