CCS Newsletter
February 10, 2017
LET'S CELEBRATE
- Kindergartners are very proud of their bulletin boards.
- Did you know that the longest word in the English language contains 1,909 letters? The third graders at Charlotte Central School do! Heather Manning, Deb Stone, Trina Bianchi, and Margaret Woodruff, four members representing the Charlotte Grange, presented each third grader with his/her very own dictionary. The presentation was part of a national program called "Words For Thirds". The third graders are delighted with their dictionaries! We are grateful to the members of the Grange for this wonderful Charlotte tradition.
- Many of our students participated in the PTO Variety Show on Friday night - it was an excellent display of talent, perseverance and positive risk-taking! Another highlight was seeing how several of our students helped to make this a successful event. Big thanks to Jason and Zack Aubin, Joaquin and Moises Cowart, Malcolm Ziter, and Chloe Silverman who stayed late to help clean up the multi-purpose room. Harry Evans did a very nice job helping to emcee the event. Stella Martenis, Courtney McDermott and Elyse Martin-Smith were very helpful stage managers. Seventh grade students worked collaboratively to cover shifts serving food as part of their fundraising efforts toward their 8th grade trip.
STUDENT ABSENT / TARDY LINE - 425-6688
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Friday, February 10
Staff Appreciation Luncheon - 11:00am to 1:00pm, Staff Room , sponsored by the 2nd and 3rd grade families and the CCS PTO
Monday, February 13
Field Trip - Voyagers to Flynn Theater, 11:15am
Tuesday, February 14
Early Release Day - 1:55pm
Wednesday, February 15
PTO Book Fair, CCS Library
CCS School Competition for Scripps Spelling Bee, 1:15pm, MPR
Thursday, February 16
Field Trip - Kindergarten to Flynn Theater, 8:30am
PTO Book Fair, CCS Library
Friday, February 17
PTO Book Fair, CCS Library
Family Fun Friday, 6:30pm, Gym
Monday, February 20
Family/Mentor Dinner, 6:00pm, Cafe
Tuesday, February 21
Early Release Day - 1:55pm
Friday, February 24
Exploratories! 8:30am to 10:00am
Monday, February 27 thru Friday, March
NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
DO YOU HAVE A HOBBY OR PASSION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH STUDENTS?
CCS LIBRARY NEWS
Reading for pleasure unlocks the power of information and imagination and helps children discover who they are. Here’s what you can do to help children develop stronger reading skills and a love for reading:
- Set the example. Let children see you read.
- Have a collection of books in your home. Update this collection routinely to keep pace with changing tastes and reading skills.
- Support our school’s Book Fair. Allow your children to choose their own books to read.
Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that brings the books kids want to read right into our school. Classes will have opportunity to visit the Fair during school hours. We also encourage family visits!
Book Fair dates: February 14-17, 2017 @ the CCS Library
Family shopping hours: Tuesday, February 14 from 3:00-5:00, Wednesday & Thursday February 15 & 16 from 7:30-8:00 AND 3:00-4:00, Friday February 17 from 7:30-8:00.
If you are unable to attend the Fair in person, we invite you to visit our online Book Fair at scholastic.com/fair. Our Online Fair is available from February 10, 2017 to February 16, 2017. Books ordered online will be free of shipping and will arrive at school after the close of the Fair.
Financial assistance for the Book Fair is available through a grant from the PTO. We have $10.00 vouchers for students to spend on a new book. If you would like this support for your child, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher or School counselor:
Vicki Nelson (grades k-4): vnelson@cssu.org 425-6647
Kathy Batty (grades 5-8): kbatty@cssu.org 425-6657
We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair! Remember, all purchases benefit our school.
FAMILY FUN FRIDAY! ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH
THE ROAD TO PROFICIENCY BASED LEARNING: ARTICLE #2
In our last article we talked about what proficiency-based learning is, and one of the areas of focus within a standards-based system, articulation - we must clearly articulate what students should know, understand, and be able to do within a unit of study (see newsletter from January 6, 2017). In this article we’ll focus on two more components, differentiation and communication.
When educators differentiate their instruction they examine the strengths and needs of each student and determine strategies to help all students meet or exceed the standards for a content area or particular unit of study. Think of this as the actual map to the destination. Not all students are starting from the same location, so the routes they take may differ. It is the teacher’s job to know the map (and students) well enough to anticipate roadblocks, determine alternate routes, or to suggest scenic opportunities. In most cases, the students have the same destinations, but how and when they get there may vary.
