THE NEWSLETTER

The lost and found acquires many new items throughout the week. Please have your child(ren) check frequently. If you stop by CCS during the school day, please check it out for any missing family items. We hate to give away your items.

Any left over items will be donated before the start of Thanksgiving Break (Friday, Nov 17th).

Dear CCS Families, Caregivers and Charlotte Community,

Traditions foster a sense of belonging and community among students and educators. They help to mold common experiences and a feeling of togetherness. These traditions create a sense of continuity and stability within our school environment. At CCS, we focus on activities that promote acceptance and a sense of belonging for all with students at the center.

This week, we came together during our whole school morning meeting to welcome our kindergarteners into the CCS K-8 community through a Carnation Ceremony. Pairs of eighth graders present each kindergartner with a carnation as a symbol of their bond and a promise of support for the coming year. As role models, learning partners, mentors, this group of 8th graders will partner with the youngsters throughout the year creating a lifetime of memories, while learning for themselves the meaning of being a caring citizen in a broader community.

Another wonderful CCS tradition that helps others in our community is when the staff, students and parents work together to fill 12 boxes full of food for our neighbors. This annual collaboration gives others what they need to host and enjoy delicious Thanksgiving foods. The students in K-4 focus on the Thanksgiving boxes and in December, students in 5-8th gather foods to help neighbors through the winter holiday season. Please consider contributing to this amazing cause if you are able.

We wish you a safe and relaxing weekend.

Jen, Amanda and Beth

• Wed, Nov 8th - Early Release Day (1:45pm)
  
• Fri, Nov 10th - Celebrate Latinx Community in Vermont, CVU Library, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
• Fri, Nov 10th - Dance! grades 6-8, MPR, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
• Tue, Nov 14th - STEM Night, 5:30-7:00, MPR
• Wed, Nov 15th - Early Release Day (1:45pm)
• Mon, Nov 20th through Fri, Nov 24th - Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL
• Wed, Nov 29th - Early Release Day (1:45pm)
• Sat, Dec 9th - PTO Holiday Market, MPR & Gym, 10:00am - 2:00pm

Do you love to throw a football, referee a “world-cup soccer game” or enjoy a giggle listening to the creative stories of our youngest learners? How do you feel about the need for all children to have daily opportunities to run, play and enjoy all sorts of Vermont weather? Can you support peers through a play-based conflict, focusing on compromising and perspective-taking? We have a fabulous team of 3-4 staff who supervise all CCS students through a rotation of recess from 10:45-1:00. Having extra folks to support this outdoor priority is needed to buffer staff absenteeism, to positively impact the youth on the playground, and to help cover the various activities that kids enjoy across our campus. If you are interested in supporting this, please reach out to Amanda Riggleman by emailing ariggleman@cvsdvt.org . All volunteers would need to go through the fingerprint process as CVSD volunteers. Volunteering at CCS Website Link"

A CCS parent reached out asking about supporting a Spelling Club for kids using materials from the Scripps Spelling Bee. We’ve had a number of students in grades 3-8 interested in participating in a spelling club during their lunch/recess block. All students curious about working with words and rich literature would be invited to join. We are ironing out some details which include finding few parents to volunteer to support this endeavor. The commitment would be two days a week from 11:00-1:00 (actual days still being determined). If we can get this underway, students who excel at our local spelling could proceed to a larger arena of students who love to work with words. If you are interested in supporting this, please email jroth@cvsdvt.org with your availability. All volunteers would need to go through the fingerprint process as CVSD volunteers. Volunteering at CCS Website Link"

Reminders for overdue books will be sent out next week. Sometimes library books hide in quirky places! Remind students to check behind & under beds and other furniture, in the car, in backpacks, and in their classrooms. Questions and renewal requests may be emailed to hhuestis@cvsdvt.org. Thank you!

Starting on Monday, November 13th, after dismissal until 4

Informational meeting Monday November 6th during recess

What is MathCounts?

It is a national middle school mathematics competition that builds problem-solving skills and fosters achievement through four levels of fun, in-person "bee" style contests.

Who should join MathCounts?

Anyone who likes math in 6th-8th grade
Anyone who might not like math yet but wants to like it more
Anyone who wants to be part of a community
Anyone who wants to check it out!

How does MathCounts at CCS work?

