THE SCHOOL BELL
Williston Schools /October 17, 2018
by Principal Angela Filion
As we are in our second month of school, teachers and students are getting to know each other better! They spent the first 6 weeks really establishing a community with routines and expectations. There have been many field trips and experiences that they have already had and enjoyed. Now teachers are starting to dive deeper into the academic work. Teachers are excited to connect with parents during conferences to share and reflect on how things are going so far this year. This can be an adjustment for some students as the academic rigor increases. Many of you came to our curriculum/expo night where you learned what you can expect to see your child working on this school year. I walked parents through what it is like for their child to have a morning meeting. They read a daily message with me, greeted each other, did an activity where they reflected on what their hopes and dreams were for their children here at school, and then had to share this with the group. One parent approached me after the event and shared that she really appreciated this hands on approach and feeling what it was like for their child while at school. Teachers did a gallery walk of parent's hopes and dreams and reflected on what take aways or "ahas" they noticed. Many teachers spoke to the idea that parents want their kids to be good citizens, to be kind, to love learning, and have fun! We look forward to working together to provide your child with the best experience in their learning and truly see this as a partnership! Here are some highlights of things we have been doing as we ease into fall. Read & see more...
A new outside activity at ABS - rocks with social or physical tasks
here is our animated Mrs. Clopton in full affect!!
ABS received our 6th blue ribbon as an exemplar school
PBIS in Action at Williston
Using our PBIS framework here at Williston, we are working hard each day to support individual student needs in the classroom and beyond.
Every day, our PBIS system helps students to develop stronger social skills, emotional regulation, and behavioral awareness. Throughout our building, it is amazing to watch these things being explicitly taught through prompting, modeling, practicing, and encouragement. This creates such an incredible environment for students to grow.
Adults at Williston do an amazing job of responding to student needs, creating a safe learning environment, and developing authentic and trusting relationships with students so that we can help solve problems together. Adults regularly greet students at the door with a smile to start their day, and help to send them off at the end of each day. Adults are always noticing the positive things that students are doing in each moment, reinforcing positive behaviors and creating a fun, engaging, and positive culture.
Behavior as communication
One thing that has always impressed me at Williston is that adults truly view behavior as communication. No matter what is happening, adults are looking at the underlying reasons of why a student might be making the choices that they are making. This helps adults and students work together to solve underlying problems, not just adjust behaviors. Approaching things this way helps adults and students learn from each other, and creates a more positive learning environment for everyone involved.
I am here to help
Last week, I noticed a teacher working with a student who was obviously very frustrated. They had thrown their work off their desk, and they were sitting in their seat with their head down, overwhelmed with the entire situation.
The teacher got down on the student’s level, and said, “I can tell you are frustrated, and I am here to help. What do you need right now?” The student looked up at the teacher, and gave them a scowl. The teacher didn’t miss a beat, and said “I wonder if this might not even be about the assignment I just handed you, I wonder if this is about something different. Is there something you need that I don’t know about right now?”
Building trust
The student’s facial expression changed. Their body language changed. Frustration turned into calmness. The student said, “I know this might sound weird, but I am really hungry right now.” The teacher stopped everything they were doing, got the student a snack, and the lesson resumed. The student calmly ate their snack and engaged in their learning. This simple, small interaction is an example of how adults at Williston are approaching behavior as communication. Initially, this student wasn’t ready to say what was frustrating them, so they showed it in the only way they knew how to at that moment. This adult picked up on this, and turned a difficult situation into a positive situation that built trust and helped this student feel valued. The teacher could have easily approached this in another way, and I believe they would have experienced a very different result.
The most important thing is that we are supporting our students, listening to our students, and helping our students understand what they need to be successful. For our kids, behavior truly is communication. Our PBIS framework and our approach to behavior in our school helps to make this a safe, respectful, and positive environment where all students get exactly what they need to learn and grow.
National Bullying Prevention Month
Read more and get more links
Click here for help when your child is bullying others
Agave Fundraiser for Swift Trip
Agave Restaurant in Williston is generously donating 10% of all sales (including take-out) on Thursday, October 18th towards our trip to Washington, DC in June.
Enjoy a relaxing night out with friends and family.
Students have NO school on Friday!!
Thank you for supporting our students and school
Movie Night at ABS
Saturday, October 27
6-7 pm in the ABS gym
To benefit the UVM Children's Hospital
More information to come!
