The first day of the 2020/2021 school year for students in Burlington School District is August 26, 2020.
The full calendar will be presented in April at a Board meeting, but for now please pencil it in!
3rd Annual Beyond Black History Month, Friday March 13
Black History does not end when March begins! Please join Superintendent Obeng and our District Equity and Access Leadership Team on Friday, March 13th for our 3rd Annual Beyond Black History Month Celebration. This free, community event will run from 5:30 to 8 PM and we have a great evening of celebration and education lined up!
This inclusive, District-wide event aims to continue – not conclude – the community’s momentum in expanding dialogues, shifting perspectives, and boldly addressing present-day injustices.
As always, dinner and childcare are provided FREE.
Check out this year’s Program:
5:30 PM Welcome -Superintendent Obeng
Special Presentations by:
-Flynn Student Council
-My Brother’s Keeper/My Sister’s Keeper
-Muslim Girls Making Change
-Flynn Student Council
-My Brother’s Keeper/My Sister’s Keeper
-Muslim Girls Making Change
6:15 – 8:00 PM Beyond Black History Month Programming
Visit with our community partner tables in the lobby
Enjoy dinner in the cafeteria
Attend a Breakout Workshop
Visit with our community partner tables in the lobby
Enjoy dinner in the cafeteria
Attend a Breakout Workshop
6:45-7:30 Breakout Sessions
“Radical Empathy” explores racial issues and racial disparities in Vermont traffic policing through photographs by former BSD School Board Chair and UVM Economics Professor Stephanie Seguino
Location: Library
“BSD Youth Panel on Race” features BSD students of color sharing experiences and stories in a discussion facilitated by Vince Mitchell
Location: Auditorium
“Restorative Circle on Race in America” Participants will engage in a circle conversation to discuss the impact of race in our society facilitated by BSD RP/PBIS Coach Josh Meyer
Location: Multilingual Liaison Office
“Storytelling with Ferene Paris Meyer” Join Ferene for an interactive workshop on the power of storytelling as an effective tool to create space for voices to be heard and feel a sense of belonging. Come ready to share and be vulnerable! This heart-centered session aims to provide a space to learn and affirm one another while minimizing the impact of microaggressions and harm. (Led by Ferene Paris Meyer, Director of New Student Programs at the University of Vermont & FlynnArts Faculty at the Flynn Theater for Performing Arts)
Location: Champlain Cafe
Looking to sign up for childcare or request transportation help? Please send us an email or call Russ at (802) 864-8474
Don’t forget to let your friends know you’ll be there!
Burlington School District Releases Annual Report
Report Shares Strategic Plan Update, Key Budget Information
Burlington School District’s (BSD) 2019 Annual Report is here! The report on the 2018-19 school year highlights a number of student and staff achievements, shares an update on BSD’s strategic plan initiatives, and provides a look into the District’s financial management and proposed budget for next school year. In addition to being available online, hard copies of the report are also available free of charge at:
- BSD Central Office (150 Colchester Ave.)
- All BSD Schools
- Fletcher Free Library
- Burlington Department of Public Works
- The Miller Center
- Burlington City Hall
“I want to invite the community to dig into this report and celebrate with us,” said BSD Superintendent Obeng. “With a continued focus on our strategic plan initiatives, Burlington School District is on the right track towards addressing and closing the achievement gaps that exist in our District while raising the bar for all students.”
The District’s three strategic plan focus areas are Inclusive Teaching and Learning; Equitable Climate and Culture; and Sustainable Finance and Facilities. In the report, Obeng specifically highlights key work being done to achieve success in these areas:
“In the area of “Sustainable Finance and Facilities,” we operated with a budget surplus for the fifth consecutive year and continued to work towards addressing our capital plan needs. In the area of “Equitable Climate and Culture,” we spent time analyzing our previous year’s climate survey data and began making recommendations to improve relationships and safety in our District. We dedicated the entire year’s professional learning focus in the District to Restorative Practices (RP). Our District Safety Team researched Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) endorsed “Options-based Response Protocols”…
We also added gender-neutral changing facilities at Burlington High School (BHS) and expanded the number of accessible playground options at Sustainability Academy and Flynn Elementary. For our goals under “Inclusive Teaching and Learning,” our Afterschool Program completed a pilot in partnership with UVM to connect English Learners (EL) with UVM students studying cultural and linguistic literacy. We also received an AOE Career Pathways Implementation Grant and founded the Future Planning Lab, a program that provides assistance to our growing number of EL students in the application for college, financial aid, and employment. And we launched “Burlington City and Lake Semester” at BHS, a class held outside the walls of BHS in downtown Burlington, offering hands-on learning within the city. Finally, we successfully implemented the Kansas Coaching Model in all K-8 Schools, and hired our first Achievement Gap Lead and first Data Manager to ensure we are equitably serving all.”
