Dear Academy Families and Friends,

Happy (almost) spring!

It is so exciting to see the daylight lengthen and the snow begin to melt.  I’m sure are all looking forward to spending even more time outside as the temperatures start to get warmer.  As a native Vermonter, I have grown to love each season for what it offers and I have learned that there is no such thing as bad weather- just bad clothing for it.  We have been so fortunate here at Academy to continue to work toward purchasing gear and equipment to be used during all seasons by our students.

This winter, we were able to spend a lot of time outside doing different activities during what we’ve called “GO Time.”  GO stands for “Get Outside.”  Instead of a traditional winter sports model, which wasn’t possible due to Covid restrictions, we kept almost all activities on campus, with the exception of skiing/ snowboarding at Memorial Park for Grades 4-6.  I’d like to extend a huge thank you to Brooke and Cory Frehsee for coordinating the ski hill, along with the many parent volunteers who took the time to come over and help instruct, pull down the T-bar, and offer support to our students.

We are also very grateful for the community partnerships which allowed us to use snowshoes from the Brooks Memorial Library, and cross country skis, boots, and snowshoes from the Brattleboro Outing Club.  We also received poles as a donation from the BOC!  Emily Hartz from Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center (BEEC) came and did outdoor workshops with students to identify animal tracks and to talk about what animals do in winter. Additionally, students were able to hike and sled on our fields and in the forest, and our Garden Coordinator, Kathy Cassin, supported many classrooms in building fires and cooking over our fire pits.  Gordini donated almost 400 pairs of mittens and gloves, and donations from various community partners allowed us to purchase boots, coats and snow pants for students who needed them.  The best part of GO Time is that students in all grades K-6 were able to be involved.  This is a model that we plan to hang on to and build upon in the future!

As we move into spring and toward the end of one of the most unique school years in history, we will continue talking about how to keep engaging with one another as a school community.  As we receive more guidance about gathering, we’ll be able to plan what the milestone events such as Sixth Grade Graduation look like.  Thank you for your great ideas and feedback thus far!  

Have a wonderful weekend, and don’t forget to set your clocks back!

Kelly

Sarah's 6th grade class is pondering the big question of "How are working conditions in today's Vermont dairy industry different than the working conditions of the second industrial revolution?" Of course, we had to start answering that question by learning about dairy and making cheese! We added vinegar, salt, and rosemary to milk to make Farmer's Cheese. Yum!

Here is a picture of our 6th grade contest winner Lizzie E wearing her own design of Space Soxy! 

Lizzie hanging out with Soxy, her inspiration behind her winning design.

Here are some pictures of Laura Casey's First Grade class cross country skiing!

Check out all the fun the kids have in P.E. class with Kim.

Mrs. Walior's first graders got to celebrate their February Reading Challenge with a treat in the woods. 

Family Engagement Corner-Jody Mattulke

Name it to Tame it (D. Melnick)

Although our brains frequently transport us to happy memories often through our senses (smells, taste…) or special calendar dates we celebrate, our brains can also take us to upsetting memories. Our brains have a powerful way of making associations to help us navigate the world around us. The associations our brains make surrounding painful events can remind us of times in our life that we might not want to remember. We are approaching the one year anniversary of the arrival of Covid 19.

Experiencing increased stress and distress around the time of the anniversary of a traumatic event is common and is known as an "anniversary reaction." Not everyone experiences them. If you do notice your children showing more anxiety, sadness or upset; try talking to them about their feelings.

Other things that can help us and our children cope with an anniversary reaction include;

• ·       Remember that anniversary reactions don’t last forever. Lean into coping strategies, do things that bring joy, comfort, rest, and help us feel safe in the world around us.
• While our amazing brains try to sort through and process what that anniversary means for us, it is important to be kind with our bodies and minds. Journal, talk, walk, play, cook, and listen.
•  Minimize or limit watching the news, and engaging in social media. Be aware of how your body and mind is reacting to the quantity of news you engage in.
• When we or our children experience anniversary reactions, our brains and body deserve the space to work with and through these feelings. 

On a positive note, the anniversary of an upsetting event can provide an opportunity for emotional healing by recognizing, acknowledging, and paying attention to the feelings and issues that surface during our anniversary reaction. These feelings and issues can help  develop perspective on the event and figure out where it fits in our hearts, minds, and lives.

(NY Dept. of Health and Psychology Today contributed to this article)

Fun times with Ellen, Brenda and Julia in Kindergarten.

Second graders in Liz Casarella’s class planted seeds in pots. They made carrot and beet kabobs to roast over the fire. They drizzled some warm maple syrup over the roasted vegetables for a sweet snack!.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST EPISODE OF NEBULA NEWS. YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS IT! Click on the picture below to check it out.