THE SCHOOL BELL
Williston Schools /October 25, 2017
A Message from the Administration
First Call
by Carter Smith
Last Friday I spent some time at the UVM Emergency room. Nothing life threatening, just something that the Williston doctor’s office felt they couldn't do. Infected index finger - seems to be resolving, thanks. While there, I witnessed quite the scene in the waiting room and during the several hours I spent in the patient room waiting for the procedure, and waiting to be signed out. My care was excellent. No complaints, really.
What struck me was that there was a preponderance of seemingly mental health issues there at the time. There was a woman alternating between screaming and laughing with at least one support person with her. Police officers were present. Across the hall was a gentleman who was uncooperative - brought in by UVM rescue. Twice I heard someone introduce themselves to a patient as John or Mary from First Call.
As a member of the Chittenden County Local interagency Team who hears unresolved and extreme cases on a monthly basis, I have heard accounts of children being brought to the Medical Center because there is not another treatment option. As a member of another Chittenden County team that focuses largely on mental health and well being, I hear on a monthly basis that we have a lot of work to do in our county. This is where I heard that UVM Medical Center was hiring an additional cadre of psychiatrists. Now I understand first hand why.
On both of these committees I am joined by the director of First Call for Chittenden County. As administrators and school counselors we use First Call when there is a mental health crisis, usually behavioral in nature, with one of our students. Sometimes we speak on the phone and they document the call, sometimes there is advice given, or a referral made, especially if this child is familiar. Sometimes First Call sends a team to evaluate the child, make a determination about safety and help us with a plan moving forward. Parents are generally included and often a follow up is made in the evening at home.
The website explains: Anyone can contact First Call for Chittenden County for help in a crisis or for support or information about community services. The caller defines the crisis. The clinicians offer phone support, intervention, in-person assessment, and referrals. First Call for Chittenden County works with children, adults and families, and partners with schools, police, medical and mental health providers, and others.
There is one number regardless of whether the concern is with a child or an adult.
802.488.7777
The parent of one son says, “For years I thought that's not for us, we don't need that, that's for other people that need help,” Several years later after receiving support from First Call she says, “They're like angels that come in."
In my experience First Call would like a call even if we feel that it may not meet emergency or crisis threshold. It is comforting to know that we have these skilled practitioners available to us.
ABS Harvest Celebration Oct. 26
It is time for our annual STONE SOUP celebration at Allen Brook School.
The event will be from 10:30am until 1:30pm on Thursday October 26th. Parents and family are welcome to attend. Volunteers are needed to help serve and direct the flow of the event - add your name here if you can help… Or just show up! Read more! Schedule changes: Synergy lunch: 12:10-12:35; Harmony lunch: 12:35-1:00; Horizon lunch: 1:00-1:25.
WCS Harvest Celebration for 3rd & 4th graders
Students are invited to read poetry, sing a song and enjoy hot cider while we say goodbye to the garden until spring.
Please send your child to school with a mug to help reduce waste.
Friday October 27th at 11:00 Parents invited!
Volunteers Needed for Craft Show
Community Peace Project at DAML
Join us at the library to see the art community members created to show what brings them peace. Open house Wednesday, October 25 from 6 - 7:30 pm. Refreshments served.
All six Kindergarten classrooms collaborated with the project’s curators to add works of art that represent their idea of peace! Stop by the Library to see the work of Allen Brook kids alongside many other Williston residents.
Developmental Screening for Children ages 3-5 years
Do you have concerns about your child’s development? Allen Brook School is offering a developmental screening for children ages 3-5 years. A screening can be used to determine if children are learning basic skills and meeting developmental milestones. Early childhood professionals will engage in activities which will allow them to observe the way your child plays, learns, speaks, and moves their body. Each child is unique and develops at his or her own pace, but sometimes concerns can arise, and it is helpful to identify these concerns as early as possible to in order to get necessary supports in place.
