Tuesday, June 30, 2020

2020 Fall Athletic registration

Hi Everyone,

I hope this email finds you ALL HEALTHY AND SAFE!!   

The Athletic Department has opened the 2020 Fall Athletic team registration.   This message is meant to ease the anxiety of returning to school and a new registration procedure.    

I appreciate that there are more questions than answers at this point as we prepare for the start of your new BFA season.   More information will be coming as soon as we receive the direction from the State Department of Education and the Vermont Principals' Association. 

I appreciate your patience as we all move forward.  Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

The only information we have regarding the start of the Fall season is that we will not start preseason until the end of August or the first week in September.   Additional information will be coming shortly.   

The following information is for registration purposes only.  We hope to see everyone soon!!

Mr. Marlow
Director of Athletics

Online Registration for Fall Sports Begins June 29 thru August 26, 2020

Please go to the Maple Run Website: www. maplerun.org
Proceed to the Campuses tab in the upper right corner and click on Bellows Free Academy. 
On the BFA Website look at the upper left corner and click on Menu.  
Click on Athletics WebSite on the second line from the bottom.

On the left side of the Athletic Website under Athletic Links click on the last item: Online Registration.

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

BFA Interact had a busy spring supporting the community through the quarantine and pandemic.

Senior citizens are an important part of the millions of volunteer hours in this country. With most seniors quarantined at home, our students stepped-up to fill their shoes.
It is an honor to work with the next generation of community builders.
In partnering with the Rotary and city officials, BFA Interact has been able to:
1. Support 3 Blood drives at City Hall with a fourth planned on July 2.
2. Support an online donation campaign for the Franklin County Food Shelf which met their $10,000 donation goal.
3. Weed the community edible garden at Houghton Park
4. Volunteer at Green Up Day
5. Planned and Implemented an annual flower give away to seniors during senior hours at Hannaford Foods, St. Albans.
Stephanie Hodgeman
BFA Guidance Dept.



Join us in congratulating BFA’s retirees! @ Bellows Free Academy, St. Albans

Important Update from BFA Band and Chorus

We want to make sure everyone in the community knows that our performing arts ensemble classes such as Band and Chorus are still happening this Fall.
Mr. Bushey and Mr. Messier are dedicated to adapting and creating new performance and learning opportunities for all. Mr. Bushey was interviewed in today’s Burlington Free Press Article on the ever-changing guidelines for schools. Please click on the link to review.

A message and video from dance teacher Alexis Kamitses.

Today (last day of school) feels like a milestone, a great achievement by all, so I thought it fitting to share this dance video that I made with my students. I wanted to create something fun and uplifting for them, and I encountered this Elton John song "I'm Still Standing" through the many COVID playlists that were circulating
Here is the link to the dance video I made for my students as a part of an at-home choreography project we did in class. It is inspired by the original music video "I'm Still Standing" in addition to Rocky Balboa's famous Philadelphia Museum of Art stair scene. Families were invited to participate and the goal was to foster a little fun at the same time as experimenting with trying to teach and choreograph virtually. I hope it brings a smile as that was the goal!

Monday, June 22, 2020

Important Update from BFA Band and Chorus

We want to make sure everyone in the community knows that our performing arts ensemble classes such as Band and Chorus are still happening this Fall. Mr. Bushey and Mr. Messier are dedicated to adapting and creating new performance and learning opportunities for all. Mr. Bushey was interviewed in today’s Burlington Free Press Article on the ever-changing guidelines for schools. Please click on the link to review.

Thursday, June 18, 2020

Special Announcement

BFAs 2020 Teacher of the Year is ...
Bert Berthiaume!!
Please join us in congratulating Bert!

Final grade info


All final grades will be available to view in PowerSchool on June 26th at 4 pm.

Monday, June 15, 2020

Reminders

Grades 9-11 Collection Day - Monday, June 15th from 1 - 7 p.m.  
Return Chromebooks, library books, textbooks, etc., through designated cafeteria windows BFA North Building.

Grades 9-11 Yearbook Pick Up - Tuesday, June 16th at the Collins Perley Sports Center from 4-7 p.m.  This will be a drive-through event.  Please stay in your car and pick up via the Southside rink door.  

4 - 5 p.m. Grade 11
5 - 6 p.m. Grade 10
6 - 7 p.m. Grade 9

Friday, June 12, 2020

Grade 9 - 11 Info

Dear students and families,

We are finishing our work on student schedules for next year.  Schedules will be available for viewing through PowerSchool by the end of the day Monday.  An Email will be sent to the students' Maple Run email as soon as they are available.

Paper schedules will be mailed with report cards in the next two weeks.  Counselors are available through email to make scheduling adjustments.

Please note that Monday, June 15th is the day for underclassman collection of Chromebooks, books, etc. Please return these items to BFA North cafeteria windows between 1 and 7 pm.

This would also be a great time to make an appointment with jturner@maplerun.org to pick up your locker contents on Monday, June 15th as well.

Graduation Video Link

Happy Friday!

