THE NEWSLETTER

RECYCLE YOUR SOLAR ECLIPSE GLASSES

The Charlotte Library is a collection center to recycle your solar eclipse glasses.

For your convenience, THROUGH FRIDAY, APRIL 12TH - if you return your solar eclipse glasses to CCS (send in with your child(ren), hand off to a staff member at a drop off / pick up location), CCS will collect and bring them to the Charlotte Library for you.

Dear CCS Families, Caregivers and Charlotte Community,

A newer tradition at CCS has been the monthly All-School Meetings that are hosted by different grades. Today, the second graders taught us all about the Solar Eclipse and what to expect this coming Monday. Songs like “Walking on Sunshine” and “Total Eclipse of the Heart” kept the mood lively, helping us dance into and out of the MPR. Not only did the learners share facts, they created a demonstration for all to understand better how an eclipse happens. Every student will be bringing home a pair of Eclipse glasses today. (Check their backpack!)

With the end of the winter short-season volleyball, CCS is preparing for the spring sports- baseball, track & field and ultimate frisbee. This seasonal transition was a great opportunity for me to reflect on the co-curricular experiences we strive to provide the students of CCS. In the fall, students in grades 5-8 could choose between Cross Country or Soccer. This winter, there were four teams for basketball. Other clubs like Lego Robotics, Math Counts and Theater give students other options for connecting with peers and doing what they love. These opportunities would not have been possible without the coaching and coordination that happens behind the scenes by our team of inspiring educators.

This coming week, the PTO will be sponsoring a Budget Forum led by Meghan Metzler, our CVSD Board Chair. There is a lot of information already shared about the cuts in staffing and programs that are happening across the district to lower the budget being voted on April 16th. Someone asked what I prioritized when making decisions for CCS budget reductions.

• Keeping as many highly qualified educators teaching our students while keeping class sizes within the Vermont Education Quality Standards is essential.
• Maintaining a strong team of interventionists who will use performance data to target math and literacy skills so all students receive what they need to excel. To learn more about CVSD performance data compared to Vermont and the nation, click here.
• Having certified teachers providing instruction in the essential arts (Music, Art, Physical Education, Health and Wellness, STEM) for students in K-8.
• Providing students and caregivers access to layers of SEL and Mental health supports through our school counselor, a School Service Clinician, SAP and in partnership with an outside therapist.

When changes happen in an interconnected learning community like CCS, we cannot lose sight of the invaluable humans who contribute to the growth and belonging of all of our students. Please take a moment to vote on or before April 16th. Your vote does matter!

Thank you for your continued support and your dedication to the students, faculty and staff at CCS.

With appreciation,

Jen

Thank you to all of the families and children who joined us on Wednesday evening for the PTO sponsored Math Night. Having Omega students running some math games and seeing the excitement as kids bounced from table to table exploring everyday math was inspiring.

There may be some interesting images about what CVSD staff do when Vermont presents tricky weather.

Between 4 AM and 5 AM: COO, Gary Marckres, Superintendent Sanchez and the director of transportation, Barry Russell are driving out through the towns to check road conditions and current weather. Communication outreach is made to road commissioners and weather is closely monitored. Custodians arrive at school to complete morning tasks and to start on the outside snow removal to prepare for the staff and students.

Between 5 AM and 6 AM: Building administrators and administrative assistants are taking their first glance at the staffing obstacles created by the storm and seasonal illnesses.

Between 6 AM and 7 AM: Administrative assistants, bus drivers, food service and building administrators are arriving at school to help with snow clean-up and to modify any plans necessary to prepare for a delayed start. Support staff are contacted about covering classes and meal modifications are made based on the uncertain timeline for kids arriving in the building. Bus drivers are modifying routes based on reported obstacles and staffing changes.

Between 7 AM and 8 AM: Feedback about road conditions, power outages and staffing concerns are communicated back to the COO and the preparation around the building continues for the presumed school day. Staff who may typically be assigned to early student arrival are lending a hand where possible to lighten the load for others.

Between 8 AM and 9 AM: Staff are hopping on virtual meetings facilitated by directors of student services and the CVSD psychologists. Educators are modifying lesson plans and their daily schedule so time can be used efficiently when students arrive. Emails get answered. Prepping for how an educator's family needs to shift due to daycare closing and disrupted routines.

When a call is made to cancel school for the day: a collective breath is taken. This school administrator reflects on a sense of gratitude for everyone who shows up preparing for students, regardless of the weather. They are sometimes the invisible supports behind the scenes and without them, we could not be the learning community we are.

Please take a moment to thank the bus drivers, the food service workers, the administrative assistants, the custodians, the faculty & staff and the administrators who are still working, regardless of weather. Stay safe!

Please join CVSD School Board Chair and Charlotte parent Meghan Metzler for a Q&A Opportunity about the budget.