A chance to do collaborative problem solving with problems that are a little bit different to what you usually see in math class

Informational meeting on Monday, November 6th at recess in Ms. Tierney’s Room

(The Learning Lab, across from Mme. Pierson’s Room)

We will have weekly practice at CCS, starting on Monday, November 13th, after dismissal until 4,

in Ms. Tierney’s Room ( The Learning Lab, across from Mme. Pierson’s Room)

We will bring a group to the district and regional competition (and could qualify for the state and national competition!)

Please help support the amazing STEM program at CCS! The PTO is seeking a few volunteers for set up, clean up, and making signs/pointing folks in the right direction for STEM Night; please sign up here. In addition, STEM Night is only possible with the generous donations from our community; please consider a donation of any amount—big or small!

The PTO's holiday market is now accepting applications for vendor booths. Join us Saturday, December 9 from 10am-2pm at CCS. We will have two gyms filled with vendors, a children's DIY craft area, several on site food options as well as a silent auction and raffle. All vendor registration fees from the holiday market will go to the CCS PTO to support a variety of student enrichment programs, including but not limited to STEM, theater, athletics, as well as our community Emergency Care Fund. Please contact us at ccsholidaymarket@gmail.com with any questions.

Our dismissal efficiency and safety relies on clear communication and is a responsibility of our whole community.

• In front of CCS on Hinesburg Road, the speed limit has been reduced to 25 mph and is being regularly patrolled by the Vermont State Police and the Chittenden County Sheriff.

• If you are planning for your child to ride another bus to a friend’s house, to get off at a stop other than their own home (same bus), to be picked up by another family or to walk from the school to another location than home, please send written notification to claware@cvsdvt.org AND your child’s classroom teacher at least 60 minutes before the end of the day.

• Minimize your speed and be cell-free driving through our school parking lots.

CVSD School Transportation

• The shortage of licensed bus drivers is impacting the dependability of bus transportation around the state. CVSD does everything possible to not affect the timing and reliability of our routes. There may be times when pick-up in the morning or drop-off in the afternoon need to be altered and we will give as much notice as possible. CCS will also be paying close attention to field trips requiring buses and co-curricular activities. If you or anyone you know are interested in becoming licensed drivers, please reach out to CVSD Transportation Director, Barry Russell- brussell@cvsvdt.org .

• All students riding a bus must comply with the directions of the school bus driver for the safety of all. Students are expected to be sitting calmly with their whole body sitting on the seat. Interactions must not be a distraction to the driver.

In order to allow for the buses to have a safer passage to accomodate their wide turn radius, traffic flow changes were made this year, specifically to the 2 west parking lots (cafeteria side). We would like all of our bus drivers, staff, parents/caregivers, and visitors to please follow the below traffic pattern.

Are you a fun, caring and trustworthy adult looking to make a true difference in a young person's life? Consider mentoring! Connecting Youth is seeking community volunteers to join our team of mentors for 5th-12th grade students across Champlain Valley School District.

• Mentors and mentee pairs meet weekly for about an hour
• School year commitment
• Mentor training and continual support provided by CVSD mentor coordinators.
• Middle school mentors have access to dedicated spaces for cooking, crafting, playing games and developing a friendship.
• High school mentors work alongside students to grow their skills and resilience, exploring new interests and experiences.

Learn more here or contact a CVSD Mentor Coordinator today

• Charlotte Central School, Kate Rooney, krooney@cvsdvt.org, 802-425-6682
• Hinesburg Community School, Livy Bulger, lbulger@cvsdvt.org, 802-482-6248
• Champlain Valley Union, Alison Duback, aduback@cvsdvt.org 802-482-8921

Free Webinar for Caregivers & Educators: Teens, Social Media & Mental Health.

Virtually join ParentIN CVSD at 7pm on 11/16 as we host Erin Walsh of Spark and Stitch Institute for a live webinar addressing your screen time struggles and questions with science and understanding.

We will explore questions like:

• What is the impact of social media and gaming on mental health?
• Is technology connecting young people or isolating them?
• Is internet, gaming or phone addiction real?
• What do kids need from parents as they navigate online risks and opportunities?

The live event is free and ticketed. Register today at bphc.link/erinwalsh

Calling all parents and caregivers of grades 6-12 students! Help us enhance our resources for CVSD youth and families by taking this quick 5-minute survey. Your participation automatically enters you into a raffle for a chance to win one of 3 valuable $50 grocery store gift cards.

ParentIN CVSD values your input, and your anonymity is guaranteed. Your honest responses are vital for program improvements and new initiatives. If you have any survey-related questions, don't hesitate to contact Amy Sayre asayre@cvsdtvt.org

Don't miss this opportunity to share an informative and positive impact on your community. Thank you!

• 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