Wildcat Buzz

There is no school on Friday 11/1 in observance of Diwali.

Diwali is a five-day festival symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, and it is celebrated by more than a billion people around the world. If your students are interested in learning more about Diwali, this article from National Geographic Kids is a helpful starting point. There is also a family-friendly Diwali celebration at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier that is open to all. No matter how you spend your long weekend, we hope that it’s enjoyable!

1. 11/01 - NO SCHOOL / Diwali

2. 11/02 - Williston Craft Show @WCS, 9am-4pm

3. Spark Session 2 for Grades 5-8 - register now

Important Upcoming Dates to Note

11/01 - Diwali / NO SCHOOL

11/02 - Williston Craft Show

11/12 - Intergen Book Group

11/14 - Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

11/14 - WFAP Monthly Meeting - CANCELLED for November

11/15 - ABS Picture Retakes, 10:00 - 11:30am

11/25 - NO SCHOOL / THANKSGIVING BREAK 11/25 - 11/29

12/02 - WELCOME BACK!

12/10 - WCS Chorus Concert

by Greg Marino, Williston Schools Lead Principal

Dear Families and Caregivers,

On this unseasonably warm and quite breezy Halloween, I wanted to use this space to check in briefly about the upcoming elections. We recognize that some students will be seeing and hearing a lot of messages about the elections and will likely be experiencing a variety of feelings, and quite possibly some questions, worries, or concerns. Our faculty and staff will be prepared to address questions or concerns students may bring to school with understanding and care.

We encourage parents and caregivers to have open conversations with your students at home as well. Here are some resources and things to consider:

• Let your child know it is okay to ask questions and share what they are thinking.

• Encourage respect for diverse perspectives, as students can expect to encounter various viewpoints among their peers.

• Share age-appropriate information about elections, voting, and civic participation to help make the process more understandable.

• Consider exploring these resources:

• How to talk to your kids about voting and the election (KPBS)

• PBS Kids - Let’s Vote PBS Kids, Talking about Politics

• Child Mind Institute Resource

As always, we appreciate your partnership in fostering a supportive and respectful learning environment for everybody at ABS and WCS. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

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

please notify the following depending on your student's school:

ALLEN BROOK SCHOOL

1. The classroom teacher

2. Front Office: absfrontoffice@cvsdvt.org or this form

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

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

WILLISTON CENTRAL SCHOOL

1. The classroom teacher

2. Front Office: wcsattendance@cvsdvt.org or this form

3. Your student's Team Assistant(TA)

4. School Nurse (if due to illness): wcshealthoffice@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.

Please remember students could be entering or exiting vehicles, the parking lot, and/or sidewalks quickly and unexpectedly during arrival and dismissal. Please avoid passing vehicles in the drop off lane, and drive slowly and attentively at all times on school grounds.

Thank you for your patience and heightened awareness as we all work together to keep all students safe.

Picture Retake at ABS on Friday, November 15

from 10:00 - 11:30am

Students MUST return their complete original package to receive a new retake picture package. For students who are taking their first picture, they only need to show up.

Families can contact Beltrami directly regarding all picture related questions.

email: bryan@beltramistudios.com

Phone: (802) 863-6223

Recipe of the Month: Pumpkin Pudding

Ingredients - Pumpkin puree, low fat evaporated milk, vanilla instant pudding mix, pumpkin pie spice

* If you have any allergy / dietary concerns for the recipe, please contact your classroom teacher.

Important Dates

10/31 - Deadline for signing up for Beginner Band AND completing rental contracts

11/11 - Instruments delivered and lessons start

Sign Up Form

Instrument Rental Contract

WCS Band webpage

We are excited to offer your child an opportunity to participate in Spark Enrichment, an after-school applied learning program for students in grades 5-8. Sessions will run for 5 weeks from 2:50 p.m - 4:20 p.m. with our 2nd session starting November 14 and ending December 19th. continue reading...

Workshop Descriptions

Registration Form

CVU High School performing Arts is inviting all 8th graders from the CVU district, plus one guardian each, to attend the final dress rehearsal of

Footloose the Musical

Thursday, November 14th

5:00 - 7:30pm @CVU

Recommended for ages 13+

Show up to CVU, western entrance, between 4:45 - 5pm on 11/14 for general seating to the show!

Communication with parents and caregivers is a key component in maintaining family engagement and support. Currently, every teacher/team and school communicates regularly in some way to families. Emails, blogs, newsletters, websites, and Facebook are a few of these methods. If you reach out to a person who works in the district, you can expect a response to your communication within two (2) school days (keeping in mind that weekends and the days school is not in session are not included). In the event that a response will take more time, district employees may acknowledge receipt of your email, call, or otherwise contact you with information about when they will be able to provide resolution to your request. Please remember that if you have a concern, please go to the person most directly involved first. You are also encouraged to use the CVSD Connect With Us page.

• 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 24/7 - 365 for call or text
• 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.