The 2019 Annual Report also offers a look into the District’s demographics (BSD represent 45 different home languages), community partners (more than 60 on the District-level alone), and student support services (serving 723 students with Individualized Education Plans).
Burlington residents will also be pleased to see a detailed summary of the proposed budget for next school year, alongside a multi-year budget comparison dating back to fiscal year 2018, school tax comparison rates for Chittenden County and more. The budget information is published annually to allow Burlington residents to better understand how the District uses their tax dollars in anticipation of Town Meeting Day.
“I hope that Burlington voters can dig into this document and use the information to make an educated and informed decision when then they vote on March 3rd,” said Obeng.
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Join the Journey! Burlington School District (BSD) is a pre-k-12 public school system of about 4,000 students in Burlington, VT. BSD’s mission is to graduate students who: value different cultures, engage with the community, communicate effectively, think creatively, skillfully solve problems, and achieve at their highest academic, intellectual, and personal potential.
Winter Break February 24 to March 3
Mark your calendars! Reminder that there will be no school for students from February 24 through March 3rd. Students return on Wednesday the 4th.
Have a restful break and stay healthy!
BSD Board Approves Proposed FY 21 Budget
Last month, BSD’s School Board unanimously approved a proposed budget for next school year. Entering into our budget planning, we knew that the District’s baseline budget was predicted to go up $3.5 million without adding any new programming. Our projections showed that a budget increase of $3.5 million would have resulted in a 10.5% tax increase. The Board and I knew we needed to bring that tax impact down and we worked closely to do so.
Because of careful financial management over the past five years, we were able to use a $1.3 million surplus to bring the tax impact down to 8.5%. Our District leadership then went line-by-line to identify additional savings and the Board also made suggestions. Ultimately, the Board voted to make more than $1 million of reductions, which allowed us to add a few key investments while still bringing the estimated tax rate increase down to 7.36% for property payers and 3.18% for income payers.
In addition, we have begun to pay back debt associated with our voter-approved capital plan. Thank you for supporting the plan, Burlington, and thank you to everyone who attended our recent Ribbon Cutting on the Edmunds Campus which demonstrates how your tax dollars are being spent in the service of our students.
For a complete budget breakdown, including all additions and reductions, please view our budget presentation or take a look at our proposed budget one-pager.
Don’t forget to vote on March 3rd!
Join the Journey,
Superintendent Obeng
BSD Hires Superintendent Search Firm, Announces Community Input Meetings
District and Search Firm to Hold Community Meetings January 8, 23, and 29
Burlington, VT. The Burlington School District (BSD) Board of School Commissioners is pleased to announce that McPherson & Jacobson, LLC, Executive Recruitment and Development has been selected to assist the Board in the important task of selecting superintendent candidates for the board to interview.
Beginning immediately, the consultants and board commissioners will be meeting with community members to gather input regarding the qualities of the District’s next Superintendent. Three public input meetings have been set, and all are open to any community stakeholders wishing to provide input:
January 8, 2020: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Hunt Middle School
January 23, 2020: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Integrated Arts Academy (Interpretation and Childcare Provided)
January 29, 2020: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Champlain Elementary School (Interpretation and Childcare Provided)
RSVP to the events on Facebook and invite a friend!
During the meeting, attendees can expect to answer a number of questions, including:
- What makes your community a good place to live?
- What makes this a good school district – for students and staff?
- What are the issues that a new superintendent needs to know about as they come into the district?
- What skills, qualities, and characteristics will the new superintendent need in order to be successful?
Answers to those questions will be recorded and displayed on a screen at the meeting in real-time and shared on the school district website afterward. Additionally, candidates for the position will be able to view all of the comments, allowing them to gain a better understanding of the Burlington School District.
Those who cannot attend the meeting are encouraged to take a few minutes to submit answers to these questions via email. Answers can be sent to: superintendentsearch (at) bsdvt (dot) org
These first three input meetings are designed for BSD parents and the greater Burlington community but anyone is welcome to attend. The search firm and Board are also working to schedule additional meetings designed specifically to get input from teachers, students, and administrators; those dates will be shared once they have been confirmed.
