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SCS Community Newsletter
Week of January 22, 2024
Principals' Message
Good Afternoon SCS Families and Caregivers,
If you’re still practicing your New Year’s resolutions, good for you! We recently learned (and laughed) about “Quitter’s Day,” which falls on the second Friday in January and marks the day by which most people have abandoned their resolutions. If you’ve made it this far in the year, you’re doing better than 50% of the population. We’re doing our best to stick with our goals for the new year as we look forward to all that is in store for us in 2024. At the K-4 level, one of the conversations we've started has been around the art of decluttering. Simplifying and streamlining systems in our professional lives can help us all reduce stress, increase efficiencies, and live a more balanced life. This past week, we started this practice by physically decluttering learning and work spaces to create environments we feel good in. The hope is that these will feel welcome, inclusive, and productive for others sharing the space as well. Think of it as spring cleaning in January.
We’ve also been thinking about ways to declutter our digital space as well, and we could use your help. We'll be sharing tips and tricks with our teams about ways to organize, unsubscribe, collate, schedule send, etc. and ultimately reduce the visual stimulation and overwhelming feeling pulling up our email inboxes can cause. We would love to connect and converse with you instead. A phone call or an in-person meeting usually feels like the best way to accomplish this. There is certainly a time and place where emails can be the most efficient means of communication, but they can also create a boomerang effect where one email sparks a chain that ultimately floods inboxes.
The goal of decluttering tracks with some interesting research around how the human brain’s ability to focus has been impacted by technological and societal changes in recent years. In Stolen Focus, which was a book several SCS staff members read as part of a book club last summer, the author examines how the constant deluge of information coming at us every minute of every day gets in the way of productivity. Because our brains have to reset every time we “switch” tasks, we lose time when our attention is drawn to our inbox, a text, or even thinking about an upcoming event. On the other hand, in-person interactions lead to more productivity, especially when all parties are truly engaged in the moment. With that as one of our primary resolutions, we invite you to give us a call or set up a meeting the next time you’d like to connect.
We appreciate your help in reducing everyone's stress and giving us more time in our day to focus on what really matters the most to all of us - spending time with your kids! Please read on for some of highlights and updates from a busy week here at SCS. We hope to see many of you at the DEI Town Hall tonight from 6-8 and/or the Town of Shelburne Winter Carnival here at SCS tomorrow from 1-3!
Take care,
Alison, Brett, & Emily
Mark Your Calendars
Upcoming Dates:
1/20 - Shelburne Winter Carnival at SCS (1:00-3:00 pm)
1/29 - CVU School Counselors Presentation to 8th Graders (8:15-9:30 am)
2/1 - Spelling Bee (8:15-11:15 am, SCS library)
2/1 - 8th Grade Family Night at CVU (6:30-7:45 pm, CVU Gym)
2/2 - 4th/5th Grade Finding Nemo Performance (7:00 pm, CVU Auditorium)
2/3 - 4th/5th Grade Finding Nemo Performance (11:30 am, CVU Auditorium)
2/7 - CVSD Housing Support Drop-In Office Hours (1:00-2:00 pm, SCS Conference Room)
SCS Announcements
K-4 Report Cards
K-4 report cards will now be sent home by email using Jumprope, the same reporting tool that is used in grades 5-12. The standards that are being reported on remain the same as the standards in last year’s report card with minor language changes to provide consistency in formatting. We are excited about this shift in reporting as it allows us to have all of our classroom learning data in one place from kindergarten through graduation.
Purpose of the K-4 Report Card:
To communicate with students and families on student progress at this time of the year.
The purpose of this first semester report card is to show your child’s progress on the standards that have been instructed, practiced, and assessed so far this year. We communicate this learning on a 1-4 scale, with 3 being on grade-level for this time of year. A score of 4 means that the student shows initiative and independence on this standard for this time of year; a score of a 2 means the student is nearly meeting grade-level expectations for this time of year; and a score of 1 indicates that the student is working towards expectations with additional support. Please note that the Math Content standards will be scored on a 1-3 scale only, so 4s will not appear. Teacher comments are intended as brief summaries. More extensive narratives of your student’s progress are shared during conferences in the fall and spring. If you have any questions about what you see here, please reach out to the teachers. Thanks for a great first semester!
