Welcome
to
John
J.
Flynn
School
!
1645 North Avenue, Burlington, VT 05408
Dear Flynn Community
As we fast approach the first year of Flynn's two-year construction project, we have been busy planning the numerous details to make this transition as smooth as possible for all. That said, we do recognize that this project will create many changes in the routines of Flynn families and staff.
The following information is what was shared with 40 parents/guardians at the April informational meeting. Phase One of the construction will begin on June 12. In order to guarantee a timely start to the 2012-13 school year, the last day of school this year for Flynn students is Monday, June 11. The last two Flynn days will be half-days with students dismissed at 11:30 on Friday, June 8 and Monday, June 11. The BurlingtonKids after school program will end their year with students on Friday, June 8. Like in past years, come watch our traditional parade out the playground door on June 11 at 11:30 honoring the students and staff who are leaving Flynn.
The 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will begin the 2012-13 school year at St. Joseph's School on Allen St. near the Sustainability Academy / Barnes. All students will start and end the day at Flynn School, where breakfast will still be available for all students at the regular time of 7:50. Grade 3, 4 and 5 students will be transported to St. Joe's by school buses with Flynn staff aboard and will leave Flynn each morning immediately after attendance is taken. Students who arrive on time for school will have transportation provided to the St. Joe's campus with the bus company contracted by BSD (that bid process closes in May). However, students arriving late will not have school-provided transportation. Students will return by buses at 2:45.
All kindergartners, first and second graders will spend the entire 2012-13 school year at Flynn School. We anticipate that the grade 3-5 students will be back in their newly reconstructed Flynn classrooms in January, 2013.
We will have an information night and tour for parents/guardians of next year's grade 3, 4 and 5 students at the St. Joe's campus on Allen St. at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, May 30. Flynn School will have use of 14 classrooms and offices on the main and top floors of the school plus use of the gymnasium for PE classes, the cafeteria and the playground. Lunch will be served to students with some of our Flynn kitchen staff following the same menu that K-2 students will be eating at Flynn School.
Like when the Sustainability Academy used the St. Joe's campus when their building was under construction, it is a three story, mixed-used building with other educational and social service organizations on the bottom and top floors. Flynn students will only use the bottom floor for lunch. The Flynn office is on the middle floor next to the stairs and we are the only organization on that floor. We also have two hallways on the top floor where a hall monitor will be stationed during the student day. Both buildings will be fully staffed with administration, guidance, nursing and custodial personnel. Like we currently do now, students will be accompanied by a teacher when they move between classrooms for art, music, Spanish etc.
The BurlingtonKids after school program will be available for K- grade 5 students at the start of the year and like now, the program will take place at Flynn School.
For 2012-13 all Burlington elementary schools will start at 8:10 am and the student day will end at 2:45 pm, 15 minutes later than this year. This change was announced a few weeks ago and follows a similar extension a few years ago to the middle school student day in an effort to provide more instructional time for Burlington students.
Summer construction will begin with the removal and replacement of the roof deck on the upper elementary and Kindergarten wings of the building. This roof deck was built in the 1950's and contains asbestos. The school district has hired a licensed asbestos abatement company who, working with the VT Dept. of Health, will follow the codes, laws and procedures for the safe removal and replacement of the roof during the first 8 weeks of construction. All asbestos will be removed before students return from summer vacation.
Lastly, we look forward to seeing Flynn Families on Thursday, May 24 at Hunt School at 6:30 for the annual Spring Concert featuring the singing and musical talents of all of our students. Also on May 24, at 8:15 am we will have another Coffee with the Principal. There was a nice turnout for the April gathering and I look forward to having another informal conversation with guardians and parents.
Thank you,
Graham Clarke.
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