
THE NEWSLETTER
February 21, 2025
NO SCHOOL MONDAY FEBRUARY 24TH THROUGH MARCH 4TH
WE WILL SEE YOU ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5TH
CCS LOST AND FOUND IS OVERFLOWING
The Lost and Found will be donated on Friday, February 21st. Please stop by or have your children stop by the front lobby to look for their lost items. We hate to give away people's items!
Dear CCS Community,
What a week it has been—full of learning, fun, and community spirit!
Our Spirit Week was one of the most thoughtful I’ve seen in my 24 years in education. It wasn’t just about themed outfits but about celebrating our community. For example, Tuesday’s theme—"Celebrate that we are all unique and different"—encouraged students to wear mismatched or inside-out clothing to symbolize individuality. A huge thank you to the Student Councils for organizing such a meaningful and engaging week!
Beyond Spirit Week, the school was buzzing with activity:
Monday: Another snow day to enjoy winter’s beauty.
Tuesday: We hosted both the annual Spelling Bee and the 8th-grade Science Fair—two great showcases of student learning and skill.
Wednesday: Our third graders visited the Flynn Theater for New Orleans Songbook by Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Thursday: We held an informational meeting for 6th-8th graders interested in the Spring Musical and wrapped up the day with an exciting student-staff basketball game, complete with a student pep band, enthusiastic fans, and an all-around fantastic atmosphere.
Tuesday & Thursday: Our basketball teams capped off their seasons with strong performances in the CVSD tournament.
Friday: Grade two classrooms had a morning writing celebration
It was truly a week filled with moments of gratitude and joy at CCS!
As we move toward March, we also approach an important moment for our local democratic process, which includes voting on the CVSD Budget. Ballots are now available at the Charlotte Town Office for early voting any day before March 4th or vote on election day: Tuesday, March 4, from 7 AM - 7 PM at the Charlotte Town Office.
This year, voting day coincides with an extended break for many CVSD families—March 3 is a faculty conference day, and March 4 is a professional development day for staff. With this unique schedule, I encourage you to make a plan to vote on or before Tuesday, March 4. School budgets are a crucial part of the conversation about how we support our children, balancing opportunities with costs. To learn more about this year’s CVSD Budget, please visit the CVSD Budget Webpage.
Thank you for being an essential part of our school community and for your continued support.
Warmly,
Tim O’Leary, CCS Principal
6TH - 8TH GRADE FAMILIES
CCS does not have a softball team, but if your daughter plays softball and wants to be on a team, Shelburne Community School can host any girl who wants to play. Please email Nicky Elderton nelderton@cvsdvt.org if you are interested.
The CCS Student Council will be sharing their monthly newspaper, CCS Press, for the community's enjoyment. Check back here monthly for their new editions.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, February 24th through Februrary 29th - NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
Monday, March 3rd - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS - Parent/Guardian Conferences
Tuesday, March 4th - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS - Faculty Inservice
Thursday, March 6th - 8th Grade Family Night - CVU, 6:30 - 7:45 (arrive at 6:00 to check out the table displays in the gym for information regarding CVU clubs, summer camps and other opportunities)
Wednesday, March 5th - Early Release
Wednesday, March 5th - Bolton Valley Ski & Ride, 2:00 - 7:45
Tuesday, March 11th - Drama Cast Family Info Night - Band Room, 6:00 - 7:00
Wednesday, March 12th - Early Release
Wednesday, March 12th - Bolton Valley Ski & Ride, 2:00 - 7:45
Wednesday, March 19th - Early Release
Wednesday, March 19th - Bolton Valley Ski & Ride, 2:00 - 7:45
Wednesday, March 19th - PTO Meeting - CCS Library, 6:00 - 7:00
Friday, March 21st - Grade 3 Poetry Readings, Classrooms, 7:45 - 8:45
Friday, March 21st - Drama Auditions - Music Rm, 8:00 - Noon (Watch for more details)
Monday, March 24th - State Spelling Bee - St. Michael's College
Wednesday, March 26th - Early Release
Thursday, March 27th - PTO Variety Show, MPR, 6:30 - 8:00
Monday, March 31st - NO SCHOOL
INVITATION 8TH GRADE FAMILY NIGHT AT CVU
8th Graders and Caregivers,
We have rescheduled the 8th Grade Family Night for Thursday, March 6th. We will begin the evening at 6:30 and run until 7:45. Please come early at 6pm to check out the table displays in the Gym with all sorts of information on CVU clubs, summer camp and other opportunities.
We look forward to welcoming you to CVU and sharing a bit about what next year will look and feel like for our rising 9th graders.
