School Bell
Williston Schools / September 16, 2022
A Message from the Williston Schools Leadership Team
by Angela Filion, Allen Brook School Principal
Welcome Back!
Welcome back to the 2022-2023 school year everyone! It has been so great to welcome back our faculty, staff, students, and families here at ABS! I am excited for our theme this year of re-creating a sense of belonging in our community and learning our students and families stories. Our district is committed to gathering student/family story through the lens of identity, connection, direction, and proficiency. We are intentionally taking a slow and steady approach as we transition students/families to new people, routines, and expectations. We believe that this will serve us well as we start to integrate the content and curriculum into our daily practice. In a few weeks we will be welcoming all of our families to an open house on Thursday 29th from 6-7. You will get a chance to explore the school and see some of the things your child has been working on. We look forward to seeing you all in our building for the first time in 2 years!
This week I was able to go around to all of the classrooms to greet the students, deliver our theme of the year about story and belonging, and share a read aloud with them called, You Are Enough by Sofia Sanchez. This story was inspired by a young girl with down syndrome Her story reminds us all that being who are is enough and that we should be inclusive and caring so that everyone feels a sense of belonging. Teachers have been intentionally gathering student/family story and taking the time to build connections and routines in the beginning weeks to inform how they will plan for learning moving forward. Please feel free to share any parts of your family narrative with your child's teacher that you feel is important for us to know! In case you missed it here is the recent newsletter from Superintendent Sanchez sharing his thoughts as we open our year together. We look forward to seeing you at open house in just a short few weeks!
Grades 3 & 4 Open House
Thu, Sep 22, 2022, 06:30 PM
Williston Central School, Central School Drive, Williston, VT, USA
Arrival & Dismissal
Thank you for your continued cooperation during arrival and dismissal. Be sure to read the arrival and dismissal procedures for your student(s) school [linked below] if you plan to drop off or pick up your child. We appreciate all you can do to follow these guidelines to ensure a safe and smooth transition in and out of school!
Wednesday: Early Dismissal!
ABS @1:35 - WCS @1:45
Have you completed your Annual Powerschool Updates?
In order to keep them safe, it is important that we have updated and accurate information about each and every student. All parents/caregivers, please take the time to log into your PowerSchool Parent Portal account and navigate to the “Forms” icon on the left-hand toolbar to review, update and submit the following forms for each of your children as soon as possible. Click here for detailed instructions, if needed.
Please note that your submission of the Health and Permissions forms are required before your child may participate in any off-site field trips.
Annual Student Contact Updates
Annual Student Health Update (required for field trip participation)
Annual Student Permissions Update (required for field trip participation)
Annual Student Transportation Update
Dental Screenings for Kindergarten and Grade 3
Good news! Williston Schools were chosen to take part in the Children's State Dental Health Survey. A healthy mouth is an important part of overall health and a child’s ability to learn – this survey will help us assess the dental health of our children. Children in Kindergarten and third grades are being offered free dental screenings as part of this survey.
How the survey will work: A dental hygienist will look at your child’s teeth using a disposable mirror and gloves for each child. The screening will take about one minute, and your child may stop the screening at any time. No sharp instruments will be used, no dental treatment will be provided, and no x-rays will be taken. Your child will get a prize for participating and the results will be sent home to you. The screening does not take the place of regular dental check-ups by your dentist.
Your child will not be named in any report. Information about your child will be kept confidential – except when reporting is required by law, as in cases of child abuse or neglect. Questions and answers about the survey are included on the back of this form.
Thank you for considering letting your child take part in the survey. If you have any questions, please contact Robin Miller at robin.n.miller@vermont.gov or 802-863-7272.
WCS - Grade 3 - Wednesday 10/12 @ 9am
ABS - Kindergarten - Wednesday 10/19 @ 8:30am
If you do not want your child to take part in the survey, please contact your child’s school nurse.
If you want your child to take part in the survey, you don’t need to take any action.
Seeking Participants for InterGen
Families as Partners (FAP) teams up with the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library to sponsor a fun inter-generational book group that brings together WCS middle school students, seniors from our community and parent volunteers. Each book group will read and discuss 5 books over the course of the school year. Meetings take place during school hours.
The program will kick-off in October with a “Get Acquainted” meeting. The book groups will then meet during school hours once a month to discuss books in a relaxed and fun setting. 5th & 6th graders meet from 1:10pm-1:50pm. 7th & 8th graders meet from 1:50pm-2:30pm. The program runs from October to March.
If your 5-8th grade student is interested in being considered for this program, please register by Thursday, September 23rd. We are also seeking parent volunteers! Use this online link to register your child or to sign up as a volunteer.
