THE SCHOOL BELL
Williston Schools /February 6, 2019
Behavior and what it is communicating
by Sarah Crum, Director of Student Services
We are social animals. Even those of us who are introverts by nature engage in social communication much of our day. When we talk about communication, we often think of verbal language first: all that was said or written. It is easy to forget that behavior is also a powerful form of communication. This is true from our earliest interactions: babies crying or squirming, cooing or squeezing a finger. Before young children master verbal language, adults work hard to interpret the body language and translate what is behind the temper tantrum in the grocery store. Is she hungry, tired, beginning to get a cold? As verbal interactions become more sophisticated, we make assumptions that students will replace those tantrums with verbal expressions, asking for what they need or telling us how they are feeling. However, it always remains our human instinct to express ourselves through our behavior.
There can be different functions of a behavior and, at times, a single behavior may have several reasons behind it. Behavior functions either to gain something or to escape something. Most commonly, the functions of behavior include seeking attention, avoiding or escaping an undesired task or environment, gaining a desired activity or environment, or seeking an outlet for emotions.
If behavior is communication, then our job as educators, and as parents, is to seek to understand. How students respond to the consequences of their behavior continues to tell a lot about the reasons behind the behavior. We learn whether those consequences increase or decrease the behavior. We ask ourselves, what environmental changes can we make to help increase desired behaviors and decrease less desired behaviors? We also focus on teaching replacement behaviors, helping students develop productive skills to get their needs met. Spending time to really understand what is happening for a student helps us respond in a way that supports them as they learn to navigate the world around them.
We begin telling children early on to use their words to communicate and we have created societal norms that tell us using verbal language is the preferred communication method. But there is a lot that can be said without words. When I think about what a simple smile can do to brighten a day, I am reminded that behaviors aren’t something we are just trying to manage, but an important communication tool in understanding each other.
WCS Morning / Arrival Door Security Update
The Williston Safety Committee has made the recommendation to reduce the number of exterior entry doors that are unlocked during our arrival time each morning at WCS. Starting on Monday, February 11, the only two doors that will be unlocked during morning arrival time and before school will be the main front entry and the doors at the former Bell Tower entrance. Students who arrive by car in the morning should exit cars in the same locations as before, but will walk on the sidewalk to either of these two main entrances. If dropping off your child on the Bell Tower side, please stop near the “Parent drop-off” sign nearest the bottle-drop-off bin. (See image.)
We appreciate your cooperation and patience with some minor inconvenience as we make this subtle change. We feel it will help to make our school more secure during this important and busy part of the school day.
Thank you
Camp Rock Stage Crew starts Feb. 11
Theme Week 2019 is right around the corner for all 3rd-8th graders at Williston Central School!
Theme Week is a special time of the year at WCS where we don't follow a regular schedule and we don’t have Essential Arts, Exploratory or World Language classes. Instead, we have two day workshops that have extended times to allow for further exploration of fun topics. Students sign up for two- two day workshops, one on Monday/Tuesday and one on Wednesday/Thursday.
The theme this year is Community Spirit.
Keeping with the theme of Community Spirit, we have designed an all school activity that benefits our greater Williston Community.
We are hoping to collect any and all non-perishable food items, the more the better. Specifically, the Williston Food Shelf is looking for “cans of protein (spaghetti and meatballs, ravioli, etc.), tuna, canned fruit, macaroni and cheese boxes, tomato products (sauce, diced, etc), and jelly. But anything will be gratefully accepted!”
Food donations can be brought to the lobby in the front of Williston Central School the week of February 11th-15th. In return for the donated items, students can fill out a raffle ticket for each item brought in. During the assembly on Friday, February 22nd, we will be drawing names for Wildcat Prizes!!
We are hopeful to create a “Canned Food Sculpture” with all of the donated food, as part of the festivities. Please be on the lookout for a picture of what our students create!
Thank you so much for your support of not only Williston Central School, but our greater Williston Community!! With Much Love, The Essential Arts and World Language Teams
Food Shelf Offers Vacation Food
3rd/4th grade chorus concerts
Wednesday, February 6th at 6:30pm in the WCS auditorium.
