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SCS Community Newsletter
Week of January 8, 2024
Principals' Message
Dear SCS Families and Caregivers,
As we embark on the new calendar year, we wanted to take a moment to highlight the crucial role that regular school attendance plays in your child's educational journey. Strong attendance is one of the most significant predictors of kids’ future academic success and overall well-being. Studies consistently show that students who attend school regularly achieve better academically, exhibit improved social skills, and have higher chances of graduating and pursuing successful careers later in life.
Here are a few facts worth noting:
Students who miss 10% or more of the school year—equivalent to just two days a month—tend to struggle academically and are at a higher risk of falling behind. Missing just 2 days a month adds up to 20 days out of the school year, which is a whole month of school that’s missed.
According to research, consistent attendance in the early grades is strongly linked to improved reading and math skills later on.
Regular school attendance fosters a sense of routine, consistency, and responsibility, contributing significantly to a child's overall development and success.
- Kids with smaller numbers of tardy arrivals report feeling more connected to their teachers and other adults in the building.
It’s also essential to acknowledge the unique circumstances we face today. While we encourage and value consistent attendance, especially given its impact on your child's educational journey, we understand the importance of health and safety. With respiratory illnesses still circulating, kids (and adults) should still stay home if they're sick. By working together and prioritizing both regular attendance and health, we can ensure that our students thrive academically while maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment for all.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has a great article with more information, including tips about getting kids to school on time, here. As a reminder, our start time is 7:50 a.m. each morning. We open our doors and let kids off buses a few minutes prior to that so they can be in class by 7:50.
Thank you for your continued partnership in nurturing your child's educational growth and well-being. If your family has areas where the school could offer support or brainstorm strategies for getting your kids here on time each day, please reach out to your school counselor.
Take care,
Alison, Brett, & Emily
Mark Your Calendars
Upcoming Dates:
1/9 - PTO Meeting (6:00 pm, Green Team Common Space)
1/10 - DEI Community Meeting (5:00 pm, Library)
1/12 - 5th & 6th Grade Social (7:00-9:00 pm, Gym & Cafeteria)
1/15 - NO SCHOOL (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
1/18 - 1st Grade Field Trip (9:00-11:30 am, The Flynn)
1/19 - CVSD DEI Event (6:00-8:00 pm, SCS Library)
Bus Expectations Review
Our Bus Drivers, Planning Room team, and Admin Team will be reviewing how to be safe, respectful, and responsible while riding our school buses with all riders next week. Please be sure to review these expectations as well with your children.
SCS Announcements
Support SCS' Penguin Plunge Team
Once again this year SCS students will be participating in the Polar Plunge, scheduled for Saturday, February 10th, to support Special Olympics Vermont. Follow the links to: join the SCS team, or donate.
Here are some pictures of last year's SCS participants for inspiration!
SCS Sports Registration for Late Winter & Spring Now Open
SCS sports registration is NOW OPEN for the 2023 - 2024 LATE WINTER (Volleyball) and SPRING (Baseball, Softball, Track & Field, and Ultimate Frisbee) seasons.
Registration will close on FRIDAY, February 9, 2024.
SCS Athletics Options:
Late Winter Season:
VOLLEYBALL is open to all 6-8th grade students.
Spring Season:
BASEBALL for all 6-8th graders
SOFTBALL for 5-8th grade girls
TRACK & FIELD for all 5-8th graders
ULTIMATE FRISBEE for all 5-8th graders
If you have a student interested in playing a late winter or spring sport, you will need to complete our registration for SCS athletics. In addition, you will need to submit a Wellness Exam - Sports Participation Form.
Volleyball will begin on Monday, March 4, and run through April 5, 2024.
Spring Sports will begin on Monday, April 8, and run through May, 2024.
Student-athletes will not be allowed to participate until their registration and wellness forms have been completed and submitted.
Feel free to check out the SCS Athletics website, as there is a wealth of information available for families.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Leigh Petrucelli, SCS Athletic Director
New SKAT clubs
2 new SKAT clubs will be starting soon!
Chess Club (grades 3-6): Tuesdays (1/16-2/20) Lottery form
Comic Club (grades 4-6): Mondays (1/22-2/19) Lottery form
CHAMPLAIN VALLEY UNION HIGH SCHOOL
AN INVITATION
To 8th Grade Parents, Caregivers, and Students of the Class of 2028
8th Grade Family Night
Champlain Valley Union High School
CVU Gym, Thursday, February 1st, 6:30-7:45 p.m.
This evening will provide you and your student an introduction to the academic and elective programs they will experience in the 9th grade. Parents, caregivers, and students will be welcomed by Principal Adam Bunting, Core Director Anthony Spagnolo and the Student Council co-Presidents, Nikhil Blasius and Oliver Cheer. Parents/caregivers will then join teacher panels while students will take part in small group tours followed by a presentation in the Theater.
CLAIM LOST & FOUND ITEMS by Friday, 2/2
Is your child missing a coat? Where did that favorite hoodie disappear to? Missing a water bottle, gloves, or shoes? There's a good chance the missing item is sitting here in our lost & found waiting to be claimed! Please encourage your child/ren to take a look next week. Parents/caregivers are welcome to come look between 7:30-4:00.
All unclaimed items will be donated on February 2.
Back to Bach Project Performance for K-4 students
PTO
Shelburne Winter Carnival at SCS
Saturday, January 20, 2024, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Enjoy Family FUN activities regardless of the weather! You won’t want to miss the Bounce house, games, crafts, and entertainment! Delicious food and treats will also be available for sale!
