THE SCHOOL BELL
Williston Schools /September 25, 2019
A Message From The Administration
Possibility
by Sarah Crum, Director of Student Services
“It’s kind of impossible to explain. You connect with all these people, and you don’t feel it in your head, you feel it in your stomach. It’s a feeling of possibility. . .wherever [you go].”
(Coyle, 2017, p. 67).
For me, this captures the amazing feeling at ABS & WCS at the start of the school year. The quiet months of summer have allowed each of us, individually, to gear up for the possibility of greatness this year and every year. Students burst through those school doors with an eagerness to share and connect with each other and with their teachers. I can hear it in David Bolger’s music on Friday mornings in the lobby at ABS, I can see it in all the overflowing supply shelves as teachers have prepped their classrooms with new names on each desk and exciting materials to share with their students. I can smell it in the lunch room as our amazing kitchen staff create new recipes for us all to enjoy and share in the year. Students have grown taller, adopted new styles, read books they are eager to exchange, traveled to adventure-filled places, reached a new level on their most beloved video game. As they excitedly share all that they have done, they quickly move to “and this year, I will . . .!” And they will. Because this year is also full of possibility.
I stumbled upon this quote while reading Dan Coyle’s The Culture Code (2017) which examines and analyzes highly successful organizations. It has made me realize the importance of possibility in our lives. When I reflect on what forces have driven the decisions in my life, the one constant seems to have been that there was a possibility. At times it was the possibility of learning something new that engaged me, or the possibility of finding a career I loved, or even the possibility of a steady paycheck. The possibility of a lasting relationship or a place I could call home, the possibility of succeeding at something I hadn’t yet dared to do. It is that flutter in the stomach that you just can’t quite explain with certainty but rather, with possibility.
We are so happy to have you all back! May your year be full of connection and possibility!
Curriculum Nights/Learning Expo Dates
Thursday, Sept. 26 / preschool / Allen Brook School
6 pm (childcare provided)
Thursday, Oct. 3 / grades 5-8 / Williston Central School / (childcare provided)
6:30-7:30 team portion
7:30-8:00 Learning Expo
Parent Information Night: Options-Based Safety and Security Protocol
Presenting an overview of the new protocol and time for dialogue.
Monday, October 7, 2019, 6:00 pm, CVU room 160
CVSD Community Budget Forum
Come and share what's on your mind.
Monday, October 7, 2019, 7:00-8:30 pm, CVU room 160
If you can't attend this forum, please share your thoughts on this budget input form:
No School October 9, 18
No School on October 18 for parent / teacher / guardian conferences
SPARK Enrichment After School~Session 1
The 1st session of Spark Enrichment, an after-school applied learning program for students in grades 5-8, takes place from September 26 - October 24. These small group classes will be facilitated by school faculty and staff. Please access the link to the sign-up form below by September 24th. You will be able to rank your choices for better placement!!
Eagle Scout Project
Thanks to Micah Rieley for doing an Eagle Scout Project that benefited the Learn to Ski/Ride Program- storage of skis. See the before and after pictures of the Ski Storage. Micah's project allows for easy identification, storage and adding more skis. Thank you to those who helped Mica, under his leadership they helped to construct and put up the rack. The scouts who helped were Spencer Freeman and Reid ZuWallack. The adults who helped were Scott Rieley and Tom Ryan. Micah was a past participant in the Learn to Ski/Ride Program and his family continues to help each year with the Ski/Snowboard Fitting Nights.
Full Time Custodial Position (2nd Shift)
Williston Schools has a full time 2nd shift (2:30 pm to 11:00 pm) custodial opening.
Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Clean floors: vacuum, sweep, dust mop, wash, strip, wax, and buff.
- Wash and clean windows, walls, chalkboards, trashcans, water fountains, and sinks.
- Dust furniture, fixtures, wood work.
- Provide set up and break down of cafeteria, gymnasium, auditorium, or other spaces for special events.
