Dear SCS Families and Caregivers,
If all Friday the 13ths were as enjoyable as this one, we think that its reputation as an unlucky day would change in a heartbeat! Whether doing a silent “roller coaster” with 3rd graders in the cafeteria, watching 5th graders work together to unearth and move a large rock from the sand pit at recess, listening in to kindergarteners playing together during choice time, or mediating a circle with middle schoolers, there was a palpable positive energy permeating through the halls of SCS today.
It’s probably no coincidence that this week’s weather cooperated again. Our soccer and field hockey teams got underway, as did many student clubs during lunch and recess. Lots of classes spent a little extra time outside, particularly after some long mornings of minds-on iReady assessments. To help provide another outdoor option, we’re inviting all SCS community members to come to Outdoor Classroom Cleanup Day next Saturday, 9/21. We’re aiming to get our outdoor classroom (yes, we have one!) back into shape so it can be used more frequently. More information is below.
Back inside, the fall assessment window opened this week, and many teams are already in the thick of gathering the important baseline data that will guide their initial units of instruction. Our teachers invest lots of time and energy in making sure we have an accurate sense of each student’s academic performance. Depending on their grade level, your child may be reading 1-1 with an adult, working on a computerized assessment, practicing their spelling, and/or completing a survey about how connected they feel to other kids and adults in the building. The assessment window remains open until October 18th, with teams determining the exact sequence and timing. We look forward to sharing more about how we approach fall assessments and use the data they provide at fall conferences. With 5-8 Curriculum Night coming up next week (Thursday 9/19 from 5:00-6:30) and the K-4 Open House on 9/26, there are plenty of ways to stay involved with what’s happening at SCS.
We hope you all enjoy a wonderful weekend!
Take care,
Alison, Brett, & Emily
Outdoor Classroom Cleanup Day
We are excited to invite you to join us for an Outdoor Classroom Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 21 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Our goal is to revitalize this important space so that it can be used more often for outdoor learning and community building. We’ll be working on tasks such as clearing out the undergrowth, laying down woodchips, and defining the space with a perimeter barrier to create a welcoming and inspiring environment for our students. If you didn’t know that we have an outdoor classroom, this is a great chance to come check it out and help us rejuvenate it! The classroom is located behind our athletic fields to the southeast of the basketball court, and we’ll plan to meet near the basketball court at 9:00 to kick things off. Rec soccer will be taking place at the same time, so it should be a lively morning.
If you’d like to join us for all or part of the day, we would love your help! Please click here to complete a short survey so we know who to expect, what times work best for you, and what equipment you might be able to bring. Any amount of time you can spare will make a big difference in improving this space for the entire school community. If you are able to make it out, long pants, gloves, and bug spray are recommended. While the forecast for the 21st looks ideal, we’re holding the same time on the following Saturday, 9/28 as a rain date.
This is a fantastic opportunity for our community to come together and support outdoor learning. Thank you for your support, and we hope to see you there!
New Mamava Pod at SCS
After 2 years of planning, finding space, acquiring funds, and finally installing, SCS now has a Mamava lactation pod available! Thanks to the SCS PTO, VEHI PATH program, and BlueCross Blue Shield VT for providing funds. And to Megan Maynard, Tim O'Leary, Hilda Tallman, Sean Murray, and all others who supported this project in various ways! Special thanks to SCS parents Ned Murphy and Aaron Raby (pictured) who assembled it at SCS last Saturday!
Blue Team did a read-aloud about how the brain works and how we can use our understanding of brain science to make our brains more powerful. Hopefully all of the Blue Teamers remembered to try brushing their teeth with the opposite hand!
This is our after-school extracurricular club program. Throughout the year we offer a variety of clubs to 1st - 8th grade students on designated days from dismissal until 4:00 pm. Clubs are free, materials are provided, and late bus transportation is always an option. Club offerings are dependent on adult availability and we are always looking to partner with community members.
Click here for our current offerings and to register!
SCS School Photo Days are September 16th, 17th and 18th
School photo days are coming to SCS next week! All students will be photographed on these three days by AMV Photography. Please check the photo day schedule HERE to see when your child's class will be taking their pictures.
Approximately two weeks after picture day your child will bring home a personally customized order form envelope. There will be five to six different poses of your child printed on the envelope for you to choose from. Prints or packages can be purchased of multiple poses, there's no need to pick just one!
A make-up day will be offered for students that miss the first session or who would like their portraits retaken at no extra charge. That date will be announced in the newsletter.
AMV Photography will also be offering sibling portraits at no additional charge. Further details will be provided when we announce our school make-up day in the newsletter.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Jen Marx at jmarx@cvsdvt.org or 383-1102.
