THE SCHOOL BELL
Williston School District /Sept. 2 2015
A Message from the WSD Leadership
I hope this note finds you and your family settling into new school-year routines while the memories of summer are still fresh in your minds. From what I have noticed in these first 6 days, students have come back to WCS and ABS ready to go for a new year of learning. I must first thank and congratulate the entire WIlliston faculty and staff for their dedicated and professional efforts to prepare for a successful opening of school for our students and families. Everyone from the summer custodial and maintenance crew, to the summer office and technology staff, to the leadership team, teachers, and support staff, did their part in contributing to an exceptionally smooth start to the school year.
Just like for students and families, educators are so fortunate to have the gift of summer break to recharge, reaffirm, and reset in preparation for a new year of learning and teaching. This was definitely true for me this summer coming in as a new member of the Williston Leadership Team. Assuming the responsibilities of District Principal at WSD on July 1, I spent much of the summer getting to know the people, facilities, and systems.
Your WSD leadership team also attended the Model Schools Conference in Atlanta, GA. This conference was a great opportunity to learn about the strategies and work that some of the best schools in the country are employing to achieve success. It was also a great chance for our leadership team to get better acquainted. It was inspiring and affirming to see and hear how much of the work of WSD aligns and resonates with what the nation’s model schools are embracing. Of course, we were also able to take away some valuable professional learning to bring back to Williston.
NO SCHOOL MONDAY, SEPT. 7 (Labor Day)
FAMILIES AS PARTNERS
Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/willistonfap
Click here for information on the Williston Annual Fund and support form.
Questions? Email willistonfap@cssu.org or visit the school webpage www.wsdvt.org and find us on the quick links.
Our Mission…
The FAP Top 5
- Communication
- Community
- Educational Support
- Family Support
- Fundraising
Stay Informed–Get Involved–Be Connected
· Volunteer as a house representative
· Attend an FAPAC meeting
· Volunteer at events
· Attend School Community events
· Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/willistonfap
Williston Schools Annual Fund 2015
Why do we do an Annual Fund?
Equal funding for all students in each grade level; Every student per grade is allocated the same amount of money to be used toward field-trips and house activities
Significantly cuts down on the fundraisers families would be expected to participate in each year
Community Events that are fun and beneficial for families
100% of money collected goes to FAP
Tax deductible donation
Click here to donate on-line, visit us online at the FAP webpage, or print and complete this support form.
Thank you for your support of the Annual Fund – When we invest in our children, all of Williston Wins!
SPARK ACADEMY Session I
The first session of Thursday Spark Academy, an after-school applied learning program for students in grades 5-8, starts September 10th and ends October 8th. These small group classes will be facilitated by school faculty and staff. Please access the link to the sign-up form below by September 8th. Click here to read more...
3rd/4th Grade Chorus begins Wed., September 30!
WCS 3rd/4th Grade Chorus
When:Wednesdays after school, 3:00-4:00.
- Rehearsals begin Wed. Sept. 30
The first two rehearsals are “open.” Students can come to check it out with no obligation.
Starting Wednesday, October 7th, students need to make a final decision to be a chorus member or not. Chorus members must attend all rehearsals. (Absences from school are excused.) Non-members are not permitted to attend rehearsals.
WCS Band/Chorus room.
Students should bring a snack to eat between school dismissal and the start of chorus rehearsal. No food is permitted in the rehearsal room. Only water is permitted.
There is a 4:30 activity bus available to take students home.
The 3rd/4th grade chorus will give performances in early February, and in early June.
The chorus sings a variety of music from different time periods, cultures, and styles. The students will be singing in different languages, meters and tonalities. The songs range in level of difficulty.
No audition- just a love for singing!
No cost.
Your Child’s Class Needs YOU…as a Four Winds Volunteer!
If you are interested in volunteering or have questions, please contact the Williston Schools Four Winds Coordinator:
Julia Nesbit (878-8520) jnesbit938@gmail.com or wsdfourwinds@cssu.org
CSSU School Counseling
Spelling Bee Team ~ Qualifying Tests
Thursday, September 10th
12:35 in the WCS Enrichment room
Grades 5-8 students interested in trying out for either of the two WCS Spelling Bee Teams (6 team members in Grades 5/6, 6 in Grades 7/8) should come to the Enrichment room on Thursday, September 10th. The test for both grades 5-6 and 7-8 will start at 12:35. Each test consists of 30 words. Twenty-five of the words come from the Vermont Principals’ Association list, and 5 are extra words. The lists are available outside the Enrichment Classroom or online at The Vermont Principals’ Association website under Student Activities, Student Spelling, Study Words (or click here).
Please contact Julie Rogers ~ WSD Enrichment Teacher, jrogers@cssu.org if you need more information.
NEW: Email Notices from the Williston Central School Library!
As always, there are no overdue fines for late books. These emails are
automatically generated through our library management software to let you and your child know if any library books need to be returned to school.
Many students have already brought back the books they borrowed for summer reading. We’ll be sending out email notices soon to help you remind your child to bring back their books so others can read them. If a book is lost, we ask that you pay for the cost of the book if you are able.
About every 2 weeks throughout the school year, overdue email notices will be sent. If you have a question about library books or other library questions, email Ellen Arapakos, the new school librarian, at <earapakos@cssu.org>.
