Barre CityScape

Session I is winding down

2010-11-10T10:51:00.000-08:00

Hi All--It is nearing the end of the first session of CityScape...we have had a few changes lately--so I wanted to let you know what's up.

John S has moved on to a new job in the engineering world, so we've got a new face at BCEMS to replace him. Her name is Laura and she has done a lot of work with camps in the past. She enjoys art and the outdoors...and answering questions about her hair.

We have the Harvest Dinner coming up really soon...next week in fact on November 18th. The dinner is from 6-8pm and we hope you and your family and friends will be there.

We will be working on the schedule and activities for next session--we hope to see you all back!

Check back here soon for more updates!

jaime:)

Welcome Back

2010-09-27T06:24:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone--

I just want to officially welcome everyone back to CityScape! I have had a chance to get know many of you, but not everyone--and am looking forward to joining your groups in the near future to see who you are and what you are up to. We have a lot of great things happening this first session with Art & Jewelery Making, Vege-mania, Mystery Monday, Mountain Biking, The Gathering, Lacrosse, Free Space at LACE, Open Gym, Woodworking, Geocaching, Flag Football and Pumpkin Chucking. In fact John and I will be taking a group of students to the State Pumpkin Chuckin' contest On Sunday Oct 3rd...should be interesting. Happy fall to everyone!

Jaime

End of Summer New Beginnings

2010-08-20T06:51:00.000-07:00

Everyone,
I am sad to announce that today is my last day with CityScape. I have had a great two years (almost). I am moving to the Seattle area in Washington State. I hope to continue my work with youth and start grad school next September. My time with you at CityScape has been great, I will always remember the great time I've had, and everything that I have learned.

Jamie has been hired and she is on board learning the ropes. You will see her around the school very soon.

You will be missed,
Nick Bradford

Exciting summer coming up!!!

2010-06-02T08:22:00.000-07:00

Well I am busily working to put together the summer attendance. Thanks to all who have turned in their registration forms. And I am still accepting them, although many trips are filling up on a first come first serve basis!

To the right you will find the Registration form.

I am sure we will have a great summer and I will get confirmation forms out to all parents asap!!!!

Have a great day,
Nick

Summer Rapidly Approaches!

2010-04-29T06:33:00.000-07:00

As summer rapidly approaches, we’ve been busy at Cityscape creating an exciting schedule of summer opportunities for your child. Starting July 5^th at BCEMS, there will be opportunities to participate in a variety of programs ranging from gardening to swimming to robotics. These are fun, interactive activities facilitated by Cityscape staff that will run from 9 to 4 each week day. In addition to our on-site programs, Cityscape will be offering a wide variety of trips taking youth to some beautiful locations throughout New England this summer. Here is just a sampling of what we will be offering:

7/5 – 7/8: White Water Rafting trip on the Kennebec River in Maine – 5^th and 6^th Grade

7/12 – 7/15: Girls Camping Trip – 5^th and 6^th Grade

7/12 – 7/14: Fishing Trip to Grand Isle – 7^th and 8^th Grade

7/26 – 7/29: Girls White Water Rafting Trip – 7^th and 8^th Grade

7/26 – 7/28: Fishing Trip to Grand Isle – 7^th and 8^th Grade

7/26 – 7/30: Boys Camping Trip on the Long Trail – 7^th and 8^th Grade

8/2 – 8/6: Lake Champlain Sailing Trip – 5^th and 6^th Grade

8/2 – 8/5: White Water Rafting – 7^th and 8^th Grade

8/9 – 8/11: Fishing Trip to Grand Isle – 5^th and 6^th Grade

It’s important to know that all of these opportunities are free of cost for you and your family, and are offered on a first come first serve basis with additional consideration given to the facilitator. The off-campus trips do have limited availability, so we encourage you and your child to consider which trips he or she might like to participate in now.

We will provide permission slips for your children to fill out closer to the end of the school year. For now, though, please share this list with them and help us in our efforts to spread news of the fun and exciting opportunities they have at their fingertips this summer with Cityscape.

February Vacation Programming

2010-02-05T10:54:00.000-08:00

CityScape staff just got back from BCEMS where we presented to students our upcoming vacation programming. We handed out many registration forms and answered a lot of questions and we hope to see many students sign up for the activities we're offering!

Just a few carification points CityScape's vacation programming:

Students should be at the school at 9am for any morning programs, 12:30pm for afternoon programs with lunch served in between.
Transportation will be provided for any activities off school grounds.
Students can sign up for any combination of activities. For example, if they're available only Tuesday morning and Friday, they can participate those days; if they are interested in being there each and every day, that will work too!
All programs are free of charge!

Check out the calendar below to see the activities are offered for 5th/6th and 7th/8th respectively. Feel free to call the Youth Service Bureau with any questions: 229-9151.

Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T10:00:00.000-08:00

Our November-December Session is in full swing. We'll have a break this week for the holiday and then resume with programs until Winter Break. CityScape will be having vacation programming the week of December 28th. Expect our winter programs to include much snow-time fun!! We'll have registration postcards soon so you can sign up for a variety of activities during the winter break.

