The School Bell

A message from Jacqueline Parks, Williston Central School Principal - Health Office Notes - Williston Craft Show - SPARK session 2 - Upcoming Community Events - &th & 8th Grade Dance - Williston 2050 Roudtable details - and more...

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- Important Family Resources

by Jacqueline Parks, Williston Central School Principal

Next Monday and Tuesday, students at WCS will engage in assemblies and small group work with the Sweethearts and Heroes organization. Sweethearts & Heroes is a student empowerment and empathy activation team that helps prevent unkind behavior. For more than 15 years, this cape-less squad of superheroes has interacted with more than 2 million students in hundreds of schools from New England to Hawaii, spreading HOPE along the way. (HOPE = Hold On, Possibilities Exist!)

The team is: Tom Murphy, director and co-founder, of St. Albans, Vt.; Ret. U.S. Army Sgt. Rick Yarosh, a HOPE expert from New York who was burned severely while serving in Iraq; and Pat Fish, an aspiring and effective young leader who first saw Sweethearts & Heroes as a student in South Glens Falls, N.Y.

Parents/guardians are invited to attend the assembly on Monday in the auditorium. Please sign-in at the front office, get a visitor’s badge and sit towards the back of the auditorium behind the students. The assemblies are sure to be thought provoking and will lend themselves to further discussions between students and adults. Assembly times are listed below.

• 5th/6th Graders: 8:30-9:30 am

• 3rd/4th Graders: 10:10-11:10 am

• 7th/8th Graders: 12:50-2:20 pm

These assemblies connect well with the behavior systems work that we are engaged in around creating a community of growth and belonging. We look forward to our students having this experience!

11/04 - Craft Fair, 9am - 4pm @WCS

11/07 - Coffee with the Principals, 3:00pm - 4:00pm @ WCS Community Room

11/08 - 4 Winds Training, 8:15am - 10:30am @WCS Community Room

11/09 - Families as Partners Monthly Meeting, 8:30 - 10:30am @WCS Community Room

11/10 - 7th & 8th Grade Dance, 6:30 - 8:00pm / DEI Town Hall - Latinx Community

11/14 - Intergen Book Groups

11/16 - ParentIn CVSD Virtual Event, 7-8:30pm

11/20 - 11/24 - No School / Thanksgiving Break

12/12 - Intergen Book Groups

12/14 - Families as Partners Monthly Meeting, 8:30 - 10:30am @WCS Community Room

12/25 - 1/1 - No School / Early Winter Break

Allen Brook School - Start Time @ 7:50am;

Dismissal for PreK & K at 2:25pm - grades 1 & 2 @2:30pm

Williston Central School - Start Time @8:00am;

Dismissal grades 3 & 4 @2:35pm - grades 5-8 @2:45pm

**REMINDER: Early Release Wednesdays are 1 Hour earlier every week**

The Health Office staff urges parents/guardians to check for head lice at least once a week.

Students who had head lice in the past should be checked more often for infestation. Please

remind your child NOT to share brushes, combs, hair ties, hats, scarfs, hooded sweatshirts

and coats.

The main mode of transmission of head lice is contact with a person who is already infested (i.e., head-to-head contact). Contact is common during play (sports activities, playgrounds, at camp, and slumber parties) at school and at home. If you discover your child has head lice, please notify the Health Office & teacher. All staff members will continue with prevention measures. If you have any questions, please call the Health Office.

Here is the policy on positive cases.

Both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the CDC advocate for the following practices to be discontinued:

- whole classroom screening,

- exclusion for nits or live lice,

- notification to others except for parents/guardians of students with head lice infestations (Devore et , 2015; CDC, 2015b, para. 3).

Here is a CDC LINK for head lice treatment.

Here is a CDC LINK for the life cycle. It is a several week process. If lice are found they usually acquired them about 2 weeks prior to you finding live lice.

Thanks so much for your cooperation & understanding.

