THE SCHOOL BELL
Williston Schools /May 27, 2020
A Message From The Administration
Lilac Strong
by Lead Principal Greg Marino
As I write this letter for our later than usual School Bell publication this week, I am struggling with the reality of there being just ten days left of this school year. As I looked back over my Bell article from May of 2019 it was jam packed with the typical Springtime celebrations of school happenings, like the ABS Arbor Day celebration, Reading Restaurant events, and our amazing spring concerts and art shows, just to name a very few. Upon first scan of this article I could not avoid the feelings of loss and sadness come over me as I pictured these various events in my mind and, of course, was reminded that they did not happen this year. What an unusual springtime this has been for all of us. (The understatement of my School Bell writing career!) I have learned that it’s so important to acknowledge these feelings as expected and not to ignore them. It makes sense that we’re sad. In the midst of this experience of loss, though, there are hopeful and spirit-lifting reminders all around us.
Outside my front door at my home is a lilac bush. Though this bush was planted just five or six years ago, it is very much “large and in charge”. In fact, without some annual pruning, I think it will happily take over the front yard. It looks strong and sturdy, and simultaneously beautiful. It presents itself in a way that makes me think it can handle whatever mother nature can dish out, whether it be wind, rain, snow, sleet, or Covid 19. When in full bloom this time of year, it demands my attention as I walk by with its flowers’ sweet, sweet smell. All this strength and beauty wrapped into one incredible and unique natural package. I didn’t know until this morning that the Lilac is the New Hampshire State flower because it "is symbolic of that hardy character of the men and women of the Granite State" (New Hampshire Revised Statute Annotated (RSA) 3:5). It seems odd that something so seemingly delicate and beautiful as a flower could serve as a symbol of strength and resilience. But to me it is a perfect symbol of the strength, resilience, and dependability of our community, our students, our families, our staff. It is also a reminder that even in the midst of great loss, there are things we can count on. Reliable, resilient, predictable elements of our world that are still there to look to and hold onto.
On a much less metaphoric note, another great symbol of this powerful spirit of resilience was the Williston Schools Staff Parade last Friday! This parade was just what the doctor ordered for so many of us! I would like to thank Principal Angela Filion for taking the lead in organizing the event, as well as the team of people who helped to make it all happen. Thanks also go out to the Williston Police and Fire Departments who joined in the fun and helped manage getting the long caravan through some pretty tricky intersections without a glitch! We even had one of the newest members of the Williston service community join us for the special event, Duke, the Williston Police Therapy Dog, pictured below lounging in the back seat of officer Cohen’s vehicle. And special thanks to all of you who turned out to wave and cheer us on. It was quite a scene back in the ABS parking lot at the end of the parade as staff exited their cars, elated, overwhelmed with emotion from seeing some of their students and families again and taking a few minutes to celebrate together! Please enjoy just a few pictures from the parade below. (Slide show coming soon!)
As we walk through these remaining days of school together, keep our 8th graders, their families, and their teachers in your hearts and mind as they prepare for their exciting graduation day. I encourage you to keep on the lookout for the “Lilacs” around you and other reminders of strength, resilience, and dependability. As always, thank you for your partnership. Your Williston Schools are still here for you. When in doubt, please reach out - with any concern or issue.
School-issued Chromebooks and the Summer
We will be reaching out sometime next week via email with information about the options families have to either keep their student's school-issued Chromebook at home or return it to school for the summer. Families that choose to keep it at home would need to "opt-in" to this agreement, but there is absolutely no pressure to do so. Families that do not wish to take on this responsibility over the summer will learn more about the timing and process for returning it in the email that goes out next week.
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Green Up Vermont
Green up Vermont will take place on Saturday, May 30th this year, and not a moment too soon. The gorgeous greens of our state have popped and are hiding the trash left behind from a season's worth of misfortune. While you and your family green up Williston this year please consider helping a group of Sterling students complete their project #trashtag by sending before and after shots of the garbage you gather. Though the before pics may look bucolic, the after pics will tell a different story. No names are needed, unless you would like to be recognized for your heroic efforts! Please email pics to jrogers@cvsdvt.org. Many Thanks!!
ABS Library Book Returns
We will be placing a bin at the outside of our front entrance on Wednesday, June 3rd from 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.for families to drop off library books students have read.
The return bin will be available also June 15-17.
It’s just fine to hang onto school library books until the fall if you would like to.
There is NO rush at all! THANK YOU!!!
Love, Mrs. Clopton
WCS Library Book Return Day Wednesday, June 3
If you have WCS library items you would like to return, we will have a container out Wednesday June 3 from 8 - 11am to put them in. Please only use this for WCS library items; we cannot process classroom, DAML or ABS library books at this time. We will have another WCS library return day during the last week of school.
