Wildcat Buzz
![Wildcat Buzz](https://cdn.smore.com/u/aa1c/768ea9d14ecef191d5204a6f8a4a3789.jpg)
February 16, 2024
Top Buzz -
1. Please complete Kindergarten Registration forms by 2/23
2. Registration is open for WCS Volleyball and Spring Sports
3. Spirit Week @WCS 2/19-2/23
Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming Events
02/17 - Swift House Bottle Drive
02/19 - Start of Spirit Week @WCS
02/19 - Synergy, Harmony, & Starlings to WCS for Summit House Play: Aladdin
02/20 - Harmony to Catamount
02/20 - Explorers & Horizon to WCS for Summit House Play: Aladdin
02/22 - Agave Fundraiser Night for Swift House Trip
02/26 - February Break Begins - NO SCHOOL 2/26 - 3/1
03/11 - Lucky U starts
03/12 - Intergen Book Groups
03/13 - Four Winds Training @WCS Community Room
03/14 - Walk or Roll to School
03/14 - Williston Family as Partners Monthly Meeting, 8:30 - 10:30am @WCS Community Room
03/15 - DEI Community Forum
03/22 - No School for Students / Conference Flex Day
03/23 - Big Basket RaffleA Message from the Williston Schools Leadership Team
by Angela Filion, Allen Brook School Principal
One of the shared goals of our admin team this year is “Continuing to strengthen our connection and engagement with our families”, particularly during this post pandemic time we are in. One way we are able to get relevant and pertinent information to you is this weekly note we send out. We have gathered feedback to make some improvements to increase access and to be as concise and efficient as we can. The former weekly “Bell” has been rebranded as “The Wildcat Buzz”. Thanks to Shani Varricchione for making these revisions as we aim to better meet the needs of our audience members.
As you may or may not know we have an incredible safety team that meets regularly to ensure we are using measures in our schools that keeps everyone’s physical and mental well being at the heart of the work. Now may be a good time to review the CVSD Safety Page that informs you of important information about how we respond in the event of different safety concerns.
We have been getting some questions about our “clear the halls” protocol that we sometimes initiate for various reasons at school. In the first six weeks of school and at various times throughout the school year, teachers use a lesson plan to teach what to do if there is a “clear the halls” announcement. They also do the same lessons on lockdown drills and fire drills. This way students have practiced what to do in the event we ever need to exercise these drills. Here is a possible script that would be used to teach this drill “Today we are going to talk about what it looks like to practice for a clear the halls drill. Possible practice scenarios could be: We are silently reading in class. The clear the hall announcement is given. What do we do? (Remain working quietly and stay in the classroom until the announcement that the drill has concluded). If you are walking down the hall, you go into the nearest space with the trusted adults who welcome you in. Let’s practice!”
So why do we use this drill at times? The reason we would initiate this drill is to protect the privacy and dignity of any circumstances that warrant that. This could be if there is a medical injury/emergency, if a child is struggling to regulate themselves and may need additional privacy etc. We use our discretion as to when these drills need to be exercised and use them sparingly. Our students are taught what to do and why we do it, so that they know what to expect and will feel safe and cared for when/if we need to initiate the drill. We hope this helps inform you of some of the things we do to ensure safety here at Williston Schools!
Special Announcements & Notices
CVSD's Proposed 2024-2025 Budget Update
Earlier this week, the CVSD School Board's Finance Committee had a productive meeting to discuss the options and implications for the district and taxpayers regarding the proposed 2024-2025 budget. At next week's School Board meeting on Tuesday, 2/20 at 6:00 pm, the full board will come together to discuss it and work towards a decision on how to move forward.
On Wednesday, 2/21 at 6:30 pm, the district's administration and school board will host a virtual Town Hall. The focus of this Town Hall is to provide the latest information available about the proposed budget and answer questions.
We hope you can join us for these events. See the calendar on the left side of the district's homepage for details about how to attend. https://www.cvsdvt.org/ We will share another update next week.
Be sure you don't miss out... keep scrolling all the way to the end!
There's a lot to know - sometimes it doesn't all fit - click the link for the full message at the end of the email
Lunch Menu
From the Health Office
The Buzz at ABS
Kindergarten Registration is now open!
Will your student turn 5 before September 1, 2024? If yes, Fall 2024 Kindergarten registration is now open. Please visit our information page for details.
The WCS Wildcat What's Up
WCS School Wide Spirit Week is NEXT WEEK!
Swift House Fundraisers
Agave Fundraiser...
10% of all sales on Thursday the 22nd will be donated towards the Swift House team trip to Boston.
