Catamount Connection

October 4: Experiential Learning for Grades 5-8 (8:30am-11:30am)

October 4: Early Release for Professional Development (12:10pm)

October 7: PTG Meeting (6:30pm)

October 9: School Wide Reward to Kingdom Corn Maze (PM)

October 10: Rescuefest at Sutton School (PM)

October 11: Experiential Learning for Grades 5-8 (11:30am-2:30pm)

October 14: No School- Indigenous Peoples' Day

October 17: Fall Catamount Student Showcase Night (5:00pm-6:45pm)

October 18: Experiential Learning for Grades 5-8 (11:30am-2:30pm)

October 25: Experiential Learning for Grades 5-8 (8:30am-11:30am)

October 25: Early Release for Professional Development (12:10pm)

October 25: PTG Trunk or Treat at Sutton School (6:00pm-7:00pm)

November 5 & 6: Dental Days at Sutton School

November 8: Early Release for Professional Development (12:10pm)- No Afterschool Available

November 12: Board Meeting at Sutton School

November 15: Picture Re-take Day

November 15: End of 1st Trimester

November 25 & 26: No School- Professional Learning

November 27-29: No School- Thanksgiving Break

Dear Sutton School Families,

As we settle into the school year, I want to take a moment to focus on an important topic—understanding the difference between bullying and navigating peer conflict. It’s not uncommon for children to encounter difficult moments with peers, but knowing how to differentiate between typical conflicts and more harmful behaviors is essential to supporting them effectively.

What’s the Difference?

Children naturally experience ups and downs in their friendships as they develop social skills. Conflicts with peers often involve misunderstandings, disagreements, or hurt feelings. While these conflicts can be upsetting, they are usually temporary and can be resolved with guidance and open communication. Bullying, on the other hand, involves repeated and targeted harmful behavior that is meant to upset, exclude, or hurt someone else—whether it’s through words, physical actions, or social exclusion. Understanding these distinctions helps us determine the right strategies to support our children.

How You Can Help at Home

One of the most powerful ways to support your child is by maintaining regular, open conversations about their friendships and social experiences. Ask open-ended questions about their day, who they’re spending time with, and how they’re feeling about their peer relationships. If they share something troubling, focus on listening first, then help them think through potential solutions. This might include practicing how to respond confidently, considering ways to repair a friendship, or talking about how to walk away from a conflict.

If your child shares a pattern of behavior that seems persistent or if they express feelings of being unsafe, it’s important to take those concerns seriously. Let us know right away so we can work together to fully understand the situation and offer the right support.

We’re Here to Help

Our goal is to ensure that every child feels safe, respected, and valued at school. If you’re ever unsure whether your child is dealing with a typical peer conflict or something more concerning, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to listen, collaborate, and find ways to support your child as they navigate the complexities of peer relationships.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support. Together, we can help our students develop the skills and confidence they need to build positive, healthy relationships.

Warm regards,
Rachel Robillard

Principal

Mark your calendars! On the evening of Thursday, October 17, the Sutton School will be hosting our Fall Catamount Student Showcase Night, and we can’t wait to share all the amazing things our students have been working on. This special event kicks off at 5:00pm in the multi-purpose room, where you’ll be treated to a delicious dinner from Hoagies. After dinner, I’ll be sharing some exciting updates and plans for the year ahead.

But the real highlight of the evening will be the student presentations. From our youngest learners in kindergarten to our 8th graders, students will proudly share what they’ve been working on and their goals for the remainder of the trimester. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand the growth and enthusiasm of our students, hear their stories, and celebrate their successes together.

Come for the food, stay for the inspiration! We hope to see you there supporting our amazing Catamounts!

We are excited to announce that our annual *Rescuefest* is back and will take place on Thursday, October 10th! Each year, students rotate through a variety of first responder stations where they learn how to keep themselves and their families safe during emergencies. This hands-on event also gives students a chance to interact with first responders, learn more about how they protect our community, and ask questions about their important work.

It’s always an engaging day that leaves a lasting impact—building both safety awareness and a deeper appreciation for those who serve. We look forward to another exciting and educational Rescuefest this year!

Our Parent Teacher Group (PTG) is excited to announce the upcoming Thanksgiving Turkey Raffle this November, where two lucky winners will walk away with some fantastic prizes! One winner will receive a gift certificate for a meal at a local restaurant, and the other will win a Thanksgiving basket filled with all the supplies needed to prepare a delicious holiday meal at home.