Grades 3 -7 are welcome to keep any WCS library items currently checked out over the summer!
How do you know it's a WCS library book? Look at the barcode on the top right corner of the back of the book.
WCS Readers are Leaders!
Wow!!! We launched our digital ebook & audiobook library with the Sora app right before February break. Out of 64 Vermont school libraries using the digital library, Williston Central School usage is off the charts!
WCS library users have checked out 1,268 ebooks & audiobooks in the last month, and spent an average of 64 minutes reading each day!!
If you haven't logged onto Sora with your school Google account yet, here's how to get started! This library is never closed! Contact your school librarian Ellen Arapakos if you have questions or need help.
ABS Library
Dear Allen Brook School Families,
And the 2019-2020 ABS Red Clover picture book winner is...The Wall in the Middle of the Bookby Jon Agee. The runner-up is Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Put Astronauts on the Moon by Helaine Becker. Thank you for voting online! I'll announce the winner for the state of Vermont very soon! Want to re-read any of these 10 nominees. Head on over to SORA!
You can also find new Red Clover picture books for 2020-2021 on SORA now! Go to https://soraapp.com or download the free Sora app for Android or iOS. Look for a collection called "ES-2021 Red Clover Nominees." Using SORA for the first time? Type in your CVSD Google email address and password and instantly access hundreds of ebooks and audiobooks on virtually any device!
Ready to return your library books to ABS? You can drop off library books at ABS on June 3rd from 8:00-11:00 a.m. and we will set up an additional time our last week of school. You can also keep library books over the summertime in your homes.
We will have summer library book checkouts ABS in July and August grab-bag style!
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. July 1,8, 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12, and 19
AND more online summer storytimes with Mrs. Clopton!
Watch for details in the coming days!
Where can I find more information? Need a book recommendation? Wanna talk about a great read?
Mrs. Clopton's email cclopton@cvsdvt.org
M-F 7:30-8:30 am office hours on Google Meet using nickname: absbooks
Read to succeed!
Band Music and School Owned Instrument Return
Hello Band Families,
Our school has organized a collection on Wednesday, June 3 from 8 am -11 am for library books, band music and school owned instruments. I believe some teams may be collecting other items on this day as well. There will be staff at WCS to greet and collect these items from you. If you cannot attend this pick up, there will be another day to do so the week of June 15.
What exactly needs to be returned?
Grade 4:
school owned instruments
Grade 5:
school owned instruments.
folders with band music, (binders for percussionists) If you purchased your red lesson book, you can keep it.
Grade 6:
school owned instruments.
woodwind and brass players: folders with band music AND Blue Standard of Excellence lesson book
Percussionists- binder with all music
Stage Band members- Stage Band music
Grades 7 and 8:
School owned instruments
Band folders with all music
Stage Band members- Stage Band music
If you rent from Ellis Music, you do not need to return your instrument for the summer. In fact, I recommend that you keep it. If you NEED to return it, or need supplies from them, please contact them directly to make arrangements.
WCS Band Virtual Music Gallery
Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 7 pm
WCS Band students in grades 4-7 are busy creating musical stories and poems. Their performances will be celebrated at our virtual gallery opening on Tuesday, 6/9/20 at 7 pm.
We hope you will join us in celebrating their creative work. Links to the grade level galleries will be available on the WCS Band website.
The galleries will remain open after this date so please feel free to visit at another time if needed!
8th Grade Graduation
On the afternoon of Thursday, June 11th, we are planning a window of time for 8th graders from each team to be driven to the front of the school to receive their diploma, a graduation program and their yearbook (if it has arrived). The faculty from each team will be present to cheer our graduates on while maintaining the appropriate social distancing and adhering to the governor's size limitation for gatherings. We encourage our graduates to dress in their graduate attire for this special occasion! We plan to make this a festive event with music, decorations and more! We will have a photographer present to take a picture of each graduate in front of the WCS sign and pictures will be digitally available to each graduate. Note: We will be sending out a more detailed communication about the flow for the afternoon event, so that graduates and families in vehicles will know what to expect.
The following guidelines set forth by the Vermont Agency of Education will be followed. These include: · Only one graduate at a time to maintain social distancing · The graduate must wear a mask · All faculty present must wear a mask · Everyone will adhere to the social distancing guidelines · Only the graduate can exit the car · The diploma, program and yearbook must be in a bag or envelope.
