SCS Community Newsletter
Week of October 23, 2023
Principal's Message
Dear SCS Families and Caregivers,
In short order, families of 4th-8th grade students should be receiving spring 2023 Vermont Comprehensive Assessment Program (VTCAP) score reports in the mail. As a reminder, the VTCAP assessments we took last spring replaced the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) exams that had been given since 2015. While the name of the test changed, not much else did. The VTCAP is aligned to the same state standards, is similar (though not identical) in format and length, and reflects the same statewide performance trends as its predecessors. While it can feel like a significant milestone to receive this score report in the mail, we encourage you to consider it in context: this was the first year of VTCAP's existence, so we are not considering it an "apples to apples" comparison to previous state assessment data. Our teams are leaning more heavily on the more recent fall iReady data. Teachers have already begun to analyze those data and use the results - which are strongly predictive of performance on state assessments - to inform their instruction and intervention.
That said, the VTCAP data do provide a point of comparison for us as a school in relation to our district peer schools and the state at large. It's always helpful for us to be aware of these touchpoints, which allow us to see if patterns we recognize in the data are unique to Shelburne or part of larger trends. At the end of the day, we know that kids are far more than their test scores. We will continue to do what we think is right for all students with the expectation that it will ultimately support their academic growth, however it is measured. We appreciate your input in that effort as always. It takes a strong community to effectively support students, and we are fortunate to have that here in Shelburne.
If you have questions after receiving your child's score report, please feel free to reach out to their teacher. They may not have all the answers, either, as this is a new reporting tool for all of us, but they can help direct you to people who can help.
Take care,
Alison, Brett, & Emily
Mark Your Calendars
Upcoming Dates:
- Week of 10/23: FoodSmart preparing Stone Soup at lunch with students
- 11/1 - CVSD Housing Support Team Office Hours at SCS (1:00-2:00 pm)
- 11/2 - Picture Day Make Up
- 11/2 - Sibling Photo Day (3:00 pm)
- 11/7 - PTO Meeting (6:00 pm)
- 11/7 - Fall Recital/Music Boosters Meeting (7:00 pm/6:30 pm, SCS Band Room)
11/16 - Fall Concert (6-8 Chorus, Symphonic Band & Wind Ensemble) - (7:00 pm, gym)
Call For Donation of Old/Recycled Items for Art Teachers!!
Please see if you have any of the following gathering dust in your home!? Art teachers would love these items for projects!
- There will be a large box in the lobby where students can place items on arrival.
- If you have larger items please do NOT bring to the lobby but contact an art teacher directly:
Julia Costes jmorrison@cvsdvt.org, Pete Boardman pboardman@cvsdvt.org, Carin Lilly clilly@cvsdvt.org
- Starting Mon Oct 23rd. Will run for 1-2 weeks depending on response.
- Clear plastic egg cartons
- Unused canvases
- Old paints, air dry clay, working markers or sharpies.
- Old newspapers and magazines (reasonable volumes)
- Old art tools/supplies
- Fabric and stuffing
- Sewing needles, thread
- Fabric and stuffing
- Empty paper towel rolls
- Yogurt cups and round plastic containers with lids
- We Love "Talenti" Gelato jars with lids!
- Film canisters
- Ribbon
- Shipping/packing supplies and bubble wrap (reasonable volumes)
- Mesh fruit bags
- Objects for still-lifes - teapots, cups, fake flowers, fun small objects.
- Wire of any sort
- Nuts and bolts
- Small hand tools
Seeking Sports Equipment Donations For Recess
Do you have any old sports equipment laying around in your garage? Our recess team could (likely) use it! We're specifically looking for:
- Basketballs
- Kickballs
- Footballs
- Soccer Balls
- Frisbees
Come Work With Us
Morning Movement, Lunch, Recess, Guest Teacher Help Needed
Basketball Coaches Needed for SCS Athletics
Please contact Leigh Petrucelli lpetrucelli@cvsdvt.org for more information.
CVU Theater - Upcoming Musical: November 10-12
Dress Rehearsal - November 9 - Free for 6th Graders
CVU is inviting all 6th graders in the district, along with a family member, to see the Dress Rehearsal of “Newsies” for free on Thursday, November 9th at the CVU Auditorium at 5:30pm.
Lego Competition at SCS - 12/2/23
Massive Lego Robotics Competition @SCS - Lead Volunteer(s) Needed!!!
- Teacher Joey Adams will be hosting 25 Lego Robotics teams from across the state at SCS on Dec 2nd from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. He estimates 500-700 attendees!
- He really needs someone to help plan/coordinate the overall event including PTO-Run concessions.
- Details can be found here: https://www.firstlegoleague.org/season
- If you are interested/available in leading coordination please contact devin@consultap.com for more details. Most/all support can be done on evenings or weekends - not during the workday.
Stone Soup with Food Smart
SCS students will be preparing this communal feast next week, and Stone Soup books will be on display in the library. Stone Soup is on the menu for Friday, 10/27!
How can you help?
Bring in home grown or store bought vegetables on Monday, 10/23 & Tuesday, 10/24. We need a lot of veggies to keep little hands busy and feed the entire school!