Rescheduled due to snow day! On April 9, 2024 from 6:30-7:30pm in the CCS Library, CVSD school board member and school board chair Meghan Metzler has offered to help us all understand the CVSD budget. We encourage all CCS community members to attend this very important meeting in advance of the vote on April 16, 2024. Sponsored by the CCS PTO!

Ballots are now available in town offices for those who would like to vote early. They will not be automatically sent to you if you voted by absentee ballot on Town Meeting Day unless you had previously requested absentee ballots for all elections for calendar year 2024. You may request ballots by phone, email, or stopping in your town offices. You may request ballots for family members who are eligible to vote as well.

Polls will be open on April 16 from 7am-7pm.

Please see the Budget page of the district's website for additional information.

2023-24 Calendar Last Student / Faculty Day (contingent upon no additional closed days)

Last day of school Friday 6/14/24 - (12:15 dismissal) (no 8th graders)

Mon, April 8th

Don't forget to have your child(ren) check the Lost and Found in the next 2 weeks. Everything will be packed up and donated end of day on Friday, April 19th.

There are many coats/hats/mittens/boots/water bottles. We hate to give away people's items!

Child Mind Institute is one of my favorite resources as a parent and as a school counselor. This week they offer some articles on supporting children struggling with fears and worries, needing reassurance, and other characteristics that occur with OCD. All kids have worries, (as do adults), but that doesn't mean they have OCD, but nonetheless these resources can be a source of information, can help you navigate these feelings and can provide strategies to help you support your child. If you are ever unsure if what your child is experiencing rises to the level of needing additional support beyond what you can provide, or it is impacting their daily life, I always encourage you to reach out to your pediatrician. Don't hesitate to reach out to me as well!

CCS Athletics is excited to announce the opening of a spring sports apparel store! You can gear up your young athletes with a selection of Volleyball, Baseball, Track & Field, and Ultimate Frisbee apparel. All gear is through the local Charlotte company, JV Embroidery. Show your support and CCS Sports pride! The store is open through April 8th. Please see the following link to access the store.

https://ccssports2024.itemorder.com/shop/home/

CVU Performing Arts presents three wonderful One Act plays directed by our dedicated seniors. Catch two or three One Act plays starting April 12th!

Friday - Sunday, April 12 - 14th with 2 one acts at each performance:
Friday 4/12 at 7:30 pm: Alice & Antigone Now
Saturday 4/13 at 7:30 pm: Antigone Now & Black Comedy
Sunday 4/14 at 1:00 pm : Black Comedy & Alice

Get your tickets here:
https://www.ticketsource.us/cvutheater

This year's One Acts include:

ALICE by Lindsay Price. Directed by CVU seniors Julia Shrier, Nisha Hickock, and Veronica Miskavage. In this One Act adaptation of the classic story by Lewis Carroll, Alice follows the White Rabbit down a hole and stumbles through several iconic scenes in Wonderland, from the room of doors to the Mad Hatter's Tea Party and the Queen's flamingo croquet game. Along the way, she encounters the Cheshire cat (who is split in three), the Caterpillar on its mushroom, a Pigeon on its nest, and Card Soldiers, before her adventure culminates in a trial before the Queen and King of Hearts themselves.

ANTIGONE NOW by Melissa Cooper. Directed by CVU seniors Xander Olszewski and Lynne Lynne. After the death of her father, Antigone's city has plunged into a terrible and brutal civil war, her brothers end up dead and her uncle settles in as king, leaving Antigone and her sister alone and scared in the world. Antigone goes against the King's law in order to follow the rules of the gods and suffers the ultimate consequence for doing what she feels is right.

BLACK COMEDY by Peter Shaffer. Directed by CVU seniors Frankie Fidler and Addie Nevitt. A world-renowned billionaire is coming to look at the work of the aspiring artist Brindsley Miller. To impress him and the strict, military-oriented father of his fiancee Carol Melkett, he has temporarily borrowed (without asking) the beloved furniture of his friend and neighbor Harold Gorringe. But all hell breaks loose when the lights go out, Harold comes back early from vacation, and the ghosts of Brindsley's past come back to haunt him. In this farcical comedy, the audience gets a clear look at the inner workings of a pleasant evening turned disaster, where light is dark, and darkness is light.

Get your tickets here:
https://www.ticketsource.us/cvutheater

Safety is always an adult responsibility. Kids will be kids, so it’s always an adult’s responsibility to keep children safe. Always assume that curious or impulsive kids may find and touch an unsecured gun, even if they’ve been told not to. If a child handles a gun, a bad decision can quickly become a fatal one. Be SMART adults protect kids by making sure all guns are stored securely, which means they are inaccessible to kids, and by making sure children are never in the presence of unsecured guns. Learn more on this flyer.

