1. NO SCHOOL APRIL 22 - 26 / Spring Break

2. Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6 - 10

3. Book Fair at ABS, by Phoenix Books, May 6 - 10 in Modular Space

04/22 - 04/26 SPRING BREAK - NO SCHOOL

05/06 - 05/10 - Book Fair @ ABS

05/06-05/10 - Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week

05/07 - Rising 3rd Grade Parent Information Night, 6:30-8pm @WCS Auditorium

05/08 - Four Winds Training

05/09 - Walk or Roll to School / Williston Families as Partners monthly meeting

05/10 - CVU 8th Grade Step Up Dance- City of Stars, 7-9:30pm

05/15 - ABS Art Show, 5:30-7pm

05/21 - Middle School Orientation, 6:30-7:30pm

05/27 - No School / Memorial Day

05/28 - Spring Middle School Chorus Concert

05/29 - Spring Middle School Band Concert

05/30 - 8th Grade Ridin Hy Trip

06/14 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Half Day

by Angela Filion, ABS Building Principal

As I sit here to write this week's newsletter I am left with a mix of emotions. I am filled with gratitude that our communities within ABS, Williston, and CVSD all came together to support our schools to move forward with a passed budget! It is a wonderful feeling to work for and serve a community that values education for our youth and the people who support them! I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that some of our valued employees were impacted by the reductions that were made and how those impacts may be affecting them as we move forward. I want to personally thank the school board, CVEA, WFAP, teachers, support staff, administration, and the parents and families that got out to vote and support our communities! Moments like these help us to appreciate the power of working together for the greater good!

I would also like to take the opportunity to acknowledge that our district just lost a valued member of our community. Sarah Francisco was an amazing educator, parent, and community member in CVSD. She will be greatly missed by so many and her loved ones are in our thoughts and condolences! It is important to take pause and truly appreciate the gifts that life brings, even in our most difficult of times and circumstances. One thing I have seen time and time again is that our district is strong, collaborative, and resilient. It is these attributes that make me inspired and proud to lead and serve for CVSD!

Lastly, I want to take a moment and acknowledge Lindy Gramling, a school based Physical Therapist for the Champlain Valley School District. She has been named the 2023 Adapted Physical Educator of the Year by SHAPE Vermont, the Society of Health and Physical Educators. Lindy has been a Physical Therapist for 27 years and has worked with many students and staff in the Champlain Valley School District since 2019.

Lindy is an advocate for students who collaborates and communicates thoroughly with a comprehensive team of physical educators, special education case managers, classroom teachers, families, and primary care medical personnel. She was recognized for her outstanding work as a professional who supports students with skill work, participation, and inclusion to be sure their best interests and needs are met.

From Lindy’s colleague:

"Lindy's years of experience, professionalism, smile, enthusiasm, and perseverance make for a positive connection with all. We are fortunate to have such a caring and competent person assisting the students, families, and staff in our district". - Cathy Kohlasch, Williston Central School Physical Education Teacher

The district was approached by a volunteer with the Vermont Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. They have a campaign called “Be SMART for Kids” which promotes secure firearm storage. Volunteers have distributed 10 cable locks to the front office at each of our schools. See the flyer below for more details.

We have an amazing opportunity to help families in our district to bridge the food gap during the summer by providing 7-day meal boxes for free for any child 18 or under. The boxes will include everything needed to make 7 breakfast meals and 7 lunch meals for 1 child. They will be simple, delicious and nutritious. Again, these boxes are available for any child 18 and under. We are able to offer this service thanks to some recent changes in USDA regulations for Summer Food Service Programs. Please see this letter for more information about this exciting opportunity.

There's a lot to know - sometimes it doesn't all fit - click the link for the full message at the end of the email

Did you know? The state of Vermont helps cover child care costs. Starting on April 7, more families will qualify for tuition assistance based on family size and income. For example, a family of four making $124,800 a year can get help paying for our program.

You can find out more about eligibility requirements online. To apply, contact your local Community Child Care Support Agency.

Any time a student is going to be absent, or has a change to their dismissal/end of day plan,

please notify the following:

1. The classroom teacher

2. Front Office: absfrontoffice@cvsdvt.org

3. ABS Team Assistant Celeste Plouffe: cplouffe@cvsdvt.org

4. School Nurse (if due to illness): slove@cvsdvt.org

Reminder: If there is any change to your student's typical end of day plan, please be sure to contact the school BEFORE 1:00PM (or 12:00 pm on Wednesdays). Changes in your student(s) schedule will not be accepted after this time unless it is an emergency.

• 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.