Title
January 12, 2024
Top Buzz -
1. NO SCHOOL - MONDAY, JANUARY 12th in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr Day
2. Coffee with the Principals, Tuesday the 16th, 3:30-4:30pm @ WCS Community Room
Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming Events
01/15 - No School / Martin Luther King Jr. Day
01/16 - Coffee with the Principals, 3:30-4:30pm @ WCS Community Room
01/17 - Ski & Ride (Williston Rec Program), Kindergarten Begins
01/24 - Ski & Ride (Williston Rec Program)
01/26 - CVU Presentation to 8th Graders (during school)
01/31 - Ski & Ride (Williston Rec Program) / Swift House Open House, 6pm - 8pm
02/01 - 8th Grade Parent Night, 6:30-7:45pm @CVU Gym
02/02 - 7/8 District 3 Music Festival (select band & chorus students)
02/08 - Williston Family as Partners Monthly Meeting, 8:30 - 10:30am @WCS Community Room
03/14 - Williston Family as Partners Monthly Meeting, 8:30 - 10:30am @WCS Community Room
03/23 - Big Basket Raffle (Save the Date!)A Message from the Williston Schools Leadership Team
by Jacqueline Parks, Williston Central School Principal
Do you know who to go to in our system when you have a question? Being a larger system that encompasses both schools this can sometimes get tricky. Below are some quick tips on who to reach out to with various topics.
Greg Marino: ABS & WCS Lead Principal (spends time in both buildings)
Greg focuses on aspects of our system that cross both building and interfaces with CVSD (transportation, food service, Educational Support Team process, health services, FAPAC, interfacing w/ the CVSD budget)
Provides instructional leadership with the 3rd/4th program at WCS.
Jackie Parks: WCS Building Principal
Jackie takes the lead on WCS and focuses on the middle level program.
Lisa Barland: Administrative Assistant to Greg Marino and Jackie Parks
Amy Benoit: WCS Front Office Receptionist
Angela Filion: ABS Building Principal
Angela takes the lead on Allen Brook School.
Shani Varricchione: Administrative Assistant to Angela Filion
Laura Gigliotti: ABS Front Office Receptionist
Lauren Goracy: Director of Special Services (ABS & WCS)
Lauren facilitates the Special Education Program in both buildings. This includes all special education staff (professionals and paraeducators), students on Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 Plans.
Cindy Morin: Student Services Office Manager
Karen Hamby: Special Education Administrative Assistant
The Williston Leadership Team meets weekly and works towards an aligned PK-8 program. While we each have areas that we focus on, we also work to seamlessly share information to keep our systems flowing smoothly.
When in doubt, you can call the front office of either school and ask who the best person is to work with you on your concern. Don’t forget we also have the Let’s Talk app that can be used to communicate your needs or concerns to us.
Special Announcements & Notices
Lunch Menu
From the Health Office
Winter Gear Reminder
Please be sure your students have all the Winter gear needed. We will be outside for recess unless the temperature is below zero. Without snowpants and boots students, will have to remain on paved and plowed areas.
The Buzz at ABS
The WCS Wildcat What's Up
8th Grade Family Night at CVU High School
Williston Families as Partners
Big Basket Raffle
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Annual Fund
WFAP Volunteer Crew
Four Winds Nature Institute
This Year's Theme: The Earth
Blanket of Air (Jan.)
Nature of Sound (Feb.)
Water Cycle (March)
Wind & Clouds (April)
Get Your Bearings (May)
Nature's News
Contact Four Winds
If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please contact: wsdfourwinds@cvsdvt.org.
Transportation - Food Service - Safety Team
Williston Schools Food Service
Williston Schools Safety Team
Click here for meeting highlights and updates throughout the school year
Community Connections
Hello from the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library Youth Department! Find out more about programs at http://www.damlvt.org or by calling 878-4918.
*YOUTH PROGRAMMING*
Children in 5th grade and up may use the library unattended, while those in grade 4 or under must be supervised by a person over 16 years of age. For information on the Unattended Children Policy, see above or visit www.damlvt.org. Parents and guardians are encouraged to stop by or call 878-4918 to chat with a youth librarian about expectations and the library's after-school experience.
Please note the library will be closed on Monday, January 15th, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr Day
French Storytime
Saturday, January 13, 10:15-10:45 a.m. Join us to listen to 30 min of French Storytime read by native French speaker Romain Feuillette!
Storytime
Tuesdays, 10:30-11 a.m. Join Danielle for stories, songs, and rhymes.