Reporting Periods:
Formal communication of student progress towards grade level standards happens four times per school year: twice during caregiver/teacher conferences (fall and spring), and twice through report cards (winter and summer). The final report in June typically captures progress for both semesters of the school year.
- Fall Parent Conferences Based on teacher schedule - prior to November break
- Winter Report Cards Emailed home on 1/29/24
- Spring Parent Conferences Based on teacher schedule - prior to April break
- June Report Cards Emailed home around the last week of school
Teacher Comments:
Teacher comments are intended to briefly share something of note regarding your child’s learning in a specific content area. Therefore, you may see teacher comments for some content areas, yet not all, and only when a teacher feels it is appropriate. Extensive anecdotal discussion of your child’s progress occurs during the two specific parent-teacher conference periods in the fall and spring.
Winter Gear Reminders & Needs
Please be sure to have your children full dressed for the weather conditions prior to getting them on the school bus. If there is a need to pull the bus over for an evacuation situation, it will be important that all children are dressed appropriately. If you need assistance accessing winter gear, please reach out to our school counselors or classroom teachers.
And on that note: Calling all winter lovers! Share your love of winter with our most vulnerable students. We are in need of (intact) winter boots and (clean) snow pants!
If you have some lying around please consider donating them to SCS.
Questions?
Contact:
Courtney Close
802.985. 3331 x.179
Message from the Health Office: Help! Head Lice!
Did you know that head lice is the second most common childhood "illness"? It sure is, and because it is so common we have had cases of head lice at SCS over the last couple of weeks. There is not one particular class or grade affected, and on average we have had 1-2 students in the classes that are affected. However, it could be more, but we need your help!
Periodically check for head lice on your child, when they seem itchy or if you hear from cases close to you. If you find lice or nits please call the health office at 383-1108 or 383-1109. Once we hear of multiple cases in a class we will send out a notification to parents and caregivers in that particular class.
Also please call us so we can guide you in the treatment of the head lice, since you can only eradicate it if done correctly. We have a tip and trick sheet we can provide on request at any time!
Student Band Performance
Thank you to Poutine, comprised of SCS 7th grade musicians Eli Bart, Jack Blazewicz, Frank D'Amore, and Thomas Schramm for entertaining us during lunch with their original tunes on Thursday. They were so good that all groups demanded an encore! We're hoping for a follow-up performance for some of our younger grades in the next few weeks.
Library Seeking Lego Donations!
We are creating a new Lego Maker Station in the library for our students to create and build. There is a whole counter dedicated to this new station and while we have some legos we need more for the number of students that will eventually access this area during their library class.
If anyone has legos that they are no longer using and would be willing to donate them to the library it would be greatly appreciated, thank you!
New Library Contest: Lego My Cover
To celebrate the new Lego Maker Station in the library, we have recreated 15 book covers using Legos. Can you tell which books have been "legofied?"
How to participate:
1) Get a blank answer sheet from the library desk
2) Write the title and/or author/illustrator on the answer sheet
3) Turn in your answer sheet to the library desk by Friday, February 16.
The person with the most correct answers wins!
*One winner from each grade and one staff/faculty winner.
*Prizes include a choice of poster, lego book, bookmarks, etc.
NEW times for notification of change in dismissal plans (K-4)
To make the process more efficient and to be sure your student and their teacher get the message, please email your child’s teacher & the main office, or call the main office, by the start of your child's lunch period (see chart). Please note, all lunch times are 15 minutes earlier on Wednesdays.
5-8 Students: We do not need to know change in dismissal plans. However, if your student is unaware of the change, please let us know by 12:30 pm.
Opt-In To Receive Text Messaging
If you aren't receiving messages regarding school closures, bus changes, etc and would like to, please follow these easy directions:
MLK Event
I would like to personally invite you to the 2024 MLK Keynote, Creating a Beloved Community with Dr. Damon A. Williams, visionary and inspirational leader to discuss Creating a Beloved Community. It will be a beautiful and uplifting event. It is free and open to the public!
The keynote celebration will be held on January 25th at 4pm at the Ira Allen Chapel on UVM Campus.
Lashawn Sells
DEI Coach, SCS
Support SCS' Penguin Plunge Team
Once again this year SCS students will be participating in the Polar Plunge, scheduled for Saturday, February 10th, to support Special Olympics Vermont. Follow the links to: join the SCS team, or donate.