From the WCS Student Assistance Program Counselor Lynn Camara
Our partners at the United Way of Northwest Vermont and the Regional Prevention Network shared this information recently:
Talking To Your Child About Cannabis
It is never too early to have conversations with children about alcohol and other drugs. As young as 9 years old children report beginning to view alcohol in a more positive way, and approximately 3,300 kids as young as 12 try cannabis with THC each day. Using cannabis with THC is harmful to a child’s development. Having conversations with supportive adults makes young people much less likely to start using cannabis or other substances. Embrace the awkwardness and start a conversation today!
How do I get the conversation started?
Just A.S.K.
Advise - Most likely you’ll have to start the conversation. Do your best to advise your kids on the risks of substances in a neutral, non-judgmental way.
Support - Life has been challenging lately, so it’s important to talk about substances in a supportive way. Ask them questions and really listen to what your child has to say.
Know -It’s important your children know your expectations. Set boundaries and ask them what they will do to make sure they follow them.
Help is available.
ParentUP Vermont is a local resource with tips to support youth substance use prevention and intervention. https://parentupvt.org/. ParentUpVT has a list of warning signs and can connect you to resources to act quickly if you suspect your child may be using.
Also, check out Partnership for Drug Free Kids’s Free Marijuana Talk Kit.
SPARK Enrichment After School - Session 1
We are excited to offer your child an opportunity to participate in Spark Enrichment, an after-school applied learning program for students in grades 5-8. Sessions will run for 5 weeks from 2:50 p.m - 4:20 p.m. with our 1st session starting September 29th and ending October 27th.
These small group classes will be facilitated by school faculty and staff. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities that can be found on the link below. Every student who registers will be assigned to one of their top three choices. No one is turned away from Spark! Students are informed of the workshop they will be attending the day prior to the start of the session via their house TA or teacher and caregivers will receive an email informing them of their child’s assigned workshop. In order to take full advantage of this learning opportunity, students will need to make a commitment to attend all five Thursdays. If your child decides to not take part in this session after having registered please contact Julie Rogers so that others may fill the spot. The after-school activity bus will provide transportation home for students in need of a ride home.
The dates of the session are: September 27, October 6, 13, 20, and 27. When registering, students will be able to rank their choices for better placement! Students will be placed on a first come first serve basis. Please use this registration form and a listing of workshop descriptions. Contact Julie Rogers (jrogers@cvsdvt.org) with any questions.
Complete The Form by October 1!
While meals are free for students this year, your school still needs you to complete a school meal application. (On the left side at that link, you'll find a form that can be printed and filled out and an online form.)
When you return your school meal application, you are helping your student, your school, and our entire community. When more students turn in school meal applications, that means more money for education in the cafeteria and in the classroom. Even if you do not think you qualify for this, please take the time to fill out the form. Every response helps!
Did you know, there are many benefits to submitting a meal application? This is very important for the long-term possibility of keeping universal meals in Vermont. School meal applications can help:
- Students qualify for waived testing fees, low-cost internet, and discounts to some community programs
- Your school meal program bring in more federal dollars to invest in local food and farm-to-school programming
- Your schools qualify for important federal education funding
- Your community qualify for summer and afterschool meal programs
Read more about how it benefits you and the district in other ways.
Looking for Lunch & Recess Supervisors at WCS & ABS
Come and join our lunch and recess teams. Work with school staff to supervise and support students during lunch and recess times.
- 3 hours per day - up to 5 days/week
- $16 per hour
- no experience needed
- follows the school calendar
For WCS contact lneeld@cvsdvt.org and for ABS contact svarricchione@cvsdvt.org
Calling All Guest Teachers!
Visit our district website for more information about becoming a Substitute/Guest Teacher in our schools. Contact Shani Varricchione at 802-871-6203 or svarricchione@cvsdvt.org with questions.
Attention parents of 4th Graders!
The WCS 4th grade chorus will begin rehearsals for the first session on Tuesday, September 27th. The group rehearses every Tuesday after school in the WCS music room from 3:00-4:00. There will be a performance in early February.
All 4th graders may come to the first two rehearsals (September 27th and October 4th) to sing, watch, and just check it out with no obligation to join. Be on the lookout for a chorus info/permission slip in your child's take-home folder. If your child then decides to be a member of the 4th grade chorus, please send in the bottom portion of that slip. Alternatively, you may complete this online Google form. If your child does NOT wish to be a chorus member, then you don't need to do anything.
Please contact Danielle Trasciatti-Holmberg (Mrs. T-H) with any questions or concerns. dtrasciatti@cvsdvt.org
Beginner Band Starts in September
Important dates:
Tuesday, 9/13-- Students attend information meet and sign ups begin
Tuesday, 9/20- deadline for signing up for Beginner Band AND for
completing instrument rental contracts.