The graduation production can be viewed tomorrow, Saturday, June 13, 2020, at 11 am on Northwest Access TV, Comcast Channel 1079 or YouTube.

Here is the YouTube link for the graduation ceremony. 


Congratulations Seniors!!

Thursday, June 11, 2020

Senior Distribution Event Friday, June 12th, 1 - 7 pm

We will have another senior distribution event on Friday, June 12th, 1 - 7 pm out of the BFA cafeteria windows (North Building, 4 Academy Drive). 

This event is to distribute any awards, certificates, correspondence that we may have for seniors since our various awards ceremonies were conducted virtually (Virtual Sports Ceremony, Virtual Academic Ceremony, and Graduation Ceremony).  We look forward to seeing you.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at 527-6400 or tcallan@maplerun.org.

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Sneak peak - Senior Slide Show

Here is the link to the Senior Slide Show that will be displayed during graduation.


If you have any questions regarding the slideshow, please email Alisa Aylward (aaylward@maplerun.org).

Monday, June 8, 2020

Graduation Expectations

Dear Seniors and Families:

This year’s commencement will be 2-part graduation.  The music and the speeches will be recorded before the awarding of the diplomas from June 9th to the 11th.   
On June 13th at 11 am on St. Albans Channel 15, Comcast Channel 1079, and Youtube, we will broadcast the entire graduation ceremony.

On June 9th - 11th, BFA will distribute the diplomas at Collins Perley Sports Complex during a pre-assigned timeslot.  Each time slot will have ten senior families assigned in alphabetically order.  Each senior will be allowed to bring four family members. Everyone must always wear a mask and remain socially distanced in their family group.  We highly suggest that seniors ride to the Complex in the same car as your family. 

All employees of Maple Run will be screened before entering the facility, in the same manner as entering the workplace, will wear masks and gloves, along with frequent handwashing, reminders not to touch their face, along with constant sanitizing of their workplace, objects, and surfaces.   

Upon the senior’s arrival at the Complex in their cars, they will follow the parking direction provided by the staff and signs will remind families to stay in their vehicles until they hear their name announced over the public address system.  Once the senior’s name is called, they will be directed to enter the south end of the Complex through the garage door to the rink.

Upon entering the rink, Maple Run staff (protected by plastic glass) will log in the senior and family.  Each person must answer the following questions at the registration desk:
·         Have you in the past 21 days, or are you experiencing cold symptoms?
·         Do you have shortness of breath?
·         Have you had contact with a suspected or known person with COVID-19?
·         Do you have a fever?  If we have received a remote thermometer, we will use it to check temperatures.
Any affirmative answers to these questions will disqualify a senior from receiving their diploma in person and will be asked to leave immediately.
Each family will be assigned a location (taped square on the floor at least ten feet from another group) to line up in the ice rink and wait for their opportunity to receive their diploma.  Staff will be present to help families find their location, guide the group, and keep people from congregating.
Once the group is assembled in the rink, they will remain at least ten feet apart as they travel to the tennis courts where they will stay in their family groups (taped square on the floor at least ten feet from another group).  The first family group will stage approximately 20 feet in front of the stage, where the four family members will move to the center stage area to prepare to take a photo, while their senior will wait at the bottom stairs.  The senior will walk up the stairs and stand in the box at stage left.  As their name is read, they will walk across the stage, pick up their diploma (in a plastic bag) off a music stand and give an air handshake to the Superintendent and Chair of the Board.  At the bottom of the stairs on stage right, the senior will be reunited with their family.  As seniors progress, each family will move up one taped box on the floor to keep their place in line. 
At the end of the five tennis courts, there would be a photographer (at least 10 feet away) to take a family photo.  If more than one family is waiting, taped boxes will be on the floor to keep families socially distanced.  After the family portrait, families will be ushered out the north side of the Complex and will return to your vehicles as quickly as possible.  The St. Albans Police and Maple Run staff will be outside the building to guide you to your cars and ask them to leave the property as quickly as possible.
Notes on the work between the groups
·         Each group will stage every 30 minutes.
·         All surfaces will be cleaned between each group in the rink and the tennis courts.
·         The music stand will be cleaned between each senior.
·         The stage and stair railings will be wiped down between each group.
·         Breaks will be building in for the staff.
Notes about the organization of the three days and groupings
·         The awarding of diplomas will be on Tuesday, June 9th, 10th, and 11th from 5 to 9 pm.
·         Each group will have ten families and start on the half-hour.
·         Currently, we have 211 seniors.
Notes on recording the award of diplomas
·         One video technician will be there to run three cameras to capture all the video.
·         Each camera will be mounted on a tripod.
·         The audio will be gathered from one person standing at the podium at least 10 feet from any individual.  This individual will have to be unmasked to record a clear 
        reading of the graduate’s name.

BFA's Virtual Academic Award Ceremony Monday, June 8th 7 pm

Don't forget to watch this evening's Virtual Academic Awards Ceremony at 7 pm.

