School Start Times - Global Read Aloud for Grades K-4 - Hearing Screenings - WCS Craft Show - Beginner Band, grades 4 and up - CVU Cookie Love - Rotary Trunk or Treat and more...

by Greg Marino, Lead Principal

The Power of Partners, FAP Annual Fund

Families as Partners. Years ago, when I first heard the phrase I must admit having a bit of an odd reaction to the name. I thought to myself, “Why isn’t the “parent group” at Williston called the PTA or PTO, like it is in almost every other school in the country?” Why does Williston need to be different? But after this initial reaction, It became quickly apparent that there could not be a better name for this important group. As many of you likely know, P.T.A. is an abbreviation for Parent Teacher Association. Founded in 1897, the national PTA has done much to advance the education of students across the country with its mission to “...better the lives of every child in education, health, and safety.” Here is a link to the national website. It is worth a look.

There is much in a name though. I can’t help but think that if the national PTA had a chance to go back and rebrand they would much prefer the Williston version. What I personally love about the FAP moniker is that the name essentially embodies the mission. A genuine partnership between Families and the school. What educator would not want to come to work for a school with an organization called Families as Partners? The same is certainly true for families moving to the area who may be shopping for the very best schools for their children. But if it were just a nice name, without caring and dedicated people and actions behind it, we all know the power of “the brand” is lost. The Williston FAP is so much more than a perfect name, it is truly a collaborative and effective partnership that supports all students. A group whose volunteers work tirelessly to support and enrich the educational experience for all 1000+ students PreK - 8. No one could argue with the premise that when there are effective partnerships between teachers, staff, school leaders, students and families, we are substantially elevating the potential for raising happy, healthy, students who are prepared for a happy, healthy, and productive life.

I could not possibly list here all of the many programs, supplies, pieces of equipment, special field trips, guest artists, performers, and guest educators that the FAP has helped make possible for the students of Williston. Of course, this support and programming takes money. I am grateful that the Williston FAP has committed to providing its support to Williston Students, PreK - 8, in an equitable way. I am also very grateful that the FAP is not asking Williston students and families to participate in a multitude of fund-raising activities. The group is very intentional about not asking students and families to engage in the selling of products from catalogs, wrapping paper, frozen cookie dough, the list is endless. Not only are these activities an imposition on families’ time, it is often not an equitable approach to raising funds. These activities can also often be ecologically irresponsible.

So instead, the FAP asks families to do their part and chip in to the FAP Annual Fund. The annual fund is an effective low-impact model of raising funds where the responsibility is shared across families. These funds are then equitably distributed to enhance education for all Williston students. Over the last two years, mostly due to COVID, the FAP has not run a formal annual fund campaign, so to correspond with the FAP’s restart this year, I wanted to use the Bell article to celebrate and express gratitude for all the programming that is made possible as a result of this fund. Effective partnerships require that both parties commit to their responsibilities and place trust in the other. Effective teams require all to chip in for the good of the team and its collective goals. With this in mind, I hope you will consider making a contribution to the Annual fund today. Your contribution, regardless of amount, makes a real and tangible difference to the opportunities available to Williston students.

Allen Brook School day begins at 7:50 am

Williston Central School day begins at 8:00 am

All students arriving after these times will be marked late and must stop at the office for a late pass.

As part of the Global Read Aloud, Williston K-4th grade students are learning about the work of Caldecott Honor award author/illustrator Christian Robinson during their weekly library visits.

Over six weeks, students will experience these wonderful books with artwork by Christian Robinson and learn more about the illustrator.

Volunteers Needed! Please help us with the Fall Craft Show on November 5th. Volunteers are needed for set-up on Friday evening November 4th and during the event on Saturday November 5th. Find more information and available shifts on the sign-up link:https://signup.com/go/cQtyKze Or contact Karen and Paula at wsdcraftshow@cvsdvt.org. Thank you for helping with this important school fundraiser!

The Health Offices at WCS and ABS have completed testing students' vision and have now started testing hearing. Vermont schools are required by the state to test students' vision and hearing in Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th grades. Health Offices will be screening students in affected grades during the month of November with the goal to have it completed by December break.

The School Health Services program screens students for possible hearing problems in order to identify any barrier to learning that might be corrected. It is important to screen students to identify those with possible problems and to refer them to the appropriate healthcare provider for these reasons:

1. Temporary hearing loss causes students to miss crucial instructions in the classroom;

2.Parents may not be aware of a child’s mild hearing loss in everyday home situations;

3. Even mild losses may interfere with learning new vocabulary, which is critical for success in reading;

4. Hearing loss is invisible and the child may be blamed for “not paying attention;”

5. Hearing loss may be a sign of ear disease; and

6. Children with very mild losses or loss only in one ear may be experiencing school failure.

If you have any concerns, please contact the Health Office at your child’s school.

Thank you so much!

