THE NEWSLETTER
February 24, 2023
ADMINISTRATION UPDATE
Dear CCS Families, Caregivers and Community Members,
Before launching off into winter break, we want to share some highlights from our week. Woven into each of these celebrations is an underlying theme of community. I feel honored to be in a school where students can shine through their talents and passions, where community members are dedicated to creating and sustaining opportunities and where educators can be responsive to the social, emotional and academic needs of all students. I believe CCS is a pretty special place and I know we can work with all of you to continuously improve and refine the vision of learning for our K-8 students. Thank you for your partnership and trust in this commitment.
I hope next week is everything you need it to be.
Kind regards,
Jen
Side by side band with CVU
On Tuesday, February 21, the eighth grade band members (along with some seventh graders) were treated to a side-by-side rehearsal with the CVU high school band. They played through some of their programs, worked on warm-ups and had time for a Q & A at the end. The music was fabulous and smiles were plentiful. It is wonderful to collaborate with our high school to advance our skills and knowledge and share our love of music. A big "thank you" to the CVU band under the direction of Andy Miskavage. See CCS Photos of the week for pictures.
CCS Spelling Championship
Today was a true example of our community supporting an enriching initiative that allowed kids who love words and were excited to share their spelling talents to have the spotlight. Thank you to the parents and caregivers for organizing this spelling competition and to our community members for judging the event. Three winners will be heading to the state spelling competition in March. Congratulations to JP Novak (8th grade) for taking first place; second place Matilda McCrackin (4th grade) and Caprica Langlinais (5th grade) in third. Best of luck at the State Bee.
PCBs link
When CCS received notification that there were areas in the building above action levels of PCBs, we sent out a letter to all of our families. The organization and implementation of a response plan has been underway. We are keeping all updated information on our school site for anyone to refer to. Answers to frequently asked questions about PCBs are there. While we respond to the level in the kitchen, we have a modified version of a menu. This is updated weekly based on the needs of our kitchen crew. Please check the weekly newsletter for that menu.
Voices and Leaders
Opportunities for students to use their voice will make our learning community stronger. So much happens in a week that we forget our community of parents and caregivers may not hear about some of the things that may be happening. These groups are voluntary and open to any student who wishes to participate.
- Student Council - Grades 5/6 and Grades 7/8
- Student Leadership training with CVSD DEI and Outright Vermont to develop a culture of upstanders. Teachers will continue this training after the break so we can foster a community of advocacy and acceptance for students.
- Persuasive Essays in grade 3
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, Feb 27 through Friday, March 3
NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
Wednesday, March 8
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, March 15
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, March 22
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.
Friday, March 24
NO SCHOOL - Parent/Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, March 29
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.
Friday, April 14th
Wizard of Oz - more information to follow
Saturday, April 15th
Wizard of Oz - matinee and evening show; more information to follow
YOU ARE INVITED TO A CCS CAREGIVER BOOK GROUP!
The Gift of Failure by local author Jessica Lahey is a New York Times Bestseller focusing on the critical school years when parents must learn to allow their children to experience the disappointment and frustration that occur from life’s inevitable problems so that they can grow up to be successful, resilient, and self-reliant adults.
"Providing a path toward solutions, Lahey lays out a blueprint with targeted advice for handling homework, report cards, social dynamics, and sports. Most importantly, she sets forth a plan to help parents learn to step back and embrace their children’s failures. Hard-hitting yet warm and wise, The Gift of Failure is essential reading for parents, educators, and psychologists nationwide who want to help children succeed."
Please join Courtney Krahn, CCS Assistant Principal, and Amy Sayre, ParentIN Coordinator and SAP Counselor, in a book discussion on March 15th at 7:00 - 8:00 pm at the CCS Library. You are able to borrow a copy of the book from the Charlotte Community Library. And to make it even more exciting...Jessica Lahey will be speaking to CVSD families on May 25th at CVU! Please join other parents and caregivers for a fun evening of connection. Childcare will be provided. Any questions please contact Amy Sayre at asayre@cvsdvt.org
Check out Jessica on Instagram at:
HOW DO YOU LIKE TO LEARN?
As we near Town Meeting Day, Champlain Valley School District community members and voters have the opportunity to learn more about the proposed 2023-2024 (FY24) budget. Just as we offer opportunities for our students to learn in a variety of ways, we are providing the same to you.
