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SCS Community Newsletter
Week of December 25, 2023
Principals' Message
Dear SCS Families and Caregivers,
As we ease into the December break, we wanted to share a few of the many ways that SCS students and staff members have been giving back. This week in particular, there was a spirit of goodwill and camaraderie throughout the building. We experienced our fair share of “week before break” jitters as well, of course, but we want to make sure we shine a light on some of the many examples of generosity that we’re aiming to build upon as we turn the calendar page to 2024.
On Tuesday, Green Team launched a challenge to other grades in the building to embark on a wellness goal during the week. They did more than 2,400 squats collectively, which inspired the Red Team to hit 7,500+ lunges the following day! Our Wellness committee took up the banner by proposing a list of possible challenges that teams will take into the New Year.
On Wednesday, the Wind Ensemble played three tunes for our second 5-8 assembly. It was awesome to bring back this tradition of students performing for and appreciating each other. The audience modeled kind listening throughout, and we’re hoping to bring some similar experiences to the younger grades after the break.
The PTO also came through with a cart full of snacks and drinks on Wednesday to keep our staff well cared for. There’s nothing like a seltzer and some snacks at the end of a long day!
On Thursday, the Chorus walked over to The Arbors (the memory-care facility just west of SCS) to perform a holiday show. The energy they brought with them brightened the day of all the residents there! At lunch, the Stage Band performed a jazzy set in the cafeteria.
After school yesterday, our 8th grade basketball teams hosted Winooski in two hard fought games. Score aside, it was inspiring to see our kids competing - as athletes, but more importantly as young adults. Every time a player hit the deck, whether from SCS or Winooski, they lent a helping hand. If a teammate made a turnover, they were met with a high five and encouragement from their squad. You may have seen headlines about bad behavior at middle and high school sporting events. For a different perspective, come check out one of our SCS games.
Throughout the day today, helpers traveled throughout the building to spread cheer with a series of good deeds. There was a crew spraying down and cleaning out cubbies, a group of students delivering brownies to each staff member, and lots of cross-grade collaboration.
When we come back from break, we’re also excited to share that the Everybody Wins! mentoring program will be getting up and running for our younger students. You can read more about the program here. If you’re willing to spread some good cheer by volunteering to read with a student for an hour a week, we would love to have you! Please reach out to Everybody Wins Program Manager (and SCS parent) Kate Floyd at progmgrwest@everybodywinsvermont.org if you’re interested.
Last but not least, you may have noticed that we are short a crossing guard on School Street in the morning. Our trusty and energetic crossing guard is out for the foreseeable future, so if you’re willing and able to step in we’d love to have you. There are a few additional open positions here at SCS if you know anyone who is looking for a new position in 2024.
We hope you all enjoy a restful, joyous, and peaceful break. See you all in the New Year! School is back in session on Tuesday, January 2.
Take care,
Alison, Brett, & Emily
Mark Your Calendars
Upcoming Dates:
12/25-1/1 - Winter Break
1/2 - School Resumes
1/3 - CVSD Housing Support Drop-In Office Hours at SCS (1:00 pm, conference room), CVU String Performance at SCS for grades K-4
1/9 - PTO Meeting (6:00 pm, Green Team Common Space)
1/10 - DEI Community Meeting (5:00 pm, Library)
1/15 - NO SCHOOL (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
SCS Leadership Spotlight
SCS Unified Sports Team
SCS Unified Sports is a group of amazing athletes who work together as a team engaging in different activities throughout the year. This fall, our athletes participated in bowling at SpareTime in Colchester. Athletes are able to play together and work as a team, which is a great path to both friendship and understanding. Next month, the group will be looking forward to playing basketball!
Buddies Forming At SCS
Older students are connecting with younger students by reading to them, playing games with them, and hanging out. SCS enjoys building community through book/choice time buddies and mentoring. These buddies are a great way to bond with kids of all ages and become a good role model for younger students. Many students become close to their buddy and create a strong relationship, so both students have someone to talk to and can feel comfortable with. The overall goal of SCS is to build a thriving community with everyone who goes to/works at our school.
Written by: Eleanor, Clara, Paige and Evie
SLP Food Drives
Thank you to our student leaders who have helped organize very successful food drives for the Shelburne Food Shelf this fall. This food has already been distributed to families in need in our community which is greatly appreciated.
CVSD News
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.
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