To make this event a success, we’re reaching out to our school community for donations to help fill the Thanksgiving basket. If you’re able to contribute any of the following items, please let the school know and drop off donations by November 11th.

Items Needed:
- Squash
- Green Beans
- Potatoes
- Cranberry Sauce
- Gravy
- Stuffing
- Rolls
- Pickles
- Pumpkin Pie
- Apple Pie
- Whip Cream
- Tin Foil
- Turkey Bag
- Sparkling Cider

Your support will help make this raffle a special event for everyone involved. Thank you for any contributions you can make!

Throughout the school year students will have early release days where school will be dismissed at 12:10pm. On some of these early release days the afterschool program will be available (for students who sign up) until 3pm.

If you have a child signed up for the afterschool program (Monday-Thursday)- you will still need to register them for the KEAP Early Release programming on Fridays. These are two separate registrations. Students who are in Middle School can either sign up for the school based KEAP option on the days below, or they can sign up for a KEAP field trip on those days (please note those who sign up for the field trip may not be brought back to Sutton at the end of the day).

We understand that keeping track of this can be a hassle for families, so we have listed the dates of all early releases and have indicated if the afterschool program is available. If the afterschool program is not available on an early release day, students need to be picked up at 12:10pm.

October 4: KEAP Available (12:10pm-3:00pm)

October 25: KEAP Available (12:10pm-3:00pm)

November 8: No KEAP (12:10pm)

December 6: KEAP Available (12:10pm-3:00pm)

December 20: KEAP Available (12:10pm-3:00pm)

January 17: KEAP Available (12:10pm-3:00pm)

January 31: KEAP Available (12:10pm-3:00pm)

February 14: KEAP Available (12:10pm-3:00pm)

March 21: KEAP Available (12:10pm-3:00pm)

April 4: KEAP Available (12:10pm-3:00pm)

April 18: KEAP Available (12:10pm-3:00pm)

May 9: KEAP Available (12:10pm-3:00pm)

May 23: KEAP Available (12:10pm-3:00pm)

This fall, we’re excited to offer our middle school students in grades 5-8 the opportunity to participate in experiential learning over the course of eight weeks. Students will have the chance to choose from a variety of activities that align with their interests and passions. They can select two different activities to explore during the eight weeks or stick with the same one throughout the entire period—it’s up to them!

The focus of this program is to help students build strong relationships with each other and with staff members, while also setting goals and diving into personalized learning experiences. Whether they’re deepening an existing passion or discovering something new, this is a wonderful opportunity for your child to engage in meaningful, hands-on learning in a supportive and collaborative environment. We can’t wait to see the growth and connections that will come from this experience!

Experiential Learning Dates & Times:

October 4: 8:30am-11:30am

October 11: 11:30am-2:30pm

October 18: 11:30am-2:30pm

October 25: 8:30am-11:30am

Check out the article in VREC that featured the KESD Experiential Learning Program!

In alignment with the state of Vermont guidelines regarding school safety drills, we will communicate a time frame for upcoming fire drills, evacuation drills, and relocation drills, but specific dates and times will not be provided to ensure the safety and security of our students.

During the week of October 21st, we will be conducting a fire drill and practicing relocating to a secure off-site location. At the end of the drill the students will return to school. This exercise is designed to familiarize students and staff with evacuation procedures and alternative shelter locations. Please be assured that we will conduct this drill in a developmentally appropriate manner, prioritizing the well-being and understanding of our students.

Your support is invaluable as we strive to create a safe and secure learning environment for all. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher. Thank you for partnering with us in keeping our school community safe.

The Sutton Parent Teacher Group (PTG) is looking for new members to join them this school year! The PTG meets the first Monday of each month starting at 6:30pm in Becky Jenkins' 4/5 classroom. The PTG helps fundraise and organize important community events for the students and families in Sutton. If you would like to join the PTG reach out to Becky Jenkins, the PTG president, rjjenkins@kingdomeast.org.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to making our float a success in the Burke Fall Foliage Festival! Whether you donated items, helped with setup, or joined us in the parade, your support made all the difference. We couldn’t have done it without you, and we’re grateful to be part of such a wonderful community. Thank you for showing up and making it a day to remember!

Please note the following flyers are community events and information. They do not represent the opinions of the school or the school district.