THE NEWSLETTER

Dear CCS Families, Caregivers and Charlotte Community,

Since the start of this school year, we fill our Friday newsletter with acts of kindness that resound throughout our building worthy of sharing with the broader Charlotte community. During this week before the winter break, we focused on what matters most here at CCS- each other.

On Wednesday, our student body earned a whole school PBIS celebration by earning pennies by modeling our CCS precepts- taking care of self, taking care of others and taking care of this place. Around the building students mixed to participate in a variety of activities hosted by teachers from all grade levels- 3D snowflakes, indoor Gaga Ball, engineering challenge, big/little reading partners, cooperative games, Origami and more. The Photos of the Week capture many of the specular connections made while honoring students for their dedication to our community.

Our Climate, Colleagues and Cohesion Committee planned the Wednesday staff meeting that brought together ALL of the members of our school- educators, support staff, the cafeteria crew, bus drivers, office staff and the facilities and maintenance team. This feat is something to celebrate at CCS since the staff covers shifts from 4 AM to midnight. During this gathering, junior counselors from Part 2 surprised us by serving hot chocolate and sweet treats. These brave youngsters circulated around and took orders offering options of candy canes, whipped cream, marshmallows and sprinkles to enhance each mug of cocoa.

Today, comfy kids were using the day to read, play games, and have a snack in front of a virtual roaring fire. Time was spent cleaning out lockers and cubbies, double-checking the Lost and Found and making sure we leave the school in a condition that is considerate of each other and the custodians who do the deep clean.

I hope in the new year, we can all carry the spirit of patience, presence, forgiveness, and generosity. My wish for you is to use the coming days to connect with family and friends and find some recharge time for yourself.

Happy Holidays and Warm Wishes for 2024.

Peace to all,

Jen Roth, CCS Principal

As the second half of the school year approaches and new after school activities begin many of our current dismissal notes are outdated. Therefore we will be discarding all current after school dismissal notes on December 22nd.

Please send new updated regular daily dismissal notes to your child's/children's teacher(s) and Cindy LaWare at claware@cvsdvt.org. This will ensure we understand the ongoing daily dismissal plans for your child/children beginning January 2, 2024.

Thank you in advance for helping to minimize after school dismissal confusion.

Please help your children be prepared and dress appropriately to be outside for recess!

Hats, gloves/mittens, jackets, and pants are all highly recommended. Don't forget to label your items - we don't want them to end up in the Lost and Found. Students will be outside as long as the "real feel" is above zero degrees and it is not raining.

If you need help getting any warm winter gear, please contact CCS School Counselor, Betsy Lloyd - blloyd@cvsdvt.org.

Please have your chid(ren) look for their lost items in our overflowing Lost and Found. All items not claimed by end of day FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22ND will be donated to local non-profit clothing stores.

We hate to give away your family's items, so please have your child(ren) check the lost and found often.

• Mon, Dec 25th through Fri, Dec 29th - Early Winter Break - NO SCHOOL
  
• Mon, Jan 1st - New Year's Day - NO SCHOOL
• Thu, Jan 4th - Bolton Valley Ski & Ride Parent Mtg for 1st Time Participants, CCS Library, 7:00pm
• Tue, Jan 9th - CVSD Board Budget Mtg, CVU Rm 160 or online, 6:00pm (Topic: Summary & Tax Implications) (Zoom information available at https://www.cvsdvt.org/budget)
• Mon, Jan 15th - Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday - NO SCHOOL
• Fri, Jan 19th - DEI Town Hall, Shelburne Community School, 6-8pm, Nepali Community in Vermont
• Tue, Jan 23rd - CVSD Board Budget Mtg, CVU Rm 160 or online, 6:00pm (Topic: Final Approval & Warnings) (Zoom information available at https://www.cvsdvt.org/budget)
• Fri, Mar 15 - DEI Town Hall, Williston Central School, 6-8pm, Somali Community in Vermont

There is so much to celebrate as we get ready to ring in the new year! Student visits, book checkouts, and collaborative efforts have increased from this time last year, in large part due to the availability of consistent support staff that help Mrs. Huestis keep the physical library space inviting, inclusive, and conducive to learning and exploration. Because Mrs. Huestis has help with the "behind the scenes" work like shelving, she is able to use her time to work collaboratively with classroom educators, as well as improve equity and access to reading materials for the CCS community. To see how this translates into numbers, visit https://bit.ly/477bJlS .

