THE SCHOOL BELL
Williston Schools /February 19, 2020
A Message From The Administration
By Jacqueline Parks, WCS Principal
Traditions play an important role in our lives. They help us stay connected, feel a sense of belonging, offer stability and help us make sense of the passing of time. WCS has some long standing traditions that do all of these things and more! We are currently in the midst of one of those traditions called Community Week (Theme Week).
Theme Week is a 15 plus year old tradition that occurs the week prior to the February break that is facilitated by our Essential Arts and World Language program areas. Teachers from these areas and other adults throughout the building sponsor two day mini workshops, held during an extended essential arts time, that students can self-select through a sign-up process. Over the years workshops have included: cooking, instrument making, bracelet making, outdoor sports, peace flags, indoor sports, games, flower arranging, relaxation, knitting and more! Students look forward to having the opportunity to choose their workshops. The kick-off assembly each year is an important part of the tradition. It’s a lively event filled with anticipation as to what workshops will be available. Students also reminisce with each other about prior workshops that they have been part of!
On the adult side of Theme Week, it gives our adults the opportunity to share a special passion with students. It helps to build our school community, as we all get to know each other in a different way! I am hosting card games and board games this week for our 3rd and 4th graders. I was surprised on day one of the workshop by which games students enjoyed the most! The big hits were “Left, Right, Center” and “Yahtzee.” The sprinkling of 50 piece puzzles were also enjoyed by many as they waited for a spot to open up in a game they wanted to join!
On Friday of Theme Week, we hold student assemblies to celebrate their learning, share a video of the week and close out the experience. Theme Week is a bright spot in the midst of winter.
Let’s keep this and all our traditions alive, so we feel a sense of community and belonging!
“Traditions Touch Us ,They Connect Us, And They Expand Us.”
By Rita Barreto Craig
Food Shelf Providing Vacation Bags of Food
The Williston Community Food Shelf is providing vacation bags of food to Williston and St. George families who might need some support over the Winter Break. Bags include breakfast and lunch foods and can be picked up from the food shelf during regular operating hours, which are Tuesdays 5-6:30pm, Thursdays and Saturdays 9-11:00am. Vacation bags will also be available before the April and summer breaks. For more information visit our website at
http://www.willistonfoodshelf.com or call (802) 735-6303.
Frozen Ticket Sales Begin on Monday, February 17th
Go to the cvsdvt.org, Williston-Drama-"Seat Yourself" link.
Information about the Proposed CVSD School Budget and Capital Construction Bond
The District has added new materials to the website, including 2 new videos! We hope this helps to inform our communities and voters about the Proposed CVSD School Budget and Capital Construction Bond. You may access this by going to https://www.cvsdvt.org/ or straight to the Budget webpage at https://www.cvsdvt.org/budget
SPARK Enrichment After School Session 4~ March 5 - April 2.
Classes will be held on Thursdays from 3:00pm - 4:30pm, March 5 to April 2.
An activity bus is available for those needing transportation home afterward.
Challenges of the Digital World: What Williston Schools Are Doing to Help Students Navigate the Fast-Changing Digital Terrain, Protect Their Data, and Monitor and Filter the Internet
As the internet continually grows and allows us access to all types of information and content, Williston Schools would like to remind families that we have a system in place to teach our students how to handle the increasingly sophisticated challenges of the digital world, that we monitor and filter online activities, and have a process to protect student data.
Using the Common Sense Digital Citizenship Curriculum, we start right off in Kindergarten teaching students how to think critically about their online use, helping them develop habits and the social intelligence they need to face digital dilemmas.
Throughout their schooling at Williston, they will learn about topics such as media balance & well-being, cyberbullying, privacy & security, news & media literacy, digital footprint & identity, and much more. Students in K-2 participate in the Common Sense lessons led by Jessica Wilson, Williston Schools Digital Learning Leader, or Linda Scott, ABS Technology Integrator, or their classroom teacher. Students in 3-4 continue to learn more about Digital Citizenship in an Exploratory class taught by Jessica Wilson. Students in 5-8 participate in a class facilitated by Guidance, as well as lessons and conversations with their classroom teachers. We take a whole-school approach and all adults have the responsibility to have on-going conversations with students about digital citizenship and internet safety. It is important to us that we address current real-world issues and be able to provide them with the social-emotional skills they will need to thrive both online and offline.
Lucky U
Walk to Friendly’s – Fishing – Felting
Yogurt City – Learn Hip Hop with the Principal – Batting Practice
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 many opportunities, with many winners, between ABS and WCS!
Tickets will be sold the week of March 9th – 13th at each school
Drawing on Friday, March 13th and winners notified during the week of March 16th
Each student will get one free ticket and additional tickets will be sold for 25 cents each (suggested limit of $5). During the week of March 9-13 students at ABS can purchase tickets outside the gym between 7:45am and 8:30am and at WCS during all lunches. The winners will be chosen on Friday the 13th and notified the week of March 16th.
** Click HERE to sign-up to help sell tickets mornings at ABS and lunches at WCS **
Contact Emily Downing Ponce/FAP with questions
Boxtops for Education Deadline
3rd/4th grade chorus
The 3rd/4th grade chorus will begin rehearsals for its spring semester on Wednesday, February 19th. The group rehearses every Wednesday after school in the WCS Chorus room (Mrs. T-H and Ms. Kennedy’s music room) 3:00-4:00.
All 3rd/4th graders may come to the first two rehearsals (February 19th and March 11th) to sing, watch, and just check it out with no obligation to join. However, starting with the March 18th 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 click here and submit the bottom of this paper on or before March 18th, and your child will attend rehearsal each Wednesday afternoon. If your child does NOT wish to be a chorus member, please disregard this form.