Maria Kapetanovic RN, BSN, MSN/Ed WCS: 871-6170

Carol Albertelli RN, BSN WCS: 871-6171

Sylvia Love RN, BSN ABS: 871-6248

Calling all parents and caregivers of grades 6-12 students! Help us enhance our resources for CVSD youth and families by taking this quick 5-minute survey. Your participation automatically enters you into a raffle for a chance to win one of 3 valuable $50 grocery store gift cards.

ParentIN CVSD values your input, and your anonymity is guaranteed. Your honest responses are vital for program improvements and new initiatives. If you have any survey-related questions, don't hesitate to contact Amy Sayre asayre@cvsdtvt.org

Don't miss this opportunity to share an informative and positive impact on your community. Thank you!

As the weather starts to change with the seasons please remember to send in boots, hats, mittens, jackets, etc. for the season. All grades will go outside for recess year round unless it is pouring rain, thunder and lightening or below zero. Teachers and staff will remind students to wear appropriate gear each day as they are getting ready for recess, and student will be expected to keep their jacket on anytime the feels like is 40 or below.

Help our student make the most of outdoor time by planning and packing for the weather!

If you need help locating outdoor gear please contact your school guidance counselor.

Please remember: If there is any change to your student's typical end of day plan, please be sure to contact the front office and teacher BEFORE 1:00PM (or 12:00 pm on Wednesdays). Changes in your student(s) schedule will not be accepted after this time unless it is an emergency.

Send all emails regarding attendance and end of day changes to:

1. The classroom teacher

2. Front Office: absfrontoffice@cvsdvt.org

3. The Team Assistant for your grade:

• Kindergarten - cplouffe@cvsdvt.org

• First/Second Grade - lsaladino@cvsdvt.org

The 7th and 8th grade November school dance is coming up on November 10th, and the
student dance committee is working hard to prepare this event for students to enjoy. Last week
we decided that we would have a NEON theme.

We want to take this opportunity to ask families to bring in food or drink for the dance,
specifically items that are individually wrapped or packaged. For drinks, it would be greatly
appreciated to those who could offer us small plastic water bottles.

We also are looking for parent/guardian chaperones to help out during the dance. Chaperones
should arrive by 6:15 pm for a brief chaperone meeting.

To sign up to be a chaperone and/or to bring food, please use the google form.

Please note that food can be brought in on the day of the dance and left in the front office.
7th/8th Dance Chaperone and Food Donations

7th/8th Dance Chaperone Sign-Up

Thank you!
-The Dance Committee (facilitated by Mrs. Parks)

CVU Theater is inviting all 6th graders in the district to their Invited Dress Rehearsal of "Newsies" on Thursday, 11/9 at 5:30pm. This is just for 6th graders and one guardian. Doors will open at 5:15pm - general seating. Running time should be about 2 hr 45 minutes with intermission.

WHO: Champlain Valley Union High School invites all 6th graders in the district and 1 accompanying guardian

WHAT: FREE Invited Dress Rehearsal of the Disney Musical "Newsies" (see attached flyer)

WHEN: Thursday, November 9th at 5:30pm (approx running time 2hr 45 minutes)

WHERE: CVU High School Theatre (369 CVU Rd, Hinesburg)

HOW: General Seating, Doors open around 5pm. Please RSVP to secure your seats using this Google Form: Newsies Invited Dress Rehearsal RSVP Form

Please RSVP to secure your seats using this Google Form: Newsies Invited Dress Rehearsal RSVP Form

We are excited to offer your child an opportunity to participate in Spark Enrichment, an after-school applied learning program for students in grades 5-8. Sessions will run for 5 weeks from 2:50 p.m - 4:20 p.m. with our 2nd session starting November 9th and ends December 14th. These small group classes will be facilitated by school faculty and staff. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities that can be found on the link below. Accommodations for any food allergies will be made. Caregivers will receive an email (using the email given on the form) informing them of the assigned workshop on Monday or Tuesday of the week that workshops begin. In order to take full advantage of this learning opportunity, students will need to make a commitment to attend all five Thursdays. If your child decides to not take part in this session after having registered please contact Julie Rogers so that others may fill the spot. The after-school activity bus will provide transportation home for students in need of a ride home.

