Growing Green & Gold Pride BFA: March 2021

Friday, March 26, 2021

Friday, March 26, 2021 Weekly Administrative Update

Dear BFA/NCTC Community:

“Spring: a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be.” Anonymous

Spring is most definitely in the air. Both students and faculty spirits have been lifted by our simple change of seasonal weather over the last couple of weeks. It has been great to see, and we hope the shift in mood and attitude continues to trend in a positive direction. The quote by Anonymous is particularly fitting this year and reminds me of how the BFA community has had to adapt to monumental change that has brought us closer together and continues to push us to appreciate what we have. The change has highlighted our inner resiliency.

Following the newest state guidelines, BFA is in the beginning stages to develop our Proficiency Recovery Plan. Stay tuned for details on how we will provide opportunities for our students to begin the Fall in good academic standing and on track with their needed graduation credits.

As we have watched VT high school athletic teams fall victim to the pandemic over the last couple of weeks, BFA has fared quite well. Our student-athletes along with the rest of our BFA student body have adhered to the health and safety guidelines to battle Covid. After a win against the CVU RedHawks, our Bobwhites were asked to dig deep again and play another game for the D1 Boys Hockey Championship against Essex Highschool to which they came out on top 3-2 for the program’s 20th state title, and the team's second State Championship in as many years. We have also received information from the VPA that the Comets have been crowned the D1 Girls Basketball State Champions! Congratulations Comets! We know that you wanted to play and we commend you for your extraordinary efforts all season!

Important Dates:

Live YouTube Event for Seniors and Families, March 30th at 6 pm

Spring Fling is Wednesday, April 14th. Sign-ups will be coming shortly.

Student Conferences are the week of April 16th. Sign-ups will be opening soon.

In closing this week, thank you for your continued support of our faculty who have come to work every day this year without missing a beat, get outside and enjoy the CHANGE, and please stay healthy.

Sincerely,
Matt Bloom

Dean of Students

This Week's Photos & More

Attention Seniors and Families:

March 30th, 6 p.m.

Informational Live YouTube Session

Re: End of the Year Senior Activities

Link: Senior and Families Session

February Math Students of the Month:

The names are in the same order as the pictures.

Jayden Derosia, Ava Dumont, Hunter Gingras,

Nictie Kalthoff, Joseph Nachaczewski, Madyson Regimbal,

Molly Smith, Tessa Sweeney, Landon Underwood,

Conner Welch, Rachel Willis

News from the Social Studies Department:

Mr. Moore has arranged for Molly Gray, Vermont's Lt. Governor, to speak to his AP US Government and Politics class on Monday, April 12 at 9:00 am. In addition to discussing her constitutional role as Lt. Governor, Ms. Gray will also speak about her experiences running for statewide office. Her experience will further support my students in their understanding of campaigning and the election process, as well as the role parties play in politics.

Classroom Work:

Mr. Brown and Mr. Corrigan's Sugaring Class 3/22/21

Course Selection Day for Next Year Classes:

Comet Basketball:

It was a total team effort for the Comets basketball team when it took on South Burlington during Tuesday’s Division I semifinal game.

Alexis Kittell "Pippa" saved this ball from going out of bounds and while in mid-air made a beautiful pass to Maren who ended up scoring. Gotta be the play of the night!

McGinn led the Comets with 27 points and 10 rebounds!

PRESS RELEASE: The Vermont Principals Association has officially crowned the BFA St. Albans Comets' basketball team as the 2021 D1 state champions after Covid related issues caused a cancellation of the D1 tournament scheduled for Saturday, March 27. Congratulations Comets!! We know you wanted to play and commend you for your efforts all season.

Bobwhite Hockey:

Playoff game against CVU on 3/20/21

Bobwhites are advancing to the finals! Senior Colby Morin scored his first goal in a BFA sweater, and he couldn’t have picked a better time to do it; his goal went on to be the game-winner!

Congratulations to the BFA Bobwhites on their 20th state championship with a 3-2 victory over Essex!

