THE SCHOOL BELL
Williston Schools / May 2, 2018
A Message from the Administration
Inclusive Practices at Williston and Champlain Valley School District
By Carter Smith
Williston has been identified as a school that does a particularly good job of welcoming and supporting students with significant disabilities in the the general education setting.
For two days in April we were observed by researchers from the University of Kansas and University of New Hampshire.
Many thanks to parents, teachers, paraeducators, special educators and administrators who spent time being observed and interviewed. They observed Donna Powers’ class at Allen Brook and Debbie Donnelly’s class in WCS. Special Educators Lisa Bisbee and Chris Sedic-Lawton shared their stories about including students with disabilities in the classroom. I especially appreciated the parents who spoke by phone or in person about their experiences as parents of students with disabilities in Williston Schools.
The researchers were interested in the whole school community so they had a long conversation with the Families as Partner president Emily Ponce and even spoke with Sam Beatson as a representative of the food services staff!
CVSD school psychologists Cindy Cole and Katey Wisse agreed to be members of the leadership team for the research. Jenn Randall, Intensive Needs Coach for the CVSD helped to organize the event.
Swiftschools is based at the University of Kansas and was contracted by the Vermont Agency of Education to do the study. Feel free to visit their site for more information but they believe, as we do, that “together we can transform education so that it benefits each and every student, their families and ultimately the communities in which they live.”
Big Basket Raffle Does it Again!
THANK YOU to all those who attended last weekend’s Big Basket Raffle and Silent Auction fundraiser. Your support helped to raise over $9,600 for our students!
It is with the support of the entire community, including over 100 local merchants and all of our Williston families who generously brought in merchandise to fill the classroom baskets, that this event continues to be so successful. Our children and our teachers and staff are the ones who benefit the most from these resources.
Not only did we raise a lot of money for our schools, but attendees generously donated nearly 370 pounds of food for the Williston Community Food Shelf.
Faculty & Staff Appreciation May 7th - 11th, 2018
Thanks for helping us blossom!
Monday - Share your appreciation for Faculty & Staff on the large boards in both schools.
Tuesday - Write a note to your teacher/faculty/staff - printables in the School Bell & front offices
Wednesday - Breakfast Day!
Thursday - Bring your teacher a flower
Friday - Dessert Day!
Williston Runs for Education is 3 weeks away! Have you registered yet?
Participate in the 5K as an individual or part of a 2-3 person team. (Walkers always welcome!)
Younger participants will like the Fun Run (1/3 mile).
Teams can represent their House for a chance to win the House Challenge Cup!
More information and online registration at www.willistonruns.org.
Williston Runs relies on many volunteers. If you won't be running or walking the event, please join us as a volunteer!
(Opportunities such as: Set-up, Course Monitor, Registration, Raffle Ticket Sales, etc.)
Here is the sign-up link to help out: http://signup.com/go/XufxBaG
Contact Karen Olson (karen@willistonruns.org) with questions.
Changing Perspectives at ABS
This year ALLEN BROOK SCHOOL has partnered with Changing Perspectives and are planning an "event" on May 22nd from 8-12:30 (including "training", set up and clean up and hopefully treating our volunteers to lunch).
We need parent/community volunteers. If you are available that day please let Shari Carr know (scarr@cvsdvt.org or stop in the Tree House or 871-6252).
We need the following volunteers on May 22 from 8- 12:30
1 Manager of the day (to start each session/transfer to next session/end)
3 to co-lead (with WCS student/ABS Faculty) each "experience/station". These are being planned now (Autism, Understanding Emotions, Fine Motor Skills Challenge and Empathy).
3 or 4 Volunteers to escort classes to gathering area/groups to their activity
1 photographer (camera provided)
1 volunteer to hand out and collect exit task
This is an opportunity for us to have a connection with families and work together to provide our students this important and special learning event.
CVSD JAZZ FEST
Who? WCS Stage Band
When? Monday, 5/14 at 7:00 pm.
8th graders arrive by 6 pm for pizza and a district wide 8th grade rehearsal.
5th, 6th and 7th graders: Arrive at 6:30 pm please.
Where? CVU Theater (musicians meet in the band room)
What to wear? black pants, blue Performing Arts shirt.
Please honor this commitment. We are a small group and everyone is needed!
Our remaining schedule:
Monday, 5/7- 2:50-3:45
Tuesday, 5/8- 2:00-3:00
*Monday, 5/14-2:50-3:45 *Note: rehearsal AND JAZZ FEST this evening
Monday, 5/21- 2:50-3:45
Wednesday, 5/24-WCS concert day. 5th and 6th graders- please note that Stage Band will play in the 7:15 concert!
Upcoming Music Dates
- Monday, May 14- CVSD Jazz Fest (Jazz bands from the five CVSD schools will perform at 7pm at CVU.)