At 7 pm we will have our virtual ceremony available for families to watch together. This will include most of the traditional elements including a Welcome, Pledge of Allegiance, 8th Grade Speeches, Yearbook Dedication, Presentation of 8th Grade Awards and reading graduate’s names accompanied by a slide. As usual, the 8th grade awards will be a surprise to students receiving them. We will mail the actual award the following day.
Diploma Presentation Times:
3:00-3:45 pm Voyager House
3:45-4:30 pm Swift House
4:30-5:15 pm Full House
5:15-6:15 pm Harbor House
7:00 pm Virtual ceremony
Upcoming Events
Wed. June 3 / ABS Library Book Return / 8 am - 11 am
Wed. June 3 / WCS Library Book Return / 8 am - 11 am
Thurs. June 4 / Last Day Preschool: Russell/Wakefield class butterfly plantingFri. June 5 / Casey/Hastings end of year parade
Tues. June 9 / WCS Band Virtual Music Gallery
Thurs. June 11 / 8th Grade Graduation
Quest for Clean Water
My name is Poppy and for my 8th-grade challenge, I am researching and fundraising for the clean water and sanitation issue. This is an extremely important problem that is going on in the world. There are many people in other parts of the world without access to safe water for drinking and sanitizing. There is awful sickness these people can get while they miss out on their education just by trying to get clean water. I am working with a team member, Tracy Adams, at an organization called Pure Water to learn more about this and raise money to donate to their project. At Pure Water, their goal is to help install water filters and educate children about hygiene in Haiti and Honduras. I have link to a website where you can donate money. If you aren't able to donate money, I encourage you to read more about this issue on Pure Water's website. Thank you for taking the time to read this message, anything helps!
Vermont Rocks
Click below to begin your adventure!
Take a walk, bike, ride, or hike.
Look for “Vermont Rocks” painted rocks along your journey.
Share a photo of the rock on the Photo Drop link .
Rehide the rock for others to find and enjoy.
Enrichment
Summer Tutoring Options
If you are looking to arrange summer tutoring, the link below shows a list of teachers and staff who provide this option. Each staff person sets their own pay rate.
School-Home Partnership on Behalf of Student Safety
With students online even more during remote learning, it is critical that we all join together to support them. When Chromebooks went home with students, our district added a filtering and monitoring program to student school-issued Chromebooks that is similar to what we have in place when in the buildings. We are viewing data about sites that students attempt to access and we can truly say that they are focused primarily on educational content. That being said, some students have tried to access other sites, most of which have been blocked by our system. There are going to be occasions where a site may not be blocked and should be. We do count on parents and caregivers, whether during this time of remote learning or at any time, to partner with us to help monitor your child’s activity online. Please see the resources on the Technology page of our COVID-19 site. There, you will find not only information about getting tech support, but also more about digital citizenship, digital wellbeing, and a new podcast, “Parent Trapped,” from Common Sense Media designed specifically for parents at home with children during the pandemic. Here’s a link to the flyer that went home with Chromebooks as a reminder for how to get help. We hope you find something that is useful and informative. Thank you for working with us to support student learning.
Bonnie Birdsall
Director of Digital Learning & Communication
Champlain Valley School District, Vermont
Four Winds
Four Winds is providing family-friendly, nature-based science explorations for children and families to help support learning at home during these school closures. These explorations are designed to get kids offline and outside. They can be done in small chunks of time over several days and cover the same topics we had hoped to explore during our Four Winds time. We hope you enjoy this relevant science learning right outside your back door. Have fun exploring together!
In the month of May, we will discover Frogs and Toads.
Click the link to access your Home Explorations for this month.
Ideas for Families
"Feathering the Nest" Slideshow
Need to Find Child Care?
Part 2 has put together this Part 2 staffing database of people looking to pick up hours during the school hiatus. Schedule, rate, payments, responsibilities, expectations, etc. will be up to you and the person you choose to employ.
Resources for Families
We realize that parents and caregivers are all working hard to support students with remote learning. With more time online, additional challenges arise around behavior and etiquette in an online environment. Classroom teachers are setting expectations, especially for class meetings. Parents and caregivers are also doing a lot! The district and school truly appreciate your involvement as well. Here are a few resources for families that we've compiled that you may find helpful.
Common Sense:
Common Sense Media (ratings, reviews, tips, common topics for parents, guides, how-to)
Common Sense Media Plus ($3/month, $30/year - access to more resources)
Resources for Families During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Resources for Family Engagement (family activities, media agreements, discussion guides)
Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI)
Brainpop Videos (contact your school’s digital learning leader or librarian for login details, where needed)
The full collection of videos related to Digital Citizenship
Brainpop Jr. - Internet Safety
CVSD Finance Committee
The CVSD Finance Committee will meet via Zoom on Tuesday, June 2nd at 6pm.
