The School Bell
Williston Schools / January 27, 2023
In this issue...
A Message for families from Principal Greg Marino - Band Concert Snow Date - Update about Kindergarten Registration - CVSD Intra-District School Choice - PreK lottery open, closing soon - Paraeducator openings at both schools - and more...
In every issue...
Keep scrolling for Info/Links:
- Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
- DAMLibrary and Williston Rec - Upcoming Events/Programs
- Calendars, Handbook, Volunteer Information
- Food Service / Busing / School Safety links
- CVSD District & School Board Links
- Important Family Resources
A Message from the Williston Schools Leadership Team
by Greg Marino, Williston Lead Principal
The Williston Schools Program Council - A systems approach to implementing shared vision and organizational change.
In my nearly 30 years in education, I have come across many versions of committees, teams, councils, cabinets, or advisory boards that have a supposed mission of supporting systemic reflection and organizational improvement. In most cases these groups fall short of their lofty missions for the simple reason that the work is very challenging and takes sustained focus over time.
In CVSD, it is the Program Council who is purposed with this focus, and all CVSD schools have some version of this group. In fact, the shared value and belief around the importance of collaboration, consultation, and effective systems of improvement is actually memorialized in the CVSD teachers’ contract. Here’s what the contract says about the formation and purpose of a Program Council in our systems.
“Recognizing the benefits of collaboration, consultation, and shared involvement in decision-making as effective means of implementing school vision and organizational change, the parties agree to implement a process which shall lead to the development and implementation of school advisory councils (hereinafter “program council”). The implementation and operation of program councils shall be guided by the following principles:
The recognized purpose of the program council is to serve as an advisory arm to the Principal. Further, the parties acknowledge that the involvement, responsibility, and accountability of individual professionals through the work of the council is an integral part of the transformation of our schools.
In this advisory role the primary work of the council is on issues and matters of school transformation, implementation of school vision and the matters of school coordination and communication.
What I love most about this language is that it clearly steers the work of this group towards “issues and matters of school transformation, implementation of school vision and the matters of school coordination and communication.” This is not a group that should be spending its time figuring out how to get all the clocks in the school to read the same time, or how deep the wood chips should be on the playground. This is a group that should instead reflect, analyze, dissect, and advise on matters that impact staff and student experience and staff and student learning. With this in mind, focus areas or “topics” for the year are chosen only after a process of gathering, considering, and voting on the list of potential focus areas submitted by individual staff members, teams, or program areas.
Skilled Facilitation is Key:
We are very fortunate in Williston to have two co-facilitators positions - one from both ABS and WCS - who help to coordinate and shepherd the work. These co-facilitators take on the challenging task of helping the group be true to its intended lofty purpose. Our current co-facilitators are Erin Crowley (ABS) and Amanda Laberge (WCS). When I asked Erin and Amanda for a quote about Program Council from their perspective as co-facilitators, they replied,
“We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with our colleagues across the two Williston Schools. We work hard to plan and facilitate productive meetings focused on topics that we collectively believe are important to improving the educational experience for all students in our system.” ~Amanda and Erin
Who is in the program council?
The program council is composed of just over 30 members representing all teams from across both schools, including Essential Arts, World Language, as well as support staff, and administration. At times, the Program Council facilitators will invite additional personnel depending on the topic at hand.
How often and when does the program council meet:
This has looked different over the years, and like many things, the Covid-19 pandemic really impacted the ability of this group to keep firing on all cylinders. This year, however, the group is back up and running at closer to its full strength. We have designated 8 after-school hours of meeting time spread out over four meetings across the school year calendar, with the final meeting scheduled for May, 2023.
Our work this year:
The work of the program council this year is centered around the following essential question:
“How can our approach and response to student behaviors support all learners in a way that aligns with our shared beliefs and is sustainable for our school system?”
With this essential question as a focal point, the Program Council spent its last meeting focused on identifying what our shared beliefs about behavior are. The next two meetings will ask Council members to look discerningly at our behavior systems and data, while considering our shared beliefs and potential implications for change and improvement.
I am grateful to be part of a system that values reflective practice and continuous improvement. Your input as a parent or caregiver is an important part of that reflection and improvement. With this in mind, please do not hesitate to reach out to me, Jackie, or Angela with questions or concerns. I will continue to keep you informed on the important work the program council has taken on. As always, I appreciate our ongoing partnership.
Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming Events
02/01 - Kindergarten Registration Opens / WCS Beginner Band Concert, 6:30 in the Auditorium
02/02 - Families as Partners Meet & Greet, 6 - 7:30 pm WCS Community Room
02/03 - Preschool Lottery Application Deadline
02/07 - 4th Grade Chorus Concert, 6:30 pm WCS Auditorium
02/18 - Swift House Bottle Drive
Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2023 Opening February 1, 2023
If you have a child that will be 5 by September 1 they are eligible for Kindergarten this Fall. You will receive an email with additional information and step-by-step instructions for registration.
Be sure you have the following documents ready when registering:
- Proof of Residency
- Birth Certificate
- Immunizations record
Questions? ABS Kindergarten Info Online or email absfrontoffice@cvsdvt.org
CVSD Early Education Programs News
Preschool Lottery is now open for 2023-2024!
The CVSD Early Education Program is now accepting applications for a random preschool
lottery drawing for the 2023-24 school year. This lottery is for an opportunity to enroll in one of
our school-based classrooms which run 10 hours per week. Our school-based preschool
classrooms are 5 STARs, licensed early education programs that provide play-based,
developmentally appropriate environments for all children in an inclusive setting. Our
curriculum is based on the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS).
Our programs follow the CVSD school calendar. Children who will be age 3 or older by
September 1, 2023, who have not enrolled in kindergarten, and live in the communities of
Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, St. George, and Williston are eligible to enter the lottery.
Families who are selected for the lottery and choose to enroll their child in a CVSD program
access their Act 166 publicly funded pre kindergarten funds for the school-based program.
All applications must be received by February 3, 2023, and are located on the CVSD Early
Education website under 2023-2024 Preschool Lottery . Paper applications are available upon
request.
For additional information, questions about our program, or any concerns about your child’s
development, please visit our website or contact Director of Early Education, Erin Gagne at
egagne@cvsdvt.org. Our Early Education team is also available for developmental screenings in
the areas of communication, social-emotional development, motor skills, adaptive development,
and cognition.
CVSD Strategic Planning - We Welcome Your Input!
The CVSD Strategic Planning committee has drafted some elements of the plan and is seeking input from all community members. That includes parents/caregivers, those without children in our schools, faculty/staff, and students.
Please view this set of slides, which were shared at last week's virtual Town Hall, and then use this form to share your thoughts.
These links are also available on the Strategic Planning page of the district's website. Please contribute your input by February 15. Thank you!
CVSD Intra-District K-8 School Choice
Children entering grades preK-8 who live in the towns of Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, St. George and Williston may exercise school choice. Our goal is to both allow options for families and also make balanced class sizes to provide a positive learning environment for all of our children. Processes for intra-district choice of school will be guided by the needs of students, space availability, and existing resources. Given this, we will work to meet as many families’ needs as possible. Guidelines and Application
All About ABS...
Now Hiring - ABS Lunch/Recess Supervisor
Allen Brook School is currently looking for one or more Lunch Recess Supervisors to join our team.
Lunch & Recess Supervisors will help build and sustain a positive and orderly environment both in the cafeteria and on the playground. They will be supported by paraprofessionals from each grade level who help provide supervision of students during recess. This is an hourly position, 3hrs/day, and does not include benefits. The typical hours are between 10:30am-1:30pm. 2, 3 or 5 days/week option.
Responsibilities will include:
Monitoring student behavior during lunch and recess periods to ensure safety and acceptable conduct
- Adhere to our safety guidelines from the AOE and DOH
- Direct the movement of students to and from the recess areas.
- Correct or redirect unexpected behavior and communicate any serious concerns to the school behavioral coach
Please contact Shani Varricchione with questions or if interested; svarricchione@cvsdvt.org.
What's Up at WCS...
WCS 4th Grade Chorus Concerts
Tuesday, February 7th
There will be a daytime concert for a student audience. The evening concert for family and friends will be at 6:30 pm in the WCS auditorium.
Gear Swap - Sustainability Project with Swift House
Dear WCS community,
We are the Gear Elves and we are hosting a winter gear swap in
the front lobby of WCS Wednesday, February 1st from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Everybody
is welcome!!
We are currently accepting donations of activity gear/winter gear for our inventory at
WCS until Tuesday, January 31st. We will accept any gear, but we are especially
looking for winter equipment like ski helmets, gloves and coats etc. Each team in grades
3-8 will have a bin for collecting gear in their TA room. Donations can be dropped off in
the bins.
The purpose of this gear swap is to help people be more active and make sure that
everyone has an equal opportunity. All gear at our swap will be completely free.
This swap is to support our sustainability project with Swift House.
Thank you!
Amrie, Connor, Maddie, Myrah, Prodige & Teagan
Join or Donate to the WCS Penguin Plunge Team
It is not too late to register or donate to the WCS Penguin Plunge fundraising team! On February 4th, we will jump into frigid Lake Champlain once again to support Special Olympics Vermont. Please use this link to register or donate to our team. Thank you for considering!
