CBMS Community Cougar Comments

Dear Crossett Brook Community Members:

It's hard to believe that we have already completed nearly 2/3 of the school year. We hope everyone has a restful and relaxing break free from winter illness. Please see some stay healthy tips below from our school nurses.

We have linked the recent budget information below in the newsletter and encourage all our community members to get out and vote.

Spring sports is right around the corner, if your student(s) is/are interested, please make sure to sign them up and go to the March 12 Sports meeting.

Several vacation and summer camp options have already opened registration. If summer care is needed, please see the attached flyers below for information and registration.

Sincerely,

Jen and Duane

Check the website for this month's menu.

Good afternoon Spring sports sign ups are now live, click here to register. The parents meeting will be on March 12 at 6pm at HU. Please help spread the word.

Interested in playing MS Volleyball??

Here is the link to register!

Middle School Club Volleyball is open to HUMS/CBMS athletes in 7th and 8th grade. For more information, please contact Melinda Pockoski at pockoski@gmail.com.

The schedule is:

March 6 (Thur)Practice: 3:45 PM - 5:15

March 7 (Fri)Practice: 3:45 PM - 5:15

March 8 (Sat)OFF

March 9 (Sun)OFF

March 10 (Mon)vs CHMS - @Crossett Brook

March 11 (Tue)Practice: 3:45 PM - 5:15

March 12 (Wed)OFF

March 13 (Thur)Practice: 3:45 PM - 5:15

March 14 (Fri)vs VCS - @Crossett Brook

March 15 (Sat)OFF

March 16 (Sun)OFF

March 17 (Mon)Practice: 3:45 PM - 5:15

March 18 (Tue)vs MSMS - @Crossett Brook

March 19 (Wed)OFF

March 20 (Thur)vs MSMS - @Crossett Brook

March 21 (Fri)Practice: 3:45 PM - 5:15

March 22 (Sat)OFF

March 23 (Sun)OFF

March 24 (Mon)@ CHMS

March 25 (Tue)@ ADL

March 26 (Wed)OFF

March 27 (Thur)Waiting on confirmation of Middlebury game.

March 28 (Fri)OFF

March 29 (Sat)OFF

March 30 (Sun)OFF

March 31 (Mon)Practice: 3:45 PM - 5:15

April 1 (Tue)Practice: 3:45 PM - 5:15

April 2 (Wed)OFF

April 3 (Thur)@ SACS 4:30

April 4 (Fri)Practice: 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM

April 5th (Saturday) 2:00

@Essex High School Attending jamboree

The Harwood MS Gymnastics team took first place in the state championship. Additionally, Congratulations to our own Kassidy Noyes, All Around State Champion.

We wanted to let you know that the FY2026 Budget and Annual Report is ready.

We are excited about the new design--take a look

The report will live permanently on the HUUSD Budget Page under the FY2026 Budget Resources. Help us spread the word.

The following students competed in the CBMS school spelling bee on Tuesday February 11th for a total of 15 rounds!

Lillian K, Hazel D, Eden S, Susannah R, JD C, Kate S, Theo B, Henry M, Sam R, Jacob R, Beckett M, Silvan T, Sam P, Hunter N, Alex F, Pace F

Lillian K is our school champion and will be joined by Henry M and Kate S to represent CBMS at the State Spelling Bee March 24th!

A special thank you to Dr Mike (our superintendent) for being the pronouncer and to Sandra from the Waterbury Public Library, Mrs Hempey and Hillary who helped as judges.

Students on Wizards recently presented their research projects about Indigenous Tribes to their peers.

Sustainability will be hosting their annual seed fundraiser starting next week in partnership with High Mowing Organic Seeds. All seeds are certified organic and Non-GMO and every sale percentage goes to the program! Seeds are the same price as online so why not get them through us?!

It is OPTIONAL for students to participate in selling seeds, but if your student is interested please have them check in with Ms. Henry at school in the sustainability room to get a packet and a run down. You can also send an email to khenry@huusd.org if you have any questions!

Seed orders and money are due by Friday March 7th. This will allow seeds to be ordered and be distributed to purchasers the first week of April.

Below is the flyer of seeds available to order.

Crossett Brook and Girls on the Run Vermont are looking for volunteer coaches that want to make a positive impact and empower our community's middle school girls! Navigating through tough times takes perseverance. Today’s girls deserve mentors who teach them how to build their inner strength and keep going, even when it’s difficult. GOTRVT’s middle school curriculum, Heart & Sole, helps participants build this very confidence. Throughout the spring season, team members build confidence to overcome difficult situations, inspire others to keep going when it’s hard, and embrace their confidence to make a difference in their community.

The season starts the week of March 17, and ends with a celebratory 5K on Saturday, May 31 in Essex. Teams meet twice weekly for 90 minute sessions to connect, move, learn and have FUN! Team schedules are set by their volunteer coach teams. Heart & Sole is open to participants in grades 5-8 at Crossett Brook Middle School. The practice days will be determined based on the availability of the volunteer coaches.

