THE SCHOOL BELL
Williston Schools /April 17, 2019
Master Schedule Matters
by Lead Principal Greg Marino
Matching our Minutes to our Mission, a Master Scheduling Update
As I mentioned in my last issue, one of the key outcomes of last year’s Williston Schools Program Council work was the decision to form a committee to create a new and improved Master Schedule for both ABS and WCS. By “Master Schedule”, we mean the combined collection of school schedules, both student and staff, across grade levels and subject matter, which are intentionally designed to work together in coordinated fashion and through which students access their learning. Though the schedules for our two schools differ greatly, they are also strongly linked because of shared staff who teach in both buildings and across both schedules. We expect this work will go way beyond “tweaking” the scheduling system we currently have and are taking on a ground-up approach to organizing the school day for Williston students, faculty, and staff. We are not discussing the school calendar but rather what happens between the time that students arrive and leave each day, and what that looks and feels like for learning and teaching. The committee has been exploring best practices in school scheduling, as well as studying a variety of model schedules from other schools. A big part of our work has been to analyze input gathered from faculty, staff, and students to create a set of priorities and outcomes that are driving the design of the schedule.
We have met for 14+ hours so far and have at least one more meeting in the books for May. I have been so impressed with the way this group of intrepid educators have tackled this challenging work. Solving a rubik’s cube has been a helpful analogy when describing our process. After a bit of work, it’s not too difficult to solve one side of the cube, or one team’s schedule, but a whole different story altogether to solve the entire cube, making all the pieces fit together in a way that provides something better for students. The team is benefiting from some professional consultation in the form of Mr. Scott Thomson, from UVM’s Tarrant Institute for Innovative Education, as well as The District Management Group.
On behalf of the leadership team and all Williston faculty and staff, I would like to sincerely thank the members of this team for their impassioned and tenacious efforts. Williston faculty and staff include: From ABS - Kim Rodliff, Sarah Gordon, Angela Filion, From WCS - Karin Ward, Dustin King, Deb Laskarzewski, Amanda Laberge, Jared Bailey, Kristyn Hebert, Caitlin Bianchi, Jess Eaton, Danielle Morin, and Cathy Grey.
Placement Input
Input deadline for grade 4 is April 19.
More information and links to the input forms are available from the following:
FAP Speaker Series Presents Appreciative Parenting
Wednesday, April 17th from 6:30-8pm
WCS Communy Room
Intro to Appreciative Parenting
Join us for this interactive session where we will begin to explore your personal character strengths and how you can leverage them as a parent. We will also discuss key questions to help identify and develop your child’s individual strengths and help you both have a conversation worth having.
Shelly Masson Bio: Shelly is currently part of the faculty of practice at the David Cooperrider Center for Appreciative Inquiry at Champlain College and also teaches in the Positive Organizational Development certificate program. She has been working with the concepts of Appreciative Inquiry and Parenting for the past 7 years.
Nicole Morris Bio: Nicole has been a faculty member at the Stiller School of Business at Champlain College, teaching in disciplines of accounting and management, for the last decade. Nicole holds a Appreciative Inquiry Certificate in Positive Business and Society Change from Case Western University and has taught Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry.
“Dining for a Cause” at Grazers
Thursday, April 18th, Open to Close
Grazers Restaurant in Maple Tree Place is generously donating 10% of all sales (including take-out) towards the WCS student trip to Washington, D.C.
This end of year trip provides an educational opportunity outside the traditional school environment and complements our academic curriculum. Please help support our students!
SPARK Enrichment After School ~ Session 5
The 5th session of Spark Enrichment, an after-school applied learning program for students in grades 5-8, takes place from May 2nd - 30th. These small group classes will be facilitated by school faculty and staff. Please access the link to the sign-up form below by April 29th. You will be able to rank your choices for better placement!! More info
ABS ART NEWS
Please mark your calendars! The Allen Brook Annual Art Show is just around the corner on Thursday, May 16, from 6-7:30 pm. Please look for an invitation and optional refreshments donations form in your child’s weekly folder shortly after our spring break. Each artist has chosen his or her favorite piece of art to present at this lively community event. We hope you will be able to join us.
First and second graders have completed ornate paper dragon puppets, having learned a bit about Chinese New Year celebrations and lore. They practiced using bamboo brushes to paint their dragon bodies and they may be able to teach you some proper brush techniques if you ask. Kindergartners were introduced to bird images by graphic artist, Charlie Harper and practiced cutting and gluing large shapes for their spring bird collages.
