SCS Community Newsletter
Week of January 15, 2024
Principals' Message
Dear SCS Families and Caregivers,
As we embark on this long weekend, we urge everyone to prioritize safety and warmth. Embrace the cozy moments with your loved ones, stay warm indoors, and take precautions if venturing outside.
CVU will be open until 6pm tonight for our community members who are without power. We have warmth, showers, WiFi, an awesome library, and food. Simply check in at the front desk and we will direct you from there. We are aware more weather challenges are headed our way and will offer expanded hours this weekend if needed.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday morning.
Take care,
Alison, Brett, & Emily
Mark Your Calendars
Upcoming Dates:
1/15 - NO SCHOOL (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
1/16 - PTO Meeting (6:00 pm, Green Team Common Space)
1/18 - 1st Grade Field Trip (9:00-11:30 am, The Flynn)
1/18 - Empty Bowl Dinner (6:00 pm, CVU Cafe)
1/19 - CVSD DEI Event (6:00-8:00 pm, SCS Library)
1/20 - Shelburne Winter Carnival at SCS (1:00-3:00 pm)
1/29 - CVU School Counselors Presentation to 8th Graders (8:15-9:30 am)
2/1 - 8th Grade Family Night at CVU (6:30-7:45 pm, CVU Gym)
2/2 - 4th/5th Grade Finding Nemo Performance (7:00 pm, CVU Auditorium)
SCS Announcements
Friendly Reminder
NEW times for notification of change in dismissal plans (K-4)
To make the process more efficient and to be sure your student and their teacher get the message, please email your child’s teacher & the main office, or call the main office, by the start of your child's lunch period (see chart). Please note, all lunch times are 15 minutes earlier on Wednesdays.
5-8 Students: We do not need to know change in dismissal plans. However, if your student is unaware of the change, please let us know by 12:30 pm.
Opt-In To Receive Text Messaging
If you aren't receiving messages regarding school closures, bus changes, etc and would like to, please follow these easy directions:
New SKAT clubs
There's still space to sign up for the newest SKAT cub:
Comic Club (grades 4-6): Mondays (1/22-2/19) Lottery form
MLK Event
I would like to personally invite you to the 2024 MLK Keynote, Creating a Beloved Community with Dr. Damon A. Williams, visionary and inspirational leader to discuss Creating a Beloved Community. It will be a beautiful and uplifting event. It is free and open to the public!
The keynote celebration will be held on January 25th at 4pm at the Ira Allen Chapel on UVM Campus.
Lashawn Sells
DEI Coach, SCS
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
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.
PTO
PTO Meeting Rescheduled to Tuesday, 1/16
Due to last week's weather, the January PTO meeting will be Tuesday at 6:00 pm
in the Green Team Common Space. Free pizza and babysitting for school-aged kids is available!
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 7
The PTO is sponsoring Shelburne Community School's second annual school-wide Readathon from February 7 - March 7. 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
Inaugural CVU Empty Bowls Dinner, Thursday, January 18th, 6:00 pm at the CVU High School Cafe
CVU Student, Teryn Hytten, is bringing the Empty Bowls* fundraising movement to CVU!
Bring your family, and invite your friends for the Inaugural CVU Empty Bowls Dinner, Thursday, January 18th, 6:00 pm at the CVU High School Cafe to benefit the Hinesburg Food Shelf!
*Empty Bowls is a global grassroots movement that rallies communities to combat food insecurity. Community members are invited to participate in a soup dinner to raise money for a local food shelf. This year's recipient will be the Hinesburg Food Shelf at the Hinesburg Community Resource Center.
When: Thursday, January 18th
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Where: CVU High School, 369 CVU Road, Hinesburg, VT
Tickets: $20 donation per adult, $10 donation per child (<12 years). Please consider bringing in canned food items to add to our food donation bin at the entrance of CVU.
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.
Dinner: Everyone will choose a beautifully handmade ceramic bowl made at the CVU Studio by local volunteer potters from our ACCESS community. Enjoy a bountiful dinner of bread, donated from local bakeries, homemade soups (vegan and vegetarian options available) made by the CVU Café, and Sisters of Anarchy scooped ice-cream for dessert. During the evening we will feature a silent auction, live music by the CVU Band, and guest speakers who will discuss the plight of hunger and food insecurity in Vermont.
Your chosen bowl will act as a continuous reminder that your contribution helped fill the “bowls that go empty every day” in our state.
Silent Auction: Featured products donated by local businesses, additional pottery bowls, as well as beautiful wooden cutting boards handcrafted by CVU woodworking students will be available Cash, check, or credit card accepted.
Organizers and Sponsors: Introducing, CVU student, potter, and organizer of the CVU Empty Bowl event, Teryn Hytten! This inaugural CVU Empty Bowl fundraiser was born out of Teryn's compassion for Vermont community members in need, as well as her love of attending the annual UVM Empty Bowl dinners since childhood. Teryn is passionate about pottery, and is grateful for this opportunity to use her artistry to raise awareness about food insecurity within our state. Over the years, Teryn has honed her wheel-throwing skills through the CVU ceramics studio, the Shelburne Craft School, the Middlebury Studio School as well as her home studio.
- Community Sponsors: DeePt, Palmer's Sugarhouse, Pete’s Greens, O’bread Bakery, Dumb Luck Pub and Grill, Sisters of Anarchy, Red Wagon Plants, The National Bank of Middlebury, Shelburne Tap House, Red Hen Bakery, Lunaroma, and Lake Champlain Chocolates.
- Contributor Organizers: ACCESS CVU, the CVU Pottery Studio, volunteer potters, and the CVU Cafe.
Donations: Not able to make the dinner event but would like to make a donation? Would you like to purchase tickets AND make an additional donation to benefit the HCRC? All monetary donations are tax deductible (A donation receipt will be emailed after the event, from HCRC, for your tax records). If you would prefer to mail a check, please make it payable directly to the Hinesburg Community Resource Center, PO Box 444, Hinesburg, VT 05461. If you need help registering for tickets or making a donation online, contact ACCESS at 802-482-7194.
Thank you for your support!
DEI Town Hall - Friday, 1/19, 6:00-8:00 pm at SCS
Please join the CVSD DEI Team as we celebrate diversity and connect with the diverse cultures of our community. At this in-person event we will learn the history of the Nepali community in Vermont. There will be shared cultural experiences, including art, food, and conversations about educational experiences. Various groups, community members and stakeholders will present about their lives, work, and contributions to our state.
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.)
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