Monday, 9/26- Ellis Music Co. delivers instruments and supplies to Kim Thompson
Tuesday, 9/27- Beginner lessons start (Schedule will be shared with students. Instruments and
materials delivered by Ellis Music Co. will be given to students at their first lesson.)
At this time, the beginner band program is available to all interested students in grades 5 and up. All beginners will attend a weekly small group lesson during their school day and will perform later in the school year. Students may choose:
flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, or percussion.
Engineering and Robotics Opportunities for Students
CVU's robotics team, the RoboHawks, is offering a First Lego League (FLL) workshop and support for CVSD students, teachers, parents, and coaches. We are in the process of seeking coaches and volunteers to form and support a First Lego League team at each of our PreK-8 schools, primarily focused on middle school, though that might be flexible in some schools. To learn more, please join the Robohawks at their first workshop at CVU on Tuesday, Sept. 20th from 3:45 to 5-ish in the robotics lab (room 154). See this flyer for additional details.
Community Connections
Upcoming Youth Programs
Please Note: Children in 5th grade and up may use the library unattended, while those in grade 4 or younger must be supervised by a person over 16 years of age.
Hello from the Youth Department at Dorothy Alling Memorial Library! Please join us for a program soon! Visit www.damlvt.org or call us at 878-4918 for more information.
Preschool Story Time on the Green
Tuesdays, 10:30-11 a.m. Join Danielle for stories, songs, and rhymes.
Preschool Music & Preschool Playtime
Thursdays, 10:30-11 a.m. Sing and dance with Linda Bassick on the Town Green! Followed by preschool playtime on the patio from 11-11:30 a.m.
Teen Night: Food for Thought*
Monday, September 19, 5-6 p.m. Ages 12+. Join this teen advisory group and talk with other teens and one of the librarians about ideas for future opportunities and more. You bring the thoughts, we bring the food! Registration required to ensure enough food is available.
Baby Time
Wednesday, September 21, 10:30-11 a.m. Socialize and bond with your baby during these gentle baby activities!
After School Craft: Acrylic Pours
Wednesday, September 21, 2-3 p.m. Stop by the library after school and try your hand at an acrylic pour painting.
Read to a Dog*
Thursday, September 22, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Call to sign up for a time slot and read to (or hang out with) Lola the Therapy Dog!
Stuffie Sleepover*
Friday through Saturday, September 23-24. Register your stuffie for a sleepover at the library! Drop them off Friday afternoon and pick them up Saturday morning to see what shenanigans your stuffie got into.
Access is back in Action!
Access is back in action with another semester of amazing enrichment options for both in-person and online learners. The Fall/Winter 2022 season runs from September – January, and the majority of classes take place at CVU High School, with the exception of online classes offered through Zoom. Class descriptions and details are listed on our website and can be sorted by category, month, week, or online. With over 200 class options and 89 fabulous instructors, there is something for everyone at Access!
ENROLL TODAY! Popular classes fill quickly, and low enrollment leads to canceled classes. To view the complete list of classes and to enroll online, visit our website https://cvsdvt.ce.eleyo.com/ (or Google, ACCESS CVU). For questions about classes or to enroll via email or phone, contact us at access@cvsdvt.org / 802-482-7194.
Mark Your Calendar!
Upcoming Events
09/22 - WCS Open House for Grades 3 & 4, 6:30pm
09/27 - Explorers to Adam's Orchard
09/29 - ABS Open House, 6:00pm
09/30 - Kaleidoscope Coffee & Conversations, Synergy to Mt. Philo
10/03 - WCS School Pictures
10/05 - NO SCHOOL, Yom Kippur & Dashian
10/07 - ABS School Pictures
10/10 - NO SCHOOL, Indigenous People's Day
10/11 - NO SCHOOL, Parent Conferences
10/12 - Grade 3 Dental Screenings
10/19 - Kindergarten Dental Screenings
Information in 1-Click
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)
- National Suicide Prevention Life line- 1-800-273-TALK (8255), call or chat online
- 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
- Vermont Support Line (833) 888-2557) - peer support warmline open 247 - 365 for call or text
- COVID Counselors @ VT-211
- Teen Crisis Text Line - Crisis Text Line provides free emotional support and information to teens in any type of crisis, including feeling suicidal. You can text with a trained specialist 24 hours a day. Text “HOME” to 741741.
- Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide - Website where you can find information to help yourself or a friend who may be having thoughts of suicide.
- Trevor Lifeline - 1-866- 488-7386 - provides suicide prevention and crisis intervention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. It offers free, 24/7, confidential counseling. TrevorText—text START to 678-678; TrevorChat—instant messaging at TheTrevorProject.org/help. It also runs TrevorSpace, an affirming social networking site for LGBTQ youth at TrevorSpace.