CCS Newsletter
September 21, 2018
ADMINISTRATION UPDATE
Dear CCS Friends and Families,
A common phrase in education begins with “When the rubber hits the road….” which describes many different scenarios in which students and teachers begin to gain traction and dig into the real work of learning. As we enter the final week of September, we are seeing students and teachers throughout the building gaining traction in their routines and taking off as learning communities!
K-4 Happenings:
In Grades K-4, all teachers will be implementing Second Step, a social-emotional learning curriculum. Teaching teams are working with Essential Arts and World Language teachers, special educators and para-educators to implement this program with consistency across all school settings. This month, our school wide theme is our school as a welcoming space where every student feels like he or she belongs. In our morning announcements, weekly lessons and a K-4 assembly, we will be reminding students to welcome others and to act and speak in safe, respectful and responsible ways. In addition, we will be reminding students of our school wide expectations of taking care of oneself, taking care of each other and taking care of this place. We will begin teaching the Second Step program, which includes lessons that support these behaviors. Please support your child at home in welcoming others and acting in safe, respectful and responsible ways. Please be in touch with your child’s teachers if you have questions about specific ways in which you can help your child with these prosocial behaviors at home.
The key focus areas in Second Step are Skills for Learning, Empathy, Emotional Regulation and Steps for Problem Solving. If you would like to know more about Second Step, you can visit http://www.secondstep.org/.
5-8 Happenings
One of the biggest needs of a middle school student is the desire to belong, and a quick walk through the upstairs hallway this morning exemplified not only that need but the ways the students, teachers, and CCS staff are filling this need in others. In fifth grade, the students started their Friday by creating “Bucket-Filler” notes for classmates. These kind tokens of appreciation highlighted classmates’ positive actions and attitudes. In 6th grade advisory, students held a circle of students greeted each other, shared examples of favorite animals, and listened to others talk about topics that held value to each individual. In the 7th and 8th grade, when students were asked about their week, they highlighted the accomplishments of others. One group named the goals made by soccer teammates, and another student shared the success of a group during an engineering challenge. At a recent XC race, students who completed the race turned back around on the course to cheer on teammates. Being surrounded by middle level students is inspiring, as they work together and cheer each other on!
Warm Regards,
Stephanie, Jen and Cassandra
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Tuesday, September 25th
Early Release, 1:55pm
Wednesday, September 26th
Picture Day! (Flyer and order form was sent home with every student last week. See schedule within this newsletter.)
Friday, September 28th
Dance! MPR, grades 6-8, 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Tuesday, October 2nd
Early Release, 1:55pm
Tuesday, October 9th
Early Release, 1:55pm
Wednesday, October 10th
CVSD Team Spelling Bee, WCS, 8:00am - 12:00pm
Tuesday, October 16th
Early Release, 1:55pm
CVSD School Board Meeting, CVU Rm 160, 6:00pm
Thursday, October 18th
Field Trip - Alpha 6 to Flynn Theater, 9:15am
Field Trip - Omega 7/8 to Flynn Theater, 9:15am
Friday, October 19th
NO SCHOOL - Parent / Teacher Conferences
DROP-OFF AND PICKUP REMINDERS
On many days, we have observed a backup of cars into the road, stopping traffic in both directions during both pick-up and drop-off, particularly at the flagpole entrance. This presents several safety concerns. In order to ensure a safe, efficient process, please try to make sure your children are ready to exit your car (have all their belongings, ready and able to hop out independently). If your children can not independently and quickly enter or exit your vehicle, please park in one of our parking lots and walk them to the entrance.
Another reminder regarding student safety at dismissal - if your student is walking anywhere after school (daily or once in a while), that must be communicated to the student’s teacher and the main office. Students crossing the Charlotte-Hinesburg Road to go to the Philo Ridge Farm must wait in the lobby until buses have been dismissed and be supported by a CCS staff member while crossing. This is essential, as there is not a designated crosswalk and this road and the nearby intersection are high-traffic areas in the afternoon.
PICTURE DAY AT CCS! WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH
8:45 - Lubic / Cota
9:00 - Baird / Fraser
9:15 - Lara / Poirier
9:30 - Gerson
9:45 -
10:00 - Duthie-Fox / Grey
10:15 - Jesset / Thayer
10:30 - Lutz / Evans
10:45 - Tierney / Matthews
11:00 - Rowntree
JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT CCS!
Charlotte Central School seeks energetic paraprofessionals, full time and part time, to join our outstanding special education team. To learn more please visit: https://www.schoolspring.com/job.cfm?jid=3002946
SPORTS SCHEDULES
FOUR WINDS LOOKING FOR PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Do you like science experiments? Interested in sharing your knowledge of nature? Want to learn more about our local environment? Looking for a way to be present in your child's classroom?
Four Winds is a hands-on science and nature program for K-4 taught by parent volunteers. There are training workshops at the beginning of the month (for parents that are unable to attend the workshops at CCS, the material is also available online), and then volunteers teach the lesson to their child's class.
Our first Four Winds workshop will be on Wednesday, October 3 at 8:15 a.m. in the cafeteria.
Questions? Contact ccs4winds@gmail.com
ACCESS CLASSES AT CVU
Kids in Motion
Monday 3:45-4:45 8 sessions Starts September 24
Instructor: Ryan Campagna Fee: $75 Limit: 20
Ryan Campagna of Kids in Motion and Camp Director at the Edge Sports and Fitness in Williston offers this great new fitness program to keep your child active and ready for Fall sports. This program is about growing and having fun in a non-competitive and educational environment. Ryan uses an energetic and engaging approach that encourages skill development and focuses on simplifying the game of soccer. Our goal is to help each child to develop gross motor skills, socialization skills and self-confidence and to feel success in every class that they attend. Our aim is for each child to experience success, gain confidence and develop these new skills throughout the 8 week session. Suggested ages 8-12.
Hip Hop for Kids! 5-10 year olds
Thursday 4:30-5:30 8 sessions Starts September 27
Instructor: Rick Kinsman Fee: $75 Limit: 20
Do you have a child who loves to move, jump, or dance around the house? Kids love this class, and it puts form to the energy. Class will include freestyle movement, strength and flexibility training, basic dance technique, and hip hop dance games to entice creativity and movement. Rick Kinsman, working at CVU with students, has been dancing since the age of six years old and has trained in the dance styles of Tap, Jazz and Hip Hop. Since moving to Vermont, he has worked in numerous dance studios in and around the Burlington area teaching classes of all ages for the past 10 years. This class is geared towards boys and girls ages 5-10 years old. Bring a water bottle, street shoes and your 'flyest' threads! Rick looks forward to moving with you!
*Special Feature for Parents
Kids and Confidence:How Do Parents Foster it?
Thursday 6:30-7:30 1 session Starts September 27
Instructor: Deb Chisholm Fee: $25 Limit: none
Pressures and confusion in the lives of kids today result in lack of self assurance and self worth for many of them. Parents struggle with how to help their children feel strong & confident, and have the skills needed to cope with these stressful situations. In this one hour presentation, Deb will look closely at the distinctions between self esteem, self confidence and self efficacy. With a focus on supporting our children to be resilient and strong, she will also share some of the key points in her Me Power™ Program. Me Power™ helps our kids know, understand, and use their personal power – growing in being their authentic, confident selves.
Eddie Krasnow -Program Director, Laura Howard -Program Director
Liz Heun -Program Support, Julie Bevins -Program Support
Learning for Everyone, All Ages, All Towns.
802-482-7194
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