CVU Celebrations

Dear CVU Community: The highlight of Spirit Week was the good natured student-faculty dress alike day. Attempting to mimic a superficial layer of another's identity led to some learning and new perspectives for all involved: faculty complained they couldn't hear anything with an earbud jammed in one ear and students lamented constrictive bowties, footwear, and clothing styles from the late 90s. Spirit Week culminated in a new and improved Winter Carnival featuring sack races, hungry hippo, class dances, and--best of all--a school wide Poetry Out Loud competition.

Congratulations to our seniors who won (as usual) the Carnival with over 400 points. You can see how enamored Ollie is with the trophy. I wish each of you a restful, rejuvenating (or exciting or meaningful or whatever you need) break. Thanks for being such a cool community! (And thank you again to our Class Councils and their faculty advisors for such hard work!)

2/23 - Winter Carnival

2/26-3/1 - Winter Break, no school

3/14 - CVU Blood Drive

3/22 - Advisory Conferences (no regularly scheduled classes)

3/21 - Spectrum Sleep Out

From Charlie MacFadyen: The Math League team competed in Meet 4 of the season at Milton HS. Even being short-handed, we placed 2nd in a field of 14 schools. Representing CVU were: Leo F, Jacob G. Alyssa H, Gwenyth I, Elias L, Mikaela M, Mitchell N, Clay N, Ava N, and Wylie R. CVU took first on the team test (where students work together as a group). Individual honors went to Jacob for a perfect paper in Algebra and the highest score on Advanced and Elias perfect papers in Geometry and Algebra.

Here's a shot of the team at the end of the meet (missing a few who had to leave early) and doing some final preparation on the bus ride there.

From Carly Brown: Zoology students have been practicing their microscope skills to observe live creatures. Check out these pictures of a Hydra from Tanika Knox, and a Planarian from Chloe Pecor, who have mastered microscope photography!

Emily Doyle dressing like her student, Camden!

From Gary Lambert: The wait is over! Here is the first NEW episode of The CVU Show for the 2nd Semester!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3NULJGo8ho

Please watch, share, and support this student produced show! Let's set a record # of views CVU!

From Margaret Eismeier Miller: Latin I students collaborated to examine sentences from a real ancient Roman source, and to give feedback to the author based on the Writing target. Working together, they translated 8 sentences from Terence's Phormio, a Roman comedy play, and thoughtfully placed them on the 1 - 4 scale, explaining their reasoning for each and making notes to Terence on how he could do even better. Pictured below are Izzy U, William B., Quinn V, and Liam G. (clockwise from standing)

From Community Skills: A big shout out to Giroux's Metal Fabrication for collaborating with us and allowing Dylan Granger try his hand at welding. And a shout out to Dylan for his hard work and taking healthy risks this semester. Keep it up, Dylan!

From Eleanor Marsh: Cooking 2 class is working on a unit entitled “Our Recipe Stories”. We are learning about other people through a story they share about a food and recipe that is important to them or their family. We’ve been honored this week to have Gavin Vontzalidis, Snelling House School Counselor, come into class and teach us to make several Greek foods: Baklava, Zucchini Fritters, Keftaides: Greek Meatballs and Tzatziki. Earlier in our unit, Jill Kiedaisch, Building Sub, came in and taught us how to make her family’s Chunky Monkey Bread. Other foods we have made or are planning to make are Ravioli, Lemon Meringue Pie, and Fried Rice.

Hudson LeBlanc received the Inspiration award on Monday from the Newell-Robinson Advisory for being an inspiration to the whole group. Hudson has demonstrated great flexibility when circumstances have changed throughout the year. He has modelled how to deal with difficult situations by role-playing and expressing feelings. He has also made new friends in Advisory by sharing his passions, such as Star Wars. You inspire us everyday!

Congratulations Hudson!

CVU Alpine continued their season-long dominance with both the Men’s and Women’s Districts Varsity Teams to take home the NVAC Overall Championship for the fourth consecutive season!

(*Attached is a picture of Captains; Ella Lisle and George Francisco accepting the Overall Championship Trophy.)

The 2024 NVAC District Championships kicked off last week with the Giant Slalom hosted by Lamoille and Colchester at Smugglers Notch. The CVU Women’s Team took home 5 of the top 10 placings, with Ella Lisle (1st place) and Carly Strobeck (3rd place) landing on the podium, with Kate, Rachel, and Addie finishing in the top 10. Congrats to all 6 of the CVU Alpine Women that represented in the Giant Slalom!

