CCS Newsletter
December 22, 2020 - Special Edition
ADMINISTRATION UPDATE
Dear CCS Families and Community,
Gathered together on this last school day of 2020 I pause in awe at the joy and positivity our staff and students are spreading. The halls are filled with laughter, cheering, storytelling about traditions, tons of pajamas/cozy clothes and togetherness. People of all ages are sharing gifts with messages of joy. The true present may be the presence of others. The last nine months have been a rollercoaster of challenges, changes and exercises of adaptations; for students, staff and our CCS families. Today, I see RESILIENCE, the trust and strength that comes from overcoming something together. My appreciation for this “school family” is immeasurable.
I hope next week will be a time for all to relax and recharge. For 2021, I wish you all hope, the best of health and to be surrounded (near and far) by the people you love.
With gratitude,
Jen
As we look forward to 2021, I am grateful for many things that 2020 has made me appreciate even more. I have always felt grateful that my work allows me to be able to enter a school building full of children and adults gathered together every day doing great things. I’m reflecting on how each year has taught me different lessons and given me different gifts - that is especially true of the most challenging of years. Thinking back on the past nine months of the school year, I’m inspired by how our students, teachers, staff members and parents persevered, supported each other, tried new things, and kept things simple and focused on what was most essential. Being in school with students every day has provided us with opportunities to smile, laugh, play, learn and be inspired as our students keep us grounded in our purpose. We could not have done this without you, our CCS community, continuously checking in with us, collaborating with us and sharing your students with us each day. We’ve all learned so much from this year that will help us continue to learn and implement new things and to stay grounded in the things that work best for children.
Personally, I am thankful for the health and wellness of my family, for the school experiences my own children have had. Over this break, I am looking forward to relaxing with them a little bit more, and watching the days grow longer. I wish the same for all of you!
Take Care,
Stephanie
While 2020 was a completely unexpected year, it gave me a unique opportunity to reflect on my values, my work-life, community, and my family. This was by far one of the most challenging years of my life and yet, I have found clarity in my values, gratitude for all things big and small, and an unwavering appreciation for all the people in my life….including you!
I found clarity in my children, Henry (8) and Laurel (6), and the bright light they bring to my world every day. I found myself pausing in moments of transition to look at them deeply and listen to them, instead of the usual frantic pursuit of rushing them out the door in an effort to be on time for work.
I found gratitude in spending many days outside alone, observing the big and small things in the world around me. In the spring, I discovered a fox den in the woods behind my house and one time witnessed the mother fox carrying her kits after she had given birth. The simplicity and beauty in seeing this nurturing act will stay with me forever. I also discovered the awesomeness in the sounds of nature that fill the air when I was able to shut off the background noise in my head.
Finally, I found appreciation in human connection, although diverse in our collective experiences, during this pandemic. I found appreciation in hearing your stories and the sense of belonging our CCS community provides. I found appreciation in our quick hallway conversations all masked-up and then seeing your smiling faces and hearing your laughter over google meets. I found appreciation in your friendly waves at pick-up and drop-off and your thoughtfulness and support as we continue to work together.
For 2021, I wish you all health, happiness, and many moments of clarity, gratitude, and appreciation.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Cassandra
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, December 23rd through Friday January 1st
NO SCHOOL - Early Winter Break
Wednesday, January 6th
Remote Day for All
Wednesday, January 13th
Remote Day for All
Monday, January 18th
NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
Wednesday, January 20th
Remote Day for All
Wednesday, January 27th
Remote Day for All
LOST AND FOUND
Wed, 12/23/20 -8:00 - 2:00
Mon, 12/28/20 - 8:00 - 2:00
Tue, 12/29/20 - 8:00 - 2:00
Wed, 12/30/20 - 8:00 - 2:00
Thu, 12/31/20 - 8:00 - 2:00
FARMERS TO FAMILIES FOOD BOX DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM
FARMERS TO FAMILIES FOOD BOX DISTRIBUTION
How to register:
1) Click on the link above to sign up for available times.
2) Complete the registration form.
Note: Registration will close at 12:00pm the day before each event.
As of this printing, the nearest location to Charlotte is on January 8th in Vergennes, (10:00am - 12:30pm) at the American Legion Post 14, 100 Armory Lane.
To reduce wait times and improve your experience picking up food, everyone is required to pre-register to receive food at a Farmers to Families event. Please take a few minutes to complete the simple survey below to register for your food box before going to the next food distribution site. Thank you for your help making this run smoothly!
