WPTZ Channel 5 Visits Our School!

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

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!

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 21 - April 25 ~ Spring Vacation

• May 1st ~ UCS Music & Art Night (5:00p)

• May 5th - May 9th ~ Teacher Appreciation Week (see note in PTO section below)

• May 7th ~ Student Early Release Day

• May 16th ~ All-School Morning Meeting (Mrs. Cowan's Class) 

• May 21st ~ BRMS Music Presentation @ UCS 

• May 26th ~ NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day

• May 29th ~ 4th Grade Track Meet @ MMU

• May 30th ~ 4th Grade Move-Up Day @ BRMS