THE VIKING
Hinesburg Community School - September 30, 2022
Save The Date
Wednesday, October 5: NO SCHOOL - Yom Kippur & Dashain
Thursday, October 6: K-4 and Essential Arts Open House, 5:30
Monday, October 10: NO SCHOOL - Indigenous People's Day
Tuesday, October 11: NO SCHOOL - Parent Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, October 12: Early Release Day (1:45)
Wednesday, October 12, 6:30 pm CVSD DEI Virtual Town HallThursday, October 13, 6:00 pm, CVSD Strategic Planning Community Forum, CVU
Saturday, October 15, 9:30 am, CVSD Strategic Planning Community Forum, WCS
Monday, October 17, 9:00 am, CVSD Strategic Planning Community Forum, Pierson Library, Shelburne
Wednesday, October 19: Early Release Day (1:45)
Thursday, October 20, 6:00 pm, CVSD School Board Meeting
SCHOOL SAFETY DRILLS IN CVSD
As part of our ongoing efforts to keep our community safe and in following with guidance from the VT Agency of Education (AOE), CVSD will be practicing a variety of emergency preparedness exercises this month and throughout the year.
One procedure we will be practicing this month is our options-based response to an active threat protocol. This protocol, recommended by the VT Agency of Education, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and F.B.I., empowers staff during an active threat with options based on what they know about the situation. Those options are to stay with students in a secure location inside or to evacuate with students to a safe location outside the building. Staff will have age and developmentally-appropriate discussion-based practice with students coming up next week.
We believe that beginning with a very simple and short classroom discussion led by the teacher is the most appropriate way to introduce this information to students. Staff will be informed of the day and time of the practice session in advance. The practice is outlined as follows and is designed to be as low-stress an activity as possible for both adults and students.
- The principal makes an announcement to the school over the intercom, “In a few moments we will be practicing what to do when we hear the word “lockdown” over the intercom. Your teacher will stop instruction and take a few minutes to talk about what to do.”
- Teachers have been provided with talking points to lead a brief discussion in the classroom. Sample language includes:
"Today we are going to learn what to do when we hear the word, “Lockdown”. Practicing this will help us all stay safe if something unexpected is happening at the school. We all have special and important jobs to do whenever we hear the word, Lockdown. Our first job is to get quiet and keep voices off. The second part of your job is to look at me and listen carefully for my directions. Sometimes we will stay inside ______. Other times, I might tell you that we are leaving the classroom. Remember, your job is just to keep your voices off and follow my directions. Now I will show you where we will go ____ if we stay inside, and we will practice going there, closing the door, and turning off the lights. On another day, we will practice leaving this space and going outside."
- Principal says: “At this time we will begin our practice and discussion of what to do when you hear the word lockdown. Teachers please take this time now to facilitate a discussion with your students.
There will be follow up practices for this procedure in November and January. All practices will be announced to staff and students in advance. No active threat “simulations” will occur.
School violence is not something anyone wants to think about, but we must do the best we can to be prepared for as many different emergency or potentially unsafe scenarios as possible. Thank you for your support in this effort.
Ready for Recess!
We will go outside for recess every day unless there is heavy rain, thunder and lightening, or below zero temperatures. Please be sure to send your child with all necessary clothing and footwear.
What Do You Envision For CVSD Schools?
We want every member of our community to be included as we design CVSD's strategic plan for the next 5 years. You are invited to help identify our shared values and priorities. The upcoming Community Forums and the accompanying survey are the first steps in that direction. We invite you to join us at any of the Strategic Planning Community Forums and you may use this survey link to share your thoughts. https://bit.ly/CVSDOct22.
- October 13, 6:00 pm, CVSD Strategic Planning Community Forum, CVU
- October 15, 9:30 am, CVSD Strategic Planning Community Forum, WCS
- October 17, 9:00 am, CVSD Strategic Planning Community Forum, Pierson Library, Shelburne
We look forward to hearing from you!
