CCS Newsletter
May 04, 2018
ADMINISTRATION UPDATE
Dear CCS Families,
The learning at CCS this week was truly out of this world! On Wednesday afternoon, our 6th graders led us in a once in a lifetime opportunity to talk live with Scott Tingle and Drew Feustel, two NASA astronauts completing a six month mission onboard the International Space Station. Our CCS sixth grade team, led by teachers Christa Duthie-Fox and Tasha Grey, were given the opportunity for the downlink as part of a comprehensive two month interdisciplinary ISS unit in social studies and science.
Working in collaboration with NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Solar System Ambassador Allan Miller (who is also an instructional coach with the Champlain Valley School District), the classes have studied the history of the ISS and have been given access to the Sally Ride Earthkam to take pictures of the earth from the station.
Our CCS students were amazing - the quality of the questions that they asked was quite impressive and allowed for an excellent dialogue with the NASA astronauts. The work of the students leading up to Wednesday’s downlink included using Earthkam photos in their studies of geography, and have recently completed an ISS design challenge inspired by Apollo 13 which had them design an emergency insulation system to keep a battery warm in the extreme temperatures of space using only basic materials that can be found onboard the station. Students are currently working on research projects exploring some of the actual science experiments the astronauts are conducting and supporting on the ISS, looking at topics including material science, radiation impacts on DNA, experimental space habitats, and microgravity plant growth.
Our entire middle school of 175 students attended the event, along with many of our teachers, CVSD Superintendent Elaine Pinckney, CVSD Director of Student Learning and Innovation Jeff Evans, CVSD Director of Special Education Meagan Roy and CVSD Board of Directors Chairperson Lynn Jaunich. The event was also broadcast live worldwide on NASA’s cable TV station and streamed live online at nasa.gov/ntv and RETN. Local media outlets WCAX, WPTZ, WVNY/WFFF and the Charlotte Citizen were in attendance to cover this monumental event.
The classes have also been receiving support from RETN’s educational outreach team in order to gain the skills required to create high quality videos telling the stories of the research projects they are learning about. These videos will be shared as part of a Family Night Film Festival to be held at the end of May. The downlink is primarily being used by the students as an opportunity to gain more first hand knowledge that will be incorporated into their final video projects. For more information, you can click on the following links:
Warm Regards,
Stephanie, Jen and Cassandra
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Friday, May 4th
Field Trip - Kindergarten to Flynn, 9:15am
Field Trip - ACDA Music Festival, 9:45am
Field Trip - Voyagers to Flynn, 11:15am
CCS Dance, MPR, 7:00 - 9:00
Monday, May 7th
VSO Presentation for K-5, MPR, 10:15am
CCS Arbor Day Celebration, 1:45 pm
Tuesday, May 8th
Early Dismissal, 1:55pm
Wednesday, May 9th
Due date for Champ Fun Run Poster Contest
End of Year Mentoring Event, MPR & Rm 211, 11:00 - 1:30
Field Trip - Small Ensembles to Senior Center, 1:15pm
Friday, May 11th
Teacher Appreciation Luncheon, 11:00 - 1:00, sponsored by K-2 families
Field Trip - Adventurers to Flynn, 11:00am
Tuesday, May 15th
Early Dismissal, 1:55pm
CVSD Board Meeting, CVU Rm 160, 6:00pm
Thursday, May 17th
Field Trip - Select Omega Students to Champlain College ROOTS 2018 Program, 8:15am
Field Trip - Navigators to Audubon Center, 10:45am
Muslin Girls Making Change, MPR, 6:15pm - see inside for details
Friday, May 18th
Q & A with the Principals, 7:30am
Tuesday, May 22nd
Early Dismissal, 1:55pm
Thursday, May 24th
5/6 Spring Concert Assembly, MPR, 1:45pm
5/6 Spring Concert, MPR, 7:00pm
Friday, May 25th
K-4 Grandparent/Grandfriend Visiting, 9:00 - 11:00 - watch newsletter for details
Current Kindergarten Early Dismissal - 11:30am
2018-2019 Kindergarten Visiting - 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Monday, May 28th
NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 29th
Early Dismissal, 1:55pm
Wed, May 30th
7/8 Spring Concert Assembly, 1:45pm
7/8 Spring Concert, MPR, 7:00pm
Thursday, June 7th
Spring BBQ, Fun Run & Basket Raffle - watch for details
Thursday, June 14th
CCS 8th Grade Graduation & Dance (last day of school for 8th graders)
Friday, June 15th
Last Day of School for K-7 Students - 12:15 Dismissal
Monday, June 18th
CCS Friends & Family Night at Centennial Field, 7:05pm game start
VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP FOR THE ALPHA TEAM
MUSIC NEWS
CCS Musicians at the Lake Monsters:
All CCS instrumental (band) students are invited to perform our National Anthem at Centennial Field in Burlington for the opening day of the Lake Monsters season. The game/performance will be held on Monday, June 18. If you and your child are interested in this wonderful opportunity, please email asmith@cvsdvt.org to confirm your participation. As the date gets closer, more details will follow. Also, don’t forget to purchase your ticket to the game through the CCS PTO as this will serve as a fundraiser.
