THE VIKING
Hinesburg Community School - February 5, 2021
The Principal's Corner
Dear HCS Families:
Many of us have very fond memories of watching the local news, first thing in the morning and hoping for a snow day. We can still remember the feeling of knowing that we could go out and play in the snow all day instead of going to school. This year we have been asked by a number of people if snow cancellations would disappear now that we have spent so much time learning to provide education remotely. As Elaine mentioned in her Superintendent's letter to CVSD families, if school is cancelled by noon the previous day, our teachers will have the ability to put together lesson plans and materials to have a "remote day." Otherwise, when we have to cancel school at the last minute like we did Tuesday, we will have a good, old fashioned "snow day." As principal's we hope that this is our last snow day of the year, but of course, the little kid inside us still feels a bit of a thrill when we get that call.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone.
Warmly,
John and Suzan
Proposed CVSD Budget & School-related Articles
Dear CVSD Community Members and Voters,
FY22 budget season is upon us. While many voters may cast early ballots, for those who prefer to vote in person, TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021, is your chance to vote on the FY22 Proposed CVSD Budget and school-related Articles. (Articles and Ballot Questions refer to the same thing.)
As Finance Committee Chair, I am pleased to report that your District Administration and School Board are optimistic and future-focused. We developed the FY22 budget with a goal to return this August to the familiar in-person 5-day per week instruction.
There are NINE ARTICLES for voter approval this year. This letter will be the first in a series of communications to highlight the FY22 Budget Articles to help you prepare for voting. Read more at this link and find further information on the CVSD website: www.cvsdvt.org/budget.
Kindergarten Registration Is Open!
Champlain Valley School District (CVSD) is asking families to register their Kindergartners earlier this year, in an effort to get more accurate enrollment numbers for our schools. These enrollment numbers help us to plan our staffing needs for the upcoming school year and help us to coordinate our site visits for placement in the spring.
We really appreciate your help with registering your child early this year and weβre looking forward to meeting you at our Kindergarten Screening Day and Information Night in the spring if things open up!
Please contact Deb Lavalette at the Hinesburg Community School by emailing her at dlavalette@cvsdvt.org or call 482-2106 if you have a child that will be 5 years old before September 1, 2021.
HCS Food Drive to Benefit the Hinesburg Little Free Pantry
The HCS Empower Youth Leaders, a leadership group made up of HCS 7th and 8th graders, will be hosting a Food Drive to benefit the Hinesburg Little Free Pantry and the Food Shelf. The Food Drive will last from January 19th until February 12th.
Boxes will be set up in the K-8 classrooms for food donations. The pantry is currently in need of diapers, toiletries, energy bars, flours, sugars, oats, pastas, dried cheeses, dried meats, dried soups and fruits, cereals, and crackers. The food donations must be within their expiration dates and not repackaged or opened. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept breakable items, such as food packaged in glass, or cans that might freeze.
Please consider making a donation to this Food Drive, if you are able. If you would like more information about the Little Free Pantry, please visit this link. We really appreciate all of your help and support on behalf of our community.
THANK YOU! From THE EMPOWER YOU LEADERS HINESBURG.
AN INVITATION
To 8th Grade Parents and Students of the Class of 2025
Join us virtually for
8th Grade Student & Parent Night
Champlain Valley Union High School
Online Thursday, February 11, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Hosted by Principal Adam Bunting
and the CVU Student Council
This evening will provide you and your child an introduction to the academic and elective programs they will experience in the 9th grade.
Weβll be live at:
IT'S ALL ABOUT BEING A MIDDLE SCHOOL TEEN
An Open and Genuine Youth Discussion Series for Middle School Youth Grades 6-8.
February 3rd - April 7th
Wednesdays 5:30pm - 6:30pm
REGISTRATION: https://forms.gle/kNN72DcSnBdxkbJz5
It's all about being a middle school teen is a virtual discussion series designed specifically to address topics and risk factors that middle school youth throughout Vermont are faced with daily. Facilitated by PCAVTand Essex Teen Center youth participants will engage in important interpersonal discussions with other youth while they learn about how to navigate, participate, and create personal growth for themselves in a caring, safe, and supportive environment. Youth may participate in as many of the discussions as they are interested, but space is limited to 20 youth per topic and registration is first come first serve.
If a topic that you or your youth are interested in is full, you will be added to the waitlist for the next series in the spring. If you have questions or comments about this youth discussion opportunity, please contact Justin Hoy (justin@essexchips.org) or Heather Niquette (hniquette@pcavt.org).
It's All About Being a Teen is a dynamic interactive curriculum designed to increase positive self-worth, personal empowerment, self-discipline, empathy, healthy attachments, and resilient-protective behaviors. Developed from the Evidence Based Nurturing Programs, it is presented by Essex CHIPS Teen Center, and made possible through grant funding by PCAVT.org. Several discussion topics in this series are highly recommended for youth who also participate in youth leadership groups, LGBTQ+ youth support or discussion groups, youth engagement or empowerment groups (Getting to "y", Above the Influence), or any youth seeking to connect with other youth in a supportive way.
We will use the evidence-based Its All About Being A Teen curriculum (https://www.nurturingparenting.com/) as the backbone and supplement conversations with additional resources from Search Institute, local organizations (Outright for LGBTQ discussions), or applicable appropriate media that can be shared via our Zoom.
February PiE Meeting
Vicki M. Nelson, CVSD Lead Equity Coach and HCS Pre-K to 5th Grade Counselor, and Ainaka Luna, CVSD/HCS Equity Coach and HCS Spanish teacher, will speak at PiE's February 9th 7pm meeting on Zoom. Vicki and Ainaka will present on current and future work across CVSD to address diversity, equity and inclusion in our school communities. There will be time for questions and discussion. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend!
Link to PiE meeting on February 9th, 7pm via Zoom:
CVSD COVID-19 Reporting Dashboard
The CVSD Dashboard is an online tool that gives families a chance to view of up to date data (updated each Thursday) from around the district concerning COVID-19. The tool shows a cumulative tally of testing and quarantine data for staff and students across the school district. You can access this information here.
About Us
Suzan Locke, HCS Co-Principal, Grades K-4
482-6299, slocke@cvsdvt.org
John Pontius, HCS Co-Principal, Grades 5-8
482-6298, jpontius@cvsdvt.org
Alicia Kurth, HCS Special Education Administrator
425-6285, akurth@cvsdvt.org
Email: hcsinformation@cvsdvt.org
Website: https://www.cvsdvt.org/hinesburg
Location: Hinesburg Community School, 10888, Route 116, Hinesburg, Vermont, USA
Phone: 802-482-2106
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hinesburg-Community-School-125786304154731/
The Viking Newsletter is published bi-weekly, when school is in session. It is available on our web site and is also delivered to email via Blackboard Connect. If needed, a hard copy can be provided for your child to bring home. The Viking includes upcoming events, after school opportunities, notes of interest for parents and the community and updates from our school administration.