THE SCHOOL BELL
Williston School District /February 18, 2015
NO SCHOOL Feb. 23-March 2. School Resumes Tues. March 3
A Message from the Administration
Mid Winter Break
Have we all had enough of this cold weather? February is turning out to be the coldest on record. Think Spring, and it will be here shortly.
I want to share with everyone that we have a number of people retiring this year.
These people have dedicated their careers to the Williston school district and we wish them all the best in the years ahead. Williston Central School has the following people retiring: Jenn Oakes, Joan Beato, Kathy Rossier, Karen Hennig, Sue Leister and Walter Nardelli. Allen Brook School has Pat Bannerman. The Administration will consider these positions for next year, taking student population into account while examining the need for full or part time replacements, making adjustments accordingly.
In a couple of weeks you will have the opportunity to vote on the 2015-2016 school budget. Town Meeting is Monday, March 2 at 7:00pm in the WCS Auditorium and voting takes place on March 3 from 7:00am to 7:00 pm at the Williston Armory.
The budget increase for next year is 0.38%. Last year, the tax rate was $1.5294 and next year it will be $1.5716, which is an increase of $0.0422. Williston has the lowest per pupil spending of any town in Chittenden South Supervisory Union. We are proposing next year to have a K-2 Math support person, K-4 Targeted Behavior Support Program, K-4 Classroom Library boost and a 5-8 Guidance Curriculum. All of these programs are intended to help students to continue to grow academically and socially.
Next week is our mid-winter break. Students will return to school on Tuesday, March 3. Teachers will be back March 2 for a CSSU wide In-Service. We hope all of you have a relaxing and wonderful break and stay warm. Get out and enjoy the many things Vermont has to offer during these winter months. If you are traveling we wish you safe travels.
Preparing for Kindergarten Registration
More information is on the school website, and will be included in future School Bells.
Jump Rope for Heart March 27, 2015
Jump Rope for Heart is a fundraiser for the American Heart Association. Participating WCS students will be bused to ABS in the morning and brought back to WCS after the event is over.
Children in grades 1-8 can participate in the event. Signed permission slips should be handed in to a physical education teacher. Click here for more information and the registration form.
Please Vote
Town Meeting is Monday night, March 2nd, 2015.
It is held in the Williston Central School Auditorium at 7pm.
Australian Ballot Voting is on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015 at the Armory building.
IF YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE IN WILLISTON YET:
You must register to vote by the Wednesday before any Tuesday election date. (Feb 25th, 2015.)
Voting Location- The polling location for all of Williston is at the Armory. This is the large brick building in the village, on the same side of the road as the Town Hall and the Town Hall Annex.
Voting Times- Polls are open from 7am to 7pm.
Early Voting: Ballots are now available for Early/Absentee Voting. People can stop by the Town Hall during regular office hours Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
People can also call to request a ballot by calling at 878-5121 or email dbeckett@willistonvt.org
School District Warning3rd/4th Grade Chorus is starting up again!
- We rehearse every Wednesday at 3:00-4:00 in the WCS band room. Activity bus is available for transport home at 4:30. Supervision provided between 4:00 and 4:30.
- New members are welcome to come check it out for the first two weeks and see what you think! Permission slips available on Wednesdays at rehearsal.
- Questions? Email Mrs. T-H (dtrasciatti@cssu.org)
CO-ED Volleyball Club Team (grades 6-8)
WCS is starting a CO ED Volleyball Club Team for interested girls and boys in grades 6 - 8.
Practices will be on Mondays and Wednesdays in the New Gym from 3 - 4:30pm. Some games may be on Wednesdays (4 - 5pm; place to be announced) and on some Saturdays (time and place to be announced).
The Sign-Up Sheet will be posted on the Athletics Bulletin Board across from the old gym.
Please have your 4 Athletic forms (found on the school web site under Athletics/Forms) or ask Ms. Oakes for the forms) filled out or at least a note from your parent/guardian in order to stay for the first practice.
If you have any questions please contact Ms. Oakes - 871-6194 joakes@cssu.org
A message to WCS Parents from coach Julieta: If you think your child may be interested in playing volleyball, please have them sign up ASAP. Mrs. Oakes is in the process of coordinating the schedule for practices and games with other schools, many of which already have teams getting ready. This is an opportunity for kids to start learning the basics of volleyball and hopefully get some fine tuning by the time they arrive at CVU.
Did you know? Volleyball is the second most popular sport in the world today, exceeded only by soccer. Please let Mrs. Oakes or I know if you have any questions.
julietarushford@comcast.net (802) 557-7058
FAP NEWS FOR FEBRUARY
We have a busy six weeks ahead of us for Families as Partners. We have two community fundraisers coming up in March, the family-friendly Annual Variety Show on Friday, March 13th and the grown-ups only Annual Big Basket Raffle and Silent Auction on Saturday, March 28th (with a Fun Night running concurrently for K-4th graders). We will also be evaluating our Annual Fund through a special sub-committee. Look for information on our fundraisers from your House Teachers and in March issues of the School Bell. Please check out this SIGN UP LINK for information on how you can help with the Big Basket Raffle, as it takes the support of many!
P.S. Special thanks to all of you who donated empty baskets for the Basket Raffle. We are all set!!!
Variety Show!
