Shelburne Community School
Weekly Newsletter
February 15, 2021
Principal's Message
SCS Families,
It wouldn't be a real week of school without facing some type of adversity, so with COVID numbers improving modestly from an early January peak, it's time to bring on the winter storms! OK, obviously I'm mostly kidding, but it does look like we are going to have an interesting week of weather watching ahead of our February break. Just like in our last storm, our district has some complex decisions ahead of them. If a snow day is called by noon on the preceding day, we will adjust to a remote learning day. But, if a snow day is called with more traditional timing (evening before or morning of) we will have a regular snow day with no in-person or remote learning.
I know there are strong opinions on both sides of this issue. Many folks have let us know that they feel a snow day is a joyous part of every child's schooling that must be maintained. Especially at a time where we are all seeking joy anywhere we can find it. Others have argued that schooling in a hybrid system is fractured enough. They would argue we should maintain routine and consistency for our students by using remote days. We hear and understand both sides. But, like you, we will wait and watch this week as things play out. At the end of the day, student and staff safety should really be at the heart of the decisions being made. Whether we have a snow day, a remote day, or a regular school day...we've all learned that our community is flexible enough to adjust and make the absolute most of it.
We do have some cool events going on this week that we would hate to see interrupted by weather. Jon Spagnolo and Nancy Haynes have worked their tails off to give our students a spelling bee experience this year. This is more challenging than it sounds because this activity incorporates students across grades 3-8 and now the VLA. Jon and Nancy had every excuse to close up shop when the larger Scripps Spelling Bee program was cancelled, but they and the students have pushed on. They look forward to hosting the first ever virtual spelling bee in SCS history! That will take place this Wednesday, and we have additional details below.
Our 5th and 6th grade students will be traveling to Shelburne Farms this week to cap off their cross-country skiing unit with Kelly Spreen. Kelly has taken the health and safety challenges of this winter so seriously, that her 5-8 PE classes have spent the vast vast majority of their time together, outdoors. It is rare that you see Kelly in the halls of SCS without her being full prepared for the elements. She has worked tirelessly to get the students outdoors and to ensure that they have the equipment they need to make the skiing unit a success. Taking a trip to Shelburne Farms seems like a perfectly picturesque way to end the instructional unit, before heading into break.
We want to thank the entire community for your support of the school in this school year unlike any other. As I have said before, each of these breaks feels like a milestone. While they are much needed and much deserved mental and spiritual breaks, they also feel like evidence of positive movement toward something better. The promise of longer days, sunshine, and outdoor learning seem very real all of a sudden. While I know that is silly, wishful, and overly optimistic thinking during February in Vermont, perhaps that type of thinking is exactly what we need right now?!?
Enjoy your break, enjoy your families, and all those hopeful thoughts about the spring and summer ahead of us.
Have a wonderful week!
Updates from Ms. Celmer
Important PreK-4 Reminders
I want to THANK ALL of our community members for your diligence in following our Health & Safety Guidelines (staying home when sick, wearing masks appropriately, distancing from others, washing hands/sanitizing frequently, no socializing beyond immediate family, no unnecessary travel, etc.) - this is how we’ve been able to provide our hybrid learning experience so successfully this first half of the year. We encourage everyone to continue these practices (even if you’ve been vaccinated) so we can finish the second half of this school year just as strong (or stronger)! If you or your family have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our amazing Health & Safety Team (Jocelyn Bouyea, Kelly Marcus, and Evie Brayman). We are committed to offering judgment-free advice and consider individual situations on a case-by-case basis in the best interest of everyone involved.
Our PreK Lottery results will be completed by March 1st. Stay tuned for more information.
This Friday, February 19th, we are planning on celebrating our 100th day of school! Zero the Hero will be visiting (virtually), and our 4th grade Leadership Team is coordinating a schoolwide Read-A-Thon!
FYI - Fun stuff to know about our PreK-4 community...
Prideful (Feel-Good) Moments - I would like to acknowledge how incredibly friendly and thoughtful our PreK-8 students are - they greet every adult in the building with a smile, greeting, eye contact, wave, and/or head nod (even the Principals!). I’ve seen students holding doors for other students and adults, I’ve heard students give friendly reminders about wearing masks or walking safely in the halls, offering to help with carrying things for others, etc. The overall feeling in the building is one of warmth and a true sense of community. I’ve been fortunate to witness this and be a part of this on a daily basis. Two regular highlights of my days have been greeting kids at drop-off/buses in the morning, and wishing them well at the end of the day during dismissal - what a great way to start and end the day! I hope all of the families reading this will share how proud we all are of our children for modeling what it means to persevere, show empathy, and compassion for others. We know that they are all going through challenging times (just like the adults), and yet they still show up every day and give their best. That one smile, wave, or even head nod can make someone’s day - even the little things can make a big impact!
Professional Development (PD) - During our Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings this week, we went back to our regular grade-level and department PLC meetings. We provided time for faculty to reflect and share out what our current Family Conferences and Family Communications practices are in each grade level and department. This information will be shared with our Program Council (vertical schoolwide PLC with reps from each grade level and department) to review and brainstorm ways we can enhance these experiences to make them more equitable and inclusive systemwide practices for our students and families. FYI, PreK-4 Family Conferences will be taking place remotely in March. Stay tuned to learn more details from your child’s classroom teacher.