The Zoom meeting link is: https://zoom.us/j/98446107572?pwd=ak5Qak5MT2F1ejhSR2hXcEJPajNpUT09
Meeting ID: 984 4610 7572 Password: 105385
Mobile Participation: 1-646-876-9923
The agenda is attached or can be found here.
#CVSDStrong
We invite everyone to share their #CVSDStrong anecdotes and photos at this link: https://bit.ly/
View the videos in the #CVSDStrong series here.
Schools Providing Food
CVSD is providing free meals to all children ages 18 and younger. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays you can pick up two days worth of breakfasts and lunches for each child. Click on the link below or on our website to choose your pick-up location and your choice of lunch entrees. Saturday’s meal will be “chef’s choice”. If you can not pick up meals at the times listed, please contact your foodservice director or building principal to discuss options.
https://bit.ly/FoodserviceCVSD
Williston Central School
1. The time span for picking up meals at WCS will be 9:00 - 10:45.
2. In addition to the visitor parking lot, band room entrance location, parents can enter via Central School Drive, park on the west side of the building and pick-up meals at the west doors (formerly the Bell Tower doors). Please choose either of these options when you come to get meals at the school. This screencast may be helpful.
9:00 – 10:45 Order at https://bit.ly/WillistonMeals
St George – Red Schoolhouse (off Rt 116). 9:30 – 10:30 AM
Williston Community Food Shelf
The Williston Community Food Shelf is OPEN and providing food to Williston and St. George individuals and families. Our operating hours are Tuesdays 5-6:30pm, Thursdays 9-11:00am and Saturdays 9-11:00am.
We now use a "Curbside" delivery method to ensure that there is no direct contact between customers and volunteers. Each customer receives a pre-packaged box of non-perishable food filled according to family size and is also able to order breads, meats, produce and dairy depending on availability. Williston, St. George and Richmond families with school age children will also receive vacation bags (2 per month) of food.
Customers are asked to please bring a piece of mail with their name and address to verify residence. The WCFS website is currently down but more information can be found at our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Williston-Community-Food-Shelf or by calling (802) 735-6303.
Porch Pick Up Service by DAML
The Dorothy Alling Memorial Library offers porch pick up service. Click here to learn how it works.
DAML Youth Librarian Jess George does a Dorothy's List Read Aloud on the DAML Youtube channel Wednesdays at 12:30pm.
Don't have a DAML library card? Email daml@damlvt.org or call us at (802) 878-4918 and leave a message and a librarian will get back to them to provide a barcode or setup a temporary card.
Four Winds
In the month of May, we will discover Frogs and Toads.
Ideas for Families
"Feathering the Nest" Slideshow
"Feathering the Nest" Mini Lessons
"Animal Disguise and Surprises" Mini Lessons
Four Winds website
Monthly Fitness Fun
May Fitness Calendar
School Nutrition Program
Please make payment checks out to 'CVSD - ABS' or 'CVSD-WCS'
Health Office Medication Pick Up
If you currently have Epi Pens, inahlers, or emergency medication in the Health Office, please reach out to your child’s school nurse to arrange for pick up. We will offer pick up dates and times that align with school lunch pick up on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 10.45 am at WCS. Both ABS and WCS medications can be picked up at WCS. You still do have to contact the school nurse prior to pick up so the medications can be gathered and sent to the location.
We also want to let you know that we continue to be there for the students and families even when the schools are closed. Please, reach out to us with any questions and concerns. We are here to help. Below is the link to our web page where we share some information that might be helpful to you. The best way to reach us is our email.
Stay healthy, be well, and take care of yourself!
Williston Central School Nurses:
Maria Kapetanovic mharlow@cvsdvt.org
Carol Albertelli calbertelli@cvsdvt.org
Allen Brook School Nurse:
Sylvia Love slove@cvsdvt.org
DAML Programs
Click here to access the DAML web site listing of events.
Recreation & Parks Offerings
Community Events
More Links, More information
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.
CVSD Meeting Schedules
Committee meetings are on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 6 pm
Regular Board Meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6 pm.
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.
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
WCS Readers are Leaders!
Wow!!! We launched our digital ebook & audiobook library with the Sora app right before February break. Out of 64 Vermont school libraries using the digital library, Williston Central School usage is off the charts!
WCS library users have checked out 1,268 ebooks & audiobooks in the last month, and spent an average of 64 minutes reading each day!!
If you haven't logged onto Sora with your school Google account yet, here's how to get started! This library is never closed! Contact your school librarian Ellen Arapakos if you have questions or need help.