CCS Newsletter
March 24, 2017
LET'S CELEBRATE
- Charlotte resident Debbie Deale and her 6th grade son, Owen, shared information and experiences to enhance learning about the Arctic with Mrs. Jesset's 3rd graders. Debbie taught school in Alaska for several years, and she assisted a musher in the Iditarod. Her personal stories brought life in this region right into the classroom. Owen shared an informative game about the Iditarod that he made as a third grader. Thank you Debbie and Owen!
- CCS has two Odyssey of the Mind teams moving on to the world finals in Michigan in May. See inside for more details and picture of the teams.
- Ella Emmons represented CCS in the regional Scripps Spelling Bee this past Wedneday at St. Mike's.
- Brody Flynn is moving on to represent CCS at the state GeoBee on Friday, May 31st.
2017-2018 KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
PROFICIENCY BASED LEARNING AND YOUR CHILD DISCUSSION PANEL
Join Us for a Panel Discussion Thursday, April 6, 2017 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. CCS Library.
This is the follow-up information session discussing our journey toward a proficiency-based learning system at CCS and CSSU. We’ll have a panel consisting of principals, instructional coaches, and students who will answer your questions about what learning, assessment, and communication looks like in this model. Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn more and have your questions answered!! Co-sponsored by your CCS PTO and administration. For more information contact Barbara Anne bkomonsmontroll@cssu.org
Q & A WITH THE PRINCIPALS
STUDENT ABSENT / TARDY LINE - 425-6688
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Tuesday, March 28
Field Trip - Adventurers to Flynn Theater, 11:15am
Field Trip - Kindergarten to Flynn Theater, 11:15am
Early Release Day - 1:55pm
Friday, March 31
No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences
Tuesday, April 4th
Early Release Day - 1:55pm
Wednesday, April 5th
Small Ensembles Concert, MPR, 7:00pm
Thursday, April 6th
17-18 Kindergarten Registration - by appointment (call Naomi at 425-6600)
Current Kindergarten Students - No School
PTO Meeting, CCS Library, 6:00pm
Friday, April 7th
17-18 Kindergarten Registration - by appointment (call Naomi at 425-6600)
Current Kindergarten Students - No School
Tuesday, April 11th
Field Trip - Stage Band to VTAJE Fest, Middlebury High School, 7:30am
Early Release Day, 1:55pm
Friday, April 14th
Staff Appreciation Luncheon, sponsored by the PTO, Staff Room, 11:15am to 1:00pm
Monday, April 17th
Field Trip - Alpha 6 to Flynn Theater, 8:30am
Field Trip - Navigators to Flynn Theater, 8:30am
Tuesday, April 18th
Early Release Day, 1:55pm
Wednesday, April 19th
Q & A with the Principals, CCS Library, 7:30am TO 8:30am. Come any time during this window.
Friday, April 19th
Exploratories! 8:30am - 10:30
Monday April 24th thru Friday April 28th
Spring Break - No School
FAMILY FUN FRIDAY - TONIGHT!!
SCHOOL CHOICE IN OUR NEW DISTRICT
Dear CSSU/CVSD Families,
With the merger of our governing boards comes Intra-district School Choice options for our families. Please see the proposed policy and draft guidelines and procedures - linked below - for requesting placement for your student in a school other than his/her town of residence assignment. The board has reviewed this policy and is anticipating adoption at its April 4 board meeting. They have authorized the distribution of this information prior to adoption because of the narrow timeline in this our first year. For this same reason, applications will be accepted for this one year until April 30, 2017.
If you have interest in enrolling your student in a school other than the assigned school of residence, please complete the linked application form or contact Sandy Raymond at 383.1224 to receive a copy.
Note: URL addresses must be copied and pasted into a browser.
Policy
Procedures
Application
NEWS FROM THE STUDENT SUPPORT CENTER (SSC)
MUSIC NEWS
The seventh and eighth grade Stage Band is busy preparing for an action packed concert season this spring. Our first performance will be at the Vermont Association of Jazz Educators festival held at the Middlebury Union High School on Tuesday, April 11. The band will perform for three adjudicators and other participating school bands. They will receive written feedback and a recording of their performance will be available online after the show. Our students will also attend at workshop under the direction of one of the distinguished adjudicators. We are all looking forward to this terrific opportunity!
Several CCS music students have volunteered to perform at the Small Ensembles concert to be held on Wednesday, April 5, in the MPR at 7 PM. The concert will include some of our most beginning students along with several experienced young musicians. A variety of genres will be covered in small group settings. The students are excited to put on the show and demonstrate their hard work. The show is free and open to the public.
