SCS Community Newsletter
Week of April 15, 2024
Principals' Message
Dear SCS Families and Caregivers,
We don't usually start with a photo before the Principals' Message in the weekly newsletter. Then again, we don’t often find ourselves in the path of totality for a solar eclipse! In fact, the next time that will happen in Vermont will be about 300 years in the future. Wherever you were during Monday’s eclipse, we hope you enjoyed the communal experience of being humbled by the power of the cosmos.
We also experienced another rare event this week, though this one was not enjoyable for anyone. On Tuesday, 20% of CVSD faculty members - 15 people at SCS - received Reduction-in-Force (RIF) notices. You may know these better as pink slips. Legally, teacher contracts and RIF notices for 2024-25 must be issued at this time of year. Contracts can only be offered if the district knows they can be honored. Without a passed budget currently, we have to plan for the worst-case scenario. While CVSD expects to retract a majority of the RIF notices and issue contracts instead when we have a passed budget, that’s small consolation to the teachers at SCS who are now in limbo.
Please make your voice heard by voting on or before April 16. Early voting is available at the Shelburne Town Offices on Monday, and the polls will be open from 7:00 to 7:00 on Tuesday. There is also one additional Budget Informational Night on Monday. Please see below for more information about joining that.
We will share our next SCS Newsletter on Friday, 4/26. As a reminder, CVSD schools are closed for April vacation from 4/22-4/26.
With gratitude,
Alison, Brett, & Emily
Voting & Budget Information
Voting Information
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.
Get Informed!
If you have not yet voted, learn more about the proposed budget.
Please see the Budget page of the district's website for additional information about the budget including a Budget Overview and FAQs.
Letter from CVSD Board Chair
Please see this letter from CVSD's School Board Chair, Meghan Metzler.
CVSD Budget Informational Meeting - Hybrid format
Please join district administrators and school board members for an informational meeting about the proposed budget. This will be a hybrid meeting.
Zoom information: https://cvsdvt-org.zoom.us/s/87255024696
passcode: cvsd11
Join by phone: 1-646-931-3860
Passcode: 140966
Monday, Apr 15, 2024, 05:00 PM
CVU room 160
Cabaret Night: TONIGHT, 6:30-8:30 pm
Cabaret night is a very special evening of solo and small group student acts developed by the students. The cafeteria will be transformed into a true cafe and a selection of hors d'oeuvres / small plates will be served. It's all about the FUN but is critical to supporting music enrichment and trips (costs for trips/travel has increased between 20-30% in recent years)
1. Advance In-Person Tickets
- 75 Adult ($11) and 75 Child/Senior ($6) In-Person Tickets Can Be Purchased Here
- Some additional tickets will be available at the door but space is limited.
- Book ASAP if your child is in an Act!
2. LiveStream Tickets ($10)
- This is critical to expand audiences and fundraising!
- The livestream will be professionally recorded and filmed.
- Please invite all your friends, neighbors and relatives to join!
- LiveStream Tickets Can Be Bought Here
All Funds Will Support Music Enrichment and Band/Chorus Trips!
please contact shelburnepto@gmail.com with any questions
Mark Your Calendars
4/16 - CVSD Board Meeting (6:00-8:00 pm, CVU)
4/17 - DEI Community Coffee with Outright VT (8:00-9:00 am, Cafeteria)
4/22-26 - No School - Spring Break
4/29 - School Resumes
5/1 - CVSD Housing Support Drop-In Office Hours (1:00 pm,
5/3 - 6th Grade Chorus Field Trip (9:00 am)
5/8 - DEI Community Meeting (5:00 pm, SCS Library)
5/9 - 4th Grade (Davenport & Newman) Field Trip to Ethan Allen Homestead (8:15-2:15)
5/10 - 4th Grade (Adams, Bartell & Cadwell) Field Trip to Ethan Allen Homestead (8:15-2:15)
5/16 - Spring Band Concert (Wind Ensemble & Stage Band) (7:00-8:30 pm, SCS Gymnasium)
2024-2025 CVSD School Year Calendar
The 2024-2025 school year calendar has been approved by the School Board.
SCS Highlights from the Week
A Big Thank You to Our Incredible Community!
On behalf of the Shelburne Community School PTO thank you to all of you who came out to support our inaugural 3v3 PTO Spring Tourney last weekend. The atmosphere was absolutely electric, filled with excitement, teamwork, and community spirit as participants of all ages came together to showcase their basketball skills and support a great cause. The Tourney showcased 29 teams with 115 players, drawing over 200 enthusiastic spectators. Beyond the spirited matchups and competitive atmosphere, the event served as a vital fundraiser for educational enrichment programs.
A Huge Shoutout to Our Amazing Sponsors and a special thank you to the members of the Saint Michael's College men's and women's basketball teams and Head Coach Shannon who led the K-4 halftime mini clinic.
Volunteers, You Rock! It takes a village so to our dedicated volunteers and staff, thank you for your hard work and commitment in making everything run smoothly throughout the day. A special thank you to our amazing organizers, Hayley Cimler and Kari Kelly, for an outstanding job with this inaugural event!
Congrats to those players from the Shelburne Community who were on winning teams: Noah C, Levi H, Max B (Team Celtics, Boys 7/8 Division), Brett Cluff, Jeff Henderson, Mark Daly, Aaron Dellacroce (Team Scrappers, Adult Coed).
The success of our first-ever 3v3 PTO Spring Tourney is a testament to the strong sense of community and support that exists here in Shelburne. It was heartwarming to see families, friends, teachers, and neighbors come together to cheer on the teams and contribute to a worthy cause.
National Day of Silence at SCS
This year's National Day of Silence was even more successful than last year's. We had 80 students participate in grades 5-8! The ones who chose not to join in were respectful and supportive of their peers. Here is a photo of the badge that they were all wearing and the bulletin board that SAGA designed.
