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The School Bell
Williston Schools / September 15, 2023
In this issue...
A message from ABS Principal Angela Filion - Important Dates - Chorus and Band Details, School Picture Day Reminder - ABS New Garden - SPARK Session 1 details - and more...
In every issue...
- DAMLibrary - Upcoming Events/Programs
- School and District Calendars
- Food Service / Transportation Links
- Families as Partners & Four Winds
- CVSD District and School Board Links
- Important Family Resources
A Message from the Williston Schools Leadership Team
by Angela Filion, Allen Brook School Principal
A warm welcome back to all our students and families as we begin our learning journey together this year! At ABS we have been very busy settling our students into their routines and classroom communities. Our focus has been on building our community by focusing on identity and belonging. Every year I pick a read aloud theme that I come to share with our students. This year our mantra is “We Move Together” by Authors: Anne McGuire and Kelly Fritsch and illustrator Eduardo Trejos. Teachers were welcomed back with us hearing this read aloud together and discussing what the central message of the story is and what we do as a school community. Student discussions included: we are never alone, that sometimes we have to wait, that we sometimes disagree and that our problem solving can lead to better ideas that work for our community, that we all have different needs and that we work together to understand those needs better.
A part of understanding different needs is helping students and adults understand that some student transitions can be hard and that when someone is struggling we use empathy and restorative practices to help us feel safe and cared for in our learning community. We invite you to start conversations in homes, as well as in the community about diverse needs in our world. Please keep in mind we are talking about developmental needs of 5, 6, and 7 year olds, who are learning and growing, and also looking to us, as the adults, to model appropriate reactions and ways of communicating, especially when the topics are difficult. Please remember this before posting on social media, calling a friend or talking with a neighbor.
Our hope is that when students walk through our doorways, they feel safe, supported and cared for. We hope they can leave any negative feelings at the door, and carry on with a positive and successful day. There are students who walk through these doors and THIS is their safe place. A place where they feel safe and comfortable to share their truths. For some, they may be able to verbalize their feelings in what we would call “expected” ways such as talking with a teacher, school counselor or friend. Other students may communicate in ways that we would call “unexpected”. This may look like hitting, biting, throwing items, etc. or sound like yelling/screaming, name calling or swears.
At ABS, we work extremely hard to protect student’s privacy, and integrity. There are times where classrooms may be cleared, to remove the audience and keep others safe. There are other times where a student may walk out of a classroom yelling threats and swears. Sometimes students leave class without permission and run around the hallways. Some students make noises, cry loudly, or climb tables/chairs. Whatever may be the external behavior we are seeing or hearing, what we know is that students are doing what they think is the BEST choice for them at that moment.
Allen Brook School has a behavior support team who is available to respond to these behaviors to support students and teachers. We use a variety of restorative practices such as restorative conversations which helps identify what happened while discussing replacement behaviors, opportunities to repair the relationship(s) (such as an act of kindness, meeting, or written apology for a student, a class, a teacher, etc.), as well as a restorative circle for the student(s) and adults who experienced an unexpected situation. A restorative circle involves an adult asking open-ended questions to the group. Every student has an opportunity to respond or “pass” using a “talking piece”. The “talking piece” moves around the circle one more time to check in with those who may have “passed” during the first round. This ensures that all voices are heard and valued by the group. Once the “talking piece” has made its way around to everyone in the circle, the adult asks another question to the group, and the process continues.
Here are a few typical questions asked during these circles;
How are you feeling right now?
How were you feeling during the unexpected situation?
What do you think that person might need from us to feel welcome in our classroom?
What do you need from us to feel safe and respected? What can we do for you?
So what does this mean for you?
Ask your student(s):
How was your day?
What did you do to be kind today?
Who did you play with at recess?
Do you ever see or hear things at school that are unexpected?
If the answer is Yes, ask more questions: How did you feel? How do you think that student was feeling? What repair was done? What can I do to help you feel OK?
If the answer is NO, remind them that they have safe adults at school and home that they can talk to.
We recognize this is heavy information, and can cause some anxiety and strong emotions. Please know we are here to support students in all capacities, from academic learning including content areas such as math, writing, PE and art, we are also here to support their Social Emotional Learning (SEL) by teaching, modeling and reinforcing expected behaviors such as keeping hands and feet to self, positive self talk, taking a break and listening to their body.
Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming Events
09/18 - ABS Picture Day
09/19 - WCS Picture Day
09/21 - WCS Grades 3 & 4 Open House, 6:30 - 7:30pm
09/25 - NO SCHOOL, Yom Kippur
09/28 - ABS K-2 Open House, 6:00 - 7:00pm
10/06 - NO SCHOOL, Student Conference Day
10/09 - NO SCHOOL, Indigenous Peoples Day
10/11 - 4 Winds Training, 8:15am - 10:30 am @WCS Community Room
10/12 - Families as Partners Monthly Meeting, 8:30 - 10:30 @WCS Community Room
10/13 - Synergy to Mt. Philo
10/27 - Beginner Band Instrument Assembly, 9:45-10:45am
11/03 - 7th & 8th Grade Dance, 6:30 - 8:30
Smile - It's Picture Day!
ABS Picture Day - Monday, September 18th
WCS Picture Day - Tuesday, September 19th
Lunch Menu
CVSD Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Town Halls
We welcome everyone back and are excited to announce a new format for the CVSD Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Town Halls this school year. We will meet virtually for the first Town Hall on Wednesday, September 20 at 6:30 pm. At that time, we will provide an overview of this year's Town Hall topics. We will also answer questions about the DEI work that is underway in the district. Future DEI Town Halls will take place in November, January, March, and May. Those will be in-person Town Halls with a specific focus. The Zoom information for the September 20th Town Hall is posted on the district's website calendar and on the CVSD DEI website. We look forward to continuing the conversation!
On alternate months, (October, December, February, & April), the CVSD Virtual Town Halls will focus on the Strategic Plan and Growth & Belonging.
Dear CVSD Families and Caregivers
Our district values your feedback! Starting on September 22 and continuing through October 9, we will be asking you to take a brief survey to tell us about your experience with the school(s) your child attends. To ensure we continue to provide high-quality learning experiences that meet the needs of our learners and prepare them for college and career, we need your feedback. We invite you to share your thoughts.
We thank you in advance for your thoughtful responses. If you have any questions about the survey administration, please don’t hesitate to contact us using Let's Talk.
Thank you,
Champlain Valley School District
Reminder: Annual Form Updates
Annual Update Forms MUST be completed in order for your student to participate in Field Trips and other school events. Forms may be completed on-line or using the PowerSchool Mobile App.
All About ABS...
ABS Gets New Garden!
Join us in celebrating the newly planted, colorful, pollinator perennial garden adjacent to the entrance to school. It has been transformed to a garden for all seasons! Alive and abuzz with bloom, fragrance, seed heads and textures, it will be a beauty for many seasons to come.
Ashely Robinson, Landscape Designer, designed the garden after contacted by Fred Erdman (aka Mr. Fred) who substituted during lunch and recess last year. Ashely is on the board of the Vermont Nursery and Landscape Association. Through their Project Outreach Program all materials and design were donated by the generous businesses listed below.
Ashley Robinson, Landscape Designer
Claussens’s Florist, Greenhouse & Perennial Farm
Rocky Dale Gardens
Full Circle Gardens
Gardener's Supply
Additional thanks go out to Shani Varricchone, Cindy Cole, Lynn Walker, Mark Saunders and Fred Erdman for their work on the garden.
Important Safety Reminder for End of Day Pick-Up
Allen Brook School End of Day Changes
Please remember: If there is any change to your student's typical end of day plan, please be sure to contact the front office and teacher BEFORE 1:00PM (or 12:00 pm on Wednesdays). Changes in your student(s) schedule will not be accepted after this time unless it is an emergency.
Send all emails regarding attendance and end of day changes to:
The classroom teacher
Front Office: absfrontoffice@cvsdvt.org
The Team Assistant for your grade:
Kindergarten - cplouffe@cvsdvt.org
First/Second Grade - lsaladino@cvsdvt.org
What Up at WCS...
SPARK Enrichment After School Session 1
We are excited to offer your child an opportunity to participate in Spark Enrichment, an after-school applied learning program for students in grades 5-8. Sessions will run for 5 weeks from 2:50 p.m - 4:20 p.m. with our 1st session starting September 28th and ends October 26th. These small group classes will be facilitated by school faculty and staff. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities that can be found on the link below. Accommodations for any food allergies will be made. Caregivers will receive an email (using the email given on the form) informing them of the assigned workshop on Monday or Tuesday of the week that workshops begin. In order to take full advantage of this learning opportunity, students will need to make a commitment to attend all five Thursdays. If your child decides to not take part in this session after having registered please contact Julie Rogers so that others may fill the spot. The after-school activity bus will provide transportation home for students in need of a ride home.
