Shelburne Community School
Weekly Newsletter
April 5, 2021
Principal's Message
SCS Families,
Good morning and welcome to this slightly tardy installment of our weekly newsletter. I was fortunate enough to receive my second vaccination shot on Sunday and it knocked me out of commission for a day. We are excited that the vast majority of our educators and educators across the state will have the opportunity to become fully vaccinated prior to the upcoming April break. We are also thrilled that many of you will have the same opportunity in the coming days and weeks. It is a great source of hope for our entire community.
Speaking of hope, last week saw our 7th and 8th graders begin to increase their number of in-person learning days. We welcomed back our roughly 140 7th and 8th graders last Wednesday for their first 3-day week. The day was extremely positive for these students as they experienced a full schedule and even were able to experience full-scale in-person band and choir classes for the first time this year. We look forward to continuing this format and schedule through at least April break.
The changes are unlikely to stop there. This Thursday all CVSD school leaders will be meeting to build a plan for how to adjust to the new formal guidance that we expect to come from the state in the next week or so. We know that social distancing guidelines will change for our older students. We will not know the other specific changes to the guidance until we receive it. But, we are intent on pivoting as best we can to increase and improve the in-person student experience through the end of the school year. I hope that we will have even more to share in this newsletter next week.
We continue to stress the fact that all of these potential changes are occurring on the heels of a week that saw more COVID disruptions in our district than any other week of the pandemic thus far. While SCS was extremely lucky to dodge those disruptions last week, CVSD saw the highest number of cases and close contacts we have seen in a single week. This data does not prohibit us from looking forward to expanding opportunities for our students. But, it does frame our decision-making and reminds us that positivity rates are higher for school-aged students right now than they have been previously. We will continue to adhere to best practices to ensure we can stay open with limited disruption and we hope you can commit to the same.
The weather for later this week looks amazing, which will allow our students to get outside even more often. The wonderful folks from Vermont Tent Company will be installing two large 30x60 tents over the break, which will only enhance our ability to provide instruction in outdoor spaces. We look forward to one of those tents supporting music instruction throughout the spring. Spring athletics kicked off yesterday, which saw our baseball, softball, and track and field programs all getting up and running. Yearbook sales are still ongoing, but the deadline for orders is fast approaching (April 12th). Make sure to get your child's order in before it is too late. You can find all the details below.
Have a wonderful week!
Updates from Ms. Celmer
In an effort to reduce the length of our PreK-8 Community Newsletter, I have moved our PreK-4 information into the following Shelburne Community School Elementary Newsletter for April 2021 (digital format), PDF format. I invite you to click on this link monthly for new updates that are specific to our youngest learners. I hope you enjoy this new format and the content provided. We will also provide a hardcopy version per family on the first Friday of every month.
Families, please complete the following Google Form Survey this week (if you haven't done so already) to give us your feedback on your recent family conference. Your feedback will help us plan future conferences. Thank you!
SCS News
SCS PTO Red Wagon Plant Sale
SCS has teamed up with Red Wagon again to offer a great selection of vegetable plants, herbs and flowers. Help support SCS and a local business while taking care of all your gardening needs!
This year, you can also buy a plant and donate it to the SCS Vegetable Garden or the SCS Rain Garden.
Order Forms Due: April 16th
Plant Sale Pick Up at SCS: the week of May 24th (more details to follow)
Submitting Your Order Form:
Please fill out the order form and return it 1 of 2 ways:
- make a copy and e-mail to ctharpe25@gmail.com
- print a copy and send in with your child to be dropped off at the front office
Payment Options:
- Venmo @ SCSPTO
- PayPal
- Checks made payable to SCS and mailed or dropped off at the front office
Questions? Email ctharpe25@gmail.com or go to www.redwagonplants.com for more information about the plants.
Thank you for your continued support!
2020-2021 SCS Yearbook
This is the FINAL full week for yearbook orders. All orders are due next Monday, April 12th. Please use the link below or return your order form to school with a check for $30 made out to Shelburne Community School with "yearbook" written in the memo line. If you need another order form, please email Nancy Nakhleh and she will get it to your child's teacher.
CVSD News
Superintendent and Director of DEI Search Updates
The searches for both our new Superintendent and the CVSD Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are well underway. We have updated both headlines on the District's website to provide information about the process and current status.
Stay tuned for more information as each process reaches its conclusion.