WCS Health Office

WCSnurse@cvsdvt.org

Maria Kapetanovic, RN

Carol Albertelli, RN

ph: 871-6170

Allen Brook Health Office

Sylvia Love, BSN, RN slove@cvsdvt.org

ph: 871-6248

We will go outside for recess every day unless there is heavy rain, thunder and lightening, or below zero temperatures. Please be sure to send your child with all necessary clothing and footwear.

If you need help locating boots, jackets, etc. please reach out to your school's guidance office.

We will celebrate with:

What: Bring a Stuffy to School Day

When: Tuesday, November 1st

How: Students and Staff may bring a stuffy from home. Stuffies MUST be able to fit in a backpack, and be small enough for the student to carry around.

Welcome to a new school year. We are excited to have back our old friends and welcome our new friends. Each school year brings about a great deal of changes and new adventures. In Physical Education we are always encouraging healthy lifestyle choices. We have had a walking program in place for several years and are excited about beginning another year of walking for fitness.

The walking program this year will be an adventure along the Appalachian Trail. As a school we are going to try to walk 2190 miles to equal the distance of all of the Appalachian Trail. This program is designed to get the children moving as well as the greater community. Each class will have times during Physical Education when they will try to walk or run to accumulate miles to add to the map hanging in the gymnasium. The map is updated regularly to show the school’s progress along the trail. In addition to Physical Education there are other ways the students can accumulate miles. For example, at school the teachers might choose to take the class out for a walk. Then all the teacher needs to do is send the PE department a quick note and those miles will be added to the map.

The way the community can become involved is simply take a few minutes to walk or run with your child. If your family chooses to go for a walk your child will get miles to add to the map. Additional walkers count as well. If you go for a walk of 2 miles and have 3 people, please write a note for 6 miles. The note can be very simple. My child “insert child’s name” walked (location of walk) number of miles (a good estimate is close enough). This note then gets brought into school and the student places it in the walking mailbox located outside of the gymnasium door.

Continue reading... click here for the full letter

We are excited to offer your child an opportunity to participate in Spark Enrichment, an after-school applied learning program for students in grades 5-8. Sessions will run for 5 weeks from 2:50 p.m - 4:20 p.m. with our 2nd session starting November 10th and ending December 15th. These small group classes will be facilitated by school faculty and staff. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities that can be found on the link below. Students and caregivers will receive an email (using the email given on the form) informing them of the assigned workshop on Monday or Tuesday of the week that workshops begin. In order to take full advantage of this learning opportunity, students will need to make a commitment to attend all five Thursdays. If your child decides to not take part in this session after having registered please contact Julie Rogers so that others may fill the spot. The after-school activity bus will provide transportation home for students in need of a ride home.

The dates of the session are: November 10, 17, December , 8, and 15. When registering, students will be able to rank their choices for better placement! Students will be placed on a first come first serve basis. Please use this registration form and a listing of workshop descriptions. Contact Julie Rogers (jrogers@cvsdvt.org) with any questions.

Important dates:

Friday, 10/28-- Students attend information meet and sign ups begin

Friday, 11/4- deadline for signing up for Beginner Band AND for

completing instrument rental contracts.

Monday, 11/14- Ellis Music Co. delivers instruments and supplies to Kim Thompson

Friday, 11/18- Beginner lessons start (Schedule will be shared with students. Instruments and

materials delivered by Ellis Music Co. will be given to students at their first lesson.)

At this time, 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 will perform later in the school year. Students may choose:

flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, or percussion.

*Percussion Notes:

*In order to provide a quality experience to all musicians, there is a limit of 8 percussion spaces. If interest exceeds space, places in this class will be chosen by lottery. Please note that omission of a second choice will not increase your chances of acquiring a space in percussion. Thank you for your understanding.

How to sign up:

Here is the Beginner Band sign up form, It is also available on the WCS Band webpage. Please be sure to sign up by 11/4 in order to ensure your child is enrolled in a class.

How to get an instrument:

Most WCS band students rent an instrument from Ellis Music Company. WCS Music has had a successful relationship with this Vermont family owned business for over 25 years. Renting from Ellis Music Company is encouraged, but you are welcome to rent from elsewhere or purchase a reputable used instrument from a private sale. If financial support is needed to participate, please indicate this on the sign up form.

Buyer beware: “Instruments” sold at general retail stores and websites are not recommended. They are typically made from lower quality metal, are often difficult to play and repair, or not repairable at all. If it’s brand new and the price is really low, be suspicious. When in doubt, please ask a music teacher.

If you plan to rent from Ellis Music Company:

1. Please sign up on time (11/4) AND complete your rental contract transactions online. Click here for pricing.

2. Percussionists can rent a snare drum kit OR purchase a book sticks and a drum pad.

3. If you cannot complete an online contract, please call or email Ellis Music Company for an alternative

method. (802-234-6400).

