SCS Weekly Newsletter 3.6.23
Week of March 6, 2023
Principals' Message
Hello SCS Families and Caregivers,
What a way to enter a much-needed February break with a snow day just before the break! As we welcome the month of March, let's hope the saying holds true - 'in like a lion, out like a lamb', regarding what's in store for our weather when we return from the break.
Between now and our April break, you can expect teachers to invite you to a conference to learn how your child is progressing at this point in the school year. Please be sure to sign up for a time - we hope to connect with 100% of our families for conferences.
This is also the time of year where we start the process for planning for summer and the following school year (ie summer school recommendations, placement, transitions, schedules, etc.) We are currently looking to fill our Summer Program Coordinator position, if you are interested in learning more about this position, please reach out to Alison Celmer at acelmer@cvsdvt.org. (There are more details below regarding our Summer Programs.)
There's a lot to celebrate and look forward to in the coming weeks...keep scrolling to learn more!
We hope you all enjoy a wonderful week with family and loved ones.
Take care,
Alison, Brett, & Emily
SCS Food Smart Updates
Harvest of the Month is on its way. The March harvest is Maple!
Becky will incorporate it on the lunch menu thanks to the efforts of the student council.
On March 7th Palmers Sugarhouse will come to the cafeteria and will talk to all grades over lunch about the sugaring process, the health benefits of maple and what you can make with it.
On March 14th the 2nd grade will prepare roasted root vegetables tossed in maple that will be served the next day with the hot lunch.
If you would like to get involved with SCS Food Smart, please contact scsfoodsmart@gmail.com.
Safety Reminders for Drop-Off/Pick-Up Lane
Mentoring at SCS - CY Mentoring (grades 5-8) and Everybody Wins! (grades 1-4)
If you've had experience with either of our mentoring programs - CY Mentoring and/or Everybody Wins! Mentoring - please share your thoughts about our mentoring programs with us using this Google Form.
Thank you!
Kindergarten Bulletin Boards
Summer Programming Plans (so far)...
- Summer School will be July 10th through July 28th. This year Summer School will be Monday-Friday from 8am-11:30am. We will have one bus to provide transportation to and from SCS, and we will provide a breakfast snack for all students. The purpose of summer school is to reduce academic regression. Students currently receiving additional support for math and/or literacy during the school year, may be recommended to continue these services through summer school. Our Educational Support Team (EST) will reach out to families if we recommend that your child attend summer school this year. Attendance at summer school is extremely important, please register your child if your summer schedule allows for consistent attendance. For questions about SCS Summer School, please reach out to Alison Celmer at acelmer@cvsdvt.org (for now).
- Multilingual Language (MLL) Camp will be July 10th-July16th, Monday-Friday, from 8am-3pm. The purpose of MLL Camp is to provide experiential learning opportunities through local field trips and peer connections. If you have questions about MLL Camp, please reach out to Patti Tursi, Erika Monaghan, or Robyn Suarez.
- Part2 Camp will be held at Hinesburg Community School this Summer. For more information, please contact Part2 at www.part2kids.com.
SCS Read-a-thon Update!
If you haven't signed up for PledgeStar yet, it's not too late. The read-a-thon continues until March 10, so register your family so you can begin tracking minutes today. Go to pledgestar.com/shelburne on your computer or download the PledgeStar app and use code "shelburne" to join on your phone. There will be a minute tracker in the school lobby beginning next week so we can all see how much we're reading at SCS.
Also, our community book groups have begun! This is for both students and adults/caregivers. Pick one of the suggested books to read on your own, with your child, or with a friend. If you'd like to purchase books from our sponsor The Flying Pig, SCS families get a 15% discount! Then let’s talk about the books! K-4 readers can share ideas and respond to each other via Flipgrid, while 5-8 students and families can join an in-person discussion (over pizza!) in the Green Team common area on March 9 at 6 pm (RSVP here).
Questions? Email scsreadathon@gmail.com. Happy reading!
American Heart Association - Jump Rope for Heart Fundraiser Challenge Update
Congratulations! Shelburne Community School is #1 in the state of Vermont! We exceeded our goals with this fundraiser and raising awareness through education from the American Heart Association. Thank you all for your active participation and support! Our SCS community raised over $5,000 to go towards our new indoor rock climbing wall in our gym - thank you so much!
We even got to duck tape Ms. Alysia and Mr. Nick to the wall this afternoon :)
Morning Movement Volunteers
If you could help us out one day per week, or five days per week, we'd be grateful! Please reach out to Alysia Wakeman at awakeman@cvsdvt.org for more details.
