THE VIKING
Hinesburg Community School - December 8, 2023
THE PRINCIPAL'S CORNER
Dear Hinesburg Community School Families and Caregivers,
This past week has been eventful, and we are deeply grateful for the support we've received, including Friday’s breakfast to all staff. Our students hold a special place in our hearts, and they remain our top priority. Throughout the week, we've engaged in meaningful conversations with various members of our community, including students, teachers, parents/caregivers, and Hinesburg town officials.
The shared commitment among all of us is to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and everyone associated with our school and the surrounding community. As we move forward, our dedication to placing students at the forefront of our initiatives remains steadfast. Together, we will foster an environment of open and respectful communication, offering continuous support to our students, families and educators at the Hinesburg Community School.
We are delighted to share the uplifting news that HCS has achieved a notable position, ranking among the top 5 in recent assessments of Vermont elementary and middle schools! This achievement is truly a cause for celebration and stands as a testament to the shared dedication and commitment of everyone connected to our exceptional community.
Sincerely,
Tim and Suzan
SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday, 12/13: Early Release Day (1:45)
Wednesday, 12/20: Early Release Day (1:45)
Friday, December 22: All Lost & Found To Be Donated
Monday, 12/25 - Monday, January 1: Winter Break - NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, 1/3: Early Release Day (1:45)
Wednesday, 1/10: Early Release Day (1:45)
Monday, 1/15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, 1/17: Early Release Day (1:45)
Wednesday, 1/24: Early Release Day (1:45)
Wednesday, 1/31: Early Release Day (1:45)
CVSD PreK LOTTERY - OPEN FOR 2024-2025!
The CVSD Early Education Program is now accepting applications for a random pre-k 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.
CONGRATULATIONS!
FIRST LEGO LEAGUE TEAMS COMPETE IN NORTH QUALIFIERS
Over the weekend, an estimated 1000 children and adults participated in a two day event as the largest robotics event Vermont has ever seen. FIRST LEGO League Teams from the north area of Vermont, including a team from Hinesburg Community School, participated in the North Qualifier held at Shelburne Community School on Saturday December 2nd. Despite not advancing to the championship, our team demonstrated remarkable accomplishments, showcasing their dedication, teamwork, and commitment to the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) core values. We're immensely proud of each participant and grateful for the supportive community that makes these endeavors possible. For more information visit the HCS LEGO League website
COCHRAN'S SKI & RIDE PROGRAM
Click HERE to register for the After School Ski/Ride Program at Cochrans offered to Hinesburg Community School students in grades 1 thru 5. Kindergarten students may participate if accompanied by an adult.
We are still looking for volunteers to help make this program successful for our children. If you are able to volunteer, please sign up with the GOOGLE FORM when you register your children or email Laura Edling (lauramatti7@gmail.com) with your information. We still need two adult snowboarders and five adult skiers to volunteer in order to support the 50 participants for which the program is designed.
Program Days: Thursdays, 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (return to HCS by 5:30)
Jan 4th, Jan 11th, Jan 18th, Jan 25th, Feb 1st, Feb 8th
Cost: The total cost will be $80.00. The Cochrans fee is $50.00 per student plus $30.00 for round trip bus transportation from HCS. For Cochrans season ticket holders, only the transportation charge of $30.00 is required. The cost above is based on 45 children enrolled.
Rental Equipment: Ski or snowboard equipment including boots may be rented from Cochrans for $20. To save time and volunteer effort on the first ski afternoon, parents should bring their child into Cochrans for a rental fitting session the week before the program starts anytime between 9am and 4pm.
Volunteers: The After School Ski/Ride Program at Cochrans Ski Area is run by parents and other volunteers. Parents coordinate the program, assist and generally help out at the slopes. Both skier/snowboarding and non-skier parents/volunteers are welcome. The success of the program is dependent on the participation of additional parents and other volunteers. Even if you don’t ski or snowboard, volunteers on foot are super helpful, especially in the beginning!!! Parents who volunteer can ski/ride free on Thursdays. To help please sign up below.
Equipment drop off: Parents will need to bring ski/riding equipment to school each Thursday and drop it off to Kevin Perry who will be in the lower HCS parking lot from 7:30am to 8:10am. Please do not bring ski/riding equipment on the bus to school. PLEASE LABEL EACH PIECE OF EQUIPMENT WITH CHILDS NAME AND PHONE NUMBER.
Pick up: Parents are responsible for picking up their children at HCS by 5:20/30 p.m. If interested, please complete the registration form and return it with a check payment of $80.00 (plus $20.00 if you are renting equipment) by Friday, December 15th to the Hinesburg Community School Office. Checks should be made out to Hinesburg Community School. PLEASE PUT THE CHILD’S NAME/S IN THE MEMO.
If the cost of the program is preventing you from enrolling your child/ren, please contact dustindippen@gmail.com to discuss scholarship options.
*** THE PROGRAM FILLS UP FAST, FIRST COME FIRST SERVE ***
😊 BEA, THE THERAPY DOG - SPREADING LOVE (AND LOTS OF SMILES TOO!) 😊
WINTER RECESS - DRESS FOR THE WEATHER!
Even with the global climate emergency, it's bound to be cold out at recess for the next few months. Please help remind your students to be prepared and dress appropriately to be outside! Hats, gloves/mittens, jackets, and pants are all highly recommended. If you need help getting any warm winter gear, please connect with a school counselor. Students will be outside as long as the "real feel" is above zero degrees. As we like to say here in Vermont, there's no such thing as bad weather - only unsuitable clothing.