Bottle Drive - Saturday, February 17th
Swift House students are organizing a second bottle drive to benefit our year-end trip. Students will collect any redeemable cans & bottles between 9:00-12:00 Saturday, February 17th. Please leave bagged or boxed redeemables labeled with "Swift House" at the end of your driveway. If you are not on our pick-up list and have items to donate, you can also drop them off in front of Williston Central School between 8:00-9:00 am on December 2nd.
Neighborhood list: -Brennan Woods - Southridge Road - Ledgewood Drive - Wildflower Circle - Lefebvre Lane - Katie Lane - Golf Links - Southfield Drive - Isham Circle - Pleasant Acres - Lamplite Acres - The Commons - Finney Crossing
Thank you for supporting us and helping to spread the word!
4th Grade Chorus
Newcomers welcome!
When:
Tuesdays after school, 2:50-4:00.
Rehearsals for session 2 begin on Tuesday, March 5th.
The first two rehearsals are “open enrollment.” (3/5 and 3/12)
Starting Tuesday, March 19th, students must make a final decision to be a chorus member
Non-members are not permitted to attend rehearsals.
See the Wildcat What's Up for full details...
Please Note: Students who are already in the chorus do not need to sign up again. Only students new to the group need to complete the form.
Please contact Danielle Trasciatti-Holmberg (Mrs. T-H) with any questions or concerns. dtrasciatti@cvsdvt.org
Backyard Bird Count
AUDITIONS- The Sound of Music: In Concert
The Lyric/ VSO production of The Sound of Music: In Concert would love to see your students audition for members of the von Trapp Family and/or the Nuns Chorus (for those with more mature voices who read well and are independent/strong musicians).
Auditions for the kids (all but Liesl) are this Saturday and all other parts (including Liesl and Rolf) have auditions tomorrow (Thursday) and Sunday, with callbacks next week.
The rehearsal period is mostly in May, with performances at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe in June. All information/materials can be found here: https://lyrictheatrevt.org/som50/
CVSD Summer Band Camp - 08/12 thru 8/16
Open to band instrumentalists entering 6th, 7th or 8th grade in the CVSD school district.
See the Wildcat What's Up for Full Details
CVSD Summer Band Camp is a private organization and is not operated, managed or affiliated with the Champlain Valley School District.
WCS Athletics
Registration is Open
Volleyball and Spring Sports registration is open
Visit our WCS Athletics page for details and to register
Williston Families as Partners
WFAP Volunteer Crew
Got Baskets?
Williston Schools Annual Fund
Four Winds Nature Institute
This Year's Theme: The Earth
Blanket of Air (Jan.)
Nature of Sound (Feb.)
Water Cycle (March)
Wind & Clouds (April)
Get Your Bearings (May)
Nature's News
Contact Four Winds
If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please contact: wsdfourwinds@cvsdvt.org.
Transportation - Food Service - Safety Team
Williston Schools Food Service
Williston Schools Safety Team
Click here for meeting highlights and updates throughout the school year
CVSD: School Board - DEI - Superintendent
Community Connections
Hello from the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library Youth Department! Find out more about programs at http://www.damlvt.org or by calling 878-4918.
*YOUTH PROGRAMMING*
Children in 5th grade and up may use the library unattended, while those in grade 4 or under must be supervised by a person over 16 years of age. For information on the Unattended Children Policy, see above or visit www.damlvt.org. Parents and guardians are encouraged to stop by or call 878-4918 to chat with a youth librarian about expectations and the library's after-school experience.
Stuffie Sleepover
Friday, February 16, 5-6 p.m. Drop your stuffie off at the front desk and sign them up for a sleepover! Pick them up Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and see pictures of the fun they had.
Sled Dogs
Saturday, February 17, 10-11 a.m. Learn about how sled dogs are trained, and then meet them and see how they get geared up! Get a chance to meet the dogs and get pictures after learning about them. Please dress in layers as this may be both indoors and outdoors depending on the weather!
Storytime
Tuesdays, 10:30-11 a.m. Join Danielle for stories, songs, and rhymes.
After School Movie
Wednesday, February 21, 2-4 p.m. PG. How would you feel if you got big, fluffy, and red every time you had a feeling?
Preschool Music & Preschool Playtime
Thursdays, 10:30-11 a.m. Sing and dance with Linda Bassick! Followed by preschool playtime from 11-11:30 a.m.
LEGO Time
Thursday, February 22, 3-4 p.m. Build something exciting with the Library’s LEGO collection.
