THE VIKING

Dear HCS Families:

During this special time of family, friends, and celebration, we want to extend our warmest holiday wishes to every HCS family that makes up our community. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the incredible parents, grandparents, mentors, volunteers, and community members who generously give their time and support. Your contributions are truly appreciated.

For those who will be traveling this holiday season, we wish you safe and joyful travels. And for those staying locally, we hope you enjoy a wonderful, relaxing holiday surrounded by the warmth of family and friends.

Warmly,

Suzan and Tim

Friday, December 20: ALL LOST & FOUND DONATED TO LOCAL CHARITY

Monday, December 23 - Wednesday, January 1: Break - NO SCHOOL

Wednesday, January 8: Early Release Day (1:40)

Wednesday, January 15: Early Release Day (1:40)

Monday, January 20: MLK Jr Day - NO SCHOOL

Wednesday, January 22: Early Release Day (1:40)

Wednesday, January 29: Early Release Day (1:40)

We would like to extend our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has made generous holiday donations to support HCS families. Your kindness and generosity make a meaningful difference. We would like to give special recognition to PiE, St Judes and to Waitsfield Telecom for their thoughtful and generous donations.

If you would like to contribute (any time of the year) through the donation of gift cards, please reach out to the HCS administration at 802-482-2106 for more details.

Thank you for your continued support, and happy holidays!

The holiday season can be joyful and stressful. For youth, the holiday break can bring unstructured and unsupervised time away from trusted connections, leading to risky behaviors or feelings of isolation and loneliness. Remember the free, confidential 988 Lifeline is available 24/7 to provide support and local services - you don't need to be in crisis to call. Whether it’s struggling with tough emotions, substance use, or just needing someone to talk to, no crisis is too small. Read more at cvsdvt.org/988-lifeline

The CVSD Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team has been working with all 7th & 8th graders on how to respond to harmful language and actions using tools like "Standing Up: What is Calling In Versus Calling Out" from Australia's Project Rockit and the Speak Up at School Guide from Learning for Justice. If you'd like to practice along with your students, you may find these resources helpful: “Interrupting Bias: Calling Out vs. Calling In” from Seed the Way and the “Calling In and Calling Out Guide” by Harvard’s Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

CVSD is excited to announce the launch of an updated district-wide website. The new site features a modern design with easy-to-use navigation and responsive design that’s accessible on any device. You may need to update any links you have bookmarked on your device, and if you are viewing this email after Monday, December 16, some links may no longer be valid.

If you encounter any issues, please provide feedback using the district’s Connect With Us resource (find website under District Topics).

If next week is a time for gathering, celebrating, and family connectedness, we wish you joy and happiness. Those moments are precious. If this time of year brings up challenging emotions - stress, loneliness, or missing loved ones - please be kind to yourself.

For those whose celebrations involve alcohol, be mindful of the young people who are present and watching. The way adults model responsible drinking behaviors significantly influences the risk perceptions and actions of young individuals. We recognize that not all aspects of holiday

celebrations involving alcohol are within our control. However, many situations are preventable, particularly concerning underage [binge] drinking and impaired driving.

For a little more on the topic, check out this take from Jessica Lahey, a renowned NYT bestselling author, parent educator, and prevention coach.

This time of year is also a prime opportunity to have a conversation about alcohol and substances with your kids. Just try starting from a restorative place about their safety and genuine concern rather than a restrictive "don’t get caught" mindset. We know that when we have open, honest and curious conversations about substances, our words can have a more significant impact on their choices and behaviors.

For more prevention resources, check out our library for parents and caregivers here.

Have a wonderful break!

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.

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

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.

Whether you’re spending time at home or traveling to visit family, secure any firearms in your home and ask how guns are stored in homes you’re visiting. Unintentional shootings are far more likely to occur when children and teens are home from school, including on holiday breaks. Need help securing your firearm? Free cable gun locks are available throughout the community, including at the front desks of schools.

All girls are welcome, new, continuing, and those who are interested in learning more about the program. The meetings are held at The United Church of Hinesburg, two Fridays a month from 6:15 pm-7:45 pm. Our troop is made up of Daisies through Ambassadors (Kindergarten Through High School Seniors). If you are unsure and would like more information, please reach out to Melissa Kiphaut at mandbkiphaut@gmail.com

🌼 Sign-up link here! 🌼

Access CVU Classes & Registration

Audubon Vacation and Day Camps

Carpenter Carse Library

Green Mountain Academy - Ski and Snowboard

Highland Dance Vermont

Hinesburg Food Shelf

Hinesburg Recreation Department

Wednesdays Woodland Adventures With Wonder Roots

Suzan Locke, HCS Co-Principal, Grades K-4

482-6299, slocke@cvsdvt.org

Tim Trevithick, HCS Co-Principal, Grades 5-8

482-6298, ttrevithick@cvsdvt.org

Alicia Kurth, HCS Special Education Administrator

482-6285, akurth@cvsdvt.org

Email: hcsinformation@cvsdvt.org
Website: https://www.cvsdvt.org/hinesburg
Location: Hinesburg Community School, 10888, Route 116, Hinesburg, Vermont, USA
Phone: 802-482-2106
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hinesburg-Community-School-125786304154731/

The Viking Newsletter is published weekly, when school is in session. It is available on our web site and is also delivered via email. If needed, a hard copy can be provided for your child to bring home. The Viking includes upcoming events, after school opportunities, notes of interest for parents and the community and updates from our school administration.