Friday, October 27th from 9:00 - 11:00. Pre-registration is required.
Please call Victoria Francis, Early Childhood Outreach Educator,
at 871-6240 to schedule an appointment.
(* If you have concerns about a younger child and would like to request a screening, please call us.)
If you can not attend the budget forum, please fill out the CVSD Community Input Form - We Want to Hear Your Thoughts.
We welcome your input via the form linked below until Nov. 26th:
Performing Arts shirts
5th-8th graders: It's time to order Performing Arts shirts. These are needed for concert days and field trips.
Please order yours here by Wednesday, 11/1.
Beginner Band Starts in November
Friday, 10/27- deadline for signing up for beginner band (on music web page)
Wednesday, 11/8, 6:30 pm- Ellis Music sponsored instrument pick up night. (WCS auditorium) Read more
SPARK Enrichment After School ~ Session 2
The 2nd session of Spark Enrichment, an after-school applied learning program for students in grades 5-8, takes place from November 9th - December 14th. These small group classes will be facilitated by school faculty and staff. Please access the link to the sign-up form below by November 7th. New this session . . . you will be able to rank your choices for better placement!! Read more
Wild, Wild West Book Fair
It’s the Wild, Wild West Book Fair at Williston Central School. Saddle up and read!
Book Fair Schedule
Monday, November 27th 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Tuesday, November 28th 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Wednesday, November 29th 8:00 am – 8:00 pm [ABS classes]
Thursday, November 30th 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Friday, December 1st 8:00 am – 12:00 am
Classroom Wish List
Teachers have chosen some of their favorite titles. You may purchase a book to donate to your child’s classroom.
Online Book Fair
Shop online November 18th – December 8th. Visit: http://www.scholastic.com/bf/williston or access the link from the Williston School District website. Note: books ordered online will be delivered to the school, not a home address.
We are always in need of volunteers the week of the book fair! If you can spare an hour or two, please go to: http://signup.com/go/QUMZEtT
Safe Snacks for Halloween
Halloween is around the corner. This link to snack safely has great places where you can get gluten free makeup and allergen free treats for your ghouls!!
If you see a teal pumpkin on someone's door step it means they have allergen free treats as well. See the Teal pumpkin project website for great ideas on how you can keep trick or treating safe for all kids.
VISION AND HEARING SCREENINGS
Health Offices at WCS and ABS are starting to test students' vision and hearing. Vermont schools are required by the state to test students' vision and hearing in Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade. Students in 7th grade will only have a vision test.
This year we are very lucky to be selected for Vermont Lions KidSight program. Middlebury Lions Club will be coming to our schools on November 2nd and 3rd to perform photoscreening.
Vermont Lions KidSight program uses a photoscreening digital device called a SPOT to objectively check for vision problems. The photoscreener is like a large camera. It takes a picture of your child’s eyes. With that and the measurements obtained from the images, SPOT can detect a number of potential eye conditions.
If we find a problem, we will send you a referral letter. If your child’s SPOT results form states “Complete Eye Exam Recommended” at the top right of the page, it is a referral and we recommend that your child visit an eye care professional.
On the SPOT referral, you will see a section on the right side of the page called “Potential Condition”. This includes information about the potential eye condition(s) detected by the SPOT device.
If you do not hear from us, your child passed the screenings. If you have concerns, and feel your child needs to have a vision or hearing test, please contact the Health Office at your child’s school. Thank you so much!
WCS :Maria Harlow, RN & Carol Albertelli, RN 871-6170
ABS: Sylvia Love, RN 871-6248
Visit China
Visit China with SPIRAL International’s History & Culture Tour: April 19 to May 1, 2018
Students-Parents-Faculty: Join us next spring for an exceptional discovery tour of China: 13 days – 3 major cities – $3,600 including airfare. We’re going to explore China’s three most fascinating cities: Beijing, Chengdu, and Shanghai. We’ll tour world-famous monuments and sites, learn about the Chinese education system, and spend time with local Shanghai families. Our group will be led by two experienced Vermont educators: Eric Arnzen, principal of Grand Isle School, and Jacqueline Parks, principal of Williston Central School.
