Cornwall School News 8/30/24

Hello Cornwall families!

We had a busy first week at Cornwall School! Cornwall staff have carefully planned for how to strengthen each and every student's sense of belonging. Part of that effort includes consistently teaching, and having students practice, how to respect ourselves, each other, and our environment. We have been paying special attention to setting up good habits and routines around recess, so I spent a lot of time roaming the playground. One that thing that struck me was students of all ages play together; I saw so many older siblings helping, welcoming, even seeking out their younger siblings. And it wasn't just siblings. Kindness and a welcoming spirit abounded.

Thanks so much to the Friends of Cornwall School for generously arranging for our newest community members - kindergarteners and new students in other grades - to have a beautiful blue Cornwall School t-shirt like everybody else. Students' faces lit up as I handed them their shirts and welcomed them to our community. I look forward to growing our shared sense of belonging in other ways in the weeks and months ahead.

- Nadya

Bus routes are still being ironed out, which means that the estimated times on the Bus routes are still estimates - the bus could arrive earlier or later. Please remember that it is unsafe and illegal to pass a school bus that has it's red lights flashing, from either direction, even in a parking lot. For all things bus-related, please call the school or email Laurie lballantine@acsdvt.org.

Along those lines, the current haphazard traffic patterns through the parking lot are not safe. , especially at pickup. It feels like the wild west! We will study the situation and develop a plan for a new traffic pattern that we will need everyone to follow. Look for details in the the next newsletter. We hope to put the plan we develop into effect on Monday, 9/16.

FOCS is excited to welcome families and community members back for another wonderful year at Cornwall School! We invite you to join us on the first Thursday of each month from 8-9am in the school’s library. Our first meeting will be on Thursday, 9/5.

FOCS supports and hosts numerous activities and events throughout the year, starting with the Back to School Potluck on 9/12 (more info to come!)

FOCS will do our best to communicate all the opportunities to participate and volunteer for these activities and events, but if you have any questions please reach out to Molly Daly or Elissa Eckhardt at focs.vt@gmail.com

September 12, Back to School Night and Friends of Cornwall School (FOCS) Potluck.

September 4, 3rd Grade Field Trip to the Knoll #1

September 11, 3rd Grade Field Trip to the Knoll #2

September 18, 3rd Grade Field Trip to the Knoll #3

September 25, 3rd Grade Field Trip to the Knoll #4

Click here for the ACSD 24-25 school year calendar.

Once school gets underway, there will be more opportunities to volunteer, such as chaperoning a field trip or providing transportation. ACSD has a sign-up process that ensures our students’ safety. For all the details on how to do that, see the ACSD website under Work With Us.

There are quite a few steps. Don't despair! Once you're in the system, it is much easier moving forward.

We love, and rely on, our substitute teachers! In addition to classroom substitutes, we need subs in the library and as paraprofessional classroom supports. You can always say yes or no to days. You can sign up in advance for expected absences or receive a call for emergent needs.

To apply please visit this listing. If you have trouble with that link, please go to schoolspring.com and search for "Substitute" using the area code "05753".

Do you volunteer in our schools? Join Superintendent Wendy Baker for a discussion about how to streamline, strengthen, and improve our volunteer program at ACSD schools. We will schedule a time to meet this fall to gather your feedback. Interested?