Food Service
We are so happy to share that the USDA has announced it is allowing schools to continue to provide free breakfast and lunch meals to all children 18 years old and younger. CVSD will be offering in-school meals, pickup, and delivery. To read about our program, see our menu, and place your order, go to our district website at https://www.cvsdvt.org/ and scroll down to "Foodservice." Our amazing food service team is excited to continue to serve the children of our community meals that are safe, nutritious, and delicious!
Your child will have the opportunity to order breakfast and lunch each morning when they arrive at school.
Community Resources
"Education Law Workshop for Families of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind Students"
Sponsored by Vermont Hands & Voices
April 17, 2021 3-5pm via Zoom
Are you the parent of a D/deaf, hard of hearing or DeafBlind school-aged child in Vermont? Have you ever wondered what your child’s school is required to provide by law? Does your child qualify for compensatory (make-up) services due to COVID?
Join Vermont Hands & Voices on Saturday, April 17th from 3pm – 5pm for this free workshop via Zoom to discuss these questions and more. Rachel Seelig, Disability Law Project Staff Attorney, Vermont Legal Aid, will be providing information on the educational impacts of COVID, ADA Title II’s effective communication mandate, and other information pertinent to a D/deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind child’s education. This workshop is focused on parents and families of school-aged children 3-22 years old, but professionals are welcome to attend. ASL interpretation will be provided, and CART can be arranged if requested ahead of time. Pre-registration is required at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9YCHY78 .
Do you have specific questions you'd like answered? You can submit your questions on the registration form if you register by April 12. If time allows, we will have a Q&A time at the end of the workshop.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month!
Child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions, and at all levels of education. A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds. Through education and support we can make a change. Join us [Prevent Child Abuse Vermont] this April to highlight the importance of preventing child abuse.
2021 Statehouse Proclamation
On April 2, 2021, Governor Phil Scott will proclaim April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Vermont. To help bring attention to the importance of safe and happy childhoods for all Vermont children, PCAVT staff and volunteers will plant a pinwheel garden on the State House lawn earlier in the morning. Learn More
Barre Proclamation Signing
Barre Mayor, Lucas Herring, signs a proclamation demonstrating Barre's commitment to preventing child abuse. We are grateful to Mayor Herring for his ongoing support of our work in prevention through community education and support. Read More
Wear Blue on April 1st!
April 1st is ‘Wear Blue Day’! Kick off Child Abuse Prevention month and show your support for Child Abuse Prevention by wearing blue. Take a photo and post it to your social media and tag us #pcavt OR send it to us at pcavt@pcavt.org and we will post it!
- Plant a Pinwheel Garden
Schools, towns, businesses, communities and the public are planting pinwheels all over Vermont to show their support for child abuse prevention. Want to join in the fun? Learn More and Order Your Pinwheels
Round Up for Change
During the month of April when you shop at Healthy Living in South Burlington, or at Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, you will have the option at check out to ‘round up’ your purchase to the nearest dollar amount. These contributions will go towards education and support for prevention of child abuse for Vermont’s families and children. Please consider supporting these businesses and Prevent Child Abuse Vermont this month! Learn More
Quilt Raffle
In true Vermont style, Kathy McWaters Velon of North Bennington decided not to waste the left-over material she had after making masks and created this beautiful quilt. She donated this work of art to PCAVT in order to support children. Learn More and Buy a Ticket
Virtual Pinwheel Garden
In 2008 Prevent Child Abuse America introduced the pinwheel as a national symbol of great childhoods. Since then Pinwheels for Prevention campaigns have raised awareness and financial support in communities across the country, reinforcing the need for safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments that help children thrive. Learn More and "Plant" a Pinwheel
American Flatbread Benefit Bake
Come out to American Flatbread Burlington Hearth on April 20th for some delicious wood-fired pizza for a great cause. A portion of all proceeds will go towards supporting Child Abuse Prevention for Vermont’s families. Don’t miss this opportunity! You can help make a difference. Learn More
Important Upcoming Dates
(A complete calendar can be found on the SCS website)
Apr 12th - Yearbook Order Deadline
Apr 13th - SCS PTO Virtual Meeting (6:00pm)
Apr 19th-23rd - No School - Spring Break
Apr 23rd - May 1st - Heath Family Fundraiser
May 11th - SCS PTO Virtual Meeting (6:00pm)
Shelburne Community School
Scott Sivo - Lead Principal (5-8)
Email: ssivo@cvsdvt.org
Website: https://www.cvsdvt.org/shelburne
Location: Shelburne, VT, USA
Phone: 802-985-3331
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShelburneCommunitySchool/
Twitter: @SCSLearns