THE NEWSLETTER

Good Afternoon CCS Caregivers and Charlotte Residents,

While the list of special events and celebrations that happened this week is extensive, we need to keep reminding ourselves that we are only fourteen days into the school year.

• International Dot Day is a celebration based on the book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. It is focused on honoring creativity, courage, and collaboration. What started as a K-4 theme quickly spread to all of CCS with students collecting dots of all colors from teachers around the building.
• Eighth-grade students presented their “Dream Schools” to classmates. Ideas were very creative and will be displayed at the Open House on September 24th!
• The CCS Jazz band began the morning practices this week. Musicians gathered at 7:30 to play together before school.
• Educators continue to build routines, reinforce successes, and let each member of their classroom shine for their strengths and passions. Our goal is to slow down and get to know the humans we will be learning and growing with this year.

On Tuesday, CCS welcomed 24 UVM student teachers who will be working in classrooms grades 1st - 6th. These future educators are completing a practicum course designed to provide UVM students with opportunities to observe mentor teachers and to apply the knowledge, skills, and strategies they are learning in their UVM courses. We are excited to host these wonderful student teachers and feel privileged to be part of a CCS/UVM partnership to support future educators entering the field. They will be with us at CCS on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12-3 PM.

Check out some of the wonders of CCS by viewing our photo walk on This Week at CCS.

We hope this beautiful fall weather encourages your family to get outdoors and enjoy all that Vermont has to offer this time of year.

Kind regards,

The CCS Administrators- Jen, Tim, and Beth

Wednesday, September 18th - Early Release

Monday, September 23rd - CCS Picture Day! Watch for more details

Tuesday, September 24th - CCS Open House, 5:00pm to 6:00pm - see flyer below for more info.

Wednesday, September 25th - Early Release

Friday, September 27th - Dance! - 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Wednesday, October 2nd - Early Release

Tuesday, October 8th - Field Trip - Grade 3 (Hatch/Poirier/Redden) - Green Mountain Audubon, 8:30 - 12:00

Wednesday, October 9th - Early Release

Thursday, October 10th - NO SCHOOL

Friday, October 11th - NO SCHOOL

I am writing today to provide an update and closure regarding the bus accident in Hinesburg on August 30. While the Hinesburg Police Department conducted an external investigation, CVSD also completed an internal review to enhance safety protocols immediately. Our review examined the contributing factors to the accident, including the routes, safety history, and driver training. As a result, we implemented a route change the following Monday to ensure that drivers no longer turn from Lavigne Hill onto Route 116, further safeguarding our students.

I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to Andrew Bacon, the driver of the dump truck involved. His quick thinking and selfless actions undoubtedly prevented further harm to our students. Andrew, you risked your safety and livelihood to protect our children, and we are profoundly grateful.

Adam Bunting

He/Him/His

CVSD Interim Superintendent

802.985.1900

It is the policy of CVSD and the CVSD Transportation department to provide busing to and from school and students' homes/daycare on school days. Because we value the safety of our entire community and predictability of routes for our drivers and caregivers, the capacity of students on a bus and the length of the bus ride must conform with transportation guidance set by our district’s Transportation Supervisor. You can read more about CVSD’s Transportation Policy, here.

This year some of our buses are near capacity, limiting our ability to add additional students on those routes. Therefore, we cannot accommodate requests to transport students on routes different from their regular routes to and from their homes (e.g., private lessons, outside programming, playdates, birthday parties, etc.)

Transportation to those places must be handled by families and caregivers. Thank you for your understanding in creating the safest and most predictable bus routes for our entire CCS community.

Yes, after only 3 weeks our lost and found rack in the front lobby is overflowing.

With the cool mornings and the warm afternoons, there are so many sweaters, hoodies, and sweatshirts that have already made there way to the rack. The ever present lost water bottles also.

Please have your child(ren) check the lost and found for their missing items. We hate to give away people's clothes/water bottles/lunch boxes but we have a limited amount of space to store it.

Also, if you are driving by or come to pick up your child(ren) from CCS between the office hours of 7:30 and 4:00, please feel free to come into the lobby to check for your family's missing items.

Chorus students at CCS have begun the year by brainstorming songs that they would like to work on this year; the list has grown to a size beyond what would be possible to offer in chorus class alone. To meet student interest and offer an extra singing opportunity, Mr. Gribnau will be offering Concert Choir on Monday and Wednesday mornings at 7:30. This group is open to any interested fifth through eighth grader and will be an inclusive and fun environment where students refine performances of music of their choice.

If your child is interested in joining concert choir, please email Mr. Gribnau at cgribnau@cvsdvt.edu - our first meeting will be Monday, September 23.

The annual CCS Open House will be on Tuesday, September 24th, from 5 PM - 6 PM. You may arrive anytime in that window and will have the opportunity to explore your child's classroom, EA classes, and tour the school. Let your students be your tour guide! While teachers may have handouts or visuals around curriculum or learning goals, you won’t find any presentations to better allow for the ebb and flow of caregivers and students in and out of the classrooms, exploring, and connecting! We can’t wait to see you.

The Champlain Center for Play Therapy and Family Counseling in Williston has multiple group offerings for kids starting NEXT WEEK!

• Sunday Scaries Anxiety Group (grades K-2)
• Sunday Scaries Anxiety Group (grades 3-5)
• Lego Lab Social Skills/Perspective Taking Group (grades 1-4)

***Registration for these groups closes on Friday evening, September 13th.

***Financial Assistance: There is a charge for these sessions. If you are interested and you’d like to receive financial support, please reach out to me as soon as possible.