- Wednesday, May 23- WCS Grades 5-8 concerts Concert dress
5:30- grades 5 and 6 (call time 5:00)
7:15- Grades 7 and 8 and Stage Band (call time 6:45)
- Thursday, 6/7- Beginner Band Concert- Details will be available soon.
Meet Sarah Crum, incoming Special Education Director
Light refreshments will be available.
Tuesday, May 15, 2018, 04:00 PM
Williston Central School Dining Room
ABS Art Show May 17
Please mark your calendars! The Allen Brook Annual Art Show is just around the corner on Thursday, May 17, from 6-8 pm. Please look for an invitation and voluntary refreshments form in your child’s weekly folder. Each artist has chosen his or her favorite piece of art to present at this lively community event. We hope you will be able to join us.
Happy Spring!
Pilot State Fitness Assessment (new)
Vermont is piloting a new Fitness assessment in May using the FitnessGram tool. The state requires that we test our 4th, 7th, and 9th grade students in four areas: aerobic capacity, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility. Body composition will not be measured or reported. This assessment will be administered by certified Physical Education teachers. FitnessGram is a part of the Williston Central School Physical Education program. Our PE Staff will work to provide any accommodations or supports that individual students require during state testing.
Save the Date! The 3rd/4th grade chorus concerts are on Wednesday, June 6th at 2:10pm and 6:30pm. More details to come.
Last school day for students is Friday, June 15.
8th Grade Graduation
The end of the year is quickly approaching and it’s time to start plans for our 8th grade graduation.
First Planning Meeting: Interested parents are invited to a graduation planning meeting on Tuesday, May 8th at 6:30 PM in the WCS Dining Room.
Graduation Date: Thursday, June 14th at 6:30 PM. Students should report to Equinox House at 6:00 PM. The evening concludes at 9:45 PM following the 8th grade dance in the old gymnasium.
Graduation Reception: A reception in our courtyard and/or cafeteria will follow the ceremony. We need 7th grade parents to set-up, serve, and clean-up after this event, so all 8th grade parents can enjoy this special evening with their family. Contact Jackie Parks at jparks@cvsdvt.org.
Reception Cost: We ask that each 8th grade family contribute $10 to help pay for some of the cost related to this event. Please send your $10 contribution to your house teacher assistant by May 25th.
Tickets: Please click on the following form for information about graduation tickets. Seating in the gym is very limited. Graduation Ticket Order Form . Ticket request form due Friday, May 18th.
Photograph Permission: If you do not want your child photographed for use in any of the graduation program events, please let Liz Neeld know at 871-6104 or lneeld@cvsdvt.org.
Student Dress: Students are asked to dress appropriately for a formal occasion.
Volunteers Needed: If you are interested in helping, but can’t attend the planning meeting on Tuesday, May 8th at 6:30 PM, please let Jackie Parks know at jparks@cvsdvt.org .
Please feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions about graduation. Thank you. Jacqueline Parks, Williston Central School Principal
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.
WCS Yearbooks
Tuesday Early Dismissal
Dismissal at ABS is 1:35 pm.
Dismissal at WCS 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.
Four Winds Nature News
School Lunch Menus
Monthly Fitness Fun
More Links, More information
Upcoming Events
Fri. May 4 / Davison Celebration of Learning / 7:30 am
Fri. May 4 / Deyo Parent Gathering / 8:30-9:30 am
Fri. May 4 / School Dance / WCS / 6:30-8:30 pm
Tues. May 8 / Graduation planning mtg./ WCS Dining Rm / 6:30 PM
Wed. May 9 / Four Winds Training / ABS Cafeteria / 8:30-10:30 am
Mon. May 14 / CVSD Jazz Fest / CVU Theater / 7:00 pm
Tues. May 15 / Meet Sara Crum, Special Education Director / WCS Dining Rm / 4-5 pm
Tues. May 15 / Incoming Kindergarten Parent Info / ABS Cafeteria / 6:30 pm
Thurs. May 17 / ABS Art Show / 6-8 pm
Thurs. May 17 / Harmony Reading Restaurant / 6-8 pm
Sat. May 19 / Williston Runs / 8 am - 1:00 pm
Wed. May 23 / WCS Art Show Opening Reception /2-8 pm
Wed. May 23 / WCS Concerts / WCS Auditorium / gr. 5/6: 5:30 pm / gr. 7/8: 7:15 pm 5:30- grades 5 and 6 (call time 5:00)
7:15- Grades 7 and 8 and Stage Band (call time 6:45)
Upcoming Events on the School Web Calendar
DAML Programs
Click here for the Bell listing of DAML events scheduled for children.
Recreation & Parks Offerings
Community Events
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