THE SCHOOL BELL
Williston Schools / May 30, 2018
A Message from the Administration
Renovation and Ridin’ Hy
by Greg Marino
As students and staff can see the finish line for another amazing educational journey this year, we are also nearing the end of our WCS renovation adventure. Just one short year ago, I was writing about how teachers were beginning the daunting task of packing up their classrooms so that the WCS renovation work could begin as soon as they left for the summer. Our construction team knew that every day would count. They were right. I am so pleased to report that the project is now 80% complete, remains on schedule, and is expected to be completed prior to teachers returning for inservice days in August. I know I have “rung this bell” several times already this year, but I must take another opportunity to thank and commend WCS students, faculty, and staff for their flexibility, patience, and professional can-do attitude as they have navigated the many twists and turns, moves, and relocations over the last 11 months. Just last week, the Mosaic team, Music faculty, and Enrichment programs all had to pack up their classrooms and make the move into the newly refinished Brick hallway. For Music and Enrichment this move will be permanent. For the Mosaic team, however, it’s only a temporary move designed to allow ReArch to get a three week head start on the summer phase and the renovation of the Mosaic wing. Of course, this all had to occur while school was in session, which was no small feat. As usual, everybody pitched in and made it happen in classic WCS fashion. One incredible example of this team spirit was Harbor House offering to take the Mosaic students for a few hours on Friday so that faculty and staff could finish setting up their spaces for instruction. Wow! Please take a look at these images showing the latest completed phase. It has been exciting to see the oldest section of our historic structure getting a fresh and clean look. It has opened to rave reviews!
WCS Open House / Ribbon Cutting Celebration: Stay tuned for more information about a special open house / ribbon cutting event happening this August to celebrate the completion of the project. Though some sections of the building will have been done for nearly a year already, we wanted to mark the occasion of having the entire project complete by inviting the community to come and see what their support, and some great teamwork, has made possible.
8th graders celebrate at Ridin’ Hy: It was a privilege for me to again join the 8th graders on our second annual school-wide 8th grade overnight trip last week to Ridin’ Hy Ranch in tbe Lake George Region of NY. There were so many moments on this trip when we got to see our 8th graders interacting, sharing laughs, playing games, paddling a boat around the lake, catching a fish, taking a quiet trail ride on horseback, or just enjoying a few quiet moments to sit with friends and talk … or not talk. Here’s a great group shot that also catches the amazing weather we had for the trip.
This is an exciting time of year with many endings and beginnings to celebrate. I would like to wish all Williston families many happy endings and beginnings as we navigate the end of our school year and transition into summer. Here’s to all the important learning moments that are yet to happen these next few days in ABS and WCS, as well as outside of the school buildings over the coming summer months. Enjoy!
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:
Placement Transition Dates
Lower Houses
Step up for incoming gr. 3 / Fri. June 1 / 8:45-9:45 am / WCS
Kindergarten Step Up /Tues. June 5 / 8:30-9:30 am
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
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.
Chorus Concerts
The 3rd/4th grade chorus concerts will be on
Wednesday, June 6th at 2:10pm and 6:30pm in the WCS auditorium.
The musicians are required to wear concert attire* for both concerts.
The musicians 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.
Sincerely,
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)
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.
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.
Part 2 Registration
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
Last school day is Friday, June 15. Dismissal is at 11:40 (ABS) / 11:55 (WCS)
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. May 30 / Bookmobile at ABS
Wed. May 30 / Kaleidoscope team performance / Auditorium / 6pm
Thurs. May 31 / Bookmobilie at ABS
Thurs. May 31 / FAPAC Mtg. / WCS Dining rm. / 8:15-10 am
Fri. June 1 / Step up for incoming gr. 3 / WCS Auditorium / 8:45-9:45 am
Tues. June 5 / Kindergarten step up / 8:30- 9 am
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
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