Each class please try to bring:
2 onions
1 celery stalk
10 carrots
5 potatoes
1 large yellow squash
2 zucchini
1 broccoli head
1 cauliflower head
2 turnips
1 cabbage
some kale
1 bunch of basil
1 bunch of parsley
1 stone
If your child's class has signed up to help prepare soup, their teacher will be in touch with volunteer times. If you would like to help serve soup on Friday, 10/27 please email scsfoodsmart@gmail.com Thank you!
Everybody Wins! still seeks a Shelburne Community School coordinator
This is a flexible 10-15 hour/week position that matches community volunteers with elementary aged children each week for friendship, conversation, and reading. We have many mentor/mentee matches from previous years waiting for a new coordinator so that they may begin to meet again this year!
Work happens at SCS and some administrative pieces can happen remotely. You will be supported by the Program Coordinator, Kate Floyd. Please see the website for more details We're Hiring! - Everybody Wins! Vermont (everybodywinsvermont.org)
Any questions can be sent to Kate: progmgrwest@everybodywinsvermont.org
Food available during school breaks
If you would like to receive supplemental food for your Shelburne school-age children during any of the four school vacations this year, please complete this form. This form will close on Friday, November 10.
Supplemental food includes milk, eggs, fruit, yogurt, cereal, cheese and various shelf-stable items. Fresh produce is included as well when available. Your phone number and email address will be used for text reminders &/or updates.
NEW!!! Food will be available at the Shelburne Food Shelf, the THURSDAY BEFORE school vacations:
- November 16
- December 21
- February 22
- April 18
Pick up food on Thursdays between 3:00-6:00 pm at the Shelburne Food Shelf (located on the 1st floor of the town office building at 5420 Shelburne Rd).
Food is purchased for each child signed up, so if your plans change and you will not require food for a school break, please let us know.
You will receive a confirmation email or text to remind you of the dates you signed up for. If any of your contact information changes after submitting your form, please let us know.
Contact: schoolfoodSFS@gmail.com
802-622-3313 ext 3 and leave a message
Fall Fundraiser - Place Your Orders
The PTO invites you to find a cozy spot in your home to do some online shopping because our Fall Fundraiser has officially launched! You can order your holiday gifts while supporting SCS because every purchase sends money straight to our classrooms. Orders must be received by November 6, and will either be shipped straight to you or delivered by our PTO volunteers to your front porch in early December. Any questions, just email us at shelburnepto@gmail.com
CVSD News
Free Webinar for Caregivers & Educators: Teens, Social Media & Mental Health
Virtually join ParentIN CVSD at 7pm on 11/16 as we host Erin Walsh of Spark and Stitch Institute for a live webinar addressing your screen time struggles and questions with science and understanding.
We will explore questions like:
• What is the impact of social media and gaming on mental health?
• Is technology connecting young people or isolating them?
• Is internet, gaming or phone addiction real?
• What do kids need from parents as they navigate online risks and opportunities?
The live event is free and ticketed. Register today at bphc.link/erinwalsh
CVSD DEI Team
Join the CVSD DEI Team as we celebrate diversity and connect with the diverse cultures of our community. At these in-person events, we will learn the history of the various communities in Vermont. There will be shared cultural experiences, including art, food, and conversations about educational experiences. At each gathering various groups, community members, and stakeholders will present about their lives, work, and contributions to our state.
November 10th, 6-8 pm - Champlain Valley Union High School Library
Latinx Community in Vermont
January 19th, 6-8 pm - Shelburne Community School
Nepali Community in Vermont
March 15th, 6-8 pm - Williston Central School
Somali Community in Vermont
Vermont Family Support Programs
Family Support Programs are offered online free of charge to Vermont parents and families.
SCS Useful Links
Community Announcements
Falls Road Working Group Survey
Since last February, a group of Shelburne residents have been meeting to discuss common
concerns about getting around Falls Road, specifically the section of road between Route 7 and
Church Street. These concerns primarily involve the experiences of people walking and biking,
but drivers can also feel uncomfortable because of concerns about people walking and biking,
and challenges exiting and finding parking.
The working group would now like to obtain feedback from the community by way of a
community survey. This survey will invite you to share your perspectives about the proposed
vision and strategies for Falls Road between Route 7 and Church Street, and will be open until
Wednesday, October 25.
The survey includes a short informational video and will take about 15 minutes to complete.
Please share with others in your social network so that the group can hear from as many folks
as possible. We value your time and engagement on this important place in Shelburne, and look
forward to hearing your thoughts!
If you have any questions, please send them to Susan Grasso at susan@localmotion.org.
Please use this link to complete the survey:
CVSD Info
Find information about monthly School Board Meetings, community forums such as the DEI Town Hall, and more on the district website. See the year at a glance on the 2023-2024 K-8 School Year Calendar. See The CVSD Story for the latest blog posts about what's happening across the district.
Let's Talk
Still Need More Information?
Website: https://www.cvsdvt.org/shelburne
Shelburne Community School Administration
Brett Cluff, 5-8 Principal
Emily Cogan, Director of Special Education