THE NEWSLETTER
April 21, 2023
REMINDER: SPRING BREAK APRIL 24TH THROUGH APRIL 28
ADMINISTRATION UPDATE
Good Afternoon Families, Caregivers and Community Members,
We hope all of you have a peaceful, joyful and recharging April vacation. It is hard to believe when we have students back in the building, it will be May 1st. There is so much to look forward to in the last six weeks of school. Below is a description of something special we look forward to for the first week of May.
Take Care,
CCS Administration
Staff Appreciation Week Begins 5/1
A quick reminder that the week of May 1st-5th is staff appreciation week. We'd like to encourage all students and families to participate in showing our gratitude to the staff at CCS. While the PTO and administration are organizing some events, please also feel free to get creative with your expressions of gratitude!
Weekend Prep- Any artists who like working with sidewalk chalk messages could leave notes and pictures on the sidewalks surrounding the school over the weekend. That way, everyone entering school on Monday will be greeted by colorful messages.
For each of the Appreciation Week Days, students can draw a picture, write a poem, sing a song , bring in flowers or bouquets— the sky's the limit for these priceless members of our school community.
Monday 5/1 - Administrative Assistants (Naomi, Cindy, Kathie)
Tuesday 5/2 - National Teachers’ Day (Classroom teachers, Special Educators, and Essential Arts Educators)
Wednesday 5/3 - National School Nurse Day, School Counselors and Bus Drivers
Thursday 5/4 - Support Staff, Custodians and Behavior System Team
Friday 5/5 - National School Lunch Hero Day is a great day to show some extra appreciation for Sherry, Deb, Vicki, Jeannie and Scott! Our PTO Luncheon is scheduled for Friday!
The acknowledgements showered on the staff during this week not only brings joy, it has a way of energizing the school through the final weeks of school.
The Power of Words
Over the past week, every member of our student support team coordinated energy to take care of students. Emotions were high and some unkind words were flowing too easily toward peers. In a time when adolescent mental health is of nationwide concern, we find it particularly worrisome at how peers/friends are talking to one another. We have many students acting as up-standers at school asking for help from the staff. We want to encourage all students to feel brave to call out topics, language and jokes they feel are inappropriate and may be emotionally harmful to others. We appreciate your partnership navigating this increasingly complex world. Talk to your children at home on how to become advocates and allies and to understand the power of words.
Here are some great resources for families:
Interrupting Bias: Calling Out vs. Calling In - Seed The Way.com
Digital Awareness for Parents | StopBullying.gov: Please remind your children about the digital footprint that will follow them for life.
LOST AND FOUND
The Lost and (not yet) Found is once again overflowing. Please have your child(ren) check the lobby vestibule rack for any missing items. These items will be donated on April 21st (before the Spring Break). We hate to give away family's missing items, so please come by!
NOTES FOR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS ABOUT VTCAP
Starting soon, students in grades 3-9 and 11 will take the spring state-mandated assessments. These assessments provide insights that will help us to better know our learners. The 2023 Vermont Comprehensive Assessment Program (VTCAP) replaces the SBAC and the Vermont Science Assessment that were used in previous years. Some are referring to this as Cognia. It is administered in the following subjects and grades:
- English Language Arts (ELA) Grades 3-9
- Mathematics Grades 3-9
- Science Grades 5, 8, and 11
The ELA and Mathematics assessments assess the Common Core State Standards (CSSS) for English and Mathematics, respectively. The Science assessment assesses the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The spring 2023 Vermont Comprehensive Assessment Program (VTCAP) will be administered in a computer-based test format, similar to the structure used for SBAC and the VT Science Assessment.
- The Vermont Agency of Education has set the testing window for April 12 - May 26, which includes any time needed for makeup tests.
- During test sessions, students will be using their school-provided Chromebooks. Mobile phones and smartwatches will be put away and will not be accessed for test security purposes.
- The tests are “adaptive” for most students but not for all. That element varies by grade level and if some students have accommodations or certain settings in place. Adaptive means that the test adapts to their ability level based on student responses.
What can you do to help?
- Please make sure that students are in school when their grade or team is testing. That will reduce the need for follow-up and makeup testing.
- Please help to ensure that students are well-rested.
This is new for all of us, including students and the adults in our schools who will help with the test administration. We will all do our best to make sure that this is a comfortable and low-stress experience for all.
Thank you for your support.
The above link will bring you to a page on the CCS webpage and we will do our best to provide regular updates and information regarding PCBs at Charlotte Central School.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, April 24th through Friday April 28th
NO SCHOOL - Spring Break!
Wednesday, May 3rd
Early Dismissal, 1:40 start loading buses, 1:50 car pick up begins. AM & PM, please do not enter the front parking lot until all of the buses have departed.
Wednesday, May 10th
Early Dismissal, 1:40 start loading buses, 1:50 car pick up begins. AM & PM, please do not enter the front parking lot until all of the buses have departed.
