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SCS Community Newsletter
Week of April 8, 2024
Principals' Message
Dear SCS Families and Caregivers,
We’re excited to share that - thanks to the CVSD bond being passed on Town Meeting Day, even though the general budget wasn’t - several spaces in the central hub of the building will be getting a much-needed HVAC system upgrade. In the long run, this is great news. It means that the noisy air handlers in the gym that have intruded upon many a concert, graduation ceremony, and PE class will at long last be removed! The work and learning environments will be more comfortable for our students and staff, with better climate control similar to our cafeteria, and our building will be safer overall. In the short term, this project will impact all of our staff members and students because of the need to start construction before the end of the school year. This is not a project that can be completed exclusively over the summer. With details about the timeline and scope of work becoming more clear, we wanted to share some highlights that may impact you and your kids.
Here’s what we know so far:
The project is estimated to get underway on Monday, May 13th. It is estimated to last through the beginning of next school year.
This project will require relocating 22 employees out of our main office area. This includes our Receptionist, Attendance Clerk, Guest Teacher Coordinator, Registrar, HR/Finance Specialist, Health Office Team, Lead Driver for Transportation, the Special Ed Suite, Delta, Planning Room, Instructional Coach, Digital Learning Leader, and Administrative Team.
Construction will also curtail access to the front gym. The back gym will still be available. Morning Movement will shift to the back gym and playground area, weather-permitting.
We are planning to use the library and maker spaces to relocate as many displaced people as possible (including our Conference Room where we host many end of year meetings such as ESTs, IEPs, 504s, etc.).
With the large gym and the library no longer available when construction begins, there will be changes to those classes.
Some of our larger events this spring (band concerts, assemblies, and graduation) will need to shift (potentially off-site) given the closure of the front gym.
This is going to be great for our school in the long run, and it does add a layer of complexity to what is already a jam-packed time of year! We will begin packing up our offices/learning spaces and moving prior to, and over, the April break in preparation for this project to begin on schedule. Thank you in advance for being patient and flexible as we embark on this project.
Finally, we hope to see many of you at the PTO’s 3 vs. 3 basketball tournament tomorrow! This is the first tournament in what will hopefully become an annual tradition. Even if you’re not playing, come on by - there will be food trucks, a great halftime show at noon, and plenty of good basketball to watch. We can’t promise we’ll be at the level of our UVM Women’s Team, who made it all the way to the Final Four of the National Invitational Tournament, but we’ll try our best.
We will be closed on Monday due to the eclipse, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed that the forecast holds! Each student was provided with a pair of eclipse glasses courtesy of CVSD this week - if your student didn’t come home with them, there are more available at the Pierson Library. We’ll see everyone on Tuesday, April 9. There is no school on Wednesday, April 10 due to Eid al-Fitr.
Take care,
Alison, Brett, & Emily
Mark Your Calendars
4/6 - PTO 3v3 Basketball Tournament
4/8 - No School (Solar Eclipse)
4/9 - PTO (Regular) Meeting (6:00 pm, Green Team Common Space)
4/10 - No School (Eid al-Fitr)
4/11 - Final Day to Order Yearbooks (order online), CVSD Budget Meeting (open to all) 6pm SCS Library
4/12 - Cabaret Night (6:30-8:30 pm, Cafeteria)
4/16 - CVSD Board Meeting (6:00-8:00 pm)
4/17 - DEI Community Coffee (8:00-9:00 am, Cafeteria)
4/22-26 - No School - Spring Break
4/29 - School Resumes
5/1 - CVSD Housing Support Drop-In Office Hours (1:00 pm,
5/3 - 6th Grade Chorus Field Trip (9:00 am)
5/7 - 4/5 & 6-8 Chorus Concerts (6:00-8:30 pm, CVU Auditorium)
5/8 - DEI Community Meeting (5:00 pm, SCS Library)
5/9 - 4th Grade (Davenport & Newman) Field Trip to Ethan Allen Homestead (8:15-2:15)
5/10 - 4th Grade (Adams, Bartell & Cadwell) Field Trip to Ethan Allen Homestead (8:15-2:15)
2024-2025 CVSD School Year Calendar
The 2024-2025 school year calendar has been approved by the School Board.