Cans for a Cause Food Sculpture Contest this weekend!
Craft Show Volunteers Needed!
FUN NIGHT @ WCS
Drop off your kids grades (K-5) for an adult supervised Fun Night, sponsored by Swift House. All proceeds benefit the Swift House trip to Washington, DC in June.
What: An evening of adult supervised FUN & PIZZA for the kids.
Where: Drop-off/Pick-up through the FRONT entrance @ WCS!!!!!
Who: Children grades K - 5
When: Friday, October 26th Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Activities Include: Holiday-themed crafts, face painting, basketball, bowling, movie, bean bag toss, bingo, prize table and more!!!
Prices:
Pre-Registration Discount: $10/child, $15/family
At the door: $15/child, $20/ family
(all food CASH only at event)
Snacks are $.50 each
Hot Dogs $2.00
Pizza Slices $2.00
ABS Collecting for Operation Gratitude
Inspired by Synergy's Veterans wall, ABS is hosting a candy and goods drive for Operation Gratitude. Operation Gratitude sends Care Packages filled with entertainment, hygiene, and handmade items, non-perishable snacks, and personal letters of appreciation to U.S. Troops, First Responders, Veterans, Military Families, and Wounded Heroes & their Care Givers. Every Care Package reflects countless Americans expressing gratitude.
ABS will collect October 29th through November 6th. Donations include: individually wrapped Halloween candy (NO pixie sticks or bags of loose candy-ex. candy corn), dental floss, travel sizes of non aerosol deodorant, sunscreen, powder, wipes, gum, lip balm, playing cards, sewing kits, individual serving packet drink mix and letters/hand drawn pictures from our students and families. Stationary will be available by the drop off box- please place finished letters into the envelope provided.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact Ali Hearn at apollack282@gmail.com
Beginner Band Starts in November
Important dates:
Thursday, 10/18- students attended the beginner band instrument demonstration.
Friday, 10/26 deadline for signing up for beginner band (on music web page)
Monday, 11/5, 6:30 pm- Ellis Music sponsored instrument pick up night. (WCS auditorium)
The beginner band program is available to all interested students in grades 4 and up. All beginners will attend a weekly small group lesson during their school day and have an opportunity to perform in a June concert. Students may choose:
flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, or percussion.
Percussionists rent a percussion kit that includes a mallet instrument and a drum pad.
7th and 8th Grade District Music Festival Information
The District Festival is for 7th and 8th grade students. Students from all over Chittenden County come together for a two day music festival on February 1 and February 2 and perform in band, chorus and orchestra. Band and chorus are by audition. String players need a recommendation sheet filled out by their string teacher. This is an honor and a privilege to be selected to represent Williston Central School at this festival.
Band: All Wind Ensemble members are working on the audition material in lessons. Auditions are on Saturday, 11/3 at Colchester Middle School from 9am - 12 noon.
Orchestra: If you play a string instrument and wish to represent our school in the festival orchestra, please contact Ms. Kennedy or Mrs. Thompson. We will give you a form for your private teacher to fill out and return to us by Friday, 10/26.
Chorus: Rehearsal and audition schedule can be found here. The auditions are on Friday, October 26 during core.
CVSD Community Forum October 30th
Team Assistant
Champlain Valley School District is looking for a Team Assistant at Williston Central School to work on a 3-4 grade team.
Essential duties and responsibilities include:
Establish and maintain positive and supportive relationships with students and school personnel
Carry out instructional activities with individual, large or small groups of students to reinforce learning of material or skills initially introduced by the teacher
Carry out meaningful, realistic and consistent rules, routines and expectations with students
Assist in the preparation and maintenance of instructional materials and equipment.
Participate in team meetings as assigned
Provide supervision for students as directed in school related activities such as lunchroom, recess, bus arrival and departure, etc.
Maintain confidentiality
Perform clerical duties as assigned
Perform other duties as assigned by administration
The preferred candidate will be a flexible, organized individual with excellent technology and interpersonal skills.
Position follows the school calendar: 6 hours/day. This is an hourly paid staff position that does not require teacher certification.
Please apply to Liz Neeld, lneeld@cvsdvt.org, with a letter of interest, resume, and three references.