The musicians are required to wear concert attire* .
The musicians need to arrive at WCS at 6:10pm for the evening concert.
*What is concert attire?
Option 1: long pants, shirt with collar, and a tie
Option 2: dress or skirt of appropriate length, or dressy pants, with an appropriate top
Shorts, t shirts, hats, athletic wear, flip flops, and jeans are not appropriate.
Please do not wear them.
Sterling House Fundraiser at Agave
Lunch, Dinner or Take-Out
Monday, February 11th
Agave Restaurant is generously donating 10% of their total sales all day Monday, February 11th, for the Sterling House field trips scheduled at the end of the school year. Please stop in and support our students while having a delicious meal with family and friends.
Thank you for your support
Williston Central School Students
Sterling House Team
Preschool Peer Lottery Application Deadline Feb. 8!
Our preschools are 5 STAR accredited licensed early education programs that provide play-based, developmentally appropriate environments for all children. 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 follow the CVSD school calendar.
Peers who will be age 3 or older by September 1, 2019, but not yet 5 years old, are eligible to
enter the lottery for our programs.
All applications must be received by February 8, 2019. Students will be selected via a lottery.
Dental Cleaning
During the month of February, your child can receive a dental cleaning, exam, and fluoride rinse for $20.00. This will be done by a dental hygienist from Dr. Jace Molinari’s office. She will also offer helpful advice about good nutrition and dental care. The dental cleaning will take place at school during school hours, on Fridays in February (ABS – Feb 8th, WCS – Feb 15th). If you are interested, please complete the form below and return it to the health office as soon as possible so plans can be made. The cost is $20.00 per student paid by cash or check.
Please return the form below to the Health Office at WCS by February 12 or ABS by February 5.
Eighth Grade Challenge
Williston Schools Penguin Plunge
WOW! Record breaking year for WSD fundraising....we had 47 members on our plunge team raising $16,628 Absolutely Amazing!
Thank you to everyone who plunged, cheered on, supported and donated to our team.
This is the most that we have raised EVER!
2019-2020 Kindergarten Registration
Pre-Registration for Fall 2019 Kindergarten has begun for Williston and St. George children who will be 5 years old by September 1, 2019.
We start the process by asking families to complete this pre-registration form.
Following submission of the pre-registration form, we'll collect registration forms* and paperwork (copy of birth certificate, proof of residency, and immunizations) in advance of Kindergarten screening in early 2019. *Families with children enrolled in the ABS EE program will only need to provide a copy of the birth certificate and these forms.
Please reach out to Laura (871-6200; lgigliotti@cvsdvt.org) or Cindy (871-6203; cpavlik@cvsdvt.org) with questions.
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.
Families as Partners
Tuesday Early Dismissal
Dismissal at ABS is 1:35 pm.
Dismissal at WCS 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.
Four Winds Nature News
School Lunch Menus
Monthly Fitness Fun
More Links, More information
Upcoming Events
Wed. Feb. 6 / 3rd/4th Grade Chorus Concert / WCS Auditorium / 6:30 pm
Fri. Feb. 8 / 8th Gr. NAEP Testing / 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
Fri. Feb. 8 / Variety Show / WCS Auditorium / 6:30 pm
Thurs. Feb. 13 / 4th Gr. NAEP Testing
Thurs. Feb. 14 / FAP / WCS Community Rm / 8-10 am
NO SCHOOL Feb. 25-March 1
Fri March 8 / School Dance / WCS / 6:30-8:30 pm
March 11-15 / ABS Visiting Artist
Wed. March 13 / Four Winds / WCS Community Rm / 8:30-10:30 am
Thurs. March 14 / FAP / WCS Community Room / 8 - 10 am
Wed. March 20 / gr. 7-8 Concerts
Fri. March 22 / NO SCHOOL / teacher conferences
Upcoming Events on the School Web CalendarDAML Programs
Click here to access the DAML web site listing of events.
Recreation & Parks Offerings
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