Survey Coming for Parents/Caregivers of Students in Grades 6-12
ParentIN CVSD is working with the Champlain Valley School District to better understand the perspectives and needs of parents and caregivers of tweens and teens in our district. Those with students in grades 6-12 will soon receive a survey via email.
Your honest opinions on the questions in the survey are appreciated. Your answers are completely anonymous and will not be used to identify individual respondents in any way. Results will help us evaluate current programs and plan new ways to support youth and families in our area. If you have any questions about this survey, please reach out to Amy Sayre at asayre@cvsdvt.org or 802-482-6290.
Applications accepted October 3rd through October 14th. Staff, teachers and families are eligible to submit an application.
PiE Grant Committee will review the applications, then meet with HCS Co-Principals and PiE Steering Committee to discuss between October 15th and November 1st.
Grants will be presented at the next PiE meeting for discussion (tentatively November 8th at 7pm). Applicants are welcome to attend the meeting to answer questions. A vote will take place at the end of the presentation. This meeting could be in person or via Zoom.
Awardees will work with PiE treasurer to make purchases!
Free and Reduced Meals Application
Please complete your school meal application today!
While meals are free for students this year, your school still needs you to complete a school meal application. When you return your school meal application, you are helping your student, your school, and our entire community. When more students turn in school meal applications, that means more money for education in the cafeteria and in the classroom. Go to the Food Services page of the district's website to find either a form to print or the online application.
Did you know, there are many benefits to submitting a meal application? This is very important to the long-term possibility of keeping universal meals in Vermont. In addition, school meal applications can help:
- students qualify for waived testing fees, low-cost internet, and discounts to some community programs
- your school meal program bring in more federal dollars to invest in local food and farm-to-school programming
- your schools qualify for important federal education funding
- your community qualify for summer and afterschool meal programs
Filling out the online form only takes a few minutes, and it will help your community, your school, and possibly your tax bill. Please take a minute to complete the form to help the Champlain Valley School District get access to these additional federal dollars. Reach out to your school if you need assistance.
- First Call - 488-7777: phone support, crisis intervention, assessment and referrals
- In Crisis: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) (National Hopeline Network: USA)
- National Suicide Prevention Life line- 1-800-273-TALK (8255), call or chat online
- Crisis Text Line - text HOME to 741741 (24 hours a day, seven days a week)
- Outright Vermont - support for LGBTQ+ community
- UVM Breathe In Breath Out - How to deal with stress due to COVID-19
- Vermont 211 -Vermont database of resources and services
- Vermont Support Line (833) 888-2557) - peer support line open 247 - 365 for call or text
- COVID Counselors @ VT-211
- Teen Crisis Text Line - Crisis Text Line provides free emotional support and information to teens in any type of crisis, including feeling suicidal. You can text with a trained specialist 24 hours a day. Text “HOME” to 741741.
- Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide - Website where you can find information to help yourself or a friend who may be having thoughts of suicide.
- Trevor Lifeline - 1-866- 488-7386 - provides suicide prevention and crisis intervention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. It offers free, 24/7, confidential counseling. TrevorText—text START to 678-678; TrevorChat—instant messaging at TheTrevorProject.org/help. It also runs TrevorSpace, an affirming social networking site for LGBTQ youth at TrevorSpace.
About Us
Suzan Locke, HCS Co-Principal, Grades K-4
482-6299, slocke@cvsdvt.org
Tim Trevithick, HCS Co-Principal, Grades 5-8
482-6298, ttrevithick@cvsdvt.org
Alicia Kurth, HCS Special Education Administrator
482-6285, akurth@cvsdvt.org
Email: hcsinformation@cvsdvt.org
Website: https://www.cvsdvt.org/hinesburg
Location: Hinesburg Community School, 10888, Route 116, Hinesburg, Vermont, USA
Phone: 802-482-2106
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hinesburg-Community-School-125786304154731/
The Viking Newsletter is published weekly, when school is in session. It is available on our web site and is also delivered via email. If needed, a hard copy can be provided for your child to bring home. The Viking includes upcoming events, after school opportunities, notes of interest for parents and the community and updates from our school administration.