Our 3rd graders recently spent an exciting day at Prouty Beach participating in the Youth Discovery Program hosted by NorthWoods and the Memphremagog Watershed Association (MWA)!
Through hands-on activities and outdoor exploration, students learned what a watershed is and discovered how water from our local streams and rivers flows into Lake Memphremagog before eventually making its way north to the Atlantic Ocean.
Students hiked along the shoreline, observing birds, aquatic critters, and native plants while learning how healthy shoreline vegetation helps protect water quality and provides important habitat for wildlife.
One of the highlights of the day was collecting and releasing macroinvertebrates—animals without backbones that can be seen with the naked eye, including insects, crustaceans, mollusks, spiders, and worms. These tiny creatures help scientists understand the health of aquatic ecosystems.
By the end of the day, students gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of maintaining healthy, diverse shorelands and protecting the natural resources that make our region so special. 🌎💧🦋🐟
Thank you to NorthWoods and the Memphremagog Watershed Association. For more information: https://memphremagogwatershedassociation.com/education-and-outreach/
Through hands-on activities and outdoor exploration, students learned what a watershed is and discovered how water from our local streams and rivers flows into Lake Memphremagog before eventually making its way north to the Atlantic Ocean.
Students hiked along the shoreline, observing birds, aquatic critters, and native plants while learning how healthy shoreline vegetation helps protect water quality and provides important habitat for wildlife.
One of the highlights of the day was collecting and releasing macroinvertebrates—animals without backbones that can be seen with the naked eye, including insects, crustaceans, mollusks, spiders, and worms. These tiny creatures help scientists understand the health of aquatic ecosystems.
By the end of the day, students gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of maintaining healthy, diverse shorelands and protecting the natural resources that make our region so special. 🌎💧🦋🐟
Thank you to NorthWoods and the Memphremagog Watershed Association. For more information: https://memphremagogwatershedassociation.com/education-and-outreach/
Our 3rd and 4th grade Barton Tigers enjoyed an amazing day of hands-on learning at the Old Stone House! Students spent the entire day exploring a variety of engaging workshops and activities, including Sheepmania, Blacksmithing, Museum Tours, Pond Studies, Stones & Bones, Bees & Beekeeping, and much more.
From discovering local history and science to learning traditional trades and environmental stewardship, every activity provided unique opportunities for curiosity, exploration, and learning. A huge thank you to the staff and volunteers at the Old Stone House for creating such a memorable and educational experience for our students!
From discovering local history and science to learning traditional trades and environmental stewardship, every activity provided unique opportunities for curiosity, exploration, and learning. A huge thank you to the staff and volunteers at the Old Stone House for creating such a memorable and educational experience for our students!
A special thank you to Susan Taylor and the Dailey Memorial Library for generously providing books for our first grade students to enjoy.
⭐Colleague of the Week⭐
This week, we would like to recognize our After School and Summer Program Site Coordinator, Angie Rutherford. Thank you, Angie, for the dedication and care you put into planning engaging experiences for our students. We appreciate your strong partnership with our school and families, as well as your commitment to supporting student success beyond the school day. We are also grateful for your active involvement as a member of the Barton-Glover Parent-Teacher Committee. Thank you for all you do for our students, families, and school community!
This week, we would like to recognize our After School and Summer Program Site Coordinator, Angie Rutherford. Thank you, Angie, for the dedication and care you put into planning engaging experiences for our students. We appreciate your strong partnership with our school and families, as well as your commitment to supporting student success beyond the school day. We are also grateful for your active involvement as a member of the Barton-Glover Parent-Teacher Committee. Thank you for all you do for our students, families, and school community!
This last week was a great week to be a fourth grade student! Students completed the egg drop challenge which has been a right of passage for many students dating back as far as the 1990s (and perhaps earlier). This project based learning opportunity was the culmination of our energy/energy transfer unit. Student scientists and engineers planned and built prototypes and were able to make revisions after a trial run. On the big day, we were given a beautiful sunny and windy day. The designs with parachutes proved to be most successful!
A reminder that the last OCSU PTCA meeting of year is Tuesday, June 9 at Lake Region Union High School, from 4-5pm. More information is the agenda linked below. We hope to see everyone there!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ag8eNZkSZin4feKKdIGxXoujQnwlWrLDO-bmBxUzH3A/edit?tab=t.0
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ag8eNZkSZin4feKKdIGxXoujQnwlWrLDO-bmBxUzH3A/edit?tab=t.0
A reminder that OCSU is hiring! Want to learn more about our team? Check us out at:
https://www.ocsu.org/page/ocsu-employment-opportunities
https://www.ocsu.org/page/ocsu-employment-opportunities
On Monday, May 18, our students had a wonderful opportunity to welcome Melissa and Paul Perley to our school. Melissa, author of The Violin Family, shared her children’s book with students and together with her husband Paul they introduced students to the cello through a live musical performance. Students also had the chance to explore the instrument firsthand and learn more about string music in an engaging and interactive way. We are grateful to the Perleys for providing such a memorable and enriching experience for our students!
