Cougar Chronicle
November 22, 2024
The Principal's Office
The Week Before Thanksgiving Potluck
Thank you to all who came out to our “Week Before Thanksgiving” Potluck last night. It was great to share a meal with our Calais family and the food was delicious! It was a great dress(ing) rehearsal for the real Thanksgiving next week. I know my belly will be ready for the big show!
We plan on having more community meals in the future, so be on the lookout.
3rd Grade Prodigy Math Class Challenge - 1st Place
Mrs. Jackson’s 3rd Grade students won a statewide Prodigy Math Class Challenge for early November. Our students placed 1st among participating schools in Vermont for answering 634 questions correctly. Prodigy is a math learning program that uses games to help students learn math concepts and is used by schools across the state. Awesome job mathing, 3rd Grade!
Lifetouch Pictures - Discount Code
Dear Parents,
As a token of appreciation, Lifetouch is offering discounts on school photography!
- 50% off a purchase of $50+ with code USNOV50
- 40% off a purchase of $40+ with code USNOV40
- 30% off a purchase of $30+ with code USNOV30
Valid through 12/1/24
To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an online account. Don't forget to order your FREE Digital SmileSafe card!
More about the Smilesafe program here.
Thank you!
Operation Spread the Joy
For the holiday season, we will also be collecting new and gently loved toys for families needing assistance creating some holiday magic. There is a box in the lobby for toy donations and we hope to fill it to the top!
Holiday Support
If you are a Calais Elementary family in need for this holiday season, please reach out to our counselor, Ruth Frisenda at 802-454-7777 ext 105 or rfrisenda@u32.org.
If you would like to help families in need in any capacity this holiday season, please reach out to Danielle in the office at 802-454-7777 or dmackay@u32.org. We can give you specific needs for families in the community. We also accept cash or gift cards to grocery stores, Walmart or Amazon. Let's help make to make this a special holiday season!!
Winter Gear
We are also looking for donations for winter gear for some of our families in need. If you would like to volunteer to donate any items, please sign up here. The date says 12/2 in hopes that we can get these items to the kids after the break but it doesn't need to be on Monday, it's just as soon as possible!
If you are a Calais family in need of any of these items, please reach out to our counselor, Ruth Frisenda at 802-454-7777 ext 105 or rfrisenda@u32.org or Danielle in the office at 802-454-7777 or dmackay@u32.org.
Gifts for Giving
It's almost time for Gifts for Giving! For anyone who is not familiar with this Calais tradition, it is an all day event filled with various craft making stations where students rotate with their class to make gifts to bring home for their families. We were not able to have it last year so this year we hope for a great turnout and will do everything that we can to make it a success! We are scheduling this event for 12/18 this year with a "snow date" of 12/20.
We already have enough craft stations for this event already. THANK YOU to everyone who signed up so fast. If you would like to help at a craft station, we could still use two or three more volunteers. If you would like to volunteer to help at one of those craft stations, please email Danielle at dmackay@u32.org. Either myself or some other volunteers will be reaching out to you soon if you were someone who volunteered.
Would You Rather Watch Football or the Parade on Thanksgiving? RESULTS
"Would You Rather"
Stuffing or Mashed Potatoes
Stuffing
Mashed Potato
Tiny Mic Interview w/ Mr. Weiss
Important Dates
11/25 - Open Gym Basketball
11/25-11/29 - Vacation - No school for students
11/30 - Open Gym Basketball
11/30-1/4 - Bottle Drive to help U-32 French Class Fly To France
12/12 - Parent Planning Team Meeting
12/16 - Coffee and Conversations with the Superintendent @ Calais Elementary School
12/17 - Community Forum with the Superintendent @ Maple Corner Community Center
12/18 - Gifts for Giving
Calais Cougar Online Merchandise Store
With the Holidays fast approaching, there is no better gift than a Calais Cougars gift! Check out the online Calais Cougar store and find the perfect gift for the Cougar in your life. Shirts, sweatshirts, hats, sweatpants, bags, even sandals are just some of the items you can get as a gift. This store is sponsored by the Friends of Calais and part of the proceeds benefit their incredible programs. Check the link below and order today!
Backpack Program
Dear Calais Families,
We will be starting the Backpack program soon here at Calais Elementary School for families. The program is designed to provide families with children who attend Calais, the necessary food and clothing that they may need throughout the school year. Food and Gift bags will be dispensed in a discreet and caring manner. This program runs the full school year on a weekly basis with exception to student breaks and summer. This includes winter clothing, Thanksgiving and Christmas presents, in addition. There is no cost associated with this program. If you wish for your child to participate in the program, please sign below and return this letter to the school in your child's folder or drop it off at the Main Office by next Friday. Thank you and please let us know if you have any questions or any needs for your child at any time.