Read more
Upcoming 7/8 Concert Details
Tuesday, 3/10- dress rehearsal 8:10-dismissal
Wednesday, 3/11- Concert day. Performances during the school day and at 7 pm.
Concert dress: black, bottoms, black top, and the WCS Performing Arts shirt
Snow date plans:
If school closes on 3/11, our concert day will be on Thursday, 3/12
If school closes on 2 of the above dates, we will follow the schedule below:
Monday, 3/16- dress rehearsal 8:10- dismissal
Tuesday, 3/17- Concert day. Performances during the school day and at 7 pm.
Grief & Loss Overview: with Tips for Helping Children and Adolescents
March 19th at 6:30pm in WCS Community Room
In this workshop we’ll explore the various ways that children and adolescents may experience loss. The loss can include (but is not limited to) a death of a loved one/pet; family member living away from home; divorce; friendship changes; move, etc. We will discuss some ways that the adults in their lives can help with these losses.
Amanda Cannamela, LCMHC, LADC is a therapist who specializes in working with adolescents and adults around a range of topics, one of which is grief and loss. She often gets questions from adults around trying to understand what children/adolescents could be going through when it comes to grief and loss and how to help.
Family Reading Night March 26th
Allen Brook School families, have you selected your book for Family Reading Night 2020? The books just arrived today! Make your pick by Thursday, February 6th!
Family Adventures in Reading Book Sign Up:
Game Cart Donations
Do you have games on your shelf that aren't being used? Consider donating them to the "Indoor Recess Game Cart" at WCS. Students access the cart when it's below zero, pouring rain, or when the playground is icy. Connect Four, Heads-Up, Apples to Apples, Pokeman Cards, Exploding Kittens, Throw-Throw Burrito, Spot-It, playing cards, and dice games. Any durable game in good condition that can be played in about 20 minutes. Drop off donations in the front office at WCS, care of "The Indoor Recess Game Cart." Thank you so much for considering!
Baskets Needed!
Kindergarten Registration
Williston and St. George children who will be 5 years old by September 1, 2020 are eligible to enroll for Fall 2020 Kindergarten.
Please complete this registration packet and submit it, along with proof of residency, and copies of your child’s birth certificate and Immunizations, by January 31, 2020. If you would prefer we mail a copy of the registration packet to you, please call Laura at 802-871-6200.
All Breed Rescue
Co-Ed Sports Team Club for Middle School Students
Hello, we are a small group of Swift House students who are trying to be more inclusive in sports for middle schoolers. We are working to develop a co-ed tennis club (possible SPARK activity) to happen this Spring. In order to get started we need tennis equipment (racquets and balls). If you have any tennis equipment that you are able to donate, please drop the items in the boxes located in the front lobby of WCS March 9th-March 23rd.
Hope on the Slopes
My name is Mitchell Niarchos. For my 8th grade challenge, I am working on a fundraiser called Hope on the Slopes (HOTS) for the American Cancer Society. HOTS is a day of skiing and riding at Jay Peak Sunday, March 1st. Teams compete in a vertical challenge and a fundraising competition. Après ski party, duck race and more. Read more here
Please consider joining my team, “Mayhem 2.0”, creating a team of your own, or donating to the event: Hope on the Slopes/Participate or Donate The $30 entry fee includes a lift ticket for the day if you raise $100. Email me at mitchellniarchos@cvsdvt.org with questions. Thank you very much!
Sustainability Bee Group is looking for donations
The Swift House Sustainability Bee Group is looking for donations to plant flowers. The Bee Group will be using these to plant flowers in the spring. We are focused on helping bees and creating a better environment. The donation boxes will be located in the WCS lobby Tuesday and Thursday morning starting February 18th and ending March 10th. Donations could be:
Gardening Tools
Lavender seeds
Lantanas Seeds
Soil
Mulch
Egg cartons
Gardening Gloves
Thank you,
Swift House Bee Group
Needed: Tennis Equipment
Our group (Swift House SSAP Co-Ed Sports Teams) is working to develop a co-ed tennis team for middle school students interested in playing this Spring. We are collecting gently used tennis racquets and balls for the team! If you have any equipment that you are able to donate, please drop the items in the boxes located in the front lobby of WCS March 9th-March 23rd.
Box Tops for Education
click for a video explaining the changes and more information
Submission deadline is February 28.
Bus Information
Part 2
Four Winds Volunteers
FOUR WINDS
Learn more about this fun science program on our website
February topic is: Track Detectives
Monthly Fitness Fun
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.
CVSD Meeting Schedules
CVSD Committee, Board, and and Budget Meetings
Committee meetings are on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 6 pm excluding Dec. and Jan., at CVUHS, Room 160, 162, 165
Regular Board Meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6 pm, excluding Dec. & Jan.
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
Feb. 17-21 / WCS Community Week
Feb. 24-28 / NO SCHOOL / Winter Break
Mon. March 2 / Info Meeting for school bond / CVUHS rm. 160 / 5 pm
Mon. March 2 / Williston Town Meeting / WCS Auditorium / 7 pm
Tues. March 3 / Budget Vote / Williston Armory / 7 am - 7 pm
March 9 - 13 Lucky You
Wed. March 11 / Grade 7-8 Concert / WCS
Wed. March 11 / Four Winds Training / WCS Community Rm / 8:30-10:30 am
Thurs. March 12 / FAPAC / WCS Community Rm / 8:15-10 am
Thurs. March 19 / FAP Speaker / WCS Community Rm. / 6:30-8 pm
Fri. March 20 / NO SCHOOL / Parent /Teacher/Family Conferences
Thurs. March 26 / Family Reading Night / ABS Library / 6-7 pm
More Links, More information
DAML Programs
Click here for Important info related to after school hours
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