THE SCHOOL BELL
Williston Schools / March 7, 2018
A Message from the Administration
Sportsmanship
by Carter Smith
Thursday, March 29 is Opening Day for Major League Baseball. That’s about three weeks away. It doesn't seem possible as I look out my living room window and see snow on the ground and 30 degree temps. But it will happen, perhaps with a few rainouts mixed in.
I know that our children play many more sports than baseball. Some play soccer year-round and lacrosse is gaining in popularity. Basketball is entering play-off time and NCAA Basketball March madness is about to begin. Hockey teams are heading down the homestretch.
Anyway, baseball season stands out for me as a harbinger of spring.
Team sports are a great way to learn to work with others, to appreciate and to rely on others. I played a lot of team sports growing up and still do to this day, although my reflexes have slowed and my joints do more than their share of aching. I often think about the manner in which people play sports says a lot about who they are. Think of the player who takes the shot instead of passing it off to a wide open teammate. Think of the person who yells at the ref. for maybe missing a call.
I coached a lot of soccer, some lacrosse and a lot of baseball. One of the main reasons I began coaching was to have my own children avoid some of the antics that I observed in other coaches. When you are ahead in a little league game by 12 runs, do you hold up the runners on third base? Or do you continue to run up the score and embarrass the other team?
Once when I was refereeing a soccer game because the paid refs didn't show up I missed a few calls running from one end to the field to the other all by myself. I overheard one of the coaches of these 12 year old girls tell his players to try to take down the other players. Of course I blew the whistle, called time, and had a discussion with both coaches at midfield. (I offered to hand over the whistle to either of them).
Learning how to be a good sport is critical in life on and off the field/court. I enjoy seeing basketball players give other players on opposite teams a lift up when they have landed on the floor. As a little league coach I taught my baseball players when they were getting ready to enter the batter's box to pick up the opposing catchers mask and hand it to them. A small gesture, but great sportsmanship.
As a parent here are suggestions on how to build sportsmanship when your child is playing a team sport - from KidsHealth:
Unless you're coaching your child's team, you need to remember that you're the parent. Shout words of encouragement, not directions, from the sidelines (there is a difference!).
If you are your kid's coach, don't expect too much out of your own child. Don't be harder on him or her than on anyone else on the team, but don't play favorites either.
Keep your comments positive. Don't bad-mouth coaches, players, or game officials. If you have a serious concern about the way that games or practices are being conducted, or if you're upset about other parents' behavior, discuss it privately with the coach or with a league official.
After a competition, it's important not to dwell on who won or lost. Instead, try asking, "How did you feel you did during the game?" If your child feels weak at a particular skill, like throwing or catching, offer to work on it together before the next game.
Applaud good plays no matter who makes them.
Set a good example with your courteous behavior toward the parents of kids on the other team. Congratulate them when their kids win.
Remember that it's your kids, not you, who are playing. Don't push them into a sport because it's what you enjoyed. As kids get older, let them choose what sports they want to play and decide the level of commitment they want to make.
Keep your perspective. It's just a game. Even if the team loses every game of the season, it's unlikely to ruin your child's life or chances of success.
Look for examples of good sportsmanship in professional athletes and point them out to your kids. Talk about the bad examples, too, and why they upset you.
Finally, don't forget to have fun. Even if your child isn't the star, enjoy the game while you're thinking of all the benefits your child is gaining — new skills, new friends, and attitudes that can help all through life.
Now, for all you good sports out there, and for my fellow baseball (and softball and lacrosse) enthusiasts, let’s hope for an end to snow squalls, let the sun and warm winds dry up the fields, and let’s “Play ball!”
Meet Angela Filion, Incoming ABS Principal
The FAP is co-sponsoring a meet and greet event on Monday, March 19, at 2:45 in the ABS library. ABS families, faculty, and staff are invited.
Light refreshments will be served.
Monday, Mar 19, 2018, 02:45 PM
ABS Library
Lucky U!
English Paper Crafts – Movies & Popcorn in the Classroom – Engineering Challenges
Root Beer Floats – Legos with the Principal – Paint & Sip Lemonade
Tickets on sale soon – Enter to Win!
Would your student enjoy one of the above activities?
These events and more are part of this year’s Lucky U!
Students will have the opportunity to enter individual raffles for a chance to win a special activity or experience with staff from both buildings to help raise money for FAP grants, field trips, etc. We have over 25 opportunities, with over 120 winners total, between ABS and WCS!
Tickets will be sold the week of March 12th – 16th at each school
Drawing on Friday, March 16th and winners notified Monday, March 19th
Each student will get one free ticket and additional tickets will be sold for 25 cents each (suggest limit of $5). During the week of March 12-16 students at ABS can purchase tickets outside the gym between 7:45am and 8:30am and at WCS during lunches. The winners will be chosen on Friday the 16th.