McPherson & Jacobson, LLC has been conducting national searches for boards of education since 1991 and is one of the leading national superintendent search firms. They have placed more 750 superintendents and other officials in public and non-profit organizations across the United States.
Refreshments will be provided at all events and the District is working to provide childcare and interpretation services at the January 23 and 29 meetings. Community members with questions and suggestions can contact the Superintendent Search Committee at: superintendentsearch (at) bsdvt (dot) org.
Champlain Elementary Students Perform LIVE with Abenaki Artist and Friend Bryan Blanchette
Champlain Elementary students on the big stage under the bright lights! The elementary school students performed three songs with Vermont Abenaki Artist Bryan Blanchette during matinee performances at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts on December 17 and 18. Among the songs students joined was Blanchette’s new song “Water is Rising,” which students sang in both English and Abenaki!
Check out the video below, and scroll down to learn more about the partnership!
Earlier this year, the Burlington School District made it a priority to teach and learn about Abenaki culture leading up to and through Indigenous People’s Day. BSD worked with several Vermont Abenaki Artists Association members, include Bryan Blanchette and the Abenaki Circle of Courage Youth Group who performed for students in each of the district’s six elementary schools. That involvement created an opportunity for the staff and students at Champlain to work closely with Blanchette.
“There has been a spark of collaborative energy that has carried us to this moment,” said Betsy Greene, music teacher at Champlain Elementary. “The collaboration with Bryan began when he visited our school and graciously translated the lyrics to one of our favorite songs at Champlain. He taught us “N’kottliwi nidôbak,” the Abenaki phrase for “I am with my friend.” From then on, Bryan was connected with our students and our school.”
From there, Blanchette invited students to sing his most recent song “Water Is Rising” in both English and Abenaki at a Champlain Elementary school assembly. That experience went so well that Blanchette invited the students to record the same song with him on his new music album, which in turn led Blanchette to invite the students to perform with him at the Flynn.
“This has been an incredible experience for our students,” said Aziza Malik, a fifth-grade teacher at Champlain whose students have been working with Blanchette. “We work on honoring people’s culture and heritage, learning about and respecting everyone around us, but this is so much more. Byran has given our students a hands-on, real-world learning opportunity and has shown both our staff and our students the importance of indigenous cultures and experiences.”
“This collaboration has led to learning on so many different levels – cultural, environmental, historical, and musical, all integrated with social justice,” Greene and Malik added. “Our students and staff are extremely honored and grateful to Byran for this partnership and learning opportunity.”
During the performance, students wore t-shirts with the phrase “N’dakina,” or “Homeland” in Abenaki, on the front. Malik says the idea to wear special t-shirts came from the District’s work done in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, specifically around the recognition statement that Vermont is the land of the Abenaki people. The t-shirts were designed by Beenanza Designs using the teachings of Abenaki educator Judy Dow centered around culturally significant plants through Abenaki history. The shirts feature the phrase “N’dakina” surrounded by five significant plants to Abenaki culture: corn, beans, and squash (The Three Sisters), as well as paper birch and cedar.
Fall 2020 Kindergarten Registration Now Open
If you have a child turning five on or before September 1, 2020, it is time to register them now for Kindergarten!
Registration can only be done online through the district website. If you do not have access to a computer or need assistance, please stop by your neighborhood school and you will be given access to a computer and help with any questions.
To complete registration, you will need:
1) a copy of the child’s birth certificate or other proof of age
2) a copy of their immunization records
3) proof of residency.
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT KINDERGARTEN AND THE REGISTRATION PROCESS?
Learn about the day in the life of a kindergartener.
Join us at an information session in your community. Hear from kindergarten teachers, talk to our Afterschool team, connect with our Preschool director, and ask questions with the registration team.
- Wednesday 1/15/20 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Flynn Elementary
1645 North Ave, Burlington, VT 05408 - Thursday 1/23/20 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Champlain Elementary
800 Pine St, Burlington, VT 05401 - Wednesday 1/29/20 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the Family Room (in room #4344)
20 Allen St, Burlington, VT 05401 - Wednesday 2/12/20 9:00-10:00 at Ira Allen Pre-School
150 Colchester Ave, Burlington, VT 05401
Visit Our Elementary Schools
To learn more about our schools, join us for a tour! We have several tours and presentations scheduled throughout the District, all geared toward families looking to enroll in the following school year. Please find a day and time below that works for you and call the school to reserve your spot. Don’t see a time that works for you? Call any of our schools to schedule a tour by appointment.
