Principal Page
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Principal's Corner
Beth Bearor
“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.”- Benjamin Franklin, writer, scientist, inventor, drafter and signer of the Declaration of Independence, and the first Postmaster General
Principal’s Message
While the 2025-2026 school year certainly had its challenges, in this final official newsletter of the year, I choose to focus on the positives. Success looked different for every student this year, but each accomplishment was equally meaningful. For some, it meant conquering the unicycle during our Circus residency, keeping classroom trout alive, or learning all of the letters of the alphabet. For others, it meant mastering tricky multiplication facts, taking social and academic risks, reading a "real book" for the first time, or learning to tell time on an analog clock. Success also looked like trying a new winter sport during the FCS Olympics, making it across the monkey bars without falling, playing an instrument, joining a new sport, or thriving on an overnight field trip. No matter the size of the achievement, each one represented growth, perseverance, and the courage to try something new. These moments are a powerful reminder that growth doesn't always happen in big, dramatic ways—it happens every day, one challenge, one risk, and one success at a time. As I reflect on this school year, I am filled with pride for our students and gratitude for the many people who helped make these successes possible.
I want to extend my gratitude to everyone who makes FCS the incredible place that it is.
To FCS Students: I am proud of each and every one of you and grateful to be a small part of your journey. You amaze me with your determination, warm my heart with your kindness, and challenge me in ways I never thought possible. Keep being the awesome humans that you are!
To FCS Families: Thank you for your patience, trust, and partnership throughout the year. Sharing your children with us each day is something we never take for granted. Your contributions as mentors, Fusion teachers, Four Winds presenters, PTO members, chaperones, theater directors, coaches, garden and sap helpers, and much more do not go unnoticed. Together, we create the supportive and vibrant community that makes FCS such a special place to learn and grow. We couldn't do this without you.
To FCS Staff: None of this would be possible without you. You are amazing humans with the kindest hearts. Every day, you show up ready to meet the needs of our students with positivity, creativity, and endless energy. I am grateful that I get to work alongside you every day as you teach, guide, and nurture our students. Simply put, you are the best.
To the FCS Community: Thank you for believing in our students and supporting our school. Whether through your time, resources, expertise, or encouragement, your partnership allows us to provide experiences and opportunities that enrich learning and help our students grow into amazing people. We are fortunate to be part of a community that consistently shows up for its children, and for that, I am deeply grateful.
Thank you all for a wonderful first year at FCS. I hope you have a safe, relaxing, and joy-filled summer, and I look forward to welcoming everyone back in the fall.
We have a few staff members moving on from FCS that I want to acknowledge. The following folks will be on to other adventures in the fall, and we wish them the very best. Ms. Randi Barry, Mrs. Alison DaBica, Mr. JT Henley, Mrs. Brianne Wells, Ms. Dasha Kalisz, and Ms. Carmen Clendaniel. Thank you for the time and dedication you have put in at FCS. You will be missed!
Please note that all students are still expected to attend school through this Friday, and official attendance will be taken each day this week.
On Friday morning, students will participate in Step-Up Day, visiting the teacher or teachers who will be teaching their grade level. Later this week, I will communicate the structure and teacher assignments for next year.
Panorama Survey for Families - A Note from the Office of Learning:
Dear ANWSD Families,
From June 8 - June 19, we are asking all families to respond to a Family-School Relationship survey about you and your students’ experience with school. This 10-20 minute online survey will help inform us on a systemic and individual school level of how to best connect with and support students and families.
How can I access the survey?
Parents/guardians with email addresses stored in PowerSchool will receive an email to their personal email accounts with a unique survey link. That link will take parents/guardians to the survey for their student. Each family will be assigned one survey per parent/guardian per student. Once the survey has been taken, it will no longer be accessible by any other family member.
I have multiple children who are enrolled in Addison Northwest. Do I have to take multiple surveys?
Parents/guardians are assigned a survey for each student that the parent has in the District. As a District, we value the experiences of all our families, and we want to give our families an opportunity to provide insights on their unique experiences as it relates to their unique children.
Sincerely,
The Office of Learning - Gabe Hamilton & Melissa Strong
Afternoon Bus Double-Up Days: At the time of this writing, we have not been informed of any Double-Up Days this week. If this changes, you will be notified via the usual methods.
