HCS HANDBOOK
2022-2023
LETTER FROM THE ADMINISTRATION
Welcome to the Hinesburg Community School!
This handbook has been created to assist you in becoming familiar with our wonderful school community, programs, procedures, and policies. Please read through the entire document as it may provide pertinent information for you and your family. In addition, all information can be found on our website. For information about policies and procedures that are common across CVSD we have included a link to the CVSD 2022-2023 CVSD Family and Student Handbook and CVSD policies.
We are very proud of our school, the programs we provide, and the faculty and staff who work with our children on a daily basis. With a strong partnership between home and school, all students will succeed. We look forward to working with you throughout the year.
Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions (482-2106).
Sincerely,
Suzan Locke, Pk-4 Principal
Tim Trevithick, 5-8 Principal
Alicia Kurth, Director of Special Education
Administration:
Alicia Kurth, Director of Special Education
Administrative Office Staff:
Libby Koch, Administrative Assistant
Deb Lavalette, Administrative Assistant
Margaret Spivack, Special Education Admininstrative Assistant
Food Services:
Wendy Munsell, Cafeteria Manager
Student Services:
Vicki Nelson, School Counselor, K-4
Kathy Batty, School Counselor, 5-8
Natalie Raby, School Counselor, 5-8
Kate Myhre, Lead Behavior Coordinator
Shanda Driscoll, Behavior Coordinator
Sara Landry, Behavior Coordinator
Taylor Goodchild, Behavior Coordinator
Betsy Boland, School Clinician
Kate Grochowiski, School Clinician
Amy Sayre, Student Assistance Program
Superintendent’s Office:
Transportation:
Barry Russell, CVSD Transportation
CVSD School Board:
Josilyn Adams Director
Angela Arsenault Chair
Erin Brady Director
Lindsay Colf Director
Lynne Jaunich Director
Erika Lea Director
Colleen MacKinnon Director
Barbra Marden Clerk
Brendan McMahon Director
Meghan Metzler Director
Keith Roberts Director
Ken Scott Vice Chair, Vice Clerk
Saphirre Martin Student Rep
Ananya Rohatgi Student Rep
Addie Nevitt Student Rep
PiE:
Co-Chairs: Kristin Niebur and Jenny Wilkinson
Treasurer: Aubrey Gardner
Secretary: Jessica Mason
Preschool Teachers
Kindergarten
First Grade
Second Grade
Third Grade
Fourth Grade
Fifth Grade
Sixth Grade
7/8 Curiosity
7/8 Pathfinder
Administration
Administrative Office Staff
Activities Director
Art
Cafeteria
Custodians
Instructional Coaches
IT
Librarians
Mentor Coordinator
Music
Nurse
Para Educators
Para Specialists
Physical Education/Health
Physical/Occupational Therapist
School Clinician
School Counselor
School Psychologist
Special Educators
Speech and Language
Student Assistance Counselor
Student Services
Technology Integration Specialist
Title 1
World Language
ALLERGIES
This is a reminder that we have students (and adults) at school that are allergic to several different foods or food groups – peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, wheat, dairy, soy, avocado, seafood, etc. Reactions can range from mild to life-threatening. Strict avoidance is the best way to prevent an allergic reaction. Please do not allow students to share food with their friends, in the classroom or cafeteria. The cafeteria has designated peanut/nut free tables for students. Parents are asked to check with their teacher before sending food treats to the classroom. For information on how to read labels for various allergens, please go to the health office page on the school website.
ATTENDANCE
To report any and all attendance updates for your child, we kindly ask that you do one of the following:
● email us at hcsattendance@cvsdvt.org
● call 802-482-2106 and select option 1
It is not necessary to let the teacher know that your child will be late or absent. It IS necessary to let the office know. Please let us know the first and last name of your child, their grade or homeroom
teacher and the reason they will be late/absent.
If there is a change of plans for end of day transportation, please let us know (using one of the two options above) by 1:00 so that we have time to process bus notes, contact the classroom teacher and ensure the student has a change of transportation form to give to the bus driver.
