THE SCHOOL BELL
Williston Schools /March 25, 2020
A Message From The Administration
Care, Flexibility, and Patience
By Greg Marino, Williston Schools Lead Principal
Dear Williston Families,
We hope this message finds you and your family doing well. I know that for me and my family, this has certainly been a week in which we have had to repeat the words flexibility and patience quite a bit. There have been some tough moments for sure, when these traits seem to have “left the building” as they say. Thankfully, there have also been some amazing moments of laughter and joy. On the professional side, things have been intense, exciting, challenging, stimulating, and awe-inspiring all at once. I am thankful each day for the opportunity to serve this community and to serve alongside the most amazing group of people. We know this has been a stressful and challenging time for many families and also know that more challenges lie ahead for us as individuals and as a community. The inspiring efforts I see everyday by those in this community have only served to further strengthen my belief that we will be OK, that we will get through this, and that this shared experience of adversity will continue to provide profound opportunities for our community to grow even stronger and closer, even in the face of physical separation.
In addition to patience and flexibility, the word care has been front and center. Care for self at these times needs to be at the top of the list. We all know the analogy about the oxygen mask. In order for us to take care of the ones we care most about, we first need to take care of ourselves. I have been trying hard to be faithful to this principle over the past week, as difficult as it is sometimes. Whether it is some quiet time stolen in the family car, or a walk around the neighborhood with one of my kids or our dog, Bailey, or a labored jog around the rec trail behind Central School (I hate jogging, but always feel better that I’ve done it), these self-care moments have been critical to my usefulness and productivity. I am determined to stick with it. I encourage you to take a few minutes right now and think about something you will do to care for yourself today. Write it down and make a promise to yourself that you will do it. Check in with someone you care about and ask them to make their own promise as well. If you’re like me, you’ll miss a day or two here and there, but keep at it! Care, patience, and flexibility, repeat.
It has been so impressive to see and hear about all of the different ways students, teachers, and families are engaging this week as we continue with our “maintenance of learning” period for the next seven school days. Please keep an eye on your email inbox for messages from the school. If you do not see an email, it’s always a good idea to check your spam folder as well. Here is some important information for the next few days. Please remember that your Williston and CVSD schools are here for you and your family. We are only a phone call or email away. Do not hesitate to reach out for anything.
Food
We want to assure Williston families that all students who need meals are receiving them. These meals are provided through our food service program and are available to pick up at WCS on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:00 - 10:30. At this time, meals are available to all, regardless of your eligibility for free and reduced lunch.
Breakfasts and Lunches will be provided on pick-up days for both the day of pick-up as well as for the week day that follows the pick-up day. If you would benefit from this food and are not able to pick it up during these times for any reason, please call 878-2762 and leave a confidential voicemail.
Maintenance of Learning
Teachers and teams will continue to communicate daily via email about maintenance of learning opportunities for all students. Please direct your questions to your child’s teacher.
Online Video Conferences
As some students have already experienced, many of our educators are using a video conferencing tool from Google called Hangouts/Meet to connect with students. This is intended to maintain relationships and check-in. We have created a document on which you will find initial thoughts about what families should consider and expect during those online meetings. https://bit.ly/CVSDOnlineMeetings Teachers have been reaching out to families with this information.
#CVSDStrong
And finally, the District would like to continue collecting examples of how we’re all staying strong and celebrating the positive things during this unusual and challenging time. If you have a short anecdote or photo, please share it using this form. https://bit.ly/CVSDStrong
We are grateful for your partnership. Be well and stay connected. Your Williston Schools are here for you and your child(ren)!
Schools Providing Food for Pick Up
Visit us on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at one of our pick- up locations. Please order first so that we have your child’s favorite sandwich and type of milk available and ready for you. On Mondays and Wednesdays, each child will receive 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches. On Fridays, each child will receive 1 breakfast and 1 lunch.
Procedures:
Please fill out our online form so we can prepare your child’s favorite choices. If you don’t
have Internet access, please call one of our foodservice directors to order.
WCS and ABS: Scott Wagner 871-6198.
