Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Dear BFA Community,

Holiday cheer is still very present at BFA, even if it looks a bit different this year. This last Administrative Blog for 2020 (bring on 2021 asap) showcases some of the more behind the scenes positivity and creativity that in years past would be seen with winter concerts, athletics, and open art displays. It will be well worth your time to watch and listen to the holiday sounds created by our amazingly talented students under the guidance of our dedicated, and creative, educators. BFA continues to connect with our greater community through food distribution, gift-giving, and clothing donations. 

Please see the adjustments to the calendar below as our return from the holiday season now looks slightly different; see Dr. Dirth’s letter for greater details. 

Today’s announcement from the state brings us some additional holiday cheer with the news that winter athletics will be allowed. AD Dan Marlow is working overtime to make this new development work and details are being created as you read this! 

On behalf of everyone at BFA, we wish everyone a happy holiday season. 

Sincerely,

Brett Blanchard

Principal

Photos and More Information

Key upcoming changes: January 4th - No school/ teacher in-service. January 5th - Virtual for all students. January 18th - No school for MLK day. January 19th - Normal school day. January 25th- Semester 2 and new class schedule begins. Please note the 7:30 start time. Attached are 2 documents: January Calendar and S2 Schedule

January Calendar

S2 Schedule

BFA Hybrid Winter Concert:
BFA Chamber Singers perform “Christmas Canon,” arranged by Lon Berry. This piece features three popular, festive, and seasonal tunes which are woven into Pachelbel’s, “Canon in D,” for all to enjoy. This special performance marks the first in-person meeting, performance, and recording by our Chamber Singer ensemble for the 2020-2021 school year. Click here to enjoy: Christmas Canon

BFA String students perform an ensemble and here is a video from the impressionist composer Erik Satie, his beautiful "Gymnopédie No. 3." Originally written for solo piano, Mr. Bushey feels that this piece is a perfect musical impression of that whole era of French painting and music.  

Gymnopédie No. 3

Here are a couple additional pieces for your enjoyment:  

Burst    Joy to the World

Important Yearbook Dates: 

 The yearbook price change will be happening at the end of the month!!  Order yours now!!

 Now until Dec 31, 2020 - yearbook $40

Jan 1, 2021, until March 5th - yearbook $50

Jan 29th, 2021 - Last day to personalize book online

Yearbook Sales Link: http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A08772600

Mercury News:
Olivia Belrose, who is in Mrs. Hebert’s Journalism class, has also been participating in VTDigger's "Underground Project," in which VTDigger works with student journalists on collaborative projects. Olivia recently has her first article published in VTDigger through this project. 
https://vtdigger.org/2020/11/29/remote-learning-four-sides-of-the-story/

Students working with an Architecture on new indoor and outdoor seating.

Adam Ballard receiving a Certificate of Excellence & a Murphy coin.

Wearing the rival team's jersey is definitely one way to do UGLY SWEATER DAY!

Mr. Moulton and Mr. Cioffi

 Interact students making snowflakes & spreading positivity throughout the buildings.

Happy Holidays from the Principal's Office!

Thursday, December 17, 2020 - Update

 Dear BFA Community:

This week’s Student-led Assembly, which will be replayed Monday, was our best one yet.  Between music performances by the BFA String Ensemble kicking off the show and the BFA Band closing it out, students took turns taking the stage to speak on a variety of topics they are passionate about. Zach, the assembly director, gave a health update and welcomed everyone to December’s assembly. Destigmatizing mental health remains an ongoing goal and with the holiday break soon here, Sophia and Molly from Hope Happens Here offered community resources for those struggling; we will continue to work on this throughout the year. Tara spoke on the importance of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance Club, as well as developing a strong community of acceptance in order to see all students benefit. The Marine Corps, and serving one’s country was presented by Lew. As Senior Class President, Thomas had a dual message of keeping faithful with our mask-wearing, while following that up with a holiday spirit video created by the Student Council. Finally, Chris introduced the bold initiative of having some senior class parking on campus and how those interested need to see Mr. Bloom for the paperwork. Nick closed us out with the BFA Band playing a three-piece set of music from Elton John.


