In observance of Juneteenth, all Brattleboro Town offices will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, with the exception of emergency services.
Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. All other violations will be enforced.
Brooks Memorial Library will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
The Windham Southeast School District Board will hold an executive session at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 remotely via zoom only.
Mission: Foster learning environments in which all members of the school community are safe, feel valued, and are appreciated, as well as promote policies and procedures that value equity and diversity in our schools.
I. Call to Order / Introductions / Recognition of Visitors
II. Updates
June 17 Chef Salad
Tomato Basil Salad
Macaroni & Veggie Salad
Apple Crisp
II. Updates
● The following policies were presented for a first reading on 5/28/24:
o E14 Environmental Awareness and Responsibility
o F4 Searches, Seizures, and Interrogation of Students by School Personnel
o F5 Searches, Seizures, and Interrogation of Students by Law Enforcement Personnel or Other Non-School Personnel
o F41 Policy on Section 504 and ADA Grievance Protocol for Students & Staff
o G13 Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources and the Internet
Hot temperatures combined with high humidity are forecasted to occur Tuesday through Thursday, with the most oppressive conditions on Wednesday and Thursday. There is a great potential for this heat wave to continue into Friday and Saturday. The National Weather Service is predicting temperatures in the upper 90s and a heat index over 100. Please stay safe, and check on your family, the elderly, and neighbors.
The following locations in town can be utilized for cooling sites:
On March 1st, 2024, Elon Musk tweeted on his social media platform ‘X’ referring to an ABC TV news report,
“People, who get their news from legacy TV, live in a fake alternate reality.”
(‘legacy’ = the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past)
The Brattleboro Selectboard will raise your parking fees at their next regular meeting. How much they go up will be the primary discussion.
They’ll also hear about some projects that received grants, get an update on Winston-Prouty housing, and begin wading into the solid waste discussion of what to do about trash, recycling, and compost. Specifically, they will be discussing the results of their public feedback. You can also bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
The Brattleboro Traffic Safety Committee will meet on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 8:00am in the Selectboard Meeting Room and over Zoom.
The Brattleboro Charter Revision Commission will meet on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room and over Zoom.
Work continues to progress on the remaining overhang formwork, shear studs and grout, and placing rebar continues to progress toward the Vermont abutment. This work will continue for several more weeks.
The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents Contemporary Mexican ensemble Villalobos Brothers, on Saturday, July 13 at 6:00 pm at the field behind the Putney Inn, 57 Putney Landing Road, in Putney.
The Villalobos Brothers are a Grammy Award-winning family band, recognized as one of the foremost Contemporary Mexican ensembles in the world. With their unique fusion of Mexican folk, jazz, and classical music, they have captivated audiences across the United States, Mexico, India, Russia, and Canada.
“Virtuosic violinists from Mexico showcasing how traditional music can get reborn into modern culture, these brothers are making an indelible mark on modern American music,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “The Villalobos Brothers are a family band worthy of attention, praise, and adulation.”
Dear WSESU Community,
As we approach the end of another academic year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the journey we’ve taken together and express my gratitude to each member of our community.
This past school year has been a testament to resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to the success and well-being of our students. Every school year there are successes and challenges. I hope in your own reflection you are able to identify and appreciate the many people who have been so integral in the development and growth of our students.
I am incredibly proud of our students who have shown remarkable courage and perseverance in the face of adversity. Whether in the classroom, on the playing field, or in their extracurricular pursuits, they have continued to inspire us with their creativity, passion, and determination.
Summary
● The Board voted to rotate the location of the Board meetings among the schools again this year
● The Norms of the Board were discussed
● The Portrait of a Graduate work is actively being embarked upon by the district
● Four hires and one resignation were approved for the 2024-25 school year
● As it is hiring season, and the need to approve new hires in a timely manner, the Board voted to give the Personnel Committee authority to approve hires throughout the summer with the caveat that the Board still receive resumes and the committee keep the Board informed of their work
● The Board voted to authorize the Finance Committee to approve the warrants, payroll and to implement Capital Plan projects throughout the summer
● The Consent Agenda was passed
Some people call it the Jewish Sports Page. Others call it the Irish Sports Page. I’m sure there are a lot of other names for what most people recognize as a newspaper’s obituary section. Nowadays that section may be online, but it usually amounts to the same thing. A picture and a description of a life.