Drive or walk to the pickup site. Children do not need to be present. Drivers do not need
to get out of their car, we will come to you. Give the volunteer your name and they will give
you the meal you ordered. If you would benefit from this food and are not able to pick it up during these times for any reason, please call 878-2762 and leave a confidential voicemail.
St George – Red Schoolhouse (off Rt 116). 9:30 – 10:30 AM
Order at https://bit.ly/CharStGeorge
Williston Central School – at the visitor parking lot, bandroom entrance
9:00 – 10:30 Order at https://bit.ly/WillistonMeals
More district locations available. Click here for full flyer
Families Facing Economic Hardship
Households facing economic hardship as a result of COVID-19 can submit a new free and reduced meal application. Families may apply for school meals at any point in the school year, based on their most current income.
Need to Find Child Care?
The following message is from Part 2:
We have put together this attached Part 2 staffing database. In this document, you will find contact and other information from many of our Part 2 staff members. All of the people on this document are looking to pick up hours during the school hiatus. We thought this database might be helpful to you, if you're looking at having someone come to your house to help with child care during this unexpected break. Part 2's only role in this process is sharing this document. Everything else: schedule, rate, payments, responsibilities, expectations, etc. will be up to you and the person you choose to employ. Also, feel free to share this document with your friends that also may be looking for extra help during these weeks.
These are unprecedented times and we are thankful to be in such supportive communities. Thank you so much to all of you that have reached out recently with such kind words of appreciation. Despite the current state we are all in, our hearts are full and we have never been more proud to serve all of you. See you all on April 6th... we hope!
From Ellen Arapakos, WCS Librarian
Unlock the WCS Library’s digital resources by watching this screencast: https://tinyurl.com/wp9w5nw
I’m posting my weekly Read-Alouds for 3rd & 4th graders on the WCS Library’s Read Aloud Corner Page: https://sites.google.com/cvsdvt.org/wcslib/read-aloud-corner
I’ll have an online Red Clover form once I have all 10 nominee read-aloud videos linked.
You’ll find lots of author read-aloud videos, a link to Free Audible Stories for children, and much more!
eBooks & Audiobooks!
Audiobooks are fabulous ways to build vocabulary and comprehension!
If you watched the screencast above, you’ll know how to access WCS Library’s ebooks & audiobooks. But there is a treasure trove of ebooks & audiobooks if you go find your public library card. I’ll wait.
Got it? Okay, go to https://gmlc.overdrive.com/ The Green Mountain Library Consortium. You'll need your library card number to log in.
ALL of this year’s Dorothy Canfield Fisher list nominee’s are on this Overdrive platform.
Speaking of award-winning booklists, the NEW Dorothy Canfield Fisher list for 2020-21 was released: https://tinyurl.com/udn8hob
Looking for inspired reading lists? Look no further than the American Library Association’s
Recommended Reading for Children
https://libguides.ala.org/recommended-reading/children
Recommended Reading for Young Adults / Teens
https://libguides.ala.org/recommended-reading/YA-teens
If there’s anything I can do to support your family with digital library resources, reach out to me!
Ellen Arapakos, WCS Librarian earapakos@cvsdvt.org
From Mrs. Cara Clopton, ABS Librarian
Hi Readers! I hope everyone has been snuggling up with good books. I will post a read aloud storytime each week on SeeSaw for your family to share. Look for a story on the day of the week your class comes for a library lesson. I will also post a Tuesday Library Exploratory lesson with Schwartz, Benoit, and McLaughlin on SeeSaw. All of these activities are just for fun!
We had planned to meet as a school community on March 26th at ABS for Family Reading Night at 6:00 p.m. Instead, we are using our creative brains to host ONLINE Family blogging about each book. Here’s the signup genius if you’d still like to join in! I’ll create discussion questions for each book, and then we can chat together over several weeks.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040e49a5ac2fa6fc1-family
I wish that I could go into our school to choose more library books to check-out to your family this month, however Governor Scott recommends we all be safe and stay at home. Please keep the ABS library books that you have now in your home, then return them when we gather back together again as a school community.
Feel free to contact me at cclopton@cvsdvt.org or 802-871-6282 for any needs.