Friday, March 13th 2015 at 6:30pm in the WCS auditorium.
Auditions: Wed. 2/18 at 6:30-8:00 and Thurs. 2/19 at 5:30-7:00 in the WCS auditorium.
All performers need to fill out an application.
Dress Rehearsals: Tues. 3/10 at 6:00 for Act 1 and Wed. 3/11 at 6:00 for Act 2 in the WCS auditorium. Details on this to come after auditions.
Tickets will be $5 and seating will be reserved. Details about purchasing tickets coming soon!
Next Swarm Party @ ABS
Students at Allen Brook School have earned another PBiS school-wide celebration. This celebration was earned by filling the beehive in the main office by being SAFE, KIND and RESPONSIBLE!
The celebration, Movie Afternoon, will be on Friday, February 20, 2015 from 1:00- 2:30. The following movies will be shown: THE JUNGLE BOOK, THE ADVENTURES OF MILO AND OTIS, MONSTERS INC and FOX AND THE HOUND. Students will be able to choose one of the four movies and enjoy the afternoon with their friends (all adults will be participating with supervision)!
Four Winds
click here for the WSD Four Winds web page.
Student Projects
Humane Society Collections
- Hi, My name is Katherine Hoff and I am a 6th grader in Sterling House. We are doing Independent Projects in Math. I am collecting items to donate to the Chittenden County Humane Society. Some items they need are: food for dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pig, ferrets and hamsters. toys, blankets, and cleaning supplies. There will be a box in the front lobby of WCS.
- Hello my name is Caleb Jenson. I am an 8th grader in Harbor House. I am doing a fundraiser for treats and toys for the animals in the shelter. To help distract and comfort the animals, please donate treats and toys. There will be a bin in front of the front office. Any donations are greatly appreciated. The bins will be available until the 20th of February.
COTS
- Hi! My name is Allyssa and part of my Eighth Grade Challenge is the Cots toy room. The Cots toy room is a shelter for homeless or just an emergency shelter for those in need.I am looking for donations of unopened and unused toiletries, such as shampoo, body wash, deodorant, lotion, razors and toothpaste. The donation box will be in the WCS front lobby until March 27. I hope you will donate.
Health Office
February is National Children's Dental Month
Oral Health is an essential part of a healthy life
Tooth decay (cavities) is the single most common chronic disease of childhood, occurring five to eight times as much as asthma. Poor oral health has recently been linked to heart disease, low birth weight and diabetes.
Despite the reduction in cases of decay in recent years, nationally more than half of all children have cavities by the second grade, and by the time students finish high school, about 80 percent have cavities. Unless it is stopped early, dental decay is irreversible.
The good news is that dental disease is mostly preventable, and Vermont ranks high among other states in the number of people who access dental services.
Dental Cleanings
Dental Cleanings are finished at ABS, and end February 20 at WCS. Your child can receive a dental cleaning, exam, and fluoride rinse for $20. Click here for more information and sign up form.
Children who have Medicaid for insurance are eligible for a dental cleaning twice a year. If you need assistance finding a dentist please contact the Health Office.
For further information regarding dental services in Vermont, click on the link below:
http://healthvermont.gov/family/dental/services.aspx
IMPETIGO, (could this be the rash your child has)?
Impetigo, one of the most common skin infections among kids, usually produces blisters or sores on the face, neck, hands, and diaper area. The sores burst and develop honey-colored crusts. Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection and is generally caused by one of two bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes (also called group A streptococcus, which also causes strep throat). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is also becoming an important cause of impetigo.
For more information please click on link below...
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/impetigo.html#
ABS: 871-6248 / Sylvia Love, RN
Items you may have missed previously...
EEE Peer Selection Application (deadline Wed. Feb. 18)
Upcoming Events
WCS Theme Week / Feb. 16-20
School Board Meeting / Tues. Feb. 17 / 7-9 pm /
Winter Break - Feb. 23-March 2
Please Vote! Tuesday, March 3
Intergen Meetings / Wed. March 4 / 11:35-1:10 / DAML
School Dance / Fri. March 6 / 6:30-8:30 pm / WCS
Franco American Quebecois Dance Workshop (French Students) / March 5 &6
4 Winds Training / Wed. March 11 / 8:30 am-10:30 am / WCS Dining Room
Engineering Challenge (gr. 5-6) / Wed. March 12
Engineering Challenge (gr. 7-8) / Thurs. March 13
Variety Show / Fri. March 13 / WCS Auditorium
School Board Meeting / Tues. March 17 / 7-9 pm / CVU
March Concerts / Wed. March 18
Voyager Recycle Sale / Sat. March 21 / 9 am - 2 pm /
NO SCHOOL - Monday, March 23 (Parent/Teacher conferences)
Jump Rope for Heart / Fri. March 27 / 8:45-11:15 am / ABS
Big Basket Raffle/Fun Night / Sat. March 28 / 6 - 8:30 pm / WCS
Click here for athletics
Dorothy Alling Memorial Library Programs for Kids
Click here for the Bell listing of DAML events scheduled for children.
Click here for the DAML newsletters.
Previous Newsletters
Williston School District
Email: cpavlik@cssu.org
Website: www.wsdvt.org
Location: 195 Central School Drive, Williston
Phone: (802) 878-2762
Twitter: @wsdvt