Each separate registration is limited to food for one household. However, we encourage people to pick up for others who may lack transportation. If you want to pick up for another household, they can make a reservation or you can make a separate reservation for them. When you arrive at the site, give the greeter all the names used for the registrations you're picking up and you will be able to get multiple sets of food.
FOURTH GRADERS WEEK IN REVIEW
CCS IS LOOKING FOR MENTORS!
Do you think kids are fun? Does spending time with children bring you joy? Are you interested in giving back to your community? Then you’d probably be a good mentor!
Mentors are caring adults who spend about an hour a week with a student. Mentors bring with them a sense of shared fun, new experiences and great listening skills. Mentors bring encouragement and options for expanding a young person’s regard for themselves and their world. By sharing yourself with your mentee you can inspire them to create a richer future for themselves.
Mentors are distinct members of a team of caring adults who show up for youth in addition to parents, caregivers and teachers.
If you can commit to spending an hour a week with a student through the end of the school year, please be in touch! We would love to hear from you. Please reach out to Joshua Rooney, Mentoring Coordinator at jrooney@cvsdvt.org or (802) 425-6642!
SEEKING SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
SHARE FROM BETSY LLOYD, OUR CCS SCHOOL COUNSELOR
- Common Sense Media just shared this activity for some winter break fun for families (since many will be at home!) that we might want to include in the newsletter this week.
- This has some holiday gratitude activities for families, and it is a great reminder that research shows that developing a gratitude practice increases happiness.
- And finally, they put together a list of best winter break movies for kids of all ages.
SELF-CARE FOR THE HOLIDAY
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Parenting is hard enough without a global health pandemic! Now more than ever, it is CRITICAL that we all practice diligent self-care. Our health depends on it, and the health of our children depends on it. It can be difficult to put yourself first as a parent – but you are equally deserving and in need of it! It can be helpful to connect with a friend to do these activities or someone who will partner with you as you begin to implement daily self-care practices. It’s the safest and most important investment you can ever make!
The Importance of Care for Caregivers
Parenting During Coronavirus: You are Enough
Apps for Self-Care and Wellness
As always, if you wish to explore this topic further, or any other topic impacting your child, don’t hesitate to connect with me. I am always happy to be a resource as we learn and grow together.
Tanya Vyhovsky, LICSW
CCS School Services Clinician
ADOBE FLASH COMES TO A CLOSE
Adobe is no longer supporting Flash at the end of 2020. Some computer applications and websites may no longer work. FasttMath is one example. We are shutting it down and it will no longer be available after 12/22. We are reviewing other applications with our vendors to see what else may be impacted. This information may be helpful to know about sites that you and your children possibly use at home.
UNFORTUNATE "PAUSE" FOR BOLTON VALLEY / CCS SKI & RIDE PROGRAM
Due to the uncertainties presented by the pandemic, I am sorry to announce that our projected 2020/2021 program will be put on “pause” until further notice. Realistically, if conditions change significantly in a positive direction, we might be able to salvage a short session in March, but Mountain, lodge, group instruction, and transportation issues would have to improve markedly for us to feel comfortable offering a safe program this season.
However, as usual, I will be able to assist any Charlotte student who needs equipment if planning to do socially distanced Alpine skiing or riding this winter with their families. Those of you who have Program equipment from last year can hold on to it, continue to use it, or should contact me if you need an “upsize,” (or just want to return it).
Here’s hoping that all of you have a healthy, safe, winter, and you get to ski or ride at some point during the season!
Always, Michael Krasnow
Coordinator, Charlotte/Bolton Valley Ski + Ride
mkrasnow1@gmail.com 425-3997
BUDGET SEASON IS UNDERWAY!
The Champlain Valley School District's Board of Directors invites all members of the CVSD community to join us for the budget process. Please mark your calendars for these upcoming School Board budget meetings.
- December 15: Operations and Maintenance
- January 5: Summary and Tax Implications
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE: MIDDLE LEVEL FRIDAY BULLETIN LINKS
CHARLOTTE COMMUNITY CENTER COMMITTEE SURVEY
Survey is open through 12/31/2020
Hello Charlotte Families,
The Charlotte Community Center Committee is surveying residents' interest in a multi-use community center as well as gaining a better understanding of potential needs around recreation, leisure and community activities. Will you take our 10 minute survey? Your response is important and will be used to help inform the Committee.
