
Back To School BBQ and Open House

4th and 5th graders did a wonderful job defining the difference between a disagreement, rude moment, mean moment, bullying behavior, and how we stand up for others! Please enjoy this lengthy yet talented acting video 🙂 We hope you all have an amazing summer break!!
“Which debate is that?” you might ask. Well, actually, it’s lots of different debates. Every week a new question arrives in our school magazine The Week Jr. and is posted on the library bulletin board. Fifth graders are invited to choose a question and offer their opinion with supporting ideas. Here are some of their thoughts on some of these questions so far:
Should we bring back extinct species?
The consensus at this point has been NO. Harper imagined that “Dinosaurs milling around and stomping on things would be very destructive” with Louie echoing a similar concern that “some animals are so dangerous that they could kill people” while Ruby thought we ought to “focus on protecting the endangered animals right now.”
Should we stop singing at movie musicals?
A big YES – as in PLEASE STOP – on this one. Fatima is clear that “it ruins the movie” and Alyce agreed that it is “unfair to the people who paid to hear professional people sing.” She suggested that singers “watch the musical on a streaming service.”
Should pets be allowed on the furniture?
Everyone seems to agree that YES is the answer here. Parker pointed out that this makes it so “you can pet them while watching TV.” Otherwise, Celia argued, “you would have to lay on the cold ground and then that defeats the purpose of having furniture.”
Is it ok to have a messy bedroom?
Ruby argued that “everyone has their own way of knowing where stuff is.” Harper pointed out the importance of feeling a sense of control and “by having the decision if you want a messy or clean room, that is somewhere to feel your control of something.” Bree observed that “most people don’t have motivation to clean and should get robots to clean.” And thinking of robots…
Should robots work in restaurants?
On this question, students were divided. Elliott thought this would provide a “cool experience” but pointed out the robots would need to be “under control.” Snerika argued that robots would be “more efficient” and that “they could be programmed to be told food allergies” but then Celia worried there could be “a malfunction in the robot and they put nuts in a person’s food.”
Stay tuned for updates – or swing by the library to read ALL the responses!
Measles cases are on the rise in the U.S. and worldwide, and the first case in Vermont was reported this week. Measles is one of the most contagious and dangerous viruses – it’s not just a rash! Between 1 and 3 of every 1,000 cases in children are fatal as a result of respiratory and neurologic complications; children younger than five years old are most at risk. The best way to protect your family against serious illness is with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR is safe and effective. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective. Check with your primary care provider to make sure your family is up-to-date, especially if you plan to travel outside of the U.S. Schedule required vaccines today! Learn more at HealthVermont.gov/measles
Congratulations to Maggie DiMasi who was selected as the SHAPE Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award winner for elementary school. Maggie was nominated by one of her colleagues and was selected by a jury of her peers in physical education and health. Maggie will be honored during the SHAPEVT conference next week in Killington.
please feel free to browse our Flynn Food Shelf or by reaching out to your grade level school counselor (Emily Russen, grades 3-5 or Jill Everett, grades K-2). They would be more than happy to put together a box for you! **If you are in need of perishable items such as milk, eggs, cheese, or butter please let your school counselor know as those items are not housed in the Food Shelf.
We know that at times, life throws some barriers and hardship our way. If you and your family are struggling for resources, please browse the following community resources for support. If you need additional support or would like to speak through some options, please reach out to your grade level school counselor (Emily Russen, 3-5 and Jill Everett, K-2). They would love to talk with you.
Housing:
Families, elderly, disabled and single people whose income falls within the income guidelines qualify for this program. After a person applies and is determined eligible, they are placed on a waiting list until funds become available to assist them. When funding becomes available, a certificate or voucher is issued.
A voucher is the written guarantee of VSHA to the tenant or prospective landlord that the voucher holder is eligible for participation in the program. The voucher is used by the holder in locating a house or apartment of his/her choosing. The voucher sets forth the bedroom size the family needs and outlines the family’s obligations under the program and the period of time the family has to locate suitable housing.
VSHA also administers a Project-Based Voucher and Moderate Rehabilitation program. Both of these programs are project specific housing rather than open market. Tenants are selected from the existing waiting list, owners and/or managers determine suitability and VSHA determines eligibility for participation in the program. The subsidy is attached to the UNIT and NOT to the family. Therefore, if a family vacates a Project-Based Voucher or Moderate Rehabilitation unit and still wishes to have a subsidy, they must reapply under a different program.
Shelters:
Food:
Employment:
Additional Resources:
Child Care Resource – To find the application for subsidy, select the “For Families” tab above and then “Helping Pay for Child Care”. The application must be printed.
PTO Corner
DECEMBER PTO MEETING: Thursday, December 5th at 6:30 PM in the Library at school. Free childcare is provided. Our remote link is: https://meet.google.com/srx-jqeb-eoq . Our remote set-up is actually pretty great these days — genuinely feel free to join online!
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Huge thank you to the family volunteers who helped make this year’s play with Very Merry Theatre such a resounding success. So grateful for the contributions of Adam Garcia, Irena Cibra, Cyndi Warwick, Amanda Reid, Kate Taylor, Renee Lavalley, Holly Burbo, Bobbi-Jo Van Guilder, Christine Callahan, Kelly Levis, Stephanie Black, Marijke Kopecky, Maggie Bogosian, James Townsend and Renee Lauber, Genevra MacPhail, Kelly and Chris Mathieu, Emily Copeland and Pete Land, Tessa Valyou, Rob Landry, Diane Bensel and Kenzo An, Lisa Dold, Russell Chou, and countless others we are sure we’re inadvertently missing here!
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As we approach Giving Tuesday, please consider donating to help us fund the catering for the annual Flynn Family Traditions Dinner on January 24 (Save the date!!). In addition to the potluck element we’ve always had, this year’s Family Traditions Dinner will be a feast that includes favorite dishes from local restaurants to help us connect and celebrate as we come together.
The Family Traditions Dinner has a long history at our school. Help make sure we’re all well fed at this year’s event by making a donation today (Venmo: @JJFlynnPTO). https://account.venmo.com/u/jjflynnpto
Last week, fourth grade students celebrated the completion of reading Kate DiCamillo’s chapter book, The Tale of Despereaux by making a Roasted Garlic, Leek, and Watercress soup inspired by the story. In the book, soup symbolizes love, comfort, and community.
The soup the fourth graders made was packed with three different members of the allium family: onions, garlic, and leeks. Alliums have amazing anti-inflammatory properties and make great storage crops. The garlic students used in this recipe was grown in our very own Flynn Elementary School Garden this past summer!
If you have never tried a leek before, once cooked, their raw, sharp flavor becomes mellow and sweet. The locally-grown watercress “contains more Vitamin C than an orange, more calcium than milk, and more iron than spinach” (Green Mountain Harvest).
This soup was loaded with lots of things that make our bodies strong and healthy! This soup can be customized with a variety of toppings/mix-ins, and it can be paired with crusty bread or crackers to make a hearty meal.
Give it a try using this recipe: Roasted Garlic, Leek, and Watercress Soup and see what you think! ☺
Ms. Jen
J.J. Flynn Elementary School
1645 North Avenue
Burlington, VT 05408
Tel: (802) 864-8478
Fax: (802) 864-2145
Cultivating caring, creative and courageous people. Join the journey!