For more information please contact Julia Quinlan JQuinlan@cvsdvt.org
Support Our Schools - Box Tops for Education
Four Winds Nature Institute
This year's theme is Cycles in Nature
September - Insect Life Cycles
October - Traveling Seeds
November - Birds on a Wing
January - Winter Ways
February - Galls Galore
March - Trees in Winter
April - Songbird Songs
May - Dandelions
Training Schedule 22-23
Trainings held at the WCS Community Room, 8:30 - 10:30
■ Wednesday, February 8th
■ Wednesday, March 8th
■ Wednesday, April 12th
■ Wednesday, May 10th
Contact Four Winds
If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please contact: wsdfourwinds@cvsdvt.org.
Families as Partners
Basket Raffle is Back - April 15, 2023
We are looking for committee members to participate in organizing this wonderful event! Please contact Emily Downing Ponce at emilydowningponce@gmail.com if you’re interested. First meeting will take place in January.
- Connect to your child's school and enrich the experiences it offers all 1000+ PreK-8th grade students by joining the volunteers of the Williston Schools Families As Partners Organization!
- Be a part of this collaborative partnership whose focus is to enhance and support students, teachers and the community by providing materials, programs, field trips, guest artists, guest educators and innovative learning opportunities.
- Help elevate the potential for motivating, happy, healthy, and productive lifelong learners.
- For more information contact: willistonfap@cvsdvt.org
Arrival and Dismissal
Allen Brook School day begins at 7:50 am
Williston Central School day begins at 8:00 am
- To ensure all students are accounted for, everyone arriving after these times will be marked tardy and must stop at the office for a late pass.
Be sure to read the arrival and dismissal procedures for your student(s) school [linked below] if you plan to drop off or pick up your child. We appreciate all you can do to follow these guidelines to ensure a safe and smooth transition in and out of school!
Thank you for your continued cooperation during arrival and dismissal.
Attention ABS Families: Help us keep everyone safe by going to the designated areas for pickup and keep the sidewalks near the main entrance clear. This helps ensure adults can account for each and every pick-up that happens.
Wednesday: Early Dismissal!
ABS @1:35 - WCS @1:45
Student May Not Ride Another Bus
Just a reminder that we are not allowing students to ride on buses other than their regular route(s). This ensures all students are safe and accounted for. Seating charts will be used on all buses.
Sign Up to Receive SMS/Text Messages!
Please enroll to receive text messages from the district and our school. If you haven't done this yet or if you are new to CVSD, follow the easy steps on this flyer. We don't overuse this method of communication, but it is helpful for reminders and quick announcements. Don't miss out!
Bus Information
Hill Closings Locations - Buses are not able to travel certain roads during inclement weather and will meet at the intersection
Williston Schools Food Service
Williston Schools Safety Team
Click HERE for meeting highlights and updates
Community Connections
Upcoming Youth Programs
Please Note: Children in 5th grade and up may use the library unattended, while those in grade 4 or younger must be supervised by a person over 16 years of age.
Hello from the Youth Department at Dorothy Alling Memorial Library! Please join us for a program soon! Visit www.damlvt.org or call us at 802-878-4918 for more information.
Solar Power Bugs
Monday, January 30, 5-6 p.m. Learn about solar energy and make your own solar bug to creep and crawl!
Preschool Storytime
Tuesdays, 10:30-11 a.m. Join Danielle for stories, songs, and rhymes.
Sea Shanties
Tuesday, January 31, 3-4 p.m. Learn a new sea shanty share other shanties you know!
After School LEGO and Board Game Time
Wednesday, February 1, 2-3 p.m. Play some games and make something exciting with the Library’s game and LEGO collection!
Preschool Music & Preschool Playtime
Thursdays, 10:30-11 a.m. Sing and dance with Linda Bassick! Followed by preschool playtime from 11-11:30 a.m.
Read to a Cat*
Thursday, February 2, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Call to register for an 8-minute time slot to read to (or hang out with) Oscar the Therapy Cat!
Take Your Child to the Library Storytime
Saturday, February 4, 10:30-11 a.m. Celebrate National Take Your Child to the Library Day with a weekend storytime and craft!