If you would like to pick your child up during the school day, please call 802-482-2106, option 3, FIVE TO TEN MINUTES BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL AT HCS. This will allow us enough time to locate your child, have them pack up their items and meet you in the HCS office, where they can be signed out.
BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
Be a STAR Program: HCS is truly more than a place - we are a community of learners dedicated to academic success and safety through Belonging, Sharing, Trust, Accepting Responsibility and Respect. We use the acronym Be a STAR to remind ourselves daily that focusing on these values will build a stronger community and lead to significant individual success. We, the faculty and staff of HCS, sincerely believe that when it comes to behavior we will get what we pay attention to--and, consequently, we strive daily to make positive expectations clear to all of our students and to celebrate the progress we are all making together.
Discipline When adults recognize behaviors that may limit any child’s ability to be successful, they will work with the relevant student to help identify not only the reason(s) behind behaviors but also more effective ways of getting needs met.
Common adult interventions include but are not limited to:
● Friendly Reminders
● Brief Check-ins
● Take-a-Break
● Parent Contact
● Social Conferencing
● Behavior Plans
● Buddy rooms
If the behavior impeding student success continues despite staff intervention, the matter may be referred to an administrator.
Certain behaviors resulting in a dangerous situation will be referred to the administration regardless of whether earlier interventions have taken place. Such behaviors include:
● Bullying or harassment
● Destruction or theft of property
● Leaving school grounds
● Threats, fights and other forms of assault
● Weapon violations
Behaviors not permitted at school: Among those behaviors which are not conducive to a safe and successful school environment—and which are therefore not permitted—are:
● Alcohol or Other Drug Possession, Use, or Sale
● Bullying/Harassment/Hazing
● Cutting Class
● Disrespect to Staff or Peers
● Fighting or Assault
● Harassment
● Leaving School without Permission
● Profanity
● Significant Class Disruption
● Theft
● Threat/Intimidation
● Unsafe Acts on Bus
● Unsafe Acts at School
● Vandalism
● Weapons Possession or Use
School Response Options: Responses may vary based on need, past history, and severity of behavior. The school administration is committed to assigning consequences that are (1) in proportion to the offense and (2) aimed more at long-term student growth than short-term punishment. Therefore, consequences are determined by administrators with the well-being and needs of both the school community and the individual student in mind.
As administrators determine the most appropriate course of action in each case, they consider a variety of options and strategies including: conferencing with behavior interventionist, co-principals, or other administrator; referring to SAP or guidance counseling service; planning for repair/restitution; providing logical consequences; removing from regular school or after school activities; detention; and suspension from school.
When appropriate, the Hinesburg Community Police will also be notified. In the case of weapons violations, a school board hearing considering expulsion of the student must be held.
Due Process:
Parents/guardians have the right to due process to ensure that their children are being treated fairly under the school discipline procedure. Any parent/guardian wishing to exercise his/her due process rights should contact Mrs. Locke or Mr. Trevithick.
CALENDAR
Please click HERE to view the approved 2022-2023 school year calendar.
DRESS CODE
Students should always be appropriately and comfortably prepared for school with regard to dress and attire. School personnel/administration may require students to change if their clothing violates any of the following expectations:
■ Items of clothing should not display messages that depict, or symbolize,
sexual references, drugs/alcohol/tobacco, weapons, harassing references (targeting based on race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, sexual orientation, or disability).
■ Hats and hoods may be worn in school as long as they are not impacting learning.
■ All clothing should cover the belly or midriff, rear, and chest, and should not be transparent (see-through). Undergarments (not including straps) should also not be exposed or revealed.
■ The administration also may make decisions that attire is inappropriate for a situation, season, or when community impact may be significant.
Protocol for Dress Code:
If a staff member has a concern about a student’s clothing, the staff member will reach out to the building administrator. The administrator will evaluate the clothing and make a determination around next steps including whether or not the family needs to be contacted.
HILL & EMERGENCY CLOSING INFO
During the winter and spring there are times when the hills or certain secondary roads are not accessible for our buses. When these conditions occur during the morning hours we will contact you via School Messenger. During these times, you will need to make arrangements for getting your child to school.