You can watch it on Northwest Access TV, Comcast Channel 1079, or YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uRCARTukwA

A Tribute to the BFA Class of 2020 Senior Athletes


Once a Bobwhite/Comet Always A Bobwhite/Comet.

Saturday, June 6, 2020

Link for Virtual Sports and Academic Ceremonies

Good evening everyone,

Paul Snyder from Northwest Access TV has provided us with the following YouTube links for the BFA Athletic and Academic Award Ceremonies. Both are set to premiere on separate days at 7 pm.

BFA Athletic Awards Link (Sunday at 7 pm)

BFA Academic Awards Link (Monday at 7 pm)

With this set up on the YouTube Channel, viewers will only be able to watch the video in real-time (no fast-forwarding), be able to comment along with other viewers, and pause if they so choose. 

Friday, June 5, 2020

Dates to know

Thursday, June 4th: 
  • Live Youtube Event: Graduation Rehearsal, Yearbook Dedication, and presentation of the senior gift. 
Friday, June 5th: 
  • INC Robocall to Seniors
  • Cap and gown 4-8:00
Sunday, June 7th:
  • Virtual Sports Ceremony 7:00
Monday, June 8th: 
  • INC Robocall to 9-11
  • Senior Materials collection 1-7:00
  • Virtual Awards and Scholarship ceremony 7:00
Tuesday, June 9th: 
  • Senior assignments due at 8:00 am. 
  • Report changes to Admin by noon.
  • Graduation 5-9:00
Wednesday, June 10th: 
  • Senior grades are due by 4 pm.
  • Graduation 5-9:00
Thursday, June 11th:
  • Graduation 5-9:00
Friday, June 12th:
  • INC Robocall 9-11
  • Certificates and awards collection 1-7:00
Saturday, June 13th:
  • Broadcast Graduation 11:00 am
Monday, June 15th:
  • Last school day
  • Assignments due 9-11
  • Underclassmen material collection (time TBD)
Tuesday 16th:
  • Professional Development 8-3:00
  • Underclassmen Yearbook pickup at complex 4-7:00
Wednesday 17th:
  • Professional Development 8-3:00
Thursday 18th:
  • Professional Development 8-1:00
  • End of year staff celebration 1-3:00
Monday, June 22nd: 
  • 9-11 Grades due in Powerschool at 8 am.

Thursday, June 4, 2020

Link for Live YouTube Event June 4, 2020 6 pm

Please join us this evening for a Live YouTube Event at 6 pm. 

Re.: Graduation Rehearsal, Yearbook Dedication, and presentation of Senior Gift.

Here is the link: 

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Graduation Update

June 3, 2020

Dear Seniors and families:

Last week the Agency of Education came out with a revision of their guidance for graduation.  They have given schools more flexibility on how they conduct graduation as long as everyone remains safe and social distancing is kept in tack and there are not groups greater than 25 and family groups need to be at least 6 feet apart.  On Tuesday afternoon, we performed a walkthrough of Collins Perley to determine the details of the awarding of diplomas and how we will space out the families, meet the requirements and determine if we can have more family members attend the ceremony next week. 

After careful consideration of safety and spacing requirements, we feel that we can safely space out the senior group with up to four family members as we award diplomas over three nights next week.  We will keep with the schedule sent out last week for seniors to receive their diplomas (see the schedule at the end of this communication).  Please make sure that you arrive at your scheduled time as it will take time to have everyone cleared to enter the Complex and line-up to receive their diploma.  One of our school nurses will ask each person that enters the Complex medical questions and we will log everyone's contact information.

If you are sick or do not feel comfortable attending the ceremony, please contact Theresa Callan at 527-6400 or tcallan@maplerun.org and we will make other arrangements. 

Sincerely,

Bill Kimball
Interim Principal

==========l
Graduation - Walkthrough and Diploma Receipt
Date & Time
 Tuesday, June 9th
5 - 5:30 pm Adamczak - Baker
5:30 - 6 pm Bates - Bessette
6 - 6:30 pm Biggs - Branon
6:30 - 7 pm Brooks - Casey
7 - 7:30 pm Cave - Courtois
7:30 - 8 pm Cronin - DesLauriers
8 - 8:30 pm Desotell - Dunn
 Wednesday, June 10th
5 - 5:30 pm Dunne - Gagne
5:30 - 6 pm Gamache - Hamblett
6 - 6:30 pm Harding - Hayden
6:30 - 7 pm Hayes - Irwin
7 - 7:30 pm Jaycox - Laberge
7:30 - 8 pm Lambert - Livingston
8 - 8:30 pm Lockerby - McAllister
 Thursday, June 11th
5 - 5:30 pm McKenzie - Newhall
5:30 - 6 pm Notingor -  Pietras
6 - 6:30 pm Piotrowski - Root
6:30 - 7 pm Rouleau - Smith
7 - 7:30 pm Sparrow - Thibault
7:30 - 8 pm Torbert - Weinstein
8 - 8:30 pm Weishaar - Zorn