All the very best,
Mrs. Cara Clopton
But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids
Dear Parent(s),
I'm happy to share a fun and educational option for keeping your kids engaged and learning during this pandemic. Vermont Public Radio produces a podcast for kids 4-10 called But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids. Hosted by Jane Lindholm, it tackles real-life questions submitted by kids on topics ranging from science and nature to history and politics, to relationships and morality. I highly recommend it as a resource to help keep your kid(s) entertained and engaged. You can listen online here: https://www.vpr.org/programs/why-podcast-curious-kids#stream/0, or you can search for it in the podcast app on a smartphone or tablet.
Their most recent episode helps explain coronavirus to kids, and the science behind soap: https://www.vpr.org/post/explaining-coronavirus-kids-and-science-soap
If you end up incorporating the show into your "new normal" routines, the team at But Why would love to know! You can write them or send photos to questions@butwhykids.org.
Focus on the Positive
submitted by ABS Planning Room Director Nicole Pfende
This is a time of uncertainty and confusion, mixed with a bit of chaos! We are all handling these times a little differently, but I believe, we are all doing the best we can.
While at home with my own kids over this past week, we have implemented a positive behavior system, to make our days a little smoother, and to remind us to see the positives (albeit sometimes that can be challenging!) When our kids are exhibiting behaviors we are hoping for, such as following parent directions, being kind to each other, helping around the house, etc. they receive a marble along with verbal acknowledgement, “I noticed you cleaned up after dinner without being asked, that helps us get to play longer before bed”. The marble goes into an individual jar, and when they fill their jar, they get to “cash in” for TV time, a special treat, or one on one time with a parent. Is it a perfect system? No, but it is working, and helping all of us remain a little sane during these trying times!
Remind your kiddos of our school wide expectations of: Be Safe, Be Kind and Be Responsible, and how they can help promote these at home. Are you using a Positive Behavior System at home? Share your ideas or photos with me at: npfende@cvsdvt.org and I will share on my twitter account.
Consolidated Communications
Consolidated is pleased to be able to offer students two months of Free Home Internet Service, including Free Installation for those who don’t currently have Consolidated service.
See the flyer with more information at this link.
Internet Essentials
Previous Communications from CVSD
The CVSD web site continues to be a source of helpful information.
Please click here to find links to previous messages sent to families around school closing, and other helpful links.
Resources for managing anxiety around COVID
Cancelled or Postponed Events
This may not be a complete listing of all cancelled or postponed events:
Voyager Indoor Garage SaleBig Basket Raffle and Fun Night (rescheduled to May 30)
Frozen Play
Kids Heart Challenge
Book Fair
Incoming Kindergarten Meet & Greet
Kids Heart Challenge Postponed
In light of everything going on currently with the Covid 19 and school being closed we have to make the only prudent decision to postpone the Kids Heart Challenge for 2020. Currently we do not know how long the school will be closed, but we do know that the earliest we will be in session is April 6th as per Governor Scott. We will make a decision at a later date as things become more clear regarding whether the event will happen this year at all. If you currently have a collection envelope just keep it in a safe space for now. We will keep you informed as we know more. Thanks for your understanding. Please keep yourself and family safe and healthy.
Dorothy Alling Memorial Library Closure
The Library will be concluding book pickup services on March 24th at 3PM.
Be assured that we are still committed to serving the Williston community online and encourage you to visit our homepage, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Front Porch Forum and subscribe to our newsletter for information about:
- Accessing eBooks, audiobooks and streamed video online through the library 24/7
- Lifelong Learning: explore our learning resources which include language courses, office software tutorials and much more.
- Daily activities for youth specifically developed and chosen for you by our Youth services librarians
- Adult online programs like the virtual book club happening next week. Join us Tuesday, March 31st at 12:30pm over Zoom for an online discussion of The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. Email outreach@damlvt.org for more information.
As we wait for services to return to normal, please do not return any materials in the book/media drops. We have extended due dates to May and would prefer if items were returned once we re-open to the public.
If you have any questions, please contact us during normal business hours. Not connected to us yet? We can set you up with a library card online; it’s all you need to take advantage of our electronic resources.
Calendar for 19-20 School Year
Bus Information
Part 2
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
Committee meetings are on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 6 pm at CVUHS, Room 160, 162, 165
Regular Board Meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6 pm.
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.
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