3v3 Spring Basketball Tourney: TOMORROW
Come support your fellow students and community members tomorrow, 4/6, at the SCS gym for the first annual 3v3 Spring Basketball tournament starting at 8:30am
featuring teams of middle schoolers and parents/community members.
There will be a SPECIAL HALFTIME EXPERIENCE FOR OUR K-4 STUDENTS from 12-1pm featuring a free basketball clinic hosted by St. Michael's College basketball players, a special appearance from Rally Cat and Mike the Knight, and a freeze dance contest!
El Gato Food truck will be on-site from 11-1pm, plus PTO concessions and bake sale, and some AMAZING raffle prizes to be won.
If you want to cheer on the teams, the tournament will be happening in the gym all day.
We hope to see you there for a fun afternoon.
SCS Highlights from the Week
Jane, Jen & Jocelyn shared all of their eclipse excitement with SCS this week.
Congratulations SCS Mathcounts Team
On March 30, 2024 roughly 75 students from 18 Middle Schools from around the State participated in the 41st Annual Vermont State Mathcounts Competition. Shelburne Community School was proud to have qualified for the event and are looking forward to an even more competitive year with all four seventh grade team members returning next year.
Congrats to the team: Emmett A, Colin C, Frank D, Thomas S and Coaches Lisa Phelps & Devon Morrill
Way to Go Felix!
We would like to congratulate SCS Spelling Bee champ, Felix H. He participated in the VT State Spelling Bee at Middlebury Colleague last week and was a top 10 finisher. We are so proud of you Felix!
What's Cooking at SCS - Celebrating School Food and Food Services
This week Becky, Jen and our fantastic food services team prepared fresh corn on the cob to be served with BBQ chicken, a dinner roll and blueberries, grapes and oranges.
"We strive to serve the healthiest version of whatever we can make, and that the students will eat!"
- Rebecca (Becky) Mashak, SCS Food Services Manager
Got an item or question for What's Cooking? Write us here: scsfoodsmart@gmail.com
Senator Sanders thanks SCS Chorus members
Check out the recent Bernie Buzz that highlights the concert and day of advocacy that the SCS chorus participated in on March 9.
Reminders
Mud Season
Mud season is upon and we are noticing that students of all grades are coming back from recess with wet and muddy clothes. Please consider sending an extra set of clothes for your student/s to keep in their cubby.
Yearbook Orders Deadline Extended
The last day to order yearbooks is Thursday, 4/11. Online orders can be purchased here.
Family Input Forms for 2024-2025 Class Placements
Families with students in Kindergarten, 2nd, 4th, and 6th grades received an email on Monday, 4/1 with a link to complete a Family Input Form for next year's placement team.
If you wish to share insights about your student as a learner, please complete this survey, no later than April 12. The information you provide will be shared with staff who are involved in creating class groupings and with your student’s new teacher. While we value your input as part of this process, we ask that you refrain from requesting specific teachers.
Help Save the SCS Ash Trees!
Help save 28 ash trees on Shelburne Community School’s grounds for 6 years!
The students at SCS could use your help. Shelburne Community School has 30 ash trees on its grounds, 28 of which are healthy and beloved by the children. Ash trees are the most prevalent tree at SCS, including lining its main entrance. We’re hoping to raise money for treatment to protect them from emerald ash borer (EAB). Without treatment, all of these beautiful ash trees will eventually die and be removed. It’s a devastating outcome that can be prevented with your help!