Teens D&D
Friday, February 23, 5-6 p.m. Ages 12+. Join our Dungeons & Dragons campaign!
Saturday Music
Saturday, February 24, 10:30-11 a.m. Stop by the library to sing and dance with Linda Bassick!
Littles Dungeons & Dragons*
Saturday, February 24, 1-2 p.m. A mini session of Dungeons & Dragons for children ages 6-8. No prior experience required. Adults should plan to stay to help their campaigner(s). Please register each individual child that plans to participate!
Vermont Reads
This year's Vermont Read title is Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo. Check out a copy of this book in the library. Events related to this book will noted on our website and calendar!
Ice Rink- The entrance to the rink, by the warming hut, will be open when the rink is safe to use and closed off by a fence when the rink is unsafe or making ice. Opening and Closing of the rink will be posted on Facebook and the home page of the Rec. website. Respect- Please respect the rink, and be careful of the liner, boards, and brackets, so they can be reused each year. Also, stay off the rink when closed so ice can be formed that is safe to use. Respect the users of the rink and share in the use. No one group has priority or allocated time. All are welcome!
Summer Camps- Registration is Now Open for Williston residents. Non-residents start Feb. 15. A Summer Camp Guide was mailed to homes. Detailed info on all the camps is now available on the Recreation website. Be sure to check the website for dates, times, fees, and added camps before registering, it is always changing. Be sure to use the Camp Grid, a great tool for planning out your child’s summer- https://willistonvt.myrec.com/forms/6000_campgrid.2024.4.pdf
Spring/Summer Program Guide- Is at the printers. The guide will be mailed home mid-February and will have programs for March through August. Be sure to register for programs early to secure a spot. There will be new and old programs for Active Agers- 50+, Adults, Pre-school, Youth/Teens, After-school, Family, and Community Programs. We hope that you can find something for everyone in your family.
KinderRec Lacrosse
Age 5-6. Coed, Child/Parent. The program teaches the fundamentals of the game using a fun and energetic curriculum that has been tailored to this age group. All sessions are held in a fun and positive environment, where players are encouraged to learn and play with a parent and each other. Instructors: Rec Staff- https://willistonvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30268
Youth Lacrosse
Grades 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, & 7-8. Lacrosse is a fast-paced sport that combines the power of football and hockey and the endurance of soccer and basketball. The programs offer separate boys and girls teams. Volunteer Coaches are needed.
1st-2nd- https://willistonvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29862
3rd-8th- https://willistonvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29960
Ninja Science Camp
This camp combines all the martial arts, tumbling, and parkour that your kids love, with environmental science education! There will be lots of technique-oriented Karate, playing martial arts games, breaking boards, sword fighting, and delving deeper into meditation and the moral and ethical precepts of the martial arts. We'll also be talking about ants, space, and animal tracking! We help girls and boys realize their full potential in an environment that is playful, supportive, and fun. Instructor: ONTA Studio- https://willistonvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30219
One-Click Information
Allen Brook School
Start Time @ 7:50am;
Dismissal for PreK & K at 2:25pm - grades 1 & 2 @2:30pm
Wednesday Early Dismissal @ 1:25 & 1:30
Williston Central School
Start Time @8:00am;
Dismissal grades 3 & 4 @2:35pm - grades 5-8 @2:45pm
Wednesday Early Dismissal @ 1:35 & 1:45
Resources for Families
- First Call - 488-7777: phone support, crisis intervention, assessment and referrals
- In Crisis: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) (National Hopeline Network: USA)
- National Suicide Prevention Life line- 1-800-273-TALK (8255), call or chat online
- Crisis Text Line - text HOME to 741741 (24 hours a day, seven days a week)
- Outright Vermont - support for LGBTQ+ community
- UVM Breathe In Breath Out - How to deal with stress due to COVID-19
- Vermont 211 -Vermont database of resources and services
- Vermont Support Line (833) 888-2557) - peer support warmline open 247 - 365 for call or text
- COVID Counselors @ VT-211
- Teen Crisis Text Line - Crisis Text Line provides free emotional support and information to teens in any type of crisis, including feeling suicidal. You can text with a trained specialist 24 hours a day. Text “HOME” to 741741.
- Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide - Website where you can find information to help yourself or a friend who may be having thoughts of suicide.
- Trevor Lifeline - 1-866- 488-7386 - provides suicide prevention and crisis intervention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. It offers free, 24/7, confidential counseling. TrevorText—text START to 678-678; TrevorChat—instant messaging at TheTrevorProject.org/help. It also runs TrevorSpace, an affirming social networking site for LGBTQ youth at TrevorSpace.