For more information about the author: https://www.paulperleycellos.com/theviolinfamily
For more information about the author: https://www.paulperleycellos.com/theviolinfamily
🎓🐾 Barton 4th Grade Promotion & Celebration of Learning 🐾🎓
Wednesday we celebrated our amazing 4th graders as they start to wrap up their elementary school journey at Barton Graded School!
The afternoon began with a Celebration of Learning, where our K-3rd graders and staff were invited to tour student displays and admire the hard work, growth, and accomplishments of our 4th graders throughout the year.
Families then joined us for a special promotion ceremony recognizing student achievements, growth, and awards. We concluded the celebration with an ice cream social, giving students, families, and staff a chance to connect and celebrate this important milestone together.
We are incredibly proud of all that these students have accomplished during their time at Barton. As they prepare to begin their next chapter at Glover Middle School, we wish them the very best of luck. Keep learning, growing, and roaring toward your future!
⭐Colleague of the Week⭐
This week's Colleague of the Week recognition goes to Cindy Chaffee!
With 29 years of dedication to education, Cindy brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and expertise to our school community. We are incredibly fortunate to have her on our team. As a first-grade teacher, Cindy is committed to helping her students grow while creating a positive and engaging learning environment.
Cindy is also a supportive and collaborative colleague who generously shares instructional practices, resources, and ideas with others. Her willingness to help and learn alongside her peers contributes greatly to our school's culture of teamwork and continuous improvement.
In addition to her work in the classroom, Cindy demonstrates strong leadership through her involvement on our MTSS Committee. She is dedicated to ensuring that all students receive the support they need to be successful. Cindy also embraces opportunities for professional growth, actively participating in embedded coaching to strengthen her literacy and mathematics instruction.
Thank you, Cindy, for your leadership, dedication, and commitment to both students and colleagues. Your contributions make a positive impact on our entire school community!
This week's Colleague of the Week recognition goes to Cindy Chaffee!
With 29 years of dedication to education, Cindy brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and expertise to our school community. We are incredibly fortunate to have her on our team. As a first-grade teacher, Cindy is committed to helping her students grow while creating a positive and engaging learning environment.
Cindy is also a supportive and collaborative colleague who generously shares instructional practices, resources, and ideas with others. Her willingness to help and learn alongside her peers contributes greatly to our school's culture of teamwork and continuous improvement.
In addition to her work in the classroom, Cindy demonstrates strong leadership through her involvement on our MTSS Committee. She is dedicated to ensuring that all students receive the support they need to be successful. Cindy also embraces opportunities for professional growth, actively participating in embedded coaching to strengthen her literacy and mathematics instruction.
Thank you, Cindy, for your leadership, dedication, and commitment to both students and colleagues. Your contributions make a positive impact on our entire school community!
Federal funding is based on participation, so every meal served helps strengthen and sustain the program for the families who count on it most. The more kids and families who participate, the more welcoming and “normal” the program becomes, helping remove the stigma that can sometimes keep people away. Summer meals are for everyone 18 and under, and every person in line helps make that message louder and clearer. Please help spread the word and help us build a stronger, more connected community this summer!
Our Kindergarten students had the exciting opportunity to visit the Teddy Bear Clinic at North Country Hospital! 🧸🏥
This fun and educational experience helps children feel more comfortable in a healthcare setting by caring for their own stuffed animals while learning important health and safety skills. Even more special, this marked the first time North Country Hospital welcomed students back for this event following COVID.
During the visit, students rotated through four engaging stations:
🩺 Weighing and Immunization – Helping care for their stuffed animal patients
☀️ Summer Safety – Learning about swim, bike, and beach safety
🩻 Radiology – An introduction to x-rays
🚑 Ambulance Tour – Exploring an ambulance and trying out the stretcher
This fun and educational experience helps children feel more comfortable in a healthcare setting by caring for their own stuffed animals while learning important health and safety skills. Even more special, this marked the first time North Country Hospital welcomed students back for this event following COVID.
During the visit, students rotated through four engaging stations:
🩺 Weighing and Immunization – Helping care for their stuffed animal patients
☀️ Summer Safety – Learning about swim, bike, and beach safety
🩻 Radiology – An introduction to x-rays
🚑 Ambulance Tour – Exploring an ambulance and trying out the stretcher
The fourth graders built marble roller coasters as part of our Energy & Energy Transfer unit in Science. They were tasked with building a roller coaster that would make a marble roll using only gravitational potential energy, and also had to make the marble stop at the bottom of the ride by means of energy transfer- or else their marble would be eaten by paper crocodiles!