Ferrisburgh Community Roots & Sap Project
Thank you so much for all of your garden support this season. We have a lot growing! We have made a summer volunteer schedule, but are still looking for a second family to help during the following weeks.
- June 15
- June 22
- June 29
- July 27
- August 10
Email Kat Clear at bluehousemushroom@gmail.com if you can help any of these weeks.
Also, mark your calendars for fall crop planting! Joins us on July 23rd 4pm -6pm at the garden and help us plant some seeds. Come when you can and stay as long as you wish!
Important Information
Project Play BINGO!
Students should return their final Project Play Bingo Board this week! We will choose winners at the final All School Meeting on Friday!
Important Upcoming Dates
June 8 All School Trip to Common Ground/Trout Release
June 10 5th grade Step-Up Ceremony, 6:00
June 11 Field Day & Back to Our Roots (9:40)
June 12 Final All School Meeting, 8:45
June 12 Last Student Day (1 snow day accounted for), 11:30 dismissal
June 15 Last staff and teacher day - Inservice
Beth Bearor
“100 dogs, 100 cats, 100 heads for 100 hats. 100 women, 100 men, 100’s more than 5 or 10. 100 buttons, 100 coats, 100 sails for 100 boats. 100 cookies, 100 cakes, 100 kids with bellyaches! 100 shoes, 100 socks, 100 keys for 100 locks. 100 puddles mighty dirty, 100’s even more than 30. 100 daughters, 100 sons, 100 franks on 100 buns. 100 trees, 100 plants, 100 picnics, 100 ants! 100 is a lot to count, 100 is a LARGE AMOUNT! 100 kisses, 100 hugs, 100 bats, 100 bugs. 100 bees, 100 birds. This poem has 100 words!” - Mrs. Bearor’s favorite 100th Day Poem
Principal’s Message
This week we celebrated the 100th day of school — a wonderful milestone and a chance to reflect on just how much growth has taken place at FCS. Over the past 100 days, our students have strengthened their academic skills while also growing as leaders, collaborators, and community members. Our Student Leadership Team has helped shape school spirit and community-building efforts, and students across grade levels have engaged in hands-on learning through Project Play. Field trips to Shelburne Farms, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, and ECHO have brought classroom learning to life, while experiences like the Winter Craftaganza showcased creativity and connection. We have welcomed mentors and other volunteers into our school community. Students have spent time in the garden and even helped in the kitchen — building responsibility and real-world skills along the way. We are so proud of the confidence, curiosity, and care our students demonstrate each day, and we look forward to all the continued growth still ahead this year. Here are a few pictures from our 100th Day STEM Challenge to build the tallest tower with 50 marshmallows and 50 toothpicks with your big/little buddy!
Please note that each grade will be completing Options Based Drill review this week. We will visit a space within the building that is not the students’ primary classroom (art room, library, gym, etc.), and discuss how we would respond if there were an emergency while occupying that space. Conversations will be age-appropriate and focused on the responsibilities students and teachers have during these situations.
Arrival & Dismissal Challenges
Please review the separate email communication related to arrival and dismissal challenges. With a few minor changes, we can make these times of the day safer and more efficient for everyone.
Communicating With the FCS Office
Thanks to everyone who has switched over to using fcs_office@anwsd.org to communicate attendance and other inquiries typically handled by the front office. This has allowed all front office staff access to the same inbox, allowing us to work collaboratively. If you haven’t had a chance to add this new email address to your contacts, please do!
Day of Play
On Friday, FCS students and staff will participate in an international celebration of play! For those of you not familiar, please check out this website that explains the premise behind the international event. In the past, FCS has participated in Day of Play in different ways and at different levels. This year, with the support of the Student and Teacher Leadership Teams, we are going to allow our students to experience Global Day of Play to the fullest! There will be parameters and expectations in place to support students as they decide how to spend their day!
Intra-District School Choice
For families interested in pursuing elementary school choice within ANWSD, please reference these resources, which can also be found on the district website.
Congratulations to our Youth Cheerleaders!