SKAT Updates
Upcoming Musical Plans
Here is more information from Amy Riley about the musical. This includes information about:
- Auditions
- Rehearsals
- Teach Team
- Performances
- Strike (wrapping up the performances)
If you are a 6-8 student, would like to be part of the SCS Musical, and didn't attend Tuesday's informational session with Amy Riley during the school day, please see Jane in the main office to give her your name and she'll add you to the list Amy created during the informational meeting.
For more information, Amy Riley can be reached at amyhalpinriley@gmail.com
Multicultural Movie Series Schedule At Pierson Library
February 28, 6-8 pm Hidden Figures.
“The inspiring true-life story of three brilliant African-American women who worked at NASA during the '50s and ‘60s and played a key role in the first manned spaceflight program. The film offers a stark but important view of the Civil Rights Era and segregation, strong female role models, and positive messaging.” Tinybeans.com
PG. Ages 10+. 120 min. Pizza & Harmony’s Kitchen Honey Cornbread
March 25, 1-3 pm Science Fair
“Science Fair is a fascinating, inspiring documentary about teens competing in the prestigious Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), which is held each year; more than 70 nations are represented by 1,700 entrants…There are also strong themes of curiosity, communication, perseverance, and teamwork.”Commonsense Media.org.
Documentary. Ages 8+. 90 min.
Lost & Found Items - claim by March 10, 2023
How do YOU like to learn?
As we near Town Meeting Day, Champlain Valley School District community members and voters have the opportunity to learn more about the proposed 2023-2024 (FY24) budget. Just as we offer opportunities for our students to learn in a variety of ways, we are providing the same to you. Please attend an in-person presentation, see videos and slides, read articles, or view charts and graphs on the Budget page of the district’s website and in our Annual Report. Find the manner that best suits your style of learning to be an informed voter. If, after that, you still have questions, reach out to the CVSD School Board cvsdschoolboard@cvsdvt.org or use the School Board or Budget Let’s Talk topics https://www.cvsdvt.org/page/268 Please join the CVSD Annual Informational Meeting on Monday, March 6, 2023, at 5:00 at CVU.
See the Annual Warning on the budget page of our website for all of the CVSD ballot articles. All eligible residents in Champlain Valley School District towns are encouraged to vote on March 7th or earlier.
CVSD Launches Vaping Prevention Campaign
We are excited to announce our CVSD and Connecting Youth Vaping Prevention Campaign. More information will be shared in alignment with the VT Department of Health's Prevention Week. In the meantime, please check out the following resources:
"Let's Talk About Vaping" - Informational video for educators and caregivers
"Up In Smoke" - Student video (featuring SCS alumni)
Helping all students make healthy choices is a community-wide effort, and we appreciate the support of our amazing families and caregivers in building and maintaining a culture where kids are empowered to do so. Thank you!
CVSD Intra-District Choice
SCS Yearbook Orders
The 2022-23 SCS Yearbook is now on sale! The cost is $32. All students at SCS are included in the yearbook. Orders can be submitted to your child's classroom teacher or on-line until April 7th. Order forms went home last week.
You are also welcome to order online anytime until April 7th. The link to order on-line is: Yearbook sales
Scripps Spelling Bee
Quinn T. emerged as the 2023 SCS Scripps Spelling Bee champion on February 21 after a spectacular showing from all involved. Quinn is a 7th grader on the Yellow Team. Over 200 students participated in the written qualifying exam this year, with the top 20% of spellers from each grade level being invited to compete in the school bee. The championship was decided after 25 rounds.
7th grader Luci S. and 6th grader Evan F. were the second and third place runners up. These three students did a fantastic job and their hard work and dedication to practice was apparent.
Scripps has consistently had the largest number of SCS students participating each year across Grades 3-8 of any extracurricular activity. Quinn will move onto the Vermont State Spelling Bee which will be held on March 21st from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at a location to be announced at a later date. School bee winners from across the state will gather here for a robust and exciting competition.
New Spring Course Offerings From Access CVU
Wow! Don't miss the new offerings from Access CVU. Access CVU is pleased to announce the Winter/Spring 2023 Catalog is now open for registration! With over 170 classes and 80 instructors, there is something of interest for everyone and all ages. There are 63 in February alone! Get information about the courses, how to sign up, and more on this CVSD Story blog post.
Let's Talk
SCS PTO
Still Need More Information?
Website: https://www.cvsdvt.org/shelburne
Access Information on the CVSD Website
See the year at a glance on the 2022-2023 K-8 School Year Calendar.
The CVSD Mission is to develop citizens who learn, think, live, contribute, and pursue excellence. See The CVSD Story.
Shelburne Community School Administration
Brett Cluff, 5-8 Principal
Emily Cogan, Director of Special Education