The dates of the session are: September 26, October 5, 12, 19, and 26. When registering, students will be able to rank their choices for better placement! Students will be placed on a first come first serve basis as well as ensuring that students do not repeat workshops unless there are open spots. Please use this registration form and a listing of workshop descriptions. Contact Julie Rogers (jrogers@cvsdvt.org) with any questions.
Dress Code & Personal Electronics Reminders
Dress Code
Williston Schools are committed to creating a comfortable and positive learning environment for all students. The WCS dress code is designed to promote a body-positive environment where all students feel safe and welcome by upholding standards that foster a secure and equitable community. Our dress code seeks to ensure that all students are treated equitably regardless of race, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, household income, disability or body type/size. WCS expects its members to come to school dressed appropriately for being in a public space, community and work environment. Students are expected to wear clothing that:
- Fully covers belly or midriff, rear and chest, and should not be transparent (see-through).
- Undergarments (not including straps) should also not be exposed.
- Does not display messages that depict, or symbolize sexual references, drugs/alcohol/tobacco, weapons or harassing references (targeting based on race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, sexual orientation, or disability).
- Does not completely cover the face. Exceptions for religious coverings, masks for health reasons, and hats/hoodies (as long as they are not impacting safety, health or learning).
NOTE: Certain areas in the school might require particular dress for safety reasons especially in Design and Tech space and the gymnasium; teachers of these spaces will share expectations with students.
Potential dress code violations will be handled… ● In a manner that does not pull a student out of an instructional class ● Through a private, respectful conversation ● With a trusted adult that has a relationship with the student ● Without requiring the student wear a “loaner” item ● If there is a violation, the student will be asked to cover up or change using their own clothing
Final dress code decisions will be made by the Principal
Cell Phone, Airpods and other Electronics
Electronic games, cell phones, Airpods, etc. are not to be carried or used during the school day. They are allowed on the bus to and from school. Students may keep them in their backpack at their own risk or put them in a locked location provided by their team.
SEEKING PARTICIPANTS for InterGen - A Monthly Inter-generational Book Group!
Families as Partners (FAP) teams up with the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library to sponsor a fun inter-generational book group that brings together WCS middle school students, seniors from our community and parent volunteers. Each book group will read and discuss 5 books over the course of the school year. Meetings take place during school hours.
The program will kick-off in October with a “Get Acquainted” meeting. The book groups will then meet during school hours once a month to discuss books in a relaxed and fun setting. 5th & 6th graders meet from 11:40 am - 12:15pm. 7th & 8th graders meet from 12:15 pm - 12:50pm. The program runs from October to March. (Note 5/6 and 7/8 groups will read different titles)
If your 5-8th grade student is interested in being considered for this program, please register by Friday, September 29th. We are also seeking parent volunteers! Use this online link to register your child or to sign up as a volunteer.
If you have any questions, please contact Karen at ws_intergen@cvsdvt.org.
(Here is the online link: https://forms.gle/nk7CZ4gpumxx85Ru5)
Mentors Needed
Do you think kids are fun? Does spending time with children bring you joy? Are you interested in giving back to your community? Then you’d probably be a good mentor! CY Mentors at WCS are caring adults who spend a regularly scheduled hour with their middle school student
mentees each week that school is in session. They participate in many activities together on school grounds,including games, arts and crafts, sports cooking, and conversation.
Mentors bring with them a sense of shared fun, new experiences and great listening skills. Mentors bring encouragement and options for expanding a young person’s regard for themselves and their world. By sharing yourself with your mentee you can inspire them to create a richer future for themselves. If you would like to give back to the community in this incredibly meaningful way, please be in touch! We would love to hear from you.
Please contact Becky martell , WCS Mentoring rmartell@cvsdvt.org or 802-871-6046
WCS 5th - 8th Grade Lego Robotics Team is seeking new team members!
Is your son or daughter interested in STEAM - science, technology, engineering, art, and math? If so, they might really enjoy being part of the WCS Lego Robotics team that competes against more than 20 other Vermont middle schools to see who can best code robots and create innovative solutions to challenges. This year’s theme is Masterpiece, exploring how technology helps create and communicate art across the globe. Here is a sneak peek at the challenge table: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QArg43rCMBA. The team meets every Monday / Tuesday from 3:00 - 4:20, and there is a late bus for any students needing transportation. We expect every member of the team to commit to attending every “practice” to the best of their ability. This year, we will compete in two competitions, a Vermont qualifier at SCS on Saturday, Dec. 2, and the Vermont State Championships at Norwich University on Sat. Jan 26.