In general music with Mrs. Littlefield, students in third grade just finished up a unit on recorder. They learned how to play the notes B, A, and G, and how to read music on a treble clef. For several days, students worked in centers to continue growing these note reading and playing skills. Check out a few photos below to see some of the activities they did in their centers.
All classes in K-4 general music have begun preparing for their Grandparent’s Day performance on May 26 at 9:30 AM. Each class will sing or play to demonstrate some of the skills they have learned in music class this year.
Upcoming dates:
Wednesday, April 5 - Small Ensembles - 7 PM in the CCS MPR
Tuesday, April 11 - Stage Band at VTAJE Festival in Middlebury - 9 AM
Monday, May 15 - Stage Band at the CSSU Jazz Festival at CVU - 7 PM
Wednesday, May 17 - select musicians perform at the Charlotte Senior Center - 1 PM
Monday, May 22 - 7/8 Spring Concert - 7 PM in the MPR
Thursday, May 25 - 5/6 Spring Concert - 7 PM in the MPR
Friday, May 26 - Grandparent’s Day - 9:30 AM in the MPR
Tuesday, June 6 -Stage Band at Discover Jazz Festival - 11:30 AM Church St.
Wednesday, June 21 - CCS musicians perform at the Lake Monsters Game - (details upcoming)
Thank you for your continued support!
EXPRESSIVE ARTS & WORLD LANGUAGE SPRING CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
THE JOURNEY TOWARD PROFICIENCY BASED LEARNING
We hope that you are finding the articles helpful as we further transition to proficiency-based learning at CCS. This week addresses some specific questions that will provide more clarity.
What is the difference between SBL/PBL? The terms Standards Based Learning (SBL) and Proficiency Based Learning (PBL) are used quite interchangeably. Whether we are helping students reach the standard or becoming proficient in the standard we are assessing, the idea is that learning is a continuum and we need to support and encourage students on their academic journey.
How will SBL/PBL impact instructional delivery in the classroom? We often use the term “Backward Design” in the education field when discussing how to plan our curricular units. We often start with the end point (the standard). The question that guides most of our unit planning is, “Where is it we want all students to be at the end of our unit?” During the unit of study we need measurable targets to indicate where each student is on their journey. These targets help inform us of next steps we need to take in order to make sure everyone is on the path to proficiency. When students show proficiency early on in the journey, we can adapt our instruction to meet their level. When students show they may be struggling, we are able to quickly identify these struggles and create opportunities for intervention that can get them back on track.
The word associated with this instructional delivery method is “differentiation.” With so many different student levels in each classroom, the challenge becomes giving everyone the instruction they need. With increased attention on year-end standards and targeted instruction along the way, SBL/PBL will help inform our instruction for all students.
On Thursday April 6th we hope you’ll join us at the PTO meeting at 6:00 p.m. for a panel discussion on how students are positively impacted in a proficiency-based learning system. This will be a follow up to our fall presentation.
VAMLE CONFERENCE
ODYSSEY OF THE MIND
First place team: Riley DeCell, Charlie Taylor, Taylor Marchand, Wolfy Louchheim, Nik Blasius, Katie Shattie, Josh Batchelder
First place team: Kate Silverman, Charlie Buchwald, Ronan Evans, George Taylor, Elizabeth Nostrand, Whitley Pidgeon, Anderson McEnaney
Second place team: Harry Evans, Jameson McEnaney, Zachary Santos, Coco Eyre, Hadley Stockwell, Grave McNally
Third place team: Cassie Bastress, Tabitha Bastress, Estelle Emmons, Ella Emmons, Cessie Forero, Natalie Scriver
EMPOWER YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE AT CCS!
Our 2nd annual Empower Youth Leadership Conference will be held at CCS for students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade on Saturday April 8th from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The conference will focus on helping participants grow their personal leadership skills. Middle school youth will participate in fun, interactive workshops where they will learn success strategies, tips for stronger minds and bodies, how to create a vision for their future, and how to communicate more effectively with parents and peers. We will discuss world issues and culture with teens in Uganda through a live Skype conversation!
Lunch, snacks, and drinks are all included. Transportation can be arranged if needed. There is a suggested donation of $27. which is appreciated to help cover costs, but is not required. To register, fill out the registration form and return it to Mrs. Muroski, or Ms. Batty at CCS by March 17th. This will help us with planning and space is limited. Once we receive your registration we will email you with all the details for the day. If you have any questions you can email Mary Muroski at mmuroski@cssu.org or Kathy Batty at kbatty@cssu.org. This event is co-sponsored by the Children’s Legacy Partnership, a nonprofit organization in VT helping to better the lives of children worldwide through education. You can download the registration form here.
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.
CCS MARCH LUNCH MENU
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