CVSD's VIRTUAL TOWN HALL - DECEMBER 13
Mark your calendars for December's Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, December 13 from 6:30-7:30. We'll share updates about the budget development process and our strategic plan and engage in conversations with those attending. This is a great way to connect with Superintendent Sanchez and other district leaders! The Zoom information is posted on the CVSD website calendar.
KINDERGARTEN ENGINEERS IN STEM CLASS
HCS 5th GRADE STUDENT HONORED
BY KEVIN LEWIS - The Hinesburg Record
This summer, 10-year-old Oliver Raymond completed the Seven Days VT Good Citizen Challenge. It involved 25 activities that helped him learn about and improve his community. Raymond finished the activities before the end of the summer and was honored on Nov. 2 at a reception at the Vermont Statehouse. Eighty-six school-aged children in Vermont completed at least five of the Good Citizen Challenge tasks.
Raymond was one of three children in the state who completed all 25 tasks and was honored as a “Distinguished Citizen” at the reception. Raymond received a certificate and a gift card to Phoenix Books. “Good citizens get involved, they pitch in, and they care,” said Cathy Resmer, deputy editor of Seven Days, which sponsored the Good Citizen Challenge. Speakers at the Statehouse event included Resmer, Statehouse Curator David Schutz, Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas, and Vermont Public podcaster Jane Lindholm. “If you know what’s happening in your community, you can be informed and make better decisions,” Lindholm said.
Raymond’s challenges included visiting a public memorial and finding out who it honors and why. He visited the Hinesburg Veterans Memorial and read the names of those who lost their lives fighting for our country. Another challenge was to meet with an elected official. Raymond met with Hinesburg’s State Representative Phil Pouech and learned about how hard it was to make everyone happy when there are many parties to appease.
Another challenge was to go to the local fire station and find out how it was funded.
Raymond went to the fire station and received a fabulous tour and found that it was the town’s taxpayers that pay for their equipment and training. One of the more difficult challenges was to find out who brought electricity to Hinesburg. After visits to the library, emails to the historical society, and calls to Green Mountain Power, Raymond discovered that an electric company in Richmond was the first to turn on the lights in Hinesburg in 1903.
One of Raymond’s favorite challenges was to write a thank you note to someone who put on a public event. He wrote a thank you note to Hinesburg Recreation Director Jen McCuin, who organized the town’s Fourth of July Parade. McCuin reached out to say how much the note meant to her, as the cancellation of fireworks because of swampy field conditions meant that not everyone in town was thanking her for her efforts.
Other challenges included picking up litter at the Hinesburg Recreation Fields, drawing a picture of Vermont’s state motto “Freedom and Unity,” visiting the Carpenter Carse Library, looking up property deeds at Town Hall, and listening to a podcast about the harmful effects of social media.
“Everyone can be a good citizen, only if they want to and are willing to try,” Raymond said. “Being a good citizen shouldn’t be an amazing thing. Everyone should be a good citizen.”
TEACHER/CLASSROOM AMAZON WISH LIST
Hello HCS Families,
Please take a minute to check out this Amazon Wish List for a few of our K-2 classrooms. Thank you for considering!
Teacher|Classroom Amazon Wish List
PiE Steering Committee
CVSD DEI EVENTS
Join the CVSD DEI Team as we celebrate diversity and connect with the diverse cultures of our community. At these in-person events, we will learn the history of the various communities in Vermont. There will be shared cultural experiences, including art, food, and conversations about educational experiences. At each gathering various groups, community members, and stakeholders will present about their lives, work, and contributions to our state.
January 19th, 6-8 pm - Shelburne Community School
Nepali Community in Vermont
March 15th, 6-8 pm - Williston Central School
Somali Community in Vermont
CONNECTING YOUTH SEEKS MENTORS
Are you a fun, caring and trustworthy adult looking to make a true difference in a young person's life? Consider mentoring! Connecting Youth is seeking community volunteers to join our team of mentors for 5th-12th grade students across Champlain Valley School District.
Mentors and mentee pairs meet weekly for about an hour
School year commitment
Mentor training and continual support provided by CVSD mentor coordinators.
Middle school mentors have access to dedicated spaces for cooking, crafting, playing games and developing a friendship.
High school mentors work alongside students to grow their skills and resilience, exploring new interests and experiences.
Learn more here or contact Livy Bulger the HCS Mentor Coordinator (802-482-6248)
LITERATURE & ARTS WITH SUSAN LEPPLE
Join Susan for a creative approach to exploring children's literature. Through the use of fine art, movement, assemblage, drama, and music, students will experience and explore quality children's literature that is silly, thought-provoking, creative, and caring.
Tuesdays, 2:45-4:30 pm
HCS Art Room
Grades 2-5
Session 2 – 1/9 – 2/6
Session 3 – 2/20 – 3/26
Cost: $150
Register at www.hinesburgrec.com
For questions, contact HRD at hinesburgrec@gmavt.net or 802-482-4208 M-Th from 9-4.
About Us
Suzan Locke, HCS Co-Principal, Grades K-4
482-6299, slocke@cvsdvt.org
Tim Trevithick, HCS Co-Principal, Grades 5-8
482-6298, ttrevithick@cvsdvt.org
Alicia Kurth, HCS Special Education Administrator
482-6285, akurth@cvsdvt.org
Email: hcsinformation@cvsdvt.org
Website: https://www.cvsdvt.org/hinesburg
Location: Hinesburg Community School, 10888, Route 116, Hinesburg, Vermont, USA
Phone: 802-482-2106
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hinesburg-Community-School-125786304154731/
The Viking Newsletter is published weekly, when school is in session. It is available on our web site and is also delivered via email. If needed, a hard copy can be provided for your child to bring home. The Viking includes upcoming events, after school opportunities, notes of interest for parents and the community and updates from our school administration.