Dear BRMS Families:

Our students enjoyed a wonderful start to the first week of autumn at BRMS. The fantastic weather provided an ideal setting for various outdoor learning experiences both on and off campus. Our 6th-grade students explored the Vermont Granite Museum in Barre, while several 5th graders conducted field research at the Browns River alongside the Watershed Alliance from the University of Vermont. Meanwhile, our athletics teams participated in a full schedule of home and away competitions, capped off by our cross country teams at the Williston Invitational. The boys placed 5th out of 14 teams, and the girls placed 7th out of 16 teams. Congratulations to all of our runners on an outstanding performance!

As the window for our fall conferences approaches, teachers will be reaching out soon to schedule time to discuss your child's academic progress and goals. Partnering with families is essential to supporting both the educational and social-emotional growth of our students. We encourage you to schedule a conference time, and please let us know if you need an alternative date so we can accommodate your schedule.

Additionally, we would like to remind everyone that our annual Open House will take place on October 6, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there!

Kevin

September 28, 2026

Dear Parent/Guardian/Caregiver:

The Vermont Agency of Education requires all schools to conduct safety drills throughout the school year per Act 29, Title 16 VSA, Section 1481.  Based on guidance and recommendations from the Vermont School Crisis Team, Vermont School Safety Center, FBI and US Department of Homeland Security,  MMUUSD completes two age-appropriate options-based response safety drills.  These types of drills are designed to prepare individuals for a potential emergency that includes a range of strategies (i.e. Run/Hide/Fight).  This methodology does not replace current safety protocols for evacuation, sheltering in place or other emergency response procedures, but does give additional tools that may be used to respond to an active threat.

We have learned that no one size response plan fits each incident and teachers, administrators and students need to have options so that they can effectively respond based on a specific set of circumstances. As part of Act 29, these drills need to be age-appropriate and trauma-informed. Being trauma-informed means understanding the impact of trauma and designing systems and processes that promote safety and trust, while avoiding causing further harm. We will be practicing option-based drills during the school year in a developmentally appropriate manner in order to minimize anxiety for students.  While the very unexpected nature of a crisis may make preparation difficult, MMUUSD believes that staff and students should be ready to respond quickly and appropriately to emergency situations.  School violence and other emergency events can be difficult to discuss and consider, but we must do our best to be prepared.  One of these requirements is for schools to conduct two Options Based Response to a Violent Intruder Drills, one to be held in September and the other in the month of January.  

Browns River Middle School will be holding the first Options Based Drill on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.   Please know that age appropriate steps will be taken to reduce student anxiety.  Prior to these drills, all teachers use common instructional lessons/slides to review safety protocols, the safety commands used and how to respond, as well as reviewing and practicing relocation places.

Student and staff safety is our top priority, and the district is taking steps to best prepare for any number of emergency situations.  Please see the attached link to the VT School Safety Center parent/caregiver resource guide.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Kevin Hamilton

October 6th: BRMS Open House 6:30pm-7:30pm