RIVER RAIDER

Dear BRMS Families,

We just completed the first full week of school at BRMS.  Students and teachers are settling into their daily routines.   Today we completed our first fire drill of the year and the students did an amazing job following all our emergency procedure expectations.    We will be holding our first Open House since 2019 at BRMS on Thursday September 29th from 6:30-7:30 p.m.  We will provide more information in next week’s River Raider.

On Wednesday, September 21, we will be introducing our school wide advisory group that will be known as NEST.  All of our students have been placed in multi grade level groups of 8-10 children that will meet weekly at 8:00 every Wednesday morning.   Students will remain with their advisor for the four years they are at BRMS.

NEST

Vision Statement:  To achieve a more cohesive and equitable school community for all students. 

Goal: To create fifth through eighth grade advisory groups that recover and reconnect our whole school community at BRMS. We aim to create and sustain lasting relationships with our students while they are with us over the span of four years. Learning for Justice’s Social Justice Standards will guide our work in empowering students to amplify their voice, develop their identity, and build community through advisory groups and activities. 

Wednesday’s Activity

I wonder why this video is playing?

Please find a seat in the circle

What’s the purpose of Nest?

Greet:  Welcome, This is Nest,  

Share: Quick Write - Your Name, Grade, Birthday, and One Thing About You

Activity/Game: Would You Rather

Have a great weekend!

Kevin Hamilton

We have a number of respiratory illnesses, including COVID, circulating throughout our school community currently. As a reminder:

Stay Home When Sick:

Students and staff should stay home with COVID-related symptoms  and any other potentially contagious illnesses or symptoms including the following:

● Vomiting or Diarrhea - must be 24 hours symptom-free and able to tolerate food and drink before returning to school.

● Fever 100.4 or greater - must be home until fever free without the use of medication for greater than 24 hours.

● Any infection requiring antibiotics - keep your student home until they have been on antibiotics for 24 hours.

● A persistent cough that disrupts normal activity.

● Excessive nasal drainage - check with your child’s doctor before sending your child back to school.

● Unexplained rash - check with your child’s doctor before sending your child to school.

● Red or draining eyes - check with your child’s doctor before sending your child to school.

● COVID-19 infection - please call or email the school nurse to determine the next steps and follow VDH Isolation guidance. It is recommended that when returning

to school after a positive test, a mask is worn for an additional five days.

● Influenza - stay home until fever free without medication for 24 hours.

● Any other symptoms or illness that impede a student’s ability to learn or staff’s ability to work. 

The Health Department recommends getting tested if you develop symptoms at any time – even if you are vaccinated or have recently had COVID-19.

Please notify your school nurse and the attendance line (per your school’s preferred procedure) when your student stays home with symptoms.

COVID-19 Testing:

● Testing is currently recommended for symptomatic individuals.

● Please report all positive at-home test results to both your school nurse and the VDH reporting line link here.

● Schools have a limited supply of at-home antigen tests. Please contact your school if a test kit is needed.

COVID-19 Primary Vaccine Series and Boosters:

The COVID-19 primary vaccine series as well as the Omicron-specific COVID-19 boosters are widely available in Vermont. The booster is for people 12 and older who have completed their primary COVID-19 vaccine series. Look for Pfizer Bivalent Booster 12+ and Moderna Bivalent Booster 18+ in the list of walk-in clinics. Boosters are also available through pharmacies and doctors' offices. Talk to your health care provider about the right time to get vaccinated or boosted. Learn more about these boosters.

Hello BRMS Families, 

We hope everyone is off to a great start to their school year! One of the many ways we support mental health in our school community is by acknowledging that September is National Suicide Prevention Month. All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention month. 

You know your child(ren) best. When something seems off, check in! Research shows people who are having thoughts of suicide (and/or struggling with mental and emotional health) feel relief when someone asks after them in a caring way. 

An area we will place an emphasis on with our students is regularly talking about mental health (which reduces stigma), identifying characteristics of what healthy relationships look and feel like as well as identifying trusted adults whom they can go to for support; whether that be at home, in school, or ideally both.

Below are a couple of national and local resources and as always, your BRMS School Counselors are here to help and offer support!

Ashley Bergeron; BRMS 5th/6th School Counselor

Jennifer Wisniowski; BRMS 7th/8th School Counselor

1-800-273-TALK (8255): National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

988: Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

802-488-7777: First Call (Howard Center)

Vtspc.org (Vermont Suicide Prevention Center)

Meet at the Valley Dream Farm

to Ride the Pleasant Valley Trails

Must have an adult present with you to ride.

9:00-11:00 AM

Saturday 9/24, 10/1, 10/15, 10/22

Contact beth.moore@mmuusd.org to sign up.