Calais Cougar Chronicle
February 16th, 2024
Hello Calais Cougars!
Things are getting very busy here at Calais between getting as much learning in as possible before February break and planning for all that comes after break. Our winter assessment window is closing soon but already I can see there has been tremendous growth since we returned to school in the fall. Our students and faculty have been working hard to make progress and it’s paying off. I’m so proud of their work and their resilience!
I have some good news and some great news to share with families. Last fall, students and families heard Calais had become a peanut/tree nut free school which I know was a disappointment for some. I’m happy to say our good news is that our status has changed and students are welcome to go back to bringing in peanut/tree nut foods for snack and lunch.
Under the “great” news category, I’m thrilled to announce that Mr. Andrew (PE teacher Andrew McCarthy) will return to Calais from his long term leave after February break. You’ll recall that Andrew was in a serious crash in late November and has been in recovery and rehabilitation since. We are so grateful for his speedy recovery and our students are looking forward to his return.
Our last day before February break is next Friday, February 23, 2024. We will enjoy spirit week for the entire week but Friday we will bring back an old Calais tradition of Beach Day. Students will get to enjoy some beach inspired activities during PE class and have a beach party vibe at lunch with oldies beach music and a picnic style lunch from Chef Dena. Students are encouraged to wear shorts/beach gear for the day and bring a beach towel or blanket to sit on for lunch.
Enjoy your weekend,
Ms. Cat, CES Principal
Currently Calais Elementary has 19% of our student population home with some form of illness! Our staffing levels are also suffering due to illness-related absences.
IF YOUR CHILD IS SICK PLEASE KEEP THEM HOME! Everyone is getting back to back illnesses and we need children and staff to err on the side of safety. If your child is showing NEW or CONTINUING symptoms - keep them home. Please only send them back when they are well on the mend. We have had many children come back to school only to stay out the day afterwards because they were not 100% and the day at school was too much. This affects their learning, their behavior, and their interaction with their peers and teachers. Please remember the big 3 - Your child MUST be >24 hours fever, vomit and/or diarrhea free WITHOUT the use of medication to return to school.
Children are adorable and love to share - and the number of students informing us of the medication they are taking before school is pretty high right now. If your student needs cough medication/syrup, pain relievers/fever reducers, cough drops or any other medication - they are not well enough to be at school or accessing their learning.
As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns to Nurse Maria at mmelekos@u32.org or 802-454-7777 ext. 116.
2/16 - Registration for CC Winter Day Camp Due
2/17 - Lacrosse Clinic
2/19 - 5th and 6th Grade Band Concert (Start time 6:00pm)
2/19 - Strengthening Families Program Birth-3
2/19 - Strengthening Families Program for Families with Teens
2/19 - Nurturing Program for Families in Substance Use Treatment & Recovery
2/19-2/23 - Spirit Week
2/21 - Nurturing Skills for Families
2/23 - Beach Day
2/25 - Fiber Friends knitting group
2/26-3/5 - WINTER BREAK - No school for students
2/26 - CC Winter Day Camp
2/27 - CC Winter Day Camp
2/27 - Nurturing Program for Families in Substance Use Treatment & Recovery
2/28 - CC Winter Day Camp
2/29 - CC Winter Day Camp
3/1 - CC Winter Day Camp
3/5 - Strengthening Families Program for Families with Teens
3/5 - Town Meeting Day
3/7 - Nurturing Skills for Families
3/8 - Spaghetti Dinner/Raffle Reservation Forms Due
3/9 - Lacrosse Clinic
3/14 - Friends of Calais Meeting
3/15 - Spaghetti Dinner/Raffle - Friends of Calais
3/16 - Lacrosse Clinic
19th: Monday: Calais Cougar Blue Day: Wear Blue to show Calais Spirit
20th: Tuesday: Cool Hat. Crazy Hair Day: Create a Crazy Hairstyle or Wear a Cool Hat to show Calais Spirit
21st: Wednesday: Sports Day: Wear Sports Gear featuring favorite team to show Calais Spirit
22nd: Thursday: Pajama Day: Wear your pjs to show Calais Spirit
23rd: Friday: Beach Day: Enjoy a day at the Beach to show Calais Spirit