If you would like to know more, please join us on Thurs. 11/2 at 6:30pm at the Williston Central School for an information meeting.
Please note: scholarships are available!
For more information, see our website (www.spiralinternational.org) or contact Michele Hirsch at SPIRAL (admin@spiralinternational.org or 802-540-0305).
Free Meal Application
Medicine Abuse
October is Medicine Abuse Awareness Month
We live in a society where the potential for prescription drug abuse and addiction is ever present. Talking regularly to youth about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs reduces their risk of using in the first place. Read more
Tuesday Early Dismissal
Dismissal at Allen Brook School will be at 1:35.
Dismissal at Williston Central School will be at 1:55.
The schedule for Preschool on Tuesdays will be altered. Morning classes will be from 8:00 to 10:15, and afternoon classes will be from 11:15 to 1:30.
CVU presents "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"
The Champlain Valley Union High School Theatre Program presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's beloved musical: “JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT.” The performance dates are October 27th and 28th at 7:30 and Sunday the 29th at 2:00. The production includes 104 kids. (85 high school students in the cast, crew and orchestra and 19 children from neighboring middle schools are participating in a children’s choir.) Ticket are $8 for students and children and $10. for general admission. Tickets will go on sale on October 16th in the school store or can be ordered by sending in a TICKET ORDER FORM from the CVU Theatre website at: https://sites.google.com/a/cssu.org/cvu-theatre/home . For additional information call 482-6991.
Williston Members of the Children’s Choir: Avery Rogers, Maeve Serinese,Vanessa Worth,Amelia Worth
Four Winds Nature News
School Lunch Menus
Monthly Fitness Fun
More Links, More information
- PDF version of this week's Bell
- WSD Mobile App Flyer
- Williston Facebook Page
Upcoming Events
Thurs. Oct. 26 / ABS Harvest Fest / 11-1:30
Fri. Oct. 27 / WCS Harvest Fest (gr. 3-4) / 11 am
Fri. Oct. 27 / Developmental Preschool Screening / 9-11 am / ABS
Fri. Oct. 27 / Fun Night / 5:30 - 8:00 PM / WCS
Wed. Nov. 1 / Intergen Reading Program / 11:35am -1:10 pm / DAML Library
Sat. Nov. 4 / Craft Fair / 9:30 am - 4 pm / WCS
Tues. Nov. 7 / CVSD Community Budget Forum/ 6-7:30 pm / CVUHS Rm. 160
Wed. Nov. 8 / Four Winds Training / 8:30-10:30 am / ABS Cafeteria
Wed. Nov. 8 / CY Mentoring Kick Off Dinner / 6:30-8 pm /
Wed. Nov. 8 / Beginner Band Instrument Pick Up / 6:30-8:30 pm / WCS Auditorium
Thurs. Nov. 9 / FAPAC Meeting / 8:15- 10 am / WCS Dining Room
Fri. Nov. 10 / School Dance (gr. 6-8) / 6:30-8:30 pm / WCS
Tues. Nov. 14 / CVSD Board Mtg. / 6-8 pm / CVUHS rm. 160
Thanksgiving Break - Mon. Nov. 20 through Fri. Nov. 24
Mon. Nov. 27 - Fri. Dec. 1 / Book Fair / WCS
Click here for athleticsUpcoming Events on the School Web Calendar
DAML Programs
Click here for the Bell listing of DAML events scheduled for children.
Recreation & Parks Offerings
Community Events
Williston Schools
Email: cpavlik@cvsdvt.org
Website: https://www.cvsdvt.org
Location: 195 Central School Drive, Williston
Phone: (802) 878-2762
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Williston-School-District-1483758238612170/timeline/
Twitter: @wsdvt