- Empty trash receptacles and pick up litter in and around buildings.
- Unload materials from delivery trucks.
- Clean and stock bathrooms, change and clean shower curtains.
- Move furniture.
- Routine maintenance of electrical, heating and ventilating vents and fixtures
- Remove snow from immediate walks and exits.
- Monitor building and grounds to ensure standards for cleanliness and safety are maintained.
- Troubleshoot maintenance problems. Handle minor repairs directly.
- Available to support students and staff during evacuation drills and emergencies.
FAP CRAFT SHOW COMMITTEE SEEKS MEMBERS
We are seeking a few more people to share their time and talents on the Craft Show Committee. Join us to be part of putting on this successful school fundraiser, now celebrating it's 28th year! Please contact Paula LeBlanc and Karen Olson at wsdcraftshow@cvsdvt.org to learn more and to get involved. The Craft Show is on November 2nd.
WCS 3rd/4th Grade Chorus
When:
Wednesdays after school, 3:00-4:00.
Rehearsals begin on Wednesday, September 25th.
The first two rehearsals are “open.” Students can come to check it out with no obligation.
Starting Wednesday, October 16th, students need to make a final decision to be a chorus member or not. Chorus members must attend all rehearsals. (Absences from school are excused.) Non-members are not permitted to attend rehearsals.
Where:
WCS Chorus room (Mrs. T-H’s and Ms. Kennedy’s music room)
Students should bring a snack to eat between school dismissal and the start of chorus rehearsal. No food is permitted in the rehearsal room. Only water is permitted.
There is a 4:30 activity bus available to take students home. Supervision is provided between 4:00 and 4:30.
Please contact me with any questions or concerns.
How can I join the band program at WCS?
If you are a 4th grader
You can join the program in October. All 4th graders will attend a “Beginner Band Demo” in October where they will learn about the different instruments. Sign up information will be available at this time.
If you are a 5th-8th grader and wish to continue playing an instrument
Easy! Start attending rehearsals.
Symphonic Band- Tuesday, Thursday at 11:50
Concert Band- Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 11:50
Wind Ensemble- Daily at 7:30 (am) with lots of days off built into your schedule.
If you are 5th-8th grader and wish to start an instrument
You may begin taking lessons as soon as you have an instrument. Here are
some important steps to take:
Decide which instrument you wish to play. You may choose from flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium/baritone, and sometimes (if there is room) percussion.
Have a parent contact Kim Thompson at kthompson@cvsdvt.org or 871-6033 in order to officially enroll.
If you don’t have access to an instrument, you can rent or purchase one from Ellis Music Company. (Ellismusic.com) or 802 234 6400. Please note that financial support is available to families in need.
Ask Mrs. Thompson about other supplies you might need as they vary for each instrument.
Purchase the book, Tradition of Excellence book 1 for your instrument.
*Beginning 5th -8th graders will have a weekly lesson to learn to read music and play their instrument. When skill level is appropriate, students will be invited to start attending rehearsals with whichever grade level will best fit their needs. These placements are assessed individually and can change throughout the year. Typically, beginning students move into a 4th or 5th grade group in November.
Student Assistance Program (SAP)
Hello! My name is Lynn Camara and I am the new Student Assistance Program (SAP) Counselor at Williston Central. My role is primarily as a support and resource person, and anyone who needs a quiet place to gather information, share and connect is welcome in my office. Are you concerned that your child is having difficulty with friends at school? Have you noticed a change in behavior or drop in grades and you need some information on how to support your child? Do you need some resources on how to help your child make healthy choices?
I am happy to help! I am at WCS on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the school day in the Direction Center. Please drop by any time! If you have a moment, please complete this brief survey letting me know how I can best meet your needs. You can also contact me by phone at (802) 871-6162 and email at lcamara@cvsdvt.org.
I look forward to meeting you!
