CBMS Community Cougar Comments

Dear Crossett Brook Community Members:

Welcome back from April break, we are in the last swing to the end of the year. It's hard to believe there are only approximately 6 weeks left. We are awaiting the last day of school date as the Superintendent has applied for a waiver from the state on our flood days and has yet to hear back, so please stay tuned.

Warmer weather seems to be on the horizon, with it comes the need for layers. Please remind your students to bring their items home at the end of the day. We will be putting the lost and found items out in the lobby over the next few weeks before school ends for the year.

There are some upcoming events to be aware of in the calendar. 8th graders who have signed up will be headed to Quebec City for 2 days at the end of the month, chorus students who have been selected will be performing for ACDA this Saturday and next Friday, 5th graders will be representing CBMS at the VT Music Educators Elementary Choir Festival at CVU. There are so many great things happening this month.

Sincerely,

Jen and Duane

Check the website for this month's menu.

It's the time of year again, already. It's hard to believe, but we are putting out our Yearbook order form. Yearbooks will go home in mid-June, during the last week of school. If you would like to order a yearbook for your student, please use this form: https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=101487271062670

Ever wondered why CBMS has such beautiful trees lining our driveway and parking area? CBMS has a longstanding relationship with the Waterbury Rotary Club and each year, we have a tree planting event on the first Friday in May (VT's Arbor Day). We play music, listen to a poem and learn a little history about the day. This morning (Friday) at 10:00, we continued our tradition and planted a new Sugar Maple on the lower field in line with the others we have planted the last 5 year. Students were able to participate by playing music and helping shovel in the soil.

Dream L. Arts students recently created Tangram puzzles related to the books we’re finishing. Students used the original seven Tangram pieces and added clues related to the books. The completed puzzles were a figure or shape related to the story. We spent L. Arts class one day this week trying out each others’ puzzles and giving positive feedback. It was a fun morning!

Congratulations to the 13 singers in grades 6-8 who are participating in the ACDA Children’s Honor Choir festival this Friday and Saturday in Burlington.

Next Friday, May 9,15 Crossett Brook 5th graders will be representing CBMS at the Vermont Music Educators’ Association Elementary Choir festival at CVU HS in Hinesburg!

8th Grade World Language Students invite you to participate in this virtual silent auction that supports the trip to Quebec City. Follow the link below to register and place a bid! There are some awesome items donated by local businesses!

https://app.galabid.com/quebecfundraiser/items

Did you know that both children and adults in Vermont are experiencing increased susceptibility to seasonal allergy symptoms compared to five years ago? This trend is largely attributed to climate change, which has led to longer growing seasons and higher pollen production.​

Key Factors Contributing to Increased Allergy Symptoms in Vermont

• Extended Growing Seasons: Since 1970, Vermont has added approximately 29 freeze-free days to its growing season. This extension allows plants more time to produce and release pollen, leading to earlier and longer allergy seasons.

• Increased Pollen Production: Pollen counts have risen by over 20% since 1990. Additionally, higher atmospheric CO₂ levels have made pollen more potent, exacerbating allergic reactions.

• Impact on Children: Children are particularly vulnerable due to their developing respiratory systems and increased time spent outdoors. Approximately 19% of U.S. children suffer from seasonal allergies, and 6.5% have asthma, conditions that are aggravated by higher pollen levels. ​

A Simple Solution

Once you go back inside from an outdoor excursion, wash your face (and hands) to reduce or eliminate allergy symptoms such as sneezing, wheezing, nasal congestion, coughing, itchy/watery eyes, runny nose and/or itchy throat.

• Removes Pollen: Pollen can stick to your skin, eyebrows, eyelashes, and facial hair. Washing your face helps remove this irritant, preventing it from continuing to trigger symptoms.

• Reduces Eye Irritation: Rinsing around your eyes can reduce itchiness, redness, and watering caused by pollen exposure.

Conclusion

The combination of longer growing seasons, increased pollen production, and more potent allergens has led to a rise in seasonal allergy symptoms among both children and adults in Vermont. This trend underscores the broader health impacts of climate change on the population.​

Dear HUUSD Guardians and Community,

The HUUSD Nursing Team is partnering again with the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) to promote student health for a school-based vaccination clinic. There is no cost to participate in the HPV clinic.

• WHEN: Wednesday, May 14, 8:30-11:30AM
• WHERE: Harwood Union Middle/High School, Auditorium Lobby

The collaboration will focus on preventing the spread of Human papillomavirus (HPV). This is an extension of the earlier HPV clinic in response to the community request to have access during the school day. This clinic is occurring during school hours to help make this choice for vaccination more accessible to all families.

HPV infections can lead to cancers and other health concerns. The HPV vaccine can prevent over 90% of cancers caused by HPV. The HPV vaccine has been available since 2006 and is safe and effective to receive. Please help us prevent cancer and create a healthier future for our community’s kids.

Who Is Eligible?

