THE SCHOOL BELL
Williston Schools / February 4, 2022
A Message from the Williston Schools Leadership Team
by Sarah Crum
Celebrating Diverse Stories
Each of us has a story. And that story is made up of the many stories of those who came before us and who have been a part of our lives. These narratives are extensive, spanning centuries and continents. We rely on the continued sharing of these stories to understand our world, build knowledge, and find commonalities. However, only some of the many stories that make us who we are have been written down, passed along, taught in schools, published in books, retold at the dinner table. Historically, some stories have been valued more than others.
February, Black History Month, reminds us that not everyone’s story has received the same acknowledgement and it gives us an opportunity to make the time and space to welcome a broader range of human experiences into our understanding of our world. We have a shared history and it is essential that we honor the diverse voices and experiences that make up that history. When we do this, we allow students to feel connection and belonging by hearing stories that resonate with them. We build empathy and understanding when we help students connect through seemingly different experiences.
The more we can diversify the stories woven together, the richer the fabric of our lives. The more we invite those voices that have often gone unheard to speak up and be heard, the deeper our understanding and appreciation of each other. However, this only happens when we make a conscious effort to reach beyond what we know in our own experiences. We must seek out the stories of those who have not always been at the forefront. Below, you will find links to resources that support this effort in celebrating the diversity that is our shared history.
Resources:
Here is an article with additional tips and resources for talking with children about Black History Month.
We have a wonderful collection of read-alouds for Black History Month. Here's the link to books at WCS: https://bit.ly/3IXzb9C and books at ABS: https://tinyurl.com/ejew4m97
If you are looking for more resources and books, the following sites may be helpful:
Penguin List of Children’s Books by Black Authors & Illustrators
Diverse Books: Where to Find Diverse Books
ABS Dismissal Update
*Please note: we did not shorten learning time for our students, we are just making the time students are waiting to leave and waiting outside less.
Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2022 is underway at Allen Brook School for Williston and St. George children who will be 5 years old by September 1, 2022.
Please submit this Registration Paperwork (preferably printed double sided) including copies of the following information:
⛭ proof of residence
⛭ birth certificate
⛭ immunization record
⛭ Registration and documentation is due by February 18, 2022 ⛭
Questions? Email absfrontoffice@cvsdvt.org or call 802-871-6200
Allen Brook School - 497 Talcott Road - Williston, VT
COVID VACCINATION CLINICS at CVSD
We are taking proactive steps to ensure that our schools can stay open. One of those is scheduling additional vaccine clinics at our schools. Please consider getting your child vaccinated or a booster, if eligible.
- February 16 - WCS, Williston
- February 9 - SCS, Shelburne
Visit the Department of Health website for registration: Dept of Health’s website.
SENSORY-FRIENDLY VACCINE VISITS: Confident Care for Kids
Vermont Family Network has worked with VT Dept of Health, AAP, CDCI, DDC and UVM Children’s Hospital to create a training for pediatric offices to create sensory friendly vaccine visits, the program is called Confident Care for Kids. Information for parents can be found at this website - https://www.vermontfamilynetwork.org/ccfk/.
Ski & Ride Reminder
CVSD's COVID Recovery Plan
CVSD 2022-2023 Proposed Budget and Bond
The proposed budget for the 2022-2023 school year has been finalized by the CVSD School Board. Please view our Annual Report and a variety of other materials to learn about the proposed budget and bond on the Budget page of our website.
CVSD Budget Videos
We previously shared information about the series of videos designed to help explain specific aspects of the budget, including videos about Special Education, ESSER, Education Quality Standards, Operations, and more. See all of the videos (all 3-6 minutes in length) here.
We are happy to share two NEW videos - one about the overall proposed budget, and another that is an excerpt from that one about the proposed bond. We hope you will take the time to view them and get informed.
Now Hiring - Second Shift Custodians
Last call for the 2022-2023 Preschool Lottery
The CVSD School-based Early Education Programs are now accepting applications for a random preschool lottery drawing for the 2022-23 school year. Our part-time, partial days, preschool classrooms are 5 STARs, licensed early education programs that provide play-based, developmentally appropriate environments for all children in an inclusive setting. Our curriculum is based on the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS) and Teaching Strategies Gold. We believe that a diverse classroom offers opportunities for adults and children to practice acceptance and compassion and also provides a broad range of learning experiences.
Our programs closely follow the CVSD school calendar. Students who will be age 3 or older by September 1, 2022, but not yet 5 years old, are eligible to enter the lottery for our programs.
All applications must be received by February 5, 2021. You can download an application here: Early Education Lottery Application. More information is available on our CVSD Early Education Website also. Students will be selected via a lottery and families notified in early March.
