THE SCHOOL BELL
Williston Schools / June 6, 2018
Last school day is Friday, June 15. Dismissal is at 11:40 (ABS) / 11:55 (WCS)
A Message from the Administration
Wonder Wisdom
I recently reread the book Wonder about a boy born with a facial deformity about to enter 5th grade. He’s an “ordinary kid with an extraordinary face”.
In my career as Special education Administrator I have often thought of students with disabilities as ordinary kids - they certainly want to be treated that way.
There is much wisdom to be gained from this read. The author includes many quotes, she refers to as precepts, at the beginning of each chapter and throughout. For example Chapter four begins with a quote from The Little Prince - “Now here is my secret. It is very simple. It is only with one’s heart that we can see clearly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.”
I once received an email from a parent who was unhappy with an approach the school was taking with their child. She knew about my pending retirement and in that context she wrote, “ I can't imagine living so long and knowing so little.” She didn't mean this as a compliment. I took it that way, however. Socrates said “the only true wisdom is knowing that you know nothing.” Another precept from Wonder might apply here: “It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers” - (James Thurber).
Perhaps my favorite is, “When given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind.”
I heard Adam Bunting, Champlain Valley Union High School principal, speaking to our 8th graders in the auditorium this week. His message was that of encouraging them to merely “be themselves”. Knowing Adam as I do, I know he would also encourage them to focus on the questions rather than the answers.
Congratulations to the eighth graders moving on to new experiences at high school. Congratulations to the parents, grandparents and siblings. You all played a part in educating these young people.
Psychologists generally agree that wisdom involves an integration of knowledge, experience and understanding that helps us deal with the uncertainties of life. Williston parents and teachers have all helped send these students off with with the wisdom to “see from the heart”, to focus on the questions more than the answers and to continue to “choose kind”.
FUN DAY 2018
Fun Day (grades 1-4) Friday, June 8
at Williston Central School.
Fun Day for all students in grades 1 -4 takes place at WCS. The ABS first and second grade students will be bused to WCS for the morning, returning to ABS before lunch.
Fun Day offers activities emphasizing cooperation, teamwork, and fun! Small groups (10-12 students) will move between stations with activities such as water balloon toss, relays, track & field events, bottle throw, obstacle course & more. The day is designed for students to enjoy being active with classmates as the school year comes to a close.
Your support will be greatly appreciated by volunteering to run a station. No experience required or special knowledge, just your enthusiasm, energy, and presence. If you can help please fill out the form below and return it to any of the PE teachers. Please fill out the slip and mark off whatever you are able to help with. The morning groups will be 1st and 2nd graders (Synergy, Harmony & Horizon). The afternoon groups will be 3rd and 4th graders (Equinox, Kaleidoscope, & Mosaic).
Fun Day (Fri.) June 8
I can help on Fun Day
____ 9:00-11:00 Synergy, Harmony, & Horizon
____ 12:40-2:40 Equinox, Kaleidoscope, & Mosaic
Name____________________________________
Phone ____________________________________
email ______________________________________
please return to your classroom teacher
Incoming 3rd Grade Parent Information Night
6:30-8:00 pm in the Williston Central School auditorium
Come and learn about our 3rd and 4th program at WCS! What does a school day look like? How are our teams structured? What Essential Arts classes will my son/daughter participate in? What supports are in place during the transition. And much more.
Last Day for the Activity (Late) Bus is Wednesday, June 6
If students are planning to stay after school for any reason, they will need to have their own transportation home.
Placement Transition Dates
Lower Houses
Incoming 3rd gr. Parent Orientation / Mon. June 11 / 6:30 pm / WCS Auditorium
Upper Houses
WCS Step Up Day / Mon. June 11 / 8:10-9 am
Chorus Concerts
The 3rd/4th grade chorus concerts will be on
Wednesday, June 6th 6:30pm in the WCS auditorium.
The musicians are required to wear concert attire* and need to arrive at WCS at 6:10pm for the evening concert.
*What is concert attire?
Option 1: long pants, shirt with collar, and a tie
Option 2: dress or skirt of appropriate length, or dressy pants, with an appropriate top
Please do not wear shorts, t shirts, hats, athletic wear, flip flops, or jeans.
Please contact me with any questions or concerns.
Danielle Trasciatti-Holmberg (Mrs. T-H) dtrasciatti@cvsdvt.org
Beginner Band Concert
Thursday, June 7, 2018
We have two exciting performances on this day. The details for each performance are different so please read carefully.
School day concert:
We will perform during the school day for our peers and teachers. Due to the June heat, the dress for the day is DIFFERENT from the evening.
Please be sure to wear something cool, comfortable and neat. Please avoid clothing
with large logos.