Teens D&D
Tuesday, January 16, 5-6 p.m. Ages 12+. Join our campaign! If you’re new to D&D and are interested in joining, feel free to stop by in advance for help creating a character.
Baby Time
Wednesday, January 17, 10:30-11 a.m. Enjoy gentle activities with your baby!
After School Movie
Wednesday, January 17, 2-4 p.m. Fly the coop with this egg-cellent movie!
Teen Movie Night
Wednesday, January 17, 5-7:20 p.m. PG13. Ages 12+. Try your hand at potions with a new instructor as we continue watching this magical series!
Preschool Music & Preschool Playtime
Thursdays, 10:30-11 a.m. Sing and dance with Linda Bassick! Followed by preschool playtime from 11-11:30 a.m.
Read to a Dog (Rocko)*
Thursday, January 18, 3-4 p.m. Sign up for a 10-minute visit with Rocko the Therapy Dog!
All Ages Sewing Workshop*
Saturday, January 20, 1-2:30 p.m. Learn how to sew buttons onto clothing, a simple hem stitch, and how to patch tears! If you have an article of clothing that has a tear, feel free to bring it in to work on! Registration required.
Vermont Reads
Between now and January 31, share a favorite family recipe and a 3-5 sentence story that includes the preparation and sharing of that food, or the importance of that food to your family and/or culture. The best story wins a set of cookie cutters and cookie decorations. Submit stories to bonnie@damlvt.org. Submissions will be included in a community cookbook to be shared in the library.
The challenge is inspired by this year's Vermont Read, Last Night at the Telegraph Club, by Malinda Lo. Pick up or check out a copy of this book in the library. Events related to this book will noted on our website and calendar!
Pictures Wanted!
Program Guide Photo Contest. The Recreation Dept is looking for a photo to be used on the Spring/Summer Program Guide. The Dept. will be holding a contest to find the Cover Photo for the upcoming Spring/Summer Program Guide.
CONTEST:
Step 1- Send in a picture of you, your children, or your family participating in a Williston Recreation Program or using a Williston Community Park.
Pictures must be of your family only or you will need to get the permission of other families and children in your picture before it can be used.
Pictures need to be ones that can be used as a Cover Photo for the Spring/Summer Guide.
Step 2- Three pictures will be chosen that would work as a Cover Photo for the Guide.
Pictures will be chosen by the Recreation Staff.
Step 3- Then the three chosen pictures will be used in the contest.
The community will be voting on the three photos and the one with the most votes will be used as the Cover Photo on the Spring/Summer Program Guide.
Instructors Wanted!
Do you have a talent or skill that you would like to share with others? If so, the department is Now accepting proposals for Spring/Summer programs and camps. Fill out a Program Proposal Form and submit it to the Recreation Dept- https://willistonvt.myrec.com/forms/5964_form.programproposal.pdf
The Spring/Summer Program Guide will be out in Mid-February but the Dept. needs your info Now!
Consider becoming an instructor and offering an on-going program at The R.E.C. Zone or a program with a 6-8 week session. Deadline to make it in the Program Guide is February 1.
Do you have a camp for this Summer that you want to offer. We are looking for Enrichment Camps in Sports, Specialty and Technology (STEM) Camps. Deadline to make it in the Camp Guide is January 21.
Table Tennis
Ages 12-Adult. Come out and play, stay fit and meet new people. The program is open to all experience levels. Players should bring their own paddles (limited number of loaner paddles available). NOTE: Players under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The Table Tennis program is by registration and payment Only- https://willistonvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30311.
Ninja Kids Intro
Age 4-8 or 7-11. The play-based curriculum increases strength and self-confidence, while moving meditation helps children manage their emotions and develop the connection between mental and physical well-being. Programs start in January. Instructor: ONTA Studio Staff.
Age 4-8- https://willistonvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30097
Age 7-11- https://willistonvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30206
Dangerous Girls
Age 14+. This is a Women-only cardio- kickboxing class that combines strength and conditioning with practical combat skills. Learn trips and throws, bounce to Beyoncé, hit hard, laugh a lot. Program starts Jan 24. Instructor: ONTA Studio Staff. https://willistonvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30092
One-Click Information
Allen Brook School
Start Time @ 7:50am;
Dismissal for PreK & K at 2:25pm - grades 1 & 2 @2:30pm
Wednesday Early Dismissal @ 1:25 & 1:30
Williston Central School
Start Time @8:00am;
Dismissal grades 3 & 4 @2:35pm - grades 5-8 @2:45pm
Wednesday Early Dismissal @ 1:35 & 1:45
Resources for Families
- 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.