Wildcat Buzz
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January 26, 2024
Top Buzz -
1. Important Safety Reminder: Please drive slowly and carefully during arrival and dismissal
2. Kindergarten Registration Open February 1
Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming Events
01/31 - Ski & Ride (Williston Rec Program) / Swift House Open House, 6pm - 8pm
02/01 - 8th Grade Parent Night, 6:30-7:45pm @CVU Gym
02/02 - 7/8 District 3 Music Festival (select band & chorus students)
02/06 - Grade 3 & 4 Art Show @5pm/4th Grade Chorus Concert, 6:30pm @ WCS Auditorium
02/08 - Williston Family as Partners Monthly Meeting, 8:30 - 10:30am @WCS Community Room
02/09 - 5th/6th Grade Activity Night, 6:30 - 8:30pm
02/13 - Walk or Roll to School / Kaleidoscope to Flynn Theatre
02/13 - Conversation with the Principals, 6:30-7:30pm @WCS Community Room
03/11 - Lucky U starts (Save the Date)
03/14 - Williston Family as Partners Monthly Meeting, 8:30 - 10:30am @WCS Community Room
03/23 - Big Basket Raffle (Save the Date!)A Message from the Williston Schools Leadership Team
by Lauren Goracy, Director of Special Services
How is Williston Schools implementing Act 173? Part 3
Hello Williston Community!
I took a brief pause from Act 173 to discuss staffing needs and gratitude around the holiday breaks. I wanted to circle back to the second lever of Act 173. The second lever of Act 173 is Educational Support Teams (EST)-As part of our Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS). I’ve included links below of the past Wildcat Buzz Articles for Act 173 and MTSS. Feel free to take a look.
Who is this for?
An EST plan is for all students who may need temporary support to be successful. A student may need a plan related to Academics, Social-Emotional Behavioral Supports, and any other need related to school.
What is the purpose and function?
An EST is a written document that outlines the academic, behavioral, social/emotional and/or other supports a student may need in order to be successful in the general education environment. This plan documents the supports for students who require additional assistance within the general education curriculum which include action steps and goals.
Who makes up an EST team?
Administrators
Teachers
Special Educators
Other staff with behavioral and academic expertise
School Counselors
School Psychologists and/or social workers
Family
Student (When possible)
Other non-school supports/advocates
What are some core components?
Collaborative problem solving to determine whether additional supports are needed for a student to make appropriate progress, and to monitor that progress. This may include academics, attendance, behavior, or enrichment activities. The team can offer suggestions for student supports that may not have been considered in previous planning efforts.
EST meetings result in assigned action steps. The EST has an effective method of documenting meetings and decisions.
The EST monitors the student’s progress while receiving the supports and makes determinations regarding entry and exit criteria.
So what does this look like at Williston Schools and CVSD today?
Williston Schools conduct EST meetings weekly both at Allen Brook School (Tuesday mornings) and Williston Central School (Wednesday mornings). Students are often recommended through the Kid Talk Process. Kid Talk is a weekly meeting that all houses have that is also a place for collaborative consultation with grade-level colleagues. A student may be recommended from Kid Talk, but teachers and parents can also make a request for an EST outside of Kid Talk based on specific student needs.
Champlain Valley School District also has a district level EST team that includes the superintendent, administrators, and additional central office staff. The purpose for this district level oversight is to ensure that all schools:
Have access to all the supports students need
Provide equitable student access to these supports
Develop effective and measurable support for student plans
Use data in systemic planning about the need for supports
CVSD has also recently created an EST design team that consists of central office staff, building administrators, interventionists, and teachers. This is at the beginning stages of development and this team will be meeting in February to discuss exit and entrance criteria for both interventions and EST plans across the district. The goal is to determine a consistent process and to align exit and entrance criteria across buildings.
Williston School and Champlain Valley School District are continuing to improve their practices in their Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports and Educational Support Teams. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at lgoracy@cvsdvt.org.