Educators must also communicate student progress and achievement at the end of each unit of study. These reports are aligned with the articulated Learning Targets. Think of these reports as the “blue dot” on a GPS. At any given time, we know our exact location towards the destination. The blue dot tells us where we are and how far we are from where we want to be. This is what the standards reports do as well: they let teachers, students, and parents know where the learners are in relation to specific destinations.
If you have any questions, please contact Mary Muroski, our CCS Proficiency Based Learning Coach, at mmuroski@cssu.org.
GIRLS ON THE RUN
Girls on the Run is returning to Charlotte Central and we need COACHES!
Over a period of 10 weeks, girls in the 3rd through 5th grade participate in an after-school program like no other. Designed to allow every girl to recognize her inner strength, the Girls on the Run curriculum inspires girls to define their lives on their own terms. Throughout the season, the girls make new friends, build their confidence and celebrate all that makes them unique.
The Girls on the Run lessons encourage positive emotional, social, mental and physical development. Participants explore and discuss their own beliefs around experiences and challenges girls face at this age. They also develop important strategies and skills to help them navigate life experiences. We start with helping the girls get a better understanding of who they are and what’s important to them. Then, we look at the importance of team work and healthy relationships. And, finally, the girls explore how they can positively connect with and shape the world.
Physical activity is woven into our program to inspire an appreciation of fitness and to build habits that lead to a lifetime of health. At the end of each ten week session, the girls participate in a Girls on the Run 5k event. This celebratory, non-competitive event is the culminating experience of the curriculum. Completing the 5k gives the girls a tangible understanding of the confidence that comes through accomplishment as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals. Crossing the finish line is a defining moment when the girls realize that even the seemingly impossible IS possible.
GOTR is a spring program that starts at the end of March and runs through the first week of June. Sessions meet twice a week for 90 minutes each. You do not need to have running experience to coach!
REGISTER HERE:
https://www.raceplanner.com/volunteer/signup/coachgotrvt
We appreciate our GOTR coaches for their time, energy and dedication to this program!
Visit us at www.gotrvt.org to find out more or contact Jenny Fuller, Program Administrator, at jenny@girlsontherunvermont.org or 802.099.7941 for more information.
jenny fuller | northern vt program administrator
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Girls on the Run Vermont
171 saratoga avenue, burlington, vermont 05408
802.999.7941 | jenny@girlsontherunvermont.org
www.girlsontherunvermont.org | follow us on facebook
HEART & SOLE
Girls on the Run's new middle school program, Heart & Sole, is coming to Charlotte Central School and we need COACHES! At Girls on the Run, we believe that adolescents bring a lot to the table. We also know that girls at this age often sort through conflicting messages about their worth, their abilities and their value. Our new middle school program, Heart & Sole, helps girls develop the skills to tune into their own truths and to unleash their power to live confidently and joyfully.
Heart & Sole creates a positive, structured space for middle school girls to learn about themselves, explore new ideas, cultivate empathy, strengthen connections and develop life skills that will help them as they move through adolescence and beyond. Physical activity is woven through the program as a learning mechanism and a way for girls to experience goal setting and achievement.
The 10-week Heart & Sole curriculum is rich with themes girls can relate to, addressing the whole girl—body, brain, heart, spirit and social connection—and building important life skills such as team building, developing a support system, boundary setting, asking for and providing help, and more. The girls will culminate the season by participating in a 5k event!
Heart & Sole is a spring program that starts at the end of March and runs through the first week of June. Sessions meet twice a week for 90 minutes each. You do not need to have running experience to coach!
REGISTER TO COACH HERE:
https://www.raceplanner.com/volunteer/signup/coachgotrvt
We appreciate our GOTR and Heart & Sole coaches for their time, energy and dedication to this program!
Contact Jenny Fuller, Program Administrator, at jenny@girlsontherunvermont.org or 802.999.7941 for more information.
CCS AFTERNOON PLAYGROUP
For Infants and Toddlers Up to Age 5 and Their Caregivers
Wednesdays from 12:30 to 1:30
Join us for sing-alongs, stories, play and exploration with Julia Wayne & Nancy Wood (early education staff for Chittenden South Supervisory Union). For more information, call Julia Wayne at 802-338-7021.
ATTENTION 8TH GRADE STUDENTS!
CHARLOTTE PUBLIC LIBRARY
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