Friday, March 19, 2021

Friday, March 19, 2021, Weekly Administrative Update

We have two letters for you today. The first letter is to students from Mrs. Kattam and the second letter is from Mr. Marlow.

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This message went out to students today:

Dear students,

Is it safe to say that spring has sprung? I’ll be happy to do some spring skiing this weekend, then I’ll be ready to put away the skis and take out the hiking boots! 🥾

Can you believe that you are nearly three-quarters of the way through the school year!? Your resilience, flexibility, and hard work have been astounding. These valuable skills will serve you well in life. Keep it up!

Good to Know:

Course Request information for next year will be given during Advisory on March 23rd for Blue students and March 25th for Green students. ALL students grades 9-11 will get lunch at 11:00 and go directly to Advisory for a course request Zoom call with the guidance department.

Seniors, please wait to get lunch until 11:30.

Q3, PLPs are due by the end of the day on Friday, April 2nd.

You are simply adding to the template you created at the start of the year. Not creating a new document. (Look in your Google Drive!)
Use enrichment and advisory time to complete your PLPs
You need to submit FOUR pieces of evidence (one for each class).
Be sure to share your PLP with your advisor.
If you are new to BFA and/or haven’t started a PLP for this year click here to learn how: PLPs

Quarter 4 starts April 5th.

S2 Progress Reports/Q3 Final Grades will be published on the portal on April 12th at 4 pm.

FTM: Be sure to sign up for Enrichment time on FlexTime Manager!

TIP: Plan ahead! Get into the habit of creating your schedule for the next day/week during Advisory.
Look for the training link from Mr. Atwood in your email.

You must attend your classes and complete your assignments on the in-person days and virtual days. Missing assignments result in 0's. If you are not completing assignments, there is not enough evidence to show proficiency; therefore, credit can not be awarded.

Monitor your own progress: If you are unsure of how to check your progress either on Google Classroom or on PowerSchool, be sure to reach out to your advisor so they can help you. It is important to keep up to date on your assignments and do your best!
Review the Student Handbook to familiarize yourself with school guidelines, including proficiency scoring, Redo and Retake Policy, and attendance expectations.

Go to the Spring Fling on April 14th for some GREEN and GOLD FUN!

Stay Engaged. Stay Focused. Do your Best!

Warmly,

Ms. Kattam

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Hi Everyone,

I received this message recently from Eva Clark, BFA Class of 2013, who is now employed as the Engagement Manager at SOVT.

COVID 19 has certainly had an impact on the fundraising efforts of Special Olympics Vermont and she is reaching out to our BFA Community to help offset some of this negative impact.

If you see fit, your donation would be welcome and appreciated, no gift is too small!! Thanks for your time.

Regards,

Dan Marlow, Athletic Director

"Special Olympics Vermont (SOVT) serves over 2,000 athletes across Vermont! SOVT not only provides athletes opportunities to play sports but also opportunities to receive free health screenings in dentistry, physical therapy, optometry, audiology, and nutrition. Over 80 Vermont schools participate in the Special Olympics' Unified Champion Schools (USC) program, with BFA St. Albans being a nationally recognized UCS Banner School. Eva Clark, 2013 BFA alumnae, works as the Engagement Manager at SOVT. She says the Penguin Plunge is SOVT's largest fundraising event, providing about 40% of their operational budget! This year, SOVT is vulnerable because Covid has changed the way they must conduct the Plunge (it has been remote, with a very limited-capacity in-person Plunge scheduled for March 27th). If you’re interested in making a donation to SOVT's 2021 Penguin Plunge, you can do so here: https://give.specialolympicsvermont.org/fundraiser/3120113

In 2017, BFA St. Albans became one of the first schools in the US to be a nationally recognized Banner School for their outstanding efforts as a Unified Champion School (UCS). BFA received this award by demonstrating a commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 standards of excellence developed by a national panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community. A Special Olympics Unified Champion School has an inclusive school climate and exudes a sense of collaboration, engagement, and respect for all members of the student body and staff. The activities and opportunities provided through the program help to reduce bullying and exclusion, promote healthy activity and interactions, combat stereotypes and stigma, eliminate hurtful language in schools, and engage people in social activities that lead to personal growth.