April is Autism Acceptance Month
We celebrate Autism Acceptance Month in April. These are resources that we've shared with our faculty and staff that we encourage families to explore together.
Recycle Eclipse Glasses
The 4th Grade Leadership Council will collect eclipse glasses on Monday, 4/15.
There is a box in the front lobby.
SCS DEI Community Coffee - Wednesday, 4/17, 8:00-9:00 am
Light refreshments served
Where: SCS Cafeteria
Topic: Outright VT
Will share programming and resources for students, families and schools
Special Presentation
by
SCS SAGA Students
&
Special Guest:
Amelia Schlossberg- Outright VT
Family Engagement Manager
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/hxn-tbnn-sxi
Or dial: (US) +1 929-287-3034 PIN: 665 894 066#
The coffee is open to anyone in the SCS school community.
Last coffee is on:
June 12th
Help Save the SCS Ash Trees!
Help save 28 ash trees on Shelburne Community School’s grounds for 6 years!
The students at SCS could use your help. Shelburne Community School has 30 ash trees on its grounds, 28 of which are healthy and beloved by the children. Ash trees are the most prevalent tree at SCS, including lining its main entrance. We’re hoping to raise money for treatment to protect them from emerald ash borer (EAB). Without treatment, all of these beautiful ash trees will eventually die and be removed. It’s a devastating outcome that can be prevented with your help!
We are aiming to raise $10,000 to pay for treating the 28 ash trees for the next 6 years. The SCS PTO is receiving donated funds on behalf of Shelburne Community School. All funds will be transferred to SCS. A long-term plan will be developed for continued treatment of trees and possible removal and replacement of select ash trees. Check out our GoFundMe page to donate and help spread the word. The best time to treat the trees is in June, so we need to act fast or we risk losing trees.
“Without the trees, our school wouldn’t look so pretty and where would we have shade?”
- SCS 1st grader
What is emerald ash borer (EAB)?
EAB is a non-native invasive beetle and is now considered the most destructive pest ever seen in North America. It has now killed over a hundred million ash trees since it was first discovered in 2002 in MI. Sadly, EAB reached VT in 2018 and VT will lose over 99% of its native green, white, and black ash trees.
Why now?
SCS is now within a 10-mile radius of a known EAB infestation. EAB is likely present in our area even if symptoms are not obvious. We need to treat any ash trees we want to save this spring. All of our untreated ash trees will be dead or dying in three to five years.
Why should we save the SCS ash trees?
• Trees have been shown to benefit mental and physical well-being
• Larger trees provide valuable shade and reduce air temperature through evapotranspiration
• Large trees sequester the most carbon and remove the most pollutants from the air
• Large trees remove pollutants from the soil
• Large trees reduce storm runoff and decrease water pollution, which is also important near McCabe Brook and a class 1 wetland
What do we do?
The current scientific recommendation is to treat all high value ash trees through trunk-injected systemic insecticide. SCS’s ash trees will need to be treated every three years to be protected from EAB. Teachers Tree Service will treat the trees with emamectin benzoate by trunk injection, which is the most recommended and environmentally sound treatment.
The number of trees we can treat and save will be dependent on the amount of funds raised. Cost is based on the size of the trunk. Any money raised beyond what is needed will be used for continued treatment of the 28 trees beyond our six year goal of two treatments per tree. The funds raised will be received by the SCS PTO on behalf of SCS. All of the money from the fundraiser will be transferred to SCS.
Need another incentive to donate?
Do you have ash trees on your own property that you would like to save? Greg of Teachers Tree Service has generously extended the rate ($10 per diameter inch) he is giving SCS to anyone who donates any amount to our fundraiser! Just mention it when you call!
Interested in learning more?
Please consider donating! The more money we raise, the more trees we can treat and save! The children and trees thank you!
CVSD News
More Families Now Eligible for Child Care Financial Assistance
Did you know? The state of Vermont helps cover child care costs. Starting on April 7, more families will qualify for tuition assistance based on family size and income. For example, a family of four making $124,800 a year can get help paying for our program. You can find out more about eligibility requirements online. To apply, contact your local Community Child Care Support Agency.
Community Announcements & Events
Story Time at Pierson Library with SCS dad & author Rob Broder - Saturday at 10:30 am
SCS Father, Author, & Librarian, Rob Broder, celebrates the release of his new book, "Reading Together" at the Person Library Storytime tomorrow, 4/13, at 10:30 a.m. Be among the first to hear Rob's new book read aloud, and celebrate at this fun, free event! Flying Pig Bookstore will also be at the event.
2024 Junior Redhawks Running Camp with CVU XC Coach Dave Baird
Summer running camp for students in Grades 5-8: 2024 Junior Redhawks Running Camp w/ CVU XC Coach Dave Baird
Special Education Parent Advisory Council
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
Howard Center Spring Community Education Series: May 2
May 2, 6:30-8:00 pm - Substance Use and Our Community with Howard Center clinical staff: Moderator Beth Holden, MS, LCMHC, LADC and Panelists John Brooklyn, MD, Dan Hall, LADC, Heidi Melbostad, PhD., and others.
Free and open to the public.
Register here: Spring Community Education Series - Howard Center
SCS Useful Links
CVSD Info
Find information about monthly School Board Meetings, community forums such as the DEI Town Hall, and more on the district website. See the year at a glance on the 2023-2024 K-8 School Year Calendar. See The CVSD Story for the latest blog posts about what's happening across the district.
Let's Talk
Still Need More Information?
Website: https://www.cvsdvt.org/shelburne
Shelburne Community School Administration
Brett Cluff, 5-8 Principal
Emily Cogan, Director of Special Education