BAMS

Brattleboro, VT — September 15, 2025 — Brattleboro Area Middle School (BAMS) proudly announces that Anne Koplinka-Loehr, a 7th & 8th grade social studies teacher, has been awarded a 2025 Rowland Fellowship. This prestigious fellowship, granted by The Rowland Foundation, supports visionary Vermont educators in implementing transformative initiatives to enhance school culture and climate. Koplinka-Loehr is the first Rowland Fellow from both BAMS and the Windham Southeast School District, and she has worked closely with Principal Keith Lyman to develop this initiative.

With this fellowship, Koplinka-Loehr has stepped into a Teacher on Special Assignment role for the 2025-2026 academic year. She will be facilitating a group of staff and students to integrate restorative practices throughout the middle school.

• School Board Update – Tim Maciel
– Tim provided the following updates from the latest board meeting:
– June 18th retreat scheduled
– Taking input from LC’s regarding district goals
– Board needs more data driven reports to direct goals
– VTCAP statewide results, Hiring data

• Call to Order – 6:00 pm
• Review of minutes from April 8, 2024
• School Board Update – Tim Maciel
• School Update from BAMS Principal – Keith Lyman

Matt Betz and Peggy shared about the advisory system. They use Developmental Designs. A majority of the staff are formally trained in this framework. Every day starts with advisory – a small group of 10-12 students. It’s like a family during their two years at BAMS. There is a lot of social bonding that takes place among the team. They have daily connection building activities like sharing circles and games. There are team meetings once a week and regular assemblies to celebrate successes and address concerns.

• Call to Order – 6:00 pm
• Review of minutes from January 4, 2024
• Confirm Notetaker for future meetings
• School Update from BAMS Principal