Happy Spring!
Sara Beeken, Art
Custodial Openings
Williston Schools has an immediate long-term sub custodial position available, anticipated to become permanent.
A second shift (2:30 pm to 11 pm) custodial position, starting July 1, is open. Please apply on SchoolSpring. Contact Lyall Smith at lysmith@cvsdvt.org or 871-6013 with questions.
Student Sign Out Change at ABS
Please sign your students out with Lori on the IPAD whenever she is present.
Use the clipboard to sign your children out on Tuesdays. Whenever Lori is not available to assist with end of day sign out, we will revert to the clipboard sign out system.
Thanks for your flexibility!
Job Opportunity
Allen Brook School is seeking an energetic, child-centered adult to assist with supervision to our elementary students during lunch and recess. Candidates will work as part of a team, provide positive reinforcement and redirection, and follow established protocols.Monday through Friday 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM when school is in session.
Interested candidates should submit an application or contact Cindy Pavlik, cpavlik@cvsdvt.org, 871-6203.
Kids Heart Challenge - NEW!
The Jump Rope for Heart has changed. There is no longer a Jump Rope for Heart Event. There is a new event called Kids Heart Challenge. This event is similar in Fundraising. This is an event to support the American Heart Association. We will be piloting this event this year at Allen Brook School with the first and second graders. The purpose of this event is to teach children about their own heart health while helping raise money to help others who have heart or stroke issues. The money raised goes to research, education and support for people dealing with cardiovascular issues. The event will take place during the regular PE time for all students. If all students combined raise $7,500, both Mr. King and Ms. Porter will take a pie to the face. If the students raise over $10,000 Ms. Porter will dye her hair purple. There will be additional heart healthy activities leading up to the May 2nd and May 3rd Kids Heart Challenge Day.
If you would like your child to participate in the fundraising to support the American Heart Association they will need to bring back this permission slip. Once your child has turned in the permission slip he/she will be given a collection envelope. Once they receive their envelope they may begin collecting. There is also information on how to create an online account. The online account is a secure account just for your child through the American Heart Association. People can donate through the online account with a credit card. This has worked well in the past. If you do the online donation we will need a printed copy of the summary page.
Box Tops for Education
Clothing Donations Needed
Please donate clean unwanted clothing. A collection box is located in the WCS front lobby. Donations will be used to make blankets for COTS as a part of Swift House Sustainability Action Project. Any clothing that is not used for blankets will be donated to COTS..
Any questions, please contact Debbie Donnelly @ ddonnelly@cvsdvt.org
Thank you, Samantha, Jasmine, Mitchell, Grace, Allison, Sally
Upcoming Concerts
Stage Band at CVSD Jazz Fest - Monday, 5/13 at &:00 pm at CVU
(6:00 call for 8th graders, 6:30 call for 6th-7th graders)
Grades 5 and 6- Wed, 5/22 at 5:30 pm (5:00 call)
Grades 7 and 8- Wed, 5/22 at 7:15 pm (6:45 call)
Beginner Band Thursday, 6/6 at 6 pm (5:30 call)
8th Grade Challenge
Mobile App
Download the WSD App and get notifications for groups, sports teams, 3-4 Chorus, etc. to keep informed.
Open App, tap on the 3 horizontal bars in the top right and select Notifications. Tap on the group boxes for those you want.
Families as Partners
Tuesday Early Dismissal
Dismissal at ABS is 1:35 pm.
Dismissal at WCS is 1:55 pm.
The Tuesday schedule for morning Preschool is 8:00 to 10:15 am. Afternoon preschool is 11:15 am to 1:30 pm.
Four Winds Nature News
School Lunch Menus
Please make payment checks out to 'CVSD - ABS' or 'CVSD-WCS'
Monthly Fitness Fun
More Links, More information
Upcoming Events
Wed. April 17 / Synergy Family Event / 5:30 - 7 pm
Tues. April 17 / FAP Speaker Series / WCS Community Rm. / 6:30 - 8 pm
Thurs. April 18 / Horizon Reading Restaurant / 6 - 8 pm
April 22-26 NO SCHOOL
Fri. May 3 / School Dance / WCS / 6:30-8:30 pm
Thurs. May 9 / FAP Mtg. / WCS Community Rm / 8-10 am
Upcoming Events on the School Web CalendarDAML Programs
Click here to access the DAML web site listing of events.
Recreation & Parks Offerings
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