Please attend an in-person presentation, see videos and slides, read articles, or view charts and graphs on the Budget page of the district’s website and in our Annual Report. Find the manner that best suits your style of learning to be an informed voter.
If, after that, you still have questions, reach out to the CVSD School Board cvsdschoolboard@cvsdvt.org or use the School Board or Budget Let’s Talk topics https://www.cvsdvt.org/page/268
Please join the CVSD Annual Informational Meeting on Monday, March 6, 2023, at 5:00 at CVU.
See the Annual Warning on the budget page of our website for all of the CVSD ballot articles. All eligible residents in Champlain Valley School District towns are encouraged to vote on March 7th or earlier.
CVSD STRATEGIC PLANNING - DRAFT PLAN ELEMENTS AND SURVEY FOR FEEDBACK
The CVSD Strategic Planning committee has drafted some elements of the plan and is seeking input from all community members. That includes parents/caregivers, those without children in our schools, faculty/staff, and students.
Please view this set of slides, which were shared at the January Virtual Town Hall, and then use this form to share your thoughts. Please contribute your input by March 3. Thank you!
CHAMPLAIN VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION CLOSES MARCH 1ST, 2023
The famed 'Shelburne Little League' officially changed the organization’s name to the Champlain Valley Little League (CVLL) in 2022 to better reflect the 400+ children registered from the towns of Charlotte, Hinesburg and Shelburne. This short 6-7 week instructional program offers children ages 4-12 years old the opportunity to learn and play America's pastime (baseball and softball in case there were any doubts!).
The inaugural 2023 CVLL Spring Season is shaping up to be a banner year, but we need to make sure that we are reaching all of our prospective players. If you haven’t yet registered or perhaps you know some fellow Charlotters or Vermonters who are interested in playing, please note that our registration officially closes soon on March 1st.
To register, simply visit our site at www.champlainvalleylittleleague.org and select the REGISTER button in the upper right-hand corner. Scholarships are also available to anyone in need. Please note the Chrome browser has proven to be a little problematic with the site, so if possible please use a different browser for registration purposes. If there are any questions or issues, please feel free to contact or email (Charlotter) Al Giangregorio at cvllvt@gmail.com.
We hope to see your child on the diamonds soon!
CHARLOTTE GIRL SCOUT TROOP 30066 - WORLD THINKING DAY EVENT
Won't you please join Charlotte Girl Scout Troop 30066 as they celebrate World Thinking Day on Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 10am - 12 noon at St. Jude's Church in Hinesburg.
This is not a girl scout recruitement event and there is no cost to attend. Each of the girls in the troop has picked a different country outside of the US that they are interested in. They have each learned to make a traditional craft and a delicious recipe from their chosen country and would now like to share it with some of their peers.
Won't you please join us in making some colorful paper plate sombreros from Mexico, cute Highland Cow book marks and/or refrigerator magnets from Scotland, beautiful plastic water bottle tropical fish from Tahiti (French Polynesia), pretty cherry blossom printing from Japan, South Korean paper fan folding, Rangoli stenciling from India, egg carton mancala game making from Africa, etc.
Come sample some of their delicious dishes and see the girls dressed in their "traditional attire." This event is probably best suited to school age children along with adult supervision but is open to anyone. Please RSVP to Cindy Bradley at cahbradley@yahoo.com by 2/22/23 if you would like to attend or if you have any questions. Thanks so much. We hope to see you there!
GIRLS ON THE RUN VERMONT REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Every season Girls on the Run creates a safe and FUN place for girls of all abilities, in grades 3 – 5, to make new friends, establish healthy habits and challenge themselves with personal goals. Spaces are limited so register now for our spring season at gotrvt.org.
Our season begins the week of March 27 and is 10 weeks. Our team will meet at Charlotte Central School on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:15pm to 4:45pm. Movement is woven into our games and activities to empower students to feel greater self-worth! The season culminates with our team crossing the finish line at GOTRVT’s 5K Celebration in Essex Junction.
The registration fee is $115. GOTRVT provides financial assistance directly on the registration form for qualifying families. Please contact GOTRVT directly at 802-871-5664 regarding financial assistance options.
Questions? Contact Coach Barbara Boutsikaris at familyworksvt@gmail.com
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.
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
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.