Here are some pictures of last year's SCS participants for inspiration!
SCS Sports Registration for Late Winter & Spring Now Open
SCS sports registration is NOW OPEN for the 2023 - 2024 LATE WINTER (Volleyball) and SPRING (Baseball, Softball, Track & Field, and Ultimate Frisbee) seasons.
Registration will close on FRIDAY, February 9, 2024.
SCS Athletics Options:
Late Winter Season:
VOLLEYBALL is open to all 6-8th grade students.
Spring Season:
BASEBALL for all 6-8th graders
SOFTBALL for 5-8th grade girls
TRACK & FIELD for all 5-8th graders
ULTIMATE FRISBEE for all 5-8th graders
If you have a student interested in playing a late winter or spring sport, you will need to complete our registration for SCS athletics. In addition, you will need to submit a Wellness Exam - Sports Participation Form.
Volleyball will begin on Monday, March 4, and run through April 5, 2024.
Spring Sports will begin on Monday, April 8, and run through May, 2024.
Student-athletes will not be allowed to participate until their registration and wellness forms have been completed and submitted.
Feel free to check out the SCS Athletics website, as there is a wealth of information available for families.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Leigh Petrucelli, SCS Athletic Director
CLAIM LOST & FOUND ITEMS by Friday, 2/2
Is your child missing a coat? Where did that favorite hoodie disappear to? Missing a water bottle, gloves, or shoes? There's a good chance the missing item is sitting here in our lost & found waiting to be claimed! Please encourage your child/ren to take a look next week.
Please help us get all the lost and found items back to their appropriate owners. You can stop by the school over the weekend and look through items in the breezeway. We have lots of stuff and are running out of space. We will be donating the stuff to local charities on February 2nd.
Thanks for your help!
All unclaimed items will be donated on February 2.
PTO
Shelburne Winter Carnival at SCS TOMORROW
Saturday, January 20, 2024, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Enjoy Family FUN activities regardless of the weather! You won’t want to miss the Bounce house, games, crafts, and entertainment! Delicious food and treats will also be available for sale!
The PTO will be holding a bake sale at the carnival. If you are able to contribute please sign up here and we will be in touch.
If you have questions please contact Mark Monaghan - monaghan77@gmail.com
Readathon: February 7-March 7
The PTO is sponsoring Shelburne Community School's second annual school-wide Readathon from February 7 - March 7. Our kick-off event is a FREE BOOK SWAP on Wed. Feb. 7 at 6 pm. We will begin collecting gently used children's books (picture books and board books through Young Adult books) beginning Monday, January 8. Look for the drop box in the SCS lobby. Or just bring your books with you on February 7 from 6 - 7:30 and join us in the Green Team Common room for free books, free pizza, crafts, and more!
All are welcome -- you do NOT need to donate books to attend this free event. Please RSVP here so we order enough pizza. Questions? Email scsreadathon@gmail.com
CVSD News
CVSD Early Education Programs News
PreKindergarten Lottery is now open for 2024-2025!
The CVSD Early Education Program is now accepting applications for a random prekindergarten lottery drawing for the 2024-25 school year. This lottery is for an opportunity to enroll in one of our school-based classrooms which run 10 hours per week. Our school-based prekindergarten classrooms are 5 STARs, licensed early education programs that provide play-based, developmentally appropriate environments for all children in an inclusive setting. Our curriculum is based on the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS).
Our programs follow the CVSD school calendar. Children who will be age 3 or older by September 1, 2024, who are not eligible for kindergarten, and live in the communities of Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, St. George, and Williston are eligible to enter the lottery. Families who are selected for the lottery and choose to enroll their child in a CVSD program access their Act 166 publicly funded prekindergarten funds for the school-based program.
All applications must be received by February 5, 2024, and are located on the CVSD Early Education website under 2024-2025 Preschool Lottery . Paper applications are available upon request.
For additional information, questions about our program, or any concerns about your child’s development, please visit our website or contact Director of Early Education, Erin Gagne at egagne@cvsdvt.org. Our Early Education team is also available for developmental screenings in the areas of communication, social-emotional development, motor skills, adaptive development, and cognition. More information about an Early Multi-Tiered System of Supports is also available on the website.
Community Announcements
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