Feel free to email me at rfrisenda@u32.org or call 802-454-7777 ext 105 at any time.
Sincerely,
Ruth Frisenda
School Counselor
Calais Elementary School
Parent Planning Team - Meeting on December 12th
The Calais Parent Planning Team will be meeting on December 12th at 4pm in the Library. The Team is going to start planning events for the remainder of the year, including a Winter Carnival. We will discussing other ideas for events as
If you are interested in helping to plan events for our school and our students, please feel out this Parent Planning Interest Form. We want to continue to do big things for our students, including events big and small, but we need help! If you are interested in helping to plan these events, please feel out the form.
December Menus
Family Handbook
Please review the 2024-2025 Family Handbook. This handbook spells out procedures, guidelines, expectations, and list of resources. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Weiss.
Volunteer Opportunities
One of our goals this year is to engage with our community, not just parents and families, but the larger Calais community. This school is part of the community and we want the community to come and be part of CES.
You may want to volunteer in the classroom, help us coordinate activities or chaperone trips, tap into a talent to teach our students, or generally be available to help where needed. We will welcome you all to Calais!
Work continues on the details for the Calais Volunteer Program as there are a few moving pieces that need to be completed, but we want you to let us know of your interest. Please put your name on our list by filling out the Volunteer Program Form.
Basketball 2024 - Sign Up Now!! 🏀
Here is the link to the digital form to register for basketball this year. If you would like a paper copy, please email Danielle at dmackay@u32.org.
Open Gym WILL be this Saturday (3-6) and Monday (PreK-2)
Lots of Covid Tests to Share! Exp. Date 12-17-24
Dear Colleagues and Neighbors - The Town of Calais has received hundreds and hundreds at-home covid tests; plenty to share!
Please email to let us know if you would like some, and when you would like to come pick them up from the Calais Town Office (sorry, no deliveries).
Barbara Butler - assistanttownclerk@calaisvermont.gov
Teegan Dykeman-Brown - townclerk@calaisvermont.gov
Links and Resources
Type in your zip code or county to find different resources in your area!
Family Support Programs
Free online Parent Education Programs to any parent/caregiver in Vermont who wants support and/or to learn new parenting skills.
Do you or someone you know want to learn more about the programs we offer?
Visit our website at: www.pcavt.org/family-support-programs,
email us at familysupport@pcavt.org or
call 1-800-CHILDREN
Nurturing Parenting®,
Strengthening Families Programs &
Circle of Parents®
Curriculum-based, parenting education programs for families experiencing stress.
Upcoming Parent Education Programs:
All programs are offered virtually and FREE!
Programs are 2 hours per week for 14-18 weeks
Nurturing Program® for Families in Substance Use Treatment & Recovery
starting October 22, Tuesdays 5pm
Nurturing Skills™ for Families -
starting October 29, Tuesdays 5:30pm
Strengthening Families Program with Children Birth -3
starting October 30, Wednesdays 1pm
Nurturing Skills™ for Families -
starting November 4, Mondays 10am
Nurturing Skills™ for Families -
starting November 5, Tuesdays 6pm
Nurturing Program® for Families in Substance Use Treatment & Recovery
starting November 6, Wednesdays 8:30am
Nurturing Program® for Families in Substance Use Treatment & Recovery
starting November 7, Thursdays 9am
in person Turning Point Center Barre
starting November 13, Wednesdays 6pm
Nurturing Program® for Families in Substance Use Treatment & Recovery
starting November 13, Wednesdays Noon
Nurturing Skills™ for Families -
starting November 13, Wednesdays 11am
Strengthening Families Program for Families with Teens
starting November 14, Thursdays 530pm
Upcoming Circle of Parents Support Groups:
Circle of Parents® is a network of professionally facilitated, peer-led, self-help support groups for using a strengths-based
approach and a shared leadership model.
All Circles are offered virtually and FREE!
Circles meet weekly for 60-90 minutes and are ongoing
*Participants may join anytime
Tuesdays 630pm
Thursdays 515pm
Reach out to familysupport@pcavt.org for more information
Comic by Franny
November Birthdays
Gracen
Oliver
Serenity
Charlotte
Hazel
Greta