Dynamic Experiences Kicks off Monday!
What do making friendship bracelets, goat picnics at New Village Farm, and playing pickleball have in common? They are among the 44 activities students have the chance to win in this year's Dynamic Experiences raffle.
Tickets start selling this Monday, September 16. Tickets are fifty cents a piece or ten dollars per sheet. Raffle packets are going home in backpacks and will be available electronically in the coming days.
The last day to enter will be October 3rd with the winners announced on October 8th. All of the money raised goes towards the PTO's grant program for teachers.
We love this fundraiser because it brings so many smiles to our community and empowers our teachers and staff to dream big.
Safety is Always an Adult Responsibility
As our kids head back to school, adults have homework too. The assignment? To learn about safe gun storage. Kids will be kids, so it’s always an adult’s responsibility to keep young people safe. Here are ways you can help:
To parents/guardians who own a gun:
• Store firearms locked and unloaded.
• Keep ammunition stored and locked separately from firearms.
• Assume children and teens will find an unsecured gun, no matter how well you think it's hidden.
To all parents/guardians:
• Ask about the presence of guns, anywhere your child may visit.
• Never let your child into a home or vehicle with an unsecured gun.
Do you need to secure your firearm? Free cable gun locks are available at police stations, libraries, and our school office. Stop by and pick one up!
For more information, click here to go to the Be SMART WebPages!
Message from Interim Superintendent:
Follow Up to Hinesburg Bus Accident on August 30
I am writing today to provide an update and closure regarding the bus accident in Hinesburg on August 30. While the Hinesburg Police Department conducted an external investigation, CVSD also completed an internal review to enhance safety protocols immediately. Our review examined the contributing factors to the accident, including the routes, safety history, and driver training. As a result, we implemented a route change the following Monday to ensure that drivers no longer turn from Lavigne Hill onto Route 116, further safeguarding our students.
I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to Andrew Bacon, the driver of the dump truck involved. His quick thinking and selfless actions undoubtedly prevented further harm to our students. Andrew, you risked your safety and livelihood to protect our children, and we are profoundly grateful.
Adam Bunting
Welcome to ACCESS CVU, your destination for Community Education!
The FALL/WINTER 2024 Catalog is open for registration with 117 course offerings taught by 70 best-in-class and local instructors. ACCESS CVU invites you to join our vibrant community of lifelong learners and connect through enrichment, during after school hours, at CVU High School.
To view classes and enroll online, visit our website at https://cvsdvt.ce.eleyo.com/ (or Google, ACCESS CVU)
Questions about classes or to enroll via email and by phone, contact us: access@cvsdvt.org / 802-482-7194.
Register early to reserve your spot as popular classes fill quickly.
New classes are added monthly!
Join the ACCESS CVU NEWSLETTER and follow us on Instagram @ACCESSCVU.
Be the first to know about new classes, PROMOS, and community news!
Got skills, talent, expertise AND love to teach? Complete the New Instructor Form, or email us access@cvsdvt.org.
Have you thought about being a youth mentor?
Connecting Youth CVSD is seeking interested adult community members to join our amazing team of volunteer youth mentors. Not only will your mentoring relationship provide support, encouragement, trust, and guidance for a young person in your community, you’ll find substantial reward in being a person who is making a difference in someone’s life. Learn more here!
Why Mentor?
Build empathy and understanding for today’s young people
Contribute to the connectedness of your community
Experience joyful purpose from impacting a young person’s life
Be a trusted adult who cares and shows up
Explore new activities, experiences, and passions!
The Commitment
One hour a week during the school year
We work around your schedule
Continuous training and support provided
Middle school mentors connect over fun activities like cooking, crafts and games, while high school mentors help guide students through goal-setting, resilience building, and career exploration.
If you’re fun, caring, and trustworthy, your simple presence can make a difference.
Contact a CVSD Mentor Coordinator to learn more.
Kate Rooney @Charlotte Central krooney@cvsdvt.org, 802-425-6682
Livy Bulger @Hinesburg Community lbulger@cvsdvt.org, 802-482-6248
Alice Brown @Shelburne Community abrown@cvsdvt.org, 802-734-9845
Becky Martell @Williston Central bmartell@cvsdtvt.org, 802-871-6046
Alison Duback @CVU aduback@cvsdvt.org 802-482-8921
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 2024-2025 K-8 School Year Calendar. See The CVSD Story for the latest blog posts about what's happening across the district.
Connect With Us
CVSD is piloting a new communication system this year known as "Connect With Us." We welcome your feedback at any time. All feedback will be routed to the appropriate district team members, who will follow up with you within 3 business days. CVSD is committed to connecting with students, families, staff, and community members to provide exceptional and equitable experiences.