***Remember to bring your instrument and music to school on this special day!
Evening concert:
Performance time is 6:30 pm. Please arrive at 6:00 to warm up.
dress: Please choose:
dress, skirt, dressy pants or capris with matching top
dress pants or dress shorts with button down shirt and a tie
T-shirts, hats, athletic wear, and jeans are not appropriate. Please do not wear them.
If you need to borrow clothing, please contact Kim Thompson asap. (kthompson@cvsdvt.org)
Parent Satisfaction Survey
Please take a few minutes to provide us with feedback on ways you feel we can enhance the education of your children by filling out the 2017-2018 Parent Satisfaction Survey. You can access the survey by clicking on the following link or on our web site:
The Importance of Reading Over the Summer!
It happens every year around this time. Kids seem more restless wishing that recess could last a little longer, that they had long stretches of free time. No doubt about it – summer is coming and kids are counting down the days. However, summer shouldn’t mean taking a break from learning, especially reading! Research shows that most students experience a loss of reading skills over the summer months, but children who continue to read actually gain skills. And, children will never have a chance for higher achievements without higher-level reading skills.
In fact, students who read at least four books over the summer can prevent any academic loss. Students will read more when they have easy access to books, and are free to choose which books they want to read. Having choice helps strengthen engagement and motivation to read for pleasure.
What can parents do to help their children read during the summer? How to require reading and still keep it pleasure-oriented? Here are some tips:
Make sure you parents are seen reading daily. It works even better if you read at the same time as your child.
For young children, looking at the pictures in books and turning pages qualifies as “reading”. We become picture-literate before becoming print-literate.
Please Pick up Your Child’s Medications from the Health Office
Everything must go!
As the school year comes to an end, we’d like to remind you to think about picking up any medications your child has in either of our Health Offices. This includes any medications that your child may need next year, as we cannot store medication in the Health Offices over the summer. Prescription medications must be picked up by a parent.
Please call your child’s Health Office (ABS: 871-6248, WCS: 871-6170) to make arrangements to get these medications home.
Thank you, and have a great summer!
WCS: Maria Harlow, RN, BSN
Carol Albertelli, RN, BSN
ABS: Sylvia Love, RN, BSN
Food Service Updates
Cold Lunch Option for Fri. June 15
The last day of school (Friday, June 15) will be a half day. There is no lunch service except for the option to order a bagged lunch with the option for a ham or turkey sandwich. Please let your child's teacher know by Wednesday, June 13 if they need a bagged lunch, along with their sandwich choice.
Food Service Account Info for all Parents
The end of the year is quickly approaching and we need to make certain all student accounts are in good standing by the last day of school.
Please make sure your student account balances are paid in full. Please plan ahead for future purchases by depositing money in advance on your student's account. If you have account balance questions, please go online to www.myschoolbucks.com to check the balances and make payments.
All 8th grade student negative balances must be paid off before the end of the year. All positive balances will be automatically transferred to CVU. You must maintain a positive balance at all times to make purchases from CVU. If your graduating 8th grader is not going to go to CVU then please let us know as soon as possible. In that case, we will attempt to transfer any positive account balance to a younger sibling in our district. If that is not possible, we will automatically refund any balance $10 or greater. If your student’s balance is less than $10 you may request a refund in writing or by email to Scott Wagner. Any unrequested balances will be transferred into the WCS Sunshine Fund on 6/22/18.
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To help this process there will be no charging at all for 8th graders for the remainder of the year. Your students may either, prepay for purchases, bring cash or bring food from home please.
Williston Food Shelf Offers Summer Program Bags
The Williston Community Food Shelf offers two bags each month of breakfast and lunch food for any family needing help during the summer months. Please come to the Food Shelf (Tuesdays from 5-6:30pm, or Thursdays or Saturdays from 9-11am), register, and get a bag of food.
Box Tops for Education
Part 2 Registration
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.
Families as Partners
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
Wed. June 6 / gr. 3-4 Chorus Concert / WCS Auditorium / 6:30 pm
Thurs. June 7 / last day for EE
Thurs. June 7 / Beginner Band Concert / WCS Auditorium / 6:30 pm
Fri. June 8 / Fun Day / gr. 1-2: 9-11 am / gr. 3-4: 12:40-2:40 pm
Mon. June 11 / Upper House Step Up
Mon. June 11 / Parent Info Night, gr. 2 entering gr. 3 / WCS Auditorium, 6:30-7:30 pm
Tues. June 12 / Swift Open House / WCS Auditorium / 6:30-7:30 pm
Thurs. June 14 / 8th Grade Graduation / 6:30 pm
Fri. June 15 / Last day / early dismissal / 11:40 ABS / 11:55 WCS
Upcoming Events on the School Web Calendar
DAML Programs
Click here for the Bell listing of DAML events scheduled for children.
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