Welcome back! This abbreviated newsletter is mostly a repeat of the one just before our long December break, with a couple of new announcements and updates.

Let's hope for more snow before our first day of skiing at Rikert Outdoor Center!

In partnership,

Nadya

Friday, January 10, Band Rehearsal @ Salisbury

Wednesday, January 15, Cross country skiing at Rikert Outdoor Center, Ripton

Monday, January 20, Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, No School

Tuesday, January 21, Inservice, No School

Wednesday, January 22, Cross country skiing at Rikert #2

Wednesday, January 29, Cross country skiing at Rikert #3

Thursday, January 30, Cornwall School Winter Concert (see details below)

Monday, February 10, Band Rehearsal and Concert @ Salisbury

Click here for the ACSD 24-25 school year calendar.

There are several illnesses circulating at school, so we wanted to share some guidance and reminders during this time to help minimize the spread of these illnesses. We are seeing strep throat, influenza, viral colds, COVID, stomach viruses and pneumonia. Please remind your students not to share water bottles, food or anything else that can further contribute to the spread of illness. Please also encourage your students to eat well, stay hydrated and get plenty of rest. Good handwashing is the #1 way to prevent the spread of contagious illness!

We expect students and staff to stay home with any potentially contagious illnesses or symptoms including the following:

1. Vomiting/diarrhea-must be 24 hours symptom free before returning to school

2. Fever 100.4 or greater -stay home until fever free without use of medication for 24 hours

3. Any infection requiring antibiotic-keep your student home until they have been on antibiotics for 24 hours

4. Persistent cough that disrupts normal activity

5. Unexplained rash

6. Influenza and COVID-stay home until fever free without medication for 24 hours

7. Any other symptoms or illness that impedes a student’s ability to learn or staff’s ability to work.

You may return once feeling well enough to be at school and fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications.

Please take a moment to read this information from the Vermont Department of Health regarding preventing transmission of Influenza. If your student tests positive for Influenza or COVID, it is very helpful if you are able to call or email the school nurses to report this so we can track trends and determine if we are having outbreaks.

Thanks for your help with keeping our students and staff as healthy as possible during this challenging time of year.

Thursday, January 30th at 6:00 pm will be Cornwall Elementary School’s Concert. Students are asked to wear their nicest clothing and should arrive 15 minutes early and head into the theater to find their seats.

If you have any questions or need to contact Mrs. Cunningham, her email is kcunningham@acsdvt.org.

Where: Middlebury High School Theater

When: Thursday, January 30th at 6:00pm

Our FY26 Budget development process is underway and we invite the ACSD community to learn more and share feedback as we build toward a final budget:

• On January 6 at 6:30pm, the ACSD Board meeting will offer an overview of the full ACSD FY26 Budget spending plan (MUHS Library or virtual).

• On January 9th at 6:30, Superintendent Baker will host a virtual Public Input Session where the ACSD community can ask questions and share feedback. (Use this meeting link (password: ACSD)

• Find these meeting links and more information, resources, and opportunities for community engagement on our FY26 Budget webpage.

Fridays, 2:50-3:50 PM, January 10 - February 21, 2025

Grades 3-5. Meet in 3rd grade classroom

Magic is a great strategy card game where players battle each other with creatures and spells. Each player has a deck of cards they must get to know well so they can best outwit their opponent. (Strong reading skills are helpful but not required.) New players will be provided with a card deck. Returning players are also welcome and will be part of a tournament!

This club is run by Mindy Harvey and coordinated by Elizabeth Toder. For any questions, please contact Elizabeth at eatoder@hotmail.com.

Please register by Monday, January 8th, 2025. Space is limited. Register using the link below.

We're cleaning out the lost and found!