THE VIKING
Hinesburg Community School - January 8, 2021
The Principal's Corner
Dear HCS Families:
Our children continue to face major stressors outside of school that range from concerns around COVID to the political conflicts filling the news. This is why we are doing everything we can to make HCS a kind and caring environment where kids can feel accepted and safe. HCS is still a place where staff members commonly laugh in the halls and bring humor to their classrooms. At the same time, our teachers continue to provide meaningful learning and experiences.
For example, in walking through our Essential Arts classes these last few days, we saw students going out for a hike in their P.E. class, learning about coding from our Digital Learning Leader, and using the Spanish language in Ms. Luna's class to talk about their families. In art, meanwhile, we saw students creating with chalk pastels, while in music they were composing music in Mrs. Fay's class, and in Mrs. Sertz's class they were drawing pictures inspired by the classical music they were listening to. As a final leg of our walk-through, in the library, Ms. Moore was reading a picture book aloud to a class. In all of these cases, the kids were engaged and the teachers had clearly designed lessons and experiences that would benefit our kids. After all, we all joined the education profession so that we could make a difference in kid's lives.
Warmly,
John and Suzan
CVSD Preschool Lottery
Champlain Valley School District School-Based Early Education Programs Preschool Lottery is coming soon!
The CVSD School-based Early Education Programs are now accepting applications for a random preschool lottery drawing for the 2020-21 school year. Our part-time, partial days, preschool classrooms are 5 STARs, licensed early education programs that provide play-based, developmentally appropriate environments for all children in an inclusive setting. Our curriculum is based on the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS) and Teaching Strategies Gold. We believe that a diverse classroom offers opportunities for adults and children to practice acceptance and compassion and also provides a broad range of learning experiences.
Our programs closely follow the CVSD school calendar. Students who will be age 3 or older by September 1, 2021, but not yet 5 years old, are eligible to enter the lottery for our programs.
All applications must be received by February 5, 2021. You can download an application here: Early Education Lottery Application. More information is available on our CVSD Early Education Website also. Students will be selected via a lottery and families notified in early March.
HCS Basketball
Hello HCS Basketball Parents/Guardians,
It is my pleasure to announce to you that HCS basketball tryouts and practices will begin this coming Monday, January 11th after school.
Please see the ATTACHED letter with all of the detailed information regarding the 2021 HCS Basketball season. I would encourage you to read through this letter at least twice as it contains a lot of helpful information.
All the best,
Chris Shackett
COVID FAQ’s
Please click on the blue # after each bullet to learn more:
Why are social gatherings prohibited right now? #
Can I get together with friends and family? #
How can I report a person or business who is violating the Governor's executive orders? #
What do I do if I think I had close contact with someone who has COVID-19? #
When have I recovered from COVID-19 so that I can stop self-isolating (home isolation)? #
Do I need to quarantine if out-of-state visitors are staying in my home? #
Do I need to quarantine if someone I had close contact with is under quarantine? #
I am in isolation because I tested positive for COVID-19, but I can't avoid close contact with someone I take care of. Do they need to quarantine? #
I am in quarantine, but I can’t avoid close contact with someone I take care of. Do they need to quarantine? #
I take care of someone who is in quarantine, but I can’t avoid close contact with them. Do I need to quarantine? #
How can I celebrate the holidays safely? #
Should I be tested for COVID-19? #
Do I need to quarantine if someone I live with is waiting for their COVID-19 test results? #
When will I receive my test results? #
What is a “probable case”? #
Are children more susceptible to the COVID-19 virus? How can I help my children from getting sick? #
Is it safe to send my children back to school or child care? #
What if there is a case of COVID-19 in school? #
What does my college student need to do when they come home? #
Can I travel to Vermont? Are out-of-state visitors allowed? #
I have parental shared custody. Can my child and I travel without quarantining? #
Do I need a negative COVID-19 test result to return to work safely? #
Notes from PiE
Did you know YOU are a member of PiE? All parents of HCS students are welcome to join us for our monthly Zoom meeting Tuesday 1/12 at 7:00 pm, Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 823 5034 7892
Fun fact- PiE just allocated $2,500 grants in Grant money for the 2020-2021 school year! Your HCS student in Kindergarten through 8th grade can enjoy grant funded items such as snowshoes and middle school students will have access to screen printers, mindfulness tool kits, creation station craft projects and more.
Best Wishes,
The PiE Steering Committee
ParentIN
Being a teen can be tough. Parenting teens isn’t exactly easy, either.
That’s why we created ParentIN – to empower parents and caregivers of Champlain Valley School District students with the support they need to help their children make healthy choices. Reported substance usage among CVSD students drastically increases each year from 6th to 12th grade. We want you, and your child, to be prepared for what’s to come. ParentIN offers evidence-informed educational tips and resources, community engagement events, and facilitated meet-ups aimed at helping our kids live substance free lives.
You know a lot about your child; we know a lot about preventing substance abuse.
We are IN this together.
Please click to view our video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84fsOlNaJaA&feature=youtu.be
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
425-6285, 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.