Learn more about GOTRVT’s programs and complete a Participant Interest Form if your child is interested in participating: gotrvt.org/programs. Learn more and sign up to coach by visiting gotrvt.org/coach. No running experience is required for coaches or participants. GOTRVT provides training, easy to follow lesson plans, supplies and support to coaches all season long. Questions? Contact GOTRVT at anne@girlsontherunvermont.org or 802-871-5664.

5th grade worked with John Jose from CVSWMD last week in learning how to properly recycle in blue bins. They participated in a Recycling Relay and repurposed t-shirts into tote bags.

6th Grade just finished up their Wevideo newscasts about sustainable vs industrial food systems.

7th grade has been reading the book, This Book will Save the Planet. They have also been working on creating an expose on a chosen company that pollutes a lot and takes advantage of people.

Professor George Ashline from St. Michael's College’s mathematics department came to team Prodigy to guest teach an activity from Number Theory. Students experienced the math practice standard of making sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Students did the following activity, Numbers on the Card. Students were challenged to figure out how this worked!

The trimester 2 8th grade showcase will be happening on Wednesday March 19th. Lots of items will be for sale and raffled, bring some $$ and support the local non profits students will be donating to!

Nice gifts, crocheted items, embroidery work, benches, chairs and more!

The American Academy of Pediatrics Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health is excited to announce the upcoming Beyond the Likes - Social Media, Mental Health & You Virtual Youth Forum. Developed for youth and young adults (ages 14-24) this event will take place on Saturday, March 1 and Saturday, March 8 from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM CST.

This free, two-day, interactive event is designed to educate and empower youth and young adults to navigate the digital world with confidence. Participants will explore the impact of social media on mental health, engage in meaningful conversations with peers and experts, and gain practical tools for managing their digital lives.

We Need Your Help to Share This Opportunity!

Please help us spread the word with the youth-focused organizations you work with or the young people in your network. This is a unique chance for youth to:

• Hear from mental health and social media experts

• Learn practical tips for managing social media use

• Build confidence to have open discussions with peers, parents, and community members

• Get trained on how to advocate for positive changes in digital spaces

Event Details

Dates: Saturday, March 1 & Saturday, March 8
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM CST
Audience: Middle school, high school, and college students from all backgrounds across the US

Registration Link: Webinar Registration - Zoom

There is plenty of snow to play in as we transition into our winter break and it appears it will be sunny but unseasonably cold. When engaging in snow activities like snowboarding, skiing or snowshoeing, protecting your skin is essential due to cold temperatures, intense sun exposure, and dry air. Here’s how to keep your skin safe and healthy:

1. Sun Protection

• Use Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen: Snow reflects up to 80% of UV rays, intensifying sun exposure. Apply SPF 30 or higher on all exposed skin, even on cloudy days.

• Cover All Exposed Areas: Don't forget often-missed spots like your ears, neck, under your chin (where snow reflects UV rays), and the back of your hands.

• Reapply Regularly: Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, or more often if sweating heavily.

• Lip Balm with SPF: Protect your lips with an SPF 30+ balm to prevent chapping and sunburn. Note: Be careful which product you choose. According to Cleveland Clinic Dermatologist Melissa Piliang MD, “lip balms containing ingredients like phenol, menthol and salicylic acid actually make your lips drier. So, you apply more and it becomes a vicious cycle.”

1. Moisturize and Hydrate

• Use a Rich Moisturizer: Cold air dries out the skin—apply a thick, oil-based moisturizer to lock in hydration.

• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to maintain skin hydration from the inside out.

• Eat Skin-Boosting Foods: Foods rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and vitamins (like vitamin C and E) support skin health from the inside out.

1. Protective Gear

• Goggles or Sunglasses: Shield your eyes and the surrounding skin from UV rays and wind.

• Neck Gaiter or Face Mask: Cover your face and neck to protect against windburn and frostbite.

• Gloves and Layers: Wear insulated, waterproof gloves and dress in moisture-wicking layers to keep skin dry and warm.

1. Aftercare

• Gentle Cleansing: Avoid hot showers after exposure to cold weather. Use a mild, hydrating cleanser to avoid stripping moisture from your skin.

Post-Activity Moisturizing: Apply a nourishing moisturizer or aloe vera gel to soothe and replenish skin after a day in the snow.

Join parents and guardians from the Crossett Brook Middle School and the greater Harwood community to learn from guest speaker Danielle Kent in the workshop Supporting Kids in Getting (And staying!) Organized, Thinking Ahead, and Problem Solving. As parents or guardians, one of the most valuable skills we can teach our children is how to stay organized, think ahead, and solve problems independently. In this workshop, you'll learn practical strategies to help your kids keep track of their belongings, plan for the future, and approach challenges with confidence.

The workshop will take place Thursday, March 27 from 7 - 8PM in the CBMS Library. The workshop will be geared towards middle schooler caregivers, but the lessons are universal and those with younger or older are welcome to join. The event is sponsored by the CBMS PTO and there is no fee to attend. Please RSVP here or below so we can gauge how many people will be attending.

