SCS Community Newsletter
Week of October 30, 2023
Principal's Message
Dear SCS Families and Caregivers,
With the cross country state meet on Sunday, our fall sports season comes to a close. Despite the early rain (and heat), we were blessed with good weather for the last few weeks of the season. Thank you to our coaches, athletic director, families, bus drivers, and student-athletes for making it a great season. We were pleased to see the level of engagement and camaraderie that our athletes and spectators exhibited throughout the season. We have a bit of a lull in the schedule until Basketball kicks off at the end of November. We're still looking for a Boys B Team coach! Please have any interested candidates reach out to lpetrucelli@cvsdvt.org.
Next week, we turn the page to November, the fourth grade team welcomes in author Michael Caduto, and photo make-ups take place on Thursday. Next week also includes Halloween. As in recent years, we are encouraging students and staff members to wear regular clothes rather than costumes on October 31. This guidance helps us maintain a productive learning environment for all students throughout the school day. It also aligns with our efforts to be a culturally aware and responsive community. If you have any questions about this policy, please feel free to reach out to us. For those who are interested in more traditional celebrations, the Town of Shelburne has many Halloween-themed events taking place on Sunday, 10/29. There's also a free costume ball at Vermont Teddy Bear Factory on Sunday from 5-9 sponsored by the Shelburne Farmers Market.
Finally, we are excited to welcome Madame Thomas back to the French room next week! Monsieur McLure has done a fantastic job filling in, and we are grateful for his service. Merci et meilleurs vœux, Monsieur!
Take care,
Alison, Brett, & Emily
Mark Your Calendars
Upcoming Dates:
- 11/1 - CVSD Housing Support Team Office Hours at SCS (1:00-2:00 pm)
- 11/2 - Picture Day Make Up
- 11/2 - Sibling Photo Day (3:00 pm)
- 11/6 - Fall Fundraiser Orders Due
- 11/7 - PTO Meeting (6:00 pm)
- 11/7 - Fall Recital/Music Boosters Meeting (7:00 pm/6:30 pm, SCS Band Room)
- 11/8 - SCS DEI Community Meeting (5:00 pm)
- 11/16 - Fall Concert (6-8 Chorus, Symphonic Band & Wind Ensemble) - (7:00 pm, gym)
11/20-24 - School Break
11/27 - School Resumes
Math Counts (Grades 5-8)
School Updates
School Bus Information
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. SCS 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 Barry Russell - brussell@cvsvdt.org
School Photos
Last Call to Sign-Up for Make-up Day!
Make-up pictures will be taken on Thursday, November 2nd.
Please email Jen Marx at jmarx@cvsdvt.org to sign up.
Those that returned order forms by October 17th should be receiving student's pictures
in backpacks by Monday, November 6th!
Vision & Screening Update
The Health Office completed vision and hearing screenings for students in Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th grade this week and will be contacting families of students who need additional follow up in the coming week. We wanted to give a huge "thank you" to the volunteers from the Champlain Valley Lions Club who helped make this possible. Please contact the Health Office with any questions at 383-1108.
Items for Art Teachers
Please see if you have any of the following gathering dust in your home! Art teachers would love these items for projects.
- There is a large box in the front office where students can place items on arrival.
- If you have larger items please contact an art teacher directly:
Julia Costes jmorrison@cvsdvt.org, Pete Boardman pboardman@cvsdvt.org, Carin Lilly clilly@cvsdvt.org
- Clear plastic egg cartons
- Unused canvases
- Old paints, air dry clay, working markers or sharpies.
- Old newspapers and magazines (reasonable volumes)
- Old art tools/supplies
- Fabric and stuffing
- Sewing needles, thread
- Fabric and stuffing
- Empty paper towel rolls
- Yogurt cups and round plastic containers with lids
- We Love "Talenti" Gelato jars with lids!
- Film canisters
- Ribbon
- Shipping/packing supplies and bubble wrap (reasonable volumes)
- Mesh fruit bags
- Objects for still-lifes - teapots, cups, fake flowers, fun small objects.
- Wire of any sort
- Nuts and bolts
- Small hand tools
Come Work at SCS
Morning Movement, Lunch, Recess, Guest Teacher Help Needed
Community Events
Pack the Gut Challenge - Support UVM Women's Ice Hockey - 11/10 - 6:00 pm
Save the date for this season’s Pack the Gut Challenge which will take place on Friday, November 10th when the Vermont Women’s Ice Hockey team will take on Boston College at 6:00 p.m. - admission is only $2 and free for kids 12 and younger. Help us break the Women’s Hockey East attendance record which we set last year with a total of 2,210 fans in attendance at Gutterson Fieldhouse!
Adult tickets can be purchased online at www.uvmathletics.com/tickets or at the Box Office on game day. Kids 12 and younger can claim their free tickets at the Box Office on game day.
We would love to have all youth kids and fans help us to break the attendance record again!
CVU Theater - Upcoming Musical: November 10-12
CVU is inviting all 6th graders in the district, along with a family member, to see the Dress Rehearsal of “Newsies” for free on Thursday, November 9th at the CVU Auditorium at 5:30pm.
CVSD News & Resources
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
District DEI Town Halls
Join the CVSD DEI Team as we celebrate diversity and connect with the diverse cultures of our community. At these in-person events, we will learn the history of the various communities in Vermont. There will be shared cultural experiences, including art, food, and conversations about educational experiences. At each gathering various groups, community members, and stakeholders will present about their lives, work, and contributions to our state.
November 10th, 6-8 pm - Champlain Valley Union High School Library
Latinx Community in Vermont
January 19th, 6-8 pm - Shelburne Community School Library
Nepali Community in Vermont
March 15th, 6-8 pm - Williston Central School
Somali Community in Vermont
Shelburne Food Shelf
If you would like to receive supplemental food for your Shelburne school-age children during any of the four school vacations this year, please complete this form. This form will close on Friday, November 10.
Supplemental food includes milk, eggs, fruit, yogurt, cereal, cheese and various shelf-stable items. Fresh produce is included as well when available. Your phone number and email address will be used for text reminders &/or updates.
NEW!!! Food will be available at the Shelburne Food Shelf, the THURSDAY BEFORE school vacations:
- November 16
- December 21
- February 22
- April 18
Pick up food on Thursdays between 3:00-6:00 pm at the Shelburne Food Shelf (located on the 1st floor of the town office building at 5420 Shelburne Rd). Food is purchased for each child signed up, so if your plans change and you will not require food for a school break, please let us know. You will receive a confirmation email or text to remind you of the dates you signed up for. If any of your contact information changes after submitting your form, please let us know.
Contact: schoolfoodSFS@gmail.com
802-622-3313 ext 3 and leave a message
Vermont Family Support Programs
Family Support Programs are offered online free of charge to Vermont parents and families.
Child Mind Institute
This week at childmind.org, we’re rounding up resources to help parents manage stress and avoid burnout. We look at how support groups and mindfulness techniques can be helpful, and at strategies for coping when you’re dealing with your own anxiety or depression. We also have information on postpartum mental health challenges, which don’t always fit the stereotypes of postpartum depression.
The Family Resource Center has information to help you support children who are struggling with mental health, behavior or learning challenges.
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