Immediately after the assembly, several people spoke about how much they enjoyed the variety of subjects and the manner in which they were presented by the students. A subsequent conversation with Mr. Rider led to an interesting discussion on lessons to be learned from significant events such as war and the current pandemic. While he had already spoken to his students on why they should feel proud of their efforts during this difficult time, and as the years move on, and society moves off from this pandemic, they will be able to reflect on their behavior and hold their heads high (his exact phrasing was likely far better than my encapsulated one). Before I had to abruptly run off to a meeting, Mr. Rider said the simple but powerful statement, We are winning. BFA has remained open throughout this tumultuous time while more than half of the world’s students have been learning virtually and, all too often, in isolation these past nine months. Thanks to 100% of our staff showing up daily, our kids are having at least two days of direct instruction and continuing at least some meaningful school experience. This week’s Student-led Assembly was evidence that BFA and NCTC are winning. We will continue to provide meaningful in-person learning experiences while adhering to the state’s guidelines as we look forward to emerging out of this pandemic and into the vibrant world of fully in-person schooling.

Sincerely,

Brett Blanchard

Principal

Photos and More Information

 St. Alban's Rotary Club Citizens of the Year has been awarded to BFA's Bill Mercier and his wife, Rhonda. Click here to read the article: St. Albans Messenger Article

    Celebrating light in our new connector!

Food collection in-progress.

Spirit Week:

Winner of Winter Teams: Chris Cotignola

Winner of Bells Day: Sarah McElree

Winner of PJ Day: Sophie Thompson

    Murphy's got Holiday Spirit.

Click here to enjoy our December Student-led virtual assembly: Dec 17 Assembly

BFA Student Council put together a Happy Holidays Video to spread joy during the holiday season. Click here to watch the video: Student Council Holiday Video

Important Yearbook Dates:
The yearbook price change will be happening at the end of the month!! Order yours now!!
Now until Dec 31, 2020 - yearbook $40
Jan 1, 2021, until March 5th - yearbook $50
Jan 29th, 2021 - Last day to personalize book online
Yearbook Sales Link: http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A08772600

News from the Math Department:

 Students of the Month of October 

The names are in the same order as the pictures.
Caroline Bliss, Colin Brace, Antonio Burr,
Natalia Cobb, Liliana Foisy, Quincy Fournier,
Alyssa Gerrish, Camden Johnson, Colby Page,
Ada Shookenhuff, Nate Smullen

Students of the Month of November

The names are in the same order as the pictures. 

Noah Allen, Benjamin Briggs, Haley Corey, 

Jenelle Hardy, Marshall Hebert, Corey Jankowski, 

Audrey Kaeding, Dante Nixon, Camden Piper, 

Sam Preston, Zach Ries Not Pictured: Frida Rustad

Semester 2 Schedule and Start Date:
Below, you will find the Semester 2 Student Schedule. Semester 2 starts Monday, January 25th.

PLEASE NOTE: Semester 2 reverts back to the standard 7:30 am start time.

Please make the appropriate arrangements for your student to arrive at 7:15 am for Health Screening.

Friday, December 11, 2020 - Update

Dear BFA Community:

As Mr. Blanchard stated last week, "There is little question that the traditional holiday season will continue to feel very different. There is one common holiday element; however, that will remain more important than ever - the act of giving."  

Here are some of the BFA initiatives:

BFA's Holiday Giving Drive is now accepting non-perishable items for donations. Drop off locations are in our new connector by our attendance monitor, outside of Christine Trombley's office in the North Building, and Ashlie Olio's office in Guidance. Last year, BFA was able to deliver food to 25 families during the holiday break. This year our need has doubled. December 21st will be the cutoff for donations as we need time to prep them for delivery on December 23rd. If you have any questions please contact Ashlie Olio. Thank you for your efforts and thoughtful contributions to this amazing cause!

First-year Human Services student Jordyn Johnson with the help of other program students have used enrichment time to organize our annual December food drive. Through the month of December, we are asking students and staff to donate non-perishable food items including pasta, canned vegetables, rice, cereal, beans, peanut butter, and canned soup. Boxes are located throughout the school including in the main office and tech center lobbies. All donations will be given to the Franklin/Grand Isle Community Action. Last year the Human Services program collected over 200 lbs of food. Our goal this year is to collect 300 lbs.

There are other BFA student-led community giving initiatives underway (see previous Principal Blogs) and others in the works. Please do reach out for any assistance you may need and any assistance you feel you may give. 