We have a pretty large group of students returning from last year’s two teams, and Lego limits team sizes to 10 students, but there are at least five positions for new students. We will hold a lottery of everyone interested to select new team members, and those not selected are placed on a waitlist in case anyone can’t keep their commitment. If your son or daughter is interested, please complete this form https://forms.gle/fVyYJzx8Y16AKa8e8 before 3 PM Wednesday, September 20, and we will do our best to include as many as possible from those interested. Everyone will be notified by Friday, Sept 22, of their status, and our first team meeting will be Monday, September 25, at 3 p.m. in Mr. Miler’s Creation Studio. If you have any questions, please reach out to Coach Allan Miller at akmiller@cvsdvt.org
WCS 4th Grade Chorus Info
When:
Tuesdays after school, 2:50-4:00.
Rehearsals for session 1 begin on Tuesday, September 26th.
The first two rehearsals are “open enrollment.” (9/26 and 10/3) Students may come to sit in and check it out with no obligation.
Starting Tuesday, October 10th, students must make a final decision to be a chorus member or not. Chorus members must attend all rehearsals. Absences due to medical, religious, or family reasons are excused.
Non-members are not permitted to attend rehearsals.
Where:
WCS Music/Chorus room
Students should bring a snack to eat between school dismissal and the start of chorus rehearsal. No food is permitted inside the rehearsal room. Only water is allowed.
There is a 4:20 activity bus available to take students home. Supervision is provided between 4:00 and 4:20.
Other Information:
The chorus performances for session 1 will be on Tuesday, February 6th, 2024.
The chorus sings a variety of music from different time periods, cultures, and styles. The students will be singing in different languages, meters, and tonalities. The songs range in level of difficulty.
No audition- just a love for singing!
No cost.
Sign-up forms will be coming home in your child’s take-home folder. (Or use this online form instead!)
Please contact Danielle Trasciatti-Holmberg (Mrs. T-H) with any questions or concerns. dtrasciatti@cvsdvt.org
Soccer Balls Needed for WCS Recess
If you have any with some life still left in them that you would be willing to donate, they can be dropped off at WCS Attn: Julia Nesbit
Four Winds Nature Institute
Families as Partners
Arrival & Dismissal
Williston & CVSD Services and Resources
Bus Information
Thank you for your continued patience and support as our students and drivers learn the routes and routines at the beginning of the school year.
Williston Schools Food Service
Williston Schools Safety Team
Community Connections
3rd Annual CVU Redhawks Girls Basketball Golf Tournament
Please join us on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at Cedar Knoll Country Club in Hinesburg for the 3rd Annual CVU Redhawks Girls Basketball Golf Tournament.
The day will include greens fees, cart rental, food (a light breakfast, lunch, appetizers and cash bar,) raffle prizes and the winning team will receive the Dick Hess Championship Trophy at the end of the day. $100 per person or $400 per foursome who register by September 10th. To sign up for your spot or register a foursome, contact Christine Jacobs at monkton127@gmail.com
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.
We are happy to welcome children into the library after school again and will be offering programs on early-release Wednesdays, including crafts, LEGOs and more. 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.
Teens D&D
Friday, September 15, 5-6 p.m. Ages 12+. Join our Dungeons & Dragons campaign!
Storytime
Tuesdays, 10:30-11 a.m. Join Danielle for stories, songs, and rhymes.
September Science Activity: Magnetic Painting
Tuesday, September 19, 5-5:45 p.m. Test magnetic push and pull to create a unique painting!
Baby Time
Wednesday, September 20, 10:30-11 a.m. Enjoy interacting and bonding through these gentle baby activities (twice monthly).
After School Movie
Wednesday, September 20, 2-4 p.m. PG. Is the internet not working? Well, we bet we know who wrecked it…
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.
Read to a Dog (Lola)*
Thursday, September 21, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Call to register for a 10-minute time slot to read to (or hang out with) Lola the Therapy Dog!
Information in 1-Click
Family Resources
Resources to keep accessible:
- 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.
Allen Brook School and Williston Central School