The dates of the session are: November 9, 16, 30, December 7 & 14. When registering, students will be able to rank their choices for better placement! Students will be placed on a first come first serve basis as well as ensuring that students do not repeat workshops unless there are open spots. Please use this registration form and a listing of workshop descriptions. Contact Julie Rogers (jrogers@cvsdvt.org) with any questions.

Important dates:

Thursday, 10/26- Students attend information meet and sign ups begin

Friday, 11/3- deadline for signing up for Beginner Band AND for

completing instrument rental contracts.

Monday, 11/13- Ellis Music Co. delivers instruments and supplies to Kim Thompson

Friday, 11/17- Beginner lessons start (Schedule will be shared with students. Instruments and

materials delivered by Ellis Music Co. will be given to students at their first lesson.)

At this time, the beginner band program is available to all interested students in grades 4 and up. All beginners will attend a weekly small group lesson during their school day and will perform later in the school year. Students may choose:

flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, or percussion.

*Percussion Notes:

In order to provide a quality experience to all musicians, there is a limit of 8 percussion spaces. If interest exceeds space, places in this class will be chosen by lottery. Please note that omission of a second choice will not increase your chances of acquiring a space in percussion. Thank you for your understanding.

How to sign up:

Here is the Beginner Band sign up form. It is also available on the WCS Band webpage. Please be sure to sign up by 11/3 in order to ensure your child is enrolled in a class.

How to get an instrument:

Most WCS band students rent an instrument from Ellis Music Company. WCS Music has had a successful relationship with this Vermont family owned business for over 25 years. Renting from Ellis Music Company is encouraged, but you are welcome to rent from elsewhere or purchase a reputable used instrument from a private sale. If financial support is needed to participate, please indicate this on the sign up form.

• Buyer beware: “Instruments” sold at general retail stores and websites are not recommended. They are typically made from lower quality materials, are difficult to play and repair, or not repairable at all. If it’s brand new and the price is really low, be suspicious. If it comes in an unconventional color or if it comes with gloves, be suspicious. When in doubt, please ask a music teacher.

If you plan to rent from Ellis Music Company:

1. Please sign up on time (11/3) AND complete your rental contract transactions online. Click here for pricing.

2. Percussionists can rent a snare drum kit OR purchase a book sticks and a drum pad.

3. If you cannot complete an online contract, please call or email Ellis Music Company for an alternative

method. (802-234-6400).

If you already have an instrument or plan to get one elsewhere:

1. Please allow Kim Thompson to help you determine that your instrument is in working condition.

2. Please purchase the book which will be used in class.

(wind players- Tradition of Excellence book 1, percussionists: Alfred Drum Method, Book 1)

Questions? Please contact Kim Thompson: kthompson@cvsdvt.org or 871-6033

• First Call - 488-7777: phone support, crisis intervention, assessment and referrals
• In Crisis: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) (National Hopeline Network: USA)
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• Crisis Text Line - text HOME to 741741 (24 hours a day, seven days a week)
• Outright Vermont - support for LGBTQ+ community
• UVM Breathe In Breath Out - How to deal with stress due to COVID-19
• Vermont 211 -Vermont database of resources and services
• Vermont Support Line (833) 888-2557) - peer support warmline open 247 - 365 for call or text
• COVID Counselors @ VT-211
• Teen Crisis Text Line - Crisis Text Line provides free emotional support and information to teens in any type of crisis, including feeling suicidal. You can text with a trained specialist 24 hours a day. Text “HOME” to 741741.
• Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide - Website where you can find information to help yourself or a friend who may be having thoughts of suicide.
• Trevor Lifeline - 1-866- 488-7386 - provides suicide prevention and crisis intervention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. It offers free, 24/7, confidential counseling. TrevorText—text START to 678-678; TrevorChat—instant messaging at TheTrevorProject.org/help. It also runs TrevorSpace, an affirming social networking site for LGBTQ youth at TrevorSpace.