THE NEWSLETTER

CVSD is excited to announce the launch of an updated district-wide website, coming Monday, Dec. 16. The new site features a modern design with easy-to-use navigation and responsive design that’s accessible on any device. You may need to update any links you have bookmarked on your device, and if you are viewing this email after Monday, December 16, some links may no longer be valid.

If you encounter any issues, please provide feedback using the district’s Connect With Us resource (find website under District Topics).

The late bus reservations link will now be sent on Sundays at 10:00am (as necessary) in order to coincide with the weekly coaching schedule emails so that parents can be more informed of when to reserve a seat for their child(ren). Thank you.

• Erika Norris, our talented art educator, has been building connections through a fun and engaging staff trivia activity, weaving our faculty and students into a tighter-knit team.

• Andy Smith and Chris Gribnau recently guided a diverse group of students on a journey of perseverance and discovery. Their efforts culminated in a powerful musical experience in the MPR on Wednesday, where students—some discovering their “musical side” for the first time—created something truly inspiring. (Check out a preview of the concert here.)

• Our staff appreciation lunch, organized by the PTO and generously donated by Healthy Living, was a heartwarming moment of connection and gratitude. Surrounded by delicious food, cookies, and sweet treats from community donations, we recharged through laughter, conversation, and shared stories.

Wednesday, December 18th - Early Release

Monday, December 23rd through January 1st - NO SCHOOL - Early Winter Break

Wednesday, January 8th - Early Release

Thursday, January 9th - Save The Date! - Celebrate the Arts & Community Night, CVU, 5:00 - 8:00

Wednesday, January 15th - Early Release

Monday January 20th - NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

Wednesday, January 22nd - PTO Mtg, CCS Cafeteria, 8:00 - 9:00

Wednesday, January 22nd - Early Release

Wednesday, January 29th - Early Release

Wednesday, January 29th - Math Night, MPR, 6:00 - 7:30 watch for more details from the PTO

Friday, January 31st - Winter Ball (grades 7/8 only), MPR, 7:00 - 9:00

Friday, February 7th - Prek Lottery Closes - see below for details

Just a reminder that students should be prepared and dressed appropriately to be outside! Hats, gloves/mittens, jackets, pants, and boots are all highly recommended. Students will be outside as long as the temperature is zero or above.

For the last few winters, we’ve started out the sledding season with about twenty sleds for classes to sign out of for students to use during recess on the back hill. As you can imagine, with hundreds of students using these sleds weekly, they need annual replacements. If you are interested in contributing to our closet of sleds, we would welcome very specific donations that can be found at Costco. These foam-based sleds with a polished plastic base have held up longer than any other sled we have purchased in the last eight years. They cost between $15-18 a piece. It was reported they are on sale now. Thank you in advance to anyone able to help!

This time of year can be challenging for all of us. If you are feeling overwhelmed there are a lot of great things you can do to bring yourself to the present and connect with your loved ones in a way that feels supportive and meaningful. Have you ever felt frantic, like there is too much to do and not enough time? It is ok to take a pause. Practice some mindful breathing, take a walk or use any tool that helps you to bring yourself back to a calm, rational place. We can help our kids by modeling what it means to take care of ourselves!

If things are feeling heavy or you need support to get through a tough moment, there are people to help. You can call First Call for Chittenden County at 488-7777 and they will provide you support to get through the tough moments. FREE SUPPORT AT YOUR FINGERTIPS, 24/7- Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support and information via the medium people already use and trust: text.

1. Text "VT" to 741741 from anywhere in the USA, anytime, about any type of crisis.

2. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds quickly.

3. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.

For more information please visit http://vtcrisistextline.org/.

The CVSD Early Education Program is now accepting applications for a random prekindergarten lottery drawing for the 2025-26 school year. This lottery is for an opportunity to enroll in one of our school-based classrooms which runs 4 partial days 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, 2025, 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 7, 2025, and are located on the CVSD Early Education website under PreK Enrollment. 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.

Save the Date: January 9, 2025, 5-8 p.m. at CVU

Join students from across the Champlain Valley School District for an evening of entertainment and celebration, showcasing performing and visual arts from the district’s six schools. After a six-year break, this annual tradition returns to CVU on Thursday, January 9, 2025, transforming the high school halls and theater into a vibrant gallery of learning, innovation and inspiration. The 13th-annual Celebrate the Arts Night brings together art, music, theater, media arts, foods, business, design and technology in a one-night-only exhibition of student creativity.

We welcome your feedback at any time. Please select your topic below and send your thoughts our way. If you don't see your topic listed, choose "General Questions." All feedback will be routed to the appropriate district team members, who will follow up with you within 3 business days. CVSD is committed to connecting with students, families, staff, and community members to provide exceptional and equitable experiences.

Even though free and reduced meal applications are no longer required for free meals, the Vermont Agency of Education asks that all families complete the Household Information Form. Thank you.

• Athletics
• Bus Schedules / Routes
• CCS Handbook
• Connecting Youth Mentoring
• CVSD Diversity, 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

• Town of Charlotte

Jen Roth, Lead Principal

Tim O'Leary, Assistant Principal

Beth Slater, Director of Special Services