THE NEWSLETTER

In order to allow for the buses to have a safer passage to accomodate their wide turn radius, traffic flow changes were made this year, specifically to the 2 west parking lots (cafeteria side) . We would like all of our buses drivers, staff, parents/caregivers, and visitors to please follow the below traffic pattern.

This is only one day’s worth of clothing left on the CCS playground. We do our best to reunite these belongings to their owner. There are steps you can take to assist these clothes getting back home to your laundry basket to be ready for another wear.

1. Label all of the layers of clothing your child wears to school.

2. Encourage your child to do a mental checklist at various times of their day to make sure they have the things they need.

3. Remember to browse our lost and found whenever it fits in your schedule.

Dear CCS Families, Caregivers and Charlotte Community,

The CCS Faculty and staff were treated to a special delivery today, thanks to our amazing PTO! During our staff appreciation lunch, everyone was able to slow down, share a meal together and reflect on the support the PTO gives to this learning community. Folino’s pizza was a delicious surprise that was loved by all! Thank you.

Several years ago, CCS moved away from celebrating Halloween during our school day to maintain a calm routine focused on learning and social activities that are accessible and inclusive for all of our students. Please do not send costumes to school. Instead our student-body will be together appreciating Woody Kepple and Rob Crites as they run their new show in front of a live student-filled audience at CCS. The show is music, physical comedy, and circus-centric, and works for all ages. We are fortunate to see this performance before it is performed at the Rockefeller Arts Center in Fredonia on November 4. If your family is interested in celebrating Halloween, check out the fantastic festivities happening around town described in the Charlotte News. We appreciate the partnerships in Charlotte that provide support and opportunities for our students.

Kind Regards,

Jen, Amanda and Beth

As you are aware, there is a flood of challenging and tragic events happening around the world. Our children have varying levels of awareness. To scaffold conversations you may be having at home, CVSD has pulled together the following resources.

Global violence/war:

• How to Talk to Your Children About Conflict and War. This publication from UNICEF offers specific tips for families to support and comfort their children.
• Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of elementary school children. This article from the American Psychological Association can help adults effectively navigate these issues with young children.
• Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of middle school children. The American Psychological Association provides tips and strategies for parents and teachers of middle school-aged children.

Here at CCS, we support all students in the classroom with student-adult relationships with teachers and support staff. We are also fortunate to offer additional support for students, as needed.

• Universal support includes lunch bunches, snack groups, and/or friendship groups.
• We have specific roles within our schools that support students with social-emotional learning, mental health and well-being.

At CCS, our student support personnel include:

School Counselor - Betsy Lloyd

Behavior Systems Coordinator - Tim Holcomb

Planning Room Coordinator - Meagan Powell

CVSD School Psychologist - Mariel Adsit

SAP (Student Assistance Program Counselor) - Amy Sayre

Howard Center School Services Clinician - Gabby Clow

Delta Program Para-Specialist - Zachary Pichette

• Wed, Nov 1st - Early Release Day (1:45pm)
  
• Fri, Nov 3rd - RE-TAKE / MAKE-UP Picture Day!
• Wed, Nov 8th - Early Release Day (1:45pm)
• Fri, Nov 10th - Celebrate Latinx Community in Vermont, CVU Library, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
• Wed, Nov 15th - Early Release Day (1:45pm)
• Mon, Nov 20th through Fri, Nov 24th - Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL
• Wed, Nov 29th - Early Release Day (1:45pm)

• If you are having a RE-TAKE done, you MUST return the original picture packet purchased.
• If a RE-TAKE is being taken for anything other than a technical photography error (i.e. - want to wear a different shirt) a $5.00 sitting fee will be charged.
• Additional order forms are available in the CCS Main Office or you may order on-line (on-line ordering instructions were emailed to all families on 9/13).
• All students will receive a class picture whether an order is placed or not.

If you have questions when your order arrives, please contact Beltrami Studios at http://www.beltramistudios.com or 802-863-6223.

If you need financial assistance, please contact CCS School Counselor, Betsy Lloyd, at blloyd@cvsdvt.org or 425-6673.

This fund is available for families and caregivers who may need financial support for urgent or emergency needs. Examples might be heat, electricity, food, clothing, rent, etc. If you know of any students/families that have immediate needs at any time, please reach out to School Counselor Betsy Loyd (blloyd@cvsdvt.org) or Lead Principal, Jen Roth (jroth@cvsdvt.org) for access to these funds and they will work with the PTO to confidentially get families the help they need.

We are still looking for community mentors for students in Grades 5-8 within our CVSD Mentoring program. Mentors are paired with students based on shared interests. This is a wonderful opportunity for community involvement in the lives of students at CCS. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact Kate Rooney, krooney@cvsdvt.org.

Our dismissal efficiency and safety relies on clear communication and is a responsibility of our whole community.

• In front of CCS on Hinesburg Road, the speed limit has been reduced to 25 mph and is being regularly patrolled by the Vermont State Police and the Chittenden County Sheriff.

• If you are planning for your child to ride another bus to a friend’s house, to get off at a stop other than their own home (same bus), to be picked up by another family or to walk from the school to another location than home, please send written notification to claware@cvsdvt.org AND your child’s classroom teacher at least 60 minutes before the end of the day.

• Minimize your speed and be cell-free driving through our school parking lots.

CVSD School Transportation

• The shortage of licensed bus drivers is impacting the dependability of bus transportation around the state. CVSD does everything possible to not affect the timing and reliability of our routes. There may be times when pick-up in the morning or drop-off in the afternoon need to be altered and we will give as much notice as possible. CCS will also be paying close attention to field trips requiring buses and co-curricular activities. If you or anyone you know are interested in becoming licensed drivers, please reach out to CVSD Transportation Director, Barry Russell- brussell@cvsvdt.org .

• All students riding a bus must comply with the directions of the school bus driver for the safety of all. Students are expected to be sitting calmly with their whole body sitting on the seat. Interactions must not be a distraction to the driver.

CCS has five alumni running in the VT D1 State Championship Races for Cross Country tomorrow! The race is in Thetford, VT. On the girls varsity is Audren Neilson (2nd from left) and Lydia Donahue (4th from left) , and on the boys varsity is Owen Deale, Ethan Morris, and Treson McEnaney. Pretty amazing representation!

Free Webinar for Caregivers & Educators: Teens, Social Media & Mental Health.

Virtually join ParentIN CVSD at 7pm on 11/16 as we host Erin Walsh of Spark and Stitch Institute for a live webinar addressing your screen time struggles and questions with science and understanding.

We will explore questions like:

• What is the impact of social media and gaming on mental health?
• Is technology connecting young people or isolating them?
• Is internet, gaming or phone addiction real?
• What do kids need from parents as they navigate online risks and opportunities?

The live event is free and ticketed. Register today at bphc.link/erinwalsh

• Athletics
• Bus Schedules / Routes
• 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