Thank you for helping spread awareness and for considering a donation to SOVT!"

This Week's Photos & More

Poetry Out Loud: Congratulations to BFA's Poetry Out Loud School Champion, Owen Biniecki. Owen will represent BFA at this year’s Vermont Poetry Out Loud showcase.

Exciting Mercury News: The Mercury has collaborated with The Messenger. Each Friday, The Messenger will be publishing some students' articles from The Mercury in their print edition's school section. Occasionally, these articles will be on their website edition, too. Purchase Friday's copy, check out our students' work, and support The Messenger and Mercury! Here is an example of a recent article from The Mercury that was published in The Messenger: https://www.samessenger.com/schools/bfa-archive-project-aims-to-preserve-school-history/article_885a5d8a-81c6-11eb-a674-8b6bb5d8b8e3.html

Attention Seniors and Families:

Save the Date: March 30th, 6 pm

Informational Live YouTube Session

We will be hosting this session to discuss end-of-year senior activities. Please join us.

Senior Activities Info Session

State Snowboard Competition 2021: The first is of John Delacy doing a boardslide. The second is of Drake Remillard taking off on the GS course. Then, the third is of Violet Lewellen on a rainbow rail.

Comets Playoff Photos:

Caroline Bliss 03/17/21

Sophie Zemianek 03/17/21

It wasn't the way the team wanted to end the season, but it was still another great season for the BFA St. Albans girls hockey team. A big thanks to Coach Cioffi and the team!!

Friday, March 12, 2021

Friday, March 12, 2021, Weekly Administrative Blog

In this week's blog, we are focusing on sharing some important information and amazing student work and photos.

Attention Seniors and Families:

Save the Date: March 30th, 6 pm

Informational Live YouTube Event

Re: End of the Year Senior Activities

Main Street Graphics is thinking of our 2021 graduates 🎓

Click on the link if you would like to order your senior a personalized lawn sign.
BFASeniorsLawnSigns

Classroom Work:

Mrs. Tourville's Sophomore class working on building vocabulary.

Unified theater writing monologues.

#filltheseats

A special shout out & thank you to all the 2021 Comet & Bobwhite Seniors!

Big Shout Out to Dino.
Thanks for your help!

Senior Sports Nights:

The Comets and Bobwhites honored their seniors this week!

Chiara Skeels, Grace Augostino, and Macie Boissonneault.

Christian Vallee, Nathan Benoit, and Colby Morin.

Case Ballard, Jake Reynolds, Peter Jolley, and Colin Jolley.

Caitlyn Dasaro, Bethany Sanders, Mackenzie Moore, Maren McGinn, Iris Burns, and Anniah Wright.

Cross Country Ski Teams:

The BFA boys and girls cross country ski teams waxed up their skis to compete in the Nordic State Championships this week in tough snow conditions for both the classic and skate events. BFA ended the two-day event with several top 10 individual finishes.

Upcoming Important Dates:

March 26th Teacher In-service (No Class)
April 2nd Q3 ends
April 5th Q4 begins
April 12th Q4 Scores and S2 progress reports live on portal 4pm
April 12-16 Virtual Conference week
April 14th Spring Fling - No Classes

April 16th No Classes
April 19-23 Spring Break!!!

BFA Athletics:
Anyone interested in playing a spring sport: tennis, lacrosse, baseball, softball, and Track & Field please sign up now on the BFA Athletic Web Page: See the link below and sign up in the next two weeks. https://app.formreleaf.com/organizations/bellows-free-academy

THANKS, Mr. Marlow

Friday, March 5, 2021

Friday, March 5, 2021, Administrative Blog

Dear BFA/NCTC Community:

It is hard to believe it is already March and no one with whom I have spoken thought that we would still be operating in a pandemic one full year later. On behalf of BFA and NCTC, I would like to thank the community for showing such solid support for our work by voting to pass the school budget. While we continue to collaborate on our district’s recovery plan, all of us at BFA and NCTC are committed to seeing our end-of-year activities and traditions remain in place, as much as possible. Along with staff, students and parents, we will be examining ways to improve senior year-end events while maintaining those traditions that have made the senior year extra special. With that in mind, senior parents will soon be receiving an invite to join a virtual meeting to discuss senior activities.