Family Math Night! - MPR, 6:00pm - 7:30pm. See flyer below for more information.
Wednesday, May 17th
Early Dismissal, 1:40 start loading buses, 1:50 car pick up begins. AM & PM, please do not enter the front parking lot until all of the buses have departed.
Wednesday, May 24
Early Dismissal, 1:40 start loading buses, 1:50 car pick up begins. AM & PM, please do not enter the front parking lot until all of the buses have departed.
Opening Day of the Vermont Lake Monsters!! CCS Night to support PTO & featuring CCS bands abd choruses performing the National Anthem. Buy your tickets in advance from a CCS student for $8.00 and CCS will receive $4.00! (5:30 gates open, 6:35 first pitch)
Wednesday, May 31st
Early Dismissal, 1:40 start loading buses, 1:50 car pick up begins. AM & PM, please do not enter the front parking lot until all of the buses have departed.
Thursday, June 15th
CCS 8th grade graduation (and last day of school for 8th graders only) - more details to follow.
Friday, June 16th
K-7 - Last Day of School
PANDEMIC EBT (P-EBT) BENEFITS FOR SUMMER 2023
Vermont will be issuing a final round of Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits for Summer 2023. All students at our school qualify for a Summer P-EBT benefit of $120 per student. This is because of the way that we are offering free school meals to all students this year.
The benefit will be sent to the head of household and the mailing address that we have on file for your student. If you have moved or need to update the head of household, please let us know by Wednesday, May 10th. To make changes, please contact Naomi Strada, nstrada@cvsdvt.org or 425-6600.
These benefits will be sent out by mid-August. If your student missed school for a COVID-related reason between February 2023 and May 11, 2023, you will receive benefits for those days at the same time.
Please see Frequently‐Asked Questions (FAQs) About School Pandemic EBT (P‐EBT) for more information. If you need to request a new card or have more questions about P-EBT, visit https://dcf.vermont.gov/esd/P-EBT or call 1‐800‐479‐6151, option 7.
MUSIC NEWS
Spring Concert
The 5th, 6th and 7-8th Grade Bands, Jazz Band and Chorus are excited to present a Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17! The event will be at 6:30 PM in the MPR at CCS. Students should arrive at 6 PM and go to the band room first. The performers should wear something nice. The concert is free and open to the public. Thank you and see you at the show!
CVSD Jazz Festival
The CCS Jazz Band will perform at the CVSD Jazz Festival at CVU on Wednesday, May 31. Eighth graders should arrive at 6 pm and all others at 6:30 for a 7 pm concert. The festival will feature the jazz bands from Hinesburg, Shelburne, Williston, Charlotte and CVU. The event is free and open to the public.
The CCS Bands and Choruses to perform the National Anthem at the Lake Monsters Game
When: May 24, 2023 (5:30 PM arrival, 6:30 PM performance)
Where: Centennial Field, Burlington, VT
Attire: Please wear a solid color top (red, white or black to represent CCS), solid colored bottoms and comfy shoes.
- Student performers are responsible for their own transportation to and from the game.
- To sign your child up for this performance, please email Andy Smith for band members or Emy Berger for chorus members stating that your child has permission to perform. asmith@cvsdvt.org or eberger@cvsdvt.org.
- If the musicians are planning to attend the game after the performance, the Lake Monsters will provide tickets.
- Please keep your eyes on the weather. If the game is canceled due to rain, it may not be until the last minute. We will email everyone as soon as we hear but, if the weather is suspect, you may want to check the Lake Monsters website before heading out. There will not be a make-up performance (this year) if the game is called off.
- Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions at asmith@cvsdvt.org or (802) 425-6653.
Thanks and we look forward to seeing you at the game!
CCS Jazz Band at the Discover Jazz Festival
The CCS Jazz Band will perform as part of Burlington’s Discover Jazz Festival on Wednesday, June 7, on the Mall Block of Church Street from 1:40 - 2:20 pm. We will arrive by bus and students will be responsible for their own transportation home after the show. This culminates a year of dedication and hard work and we are excited to share what we have learned. We hope to see you at the festival!
CCS LIBRARY NEWS
Library books are due back May 15! Reminder notes about what students have checked out will be arriving in email inboxes beginning the week after spring break.
ParentIN SURVEY RESULTS
Dear ParentIN Community,
Last fall, you participated in our annual ParentIN Survey on youth substance use. We’d like to extend our sincere thanks for taking the time to share your most important challenges and concerns when raising youth today. Your input was (and is) essential to how we proactively develop support systems for this community. With that, we’re sharing some key findings from the survey and hope they will empower you with the information you need to best serve the health and well-being of our community's youth.
But first, celebrations!
Conversations!
- 56% of caregivers felt very confident about being able to talk effectively with their child about alcohol and drugs.