CVSD DEI Virtual Town Hall, February 9 at 6:30 pm
This is the second in a series of bi-monthly events. This Town Hall will feature:
- Updates from the District
- Guests from Mass Insight, who are conducting our Equity Audit. Those guests will outline the work of the equity audit, its timeline, and how they'll engage the CVSD community.
- Questions from participants for Mass Insight and CVSD
ACCESS CVU - New Classes, New Semester, Always FUN!
Looking to do something fun and educational this winter and spring? Connect with like-minded community members and learn a new skill, or explore a topic of interest at Access CVU! With over 180 classes, this Winter/Spring 2022 semester offers something for everyone and anywhere! In-person and virtual class options are available.
View the full Winter/Spring 2022 Catalog on our website https://cvsdvt.ce.eleyo.com/ and register online or call us at 482-7194.
We will be adding NEW classes each month, so keep checking our website, and sign up for our weekly newsletter HERE.
Does your family have used books you'd like to donate to Allen Brook School?
We now have a Little Free Library shelf where kids can donate and choose books to add to their home collections. We'd like to give a special shout-out to the students from the Empower Youth Leaders Project for purchasing this beautiful bookcase for us!
Williston Soccer Club: Spring registration opening up soon
Internet Connectivity for Families
CVSD has been awarded a federal grant that provides assistance for Internet connectivity for families that qualify for the free and reduced-price meals program.
The Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) is designed to help students who currently lack Internet access that they may need to connect to classrooms. It is funded through June 2022.
If you have any questions about the program, please send a note to CVSDECFProgram@cvsdvt.org . If you have questions about your student’s eligibility for the Free and Reduced Meal program, email Stephanie Hulburt at shurlburt@cvsdvt.org
Knitting for a Cause Raffle
WCS is holding a raffle! Students who participated in the Knitting for a Cause Spark Workshop created a beautiful, colorful blanket -- on display in the front hallway glass case. Any WCS student, faculty or staff member can join the raffle and not only win the blanket, but also choose the cause to which any money raised will be donated.
Tickets are $1 and are available in the Front Office, with Ms. Benoit. The raffle ends Friday, Feb. 11, so don’t delay!!
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR QUARANTINING STUDENTS
Williston Schools offers learning opportunities for students who are quarantining without their class and teacher. Learning menus are provided for each grade level. These menus will not directly connect to the lessons happening at school, but they will allow students to access productive and engaging grade appropriate learning opportunities. This slide deck contains more information: Learning Opportunities for Quarantining Kids
Help Desk Portal for Technical Issues
ABS Safe Drop Off & Pick Up
It is very important to stay in your vehicles during arrival and dismissal.
We appreciate all you can do to ensure a safe and smooth transition in and out of school!
Please refer to this map for the correct location to drop off/pick up your student:
ABS Arrival Times
Students being driven to ABS in the mornings can arrive between 7:30-7:55 for all 1st and 2nd grade students. 7:50-8:00 for all Kindergarten and PreK students. Walkers are welcome as early as 7:30. School begins at 8:00.
Family Resources
Resources to keep accessible:
- First Call - 488-7777: phone support, crisis intervention, assessment and referrals
- In Crisis: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) (National Hopeline Network: USA)
- 1-800-273-TALK (8255) (National Suicide Prevention Lifelife: USA)
- 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
Four Winds
Nature's News Newsletters
December - No Newsletter
Slides Presentations (ch)
Lesson 1: Leaf-Eaters
Lesson 2: Life in the Dirt
Lesson 3: Snags and Rotting Logs
Lesson 4: Squirrel Tales
Williston Four Winds Program
Contact Us: wsdfourwinds@cvsdvt.org
FAP Information
We are looking for volunteers in all areas, our council, house representatives, and event volunteers! Please fill out this form if interested in helping!
https://forms.gle/AvVx1EHUGWWAikWn9
Upcoming Events
Feb 4 - NO SCHOOL - SNOW DAY
Feb 7 - 100th Day of School
Feb 9 - Ski & Ride grades K-8
Feb 9 - CVSD DEI Virtual Town Hall
Feb 11 - Report Cards go home
Feb 16 - Ski & Ride grades K-8
Feb 21-25 - No School Winter Break
Feb28 - Back to School
Mar 2 - Ski & Ride grades K-8
CVSD School Board
CVSD's COVID Recovery Plan
Learn more about CVSD's Strategic Response Plan and provide feedback at this link.
DAML Programs
Click here to access the DAML web site listing of events.
Recreation & Parks Offerings
Community Events
More Links, More information
Williston Schools
Email: wsschoolbell@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