We are aiming to raise $10,000 to pay for treating the 28 ash trees for the next 6 years. The SCS PTO is receiving donated funds on behalf of Shelburne Community School. All funds will be transferred to SCS. A long-term plan will be developed for continued treatment of trees and possible removal and replacement of select ash trees. Check out our GoFundMe page to donate and help spread the word. The best time to treat the trees is in June, so we need to act fast or we risk losing trees.
“Without the trees, our school wouldn’t look so pretty and where would we have shade?”
- SCS 1st grader
What is emerald ash borer (EAB)?
EAB is a non-native invasive beetle and is now considered the most destructive pest ever seen in North America. It has now killed over a hundred million ash trees since it was first discovered in 2002 in MI. Sadly, EAB reached VT in 2018 and VT will lose over 99% of its native green, white, and black ash trees.
Why now?
SCS is now within a 10-mile radius of a known EAB infestation. EAB is likely present in our area even if symptoms are not obvious. We need to treat any ash trees we want to save this spring. All of our untreated ash trees will be dead or dying in three to five years.
Why should we save the SCS ash trees?
• Trees have been shown to benefit mental and physical well-being
• Larger trees provide valuable shade and reduce air temperature through evapotranspiration
• Large trees sequester the most carbon and remove the most pollutants from the air
• Large trees remove pollutants from the soil
• Large trees reduce storm runoff and decrease water pollution, which is also important near McCabe Brook and a class 1 wetland
What do we do?
The current scientific recommendation is to treat all high value ash trees through trunk-injected systemic insecticide. SCS’s ash trees will need to be treated every three years to be protected from EAB. Teachers Tree Service will treat the trees with emamectin benzoate by trunk injection, which is the most recommended and environmentally sound treatment.
The number of trees we can treat and save will be dependent on the amount of funds raised. Cost is based on the size of the trunk. Any money raised beyond what is needed will be used for continued treatment of the 28 trees beyond our six year goal of two treatments per tree. The funds raised will be received by the SCS PTO on behalf of SCS. All of the money from the fundraiser will be transferred to SCS.
Need another incentive to donate?
Do you have ash trees on your own property that you would like to save? Greg of Teachers Tree Service has generously extended the rate ($10 per diameter inch) he is giving SCS to anyone who donates any amount to our fundraiser! Just mention it when you call!
Interested in learning more?
Please consider donating! The more money we raise, the more trees we can treat and save! The children and trees thank you!
Upcoming Events
National Day of Silence - 4/12
On Friday April 12th you will see some students and adults taking part in The National Day of Silence. This is a student-led demonstration where LGBTQ+ students and allies all around the world take a vow of silence in order to protest the harmful effects of harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ+ people in schools. This vow will last from the beginning of Prime Group until Dismissal.
More information on Day of Silence can be found on the GLSEN website.
SCS DEI Community Coffee - Wednesday, 4/17, 8:00-9:00 am
Light refreshments served
Where: SCS Cafeteria
Topic: Outright VT
Will share programming and resources for students, families and schools
Special Presentation
by
SCS SAGA Students
&
Special Guest:
Amelia Schlossberg- Outright VT
Family Engagement Manager
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/hxn-tbnn-sxi
Or dial: (US) +1 929-287-3034 PIN: 665 894 066#
The coffee is open to anyone in the SCS school community.
Last coffee is on:
June 12th
Cabaret Night: April 12, 6:30-8:30 pm
Cabaret night is a very special evening of solo and small group student acts developed by the students. The cafeteria will be transformed into a true cafe and a selection of hors d'oeuvres / small plates will be served. It's all about the FUN but is critical to supporting music enrichment and trips (costs for trips/travel has increased between 20-30% in recent years)
1. Advance In-Person Tickets
- 75 Adult ($11) and 75 Child/Senior ($6) In-Person Tickets Can Be Purchased Here
- Some additional tickets will be available at the door but space is limited.
- Book ASAP if your child is in an Act!
2. LiveStream Tickets ($10)
- This is critical to expand audiences and fundraising!