Champlain Elementary:
Thursday, 1/9, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, 1/15, 8:30 a.m.
Thursday, 1/16, 9:00 a.m.
Please call the school at 864-8477 to let us know that you are coming.
C.P. Smith:
Monday, 1/13, 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 1/15, 8:30 a.m.
Friday, 1/24, 9:00 a.m.
Monday, 2/10, 1:00 p.m.
Please call the school at 864-8479 to let us know that you are coming.
Edmunds:
Tuesday, 1/14, 8:15 a.m.
Thursday, 1/23, 5:30 p.m. (Kindergarten “Sneak Peek” Pizza Party)
Monday, 1/27, 4:30 p.m. Friday, 1/31, 11:00 a.m. Friday, 2/7, 2:00 p.m.
Please call the school at 864-8473 to let us know that you are coming.
Integrated Arts Academy (IAA):
Monday, 1/13, 8:15 a.m.
Wednesday, 2/5, 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, 2/6, 5:00 p.m.
Please call the school at 864-8475 to let us know that you are coming.
J.J. Flynn:
Wednesday, 1/8, 8:45 a.m.
Wednesday, 1/22, 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, 2/4, 5:00 p.m.
Monday, 2/17, 9:00 a.m.
Please call the school at 864-8478 to let us know that you are coming.
Sustainability Academy (SA):
Thursday, 1/16, 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday, 2/4, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, 2/11, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 2/19, 5:30 p.m.
Please call the school at 864-8480 to let us know that you are coming.
*Please check school websites for any updates to tour schedules.
Learn More About Our Elementary Schools
Champlain Elementary: Champlain’s mission is to provide opportunities for students to achieve their personal best, become responsible and productive citizens, and embrace lifelong learning. Striving for academic excellence in our caring, diverse learning community represents our highest ideal. Champlain’s faculty, families, and community partners plant and harvest together in our school gardens and cook healthy treats in our classrooms with a mobile kitchen. Our students learn in our forest and outdoor classroom, and especially enjoy our annual fall Harvest Fest and community focused events. Located in the South End of Burlington at 800 Pine Street, Champlain serves approximately 300 students K-5. To learn more about upcoming activities and events, visit champlain.bsdvt.org, where you can read the principal’s blog and Champlain’s Family Handbook. Feel free to contact Principal Joe Resteghini at 864-8477 or jrestegh@bsdvt.org, see also the Champlain Community Facebook page to get a sense of community and read the Blue Notes.
C.P. Smith Elementary: C.P. Smith Elementary School is a Grades K-5 school of approximately 280 students located on Ethan Allen Parkway in Burlington’s New North End. Since 1959, we have worked hard to build a learning community that is respectful, responsible, and safe for all who come through our doors. We offer equal amounts of academic rigor and joy in a wide variety of hands-on learning activities. A focus on science and the environment engages students in learning using the Ethan Allen Woods, the Community Sailing Center, Star Base, Shelburne Museum, and Shelburne Farms and other exciting venues as extended classrooms. C.P. Smith serves a diverse population of students and strives to make sure each one becomes an inquisitive learner and contributing citizen. We engage parents and guardians as vital partners in the education of their children. All are welcome at our Friday Community Meetings from 8:15-8:40. To learn more about upcoming activities and events, visit smith.bsdvt.org or contact Principal Len Phelan at 864-8479 or lphelan@bsdvt.org.