Do you need to secure your firearm? Free cable gun locks are available in our school office, the school district's office, the police station, and public libraries. Stop by and pick one up!

Last week, some of Connecting Youth’s CVU Mentor pairs got to check out BETA's research & development facility. Mentees started in the flight simulator and then got a full tour of the facility getting an inside scoop on the electric flight and the development of the Alia - Beta’s proprietary eVTOL.

ParentIN CVSD partners with Lake Champlain Waldorf School to offer a FREE and IN-PERSON event with prevention expert, Jessica Lahey.

Everywhere we turn, our cultural and social practices have normalized and even glamorized alcohol and substance use.

In this important event, join parents, caregivers and educators for a real, fact-based conversation with youth prevention expert, Jessica Lahey. Drawing from her own personal experience and years of research in child development, education, and addiction, Jessica Lahey sheds light on the roots of substance abuse, identifying who is most at risk and offering practical advice for prevention.

Jessica will share actionable steps to communicate with youth about substances and insight into best practices for prevention of addiction. Come with your questions and challenges, and connect with other caregivers in a supportive environment of care for our teens.

Who is this event for?

Prevention is a community responsibility. This discussion will resonate with any positive youth leader - parent or caregiver, educator, coach, mentor, community leader.

Date/Time:

Wednesday, Apr 10, 2024 7:00 PM

Lake Champlain Waldorf School

Only 40 seats are available for this FREE event, sponsored by ParentIN CVSD.

RESERVE your spot at https://rb.gy/eyny9z

Please direct any questions or access needs to one of the e-mail addresses below:

p arentincvsd@gmail.com

parentinburlington@gmail.com

Hello Parents, Caregivers, and Friends of Children with special needs,

My name is Erin Bingham. I am the mother of 2 at HCS - a second grader and a preschooler. My youngest has a rare genetic condition, Williams Syndrome. I am interested in both creating a network of individuals who care for kids with special needs that can serve as a support and working together to establish a Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) that would serve the entire district. SEPACs advocate for the interests of any child with any kind of special need at school. Although there is a commitment from CVSD administration, this is the first step in a long process to gauge interest and commitment, but there is no timeline yet.

If you are interested at any level in either connecting with others who support kids with special needs, or in understanding more about what would be necessary to start a SEPAC, please email me at bingham.erin@gmail.com.

Warmly,

Erin

The Charlotte Library has teamed up with the Charlotte Conservation Commission, the Charlotte Energy Committee, Lewis Creek Association, Sustainable Charlotte, Charlotte Tree Tenders, Pollinator Pathways, Charlotte Grange, Charlotte Land Trust, and the Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge to celebrate Earth Month. Join us throughout the month of April to swap seeds, plant trees, repair things, count frogs, and promote pollinators among other things. Participants can use the Earth Month bingo card/calendar to keep track of events. Everyone is invited to the Earth Month Celebration on April 27 and submit bingo cards for Love Your Earth raffle prizes!

2024 Junior Redhawks Running Camp w/ CVU XC Coach Dave Baird

CVU Athletics - Families should start paying attention to the school athletics website regarding summer sports camp info, captains practices (not mandatory) and info for fall sports especially (tryouts usually start on August 15th). Form Releaf will be live in July so they should ignore that part. Any questions can be directed to the appropriate coach listed on our website or Athletic Director.

CVU Girls LAX Summer Camp - registration is now open! Date: June 18-20, Tues-Thur, 12:30-3:30pm. Who: Players entering grades 5-9. Where: CVU's A Field How much: $125. This is a fundraiser for the girls lax program. CVU coaches as well as current and graduated CVU Lacrosse players will be leading the camp. Questions: tpierson@cvsdvt.org

CVU Summer Camp - CVU summer camp registration is now live. Any questions should be directed to our camp director, Joey O'Brien at cvusummercamp@cvsdvt.org

Horse & Theater Camp - Sentinel Farms, Starksboro. Mon - Thu, 9:00 - 3:00 - weeks of June 24th, July 8th and July 29th. Ages 6-17.

Smugglers' Notch Vermonter Camp Program - Vermonter Summer Programs, ages 7-15.

Register here.

Summer Symphony Camp - www.vyo.org with Berta Frank

Vt Jazz Camp - www.vtjazzcamp.com with Andy Smith and Tony Pietricola

• Athletics
• Bus Schedules / Routes
• CCS Handbook
• Connecting Youth Mentoring
• CVSD Divsersity, Equity and Inclusion
• CVSD Handbook
• CVSD School Board
• Food Service and Menu
• Health Office
• MySchoolBucks
• Volunteer at CCS

• Access Community Education Classes and Registration
• Charlotte Food Shelf
• Charlotte Public Libary

• Charlotte Recreation Department

Jen Roth, Lead Principal

Amanda Riggleman, Assistant Principal

Beth Slater, Director of Special Services