Connections!
- At least 5 days a week, your kids are having dinner with at least one family caregiver.
- 76% of caregivers reported knowing the whereabouts of their kids when they’re out with friends.
We are encouraged by these findings, and you should be too. They are the building blocks for trust and understanding between caregivers and youth.
CVSD is committed to substance use prevention.
More than 50% of respondents acknowledge the significant risks that alcohol, cannabis, and vaping, can have on youth development. The following health issues were identified as "big problems" or “somewhat of a problem” by 90% or more of respondents. These issues are closely aligned with what we are seeing in CVSD schools and further validate what National Youth Risk Behavior Survey research says are directly linked to substance use and misuse.
Overuse of social media/screen time
- 96% of caregivers viewed this as a big problem or somewhat of a problem
Student stress/anxiety
- 94% of caregivers viewed this as a big problem or somewhat of a problem
Parental stress
- 92% of caregivers viewed this as a big problem or somewhat of a problem
Depression/suicide
- 90% of caregivers viewed this as a big problem or somewhat of a problem
There is a “why” underneath each health issue and we’re committed to uncovering it. Consider the celebrations as tools to continue fostering healthy environments. For more helpful tips, resources and upcoming events hosted by ParentIN, follow us on Facebook and Instagram or reach out to me at asayre@cvsdvt.org With your help, we can improve our community’s health and safety for youth.
We have an exciting event coming up on May 25th. New York Times bestselling author, Jessica Lahey, will be coming to CVU! Learn research-backed strategies on how to set up our kids for the future. Jessica is funny and honest and has loads of experience and expertise in working with kids. We hope you can join us!
Thank you again for your participation in the survey and for your commitment to the well-being of our community's youth.
My best,
Amy Sayre
CCS FAMILY MATH NIGHT
FAMILY FUN DAY TO SUPPORT VERMONT MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION!
When: Saturday, June 10th from 4-7pm
Where: CVU High School
Activities: Music, yard games, face painting, group activities, guest speakers, and more!
Tickets: $12 for adults and $6 for youth (12 & under) if pre-purchased online (link below), $15 for adults and $8 for youth if purchased at the door. Each ticket includes a voucher for one food item and one drink!
All proceeds directly benefit the Vermont Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Unable to attend? Donate to Make-A-Wish Vermont
This event is put on by CVUHS students, with support from the CVU Business Program. Please direct any questions to Logan Vaughan at FamilyFunDay@cvsdvt.org.
MILITARY AFFILIATED DATA COLLECTION
All school districts in Vermont have been asked to send this form out to families/caregivers.
If your family is currently affiliated with a military branch, please fill out this form provided by the Vermont Agency of Education(AOE). The AOE uses this information to fulfill its federal and public reporting requirements.
This data collection is for the current school year. If your family is not currently affiliated with a military branch, no action is required.
Last December, CCS received $536 from Hannaford that was used to cover field trip expenses for families who need assistance.
MAY MENU
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
2023 SUMMER CAMPS
This list of summer camps is provided as a convenience to Charlotte families. CCS does not endorse any particular camp but provides the list as informational only.
CVSD Band Camp - August 14 - 18 - for more information please contact Tim Buckingham at tbuckingham@cvsdvt.org
Jazz Jivin' Summer Camp - June 26 - 30, Isham Family Farm. Available for rising 5th through 9th graders. More information and registration at willistoncommunitytheatre.com. $25 discount if registered by February 15th.
Must Love Yarn Fiber Arts Summer Camp - half day, one week long summer camps in Shelburne. Ages 8-12. See flyer.
Summer Symphony Camp - June 26 - 30 - learn more at www.VYO.org
Vermont Jazz Camp - July 24 - 28 - for details please visit www.vtjazzcamp.com
SUMMER OF SCIENCE, CODING, TEEN LEADER OPPORTUNTIES AND MORE
The University of Vermont Extension has a lot of free programs available to youth this summer. Check out our offerings on our 4-H Announcements webpage. Youth can explore different science pathways as part of our Summer of Science, learn about environmental issues at the Natural Resources Management Academy, become a teen leader for the Youth Environmental Summit or a science ambassador for the VTeen 4-H Science Pathways Cafes. Our current 4-H ambassadors will be hosting a Science Fun Day for younger youth in grades 3-5. Learn about all of these amazing opportunities and more.
Contact: Lauren Traister at lauren.traister@uvm.edu or (802) 888-4972 ext. 402
HELPFUL CCS LINKS
HELPFUL COMMUNITY LINKS
ABOUT US
Jen Roth, Lead Principal, Grades K-6
Courtney Krahn, Assistant Principal, Grades 7-8
Beth Slater, Director of Special Services
The Newsletter is published every Friday, when school is in session. It is delivered to our families via email, posted on our website, and on Front Porch Forum. A hard copy is available by contacting the school.