THE SCHOOL BELL
Williston Schools /February 12, 2020
A Message From The Administration
Chilly and Grateful
by Greg Marino
Wow, did we really just celebrate the 100th day of school yesterday! Spending most of the day at ABS yesterday, it was a blast to see all of the 100-day celebrating going on, including some staff posing as 100-year-olds! (some are more convincing at this than others. I won’t name names!) February also brings another special annual tradition for me and for our schools, the VT Special Olympics Penguin Plunge event.
For 25 years now the Vermont Special Olympics has coordinated this amazing fundraising event in which individuals and teams pledge to jump into the frigid waters of Lake Champlain to raise money for this amazing organization. If you are not familiar with the work of the Vermont Special Olympics I encourage you to check out this link. I am so pleased and proud to say that the Williston Schools and CVSD participation in this event has been growing steadily over the years. This year, your Williston team included 60 “plungers” or “Wet Wildcats”, as one of the students suggested we call ourselves. These 60 included Williston faculty, staff, students, and parents. A special shout-out to our brave parents who commit to taking this chilly pluge alongside their kids. What great modeling! I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all who plunged, and all who made donations in support of our team. Congratulations to the team for reaching its fundraising goal this year and raising $15,786. Our team had the second highest total for all school teams plunging this year, with CVU, who raised over $34,000, being the only team ahead of us. That’s a great accomplishment and says a lot about CVSD spirit. If you haven’t yet participated in the plunge event and have always wondered what it might feel like to jump into a hole carved out of a frozen lake, then I strongly suggest you consider joining us next year. Who knows, maybe we can raise $20,000! It’s important to mention here that these efforts come back to benefit our school in the form of funds to support our Unified Sports teams. Way to go, Wet Wildcats!
Speaking of kudos, it is my pleasure and privilege to congratulate all of the students and adults involved with the 3-4 Grade Chorus concert last week. I believe this group now has over 100 students in it. Some music directors might say, “whoa - that’s too many students to manage...”, but not our 3-4 Chorus Director, Danielle Trasciatti-Holmberg. She has welcomed these eager students into this ensemble and has expertly helped them prepare for an impressive public performance to the delight of an audience that literally packed our auditorium. Thanks also go out to WCS paraeducator, Ms. Abby Granoff, who assists Danielle with the group. Seeing the expressions on these musicians’ faces during the performance was the icing on the musical cake.
As always, I am grateful for our continued partnership in the education of our children. Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns about our amazing schools.
CVSD Capital Construction Bond on Town Meeting Day Ballot
On the ballot for Town Meeting Day, March 3, not only will there be articles about the school district’s proposed budget, fund balance, and school buses, but this year there will also be an article about the proposed Capital Construction Bond. Information about the other articles will be shared in upcoming posts, but we wanted to share details about the proposed bond with our communities as soon as possible. We hope this article answers some immediate questions. Please view the Budget page of the CVSD website for additional information about the proposed budget and bond. www.cvsdvt.org/budget.
Frozen Ticket Sales Begin on Monday, February 17th
Go to the cvsdvt.org, Williston-Drama-"Seat Yourself" link.
3rd/4th grade chorus
The 3rd/4th grade chorus will begin rehearsals for its spring semester on Wednesday, February 19th. The group rehearses every Wednesday after school in the WCS Chorus room (Mrs. T-H and Ms. Kennedy’s music room) 3:00-4:00.
All 3rd/4th graders may come to the first two rehearsals (February 19th and March 11th) to sing, watch, and just check it out with no obligation to join. However, starting with the March 18th rehearsal, only “official” chorus members may continue to attend. So… If your child “officially” wants to be a member of the 3rd/4th grade chorus, please click here and submit the bottom of this paper on or before March 18th, and your child will attend rehearsal each Wednesday afternoon. If your child does NOT wish to be a chorus member, please disregard this form.
Read more
Upcoming 7/8 Concert Details
Tuesday, 3/10- dress rehearsal 8:10-dismissal
Wednesday, 3/11- Concert day. Performances during the school day and at 7 pm.
Concert dress: black, bottoms, black top, and the WCS Performing Arts shirt
Snow date plans:
If school closes on 3/11, our concert day will be on Thursday, 3/12
If school closes on 2 of the above dates, we will follow the schedule below:
Monday, 3/16- dress rehearsal 8:10- dismissal
Tuesday, 3/17- Concert day. Performances during the school day and at 7 pm.
Food Shelf Providing Vacation Bags of Food
The Williston Community Food Shelf is providing vacation bags of food to Williston and St. George families who might need some support over the Winter Break. Bags include breakfast and lunch foods and can be picked up from the food shelf during regular operating hours, which are Tuesdays 5-6:30pm, Thursdays and Saturdays 9-11:00am. Vacation bags will also be available before the April and summer breaks. For more information visit our website at
http://www.willistonfoodshelf.com or call (802) 735-6303.