If we have to cancel a bus route in the afternoon, we will also notify you via School Messenger. When this occurs, we will dismiss students as we normally do and the students who normally ride the bus home will be expected to do so unless the front office receives prior notification from a parent. The drivers are instructed to let the students off the bus at the bottom of the hills they cannot access. We ask that parents be present at the drop off point or let us know if they have designated someone else to be responsible to pick their children up
Please leave a message on our attendance line by calling 802-482-2106, option 1. This is our attendance line and will immediately notify the office that you have left us a message, if we aren’t able to answer the phone.
MARKING PERIODS
K-4 schedule for the 2022-2023 school year is as follows:
● First Semester: August 31 – January 20
- Report Cards go home to families on 1/27/22
● Second Semester: January 23rd – June 9th
- Report Cards go home to families on 6/15/23
The 5-8 schedule for the 2022-2023 school year ends on the following dates:
● First Trimester: August 31 - November 18
● Second Trimester: November 28 - March 10
● Third Trimester: March 13 - June 15
(Snow dates might change the last day.)
PARTNERSHIP in EDUCATION (PiE)
The Hinesburg Community School, its staff and parents, believe in strong partnership. The inclusive vision of Partnership in Education (PiE) connects parents and staff to promote the constructive and active participation that enables the many facets of education. Visit The Viking, HCS Website, or HCS PiE Facebook page for PiE sponsored informational programs, events, and for ways to connect and participate in the school, your children's education and the community. Welcome to HCS PiE. We are Partners in Education --- We are PiE.
PERSONAL PROPERTY
Electronics, Phones and Headphones/Earbuds: Students are strongly discouraged from bringing valuable personal property to school. HCS is not responsible for lost/stolen/damaged electronics that are brought from home. Students are not allowed to use iPods, cell phones, and other personal electronic devices at school without permission from an adult. . If these types of devices are displayed or used at school without permission school staff members may turn them over to the administration and these items may be given to the students at the end of the day. For repeat violations, the administration can ask parents to pick up the electronic devices from school.
Lost and Found: All articles found at school are placed in the “Lost and Found Area,” located near the side entrance. This is where students and parents may claim their possessions. Whenever possible, all clothing, books, and other personal property should be clearly labeled with the student’s name to ensure prompt return to their rightful owners.
POLICIES
The Champlain Valley School District welcomes you to view our policies.
SPORTS
Team Regulations and Behavior Expectations: The following is a list of the athletic department’s team regulations and behavior expectations of players.
Please visit the HCS Athletic's website for more information or email our new Athletic Director, Shanda Driscoll at sdriscoll@cvsdvt.org.
1. All students participating in interscholastic teams at Hinesburg Community School are expected to display good sportsmanship and to act responsibly as representatives of the school and community. Students who fail to meet an acceptable standard may be suspended from participation.
2. It is our belief that each student’s academic performance is extremely important. It is recommended that those students who are having difficulties with their academic subjects participate in a parent/student/teacher conference to develop an academic plan for improved performance. It is expected that students will stay after school if requested by their teacher. The athletic department will support decisions of parents/guardians to restrict their child’s participation during this period.
3. Uniforms which are issued to students must be well cared for and returned in good condition at the close of the season. Failure to return a uniform will result in billing charges.
STUDENT DROP OFF and DISMISSAL (end of day)
Arrival Times:
7:50 -8:00 Bus Drop Off - 7:30-8:00 Parent Drop Off
Unless your student is riding the bus, our side parking lot is the designated drop off and pick up location for students before and after school. Please bring your student to HCS no earlier than 7:30 and no later than 8:00. Students who ride the bus in the morning will be dropped off at the front door and will directly go to their classroom.
End of the Day:
At the end of the school day, if a student is not riding the bus they must meet their party in the side parking lot. Parents must stay with their vehicle and are asked to leave promptly after picking up your student. Parents are not to congregate in front of or inside the school at any time.
Dismissal Times:
Dismissal begins at 2:45 each day and is staggered by grade. Students not taking the bus will be dismissed at the following times (Early Release Days - Wednesdays - will be an hour earlier):
Kindergarten, First, Second Grade 2:45 pm Third and Fourth Grade 2:48 pm 5th-8th Grade 2:50 pm Buses Leave the school 2:55 pm