Links to the previous Wildcat Buzz related to Act 173:
Special Announcements & Notices
January is Mentor Appreciation Month
Did you know Connecting Youth Mentoring is one of the largest programs in Vermont? We serve more than160 5th-12th grade mentees. And 80% of our them agree or strongly agree that their mentor makes them feel like they matter. That’s impact!
January is Mentor Appreciation Month, and we want to acknowledge the positive impact our mentors have on our young people across CVSD. Our mentors are a special group of folks; their generosity is invaluable. One hour a week, they connect with their mentees, nurturing relationships, building trust and instilling life-long skills.
Thank you, CY Mentors for your dedication to our young people and our community. Your time, guidance, and support make a difference everyday. We are so grateful for all that you do. To learn more about mentoring and Connecting Youth, visit our site.
Connecting Youth Takes on Big Tobacco
Earlier this month, over 40 middle school students from Williston Central School and Hinesburg Community School attended the annual 802 Youth Leadership Summit to tackle a critical issue: exposing the harms of commercial tobacco and fighting back against Big Tobacco. The summit brought together kids from across the state including a mix of students from Williston’s CY Lead (Connecting Youth Leadership Education and Anti-Drug) and Hinesburg’s VKAT (Vermont Kids Against Tobacco).
These young leaders didn't just listen – they spoke up! They had rich conversations with their peers, brainstormed creative prevention campaigns, crafted impactful messages, and walked away with the confidence to bring their anti-tobacco activism back to their schools and communities.
We're so proud of our students for taking the initiative to fight for a healthier future. Their dedication and passion is truly inspiring! If you're looking to get involved in the fight against Big Tobacco, reach out to our CVSD Student Assistant Professionals here
Lunch Menu
From the Health Office
Winter Gear Reminder
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.
The Buzz at ABS
Kindergarten Registration - Opens Feb 1, 2024
Will your student turn 5 before September 1, 2024? If yes, Fall 2024 Kindergarten registration will open February 1. Please visit our information page for details.
All ABS PreK and Act 166 parents/caregivers should receive an email with instructions by January 30th.
The WCS Wildcat What's Up
Congratulations to the Wired Cats & Brain Bots!
Our two Lego Robotics Teams - the Wired Cats and the Brain Bots had a great weekend at the Vermont State Championships at Norwich University on Saturday. Be sure to read all about it in the Wildcat What's Up
8th Grade Family Night at CVU High School
4th Grade Chorus Concert - 2/6/24
- We will perform during the school day for a student audience.
- The evening concert will be at 6:30 pm in the WCS auditorium. Musicians should arrive by 6:10.
- Musicians will wear their blue performing arts shirts with black bottoms.
Grade 3 & 4 Art Show!
- Come see wonderful works by WCS 3rd and 4th grade students!
- Community Room at WCS
- 5-6:15 pm on 2/6 (prior to the 4th grade chorus concert)
- Info: abowker@cvsdvtorg or sbeeken@cvsdvt.org
Williston Families as Partners
Big Basket Raffle
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Coffee with the Principals
& 30 minutes for your questions
WFAP Volunteer Crew
Annual Fund
Four Winds Nature Institute
This Year's Theme: The Earth
Blanket of Air (Jan.)
Nature of Sound (Feb.)
Water Cycle (March)
Wind & Clouds (April)
Get Your Bearings (May)
Nature's News
Contact Four Winds
If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please contact: wsdfourwinds@cvsdvt.org.
Transportation - Food Service - Safety Team
Williston Schools Food Service
Williston Schools Safety Team
Click here for meeting highlights and updates throughout the school year
CVSD: School Board - DEI - Superintendent
Community Connections
Hello from the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library Youth Department! Find out more about programs at http://www.damlvt.org or by calling 878-4918.
