CCS Newsletter
September 06, 2019
ADMINISTRATION UPDATE
Dear CCS Friends and Family,
Despite the fact that we are “easing in” to the school year with shorter weeks, there are plenty of learning experiences already well underway!
On Thursday, CVSD students from 4th, 6th, 8th, and 9th grade come together at CVU for the district’s first Common Read culminating event! The purpose of this day was to celebrate the Common Read books students received before the summer break, connect with their peers across the district, and expand on the themes of the books through an author’s keynote speech, workshops, and a collaborative art project. Students heard a keynote from Lisa Moore Ramée, author of A Good Kind of Trouble and participated in two breakout sessions. One focused on creating shared art pieces that will be displayed in each of the CVSD schools. The other session featured a variety of workshops offered to students in grade-level groups, engaging students in book talks, music, dance, art and discussion. Teachers from across CVSD supported groups led by educators from The Clemmons Family Farm and CVU’s Racial Alliance Club. For more information about the Common Read, please visit this website: http://bit.ly/CVSDCommonRead. It proved to be a wonderful day to bringing our district together around literacy and empathy building.
Charlotte Fire and Rescue was on site today for the first of two Fire Safety Days. Today’s workshops were for students in grades 5-8, focused on 911 Safety for Grade 5, a game show of safety basics for 6th grade and a deeper presentation regarding a variety of safety topics for 7th and 8th graders. Next Friday, CVFRS will return for our K-4 Fire Safety Day, doing basic review and instruction regarding fire safety and a walkthrough of the Smoke House trailer.
It is with great excitement that the Middle School is entering the first year of our three year partnership with the Tarrant Institute for Innovative Education at the University of Vermont. The purpose of the partnership is to support personalized learning to increase student engagement and achievement. We will be working with the Tarrant Institute Staff to enhance the implementation of student-centered practices that fulfill the potential of Act 77. For additional details, check out our School Introduction Letter and the Institute Blog
Take Care,
Stephanie, Jen and Cassandra
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Tuesday, September 10th
Early Release, 1:55pm
Thursday, September 12th
CCS Back to School Night ad Community Potluck Picnic - see flyer inside for details
Friday, September 13th
Grades K-4 Fire Safety Day
Tuesday, September 17th
Picture Day! Order forms have been sent home with students. Schedule inside newsletter.
Early Release, 1:55pm
Tuesday, September 24th
Early Release, 1:55pm
SCHOOL LIBRARY NEWS
Welcome back readers! We are so happy to share new books and old favorites with our students! Please explore the library blog to see what books we are reading and what we are learning about!
Here is our weekly schedule for grades K-2. Book choice times for grades 5-8 are provided as needed and in collaboration with classroom teachers. Remember to stop by on Back to School Night Sept. 12th!
MUSIC NEWS
7-8 Jazz Band will begin on Monday, September 9. We will meet from 7:30 - 8:00 AM on Monday and Thursday mornings. Please plan on arriving a little early to leave enough time to assemble your instruments and find your seats so we can begin rehearsals promptly at 7:30 AM. The 5-6 Jazz Band will begin after the December break. We are looking forward to an exciting year in jazz for 2019-20!
6-8 Concert Choir will begin on Tuesday, September 10 from 7:30-8:00 AM and rehearsals will normally be on Tuesday and Friday mornings. 5-8 Ukulele Band will begin after the December break.
Please contact Monica Littlefield at mlittlefield@cvsdvt.org or 425 - 6629 or Andy Smith at (802) 425-6653 or asmith@cvsdvt.org. with any questions. Thank you!
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH IS PICTURE DAY AT CCS!
1. Does my child have to have their picture taken? While this is of course a parent choice, individual student pictures are used to make up a "composite" class picture. If your child does not have a picture taken, then will not be in the class photo. (Reminder: 1 class photo is FREE to each student whether an order is placed or not.)
2. Do I have to purchase a picture packet? No, this service is provided to you through a contract between CCS and Beltrami. You are not required to purchase a packet.
3. What if I would like a picture packet but can not afford one? Beltrami offers a certain number of vouchers to CCS for families in need. This is confidential and vouchers can be obtained by contacting School Counselor, Betsy Lloyd, at blloyd@cvsdvt.org or 425-6613.
4. When is payment due? Payment is due at the time pictures are taken. Fill out the order form and include payment in envelope or simply order online. Note: You can pre-order your pictures online at www.bsnap.hhimagehost.com. The order form contains the password you will need.
If you have any additional questions, please email Beltrami at bsnap@beltramistudios.com.
PICTURE DAY CLASS SCHEDULE
8:45: Ms. Rowntree (K) and Mrs. Cota (K)
9:00: Mrs. Fraser (5th) and Mr. Baird (5th)
9:15: Mrs. Thayer (4th) and Ms. Lara (4th)
9:30: Mrs. Spellman (1/2) and Mrs. Filardi (1/2)
9:45: Ms. Lubic (1/2)
10:00: Mrs. Gerson (3rd) and Mrs. Poirier (3rd)
10:15: Ms. Tierney (7/8) and Mrs. Matthews (7/8)
10:30: Mr. Lutz (7/8) and Mrs. Evans (7/8)
PTO STUDENT DIRECTORY - AVAILABLE MID TO LATE OCTOBER
This information is gathered from the SIS Form that was sent to families via the Informed K12 platform. Also - the Blanket Permissions form provides families with an opportunity to OPT OUT or LIMIT your information in this directory. Please review and update as necessary so that providing the directories to families can stay on schedule. Should you need a hard copy of any of these forms, please contact Naomi Strada at 425-6600.
Health Office Questionnaire was also distributed via this platform and is required annually.
FRONT DOOR SECURITY
Please ring the bell located on the side of the building (silver mounted box) and it will activate the door access system for Cindy LaWare, CCS Front Desk Administrative Assistant. Once, the access system has been activated Cindy can unlock the door for entry.
Visitors must always check in / sign in with the Front Desk Administrative Assistant. Once this is complete, doors to the inner school will then be unlocked.
Thank you for helping us keep students and staff safe at CCS.
ABSENCES AND AFTER SCHOOL PLANS
Cindy LaWare, Front Desk Administrative Assistant works with families and staff on the student attendance and student after school plans.
Attendance: Please be sure to call your absent or tardy child into the reporting line, 425-6688. This is the preferred method.
After School Plans: Please send a note in with your child and instruct them to give the note to the teacher. The teachers send the note to the front office along with their attendance and all parties are aware of the schedule. This is the preferred method.
If an unplanned CHANGE in after school plans arises, please call Cindy at 425-2771.
BUSES AND DISMISSAL PROCESS
Afternoon dismissal is a very busy time! We send envelopes with student notes back to classrooms at 2:40 p.m. Please follow our request for no plan changes in student dismissals after 2:30 p.m. to ensure that we can guarantee that children go where they are supposed to! All families are asked to communicate changes in plans to teachers AND Cindy LaWare at the Front Office.
We would also like to remind families of pick-up locations at the end of the day. If you are picking up your student, please indicate whether you are picking up at the Library Door or at the Flagpole Entrance. Your student should only go to the cafeteria if they are participating in the Part 2 Afterschool Program.
HANDBOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE
The Champlain Valley School District Family and Student Handbook for for 2019-2020 is now available on our website. Click here to view. If you need a hard copy, please call Naomi Strada at 425-6600.
SEPTEMBER FOOD SERVICE INFORMATION
CHARLOTTE PARK AND WILDLIFE REFUGE DISCOVERY DAY!
September 28th from 9:30 - Noon - rain date September 29th. Click here for more information.