THE NEWSLETTER
October 25, 2024
NEW BUS ROUTES - STARTING MONDAY, OCTOBER 28TH
We are reaching out to share the bus/transportation updates going into effect Monday, October 28th, 2024. At the start of the year, CCS had four bus routes and some buses at full capacity. In order for CVSD to utilize drivers at both the high school and grade schools, we are excited to announce CCS will be adding a fifth route! This should result in shorter routes, quicker departures for after-school sports teams, and the ability to utilize more drivers for absences/routes across the district.
There have been changes made to all routes so please check closely for which color bus your student will take and the time frame. Please have your student(s) at their stop 10 minutes early for the first week or two while our bus drives dial in their times.
Routes will still be named by Colors- Red (Dianna), Purple (Myra), Blue (Bill), Green (Missy) and Orange (Julie) (highlighted on this map). Estimated timings for the stops on each route are posted here. (A couple of corrections/clarifications were made to these documents on 10/25 at 8am. Please double check to make sure you know your child(ren)'s routes).
This change is essential so our CCS bus routes can get done efficiently and the drivers can be deployed for CVU runs where shortages still remain. One significant advantage for CCS caregivers is our ability to help transport our students to after-school, community-based programs on our new routes. Classroom teachers and Cindy LaWare need to be notified of any after school transportation changes that may include bussing to a community-based program. (What are the dates it starts and ends? What is the address and contact for that program? What is the route the child will take?)
Please refer to the CVSD Transportation website for any questions or reach out to CCS.
Want to find your PM arrival time? The bus routes travel in the same direction in the AM and PM, so if you kind of "reverse engineer" the route you will be able to find out the time for the PM. Example - if the BLUE bus leaves CCS at 7:00am and your pick up time is approximately 7:25am. In the PM, the buses leave CCS at 2:50pm (1:50pm on Wednesdays), if you add 25 minutes, the drop off time would be approximately 3:15pm (2:15pm on Wednesdays).
WE ASK FOR YOUR HELP IN MAKING PICK UP AND DROP GO MORE SMOOTHLY
Because we have one more bus to fit into the front of the building parking lot at morning drop off and afternoon dismissal, PLEASE do not enter the front parking lot until 7:50am for morning drop off and 2:50pm (1:50pm on Wednesdays) for afternoon pick up. The buses must be able to fit into the parking lot so that students may unload and load safely.
MESSAGE FROM THE CCS ADMINISTRATION
Good Afternoon CCS Caregivers and Charlotte Residents,
Several years ago, CCS moved away from celebrating Halloween during our school day to maintain a calm routine focused on learning and social activities that are accessible and inclusive for all of our students. Please do not send costumes to school. If your family is interested in celebrating Halloween, check out the fantastic festivities happening around town. Charlotte Library or the Charlotte, Shelburne, Hinesburg Rotary. We appreciate the partnerships in Charlotte that provide support and opportunities for our students.
Teachers and Cindy Laware need to be notified of any after-school transportation changes that may include bussing to a community-based program. (What are the dates it starts and ends? What is the address and contact for that program? What is the route the child will take?)
Our fall sports have ended. Thank you to the dedicated coaches who provided the structure, care and encouragement to our young athletes. Please return your laundered uniforms to school by Thursday, October 31st. Uniforms can be passed to coaches or Athletic Director, Mr. Elderton.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Jen
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, October 28th - K-4 Fire Safety Day at CCS, 8:30 - 11:30
Wednesday, October 30th - Early Release
Wednesday, October 30th - CCS PTO Mtg, CCS Library, 6:00 - 7:00
Friday, November 1st - NO SCHOOL - Diwali
Wednesday, November 6th - Early Release
Friday, November 8th - Field Trip, Grade 4 (Fraser/Hanf) to Echo Center, 8:45 - 2:15
Friday, November 8th - CCS School Dance!, MPR, 7:00 - 9:00
Wednesday, November 13th - Early Release
Wednesday, November 13th - STEM Night, MPR, 5:30 - 7:00 - Watch for more details from the PTO!
Wednesday, November 20th - Early Release
Wednesday, November 20th - CCS PTO Mtg, CCS Library, 6:00 - 7:00
Monday, November 25th through Friday, November 29th - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
MUSIC NEWS
There will be NO JAZZ BAND rehearsals on Thursday, October 24 and Tuesday, October 29.
Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 11. The CCS Music Department will present the Winter Concert featuring the 5 - 8 concert bands, the 5 - 8 chorus and the jazz band. The concert will begin at 6:30 pm in the MPR at CCS.
SCHOOL LIBRARY NEWS
Click here to see a snapshot of what's happening in our district libraries this month!
Here at CCS, K-4 library classes are participating in the Global Readaloud! Millions of students have participated in the GRA since it began in 2010. The featured picture book author for this year is Minh Lê. He is the award-winning author of picture books including Drawn Together (winner of the 2019 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature), The Blur, Real to Me, and the Eisner-nominated Lift. Ask your readers to tell you about each week's story!
OCTOBER IS SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION MONTH
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
This October is Substance Use Prevention Month. It reminds us that everyone plays a vital role in prevention, whether in the home, at school or in the community. Students across the district are engaged in and beyond October in various prevention, education, harm reduction, and wellbeing learning opportunities. And, research shows that as caregivers, you have the strongest influence on your child's decisions about substance use, starting with meaningful connection and conversations.
To support these discussions, Connecting Youth shares these two important prevention resources:
Family Conversation Guide: A practical tool to help you navigate discussions about substance use with your child in an age-appropriate, trust-building way.
National Rx Drug Take Back Day, Saturday, October 26! Dispose of your unused medications—a simple yet powerful step in prevention. Find your nearest collection site here
Remember, our Student Assistant Professionals (SAPs) are here to partner with you, offering additional support and guidance as you build on these relationships with your kids.
Together in prevention,
Connecting Youth
CVSD SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (SEPAC)
Last spring, the CVSD Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) was formally launched. CVSD’s SEPAC is currently made up of a dedicated group of parents and administrators and is open to all. Please see the mission statement below, which explains the purpose of this parent-led group. For more information or to join, please contact Erin Bingham at bingham.erin@gmail.com
CVSD SEPAC Mission
The mission of the Champlain Valley Union School District Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is to facilitate authentic and effective communication, understanding, and mutual respect that is meaningfully inclusive of all students, caregivers, educators, administrators, school board members, and the community at large to guide the school district in providing access to and delivery of high-quality equitable services and instruction for students who qualify for additional support.
CVU INVITES 8TH GRADE STUDENTS TO FOOTLOOSE
Who: Inviting all 8th grade students from Champlain Valley Union district plus one guardian each.
What: The Final Dress Rehearsal of FOOTLOOSE The Musical at CVU
When: Thursday, November 14th 5 - 7:30pm
Why: It's free, it's fun, and features talented CVU students bringing to life the story of high school students from Oklahoma, who fought for freedom of expression in a community where conservative powers (in an attempt to protect their children) enacted rules to control school books, curfews events, and even town politics.
Where: Show up to CVU, the western entrance between 4:45 - 5pm that evening for general seating to the show!
No need to RSVP. But if you have questions, contact: cvutheatredirector@cvsdvt.org
CONNECT WITH US
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 INFORMATION FORM FOR FREE AND REDUCED MEALS
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
Jen Roth, Lead Principal
Tim O'Leary, Assistant Principal
Beth Slater, Director of Special Services
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.