Thanks for reading!
Bus Notes
Student Information Sheets Needed at School
These forms are required to be updated yearly, and help ensure the information we have is accurate.
If you haven't sent your forms back to school, please do so soon!
Intergen Reading Program / A Monthly Book Group
What is it? FAP teams up with the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library to sponsor a fun book group that brings together WCS middle school students, seniors from our community and parent volunteers. Each book group will read and discuss 6 books over the course of the school year.
When? The program will kick-off in October with a “Get Acquainted” luncheon. The book groups will then meet during school hours once a month to discuss books in a relaxed and fun setting.
If your 5th-8th grade child is interested in being considered for this program, please register by Friday, September 11th using this online link.
Price Chopper Tools For Schools
Earn 5,000 Bonus Points And Have A Chance At Winning 1,000,000 Points For Your School! Have your students bring in their favorite family meal recipe. Recipe ingredients must include 2 Price Chopper or Central Market Classics brand products. Select the best recipe from your school and enter it by logging in to the Tools for Schools website. Your school will receive 5,000 bonus points just for entering, AND if your school´s recipe is chosen as the winner, 1 Million Bonus Points!! Deadline October 9, 2015 at 5:00 pm ET.
Don´t miss your opportunity to earn 10,000 points for your school in the Tools for Schools program by participating in these two opportunities!
Check out the Facebook Page Today to see our Tools for Schools post!
Volunteering at School
The process does not need to be repeated each year unless a person leaves the district for a period and then returns.
Please click here for the Consent for Release of Registry form. Click here for the Confidentiality Ethics agreement.
Health Office
It is that time again to send in any medications your child may need to have administered at school. A Medication Permission Form is needed with all prescribed medications. A form can be found on-line under School Information/Health Office or you may pick up a form in our office when the medication is dropped off. If you have any questions, please call the Health Office. Thanks so much!
Attention Parents of 7th Graders
All 7th graders are required by the state to have a Tdap and a Varicella (Chicken Pox) Booster at the start of 7th grade. If your child has had these vaccines please send in an updated vaccine record to the Health Office asap.If these boosters have not been given, please make an appointment to do so. DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 1ST ! If your child has had a case of Chicken Pox a booster is not needed. We will need documentation when this occurred. If you choose to have your child exempt from receiving vaccines, please contact the Health Office for proper forms. Thanks so much for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please contact the Health Office at WCS (871-6170).
Upcoming Events
First Day of Preschool / Thurs. Sept. 3
Coffee w/Kaleidoscope / Fri. Sept. 4 / 7:45-8:45 am
NO SCHOOL / Monday, Sept. 7
FAPAC mtg. / Thurs. Sept. 10 / 8:15-10:15 am / WCS Dining Room
ABS Picture Day / Tue. Sept. 15
WCS Picture Day / Wed. Sept. 16
K-2 Curriculum Night & Learning Expo / Wed. Sept. 16 / 6:30-8 pm
5-8 Gr. Curriculum Night & Learning Expo / Thu. Sept. 17 / 6:30-8 pm
Steve Mount Memorial Williston Invitational / Fri. Sept. 18 / 3-4 pm
FAPAC Mtg. / Thu Oct. 8 / 8:15-10:15 am /
Intergen Reading Program Kickoff Luncheon / Wed. Oct. 7 / small dining room / WCS 12:10-1:10
Recreation & Parks Offerings
Rec. Soccer
There is still time to register for the Youth Rec. Soccer Programs. Deadline to register is Friday, Sept. 4th. Practices begin the week of Sept. 8th for grades 1st-8th and the Kindergarten program begins Sept. 12th. Register on the Rec. Website at http://www.willistonrec.org/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29946.
September Programs
Here is a list of youth programs that will begin in the month of September. Be sure to register today! Rosters are checked a week prior to the start date to determine if minimum numbers have been reached to offer programs. The date listed is the start date of each program. The length of programs vary.
Horse Lessons at Livery Stable in Hinesburg, Sept. 19.
Freestyle/Ninja/Parkour Training at Green Mt. Gymnastics, Sept. 21.
Middle School Performance Training at Peak Performance, Sept. 21.
Tennis Lessons at WCS Courts, Sept. 22.
Soccer Camp with GPS, Sept 23. One day.
Dorothy Alling Memorial Library Programs for Kids
If you have a child going off to school for the first time there is probably some extra stress at home. “What will it be like? Will I make friends? What if the teacher is scary?” You can check out some books from our “Back to School” school themed picture books to read at home. Feel free to ask a librarian to help you find appropriate materials to ease the back to school transition.
Make sure to get your kids their own library cards while you are doing your back-to-school preparations. If they already have cards, make sure that they are up-to-date. Library cards expire every two years. Don’t worry if they have lost their cards or aren’t always carrying them. The library staff will just make sure your contact information is up-to date. When they check out materials they only need to tell us their names.
Click here to continue reading.Click here for the Bell listing of DAML events scheduled for children.
Click here for the DAML newsletters.
Previous Newsletters
Williston School District
Email: cpavlik@cssu.org
Website: www.wsdvt.org
Location: 195 Central School Drive, Williston
Phone: (802) 878-2762
Twitter: @wsdvt