Title
January 19, 2024
Top Buzz -
1. Important Safety Reminder: Please drive slowly and carefully during arrival and dismissal
2. DEI Event Tonight 1/19/24, 6pm-8pm @SCS Library / Nepali Culture
3. Final CVSD Budget Development Meeting 1/23/24, 6pm @CVU Room 160
Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming Events
01/19 - CVSD DEI event: Nepali Culture in VT, 6:00-8:00pm @SCS Library
01/24 - Ski & Ride (Williston Rec Program)
01/26 - CVU Presentation to 8th Graders (during school)
01/31 - Ski & Ride (Williston Rec Program) / Swift House Open House, 6pm - 8pm
02/01 - 8th Grade Parent Night, 6:30-7:45pm @CVU Gym
02/02 - 7/8 District 3 Music Festival (select band & chorus students)
02/06 - 4th Grade Chorus Concert, 6:30pm @ WCS Auditorium
02/08 - Williston Family as Partners Monthly Meeting, 8:30 - 10:30am @WCS Community Room
02/09 - 5th/6th Grade Activity Night, 6:30 - 8:30pm
02/13 - Walk or Roll to School / Kaleidoscope to Flynn Theatre
02/13 - Conversation with the Principals, 6:30-7:30pm @WCS Community Room
03/11 - Lucky U starts (Save the Date)
03/14 - Williston Family as Partners Monthly Meeting, 8:30 - 10:30am @WCS Community Room
03/23 - Big Basket Raffle (Save the Date!)A Message from the Williston Schools Leadership Team
by Angela Filion, Allen Brook School Principal
Happy New Year everyone! It is hard to believe we are approaching the second half of the school year already! As I reflect on patterns in education, January has always been the month where getting back into the groove of school routines can be really challenging for both students and adults. It is also a time of the year where we don’t get as much sunlight in our world here in Vermont. January can also be a time to reflect on our year before and set goals for ourselves for the year ahead of us. In an effort to keep our articles in our newsletter concise(thanks for this feedback from my last month’s segment), I will give you the top three things to help us move through the second half of the year together.
Strive to keep routines and help (re)organize your kiddos. January is the perfect time to make sure everything else is in order for the year to come. Labeling items in case they get lost, checking the lost/found, cleaning out the backpack etc. Keep bedtime and morning routines maintained as we know this helps children to be well rested and ready for their school day. It’s also a great moment to take inventory of any appointments they need scheduled in the upcoming year.
Check in on their emotional health. Report cards will be coming home soon which lets you know how our kids are doing mostly in academics, but it can be harder to know how your child is doing socially and emotionally. A quiet car ride is a good time for a casual conversation about who they have been spending time with and how things are going for them at school. If anything concerning comes up, try to help them work through it, and don’t be afraid to reach out to the teacher or a counselor if need be.
Stay in touch with school communications. We have been working on ways to improve our communication so that it is more accessible and efficient for families. We do provide a lot of updates and information in the school’s weekly newsletter and our teachers also try to keep you well informed. The CVSD Newsletter also comes out periodically with things happening across the district. While we know life is busy, it is very helpful to keep our school to home communication strong as we see our work as a partnership.
We wish you all a great start to 2024 and we look forward to maintaining routines and communication to help us through the second half of our school year!
Be well,
Angela Filion
Special Announcements & Notices
IMPORTANT SAFETY REMINDERS
- Drive slowly and cautiously at all times on school grounds
- Follow all Arrival and Dismissal directions at both ABS and WCS
- Allow extra space for the buses to pass and turn - do not block driveway/bus circle
- Never walk between the buses when going to/from car
-Wait for all buses to exit the parking lot & Do NOT pull between
Jason Chin - Local Author & Illustrator Visits Schools
Science teachers across the district have been looking for ways to integrate science into reading and writing classes while also creating a shared experience for our PreK-8 students. In early February, our school will be welcoming Jason Chin to share his experiences and insights into writing and illustrating children’s books. Jason Chin, a local author and illustrator, is a diverse author and a Caldecott Medal winner who has written and illustrated a series of children’s books, including many on non-fiction science topics.
Throughout January and early February, individual classrooms will be preparing for his visit by exploring Chin’s books in a variety of ways. We are so excited for this opportunity to welcome him into our school!
Lunch Menu
From the Health Office
Winter Gear Reminder
Please be sure your students have all the Winter gear needed. We will be outside for recess unless the temperature is below zero. Without snowpants and boots students, will have to remain on paved and plowed areas.
The Buzz at ABS
The WCS Wildcat What's Up
PCB Testing at WCS
As part of state law, all schools that were constructed or renovated before 1980 are required to test for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in indoor air and address any issues when PCBs are found at or above the school action level. The intent of the law is to protect students and staff from the possible health effects of exposure to PCBs in the indoor air of schools. The indoor air at Williston Central School will be tested for PCBs during the week of January 29, 2024. Learn more in this letter from CVSD's Chief Operations Officer, Gary Marckres.
8th Grade Family Night at CVU High School
4th Grade Chorus Concert - 2/6/24
- We will perform during the school day for a student audience.