The ANWSD Youth Cheerleading program showed up at the VCCA competition on Saturday in Essex with big smiles and a whole lot of spirit! The 2/3 team brought home a 2nd place finish, and the 4/5 team took 3rd place! Congratulations to the student athletes and their dedicated coaches!
Ferrisburgh Community Roots & Sap Project
SAP SUPPORT NEEDED!
- Want to help us collect sap this year? Are you Level 3 background cleared and want to volunteer to collect sap with our FCS students?
- It takes about an hour during the school day with your student’s class.
- Reach out to Kat Clear for details at bluehousemushroom@gmail.com
GOOD NEWS!
- FCS has been awarded a grant of $1,000 from Neat Repeats in Middlebury to buy a much-needed new seedling cart! We use this cart to start garden plants by seed and artificial light inside with students in April.
- Neat Repeats is a not-for-profit resale store run exclusively by a volunteer staff. The store was established in 1990 to help Addison County residents and support organizations with a ‘hand up’. You can help support them by visiting the store, donating items, or just spreading the word!
Classroom Spotlight: Fifth Grade
Our amazing fifth graders continue to care for the FCS trout with so much enthusiasm and responsibility, taking great pride in monitoring their development, feeding them (sometimes more than once a day!), and checking the water quality each day, to keep their habitat clean and healthy. Their dedication to this project has created school-wide excitement. From our preschool friends to our staff, everyone is invested in and excited to see the ongoing development of our FCS Trout! Look how much they have grown in just over a month!
Important Information
Project Play BINGO!
The February Bingo Board was sent home with students on Friday. We hope you can find some time over the next few weeks you can find time to engage your children in some of the activities and help them earn some Bingos! The February Bingo Board is due back to school by Monday, March 9th!
Important Upcoming Dates
February 19 - ECHO Field Trip (1st Grade), 9:00-2:30
February 20 - Global Day of Play
February 20 - Olympics Closing Ceremonies, 2:15
Feb. 23- Feb. 27 - February Vacation
March 4 - Early Release Day, 11:30 Dismissal
Beth Bearor
“The more risks you allow children to take, the better they learn to take care of themselves.” - Roald Dahl, British author of popular children's literature and short stories, a poet, screenwriter, and a wartime fighter ace
Principal’s Message
On Thursday, we came together for our All School Morning Meeting to celebrate another month of learning, playing, and growing together. Ms. Barry’s 4th-grade class facilitated the meeting, which included an epic, whole-school Rock, Paper, Scissors competition! Congratulations to Logan from Ms. Stein’s class for being the last student standing.
We also recognized our Student and Employee of the Month recipients and raffled off the latest round of Project Play prizes. The meeting ended with a very sweet surprise—thank you to the Sunshine Committee for recognizing my official hiring as the FCS Principal. To celebrate, we all enjoyed cupcakes for breakfast!
Student and Employee of the Month for December
Kindergarten: Destiny McFann, Cole Sartelle
First Grade: Lucas Brouillard, Conor Donovan
Second Grade: Zoe Burkett
Third Grade: Wyatt Seeley
Fourth Grade: Riker Cooley, Keilee Chaqui Caguana
Fifth Grade: Braelynn Loree
Employee: Ms. Valcourt
As a reminder, our winter vacation begins on Wednesday, December 24th. Students and staff will return to school on Monday, January 5th. We wish everyone a peaceful and relaxing vacation.
Spirit Week & Winter Craftaganza
FCS Student and Teacher Leadership Teams have enjoyed seeing all of the fun ways students and staff have been participating in our Winter Spirit Days! We are looking forward to Glo Bowling with Ms. K tomorrow and our Winter Craftaganza on Tuesday.
Up for Learning Student Leaders
On Tuesday, six 4th- and 5th-grade students, along with Mrs. Bearor and Ms. Jess, attended an afternoon retreat with peers from Vergennes Elementary. Together, we worked with Pat, a facilitator from Up for Learning, to begin exploring what we know about ourselves as learners, collaborators, and leaders. This group, known as P2C2 (Personal Power and Community Connection), will meet several more times this spring to take a deeper look at school climate data. Our goal is to identify strengths and challenges within each school and brainstorm ways to make our communities even better for everyone.