• If your child is over the age of 9 and has not yet started or completed the HPV series, your child can be vaccinated at this clinic
  • HPV Series means multiple doses are needed for full coverage
    • 2 doses if your child is between the ages of 9 and 14
    • 3 doses if your child begins the series on or after their 15th birthday
• While many youths in Vermont have had one vaccine, not all have completed the series. If you aren’t sure, ask your primary care office or school nurse to check the state immunization registry for your child’s vaccine history
• Any student in the district is eligible to participate, they do not need to attend Harwood. Transportation between schools is not provided; families are responsible for getting their children to their appointment if they are not attending Harwood.
• Parents do not need to be present for this vaccine clinic so long as the paperwork has been filled out appropriately. This means all consent forms (three total, see “Next Steps”) must be signed.

How Can I Make an Appointment?

Please make one appointment for each child you wish to have vaccinated.

Remember, if the paperwork/consent forms are complete, you do not need to accompany your child to the vaccine clinic.

Directions to Make an Appointment

1. Click HERE to access the schedule, and then click on either of the booking options (these are two parallel schedules for appointments so if you don't see a time available in the first booking, try the second booking)
2. Jump to May 14th on the calendar to view appointment times.
3. Select one time slot for each child you wish to have vaccinated.
   • Your contact information should show for First name, Last name, and Email address.
4. Click Book for each time slot. You will receive an email confirmation with all details and ability to cancel the appointment if needed.

Next Steps Before the Day of the Clinic

1. You will receive a call from an HUUSD school nurse with a few follow-up questions and to ensure all paperwork has been received.
2. Parent/Guardian need to complete the Immunization Consent Form (in Spanish) (*signature needed by parent/guardian).
3. Parent/Guardian need to complete the AHS Notice of Privacy Practices (in Spanish) (*signature needed by parent/guardian).
4. Parent/Guardian should complete the Screening Checklist (in Spanish).
5. Return all three SIGNED forms to the school nurse in person or via email huusd-hpvbookings@huusd.org.
6. Review the HPV Vaccine Information Statement (in Spanish) for questions as they may arise.

If you do not have access to a printer, please contact your child’s school nurse.

If you have questions regarding the clinic , please email huusd-hpvbookings@huusd.org.

See answers to frequently asked questions and additional resources on the HUUSD blog post.

Best,

The HUUSD Nursing Team

Sign up Link is Here

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is proud to announce that Velocity is coming to Crossett Brook Middle School! This program welcomes any student who identifies as male.

The goals of the overall program are:

• To encourage a healthy, active lifestyle

• To create an opportunity to try new fitness activities in a non-competitive, supportive setting

• To build confidence and communication skills as students bond with mentors and other participants

Each week of the six-week program includes a different activity, giving students a wide range of new experiences and helping them to discover new abilities and passions. Velocity is designed to promote an active, healthy lifestyle. Past activities include some of the following: biking, archery, indoor rock climbing, cooking, frisbee golf, parkour, skateboarding, orienteering, and hiking, to list a few!

The current plan is for Velocity to be held at CBMS on Tuesdays beginning April 29th and ending on Tuesday June 3rd, starting directly after school and ending at 5:30 pm.

Weekly activities are paired with group discussions focusing on challenges that participants may face regarding issues such as building self-esteem and empathy, managing emotions, dealing with social media, and coping with stress. Group discussions provide a safe space to bond with positive role models and gain the skills to express thoughts and emotions in healthy and effective ways.

Attached is the required permission form to participate in the program. Please make a copy and have your student hand in to me or email a copy to me.

Please understand that you are responsible for transportation home after the program ends at 5:30 pm. The pickup location is the gym lobby entrance.

Mentor/Coordinator’s information: Drew Lucier CBMS PE/Health Teacher

Contact information: dlucier@huusd.org

Please drop permission forms off at: CMBS Front Office or directly to Drew Lucier

We welcome you and your student to our program. For more information, please contact Drew Lucier or reach out directly to the Velocity Program Coordinator Rick Beal at bealr@bcbsvt.org or (802) 683-9053.

We look forward to a fun and active spring!

8th Grade fundraisers!

The 8th grade celebration committee is busy raising funds for end of year activities. Please help them out and here is how!

• CAR WASH - May 10th 10am-4pm at CBMS, bring that mud season car over to CBMS for a thorough bath. The hoses and soapy sponges will be ready to give your ride a spring cleaning by the gym doors. Bring Mom a nice clean car for Mothers Day!

• Bottle and Can drive - Bring your redeemable bottles and cans to CBMS or Rodney's Rubbish until May 30th. All proceeds go toward 8th grade activities!

In an effort to create healthy habits and increase community connection, starting in mid-April 2025, both biking and walking routes to Brookside Primary School & Crossett Brook Middle School will be supported by local volunteers, extending from Waterbury Village, Duxbury, and Waterbury Center. This will run as a pilot for Spring 2025 and will take place 2 x weekly, days TBD. Please complete THIS FORM if you are interested in joining as a Bike or Walk to School Leader.

Please see the flyers for community opportunities.

Inklings Writing Camp

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.

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