VSO to visit CCS:
On Monday morning, May 7, the VSO will present “Symphony Reel” a string trio to our K - 5 students in the MPR. Special thanks to the VSO for including us in their spring tour. We are all excited for this special presentation.
Please mark your calendar with the following performance dates:
May 4-5 - ACDA Children’s Festival in Burlington
May 9th at 1:00 - Small ensemble field trip to Charlotte Senior Center
May 14th at 7 PM - Stage Band at the CVSD Jazz Festival at CVU
May 24th at 7 PM - 5/6 Concert
May 25th - K-4 Grandparent’s Day Concert
May 30th at 7 PM - 7/8 Concert
June 5 at 11:30 AM - Stage Band at the Discover Jazz Festival, Burlington
June 18 - CCS Musicians to perform the National Anthem at the Lake Monsters Game!
GREEN UP DAY SERVICE PROJECT
Our 3rd and 4th grade students participated in a community service project for Green Up Day. Students cleaned up the playground, the children’s garden area and the entryway to our school. Together we bagged garbage, began to ready the children’s garden and swept the front entrance and sidewalks to help take care of our space and the earth!
MUSLIM GIRLS MAKING CHANGE
Who: Muslim Girls Making Change (MGMC)
Where: Charlotte Central School
When: Thursday May, 17th @ 6:15
Invited: ALL CVSD students and families
Muslim Girls Making Change (MGMC), a youth slam poetry group created by Kiran Waqar, Hawa Adam, Lena Ginawi, and Balkisa Abdikadir, is dedicated to social justice through poetry. Tired of having their voices ignored by older generations, they turned to slam poetry to be heard and to make a change. Since forming these girls have competed at international levels, won numerous awards, performed widely, and help lead several local and nation initiatives.
K-2 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON SUPPORT
Dear K, 1st, and 2nd grade parents,
Please use the link below to sign up for the teacher appreciation luncheon on 5/11. Thanks in advance!
The CCS PTO
PTO CHAMP RUN & BBQ POSTER CONTEST
GREEN UP VERMONT - SATURDAY, MAY 5TH
WHAT: A day of cleaning up our roadsides. Bags are available now at businesses around town. Sign up for a route and find other information on our website. Volunteers will be at the CCS Quonset Hut to hand out bags, accept filled bags. Learn about garbage, recycling and composting
WHEN: 8 am-6 pm on Saturday, May 5th
WHERE: The Quonset Hut at Charlotte Central School on 408 Hinesburg Road, Charlotte
SPECIAL EVENTS & ACTIVITIES:
- Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge Clean Up, Thorp Barn, 10 am
- E-waste Recycling, CCS Quonset Hut, 8 am-6 pm
- Charlotte-Shelburne Seed Library Seed Exchange, CCS Quonset Hut, 8 am-6 pm
For More Info: www.CharlotteVTGreenUpDay.com
Ken Spencer at spenken@icloud.com or Kim Findlay at farafieldfarm@gmail.com
LET’S ALL PITCH IN!!!
NATURE SCAVENGER HUNT
SCAVENGER HUNT
THE CHARLOTTE PARK AND REFUGE
The Charlotte Land Trust is excited to announce its first ever Nature Scavenger Hunt for kids and their parents on May 19. Each participant or group will receive a card and enjoy an exciting walk through the park searching for various landmarks, insects, tracks and plants…all the while exploring the wonderful natural beauty of the refuge. This is an event for children of all ages and cards will be accessible to both toddlers as well as more advanced kid naturalists (accompanied by an adult). Refreshments and snacks provided at the end.
WHEN: Saturday, May 19 (rain date on May 20th).
TIME: 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon.
PARKING: PLEASE MEET AT THE CHARLOTTE SCHOOL AT 9:30 A.M.
THERE IS NO PARKING AT THE PARK! We will provide a bus to take participants up to the top of the park, off route 7. Everyone will be back to the school by noon, or possibly earlier. Please do not park at the Greenbush Road entrance, as the hunt will be taking place along the scenic Thorpe and Byington trails at the top of the hill.
REGISTRATION: Participants are asked to pre-register. Forms are available at:
1. Town Web site (www.Charlottevt.org) under the ‘Recreation’ tab.
2. CLT website (CharlotteLandTrust.org)
3. At the Town Hall. Please return registrations to the Recreation office at the Town Hall.
Questions: Call Frances Foster 343-0633.
2018-2019 CCS APPROVED CALENDAR
BUCCANEERS YOUTH FOOTBALL
Registration is now open!
The Buccaneers Youth Football program serves youth in Charlotte, Hinesburg, St. George, Shelburne and Williston. Registration is open for those entering 2nd through 8th grade in the fall of 2018. The season starts Monday, August 13th. The registration deadline is July 1 and the cost is $150 (equipment and uniforms provided). Scholarships are available.
To sign-up, go to www.willistonrec.org For more information, e-mail the Bucs Board at buccaneersvt@gmail.com or check out our website at http://www.buccaneersfootballvt.org/
Join the fun! Go Bucs!
2018 SUMMER CAMP LISTING
Champ Camp - entering CCS 1st through 4th graders.
Kids Cook Vermont - at the Charlotte Congregational Church.
Saxon Hill School Camp, ages 3 through 9.
Unbound Grace Summer Camps - ages 6 through 17.
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