Edmunds Elementary: Recognized as an Exemplar School by the State of Vermont for the fourth consecutive year for our achievements in our climate and academics, we work continuously to provide an exciting and engaging school experience that balances developmental needs with academics. When touring EES, you will encounter happy learners as we work to meet students where they are. We are excited about our research based literacy program that is used around the world that addresses successfully meets the needs of all young children through sound, sight, motion and stories. Walking field trips provide our students with ready access to the Flynn, the Fletcher Free Library, the Echo Science Center, UVM, as well as North Beach, Centennial Park, geological formations along the lake and the city center. Visit our website and come to our Thursday Morning Assemblies from 8:10 to 8:30 to get a feel for EES. To learn more about upcoming activities and events, visit the ees.bsdvt.org or contact Principal Shelley Mathias at 864-8473 or smathias@bsdvt.org
John J. Flynn Elementary: Flynn School is a strong, community-based school where adults, parents and staff consistently focus on meeting the various needs of all students, helping them learn, play and laugh. It is a professional community that partners with a wide range of community organizations to support and enrich student learning. Some examples of our community partnerships include: ECHO Center, VT National Guard Starbase Program, Very Merry Theater, Burlington Community Sailing Center and the Flynn Theater. Located at 1645 North Avenue in the New North End of Burlington, Flynn serves approximately 340 Pre-K through 5th grade students. To learn more about upcoming activities and events, visit flynn.bsdvt.org or contact Principal Lashawn Whitmore-Sells at 864-8478 or lsells@bsdvt.org
Integrated Arts Academy (IAA): The mission of the IAA is to explore academic knowledge through intentional art experiences. Our diverse community collaborates and celebrates the world through meaningful learning and creative self-expression as we prepare students for success in the 21st Century. At this magnet school, students are learning through the lens of the four art forms: movement, drama, music and visual arts. IAA core partners include the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, Burlington City Arts and St. Michael’s College. Located at 6 Archibald Street in the Old North End of Burlington, IAA serves approximately 300 students in grades Pre-K-5. To learn more about upcoming activities and events, visit iaa.bsdvt.org or contact Principal Kevin Robinson at 864-8475 or krobinso@bsdvt.org.
Sustainability Academy (SA): The mission of SA is to educate and empower all students to improve the quality of life for all – economically, socially, and environmentally – now and for future generations. At SA, one of BSD’s two magnet schools, students are learning through the lens of sustainability by exploring our diverse society, our local economy, and the environment. We do this through hands-on, place-based and project-based learning. Education for Sustainability comes to life through SA’s learning environment. We use geothermal energy to heat and cool our building and solar panels to power our school! Additionally, at SA we have a thriving school garden that each of our classes use to cultivate fruits, flowers, and vegetables as a part of our curriculum. SA’s core partner is Shelburne Farms, which hosts all SA students for learning trips each school year. Located at 123 North Street in the Old North End of Burlington, SA serves approximately 180 students in grades Pre-K-5. To learn more about upcoming activities and events, visit sa.bsdvt.org or contact Principal Nina Oropeza at 864-8480 or noropeza@bsdvt.org
“Run, Hide, Fight” Community Forum
During the 2018-2019 school year, our District Safety Team spent time researching the best way to train and prepare our District in the event we should have to deal with the threat of an act of extreme violence on one of our campuses.
This group identified “Run, Hide, Fight”, a program endorsed and supported by the State of Vermont AOE, as the best tool for our district, and presented a plan to our school board in April 2019 to add it to our current safety protocols. Distilled to its simplest, this training teaches that our staff should be prepared to “Run when it’s safe to run. Hide where it’s safe to hide. Fight if you or others around you have no other options.”
For the past few months, we have been working with a team of nationally recognized school-safety specialists on a three-phase, district-wide training plan to implement “Run, Hide, Fight” in BSD.
Part of this plan includes creating a space for parents to learn more from our experts and ask questions. Please join us on December 11th at 6PM at Integrated Arts Academy to engage in this conversation.
Childcare and translation services will be provided. Please send questions to superintendent (at) bsdvt (dot) org
“Run, Hide, Fight” Community Forum
December 11, 6 PM
Integrated Arts Academy
RSVP on our Facebook page.
BSD Statement Regarding September 20th Climate Strike
On Friday, September 20th, students across the nation and right here in Vermont will be participating in a “student strike” to raise awareness about climate change. Burlington School District is working to support students in this activism. Students wishing to participate in the teach-in at Main Street Landing and/or the Burlington youth-organized Climate Change Rally at City Hall Park will have their absences considered excused. (Parents should please call their student’s schools to excuse your child’s absence from school.)
Students who do not wish to participate in the strike will also have a chance to focus on climate change during their school day. Our school leaders have encouraged their teachers to focus on climate change. Several schools have planned age-appropriate activities related to climate change and the events of the day.
At BSD, we believe supporting students and teachers in this advances several facets of the Mission of the Burlington School District to graduate students who: Value different cultures; Engage with the community; Communicate Effectively; Think Creatively; Skillfully solve problems; and Achieve at their highest academic, intellectual, and personal potential. Please join us in supporting and commending our student activist leaders on drawing attention to this important matter and helping to create positive change in the community.
Thank you,
Superintendent Obeng
