VTCap Testing Next Week

We want to inform you that our third and fourth-grade students will be taking the Vermont state assessment, the VTCap, next week. 

How You Can Help:

To help your child feel confident and prepared:
✅ Please make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep before each test day.
✅ Make sure they have a healthy breakfast before coming to school.
✅ Encourage a positive attitude and remind them to do their best.
✅ Arrive at school on time, by 7:50,  so they can start the day smoothly.

VTCap Testing Schedule:

📅 Monday, April 7 – Math Session 1 (8:30-9:30)
📅 Tuesday, April 8 – Math Session 2 (8:30-9:30)
📅 Wednesday, April 9 – ELA Session 1 (8:30-9:30)
📅 Thursday, April 10 – ELA Session 2 (8:15-9:45)
📅 Friday, April 11 – Makeup Testing (as needed)

April 2, 2025

Dear Fourth Grade Parents and Guardians:

It may be hard to believe but we have begun to work on the transition process for next school year’s fifth grade students coming to Browns River Middle School. We have already scheduled many important dates that you will want to put on your personal calendars. You will find these dates at the conclusion of this letter. We realize that this transition to middle school is an important time in your child’s life and we want to ensure that this experience is positive for both you and your child.

An important part of the transition process is the placement of your child in the appropriate learning environment.  Below you will find a link to our “My Child as a Learner” form (MCAL). This form will ask you many important questions about your child’s learning style and social interactions. Please feel free to put as much detail on these forms that you feel will be relevant to our placement process. We read these forms carefully and use the information from all of the forms to create the best environment for all of our students. We respectfully request that you do not put down the specific name of a team or teacher that you would like your child to have next year at Browns River. Please complete this form by May 1st.  This is a challenging process and we need to make sure that we are considering the needs of all of our students. Once you are made aware of your child’s placement there will be an opportunity to express any of your concerns to our placement team at the beginning of the summer. 

We are very excited about meeting you and your child in the coming months. Please feel free to contact me or our School Counselor, Greg Martin, should you have any questions about the process or need assistance filling out the MCAL form. 

Important Dates:

• Parent BRMS Building Tours: April 9th @ 10:00  a.m or April 17th @ 1:15 p.m.

• 5th Grade Parent Orientation: May 27th  @ 6:30 p.m.

• 5th Grade Placement Letters sent home on May 30th.

• Move Up Day: Friday, May 30th at BRMS. 

             (Students will visit BRMS during the school day and will receive team/teacher assignments when they arrive.     

             Parent placement letter will be mailed on May 30th.)                                                              

• My Child as a Learning Form Link

Welcome to Browns River Middle School!

Sincerely,

Kevin J. Hamilton

Principal

Mrs. Bernier's third and fourth grade class just crushed it in the Battery Blitz challenge — and we’re thrilled to announce that we won the grand prize AND a pizza party! 🏆🍕 Thanks to our hard work collecting and recycling batteries, we’ve earned some serious bragging rights. As Recycle Rhonda perfectly put it, our class was “small but mighty!” Way to go, team! 🔋♻️

Nurse Tara has been coming to classrooms to teach various health topics.  Here are some things she has been teaching: 

Germs

The students learned about different types of germs.  The students also learned how germs are spread and how to prevent the spread of germs.  We spoke about the importance of not touching other people's blood. Please see this handout for additional information. What Are Germs_ (for Kids) — Print Version - Nemours KidsHealth.pdf

Sun Safety

The students learned about the importance of protecting their skin while outside in order to prevent skin cancer. Please see this handout for additional information.  How to Be Safe When You're in the Sun (for Kids) — Print Version - Nemours KidsHealth.pdf

Tick Safety

The students learned about the importance of tick bite prevention. 

The best way to prevent tick bite illnesses is to prevent tick bites. 

Before heading outdoors, protect yourself from tick bites:

• Avoid areas where ticks live.

• Wear protective clothing and gear

• Use insect repellent

• Protect and check your pets.

Please use the following link from the Vermont Department of Health to learn more: Prevent Tick Bites & Tick Bite Illnesses

Hello All - 

It's hard to believe, but UCS will soon be starting the process for class placement for the 2025-2026 school year! This is pertaining to any child entering grades 1-4 for next SY. The goal of the placement process is to honor your child's unique strengths and needs as a learner, and to create balanced classrooms in which all students can be successful and learn from one another as dynamic individuals. Your participation in this survey gives us important, key information for determining placement. We thank you in advance for your thoughtful participation.

• Family Letter

• My Child as a Learner form (for students entering grades 1-4)

We appreciate your trust in our educators to provide a supportive and enriching experience for all students. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out! Have a great weekend!

The Vermont Comprehensive Assessment (VTCAP) is happening again this spring. This is the third year of the statewide VTCAP assessment, and will be conducted similarly as last  year. VTCAP is required by the State of Vermont Agency of Education (VT AOE). UCS Students in grades 3 & 4 will be taking the assessment during the week of April 7th; and will be assessed in both English Language Arts & Mathematics. A parent/caregiver letter was sent home in your child's folder earlier this week. An electronic version of the letter can also be found HERE.

Kids on Bikes

When: Tuesdays after school from 2:25pm to 4:00pm on May 6th, May 13th, May 20th and May 27th (rain date June 3rd)

Where: Underhill Central School

Cost: $20 (T-shirts and one snack per day included)

Sign Up by April 1: HERE

We Need Volunteers! This program is solely run on volunteer effort. If you can help out (any skill set welcome!), please indicate on the sign-up form

Contact: Email Nick Tanner at KidsOnBikesVT@gmail.com with any questions

Calling all 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade UCS students who want to ride their bikes and explore Underhill! Our goal is to expose 2nd-4th graders to mountain biking to develop safety and technical skills, build confidence, have fun, and gain an appreciation for the great outdoor resources right here at UCS. 

Each participant is required to have a bike in working order, a helmet and water bottle. If your child would like to participate and any of these are a barrier, please contact Nick Tanner at KidsOnBikesVT@gmail.com – the goal is to get every kid on a bike who wants to ride.

 IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

• April 7th - April 10th ~ VTCAP Testing at UCS

• April 11th ~ PTO Donuts at Drop-Off

• April 21 - April 25 ~ Spring Vacation