We’re Back to 5 Trips, and ready!

** Important Parent Meeting for 1st time Program participants

Thursday, Jan. 4th, 7:00 p.m. in the CCS Library **

(Electronic registration form link for all below - PLEASE read all information before registering)

Five week program, on Wednesdays - after school on Feb.14th, 21st, March 6th, 13th,+ 20th. (make-up date this season is Mar. 27th). Open to students in grades K - 8… Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd graders must be accompanied by a chaperone, or shared chaperone.

• Cost is $149, **includes bus or car transport. Lessons are mandatory for new skiers and boarders (+$65), optional for others at $75 (available only up to “level 3” – lift ready and linking turns). Students signed up for lessons must commit to taking them for the entire program. **Students who hold a Bolton Season Pass or are 5 and under, the Program cost is $55. ** All checks made out to “Charlotte Recreation” + handed in to CCS office, (not Town Hall).
• Chaperones are needed to maintain a 1-to-10 ratio to students. Chaperones ski free or at sharply reduced rates and are expected to help and have fun. Some Chaperones are needed to ride the bus. Please help if you can. More information at the meeting! Buses leave CCS after school and return to CCS by 7:40 pm. Students MUST, (unless pre- arranged), return the same way they arrived. If changes occur for the ride home, the Parent or Child MUST notify the bus coordinator or the driver of the car in which your child arrived.
• Program/School Equipment is available at no charge on a “first come/first serve” basis. We make every effort to outfit everyone who needs equipment. Helmets are now required to reduce potential head injury and keep heads warm. We have helmets for loan. (If preferred, BV offers whole discounted season packages for asp participants for $109 (you can keep until April). We can use more equipment… please donate if you can, (especially shaped skis & helmets).

• Registration acceptance is on a first come/ first serve basis due to space availability.
• Payment (check) + electronic registrations are due by Friday, January 12th, (PLEASE identify student in check memo) but you can begin registration now. A late fee after Jan. 19th.

Registration form (please follow prompts + submit) : https://forms.gle/cWGGr8uS8j3uKHoo8

Please Note: Bolton Valley will not accept any registrations from us after Friday, Jan.22nd!

Questions? Michael Krasnow, 802-425-3997 or email at: mkrasnow1@gmail.com

*** Financial Aid / Scholarships, (need-based), are available for any student, call Michael Krasnow, or CCS Guidance Counselor Betsy Lloyd, 802-425-6641 for information. ***

Several grade levels will be working on weaving projects and I am looking for yarn donations to support these creations. Any color, any style will work, but if you have any questions please reach out: enorris@cvsdvt.org. Thanks!

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

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. (Note: Charlotte pre-k students will attend a program at another CVSD site.)

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.

As you may know, The Charlotte News is looking for its next publisher.

After 65 years in business, The Charlotte News is in a strong position with a committed board, a hard-working, talented staff and dedicated volunteers. Our financial position is stable. We have improved the paper and website. We learned much from our recent reader survey. And our strategic plan provides the framework for future growth.

Our next publisher will have interesting and exciting opportunities to grow the newspaper and website and to make The Charlotte News even more central to community life.

Contact Julia Russell julia05russell@gmail.com, if you’re interested in this position, or if there’s anyone among your friends, neighbors and colleagues who you feel may be a good candidate.

John Quinney

Publisher and Board Chair

The Charlotte News

• Athletics
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• CCS Handbook
• Connecting Youth Mentoring
• CVSD Divsersity, Equity and Inclusion
• CVSD Handbook
• CVSD School Board
• Food Service and Menu
• Health Office
• MySchoolBucks
• Volunteer at CCS

• Access Community Education Classes and Registration
• Charlotte Food Shelf
• Charlotte Public Libary

• Charlotte Recreation Department

Jen Roth, Lead Principal

Amanda Riggleman, Assistant Principal

Beth Slater, Director of Special Services