Developmental Screening for Children ages 3-5 years
Do you have concerns about your child’s development? Allen Brook School is offering a developmental screening for children ages 3-5 years. A screening can be used to determine if children are learning basic skills and meeting developmental milestones. Early childhood professionals will engage in activities which will allow them to observe the way your child plays, learns, speaks, and moves their body. Each child is unique and develops at his or her own pace, but sometimes concerns can arise, and it is helpful to identify these concerns as early as possible to in order to get necessary supports in place.
Friday, November 2nd from 9:00 - 11:00. Pre-registration is required.
Please call Victoria Francis, Early Childhood Outreach Educator,
at 871-6240 to schedule an appointment.
(* If you have concerns about a younger child and would like to request a screening, please call us.)
Supervised Volunteering in the Schools
The CVSD Board recognizes the valuable contributions made to the schools by volunteers. It further recognizes that appropriate supervision of volunteers will enhance their contributions as well as fulfill the responsibility that the school district has for the education and safety of its students.
It is the policy of the Champlain Valley School District to ensure that volunteers will be appropriately screened prior to entering into service in the school district .
Consent for Release of Registry Information Form C
Supervised volunteers and chaperones will complete the Consent for Release of Registry Information and provide a copy of a photo ID. This allows the district to perform a search on the Agency of Human Services Abuse Registry and the Vermont Internet Sex Offender Registry (VISOR).
Read more from the Williston Website
Safety Committee Meet & Greet
Would you like to know more about School Safety in Williston?
Come and meet members of the safety committee, including representatives from The Williston Police and Fire Departments, VT State Police, School Staff and Town Personnel
This is a chance to learn more about their work and ongoing efforts to enhance school safety
Coffee/Tea and refreshments will be served
VISION AND HEARING SCREENING FOR STUDENTS
Vermont schools are required by the state to test students' vision and hearing in Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade. Students in 7th grade will only have a vision test.
This year we are very lucky again to be selected for the Vermont Lions KidSight program. Middlebury Lions Club will be coming to ABS on October 22nd to perform vision photoscreening.
The Health Office at WCS finished a vision screening for students in 3rd, 5th and 7th grades last Friday. This week families should expect to receive a referral letter if your child did not pass the screening and a problem with your child’s vision was identified. The referral letters will be mailed to you. If you haven’t received one, it means your child’s vision is good and no further actions are required. If you have concerns about the results or need any more information, please contact the Health Office at your child’s school. Thank you!
WCS: Maria Harlow, RN and Carol Albertelli, RN, 871-6170
ABS: Sylvia Love, RN, 871-6248
Board Games Needed for Indoor Recess
WCS is in need of some short board games to use during indoor recess for 5th & 6th grade students. If you have any of the following board games that you are no longer using, please drop them off at the WCS front office. Potential games include: Spot It, Elementos, Scattegories, Checkers, Connect Four, Uno, Cards, Jenga, Trouble, Boggle, Telestration or other games designed for a 15-20 minute span. Thank you!
Grade 2 Continental Mathematics League
Registration deadline for grade 2 is Oct. 19th. Meet dates: Jan 18, Feb 14, and March 21
For motivated students seeking an additional math challenge.
Participation in grade 2 is non-competitive. Students work in small practice groups and attend formal meets by house.
Audiobook Catalog
Boxtops for Education
Hannaford Helps Schools
FLU SEASON IS COMING FAST
Below are links from the CDC for your information.
If your student receives the Flu vaccine please be sure to let your schools Health Office know.
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".
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
Thurs. Oct. 18 / ABS Picture Retakes / 8 am
Thurs. Oct. 18 / Beginner Band Demo 4th Gr. / 11 -11:40 am / WCS Auditorium
Fri. Oct. 19 / NO SCHOOL / Parent & Teacher Conferences
Fri. Oct. 26 / Swift Fun Night / WCS / 5:30-8 pm
Sat. Oct. 27 / Movie Night at ABS / 6-7pm
Tues. Oct. 30 / CVSD Community Forum / 6-7:30 pm / CVUHS rm. 160
Fri. Nov. 2 / Meet & Greet Williston Safety Team / ABS Cafeteria / 7:45-8:30 am
Fri. Nov 2 / Developmental Screening / 9-11 am / ABS
Sat. Nov. 3 / Craft Fair / 9 am - 4 pm / WCS
Mon. Nov. 5 / Beginner Band Parent Night / 6:30-8 pm / WCS Auditorium
Thurs. Nov. 8 / FAP / 8 am - 10 am / WCS Community Room
Upcoming Events on the School Web CalendarDAML Programs
Click here to access the DAML web site listing of events.
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