Williston Recreation & Parks
New Space- The R.E.C. Zone- Recreate, Explore, Create
The rental space, previously named The R.O.C., will be going through a name change. It was discovered that R.O.C. was used locally for another organization/group and the Department doesn’t want to confuse or use a name that already exists. The new name for the space at 94 Harvest Lane will be “The R.E.C. Zone- Recreate, Explore, Create”. The Department is currently looking for Instructors to fill “The Zone” with year round, one time and other types of recreation programs for all ages. If you have a talent, craft, fitness, or other type of program that you would like to offer fill out a Program Proposal Form and send to the Recreation Dept. The Department has put together a Wish List of items that will be needed for “The Rec Zone”, it is posted on the Rec. website. Please check it out, if you have any of the items contact the Department and we will come take a look- Thanks!
Ice Rink
The Rink is OPEN, and the Lights are Now working. Entrance to the rink, by the warming hut, will be open when the rink is safe to use, and closed off by fence when rink is unsafe or making ice. Opening and Closing of rink will be posted on Facebook and on the home page of the Rec. website. Respect- Please respect the rink, be careful of liner, boards, and brackets, so they can be reused each year. Also, stay off the rink when closed so ice can be formed that is safe to use. Respect the users of the rink and share in the use. No one group has priority or allocated time. All are welcome!
Online Videos
There are a series of New programs now on the Recreation website- Home Programs to Enjoy! There are programs in National Park Tours, VT State Parks Videos, Green MT Club Videos, CSWD Videos and youth- Fun things to do Videos. Under each of these categories you will find links to videos that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home. New videos will be added.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
Youth Lacrosse
Grades K, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, & 7-8. Registration OPENS January 22.
Lacrosse is a fast paced sport that combines the power of football and hockey and the endurance of soccer and basketball. The K & 1-2 programs are Coed, and the 3rd-8th programs offer separate boys and girls teams. Volunteer Coaches are needed.
Early-Bird Deadline for the 3rd-8th programs is March 5.
Kindergarten https://willistonvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30268
1st-2nd https://willistonvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29862
3rd-8th https://willistonvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29960
Chess Wizards Camp- February Break
Age 6-12. Feb 27-March 5. Join us this for tons of challenging chess lessons, exciting games, and cool prizes. You'll improve your chess skills, meet new friends, and work out your most powerful muscle - your brain! The programs include fun team chess games (like Corner Chess), recess time (of course), snacks, tournaments, and puzzles. Each participant receives a T-shirt, trophy, and puzzle folder. We include all the materials necessary for your child to participate, but full day kids should bring a lunch. Unleash your brain power and spend part of your vacation with Chess Wizards! Instructor: Chess Wizard Staff
https://willistonvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30102
Ninja Science Camp- February Break
This camp combines all the martial arts, tumbling, and parkour that your kids love, with environmental science education! We'll be doing lots of technique oriented Karate, playing martial arts games, breaking boards, sword fighting, and delving deeper into meditation and the moral and ethical precepts of the martial arts. We'll also be talking about ants, space, and animal tracking! And we'll also delve into ONTA's very own (kid friendly) Kung Fu movie library! Instructor: ONTA Studio Staff
https://willistonvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30219
Learn More Online...
New Spring Course Offerings From Access CVU
Wow! Don't miss the new offerings from Access CVU. Access CVU is pleased to announce the Winter/Spring 2023 Catalog is now open for registration! With over 170 classes and 80 instructors, there is something of interest for everyone and all ages. There are 63 in February alone! Get information about the courses, how to sign up, and more on this CVSD Story blog post.
Information in 1-Click
Family Resources
Resources to keep accessible:
- First Call - 488-7777: phone support, crisis intervention, assessment and referrals
- In Crisis: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) (National Hopeline Network: USA)
- National Suicide Prevention Life line- 1-800-273-TALK (8255), call or chat online
- Crisis Text Line - text HOME to 741741 (24 hours a day, seven days a week)
- Outright Vermont - support for LGBTQ+ community
- UVM Breathe In Breath Out - How to deal with stress due to COVID-19
- Vermont 211 -Vermont database of resources and services
- Vermont Support Line (833) 888-2557) - peer support warmline open 247 - 365 for call or text
- COVID Counselors @ VT-211
- Teen Crisis Text Line - Crisis Text Line provides free emotional support and information to teens in any type of crisis, including feeling suicidal. You can text with a trained specialist 24 hours a day. Text “HOME” to 741741.
- Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide - Website where you can find information to help yourself or a friend who may be having thoughts of suicide.
- Trevor Lifeline - 1-866- 488-7386 - provides suicide prevention and crisis intervention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. It offers free, 24/7, confidential counseling. TrevorText—text START to 678-678; TrevorChat—instant messaging at TheTrevorProject.org/help. It also runs TrevorSpace, an affirming social networking site for LGBTQ youth at TrevorSpace.