Helping Hands

We are now in the middle of our second week of school, and I hope your students (and you!) are off to a great start! So much of the first four to six weeks of the school year are devoted to building community and strong relationships, and you may recall from our Welcome Back video a few weeks ago that our school district's focus for the year is to "support all learners' development through improving relationships and building a sense of belonging." I have three short stories (and two short videos) to share with you all that show how our community is stepping up to help our students feel welcome and successful right out of the gate.
First, I'd like to thank Barre's own Renita Marshall for leading a backpack and clothing drive last month for our students and families impacted by the summer floods. As many of you know, Renita leads the Renita Marshall Helping Hands Foundation and I was able to catch up with her at last week's Concert on Currier Park to listen to her share her story. Check out our brief conversation in this week's School Showcase.
I'd also like to draw your attention to a terrific Vermont Public piece on former Barre City (and current Essex) teacher Laura Pratt and BCEMS teacher Tana Cosgrove. Ms. Pratt wanted to give back to her former school community and she reached out to Ms. Cosgrove to lead a backpack drive for our impacted BCEMS students. Check out the Vermont Public story here: www.vermontpub...
Finally, I want to thank Vermont State Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale and Washington County Representative Kate McCann for working to secure over 100 brand new backpacks loaded with school supplies for our BCEMS and BTMES students courtesy of Burton Snowboards and Outerwear Company! We are now in the middle of getting these backpacks and supplies into the hands of the kids and families that need them.
All three of these stories show a community rising up to help others at both the local and state level. The BUUSD has been overwhelmed with the kindness, care, and generosity from our own community and neighbors across Vermont these last two months! Barre Strong and Vermont Strong!
Thank you for reading and have a great rest of your week!
Chris