THE SCHOOL BELL
Williston Schools /November 20, 2019
* NO SCHOOL * NOVEMBER 25-29 * THANKSGIVING BREAK *
A Message From The Administration
Asking the right questions
by Sarah Crum, Director of Student Support Services
There is an emphasis in the education world on the power of strategic questioning techniques in the classroom. The experts are clear that quality questioning is key to unlocking deep and thoughtful insights from our students. Additionally, teaching students how to craft quality questions helps them reach new levels of critical thinking and problem solving. Recently, I did some learning that shed new light on the magic within a question: the power of questions to reflect our values.
David Truss, in his November 4th 2019 Blog Post: Asking Your Kids The Right Questions (Daily-Ink by David Truss: https://daily-ink.davidtruss.com/asking-your-kids-the-right-questions/) talks about how a simple change in his questions to his own children changed the shape of their reflections. At dinner, or before bed, he used to ask his children: “What was your favorite part of the day?” He changed that question to “Who did you help today?” At first, his children didn’t have a clear answer, but very quickly they were able to reflect on this as a part of their everyday. I was struck by this simple change in what we choose to reflect upon, what we choose to notice, and how that choice represents the things we value.
As a parent, I’m sure I have been emphasizing things I didn’t intend to with my line of questioning, but this has made me think about how I can make some simple changes now. Here are a few questions I am thinking about using to replace my usual interactions:
Who did you help today? (This one, I am definitely stealing!)
How did you grow today?
How did something you learned today change your thinking?
What is something you are proud of today?
How did you contribute today?
How did you stick with it when it was really hard?
And next week is a good reminder of one I should be asking everyday:
What are you thankful for today?
Extended Hours at the Bookfair!
Poetry Slam at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library
Wednesday, November 20, 5:30 pm
Join us for some friendly, creative competition at our student poetry slam! Students in grades K-12 are invited to enter and read up to two original poems per themed category: nature (including animals), short epic (adventure poems), personal (experience or story), and poet’s choice (miscellaneous). Competition will be judged by a panel of local writers with prize winners of different age groups chosen in each category. All poems must be original and each poem may not exceed 3 minutes in length. Free event. Official entry of poems at event. Please pre-register by calling the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library (802-878-4918).
Event is at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, November 20.
Important info about after school hours at the DAML
We love welcoming your 3rd-8th grade children to the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, and our after school attendance has been booming! On Tuesdays we see 40 – 60 children in an afternoon, most of whom come without a supervising adult. We want to reach out to families to convey what the library space is like for your child in the interest of safety.
How old must my child be to visit the library on his/her own?
Our policy states that children in third grade and at least eight years old may use the library unattended. Children under third grade (eight years old) must be supervised by a responsible person over 16 years old while in the library.
What does the library offer after school?
Programs are offered every Tuesday afternoon. Some programs require registration. Passive activities like board games and origami are available. Children may use the youth room computers by signing up for 30-minute sessions (limited to two sessions per day). Although we ask that children view appropriate material, our internet is not filtered and browsing is not supervised. Children with library cards or those who have permission on their parent’s or guardian’s account can borrow books, DVDs, Playaways, audiobooks, games and more.
What do I need to know if my child is visiting the library without a responsible adult?
Because the library is a public space, patrons of all ages can come and go from the building as they please. This includes unattended children. Librarians do not act in loco parentis. Parents or legal guardians are always responsible for the well-being and safety of their children. We do not have a sign in sheet to track who is in the library or emergency information for parents and guardians. Children must have a way to get in touch with a parent or guardian at all times if they are unattended.
Children who come to the library unattended are expected to follow the library guidelines, as all patrons are. We ask patrons to be respectful of staff, other patrons, and the space. Violations of the library rules can result in a patron being asked to leave, police being called, and/or the patron losing library privileges.
How do I find out more?
We hope that by becoming more familiar with our policies, you’ll have a better idea of whether your child is ready to come to the library unattended. We welcome you to contact Jess in Youth Services at 878-4918 to discuss if the library is the right place for your child after school.
Learn to Ski/Ride Program
Registration is now open for the Learn to Ski/Ride Program. This is a partnership program with Williston Recreation & Schools. Program is for children in grades K-8th and is for 7-Tuesdays- Jan. 7- Feb. 18 from 2:30-4:30pm. Bus transportation is available at dismissal at both schools and then back to WCS by 5:15pm. There is an Informational Meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 6:00pm at WCS Auditorium. The first Fitting Night for borrowed equipment is Wed, Dec. 11 at 6:00pm. Kindergarten children need to have a parent/guardian transport them to and from Cochran’s and help on the mountain during lessons.
For more program information click on this link- http://www.willistonrec.org/documents/infoflyer.skiride.pdf.
To register click on this link- http://www.willistonrec.org/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29954
Hill Closings for Buses
On the occasions it is determined a Williston school bus will not be driving on a hill* road during the morning pick up, we hope to be able to contact families early enough for you to get students to a stop at the start of the hill to catch the bus. When the hills are closed in the morning, it includes hills on the preschool bus routes.Alternatively, during the afternoon bus runs, we will contact families to advise you that the bus will need to drop children off at the start of the hill, and you can meet the bus there if necessary. If no one arrives to meet younger students, they will be brought back to school until arrangements are made for them to be picked up. Please talk with your bus drivers to let them know if you are comfortable letting your child walk home from the drop off location.
We will use the Connect 5 automated calling system to send a voice message to families on the hill roads.
*These are the hill roads: Butternut, Highlands, Porterwood, Oak Knoll, Rabbits Run, Evergreen, Fortier, Douglas, Yantz Hill, lower River Cove, Meadow Ridge, Ledgewood, Bayberry, Terrace, Jasmine, Wild Ginger, French Hill**, Sunrise Drive, Sunset, Lincoln, Walker Hill.