As we plan to continue our weekly newsletter, we would like your feedback on what information you would like communicated. As we would love to hear from you, please email Ms. Callan your thoughts at tcallan@maplerun.org. It would be helpful to know what you would like to see stay, removed, or added to our weekly newsletter.

Have a great weekend.

Sincerely,

Brett Blanchard

Principal

PHOTOS AND MORE INFORMATION

MRUSD Dr. Joelle van Lent Family Presentation

March 16, 2021 6:00pm

There is hope on the horizon and yet we remain very much in the midst of coping with the stress of the pandemic. Join us for a conversation with Dr. Joelle van Lent focused on the well-being of our children and ourselves as we continue to navigate this unique school year. Joelle will offer insights and strategies related to coping with ambiguous loss, rebalancing routines, and self-compassion.

The Maple Run Unified School District will be holding another Dr. Joelle van Lent family presentation. This will be March 16, 2021, at 6:00pm. Please use this link to request an invitation.

Math Dept. News:

January Math Students of the Month

The names are in the same order as the pictures.
Brilee Bourgeois, Carly Charron, Anthony Dou,
Maren McGinn, Cadence Ovitt, Travis Parah,
Daniella Reardon, Destiny Smith, Sophie Thompson,
Colin Tourville, Sophia Williams

Junior Class Fundraiser: #filltheseats Become A Face In The Crowd At BFA Games

Cardboard Cut-Outs With Your Picture on It or You and A Friend etc.

SHOW YOUR BFA SPIRIT, WEAR GREEN AND GOLD

Cost: $5.00 (cash or checks made out to BFA Athletics)

Who can participate: students and/or parents

Next Tuesday 3/9 & Thursday 3/11 during enrichment students can come to the gym and have their picture taken for a cardboard cut-out that will be placed in the crowd at BFA events.

Parents are more than welcome to send in pictures of themselves to participate in this event.

Pictures can be sent to: slefebvre@maplerun.

DEADLINE FOR ALL PICTURES IS FRIDAY 3/12

Looking forward to seeing your BFA faces in the crowd!

Lefebvre, Dakota Wry and Brouillette

A Huge shout out to Pete Symula for willing to help in this process.

Mercury News:
Here is the digital edition of our special print edition of The Mercury, which is available in print at BFA (desk at connector/main office/principal's office/guidance office/tech center office) and Hometown. Some copies will also be provided to our sending schools. Thank you to Dino Patsouris at NCTC for helping with the production of this publication, and Joyce Kemp and the County Courier for making the publication possible! Also, thank you to local advertisers who placed ads in our publication!

Yearbook News:

Two IMPORTANT notes regarding the yearbook:
#1 - ABSOLUTE LAST DAY TO PRE-ORDER A YEARBOOK ---FRIDAY MARCH 5, 2021. NO EXCEPTIONS. After this date- you are NOT guaranteed a book. We will have a limited few extras, but once they are gone they are gone. We cannot order more. If you want to make sure that you get a copy of this year’s yearbook- click the following link. Price is $50. Yearbook Sales Link: http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A08772600

#2 - SUBMIT PHOTOS! We would like to have the option to include extra photos that you have squirreled away in your phone from this school year.

We are looking school appropriate photos for:

...siblings/cousins/family where everyone in the photo is a current BFA student.

...winter activities (snowboarding, skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, pond hockey, etc)

...spring activities (tapping/sugaring, outside of school archery, four wheeling, working on a farm, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, etc)

Please send photos with activities, location and students identified to jparent@maplerun.org

Theater News:

Theater students filming their original piece "ICEolation".