Craftsbury Schools Newsletter
September/October 2023
Hello Craftsbury Families!
Winter temperatures are on the way. I hope everyone is taking some time to enjoy themselves during this time of the year while the last glimmers of fall are still here. Our students have been able to get outside quite a bit recently, whether going to Elmore Mountain, the Outdoor Center, Barr Hill, or our Woodlot.
Students have finished up their Fall benchmark assessments. These assessments allow our teachers to determine where our students are currently performing in reading and math. Then, our teachers can make instructional decisions based on this information to improve student learning. Our teachers have already been digging into this data at our Instructional Data Team (IDT) meetings. Parent teacher conferences will be next week. Please be on the lookout for signups from teachers. Teachers will be providing updates on student progress in the classroom as well as on any state or district assessments that have been completed since spring.
Our Craftsbury Open House was on October 4th. I hope you had a chance to see the progress we have made on our buildings’ exteriors and interiors. It was also an excellent opportunity to meet our new staff, connect with our established staff, and meet your children’s teachers. We also had a couple of community partners present at the open house to share information: VSAC and Green Mountain Farm to School.
Please take time to enjoy the stories in this newsletter from our staff and to celebrate our students’ accomplishments they have achieved so far this year.
Thank you,
Dates To Remember
PTO Meeting - Nov. 8th at 6:00
NO SCHOOL - Friday, Nov 10Thanksgiving Break- Nov. 20-24th
Doors Open at 7:30 AM
A Beaver Came To Visit
A thoughtful community member caught a beaver and invited the Preschoolers and Kindergarteners to meet the calm creature. It was such an exciting and surprising experience for our youngest learners!
Pumpkins, pudding, and Play in Preschool!
Kindergarten celebrated with a DANCE PARTY!
First Grade Learned about Diversity
Egypt, Pyramids and Mummies
Second graders were fascinated by the Egyptian pyramids and mummies. Ms. Tule integrated hands-on art projects with each lesson!
Many Hands Make For Light Work
A hard-working group gathered from different grade levels and worked together to clean up the woodlot for a safe learning space.
The Third Graders enjoyed the beautiful weather and spent time in the woodlot studying the Coring Elm Tree.
Bikes and Hikes
Learning outdoors is healthy, fun, and supports child development
Maybe it's playing the running sport "game camera," maybe it's a bug safari, or perhaps it is creating a leaf mosaic on the woodland floor. Every adventure is different in the Educating Children Outdoors (ECO) Program-but the variety of play, exploration, and natural history lessons via story and experience fully engages Kindergarten through Second Grade in our time outside. ECO is about being outside-in all weather-and the students are thriving in this type of learning! Pete Kirby-Miller, our mentor and teacher from North Branch Nature Center, brings years of outdoor knowledge and working with children and divides his bi-monthly visits between the upper and lower school elementary grades. Throughout the fall, K-2 staff and parent volunteers have expanded and improved the Outdoor Classroom space. Combined with the varied terrain and natural communities right out our door, we have the perfect venue for ECO. We will soon, with ample pre-teaching and practice, introduce the fire circle as another element of our adventures. Ask your children what they love about ECO--they will have stories to share! And keep those layers coming in on Thursdays, as we'll be outside well into December.
Hands on Learning
hydraulic arm for Precalculus. They learned about different equations
involving pressure and hydraulics.
Hosmer Point Outdoor Education Trip
Partners In Prevention!
Yearbooks are on Sale!
👉Checks should be made to "Craftsbury Academy" with "Yearbook" on the memo line. You can also order by going to this link! https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1120497/Craftsbury-Academy/2023-Yearbook/20220915041634410114/CATALOG_SHOP/
📍If you own a business (or have family that does) and would like to help support creating the Yearbook, please consider putting an ad in the Yearbook. If you don't own a business but would like to support the Yearbook in another besides purchasing, consider becoming a patron, sponsor, or friend of Craftsbury Academy Yearbook. Patrons, sponsors, and friends will be listed in the Yearbook. The Yearbook Ads form below can be used for business ads or those who would like to donate as a patron, sponsor, or friend and can be returned to the address on the top of the form with Attn: Dominique Dubuque
Food Resources
Vermont Food Bank Food Access Resources: Food access resources to help meet community needs.
Food Shelf and Meal Site Locator: Food shelf and meal site locations across Vermont.
Teen & Young Adult Helpline
📍Call 1-800-950-6242
Text “Friend” to 62640
Email helpline@nami.org
💙Our T&YA Specialists are young people who understand what you're going through because they have been through stuff, too. They are experienced and well-trained. They care and want to help you find a way forward. Reach out by phone, text, or chat.
Mobile Rural Resource Navigator
Healthy Lamoille Valley
Resources for Parents/Caregivers
ParentUpVT: resources and guidance for parents and caregivers who want support in talking to their kids about substances and in getting help and resources in the community and state.
Talk. They Hear You: resources to help you start and keep up the conversation about the dangers of drinking alcohol and using other drugs at a young age. Also available as an app.
General Help Lines
Crisis Text Line™ text VT to 741-741 Free support at your fingertips, 24/7Crisis Text Line serves anyone in any type of crisis.
Vermont State Helpline: call or text 2-1-1, or visit their website.
Barton Public Library
100 Main Street
Barton, VT 05822
Have some exciting things happening! All are welcome!