If you already have an instrument or plan to get one elsewhere:

1. Please allow Kim Thompson to help you determine that your instrument is in working condition.

2. Please purchase the book which will be used in class.

(wind players- Tradition of Excellence book 1, percussionists: Alfred Drum Method, Book 1)

Questions? Please contact Kim Thompson: kthompson@cvsdvt.org or 871-6033.

Basketball is a Winter Sport at Williston Central School. Tryouts are open to all students in grades 6th - 8th.

For more information please visit the WCS Athletics site.

Be sure to read the arrival and dismissal procedures for your student(s) school [linked below] if you plan to drop off or pick up your child. We appreciate all you can do to follow these guidelines to ensure a safe and smooth transition in and out of school!

Thank you for your continued cooperation during arrival and dismissal.

<<Attention ABS Families: Help us keep everyone safe by going to the designated areas for pickup and keep the sidewalks near the main entrance clear. This helps ensure adults can account for each and every pick-up that happens.>>

Wednesday: Early Dismissal!

ABS @1:35 - WCS @1:45

ABS Arrival & Dismissal - WCS Arrival & Dismissal

Just a reminder that we are not allowing students to ride on buses other than their regular route(s). This ensures all students are safe and accounted for. Seating charts will be used on all buses.

Join us in Paris….via the CVU main stage…for Amélie.
Amélie is an extraordinary young woman who lives quietly in the world but loudly in her mind. She covertly improvises small but surprising acts of kindness that bring joy and mayhem. But when a chance at love comes her way, Amélie realizes that to find happiness she’ll have to risk everything and say what’s in her heart. Be inspired by this imaginative dreamer who finds her voice, discovers the power of connection, and sees possibility around every corner.

Showtimes are Friday, November 11th at 7pm, Saturday, November 12th at 2pm and again at 7pm, and Sunday, November 13th at 2pm at the CVU theater. Purchase tickets ahead of time online at: https://www.ticketsource.us/cvutheater or at the door the day of the performance. Be sure to check the ticket site to see if the show is sold out. $10 General Admission; $8 Students/Children/Staff. All ages show.

October 20, 2022

It’s Turkey Time Again! The Williston Community Food Shelf is hoping to collect 150 turkeys for our

clients for Thanksgiving. We would appreciate it, if you would put this notice in your weekly

Bulletin/Newsletter, or post it on your bulletin boards, for the next few weeks.

The Williston Community Food Shelf will be hosting our annual “Turkey Drive” this year on Saturday, November 19, 2022 from 8:00-11:00 am at the Food Shelf, for the collection and distribution of turkeys. We are asking interested groups, and citizens, to drop off a turkey to the Food Shelf. The Williston Community Food Shelf is located at 400 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 130 (down behind the Williston Coffee Shop) in Williston. Alternately feel free to donate gift cards ($15 are best) from the local grocery stores, which we will give our clients to purchase their own turkeys. Gift cards can be

dropped off, or mailed to the Williston Community Food Shelf at P.O. Box 1605, Williston, VT 05495. Your kindness is appreciated.

With the recent increases in the costs of food and fuel, the number of clients seeking assistance at the Williston Community Food Shelf has risen rather dramatically in the last three months. We are expecting a large number of people to look to us to provide turkeys this year.

Please help us to reach our goal of having a turkey for each one of our less fortunate neighbors. If you have any questions, or need more information, please feel free call me. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Ginger Morton, President

Williston Community Food Shelf

info@willistonfoodshelf.com, (802)578-0586

11/03 - Clover to VT Statehouse

11/04 - Clover to VT Statehouse / WCS Craft Show Setup

11/05 - WCS Craft Show

11/16 - Picture Retakes, Morning @ ABS, Afternoon @ WCS

11/21 - 11/25 - NO SCHOOL - THANKSGIVING BREAK

Resources to keep accessible:

• First Call - 488-7777: phone support, crisis intervention, assessment and referrals
• In Crisis: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) (National Hopeline Network: USA)
• National Suicide Prevention Life line- 1-800-273-TALK (8255), call or chat online
• Crisis Text Line - text HOME to 741741 (24 hours a day, seven days a week)
• Outright Vermont - support for LGBTQ+ community
• UVM Breathe In Breath Out - How to deal with stress due to COVID-19
• Vermont 211 -Vermont database of resources and services
• Vermont Support Line (833) 888-2557) - peer support warmline open 247 - 365 for call or text
• COVID Counselors @ VT-211
• Teen Crisis Text Line - Crisis Text Line provides free emotional support and information to teens in any type of crisis, including feeling suicidal. You can text with a trained specialist 24 hours a day. Text “HOME” to 741741.
• Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide - Website where you can find information to help yourself or a friend who may be having thoughts of suicide.
• Trevor Lifeline - 1-866- 488-7386 - provides suicide prevention and crisis intervention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. It offers free, 24/7, confidential counseling. TrevorText—text START to 678-678; TrevorChat—instant messaging at TheTrevorProject.org/help. It also runs TrevorSpace, an affirming social networking site for LGBTQ youth at TrevorSpace.