1. Walk or Roll to School, January 11th

2. Budget Meeting January 9th, 6:30pm @ CVU Room 160

3. ParentIn Greeting from Amy Sayre

01/09 - Intergen Book Groups / Budget Development Meeting

01/10 - 4 Winds Training, 8:15am @WCS Community Room

01/10 - Ski & Ride (Williston Rec Program) - Begins for Grades 1 and Up

01/11 - Walk or Roll to School Day

01/11 - Families as Partners Monthly Meeting, 8:30 - 10:30am @WCS Community Room

01/15 - No School / Martin Luther King Jr. Day

01/16 - Coffee with the Principals, 3:30-4:30pm @ WCS Community Room

01/17 - Ski & Ride (Williston Rec Program), Kindergarten Begins

01/24 - Ski & Ride (Williston Rec Program)

01/31 - Ski & Ride (Williston Rec Program)

by Greg Marino, Williston Schools Lead Principal

It is always exciting for faculty and staff to welcome students back this week after break as we also usher in the new calendar year. It seems as if many of our students didn’t miss a beat as they returned to the daily routines of school this week. I do hope that the break provided you and those you care for with some peace, joy, and a chance to recharge the batteries a bit. I am very grateful to have spent the break with family and for some downtime to reflect on the year behind and consider the opportunities that lie ahead.

You will notice this week’s Bell article from me is a bit shorter than usual, which I will attribute to two factors. The first is some feedback we received from some of you in recent weeks about the School Bell. In her recent School Bell article, principal Filion asked for your feedback about this publication. We are grateful to those of you who shared your thoughts. One of the pieces of feedback received is for us to consider shortening the length of our Leadership articles. Consider that piece of feedback received : )

The second reason for the brevity here is that I was home this week with my first case of Covid-19. About mid-way through the winter break, my wife tested positive. Despite our best efforts to isolate from each other, the illness has moved throughout the house with me and two of my children later testing positive. Thankfully, it appears we are all on the upswing and will be okay, but it did cause us to cancel a trip to see family in New York for the end of the break. As is usually the case, being sick helps one appreciate how important our health is and how easy it is to take for granted when we are reasonably healthy. My optimistic view on these happenings is that I’m getting my 2024 illness out of the way and am looking forward to a healthy rest of the year.

On behalf of the leadership team, I wish you a very happy and healthy new year. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with a question or concern on any topic.

Happy New Year, ParentIN family!

As we step into 2024, we know the New Year can bring a gamut of emotions. For some, it's a time of joy and fresh starts. For others, it's a bittersweet goodbye to a year of challenges. And for most, it's a beautiful blend of both.

Here at ParentIN, we see you, all of you. We see the superhero strength you bring every day, juggling caregiving, work and all the goodies in between. Most of all, we know you’re here because of your unwavering love for your family. Reminding you that ParentIN is your constant sidekick throughout these years. Providing you support groups, resources, and a listening ear when you need a break.

And guess what? We've got some great programming coming!

• CVSD and ParentIN join forces against tobacco/vaping! Check out Access CVU's February cessation classes coming at you!

• Dr. Maheux, UNC brain expert, joins us to talk addiction and science. Get ready for mind-blowing insights about youth and addiction prevention.

• Outright Vermont partners with us for our annual Pride event in June. We’re also working with them on another parent education event to learn together!

We would love to hear your ideas on how to build our programming and strengthen this community. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with hot topics you want addressed or suggestions for learning opportunities you hope to see offered. We can’t do this work without you.

All the best,

Amy Sayre

AN INVITATION:

To 8th Grade Parents, Caregivers, and Students of the Class of 2028

8th Grade Family Night

Champlain Valley Union High School

CVU Gym, Thursday, February 1st, 6:30-7:45 p.m.

This evening will provide you and your student an introduction to the academic and elective programs they will experience in the 9th grade.

Parents, caregivers, and students will be welcomed by Principal Adam Bunting, Core Director Anthony Spagnolo and the Student Council co-Presidents, Nikhil Blasius and Oliver Cheer. Parents/caregivers will then join teacher panels while students will take part in small group tours followed by a presentation in the Theater.

Please be sure your students have all the Winter gear needed. We will be outside for recess unless the temperature is below zero. Without snowpants and boots students, will have to remain on paved and plowed areas.

• First Call - 488-7777: phone support, crisis intervention, assessment and referrals
• In Crisis: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) (National Hopeline Network: USA)
• National Suicide Prevention Life line- 1-800-273-TALK (8255), call or chat online
• Crisis Text Line - text HOME to 741741 (24 hours a day, seven days a week)
• Outright Vermont - support for LGBTQ+ community
• UVM Breathe In Breath Out - How to deal with stress due to COVID-19
• Vermont 211 -Vermont database of resources and services
• Vermont Support Line (833) 888-2557) - peer support warmline open 247 - 365 for call or text
• COVID Counselors @ VT-211
• Teen Crisis Text Line - Crisis Text Line provides free emotional support and information to teens in any type of crisis, including feeling suicidal. You can text with a trained specialist 24 hours a day. Text “HOME” to 741741.
• Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide - Website where you can find information to help yourself or a friend who may be having thoughts of suicide.
• Trevor Lifeline - 1-866- 488-7386 - provides suicide prevention and crisis intervention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. It offers free, 24/7, confidential counseling. TrevorText—text START to 678-678; TrevorChat—instant messaging at TheTrevorProject.org/help. It also runs TrevorSpace, an affirming social networking site for LGBTQ youth at TrevorSpace.