I don’t know when it started for me, but one of the first things I do in the morning is to scan the local obituaries. It has reached the level of a compulsion and I have been trying to figure out why it has become such an integral part of my life.
During the week my news and “sports page” reading is usually online. On Sunday I like to have the newsprint in my hand and I spend a considerable amount of time reading about the lives of people I have never known.
Presented for a second reading:
WSESU E6 Emergency Closings 2nd reading 6-12-2024.pdf
WSESU E7 Safety & Security of School Facilities 2nd reading 06-12-2024.pdf
WSESU E8 Tobacco 2nd read 6-12-2024.pdf
WSESU F12 Transportation 2nd read 6-12-2024.pdf
WSESU G14 Dissection 2nd read 6-12-2024.pdf
WSESU G15 Title I 2nd read 6-12-2024.pdf
Join us for an artists reception on Saturday, June 22, for Cycles, an art exhibit of Vermont artists with disabilities at All Souls Church. The show is presented in partnership with Inclusive Arts Vermont, through August 31. The theme, CYCLES, emerged from community input, and the artwork expresses cycles of nature, of the body, mind, and spirit, as well as experiences of repetition, circular shapes, and more.
According to Heidi Swevens, IAV’s Director of Community Partnerships and Exhibition, the CYCLES exhibition “is more than art on the wall.” Accessibility is an integral part of the show. The venue is physically accessible, and the art and artists can be experienced remotely in the online tour. Each of the 27 pieces in CYCLES has verbal descriptions. Tactile representations and elements accompany selected works. Materials are available in multiple formats, including print, large print, Braille, audio tour, and digital formats.
Swevens adds, “Yes, the art is exciting and engaging. What I find equally compelling is the artists’ stories. The creative processes.” As CYCLES artist Leah Schulz shares: “For the last five years, I have been cycling, in and out, up and down, riding the waves of chronic illness… I have been socially, financially, and systematically removed from society… The only thing that tethered me to society is art. I leaned into a different side of my brain that I had never allowed myself to explore before and found I loved crochet, block printing, and painting. This is my first piece to be included in an art show. I am grateful to Inclusive Arts Vermont for giving me a way to exist in these places again.”
The chair reviewed the process of 1% funds with the committee.
On a motion by Kim Price the committee moved to accept 16 applications for 1% funds from Academy School in the amount of $12,279.96.
On a motion by Kim Price the committee moved to accept 11 applications for 1% funds from Green Street School in the amount of $8,091.
BRATTLEBORO – The Town of Brattleboro welcomes the community to participate in an interactive session to review the conceptual design options for the proposed improvements to the pool and aquatics facilities at Living Memorial Park, and share input on those options. It will provide the opportunity to review the results and outcomes of prior public input sessions held during the summer and fall of 2023 and will be led by the Town’s contracted design consultant team. This session continues the work of the feasibility study to determine the optimal conceptual design and cost estimate for a new facility at the park. The Town welcomes input from both those who attended the prior sessions and those who did not.
The Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department and the Planning Department will be hosting a community input session on Thursday, June 20 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Fuller Park (aka Esteyville Common) located at 98 Estey Street in Brattleboro. If you’re interested in attending, we please ask that you bring along a lawn chair.
While the park is in fair condition, the park’s major feature, a hexagonal bandstand constructed in 1913-1914, is in poor condition and has gone unused due to safety and accessibility concerns.
SUSAN BREAREY is an accomplished artist whose evocative, unique paintings have been exhibited world-wide. Tune in to hear more about their origins – and hers. Susan also shares some terrific stories of her adventures in music, museums and magic lanterns.