Find out more and register at https://www.kidstherapyvt.com/group-signup.

Thanks!

Besty Lloyd, CCS School Counselor, blloyd@cvsdvt.org

In reading Gather by Ken Cadow, we aim to deepen our understanding of systemic inequities through open dialogue and collaborative reflection, cultivate safe spaces for important and sometimes difficult conversations, and foster a community culture prioritizing growth and healing.

If you are interested in joining, please fill out this Google Form. This Community Read is open to our caregivers and larger community members.

As our kids head back to school, adults have homework too. The assignment? To learn about safe gun storage. Kids will be kids, so it’s always an adult’s responsibility to keep young people safe. Here are ways you can help:

To parents/guardians who own a gun:

• Store firearms locked and unloaded.

• Keep ammunition stored and locked separately from firearms.

• Assume children and teens will find an unsecured gun, no matter how well you think it's hidden.

To all parents/guardians:

• Ask about the presence of guns, anywhere your child may visit.

• Never let your child into a home or vehicle with an unsecured gun.

Do you need to secure your firearm? Free cable gun locks are available at police stations

The 4th Annual CVU Redhawks Girls Basketball Golf Tournament will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at Cedar Knoll Country Club in Hinesburg.

Register your foursome by 9/10 to take advantage of early bird pricing, and enjoy a fun day of golf, community, food, and amazing prizes!

Show your support for the CVU Girls Basketball players and meet our new head coach!

Not a golfer? There are many other opportunities to support the team through sponsorships or donations.

Email Amy Vaughan at amy114@comcast.net with any questions and to request registration or donation information.

Connecting Youth CVSD is seeking interested adult community members to join our amazing team of volunteer youth mentors. Not only will your mentoring relationship provide support, encouragement, trust, and guidance for a young person in your community, you’ll find substantial reward in being a person who is making a difference in someone’s life. Learn more here!

Why Mentor?

• Build empathy and understanding for today’s young people

• Contribute to the connectedness of your community

• Experience joyful purpose from impacting a young person’s life

• Be a trusted adult who cares and shows up

• Explore new activities, experiences, and passions!

The Commitment

• One hour a week during the school year

• We work around your schedule

• Continuous training and support provided

Middle school mentors connect over fun activities like cooking, crafts and games, while high school mentors help guide students through goal-setting, resilience building, and career exploration. If you’re fun, caring, and trustworthy, your simple presence can make a difference.

Contact a CVSD Mentor Coordinator to learn more.

Kate Rooney @Charlotte Central krooney@cvsdvt.org, 802-425-6682

Livy Bulger @Hinesburg Community lbulger@cvsdvt.org, 802-482-6248

Alice Brown @Shelburne Community abrown@cvsdvt.org, 802-734-9845

Becky Martell @Williston Central bmartell@cvsdtvt.org, 802-871-6046

Alison Duback @CVU aduback@cvsdvt.org 802-482-8921

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.

Thank you for joining us for our meet and greet events this week. Watch for more opportunities where you can be a part of the CCS PTO.

The FALL/WINTER 2024 Catalog is open for registration with 117 course offerings taught by 70 best-in-class and local instructors. ACCESS CVU invites you to join our vibrant community of lifelong learners and connect through enrichment, during after school hours, at CVU High School.

To view classes and enroll online, visit our website at https://cvsdvt.ce.eleyo.com/ (or Google, ACCESS CVU. Questions about classes or to enroll via email and by phone, contact us access@cvsdvt.org / 802-482-7194.

Register early to reserve your spot as popular classes fill quickly.

New classes are added monthly! Join the ACCESS CVU NEWSLETTER and follow us on Instagram @ACCESSCVU. Be the first to know about new classes, PROMOS, and community news!

Got skills, talent, expertise AND love to teach? Complete the New Instructor Form, or email us access@cvsdvt.org.

We wanted to make sure you knew about a great STEM event coming up in the next few weeks- please see below:

The Vermont Aviators Association (VAA) is happy to announce our first Green Mountain Aviation Field Days will take place 14-15 Sep 2024. We believe this will be the largest aviation and STEM event in Vermont in over 30 years! This community event will feel more like a State Fair / Open House / Touch a Truck event than an airshow. Our theme will focus on the "Past, Present, and Future of Aviation'' with a heavy emphasis on education and STEM highlighting some of the wonderful opportunities available to kids, and adults, here in VT.

We currently have ~47 aircraft confirmed for our static displays, a 20,000 sq/ft Hanger to house our STEM exhibits, flight simulators, Radio Controlled races, numerous DoD, Airport and Local vehicles for "touch-a-truck" displays, 11 Food trucks, and five bands playing throughout the weekend. EAA Chapter 613 will host a Young Eagles Event in conjunction with our Field Days providing FREE discovery flights to children from 7 to 17 year old's providing them an opportunity to experience the thrill of flight in a small aircraft.

More info and tickets can be found at our Green Mountain Aviation Field Days website. Children 12 and under are free."

• Athletics
• Bus Schedules / Routes
• CCS Handbook
• Connecting Youth Mentoring
• CVSD Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• CVSD Handbook
• CVSD School Board
• Food Service and Menu
• Health Office
• MySchoolBucks
• Volunteer at CCS

• Access Community Education Classes and Registration
• Charlotte Food Shelf
• Charlotte Public Libary

• Town of Charlotte

Jen Roth, Lead Principal

Tim O'Leary, Assistant Principal

Beth Slater, Director of Special Services