A huge thank you to Ian Drury and Vermont Folklife for bringing the Instrument Petting Zoo to Barton! 🎶🎻🥁
Students had an amazing opportunity to explore and play more than 30 different instruments from around the world. From strings and percussion to unique instruments many students had never seen before, the experience sparked curiosity, creativity, and lots of excitement!
We are so grateful for opportunities like this that allow our students to experience music in such a hands-on and engaging way. Thank you for sharing your time, knowledge, and love of music with our Barton Tigers! 🐯
Students had an amazing opportunity to explore and play more than 30 different instruments from around the world. From strings and percussion to unique instruments many students had never seen before, the experience sparked curiosity, creativity, and lots of excitement!
We are so grateful for opportunities like this that allow our students to experience music in such a hands-on and engaging way. Thank you for sharing your time, knowledge, and love of music with our Barton Tigers! 🐯
While spring has officially sprung, our K/1 students are thinking about the Winter Olympics! ❄️🥌
Students have been having so much fun learning and practicing with our new floor curling set during PE. From teamwork and strategy to lots of laughter and excitement, this new activity has been a hit with our youngest Barton Tigers!
Who knew curling could be this much fun? 🐯 (Willow did, she's curling's biggest fan!)
Students have been having so much fun learning and practicing with our new floor curling set during PE. From teamwork and strategy to lots of laughter and excitement, this new activity has been a hit with our youngest Barton Tigers!
Who knew curling could be this much fun? 🐯 (Willow did, she's curling's biggest fan!)
Our OCSU 4th graders, including our Barton Tigers, had an incredible opportunity to visit North Country Career Center for a morning full of hands-on learning and exploration!
Students rotated through different programs throughout the facility where Career Center students took the lead in teaching and demonstrating real-world skills. From interactive activities to learning about future career pathways, our students were engaged, curious, and excited every step of the way.
A huge thank you to North Country Career Center staff and students for welcoming our learners and creating such meaningful experiences for them. Opportunities like these help inspire our students to dream big about their futures! 🐯
Students rotated through different programs throughout the facility where Career Center students took the lead in teaching and demonstrating real-world skills. From interactive activities to learning about future career pathways, our students were engaged, curious, and excited every step of the way.
A huge thank you to North Country Career Center staff and students for welcoming our learners and creating such meaningful experiences for them. Opportunities like these help inspire our students to dream big about their futures! 🐯
We are so proud of our Barton Tigers for earning 2nd place in the inaugural OCSU Math Olympiad!
Congratulations to our amazing team members:
⭐ Stella Buckovich
⭐ Audrey Lidback
⭐ Ben Royer
⭐ Karter Bacon
⭐ Watson Wishard
⭐ Bentley Clark
⭐ Logan White
These students demonstrated outstanding teamwork, problem-solving, perseverance, and math skills throughout the competition. Way to represent Barton with pride! 💛🖤
Please help us celebrate our talented mathematicians on this incredible accomplishment!
Congratulations to our amazing team members:
⭐ Stella Buckovich
⭐ Audrey Lidback
⭐ Ben Royer
⭐ Karter Bacon
⭐ Watson Wishard
⭐ Bentley Clark
⭐ Logan White
These students demonstrated outstanding teamwork, problem-solving, perseverance, and math skills throughout the competition. Way to represent Barton with pride! 💛🖤
Please help us celebrate our talented mathematicians on this incredible accomplishment!
Our 4th grade students got their hands dirty as they kicked off seed starting with Green Mountain Farm-to-School! 🌱🪴
⭐Colleague of the Week⭐
This week, we would like to give a special shout-out to our District Head Nurse, Julie Rose. Julie has been a wonderful addition to our district and continues to make a positive impact each day. She consistently prioritizes the well-being of both students and staff, most recently through the collaborative planning of our district-wide 4-week wellness initiative.
Julie also organized First Aid, CPR, and AED training opportunities for staff across all OCSU schools. She genuinely cares about our community, is thoughtful and reflective in her work, and continually seeks opportunities for growth and improvement.
In addition to her professional contributions, Julie is an active member of the Glover Barton Community Club as a parent of a Glover student. Thank you, Julie, for everything you do for OCSU and Barton Graded School. Your dedication, care and hard work do not go unnoticed.
This week, we would like to give a special shout-out to our District Head Nurse, Julie Rose. Julie has been a wonderful addition to our district and continues to make a positive impact each day. She consistently prioritizes the well-being of both students and staff, most recently through the collaborative planning of our district-wide 4-week wellness initiative.
Julie also organized First Aid, CPR, and AED training opportunities for staff across all OCSU schools. She genuinely cares about our community, is thoughtful and reflective in her work, and continually seeks opportunities for growth and improvement.
In addition to her professional contributions, Julie is an active member of the Glover Barton Community Club as a parent of a Glover student. Thank you, Julie, for everything you do for OCSU and Barton Graded School. Your dedication, care and hard work do not go unnoticed.