Ella Lisle

Carly Strobeck

Kate Kogut

Rachel Bialowoz

Addie Bartley

Lilly Caputo

The CVU Men’s team also took home the Giant Slalom “W” and the top 2 podium spots with Jake Strobeck (1st place) and George Francisco (2nd place) with Sawyer and Jack also finishing in the top 10. Congrats to all 6 of the CVU Alpine Men that represented in the Giant Slalom.

Jake Strobeck

George Francisco

Sawyer Lake

Jack Thorley- Doucette

Kai Schultz

Jacob Sternberg

Districts wrapped up this week with the Slalom at Cochran’s, hosted by Rice and BHS. Again the Women took home the “W” and two podium spots with Ella Lisle (1st place) and Kate Kogut (3rd place) with Rachel and Carly landing in the top 10, and Elizabeth Nostrand in 11th. Congrats to all 6 of the CVU Alpine Women that represented in the Slalom!

Ella Lisle

Kate Kogut

Rachel Bialowoz

Carly Strobeck

Elizabeth Nostrand

Addie Bartley

The Men’s Team also took home a podium spot with George Francisco (2nd place) with Jake and Sawyer landing inside the top 10. Congrats to all 5 of the CVU Alpine Men that represented in the Slalom!

George Francisco

Jake Strobeck

Sawyer Lake

Jacob Sternberg

Kai Schultz

From Olaf Verdonk: Here are a couple of students and advisees that dressed like me : ) They completed the assignment to a TEE! Including pen/pencil in pocket, safety glass on hat, "popped" collar, even tape measure on hip!

Ben Gordon (Advisee)

Charlotte Tyler (Advisee)

Lydia Eshete

Owen Christman

Symphonic Winds students dress up like Miskavage for Dress Like a Teacher day

Lizz and Josie (or Josie and Lizz) were grateful to take a walk in each other's shoes for student-faculty dress alike day.

Marin and Kasey dressing like Robin!

Ry and Summer switching it up!

Shout Out from Daniel Lyons: If anyone happens to be strolling within the vicinity of the Learning Center on a Thursday afternoon, you would likely agree that Cindy Erwin deserves a huge shout out for providing a space for students to gather for the RPG club. They are lucky to have your support, Cindy!

Dress like a student day!

Taylor Craft crushed the Rail Jam for today’s winter carnival! Thank you.

At the February 20, 2024, school board meeting, the board voted to adopt the finance committee’s recommendation to move forward with the originally warned budget that they spent more than six months reviewing and evaluating.

We've updated the Budget page of the district's website to reflect this decision and to provide information to help voters learn more about the proposed 2024-2025 budget. Please see the items below on that page, along with additional resources.

• At the meeting, CVSD Board vice chair and finance committee chair Meghan Metzler read this statement to begin the discussion.

• After the meeting, Superintendent Sanchez shared this letter.

• Here are some budget highlights in a Frequently Asked Questions format to help our community understand important elements of the proposed budget.

• On Wednesday, February 21, the district's administration and school board hosted a virtual Budget Town Hall. These slides were shared at that event.
  

• Here is the recording from the Budget Town Hall

Please contact any of the CVSD School Board members with questions. Send an email to cvsdschoolboard@cvsdvt.org or use the School Board or Budget topics on Let’s Talk, found on the district’s website. https://www.cvsdvt.org/

Join the CVSD Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (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.

The next DEI event takes place on March 15 from 6-8 pm at Williston Central School where we'll be learning about the Somali community in Vermont. This event takes place during Ramadan. Come experience a traditional break-the-fast meal.

Greetings!

I wanted to let you know about an opportunity for parents. Prevent Child Abuse Vermont is hosting a support group for parents of 12-18YO. It is an chance for parents to bring the issues of the day, feel heard and supported, as well as, get ideas on how to handle specific situations. The group meets virtually on Tuesday nights from 7-8:30 and is free of charge. I would love to have you spread the word!

Here is the description of the Circle-

Circle of Parents is a professionally facilitated, peer led self-help support group for parents and other caregivers. Circle of Parents offers participants the opportunity to explore their parenting in a safe and confidential weekly group. Parents come together and share their experiences, challenges and successes. Parents learn they are not alone and they can change the way they raise their children. Circle of Parents is co-led by professionally trained volunteer(s) and a parent leader, who is a group member. Meetings are usually for 1.5 hours. There are no fees or dues to attend.

If you know of anyone who might benefit from this program, feel free to share my email address- mparent@pcavt.org

Let me know if you have any questions.

Take Care,

Michelle