- The evening concert will be at 6:30 pm in the WCS auditorium. Musicians should arrive by 6:10.
- Musicians will wear their blue performing arts shirts with black bottoms.
Williston Families as Partners
Big Basket Raffle
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Coffee with the Principals
& 30 minutes for your questions
WFAP Volunteer Crew
Annual Fund
Four Winds Nature Institute
This Year's Theme: The Earth
Blanket of Air (Jan.)
Nature of Sound (Feb.)
Water Cycle (March)
Wind & Clouds (April)
Get Your Bearings (May)
Nature's News
Contact Four Winds
If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please contact: wsdfourwinds@cvsdvt.org.
Transportation - Food Service - Safety Team
Williston Schools Food Service
Williston Schools Safety Team
Click here for meeting highlights and updates throughout the school year
CVSD: School Board - DEI - Superintendent
Community Connections
Hello from the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library Youth Department! Find out more about programs at http://www.damlvt.org or by calling 878-4918.
*YOUTH PROGRAMMING*
Children in 5th grade and up may use the library unattended, while those in grade 4 or under must be supervised by a person over 16 years of age. For information on the Unattended Children Policy, see above or visit www.damlvt.org. Parents and guardians are encouraged to stop by or call 878-4918 to chat with a youth librarian about expectations and the library's after-school experience.
Storytime
Tuesdays, 10:30-11 a.m. Join Danielle for stories, songs, and rhymes.
All Ages Sewing Workshop*
Saturday, January 20, 1-2:30 p.m. Learn how to sew buttons onto clothing, a simple hem stitch, and how to patch tears! If you have an article of clothing that has a tear, feel free to bring it in to work on! Registration required.
Vermont Reads
Between now and January 31, share a favorite family recipe and a 3-5 sentence story that includes the preparation and sharing of that food, or the importance of that food to your family and/or culture. The best story wins a set of cookie cutters and cookie decorations. Submit stories to bonnie@damlvt.org. Submissions will be included in a community cookbook to be shared in the library.
The challenge is inspired by this year's Vermont Read, Last Night at the Telegraph Club, by Malinda Lo. Pick up or check out a copy of this book in the library. Events related to this book will noted on our website and calendar!
Photo Contest Voting
Vote now for the cover photo for this Spring/Summer Program Guide. Three pictures have been chosen for voting on. See pictures on the voting form- https://forms.gle/brXo52QZSYMSyxgW8 and vote for the one that you want to see on the Guide. Picture with the most votes will be the Cover Photo for the upcoming Spring/Summer Program Guide. Deadline to vote is Sunday, Jan 21.
Table Tennis
Ages 12-Adult. Come out and play, stay fit and meet new people. The program is open to all experience levels. Players should bring their own paddles (limited number of loaner paddles available). NOTE: Players under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The Table Tennis program is by registration and payment Only- https://willistonvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30311.
Ninja Kids Intro
Age 4-8 or 7-11. The play-based curriculum increases strength and self-confidence, while moving meditation helps children manage their emotions and develop the connection between mental and physical well-being. Programs start in January. Instructor: ONTA Studio Staff.
Age 4-8- https://willistonvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30097
Age 7-11- https://willistonvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30206
Dangerous Girls
Age 14+. This is a Women-only cardio- kickboxing class that combines strength and conditioning with practical combat skills. Learn trips and throws, bounce to Beyoncé, hit hard, laugh a lot. Program starts Jan 24. Instructor: ONTA Studio Staff. https://willistonvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30092
One-Click Information
Allen Brook School
Start Time @ 7:50am;
Dismissal for PreK & K at 2:25pm - grades 1 & 2 @2:30pm
Wednesday Early Dismissal @ 1:25 & 1:30
Williston Central School
Start Time @8:00am;
Dismissal grades 3 & 4 @2:35pm - grades 5-8 @2:45pm
Wednesday Early Dismissal @ 1:35 & 1:45
Resources for Families
- First Call - 488-7777: phone support, crisis intervention, assessment and referrals
- In Crisis: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) (National Hopeline Network: USA)
- National Suicide Prevention Life line- 1-800-273-TALK (8255), call or chat online
- Crisis Text Line - text HOME to 741741 (24 hours a day, seven days a week)
- Outright Vermont - support for LGBTQ+ community
- UVM Breathe In Breath Out - How to deal with stress due to COVID-19
- Vermont 211 -Vermont database of resources and services
- Vermont Support Line (833) 888-2557) - peer support warmline open 247 - 365 for call or text
- COVID Counselors @ VT-211
- Teen Crisis Text Line - Crisis Text Line provides free emotional support and information to teens in any type of crisis, including feeling suicidal. You can text with a trained specialist 24 hours a day. Text “HOME” to 741741.
- Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide - Website where you can find information to help yourself or a friend who may be having thoughts of suicide.
- Trevor Lifeline - 1-866- 488-7386 - provides suicide prevention and crisis intervention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. It offers free, 24/7, confidential counseling. TrevorText—text START to 678-678; TrevorChat—instant messaging at TheTrevorProject.org/help. It also runs TrevorSpace, an affirming social networking site for LGBTQ youth at TrevorSpace.