Survey Link: https://s.surveyplanet.com/m6z5Jz-Ao
Who are We? The Charlotte Community Center Committee formed in November to explore the idea and gauge resident interest in a multi-use community center in Charlotte. Made up of a diverse set of residents, including Selectboard members and Planning Commission members, the committee is surveying residents, evaluating options, and identifying needs that may be met with a multi-use facility.
Committee members are volunteering their time and experience in a range of knowledge, skills and abilities including executive leadership, project management, construction, architecture, communications and fundraising. If the committee finds sufficient interest in the project, the hope is to have an informational presentation ready for town meeting to garner town-wide support to continue its work into the next year.
Thank you in advance, the Community Center Committee.
CHARLOTTE COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT SURVEY
Survey link: https://tools.gocros.org/charlotte
(Date extended - Open through December 31st)
This assessment came to the attention of some very forward thinking folks at the library as it had been formulated in the wake of Hurricane Irene when so many Vermont towns and families sustained substantial damage from the incredible, unexpected flooding around our state. It became apparent during the aftermath of the devastation that some towns rebounded easier and quicker than others and it was determined that it was the result of them being more and/or better prepared for the crisis……in other words, more resilient!
To further study that, the Community Resilience Organization came into being and the assessment created. To date, 10 towns in Vermont have taken the assessment and used the results to bring about change and improvements in those towns for their citizens. In Charlotte, several months ago, the CRO was contacted and the wheels to do this in Charlotte began turning.
The COVID team/Charlotte Community Partners, consisting of folks coming from various organizations/walks of life in our town decided to take up this mission as a way to learn whether or not our town was indeed ready, in various areas, to handle a crisis in the future. The assessment was read and studied, then simplified, reworked, and tweaked every way possible to try to make it relatively painless to complete, easy to understand, but still providing us with some clarity of where the town is meeting the needs of our citizens and where more work is needed….perhaps in terms of services, perhaps in terms of communication!
The assessment looks at areas that are critical to each and every one of us…..the availability of food and housing, how we are dealing with our environment, our roads and bridges and whether or not they are adequate, maintained, and/or safe, our natural resources and whether or not we are protecting them, the availability of health services, use of our land, availability of emergency services and shelters, internet/broadband service, community connections, and more. In every instance you will be asked to rate how you feel Charlotte ranks with the option to say, you don’t know. All questions are important as are all answers, including “you don’t know”….which is critical as it may mean our town isn’t prepared in that area or it could also mean that what the town has done or has available hasn’t been effectively communicated to folks. In other words, if you have a lot of questions with the answer “I don’t know”, don’t feel that your assessment isn’t valuable….because it very definitely is…..a lot of issues today stem strictly from the lack or ineffectiveness of communication.
But if this assessment is to have value to our town, we need to hear from ALL Charlotte residents …..and that means each one of YOU! To that end, the assessment will be available on line and links will be in the Charlotte News and The Citizen and on the Library and Town websites and in the CCS newsletter. If you don’t have access to a computer, you can access one at the Library and complete the assessment there.
INTERVALE CENTER AND SHIFTMEALS
EFFICIENCY VERMONT'S BUTTON UP CAMPAIGN
CVSD FOOD SERVICE & EARLY WINTER BREAK
TAKE OUT & DELIVERY ON MONDAY 12/21 ONLY
In an effort to provide as much food for families as we can going into this winter break, we will be sending out Winter Break Bonus Meals on Monday 12/21. Please sign up on the Remote Meals Order Form that you normally use for your students who are learning remotely. The link to the order form for your school can be found here. There will only be one Remote Meal Distribution, so please sign up early. These meals are available FREE to all children 18 and under. Delivery is available to anyone in our district from your local school.
TAKE OUT & DELIVERY ON MONDAY 12/21 ONLY. Winter Break Bonus Meals will be distributed with all meal orders on Monday. If you do not need remote meals on Monday and / or Tuesday, but want Winter Break Bonus Meals, check the box on the order form. All Winter Break Bonus Meals will go out on Monday 12/21.
We hope you have a safe and happy early winter vacation. See you in 2021. Normal remote meals will start up on Monday 1/4/2021, when school resumes.
Our local Food Shelf programs have been stocking up to help families and if you need food assistance during the break, please contact them.
If you have any questions please contact Scott Wagner at swagner@cvsdvt.org or call your school's food service director.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Thanks!
Your hardworking CVSD Food Service Program