THE VIKING
Hinesburg Community School - April 9, 2021
The Principal's Corner
Hi everyone, this has been an interesting week at HCS. As you read Monday evening, we had a COVID positive case early in the week and a good percentage of our staff members received their second vaccinations. The good news is that the state is getting closer and closer to opening up vaccinations for all adults. When this happens, we encourage all of you to schedule yourselves as early as possible.
COVID cases in Vermont have often been exceeding 200 a day, and schools within CVSD are reporting COVID positive cases to their families on an almost daily basis. In fact, during last week alone, one in seventeen CVSD students within the entire PreK-12 system had to quarantine for at least part of the week after being identified as a close contact. Our concern of course is that Easter gatherings might fuel an additional rise in numbers as might gatherings happening over April vacation. Thus far we are not seeing cases of in-school spread, so that is definitely good news, but please do your best to continue practicing COVID safe practices outside of school.
We believe the governor will announce today that 7th and 8th graders can be seated 3 feet apart. If and when this occurs, we plan to basically stick with our current plan of keeping our 7th and 8th graders six feet apart. With the COVID numbers we are seeing in the area, we don't want to take the risk of bringing kids closer together.
On the positive side, the weather is warming, the sun is shining and we have a ton of kids walking and riding their bikes to school. It's hard not to start school every day with a smile on our faces. Have a wonderful weekend.
Warmly,
Suzan and John
Superintendent and Director of DEI Search Updates
The searches for both our new Superintendent and the CVSD Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are well underway. We have updated both headlines on the District's website to provide information about the process and current status.
Stay tuned for more information as each process reaches its conclusion.
Education Law Workshop for Families of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind Students
"Education Law Workshop for Families of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind Students"
Sponsored by Vermont Hands & Voices
April 17, 2021 3-5pm via Zoom
Are you the parent of a D/deaf, hard of hearing or DeafBlind school-aged child in Vermont? Have you ever wondered what your child’s school is required to provide by law? Does your child qualify for compensatory (make-up) services due to COVID?
Join Vermont Hands & Voices on Saturday, April 17th from 3pm – 5pm for this free workshop via Zoom to discuss these questions and more. Rachel Seelig, Disability Law Project Staff Attorney, Vermont Legal Aid, will be providing information on the educational impacts of COVID, ADA Title II’s effective communication mandate, and other information pertinent to a D/deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind child’s education. This workshop is focused on parents and families of school-aged children 3-22 years old, but professionals are welcome to attend. ASL interpretation will be provided, and CART can be arranged if requested ahead of time. Pre-registration is required at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9YCHY78 .
Do you have specific questions you'd like answered? You can submit your questions on the registration form if you register by April 12. If time allows, we will have a Q&A time at the end of the workshop.
National Deaf History Month
National Deaf History Month takes place each year from March 13 through April 15 to commemorate the accomplishments of the Deaf and hard of hearing (DHOH) community and their continued fight for equality and inclusion. The time frame is spread across March and April in recognition of three landmark achievements in DHOH education: the 1817 founding of the first American public school for the Deaf; the 1864 founding of Gallaudet University, the world’s first higher education institution for DHOH students; and the 1988 hiring of I. King Jordan, Gallaudet’s first Deaf president.
Source: INSIGHT Into Diversity: https://www.insightintodiversity.com/national-deaf-history-month-celebrates-the-power-of-student-protest/
More Info:
March 2021: https://www.insightintodiversity.com/national-deaf-history-month-celebrates-the-power-of-student-protest/
March 2020: https://www.insightintodiversity.com/national-deaf-history-month/
Deaf Historical Resources: https://www.gallaudet.edu/museum/deaf-historical-resources/
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 we’re 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.
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
482-6285, 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.