Classroom Spotlight: Kindergarten
Our kindergarten students continue to learn and explore in our outdoor classroom. The ravine is always a favorite spot, no matter the season, offering rich opportunities for discovery. While outdoors, students naturally take healthy risks, collaborate with one another, and engineer solutions to problems they encounter. Recent snowfalls have also provided opportunities for the group to investigate and learn about animal tracks.
Important Information
🎟️Project Play Tic-Tac-Toe
On Friday, students brought home a new Project Play Tic-Tac-Toe. We hope you will find some time over break to try a few of the activities as a way to review the concepts we have been covering related to our transferable skills.
Important Upcoming Dates
December 15-23 Spirit Days
December 22 Glo Bowling
December 23 Cozy Day & Craftaganza
Dec. 24- Jan. 2 Winter Vacation
January 9 3rd & 4th Grade Shelburne Farms Field Trip
January 22 Title 1 meeting @ 5:00
January 22 PTO Family Fun Night-5:30-7:00
![A group of young children, some in costume, gathered in a colorful classroom setting with various decorations and educational materials displayed on the walls.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764460978/anwsdorg/dqtounpsm0cioloareef/BOB_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1764460978/anwsdorg/dqtounpsm0cioloareef/BOB_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764460978/anwsdorg/dqtounpsm0cioloareef/BOB_1.jpg","width":640}])
Beth Bearor
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. - John Quincy Adams, lawyer, senator, and 6th President of the United States
Principal’s Message
I am hopeful that everyone had a chance to relax and reflect a bit over the break. During the three weeks ahead, we know students will experience a wide mix of feelings—excitement, nervousness, joy, uncertainty, and everything in between. Big transitions and changes in routine can bring up big emotions, and that’s completely normal. We will continue to create space to talk about these feelings, practice regulation strategies, and support one another with kindness. Thank you for partnering with us to help students feel grounded and connected during this busy time of year. As always, please reach out to me, Nurse Jamie, Ms. Kaitie, or Ms. Jess if your child or family could use some support.
If your family could benefit from Junebug’s Cozy Kids program, providing winter gear to Addison County children, please fill out this Cozy Kids form. Families who would like to support the program can shop for a child or make a donation at https://junebugvt.org/cozy-kids. If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Bearor or Nurse Jamie.
Student Leadership Team
We are excited to announce that the FCS Student Leadership Team, made up of 4th and 5th-grade students, has been formed! The group of ten students, along with Ms. Jess, our School Counselor, and Mrs. Bearor, will meet once each month. The FCS Student Leaders will be tasked with supporting the development of new PBIS Schoolwide Behavior Agreements, planning a spirit week for the week before our next vacation, and taking on other roles throughout the year. Their first task was to plan something special for our first All-School Celebration, which is why students and staff all enjoyed hot cocoa on Pajama Day on the last day before break!
Mentoring: Giving the Gift of Time
Time is a valuable resource that we rarely have enough of. Mentoring is a program that creates time. Community mentor volunteers work with children to provide attention and build positive relationships. Whether they play a board game, hang out during recess, or eat lunch together, the mentor relationship provides attention, conversation, and sharing of life experiences for both the child and the adult. Mentoring supports children, families, and the school; there is no judgment, just the opportunity to support kids.
Classroom Spotlight: Second & 3rd Grade
Our Second and Third Graders had an amazing time visiting ECHO on the Thursday before break. They enjoyed learning about the various species that live in Lake Champlain, “broadcasting” the weather using green screen technology, and trying their hand at various STEM activities. Our teachers returned from the trip glowing about what an amazing job the students did representing FCS! Well done!
Important Information
🎟️ Return Project Play Activity Sheets & Bingo Boards
Hopefully, you had a chance to work on the Project Play Bingo Board over vacation. Please return completed sheets (or simply send Mrs. Bearor an email) so you can earn tickets to win fun experiences with our staff!
🧥 🧤🥾🧢🥤 Lost & Found - Last Chance!
The FCS lost and found will be bagged and donated on Wednesday afternoon. Please stop in or let us know if you are missing something specific.
🍌 FCS Compost Shed
Please note that the FCS Compost Shed is closed for the season. Please do not add food waste to the compost shed at this time.