The PTO will be holding a bake sale at the carnival. If you are able to contribute please sign up here and we will be in touch a week before.
If you have questions please contact Mark Monaghan - monaghan77@gmail.com
Readathon: February 7-March 6
The PTO is sponsoring Shelburne Community School's second annual school-wide Readathon from February 7 - March 6. Our kick-off event is a FREE BOOK SWAP on Wed. Feb. 7 at 6 pm. We will begin collecting gently used children's books (picture books and board books through Young Adult books) beginning Monday, January 8. Look for the drop box in the SCS lobby. Or just bring your books with you on February 7 from 6 - 7:30 and join us in the Green Team Common room for free books, free pizza, crafts, and more!
All are welcome -- you do NOT need to donate books to attend this free event. Please RSVP here so we order enough pizza. Questions? Email scsreadathon@gmail.com
CVSD News
CVSD Summer Program Updates
CVSD is anticipating that the general education summer programming will not run for the Summer of 2024. Students who meet the criteria for Extended School Year Services per their IEP will continue to receive services. (Location for these services is still TBD.)
Happy New Year, ParentIN family!
As we step into 2024, we know the New Year can bring a gamut of emotions. For some, it's a time of joy and fresh starts. For others, it's a bittersweet goodbye to a year of challenges. And for most, it's a beautiful blend of both.
Here at ParentIN, we see you, all of you. We see the superhero strength you bring every day, juggling caregiving, work and all the goodies in between. Most of all, we know you’re here because of your unwavering love for your family. Reminding you that ParentIN is your constant sidekick throughout these years. Providing you support groups, resources, and a listening ear when you need a break.
And guess what? We've got some great programming coming!
CVSD and ParentIN join forces against tobacco/vaping! Check out Access CVU's February cessation classes coming at you!
Dr. Maheux, UNC brain expert, joins us to talk addiction and science. Get ready for mind-blowing insights about youth and addiction prevention.
Outright Vermont partners with us for our annual Pride event in June. We’re also working with them on another parent education event to learn together!
We would love to hear your ideas on how to build our programming and strengthen this community. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with hot topics you want addressed or suggestions for learning opportunities you hope to see offered. We can’t do this work without you.
All the best,
Amy Sayre
Youth Vaping: What’s CVSD Doing About It?
You’ve likely heard more about youth vaping these days. And rightly so, the most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey reported 16% of Vermont high school students used an EVP (electron vaping device) in the past 30 days. Vaping is not a social norm or youth trend. It’s an increasingly serious health issue for our kids.
That’s why CVSD and Connecting Youth continue to proactively address vaping as a health issue. Our prevention strategies are restorative, not punitive. We aim to educate, empower and support. Not point blame. And we know prevention is most effective when it connects people across multiple social and economic settings.
From community education to readily accessible quit resources, learn more here about our prevention efforts to help youth make the healthiest choices. If you have questions, ideas or just want to learn more, reach out to your school’s SAPs. We're in this together!
-Connecting Youth
CVSD Early Education Programs News
PreKindergarten Lottery is now open for 2024-2025!
The CVSD Early Education Program is now accepting applications for a random prekindergarten lottery drawing for the 2024-25 school year. This lottery is for an opportunity to enroll in one of our school-based classrooms which run 10 hours per week. Our school-based prekindergarten classrooms are 5 STARs, licensed early education programs that provide play-based, developmentally appropriate environments for all children in an inclusive setting. Our curriculum is based on the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS).
Our programs follow the CVSD school calendar. Children who will be age 3 or older by September 1, 2024, who are not eligible for kindergarten, and live in the communities of Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, St. George, and Williston are eligible to enter the lottery. Families who are selected for the lottery and choose to enroll their child in a CVSD program access their Act 166 publicly funded prekindergarten funds for the school-based program.
All applications must be received by February 5, 2024, and are located on the CVSD Early Education website under 2024-2025 Preschool Lottery . Paper applications are available upon request.
For additional information, questions about our program, or any concerns about your child’s development, please visit our website or contact Director of Early Education, Erin Gagne at egagne@cvsdvt.org. Our Early Education team is also available for developmental screenings in the areas of communication, social-emotional development, motor skills, adaptive development, and cognition. More information about an Early Multi-Tiered System of Supports is also available on the website.
Community Announcements
4-H Teen & Leadership Program Events
January 13 - Come to our first teen science cafe of 2024 and learn all about Life in a Drop of Water - A Deep Dive into Aquatic Microbiology and Phytoplankton! In this cafe you will interact with aquatic microscopic life in Lake Champlain, mud puddles, and the ocean using microscopes; learn about the importance of microscopic aquatic life (and why NASA is sending algae to space!); compete for prizes; and even create living mini-ecosystems in a bottle to take home. Open to youth in grades 7-12. Click here to register
More information about each program and registration links can be found at: https://www.uvm.edu/extension/youth/announcements
SCS Useful Links
CVSD Info
Find information about monthly School Board Meetings, community forums such as the DEI Town Hall, and more on the district website. See the year at a glance on the 2023-2024 K-8 School Year Calendar. See The CVSD Story for the latest blog posts about what's happening across the district.
Let's Talk
Still Need More Information?
Website: https://www.cvsdvt.org/shelburne
Shelburne Community School Administration
Brett Cluff, 5-8 Principal
Emily Cogan, Director of Special Education