Cougar Chronicle

September 6, 2024

The Principal's Office

September is here and we are finishing Week 2 of the school year. I have been absolutely awed by the incredible students and energetic staff here at Calais. Our community could not ask for a better school family than the one we have in Calais.

Last week we needed the week with Popcorn Friday, and absolute poppin’ success. So much, that now all I get asked is “Are we having popcorn again?”. The answer is yes! Just not every Friday - I can only pop so much corn. But this is just an example of how we are working to make this The Greatest Year in the History of Calais Elementary - making kids feel welcome, included, safe, and most of all love being at school.

Things have been going so well here at CES since school started that it’s easy to forget that things won’t always be perfect. You, your kids, the staff here at Calais, won’t always have the best day. We all need to give ourselves grace and compassion to know that it’s OK to not have an OK day. Every day is an opportunity - to grow, to learn, to get better. So, if your student comes home and it wasn’t the best day, or you aren’t having the best day, just know that it’s OK and that this community is here to help.

One request I have - keep signing up to volunteer. We are finalizing our plans for the new Calais Volunteer Program and getting a sense of how many potential volunteers we have will help in our planning. We want our community to be part of our school and this is the best way we can go about making this happen.

Finally, this coming week we will welcome our new Library teacher, Eileen Riley. Mrs. Riley is a retired teacher/librarian from the Cabot School and comes highly recommended. She was in the library on Thursday this week and already has things together for students. She is going to be a great addition to our community and students are already looking forward to Library day on Monday.

I hope you all enjoy your weekend and get ready because next week is our first full, 5-day week of the school year.

Nurse's Note

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! A few notes from the Health Office…

First - PLEASE return your Annual Health Forms ASAP. Due to staffing this year I will not be in the building on Thursday and Fridays and this information is how the covering staff will know how they can help your child in my absence.

Second - We are back in layer season! It will be cool in the mornings and warm in the afternoons so please send your child in layers so they will be comfortable all day. Remember BOOTS AND TENNIS SHOES everyday! Feel free to bring inside shoes in and leave them at your kid’s hook. Students need closed toe shoes for PE.

Third - Please take a moment to get familiar with our illness policy. Students developing NEW SYMPTOMS should be kept home - this is when they are the most contagious. Feel free to send them in when symptoms are improving AND there has been NO FEVER for over 24 hours without the use of medication. We also use the over 24 hours rule for vomiting and/or diarrhea - students should be over 24 hour vomit/diarrhea free without the use of medication prior to returning to school. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our school healthy!

Please reach out with any questions or concerns to Nurse Maria at mmelekos@u32.org or 454-7777 ext. 116.

"Sweet or Salty" Poll Results

Ok, though MOST kids chose "Sweet," not all kids did, so we are going to change how we take our "student polls" going forward!

"Would You Rather" Survey For Next Week

What fall flavor do you prefer?

Apple

Pumpkin

date_range Voting ends in 6 days

remove_red_eye Votes are anonymous and results are private

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Important Dates

9/8 - Central Vermont Mini Raiders starts

9/12 - Friends of Calais Meeting (6:30pm-8:00pm)

9/19 - Back to School BBQ

9/28 - Try Hockey for Free event

9/28 - 2024 Haz Waste Collection

10/4 - Calais Town Official Meet'n Greet

11/8 - Picture Retake Day

Now Hiring!

Job Details

Job ID:4763506
Application Deadline:Posted until filled
Posted:Aug 21, 2024

Starting Date:Immediately

Job Description

WCUUSD is looking for paraeducators to work with students in our elementary schools and our high school either as General Classroom Paraeducators or as BI, PCA or 1:1 Paraeducators. Responsibilities will include providing academic and behavioral support to students in and outside the classroom setting. Ideal candidates will have experience working with students with a range of abilities, as well as the skills to work collaboratively with classroom teachers, specialists and case managers. A desire to participate in continuous professional learning is required.

Positions are available on a full time or part time basis.

Position Type:Full-time
Positions Available:5
Job Categories:

Instructional Support > Paraprofessional / IA

Welcome to Washington Central Unified Union School District

Our school district consists of 5 elementary schools - Berlin, Calais, East Montpelier, Rumney (Middlesex) and Doty (Worcester) and one middle/high school - U-32 (East Montpelier), as well as Community Connections.

Job Requirements

Associate Degree preferred or completion of paraeducator training within four months of hire.

Applications via SchoolSpring.com must include:
Cover letter
Detailed resume
Transcripts
Three (3) current letters of reference

3 years of relevant experience preferred, or combination of education and experience.

Application Questions

There are no application questions required for this job posting.

Contact Information

Julia Pritchard
1130 Gallison Hill Road
Montpelier, Vermont 05602
Phone: 802-229-0553
Fax: 802-229-2761
Email: jpritchard@u32.org

Volunteer Opportunities

One of our goals this year is to engage with our community, not just parents and families, but the larger Calais community. This school is part of the community and we want the community to come and be part of CES.

You may want to volunteer in the classroom, help us coordinate activities or chaperone trips, tap into a talent to teach our students, or generally be available to help where needed. We will welcome you all to Calais!

Work continues on the details for the Calais Volunteer Program as there are a few moving pieces that need to be completed, but we want you to let us know of your interest. Please put your name on our list by filling out the Volunteer Program Form.

New After School Pick-up Procedure

On Monday, September 9th, we will be starting new procedures for students who are picked up after school. Please see below for more details. *Procedures for students who ride the bus will not change.

Open House and B2S BBQ

The Friends of Calais will be hosting the annual Welcome Back BBQ on Thursday, September 19th, rain, or shine at the Calais Elementary School.

Join us immediately following the Back-to-School Open House from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for a community BBQ and Potluck. Friends of Calais will provide grilled hamburgers/ cheeseburgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs and drinks. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. We are excited to welcome all Calais community members and look forward to a prosperous school year ahead for all.

We cannot do it without help. Please volunteer to help with setting up, cooking, and/or cleaning up if you are able. Review the available volunteer needs via Signup Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094BABAD23A2F8C43-51133458-welcome

The Friends of Calais is a non-profit organization that was formed to celebrate the uniqueness of each of our hamlets and to link community members with traditions, interests and each other. We welcome anyone who would like to join us and are eager engage and discuss our ideas and plans for the Calais Community. Our monthly meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at the Calais Town Hall from 6:30-8:00 pm.

Check out our website https://www.friendsofcalais.org/home and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns:

• Anna Matheson, President (awschuenemann@gmail.com)

• Renée Grzankowski, Treasurer (rmgrzankowski@gmail.com)

• Carrie Stoner, Secretary (friendsofcalais2020@gmail.com)

Calais Town Official Meet ‘n Greet

Stop by the Calais Town Hall on October 4th from 4-5:30pm to meet town officials including Selectboard, Administrative office positions, commission and committee members. This is a great chance to meet our local elected officials.

Black Bear Hockey

If your athlete has been considering hockey as a winter sport, now is the time to register! We have a Try Hockey For Free event happening on Saturday, September 28th. Enrollment is also open for Little Bruins which includes a complete set of new hockey equipment with registration! Learn more about these programs at blackbearhockey.org/LearnToPlay