🚫 No Parking In Fire Lane
Parking in the fire lane continues to be a concern. The area along the building near the front door (by the gym) is not a designated parking area. You may use the spots lined with yellow paint next to the island. This applies during the school day, while picking up from Cougar Care or Fusion, and for evening events.
Important Upcoming Dates
December 10 Early Release Day
December 12 Family Winter Luncheon
December 24- Jan. 2 Winter Vacation
Beth Bearor
“The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of world and wake up in another quite different.” - John Boynton Priestley, English novelist, playwright, screenwriter, broadcaster
Principal’s Message
Students (and some adults!) were excited to see the snow last week—it brought a lot of energy and joy to the playground. We also recognize that not all students may have had the warm winter gear they needed.
The Cozy Kids program, organized by Junebug, is a great resource for families in need of coats, snowpants, boots, hats, gloves, or other cold-weather items. Launched in 2016, Cozy Kids ensures all children can stay warm and dry throughout the winter. Last year, Junebug partnered with schools across Addison County to provide brand-new winter gear for 92 children. With early snowfall and rising economic challenges, the need in our community is higher than ever.
If your family could benefit from this program, please fill out this Cozy Kids form. Families who would like to support the program can shop for a child or make a donation at https://junebugvt.org/cozy-kids. If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Bearor or Nurse Jamie.
All School Meeting/Student & Employee of the Month
On Thursday, Ms. DaBica’s Fabulous Fifth Graders facilitated our monthly All School Meeting that they planned as a class. Students and staff had an opportunity to consider things they were grateful for, new Project Play prize winners were selected, and we concluded by playing Keepy-Uppy! We were thrilled to have families join us for the announcement of our Student and Employee of the Month awards.
Kindergarten: Isaac Rose & Owen Billings
1st Grade: Kiera Hammond & Lilah Hume
2nd Grade: Levi Rose
3rd Grade: Lila Kanetzky
4th Grade: Alec Gingras & Nyra Cushing
5th Grade: Emrys Yarborough
Employee: Nurse Jamie
Extended Absences
We do appreciate that families make every effort to avoid scheduling a vacation/time away while school is in session, and fully recognize that there are instances when this is just not possible. If your child will miss 3 or more consecutive days of school, please fill out the ANWSD Extended Student Absence Form so your child’s absence can be properly recorded in our system.
Mentoring: Giving the Gift of Time
Time is a valuable resource that we rarely have enough of. Mentoring is a program that creates time. Community mentor volunteers work with children to provide attention and build positive relationships. Whether they play a board game, hang out during recess, or eat lunch together, the mentor relationship provides attention, conversation, and sharing of life experiences for both the child and the adult. Mentoring supports children, families, and the school; there is no judgment, just the opportunity to support kids.
Shout Out to Ferrisburgh Town Crew!
A special thank you to Reilly LaBerge for helping our Fusion class load, move, and spread the load of woodchips in the outdoor classroom! We appreciate the community support!
Classroom Spotlight: Kindergarten
Our Kindergarteners continue to explore the wonders of our Outdoor Classroom during Forest Fridays. Not only are they learning about nature, but they are learning more about themselves, each other, and their class community.
Important Information
🧥 🧤🥾🧢🥤 Lost & Found
The FCS lost and found is overflowing! If your child is missing something specific, let us know, and we can check the rack for you. You are also welcome to stop by and check out the collection in the vestibule. We will clean out the lost and found during the November break, and unclaimed items will be donated.
🍌 FCS Compost Shed
Please note that the FCS Compost Shed is closed for the season. Please do not add food waste to the compost shed at this time.
🚫 No Parking In Fire Lane
Parking in the fire lane continues to be a concern. The area along the building near the front door (by the gym) is not a designated parking area. You may use the spots lined with yellow paint next to the island. This applies during the school day, while picking up from Cougar Care or Fusion, and for evening events.
Important Upcoming Dates
November 17 Pre K Music Together Celebration
November 17-19 Scholastic Book Fair
November 18 Book Fair Friends & Family Night
November 20 2nd/3rd Grade Field Trip to ECHO
November 24- 28 November Vacation
December 10 Early Release Day
December 12 Family Winter Luncheon
Dec. 24- Jan. 2 Winter Vacation