Lynn W. Camara, MA, MA
Student Assistance Program Counselor
Seeking donations for WCS Recess
Williston Central School would appreciate donations of soccer balls, basketballs, frisbees, and playground balls-like kickballs for recess. (No baseballs, or lax balls please.) Please send them in or drop them in the front office and we will put them to good use. Thank you!
CY Mentors Needed for WCS Students
Every child here, or at any school anywhere in the country, would benefit from the simple, caring, one-on-one attention from a mentor, one hour per week. Middle school students find it very empowering to have this time, during which they decide what to do. They are learning who they are: what they like to do, what they are good at, what they like to learn, how they want to be treated, and how they will act with others.
You can make a difference! By spending just one relaxed hour each week together at school, you can help a Williston middle school student develop his/her abilities, self-confidence, and connection to school.
To find out more about becoming a Connecting Youth Mentor at Williston Central School, Call or e-mail today:
Nancy Carlson, CY Mentoring Coordinator
871-6046
8th Grade Challenge
Please support Aidan Morris's 8th grade challenge project in working with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Vermont for their annual fundraiser, the MINDWalk. M.I.N.D. stands for Mental Illness Non-Discrimination and NAMI Vermont stands for families and individuals who need mental health care because it is health care, like any other kind of health care.
Please join us as a walk team member or make a donation to this wonderful cause. Please join us!
2019 NAMI Vermont MINDWalk
Saturday, September 28, 2019
NEW LOCATION! First Unitarian Universalist Society
(top of Church Street at 152 Pearl Street, Burlington)
Registration/Check In Starts at 12 pm
Walk Begins at 1 pm
Learn more about the walk here: http://namivt.org/walk/
Box Tops for Education
click for a video explaining the changes and more information
Bus Information
Part 2
Part 2 is offering enrichment classes this fall and there are offerings at ABS and WCS this September.
The link to sign up is on our website, http://www.parttwokids.com/.
Four Winds Volunteers
Monthly Fitness Fun
September Calendar
School Nutrition Program
Please make payment checks out to 'CVSD - ABS' or 'CVSD-WCS'
Mobile App
Download the WSD App and get notifications for groups, sports teams, 3-4 Chorus, etc. to keep informed.
Open App, tap on the 3 horizontal bars in the top right and select Notifications. Tap on the group boxes for those you want.
Families as Partners
Tuesday Early Dismissal
ABS Dismissal is 1:35 pm.
WCS Dismissal is 1:55 pm.
The Tuesday schedule for morning Preschool is 8:00 to 10:15 am. Afternoon preschool is 11:15 am to 1:30 pm.
Upcoming Events
Thurs. Sept 26 / EE Curriculum Night / ABS / 6-8 pm
Thurs. Oct. 3 / gr. 5-8 Curriculum Night / 6:30-7:30 team portion / 7:30-8:00 Learning Expo
Fri. Oct. 4 / School Dance (gr. 6-8) / WCS / 6:30-8:30 pm
Mon. Oct. 7 / Parent info on Options-based Safety / CVU rm. 160 / 6 pm
Mon. Oct. 7 / CVSD Budget Forum / CVU rm. 160 / 7-8:30 pm
Tues. Oct 8 / District Spelling Bee / 8am - 12:30 PM
Wed. Oct. 9 / NO SCHOOL
Thurs. Oct. 10 / District Spelling Bee / 8am - 12:30 pm
Thurs. Oct. 17 / Celebration of Learning / Davison & Patnode / 7:30-8:30 am
Thurs. Sept. 17 / CVSD School Board Mtg./ CVU High School Rm 160 / 6 pm
Fri. Oct. 18 / NO SCHOOL (parent / teacher conferences)
More Links, More information
DAML Programs
Click here to access the DAML web site listing of events.
Recreation & Parks Offerings
Williston Schools
Email: cpavlik@cvsdvt.org
Website: https://www.cvsdvt.org
Location: 195 Central School Drive, Williston
Phone: (802) 878-2762
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Williston-School-District-1483758238612170/timeline/
Twitter: @wsdvt