THE VIKING
Hinesburg Community School - November 20, 2020
The Principal's Corner
Dear HCS Families:
November is a time to be thankful, a time to remember and to embrace those who enrich our lives. On behalf of Hinesburg Community School, we would like to express our gratitude and thank you for your continued support. We wish you a safe and happy holiday and look forward to seeing everyone back here on Monday, November 30th!
Warmly,
Suzan and John
Free Thanksgiving Week Meals To All Children Under 18
Meals are FREE for all children 18 and under. ALL FAMILIES are invited to enjoy three days of meals! You can order meals by clicking on this link:: Thanksgiving Lunches, starting on Friday, Nov. 13 from 11:00 am through 8:00 am on Monday, Nov. 23.
Pick up at HCS is from 10:00 - 11:00 am on Monday, November 23 ONLY for that week!. Delivery is also available. Please let us know if you prefer a delivery and we will be happy to help, thanks to many volunteers from Williston and Hinesburg School staff and the Rotary Club of Shelburne, Charlotte, and Hinesburg. There will be ONE meal distribution day on Thanksgiving Week and that is on Monday, November 23rd. CVU student's meals can be picked up or delivered from any of the K-8 schools. We just need you to let us know if you want this service.
CVSD Budget News
The Champlain Valley School District's Board of Directors invites all members of the CVSD community to join us for the budget process. Mark your calendars for these upcoming School Board budget meetings.
- December 1: Instructional Program
- December 15: Operations and Maintenance
- January 5: Summary and Tax Implications
To best understand the process, try to attend all meetings, The information shared builds across the sequence of meetings. Online meeting information will be posted on the website.
Contact us: cvsdboard@cvsdvt.org www.cvsdvt.org/budget
Picture ReTake Day - Friday, 12/4
Our picture retake day will be Friday, December 4. If you would like to have your child's picture taken, simply return the original package on retake day. You can still order on mylifetouch.com with your picture day ID: EVT39ZDFS
Innovative Online Tools For Parents
Resilience During Covid Times
We all have been impacted by the COVID19 pandemic. We have experienced greater social isolation, and changes in routines and resources. Research is finding that people all around the world are experiencing greater mental health problems as a result of the impacts from the pandemic. Six studies with over 10,000 participants (per study) found that there are greater rates of stress, anxiety, depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) since pre-pandemic times. Some groups are more susceptible to impact than others, such as our youth population. Many children have lost activities that provide structure and meaning, like full-time schooling, extracurricular activities, and social engagements. Some children and families are needing to focus now on basic needs, like food, shelter, and physical safety, rather than higher order needs, like self-esteem and self-concept. So how can we support young people during these challenging times and big feelings that are coming up?
Here is some food for thought and strategies you might consider utilizing in helping to build resilience in your kids during this difficult time.
Help them to talk about how they’re feeling. If you ask an adult how they are feeling, they will most often say good or stressed out. We aren’t modeling the best way to express how we’re feeling in many instances. Check out this mood meter for talking about feelings and emotions. Have your child pick a word that describes how they feel. It will often open up a very generous conversation about the word and their feelings.
Relationships are just as important now, if not more so. Many of us are experiencing isolation so we need to work more intentionally to foster and maintain relationships. Consider having your kids write letters to the family that they might be unable to see over the school breaks. You might have them write a letter of gratitude and your child could call them and read the letter to the recipient for a shared experience.
Remind your children that it’s okay to ask for help. Many adults are very busy, especially now, and it’s hard for us to slow down because there is so much to do. If we remind our children that they can interrupt us and ask for help, they will be more likely to reach out.
Model healthy behaviors! Try the best you can to eat well, exercise if you’re able and refrain from misusing alcohol or drugs. Even consider the language you use if you pour a glass of wine with dinner. Kids pick up on everything and if you say that the wine helps you de-stress at the end of the day, they’ll file that information away and remember it. It sends the wrong message about alcohol and stress.
Help your kids to understand the importance of exercise. Even if you yourself are unable to fit it into your day, encourage them to move their bodies in a physical way. It will help them sleep and is so important to their mental and physical health. Have them walk the dog, cat, chicken, sheep or whichever creature could benefit!
Nurture optimism. If you know a small person who tends to look at the glass as being half empty, show them a different view. That doesn’t mean invalidating how they feel. Please acknowledge their view and introduce them to a different one. Optimism is a key component of resilient people.
This list is just a few of the many strategies that can help your kids and your family during this pandemic to stay healthy, happy and connected. For more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your SAP Counselor, Amy Sayre at asayre@cvsdvt.org.
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/seven_ways_the_pandemic_is_affecting_our_mental_health
Bolton Ski/Ride Program Update
The After School Ski/Ride Program at Bolton Valley offered through the Hinesburg Community School - Grades 5 thru 8 is currently on hold until further notice. We are staying optimistic that there will be some sort of program in late winter. If we can have a program, an announcement will be made during morning announcements. Stay tuned, stay hopeful, and stay healthy!
PiE News
Dear HCS Families,
As a HCS parent and member of PiE I want to wish everyone a well-deserved holiday break for the week of 11/23-11/27!
As many of you know, our monthly meetings have looked a little different this year. Not only are they conducted remotely, but we have also had the pleasure of having guest speakers such as Dr. Leah Costello and Amy Sayre. If you missed the October meeting, find the recorded Zoom link here. Passcode:! B6.WDL5
Save the date for the next PiE meeting via Zoom on December 8th, 2020 at 7:00pm. This month we will be voting on the 2020-2021 school year Grant Applications. A Zoom link to be emailed in early December. If you are not on the listserv, please contact hcspie@cvsdvt.org
Our biggest fundraiser, Meadow Farms, closed recently and was a huge success. Thank you all who supported us with purchases and direct donations, you helped us surpass our annual goal!
As we look toward our next fundraiser, things will look a little different. In place of our annual Family Dance, PiE will host a remote HCS Student Showcase in February. This showcase will include K-8 grader participants to submit an individual or group work to be pre-recorded and presented remotely through a Zoom link. Showcase ideas could include artwork, performances (singing, dancing, acting), building design/projects, etc. There are lots of volunteer opportunities to coordinate student talent, sell tickets to the remote event and more. Email hcspie@cvsdvt.org for more information.
Be Well,
Mary (HCS Secretary and Desi's mom)
Thank you!
Many thanks to Partners in Education, HCS parents and YOLO for the popcorn treat given to all HCS staff! We are very appreciative!
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👇The Deadline Has Passed But You Can Still Apply! 👇
About Us
Suzan Locke, HCS Co-Principal, Grades K-4
482-6299, slocke@cvsdvt.org
John Pontius, HCS Co-Principal, Grades 5-8
482-6298, jpontius@cvsdvt.org
Alicia Kurth, HCS Special Education Administrator
425-6285, akurth@cvsdvt.org
Email: hcsinformation@cvsdvt.org
Website: https://www.cvsdvt.org/hinesburg
Location: Hinesburg Community School, 10888, Route 116, Hinesburg, Vermont, USA
Phone: 802-482-2106
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hinesburg-Community-School-125786304154731/
The Viking Newsletter is published bi-weekly, when school is in session. It is available on our web site and is also delivered to email via Blackboard Connect. If needed, a hard copy can be provided for your child to bring home. The Viking includes upcoming events, after school opportunities, notes of interest for parents and the community and updates from our school administration.