Best,
Katherine Riley
CVU Interim Principal
CCS SPRING MUSICAL
A Cast Family Informational Night for all interested 6th-8th grade students and caregivers is set for Tuesday, March 11th from 6 - 7 PM in the Band Room. This year's production is Willy Wonka Jr. with performances planned on June 5-7; directors are Angela Pollock and Monica Littlefield. This meeting is mandatory for those students interested in either an on-stage role or behind-stage work. Information will be shared at this meeting about expectations for students and caregivers, auditions, and rehearsals.
CCS SPELLING BEE
On Tuesday, we had 36 2nd-8th graders who participated in our annual CCS Spelling Bee. The competition was both fierce and friendly. After 15 rounds, the winning word was tegular spelled by our CCS Spelling Champion, Lucy Palmer. Annie Palmer came in 2nd and Leslie Mudge came in 3rd. All three spellers will participate in the Vermont State Spelling Bee at St Michael’s College on March 24, 2025. Thank you to all who supported our spellers this year!!
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL 8TH GRADE SCIENCE FAIR
This year's annual 8th grade science fair was held at CCS this past Tuesday. 8th graders have spent the last 5 weeks in science class creating, designing and testing. Each student chose a topic that interested them; from sport and music to chemistry and physics then created a measurable test. The project culminated in a classic science fair with traditional trifold presentations. 8th graders shared their projects with younger students and then with parents and caregivers afterschool on Tuesday.
CCS TECH MINI CAMPS
NEW PARENTAL NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT UNDER ACT 139
In July 2024, the Vermont State Legislature passed Act 139, a new law aimed at strengthening reading instruction for young learners. Included in this law is a new requirement to notify caregivers if their child is significantly below grade level in reading. You can learn more about the law and the notification requirement here.
LEARN ABOUT CVSD'S FY26 BUDGET, ITS IMPACTS & VOTING
THE SCHOOL BUDGET, ITS IMPACTS & VOTING INFORMATION
EARLY VOTING has begun. Ballots will not automatically be mailed, but you can request one from your town office by phone, email or in person. Or you can submit your request online at https://mvp.vermont.gov.
IN-PERSON VOTING will occur on Tuesday, March 4 (Town Meeting Day), from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at polling places in each town.
CCS VARIETY SHOW - HOSTED BY THE CCS PTO!
Thursday March 27, 2025
6:30-8:00 pm
Charlotte Central School
Multi-Purpose Room
Get ready for the event of the year – the CCS Variety Show is BACK and bigger than ever! Whether you're a singer, dancer, comedian, or have a hidden talent, we want YOU to take the stage!
We're also looking for a master of ceremonies, an awesome backstage crew, and enthusiastic adult volunteers to help make this event unforgettable! Don’t miss your chance to be part of the action – it's going to be an epic celebration of talent, creativity, and community!
For all the details—registration, volunteer sign-up, audition dates, practice sessions, and more— visit charlottecentral.wixsite.com/ccspto/event-details/variety-show.
CHARLOTTE RECREATION SPRING AND SUMMER OFFERINGS
SPRING OFFERINGS
Youth Sports
Youth Lacrosse Signups Now Live!
Baby Sitter Training
4/23/25 Safe Sitter Training at Charlotte Library
SUMMER CAMP OFFERINGS
6/23-6/27: Youth Basketball Summer Camps, led by CCS PE teacher, Nicky Elderton. Camps will be broken down by ages (7-11 and 11-14), and held in the gym at CCS.
7/7-7/11: Athletic Performance Summer Camps, led by the staff of Fit2Excel. These camps will be broken down by grade (1st-5th grade, 6th-12th grade) and be held at the Charlotte town beach.
7/14-7/18: Challenger Soccer Summer Camps, led by the Challenger soccer staff from England. These camps will be held on the fields at CCS.
We welcome your feedback at any time. Please select your topic below and send your thoughts our way. If you don't see your topic listed, choose "General Questions." All feedback will be routed to the appropriate district team members, who will follow up with you within 3 business days. CVSD is committed to connecting with students, families, staff, and community members to provide exceptional and equitable experiences.
HOUSEHOLD INCOME FORM
Even though free and reduced meal applications are no longer required for free meals, the Vermont Agency of Education asks that all families complete the Household Information Form. Thank you.
HELPFUL CCS LINKS
HELPFUL COMMUNITY LINKS
ABOUT US
Tim O'Leary, Principal
Beth Slater, Assistant Principal & Special Services Director
CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
The Newsletter is published every Friday, when school is in session. It is delivered to our families via email, posted on our website, and on Front Porch Forum. A hard copy is available by contacting the school.