Danielle Kent Bio

Danielle graduated with her Masters in Speech-Language Pathology (M.S., CCC-SLP) in 2011 and has worked in a variety of settings over the last 13 years. Her current work is focused on teaching adults how to understand and prioritize the development of self-regulation as parents and/or professionals. She completed the VT- LEND fellowship in 2016. She is the owner/operator of Piece of Mind Therapy and Consulting, LLC and provides social communication consultation/evaluation services across the state of Vermont. She also co-owns VT AAC, LLC and with her colleague provides Augmentative and Alternative Communication Evaluations and Consultations for students with complex communication needs and professional development in the areas of AAC and Play/Literacy for school teams across the state.

Danielle also is the host of Coaching Youth For Life podcast and provides professional development offerings for school districts across the state of Vermont. She enjoys sharing her self-published book Max Learns to Pause with parents and professionals.

RSVP for CBMS PTO Workshop

Please see the flyers for community opportunities.

Is your student interested in this camp? You can register here:

https://lostnationtheater.org/2025-dance-theater-camp-tuck-everlasting/

There are also scholarships available!

VTeen Science Pathways Cafés, Jan 11, Feb 15, March 22, April 12 & May 10

Join us for monthly hands-on science workshops by UVM faculty, graduate students and other STEM professionals and coordinated by the 4-H VTeen Science Ambassadors. These are excellent opportunities to learn about a breadth of careers and current research in a variety of STEM fields. Workshops are for teens age 13+. Cafés take place on UVM campus on Saturdays from 5:00-7:00 pm and pizza and soft drinks will be served. Upcoming topics include:

Jan 11 Disease Detectives: Genetically Engineering Bacteria in the Microbiome for Therapy

Feb 15 Finding Patient Zero: Tracking Disease Outbreaks

March 22 Medical Laboratory Science

April 12 Brain Parasites, Behavior, and Public Health

May 10 Stop the Bleed: Emergency Medicine

Please register for these free events here: https://go.uvm.edu/afe. Space is limited for some cafés. You will receive an email before the event with campus location, parking and other information (please provide your email address). To request disability-related accommodation, please contact Margaret at mcoan@uvm.edu, or (802) 656-7634, 3 weeks prior to the session you want to attend so that we may assist you.

Aiken Discover Engineering Day, February 22, 9:30-2:30, 2025

Discover Engineering is a day of hands-on learning and exploration for youth in 5th-12th grades to learn about engineering, build skills, and network with college students, professors, and professionals in the field. Organized by UVM’s College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (CEMS) and UVM Extension 4-H, the day includes an Engineering Scavenger Hunt (interactive exhibits showcasing various types of engineering and career pathways), and an afternoon of learning through hands-on workshops. Lunch provided. Sponsored by the Lola and George Aiken Fund. Register for this free event taking place on UVM campus here: https://go.uvm.edu/2025

To request language interpretation/translation assistance and/or a disability-related accommodation to participate in this program, please call or email Margaret Coan at 802-656-7634 or margaret.coan@uvm.edu before Friday, January 31, 2025 so we may assist you. Registration open until filled or Monday, Feb 17 at 5:00 pm.

"Baseball and softball registration is open for the Spring 2025 season!

Register at: www.clydewhittemorelittleleague.com

Clyde Whittemore Little League provides programs for kids ages 4-12, from T-ball all the way up to the major league level. While many families are generally familiar with our baseball program, our softball offerings for girls are less well known. For that reason, I want to take a minute to highlight our softball programs here! There are three levels this year serving girls ages 6-12 years old. If you would like to discuss which level would be best for your player, please don't hesitate to reach out to Coach Kristin at kbrynga@gmail.com.

Coach/Machine Pitch -

This level is an introduction to softball and is primarily for players 6-8 years old. As its name implies, coaches will be pitching to players at this level with modified game rules to maximize player participation and opportunities for growth. Teams will have one practice and one game weekly.

Minor League-

This level is primarily for players ages 8-10 who are still in the early stages of learning the game of softball. Players have the opportunity to pitch with modified rules (i.e. no stealing bases, limited walks, maximum number of runs per inning. etc) to keep the game moving. The minor league level is less competitive than the major league program. Players will be on the field 3 days a week with a combination of games and practices.

Major League-

This level is primarily for players ages 10-12 who have played at least one season of minor league softball. At this level players pitch with increasing speed and full game rules are in force. This is our most competitive level of softball play. Players will be on the field 3 days a week with a combination of games and practices.

Please note that we will begin our optional spring training sessions on Saturdays beginning March 8th. Your player must be registered prior to attending spring training. Outdoor practices and games will begin after May 1st. Scholarships are available for those who need financial assistance.

See you on the field!"

Hi Folks

Yes we are knee deep in snow but not too early to think about the 2025 HU Sports and Activities Calcutta.

It will be held 5/10 at the American Legion in Waterbury.

More details to follow.

If you want to reserve a number now(they will go quick) please email, text or just tell me.

Tickets are $100.00 with a chance at $1500.00 plus a meal and a great time at the event.

All proceeds go to our sports and activities programs.

Thanks

Brian McCarthy aka Bmac

CBMS Calendar

Website:https://cbms.wwsu.org/

Phone: 802-244-6100

Location: 5672 VT Rt. 100 Duxbury, VT 05676