Grief & Loss Overview: with Tips for Helping Children and Adolescents
March 19th at 6:30pm in WCS Community Room
In this workshop we’ll explore the various ways that children and adolescents may experience loss. The loss can include (but is not limited to) a death of a loved one/pet; family member living away from home; divorce; friendship changes; move, etc. We will discuss some ways that the adults in their lives can help with these losses.
Amanda Cannamela, LCMHC, LADC is a therapist who specializes in working with adolescents and adults around a range of topics, one of which is grief and loss. She often gets questions from adults around trying to understand what children/adolescents could be going through when it comes to grief and loss and how to help.
Family Reading Night March 26th
Allen Brook School families, have you selected your book for Family Reading Night 2020? The books just arrived today! Make your pick by Thursday, February 6th!
Family Adventures in Reading Book Sign Up:
ABS Guidance News
School Counselor Heather Scandale is in search of Mardi Gras Beads. Please bring to the main office at ABS. Thank you!
Guidance information and news can be found at
Game Cart Donations
Do you have games on your shelf that aren't being used? Consider donating them to the "Indoor Recess Game Cart" at WCS. Students access the cart when it's below zero, pouring rain, or when the playground is icy. Connect Four, Heads-Up, Apples to Apples, Pokeman Cards, Exploding Kittens, Throw-Throw Burrito, Spot-It, playing cards, and dice games. Any durable game in good condition that can be played in about 20 minutes. Drop off donations in the front office at WCS, care of "The Indoor Recess Game Cart." Thank you so much for considering!
Baskets Needed!
Kindergarten Registration
Williston and St. George children who will be 5 years old by September 1, 2020 are eligible to enroll for Fall 2020 Kindergarten.
Please complete this registration packet and submit it, along with proof of residency, and copies of your child’s birth certificate and Immunizations, by January 31, 2020. If you would prefer we mail a copy of the registration packet to you, please call Laura at 802-871-6200.
All Breed Rescue
Food Drive February 10-14
Hi, my name is Amelia Novak and I am an 8th grader in Full House. For my 8th grade challenge I am working with the Williston Area Lions club. The week of February 10th, I am hosting a food drive for Food From The Heart. Please have your child bring in nonperishable food items for the Williston Food Shelf.There will be a few boxes in the front lobby to collect the food. The food drive will start on February 10th and end on February 14th. Thank you!
Hope on the Slopes
My name is Mitchell Niarchos. For my 8th grade challenge, I am working on a fundraiser called Hope on the Slopes (HOTS) for the American Cancer Society. HOTS is a day of skiing and riding at Jay Peak Sunday, March 1st. Teams compete in a vertical challenge and a fundraising competition. Après ski party, duck race and more. Read more here
Please consider joining my team, “Mayhem 2.0”, creating a team of your own, or donating to the event: Hope on the Slopes/Participate or Donate The $30 entry fee includes a lift ticket for the day if you raise $100. Email me at mitchellniarchos@cvsdvt.org with questions. Thank you very much!
Needed: Tennis Equipment
Our group (Swift House SSAP Co-Ed Sports Teams) is working to develop a co-ed tennis team for middle school students interested in playing this Spring. We are collecting gently used tennis racquets and balls for the team! If you have any equipment that you are able to donate, please drop the items in the boxes located in the front lobby of WCS March 9th-March 23rd.
Box Tops for Education
click for a video explaining the changes and more information
Bus Information
Part 2
Four Winds Volunteers
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.
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
Thurs. Feb. 13 / FAPAC / WCS Community Room / 8:15-10 am
Feb. 17-21 / WCS Community Week
Feb. 24-28 / NO SCHOOL / Winter Break
Mon. March 2 / Info Meeting for school bond / CVUHS rm. 160 / 5 pm
Mon. March 2 / Williston Town Meeting / WCS Auditorium / 7 pm
Tues. March 3 / Budget Vote / Williston Armory / 7 am - 7 pm
March 9 - 13 Lucky You
Wed. March 11 / Grade 7-8 Concert / WCS
Wed. March 11 / Four Winds Training / WCS Community Rm / 8:30-10:30 am
Thurs. March 12 / FAPAC / WCS Community Rm / 8:15-10 am
Thurs. March 19 / FAP Speaker / WCS Community Rm. / 6:30-8 pm
Fri. March 20 / NO SCHOOL / Parent /Teacher/Family Conferences
Thurs. March 26 / Family Reading Night / ABS Library / 6-7 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
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