
THE NEWSLETTER
January 3, 2025
A MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATION
Dear CCS Caregivers and Charlotte Community,
Happy New Year!
Beth and I are excited to welcome everyone back to CCS as we step into our new roles. I feel incredibly fortunate to work each day in such a caring, supportive, and talented community.
As we begin this new chapter, I’ve been reflecting on intentions rather than resolutions. My commitment to all of you—students, staff, and families—is to show up each day with an open mind, to listen thoughtfully, and to lead with care, compassion, and enthusiasm. Together, we’ll navigate the joys and challenges of public education, growing and learning as a community.
I’m grateful to be on this journey with all of you.
Warmly,
Tim O’Leary, CCS Principal
(on behalf of myself and Beth Slater, CCS Director of Special Services & Assistant Principal)
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
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
IMPORTANT REMINDER ABOUT THE SCHOOL DAY
Attendance and classroom instruction begin at 8:00 AM each day. In K-4 this looks like ease-in time and in 5-8 it is time to connect in advisories. Students who arrive after 8:00 miss critical time to ease into the day with their peers and their teachers.
Students who arrive after 8:00 will need to enter CCS through the front door and sign in for a late pass before heading to their classroom.
CCS STUDENT JOURNALISTS & THE CHARLOTTE NEWS
Today, Scooter MacMillan, Editor of The Charlotte News, met with the 5th and 6th-grade Student Leadership Council's student journalists and their advisor, Dave Baird. Together, they began brainstorming an exciting collaboration to feature CCS student writers in The Charlotte News on a regular basis, showcasing their voices and talents to the wider community.
MUSIC NEWS
CVU Arts Night - CVSD Eighth Grade Chorus performance:
CVU arts night is coming up and is offering an opportunity for eighth grade singers from across our district to practice and perform with other incoming freshman and high school students. This event is scheduled for the evening of Thursday, January 9, 2025 with performances and exhibits taking place from 5PM-9PM.
If your child is a member of chorus, the schedule is as follows:
5:45 - meet in the CVU chorus room (room 160) for a rehearsal with eighth graders across the district
6:30 - performance of the CVSD eighth grade choir in the CVU auditorium
Dress is casual for arts night and we hope that in addition to your child's performance that your family is able to walk the halls at CVU to see the learning that is being showcased. If there are any questions about the chorus performance, please contact Mr. Gribnau at cgribnau@cvsdvt.org.
CELEBRATE THE ARTS + COMMUNITY NIGHT AT CVU
You're Invited: Celebrate The Arts + Community Night
Thursday, January 9
5-8 p.m. at CVU
Families, caregivers, students, faculty and community from across CVSD are invited to join the 13th-annual Celebrate the Arts. After a six-year break, this annual tradition returns with a vibrant gallery of student learning, innovation and inspiration featuring student work from the district's six schools. New this year: Transportation will be available, with buses from Charlotte, Williston and Shelburne's schools; local restaurants will be providing food; and organizations that offer community and family resources will be in attendance to share more information. Learn more at cvsdvt.org/celebrate-the-arts
GIRLS ON THE RUN VERMONT
Do you have a child interested in participating in Girls on the Run Vermont? Please fill out this Participant interest form - allowing you to get connected well ahead of participant registration opening in February!
JANUARY IS MENTOR APPRECIATION MONTH
Did you know Connecting Youth Mentoring is one of the largest programs in Vermont? We serve more than160 5th-12th grade mentees. And 80% of our them agree or strongly agree that their mentor makes them feel like they matter. That’s impact!
January is Mentor Appreciation Month, and we want to acknowledge the positive impact our mentors have on our young people across CVSD. Our mentors are a special group of folks; their generosity is invaluable. One hour a week, they connect with their mentees, nurturing relationships, building trust and instilling life-long skills.
Thank you, CY Mentors for your dedication to our young people and our community. Your time, guidance, and support make a difference everyday. We are so grateful for all that you do. To learn more about mentoring and Connecting Youth, visit our site.
PRE-KINDERGARTEN LOTTERY IS NOW OPEN FOR 2025-2026!
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.
Hello 2025 Ski and Riders,
This is a message informing you about the upcoming 2025 ski and ride season for CCS/Charlotte rec. For more information, please visit this page.
For all “First timers”, we will be having an informational meeting on 1/7/25, 7pm in the CCS Library. Please spread the word!
Attached you will find a one pager with all relevant information, but please reach out with any questions.
Thanks,
Zac Farnham-Haskell
Recreation Director, Town of Charlotte
recreation@townofcharlotte.com
(802) 989-2929
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.
HOUSEHOLD INCOME FORM
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.
HELPFUL CCS LINKS
HELPFUL COMMUNITY LINKS
ABOUT US
Tim O'Leary, Principal
Beth Slater, Assistant Principal & Special Services Director
The Newsletter is published every Friday, when school is in session. It is delivered to our families via email, posted on our website, and on Front Porch Forum. A hard copy is available by contacting the school.