*YOUTH PROGRAMMING*
Children in 5th grade and up may use the library unattended, while those in grade 4 or under must be supervised by a person over 16 years of age. For information on the Unattended Children Policy, see above or visit www.damlvt.org. Parents and guardians are encouraged to stop by or call 878-4918 to chat with a youth librarian about expectations and the library's after-school experience.
Saturday Music
Saturday, January 27, 10:30-11 a.m. Wrap up January with some preschool music and dancing with Linda Bassick!
Teen Movie Night
Monday, January 29, 5-7:20 p.m. Ages 12+. PG13. Wrap up this series with the final battle at a magical school!
Storytime
Tuesdays, 10:30-11 a.m. Join Danielle for stories, songs, and rhymes.
After School Meditative Coloring
Wednesday, January 31, 2-3 p.m. Enjoy some quiet chatter and coloring after school.
Preschool Music & Preschool Playtime
Thursdays, 10:30-11 a.m. Sing and dance with Linda Bassick! Followed by preschool playtime from 11-11:30 a.m.
Infinity Cube Craft
Friday, February 2, 5-5:45 p.m. Make your very own infinity cube fidget toy using tape and wooden blocks!
Saturday Storytime
Saturday, February 3, 10:30-11 a.m. Start your weekend off with Cindy’s Saturday Storytime!
Vermont Reads
Between now and January 31, share a favorite family recipe and a 3-5 sentence story that includes the preparation and sharing of that food, or the importance of that food to your family and/or culture. The best story wins a set of cookie cutters and cookie decorations. Submit stories to bonnie@damlvt.org. Submissions will be included in a community cookbook to be shared in the library.
The challenge is inspired by this year's Vermont Read, Last Night at the Telegraph Club, by Malinda Lo. Pick up or check out a copy of this book in the library. Events related to this book will noted on our website and calendar!
The upcoming Spring/Summer Program guide, which will be mailed to households in mid-February. Look for the picture on the cover of the Program Guide. Other pictures used in the guide will be from those submitted for the contest. Thank you to everyone who submitted a picture and all those who voted. Watch for the Fall/Winter Program Guide Cover Photo Contest in August. We are going to do this for each guide, so be sure to get those great pictures to send in.
Ice Rink- The Rink is OPEN. Entrance to the rink, by the warming hut, will be open when the rink is safe to use, and closed off by fence when rink is unsafe or making ice. Opening and Closing of rink will be posted on Facebook and on the home page of the Rec. website. Respect- Please respect the rink, be careful of liner, boards, and brackets, so they can be reused each year. Also, stay off the rink when closed so ice can be formed that is safe to use. Respect the users of the rink and share in the use. No one group has priority or allocated time. All are welcome!
Table Tennis- There are still spots available in the Table Tennis for Tuesday nights, 6:30-8:30p. Pre-registration and payment is required. Register on the Recreation website. This program is for those 12+. All youngsters 12-15 must be accompanied by an adult each week. https://willistonvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30311
Youth Lacrosse- Registration Opens February 4. Early-Bird Discount Deadlines are set for each program. Lacrosse is a fast paced sport that combines the power of football and hockey and the endurance of soccer and basketball. The KinderRec program is coed and is a child/parent program for ages 5 & 6. The 1st-8th grade programs offer separate boys and girls teams. Volunteer Coaches are needed in these programs.
Summer Camps- Registration Opens February 8 for Williston residents. A Summer Camp Guide will be mailed to homes the week of February 5. Guide will have Day Camps and Enrichment Camps listed, as well as registration information. Detailed info on all camps will be listed on the Recreation website starting February 7.
One-Click Information
Allen Brook School
Start Time @ 7:50am;
Dismissal for PreK & K at 2:25pm - grades 1 & 2 @2:30pm
Wednesday Early Dismissal @ 1:25 & 1:30
Williston Central School
Start Time @8:00am;
Dismissal grades 3 & 4 @2:35pm - grades 5-8 @2:45pm
Wednesday Early Dismissal @ 1:35 & 1:45
Resources for Families
- 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.