THE SCHOOL BELL
Williston Schools /October 18, 2017
NO SCHOOL FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20
A Message from the Administration
By Jacqueline Parks, WCS Principal
Williston is in the second year of implementing proficiency based learning in our schools. Last year, our middle school switched over to a standards-based grading program called Jump Rope and began scoring students based on the mastery of each standard within the curriculum area. This shift allows students and parents to see their child’s development of standards within each content class. For example, in the area of writing, a student might be performing at proficiency in using evidence to back up their claim, but not have reached proficiency in writing an introduction paragraph. Proficiency-based scoring would show mastery of the first standard and progress towards master on the second standard. In pinpointing the specific areas for growth, both our students and teachers can better target the learning.
This year, our K-4 teachers will begin to explore proficiency-based learning in the area of science. One component of the Next Generation Science Standards are the science practices that are represented in each science concept. Teachers will be creating learning targets and scales for each of these 8 practices and using them within their science units.
The middle school is also continuing to implement Personalized Learning Plans (PLP). Personalized Learning Plans, which are mandated as part of Act 77, are intended to help students learn about their personal and educational strengths and areas in need of further development. Students use what they learn about themselves to write two goals-one academic and one in personal development.
One new component of PLPs this year that we are very excited about is the integration of executive functioning skills into student goals.
Executive functioning skills include the following: response inhibition, working memory, emotional control, flexibility, sustained attention, task initiation, planning/prioritization, organization, time management, goal-directed persistence and metacognition. (Smart but Scattered Teens by Guare, Dawson and Guare).
All of these skills play a role in being successful in life and the research shows that people develop these up into their mid-twenties. All students are learning about these executive functioning skills, taking a survey to identify their strengths and weaknesses and then setting an academic or personal goal that incorporates executive functioning development into it. Parents can expect to learn about their student’s PLP and goals during their upcoming parent conference.
Grade 2 Continental Mathematics League 2017-2018
Registration deadline for grade 2 is October 20th
Continental Math 2nd Grade Online Registration 2017-2018
Grade 2 Meet dates: Jan 18, Feb 15, and March 15
The Enrichment Program administers the Continental Mathematics League (CML) for motivated students seeking an additional math challenge. Interested students in Grades 2-8 participate in the Euclidean Division, which means “students participating require average reading comprehension and analytical reasoning capabilities. Their computational skill should be appropriate to their grade level.”
ABS Harvest Celebration Oct. 26
It is time again for our annual STONE SOUP celebration at Allen Brook School.
The event will be from 10:30am until 1:30pm on Thursday October 26th. Students are asked to bring in a bowls worth of one soup ingredient on Tuesday the 24th or Wednesday the 25th - and then share soup made of all the ingredients on Thursday. Parents and family are welcome to attend at your child's regular lunch time. Volunteers are needed to help serve the soup and direct the flow of the event - add your name here if you can help… Or just show up! The event will be from 10:30am until 1:30pm on Thursday October 26th Read more!
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
NO SCHOOL FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20
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.)
CVSD Community Budget Forum - Come Share What is On Your Mind
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
6-7:30 pm
CVU High School, Rm. 160
Family Friendly: childcare and kid food provided.
Discuss what you value most in your school.
Learn about CVSD's financial outlook.
Gain understanding of our updated budget process.
Hear principals review the state of their school.
Take a look at our flyer here.
If you can not attend our 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:
FUN NIGHT @ WCS
Drop off your kids (K-4th grade) at Fun Night, Friday, October 27, 2017 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM for activities and PIZZA! This is an evening of adult supervised fun and supports the Swift House end of the year field trip.
What: An evening of adult supervised fun AND PIZZA for the kids.
Where: Drop-off/Pick-up through the Cafeteria entrance (parking lot side of WCS)
Who: Children grades K - 4th
When: Friday, October 27th 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Activities Include: Holiday-themed crafts, face painting, basketball, movie, bean bag toss, bingo, prize table and more!
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.
Graffiti Art paintings on display
Hanna Wolny Grade 5 / Aaron LaRose Grade 6 / Ania Moreau Grade 7 / Kennedy Desautels Grade 6 / Demi Godbout Grade 8 / Daniela Bermudez Grade 7 / Tyler Fieldsend Grade 6 / Kady Cassani Grade 5 / Mia Moshovetis Grade 7 / Kevin Lahiri Grade 6 / Addie Durant Grade 8 / Morgan Ackerly Grade 7 / Soham Patel Grade 7 / Zoe Zoller Grade 7 / John Kerbaugh Grade 6
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
Important dates:
Monday, 10/16- students attended the beginner band instrument demonstration.
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
From the Health Office
Flu Information
It’s flu season, and school is a place where germs are shared generously among students, teachers and school staff. The single best way to protect your entire family against flu is for all people aged six months and older to get an influenza vaccine each year. Young children are among those at higher risk of flu complications. Every year thousands of children younger than age five are hospitalized because of flu illness, and while it is rare, some children die from flu each year.
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.
School Bus Safety
It is illegal to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children, whether on a public or private road, in a parking lot, on multiple lane roads, and on school property. The driver of the vehicle must stop from either direction. The driver must also stop if the school bus has another bus in front of it to receive or discharge passengers. Bicycle riders must abide by the same rules of the road and stop for buses.
• Yellow flashing lights indicate a bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children.
• Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign arm are used to alert motorists that the bus has stopped to load or unload children.
• Buses make frequent stops. Be prepared to stop for them.
• Never pass a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing on the right or left.
• Watch for children who cross in front of the bus when the bus is stopped.
• Look for children at bus stops and those running to bus stops.
• By law school buses are required to stop at railroad crossings.
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
Mind Positive Parenting Oct. 19
Connecting Youth presents: Mind Positive Parenting Speaker Erin Walsh - October 19, 2017 at CVUHS from 7-8:30 pm. FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Speaker Erin Walsh uses brain science, stories and humor to explain how technology is changing the ways that our kids grow up, socialize and make decisions. Erin will help parents understand the key ingredients for thriving in the digital age and provide practical tools and strategies that help families build on their strengths.
For more information contact Lynn Camara at connectingyouth@cvsdvt.orgor by phone at (802) 985-1932.
Job Openings in Williston Schools
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
Fri. Oct. 20 / NO SCHOOL
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 / noon -1:30 pm / DAML Library
Sat. Nov. 4 / Craft Fair / 9 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
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