** Click HERE to sign-up to help sell tickets mornings at ABS **
Contact Emily Downing Ponce/FAP with questions willistonfap@cvsdvt.org
Jump Rope for Heart 2018
Williston School's annual Jump Rope for Heart will take place at Allen Brook School the morning of Friday, April 6th from 8:45-11:15 am.
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 1-4 can participate in the event. Signed permission slips should be handed in to a physical education teacher.
Registration deadline is Friday, March 30th or when we reach the maximum capacity of 375 students (whichever comes first). Fundraising envelopes will be given out after permission slips are handed in. Fundraising envelopes must be turned in by April 2nd. Look on the pledge envelopes for information about on-line fundraising opportunities. The online fundraising has worked very well for the students participating in the past. If you choose to do online fundraising please still turn in the envelope and enclose a print out of the online summary fundraising sheet. Classroom teachers with concerns about a student’s status for participation in the Jump Rope for Heart may hold the student from participating. Without a teacher signature the student will not be allowed to participate.
Jump Rope for Heart (grades 1-4)
I give ________________________ (student name)
permission to participate in the 2018 Jump Rope for Heart on April 6th at ABS.
__________________________________ (parent/guardian signature)
__________________________________ (teacher signature)
I am interested in helping the morning of the April 6th (8:30-11:30)
___________________________ name
___________________________ phone ______________________ email
Give completed form to physical education teacher.
Seeking Recycle Sale Donations
Voyager House is holding its annual Recycle Sale Saturday, March 24th in WCS's cafeteria 9am - 12pm! It's a giant indoor Reuse/Resale that raises money to benefit Voyager House.
If you have any quality, sellable items to donate to this sale we'd be most appreciative!! We are looking for furniture, household items, athletic equipment, working electronics, artwork, toys, rugs or anything that could be a treasure to someone new! Drop off donated items from 6 -8pm Friday, March 23rd in the WCS cafeteria. Students will be available to help unload your donations. Contact Katie Fieldsend at KFieldsend@cvsdvt.org with questions.
Kindergarten Registration
Allen Brook School is preparing for Fall Kindergarten enrollment. Children of Williston and St. George residents who will be five (5) years old by September 1 are eligible.
A pre-registration form is available for families to enter their contact information. Families will then receive instructions to select a day and time to bring their child in to school for registration. Registration dates are scheduled for March 26, 27, and 28.
Contact June (871-6200 / jsimmons@cvsdvt.org) or Cindy (871-6203 / cpavlik@cvsdvt.org) with questions.
3rd/4th grade chorus rehearsals
The 3rd/4th grade chorus will begin rehearsals on Wednesday, March 7th. The group rehearses every Wednesday after school in the WCS Band/Chorus room 3:00-4:00.
All 3rd/4th graders may come to the March 7th and March 14th rehearsals to sing, watch, and just check it out with no obligation to join. However, starting with the March 21st rehearsal, only “official” chorus members may continue to attend. So… If your child “officially” wants to be a member of the 3rd/4th grade chorus, please send in the bottom portion of this paper on or before March 21st, and he/she should attend rehearsal each Wednesday afternoon. If your child does NOT wish to be a chorus member, please disregard this notice.
I will be creating a list of “official members” on March 21st for attendance and dismissal plans. I will need to know which students have decided to join and where they will be going after chorus ends at 4:00. Please fill out the bottom portion of this paper completely and return it to me. For safety purposes, if your child will ever be going somewhere other than where you specify below, I need a written note or email from you on or before that day. Please fill out and return the bottom portion of this paper only if your child will be in the 3rd/4th grade chorus.
Please contact me with any questions or concerns.
Danielle Trasciatti-Holmberg (Mrs. T-H) dtrasciatti@cvsdvt.org
Grade 1 & 2 lunch and recess time swap
First graders will have recess at 12:10, followed by lunch at 12:35.
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.
WCS Yearbooks
Tuesday Early Dismissal
Dismissal at ABS is 1:35 pm.
Dismissal at WCS 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.
Four Winds Nature News
School Lunch Menus
Monthly Fitness Fun
More Links, More information
Upcoming Events
Thurs. March 8 / FAPAC Mtg. / WCS Dining Room / 8:15 -10 am
Fri. March 9 / Ski & Ride Mountain Trip / 7:30 am -5:30 pm
Fri. March 9 / 5th - 8th grade Dance / WCS / 6:30-8:30 pm
Wed. March 14 / Four Winds Training / ABS Cafeteria / 8:30-10:30 am
Fri. March 16 / Variety Show / WCS Auditorium / 6:30 pm
Mon. March 19 / Meet Incoming ABS principal / ABS Library / 2:45 pm
Fri. March 23 / NO SCHOOL / Parent / Guardian / Teacher Conferences
Mon. March 26-Wed. March 28 / Kindergarten Registration / ABS
Click here for athleticsUpcoming Events on the School Web Calendar
DAML Programs
Click here for the Bell listing of DAML events scheduled for children.
Recreation & Parks Offerings
Community Events
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