**Students who live on or off Rt. 2 (Williston Rd) east of the 4-way intersection at the Federated Church should be picked up from school if the hills are closed in the afternoon, as the bus will not drive toward French Hill in bad weather.
Attention all Allen Brook Parents
If your child will be absent, is coming in late, leaving early, has an end of day change, etc please use the following email: absfrontoffice@cvsdvt.org along with your child's classroom teacher and the team assistant:
Horizon TA-bjohnson@cvsdvt.org
Harmony TA aroberts@cvsdvt.org
Synergy TA lsaladino@cvsdvt.org
Dismissal Changes Needed by 1 pm
If there is a change to your child's dismissal plan, please communicate it to school before 1 pm so that we can update our daily record of who is absent, left early, or has a dismissal change. This document is referenced first whenever a student doesn't show up where expected.
We appreciate learning about changes before 1 pm to ensure adequate time to document and share the information with those who need to know.
8th Grade Challenge Project
My name is Kevin Lahiri. Help me as I seek funds to improve the WCS playground basketball court. The court is in need of some site work and new backboards, hoops and nets, so that the court is safe and functional. I have started a GoFundMe site to begin fundraising for this school improvement, which is part of my 8th Grade Challenge on Voyager House. The link to my fundraising site is:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/wcs-outdoor-basketball-court-improvement-project
The WCS Lost & Found is Overflowing!
Williston Job Openings
Food Service Subs Needed
Join our Food Service Team. Flexible hours, Training provided, Fun and Friendly atmosphere. Pick up an application or contact Scott Wagner with Questions: swagner@cvsdvt.org / Phone:(802) 871-6198
Preschool Bus and lunch / Recess Aide
ABS is seeking an energetic, child-centered adult to ride the preschool bus and assist with supervision to our elementary students during lunch and recess each day that school is in session. Hours vary by day of week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: 10:45pm to 12:45 pm; Tuesdays: 10:15 am to 12:45 pm; Fridays: 11 am to 12:45.
Interested candidates should submit an application or contact Cindy Pavlik, cpavlik@cvsdvt.org, 871-6203.
Intensive Paraprofessional
Williston Central School is looking for a skilled, caring individual to provide intensive support in the areas of multi-layered curriculum or curriculum overlapping, communication, behavior and activities of daily living. Ability to promote child growth and foster independence and a willingness to learn. 6.5 hrs a day for 194 school days. The hourly range is $16.70 - $18.27. Lifting is a requirement. Supporting students on the bus ride to or from school may be required. If interested please email cmorin@cvsdvt.org or apply online: www.schoolspring.com
Benefits include health insurance options, paid holidays, sick and personal time.
Full Time Custodial Position (2nd Shift)
Williston Schools has a full time 2nd shift (2:30 pm to 11:00 pm) custodial opening. Great benefits including paid holidays, health insurance options, sick and vacation time.
Contact Lyall Smith with questions. lysmith@cvsdvt.org or 871-6013.
Williston Food Shelf Turkey Day
Turkeys can be dropped off at 400 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 130 (down behind the Williston Coffee Shop). Feel free to donate gift cards from local grocery stores, so clients can purchase their own turkeys. Cards can be dropped off, or mailed to the Williston Community Food Shelf at P.O. Box 1605, Williston, VT 05495. Please help us reach our goal of having a turkey for each one of our less fortunate neighbors.
If you have any questions or need more information, contact Ginger Morton, President
Williston Community Food Shelf
mortonkg@comcast.net; 879-4558
Box Tops for Education
click for a video explaining the changes and more information
Bus Information
Part 2
Four Winds Volunteers
FOUR WINDS
Learn more about this fun science program on our website
November topic is: Conifer Clues
Monthly Fitness Fun
School Nutrition Program
Please make payment checks out to 'CVSD - ABS' or 'CVSD-WCS'
Mobile App
Download the WSD App and get notifications for groups, sports teams, 3-4 Chorus, etc. to keep informed.
Open App, tap on the 3 horizontal bars in the top right and select Notifications. Tap on the group boxes for those you want.
CVSD Meeting Schedules
CVSD Committee, Board, and and Budget Meetings
Committee meetings are on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 6 pm excluding Dec. and Jan., at CVUHS, Room 160, 162, 165
Regular Board Meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6 pm, excluding Dec. & Jan.
Budget Meetings: Nov. 19, Dec. 3, Dec. 17, Jan. 7, Jan. 21, at 6 pm in the CVU HS rm. 160.
Tuesday Early Dismissal
ABS Dismissal is 1:35 pm.
WCS Dismissal is 1:55 pm.
The Tuesday schedule for morning Preschool is 8:00 to 10:15 am. Afternoon preschool is 11:15 am to 1:30 pm.
Upcoming Events
Wed Nov. 20 / Fall Book Fair / WCS / 8 am- 8 pm
Thurs. Nov. 21 / Fall Book Fair / WCS / 8 am- 6 pm
Fri. Nov. 22 / Harmony Breakfast / 7:45-8:30 am
Nov. 25 - 29 / NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
Fri. Dec. 6 / School Dance / WCS / 6:30-8:30 pm
Mon. Dec. 9 / Parent Mtg. for Spring Musical / WCS Theater / 6 pm
Wed. Dec. 11 / Four Winds Training / WCS Community Rm / 8:30-10:30 am
Wed. Dec. 18 / Concert Day (gr. 5-8) / WCS Auditorium / 5:30-8:30 pm
Mon. Dec. 23 - Wed. Jan. 1 / NO SCHOOL - Early Winter Break
More Links, More information
DAML Programs
Click here for Important info related to after school hours
Click here to access the DAML web site listing of events.
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