Look for CityScape staff (Nick, Ian and myself, Jen) at lunch at BCEMS. We'll be there to talk with students about how their programs are going as well as to recruit for City Council, the CityScape student council. More on that soon!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Nov Session Starting

2009-11-02T07:29:00.000-08:00

Today it the first day of the Nov-Dec Session, this will bring us to our Winter Break. I hope everyone is attending something they wanted, I know many youth were on the wait list for groups and we are always trying to meet the needs of the youth and the community. I will be introducing a martial arts group for the 7 & 8 graders, and the science teachers will be dissecting some organisms. Both groups are new and I hope they will be lots of fun and "learning."

I hope everyone had a great Halloween and two week off of CityScape, we are glad to welcome everyone back.

It Has Begun!

2009-09-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

Ian, the new Americorps Member with the Washington County Youth Services Bureau here. Alongside Nick and my fellow Americorps member Jen, I'm pleased to let you all know about our successful first week with this season of CityScape.
Among the 5th and 6th grade crowd, students have begun working with Jen on a 'zine (a small do-it-yourself publication) to showcase their writing and creativity that will be distributed schoolwide at the end and enjoying board games after long days of school. Meanwhile, I've been working with students to teach them about the joys of rock climbing and working on wilderness studies in Into the Wild, ranging from building debris huts to understanding how mushrooms work in the wild. Students have been popping up for Homework Club to keep those grades up and others swing into Gym Time Fun for a healthy dose of exercise.
7th and 8th grades are having their share of kicks too with mountain biking and the fast paced game of lacrosse. Knowing the importance of a healthy lifestyle some young women have been showing up to the girls workout club to keep fit. Many students showed up to test their mental prowess and skill in The Gathering.
A note: many of our programs were so popular that we have a lot of overflow. Please remember next session to get those registration forms completed and turned in as soon as possible next session to make you have a spot in the programs most desired! Spots are limited in some programs and are on a first come first serve basis.
Thats all for now. - Ian

Get ready, it will be starting soon!

2009-08-31T11:36:00.000-07:00

School has started!!! I know all the students have eagerly awaited this time of the year. Well okay, I kid. But I do know that many of the youth had a great summer, they participated in many activities and adventures. Although the Summer got off to a slow start with the rain in the first two weeks, it finally cleared up enough to go to the pool everyday and camping. The 7/8th grade girls got soaked that first weekend camping trip but the next trips whether fishing, camping, hiking, mountain biking, or white water rafting had great weather and a better time.

But enough about the great things that happened during the Summer. We are looking forward to a great year of activities after-school and during vacations. I hope you stay tuned for a updates and registration forms!

All the Best,
Nick,
CityScape Coordinator.

Back to School!?!

2009-04-28T11:41:00.000-07:00

Well Vacation went very well, our Trip to the Boston Museum of Science was a tremendous hit with all the kids, I hope we didn't disappointing to may students. I am sure those that wanted to go with but didn't make it will have a chance over the summer to join us on other trips that will be full of fun and adventure. Think Montreal, Mass, and White Water Rafting!!

The UVM Ropes Course was a great hit as well thanks to all the students who braved the heights and crossed the log or wire, it was a couragious crossing or assent. And Thanks to Loyd our Facilitator it was a great couple of days and we look forward to returning over the summer.

The Fence Raising for the Garden was a great and a success. The fence is up and the Deer are out! So are the Rabitts! This fence should last for a number of years and it took a great deal of effort to complete. So thanks to all our volunteers and YSB Staff who made their presence felt.

I hope everyone is excited about getting back to school! Or at least joining us for our afterschool activities.

Best wishes to everyone,
Nick.

Vacation is Fast Approching

2009-04-08T06:43:00.000-07:00

April Vacation is on it's way, and we have some great activities planned.

I have worked hard to arrange the ropes course at UVM in Burlington, we will have 4 hours of low
ropes initiatives which will be challenging and empowering.

The Garden will have the fence up by April 20th, we will have a blast building garden beds, and planting our seed and baby plants, well will also spend some time in the Kitchen making some food from local ingredients.

Chelsea and Jamie (YSB staff) will be taking 10 5/6 graders to BOSTON!! Not to a Red Sox game but to the Boston Museum of Science where they will stay the night in the Museum under T-rex and next to Robots.

This isn't a complete list but it is a taste of the Great stuff that is fast approaching, make sure you get your permission slips in early!

-Nick

First POST!!!

2009-04-02T11:53:00.000-07:00

As, this address continues to trickle out to the community, I figure I need to write something, as this is a BLOG.

What is the goal of this?? Wow that is a great question!

I am hoping this will be a place for Students, Parents, and the School to get the information they need regarding what is going on for CityScape. I have a schedule that will become more and more useful and forms for registration, I also have the bus route. As, I put out more info you will be able to comment and request new information.

I hope this is Accurate, Brief and Clear the ABC of Comunication.