- The livestream will be professionally recorded and filmed.
- Please invite all your friends, neighbors and relatives to join!
- LiveStream Tickets Can Be Bought Here
All Funds Will Support Music Enrichment and Band/Chorus Trips!
please contact shelburnepto@gmail.com with any questions
CVSD News
CVSD Budget Vote April 16 or Before
Ballots are now available in town offices for those who would like to vote early. They will not be automatically sent to you if you voted by absentee ballot on Town Meeting Day unless you had previously requested absentee ballots for all elections for calendar year 2024. You may request ballots by phone, email, or stopping in your town offices. You may request ballots for family members who are eligible to vote as well.
Polls will be open on April 16 from 7am-7pm.
Please see the Budget page of the district's website for additional information.
ParentIN CVSD partners with Lake Champlain Waldorf School to offer a FREE and IN-PERSON event with prevention expert, Jessica Lahey.
Everywhere we turn, our cultural and social practices have normalized and even glamorized alcohol and substance use.
In this important event, join parents, caregivers and educators for a real, fact-based conversation with youth prevention expert, Jessica Lahey. Drawing from her own personal experience and years of research in child development, education, and addiction, Jessica Lahey sheds light on the roots of substance abuse, identifying who is most at risk and offering practical advice for prevention.
Jessica will share actionable steps to communicate with youth about substances and insight into best practices for prevention of addiction. Come with your questions and challenges, and connect with other caregivers in a supportive environment of care for our teens.
Who is this event for?
Prevention is a community responsibility. This discussion will resonate with any positive youth leader - parent or caregiver, educator, coach, mentor, community leader.
Date/Time:
Wednesday, Apr 10, 2024 7:00 PM
Only 40 seats are available for this FREE event, sponsored by ParentIN CVSD.
RESERVE your spot at https://rb.gy/eyny9z
Please direct any questions or access needs to one of the e-mail addresses below:
BeSMART
Safety is always an adult responsibility. Kids will be kids, so it’s always an adult’s responsibility to keep children safe. Always assume that curious or impulsive kids may find and touch an unsecured gun, even if they’ve been told not to. If a child handles a gun, a bad decision can quickly become a fatal one. Be SMART adults protect kids by making sure all guns are stored securely, which means they are inaccessible to kids, and by making sure children are never in the presence of unsecured guns. Learn more on this flyer.
Do you need to secure your firearm? Free cable gun locks are available in our school office, the school district's office, the police station, and public libraries. Stop by and pick one up!
Community Announcements & Events
Special Education Parent Advisory Council
Hello Parents, Caregivers, and Friends of Children with special needs,
My name is Erin Bingham. I am the mother of 2 at HCS - a second grader and a preschooler. My youngest has a rare genetic condition, Williams Syndrome. I am interested in both creating a network of individuals who care for kids with special needs that can serve as a support and working together to establish a Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) that would serve the entire district. SEPACs advocate for the interests of any child with any kind of special need at school. Although there is a commitment from CVSD administration, this is the first step in a long process to gauge interest and commitment, but there is no timeline yet.
If you are interested at any level in either connecting with others who support kids with special needs, or in understanding more about what would be necessary to start a SEPAC, please email me at bingham.erin@gmail.com.
Warmly,
Erin
2024 Junior Redhawks Running Camp with CVU XC Coach Dave Baird
Summer running camp for students in Grades 5-8: 2024 Junior Redhawks Running Camp w/ CVU XC Coach Dave Baird
Howard Center Spring Community Education Series: May 2
May 2, 6:30-8:00 pm - Substance Use and Our Community with Howard Center clinical staff: Moderator Beth Holden, MS, LCMHC, LADC and Panelists John Brooklyn, MD, Dan Hall, LADC, Heidi Melbostad, PhD., and others.
Free and open to the public.
Register here: Spring Community Education Series - Howard Center
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