Sincerely,
Sara Kattam

Assistant Principal

Photos and More Information

Take-Home Meals - Free for Students:
Call 527-6404 or email Teri Brunelle at tbrunelle@maplerun.org by Dec 14th to reserve food bag(s). Indicate which day for pick up and how many bags are needed. Pick up on Friday, Dec.18th, or Tuesday, Dec. 22nd from 2:00 PM-3:00 PM.

Holiday Spirit Week (December 14th-22nd): How to enter to win: please take a school-appropriate picture and upload it onto the appropriate Google form for each category that will be sent out daily to your email. Every day a winner will be chosen to receive a free Domino’s pizza as a prize!

School pictures are in! Here's Cpl. Koch and Therapy, K9 Murphy. 

What does it mean to be a BFA Bobwhite or Comet?

https://bfamercury.org/3650/features/what-it-means-to-be-a-bobwhite-or-comet/#image

A Message from Mr. Eric Bushey:
The BFA and Maple Run Middle School String Students came together to do this version of Brian Balmage's "Burst!" We recorded it virtually in a program called Soundtrap and ripped audio from another called "Flipgrid." I mixed audio on my Mac and did the video (my first) with Final Cut Pro. Alex Rusty Charpentier and I are very proud of these students!   https://youtu.be/STP-_ErS9Hc

The Green Strings Rehearsal:
The green strings, Rusty Charpentier (MRUSD String Orch. Teacher), and Eric Bushey rehearsed in the connector on December 10th.  Three students - Richard Yueng, Ella Poston, and Lincoln Schweers are great players! 

Hope Happens Here:
Hope Happens Here held their first Mental Health Awareness week by setting up display tables with resources to help start the conversation around Mental Health.

Thursday, December 3, 2020 Update

Dear BFA Community:

There is little question that the traditional holiday season that falls in November and December will continue to feel very different. There is one common holiday element, however, that will remain more important than ever - the act of giving. In the past, I have always felt comfortable speaking on the selfless act of giving but this year has caused me to pause knowing so many in our community are undergoing stress with jobs, kids, and trying to manage the unknown. For those that feel fortunate and/or able to assist during the upcoming holiday season, please do consider how to support the many needing extra attention. At BFA, students and staff have not let Covid driven restrictions hamper our community-centered giving.

The Freshman Student Council is getting students involved in the Holiday Giving Project this year. They are collecting non-perishable food items to deliver to families for the winter break coming up. Last year, this effort served 25 families; this year the need is much greater and we need all the support and help we can get to double that! We will be delivering to families in need on December 23rd.

First-year Human Services student Jordyn Johnson with the help of other program students have used enrichment time to organize our annual December food drive. Through the month of December, we are asking students and staff to donate non-perishable food items including pasta, canned vegetables, rice, cereal, beans, peanut butter, and canned soup. Boxes are located throughout the school including in the main office and tech center lobbies. All donations will be given to the Franklin/Grand Isle Community Action. Last year the Human Services program collected over 200 lbs of food. Our goal this year is to collect 300 lbs.

The Abbey Group is working with The Holiday Giving Project in order to offer bulk food bags (7days of breakfast and lunch). Starting the week of December 7th, you can sign up for meals to take home during Winter Break. Meals will be picked up at BFA North Building next to the cafeteria on December 18th & 22nd from 2:30-3:00 pm. Please contact Teri Brunelle by email at tbrunelle@maplerun.org or call 527-6404 to sign up for the meals. The deadline for signup will be December 14th.

There are other BFA student-led community giving initiatives underway (see previous Principal Blogs), as well as others in the works. Please do reach out for any assistance you may need, and any assistance you feel you may give. Our students and staff continue to help lead the way by supporting the less fortunate and remain dedicated to improving our greater community.

Sincerely,
Brett Blanchard
Brett Blanchard, Principal

Photos and More Information

Reminder:

Now that our new connector is open, drop-off and pick-up is in the front of the connector.

Order BFA Spirit Wear now! This is a limited time logo designed by BFA students. Be a part of our tradition and order now for delivery by the holidays! Stay safe and shop from home. The deadline for ordering in time for the holidays is 12/6.

Online Sale Here

Theater Production of The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon

November Student-lead Assembly

Click here to watch the virtual assembly:  November Assembly

Science labs continue to develop inquiry-driven skills.