Community Feedback - Please send our sincerest THANK YOU! To all of the students at SCS for the amazing Valentines, they provided to our residents here at Wake Robin. There were lots of smiles in our community center today as residents went to their mailboxes and found the surprise Valentine's from SCS students tucked inside. It made for an uplifting day and we all truly appreciate the hard work that went into making it happen! Thank you!!! ~ Gretchen Roberge (SCS Parent and Wake Robbins staff member). Our local community voted Shelburne Community School as the “Most Loved Public School” award on the Hulafrog website!!!
Ms. Celmer's Reflections on Recent Personal/Professional PD
Tuesday, March 9th, 10am I will be attending the Antiracism & VT School Leadership Drop-In for Vermont Principal Association (VPA) Members
Ms. Celmer’s Growing Mentor Text Library Collection - You know you’re a passionate educator, when you get excited to buy school supplies (seriously, it brings me joy to get a brand new pack of juicy markers or a brand new set of quality crayons) and new books! I personally use the free version of an app called Libib to keep an updated inventory of my mentor texts/books to read-aloud with kids and to share with teachers/families. The link above will take you to a Google doc that shows a small thumbnail image of the book, the title of the book and the author. If you click on the title, it will take you to Amazon (which is where I happened to purchase these books). Just a reminder, if you use Amazon.Smile, a percentage of your order could go to our SCS PTO :) Our DEI Coaching Team has provided some really helpful prompts for us to consider when making our book purchases; 1. Who writes the stories? 2. Who benefits from the stories? 3. Who is missing from the stories? I’m sharing this list of books with all of you - not to necessarily encourage families to purchase these books, but this is another form of professional learning and growth I wanted to share with you. I really enjoy visiting classrooms to read aloud with students and share these books with others - they spark the most interesting conversations by encouraging us to be reflective and curious! I just read the story, No Elephants Allowed, with Ms. Stephanie’s first graders - they were such a captive audience and showed genuine empathy and compassion for the characters/animals in the book.
One take-away (of many) from the book Upstream The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen by Dan Heath was taking 3 minutes to watch this video called Evan (from SandyHookPromise), and reflect on how we (adults) need to truly see every child and genuinely listen to every child to do our best to prevent tragic events from taking place in schools, such as gun violence and other harmful acts. Center for Health & Learning - Suicide Prevention Center
A few of my take-aways from the introduction of the book We Got This: Equity, Access, and the Quest to Be Who Our Students Need Us to Be by Cornelius Minor, are; “No great good can be done for people if we do not listen to them first. Powerful teaching is rooted in powerful listening...we find much of our power in collaborative work. When our ways of seeing children, planning for them, facilitating opportunities, and reflecting on those experiences are informed by what we learn from each other, all kids benefit. As teachers, we cannot guarantee outcomes, we can guarantee access. We can ensure that everyone gets a shot.” As you may know by now, I am a strong advocate for encouraging the Professional Learning Community (PLC) model to provide opportunities for collaborative practices to learn from and with one another, time to develop shared understandings for equitable experiences for all, and collective decision-making to increase access and engagement for all learners. We are better, smarter, stronger when we work together to achieve common goals - when we partner with colleagues, coaches, administrators, parents/guardians, etc. we make great things happen for kids.
PreK-4 Highlights - A sneak behind the PreK-4 Essential Arts classroom curtains (beyond See-Saw)...
Music - Our Music Department is focusing on instrument exploration with our young students and discovering Jazz music with the upper grades. "MANY thanks to one of our students’ parents, who was our special musical guest today!!!! The kids LOVED hearing and seeing his violin, viola, acoustic and electric guitars and mandolin! Did you know that the bow used to play is made of the hair from a horse's tail????!!!! WHOA!!!! It was a treat for ALL of us!!!" ~ Ms. Hilary, from a Kindergarten See-Saw post
Art - Our hallways are becoming more and more colorful and lively with the help of our students and Art Department (including a very creative Student Teacher) by painting murals on all of our lockers in the hallways surrounding our Library Exploration Center! The kids are having a lot of fun in station rotations in art class, which provides differentiation and universally designed lessons (considering multi-sensory learning experiences and providing multiple ways for students to demonstrate their skills and talents). This requires a lot more planning and preparation for the teachers, but the increase in student engagement and motivation is well worth it! Every student feels successful in some capacity in the art room! Ms. Morrison is excited to be able to offer some ‘messy fun art’ now that students have settled back into the classroom setting.
PE - Our K-4 students are experiencing more station rotation activities to keep all students engaged and moving through a variety of play-based and social activities. We’re all looking forward to Spring, where we can get outside a lot more, and really get our bodies moving! The ultimate life-goal of our PE department is to instill healthy habits for a strong and healthy life.
SCS News
2021 Scripps Spelling Bee at Shelburne Community School
Scripps SCS Advisors:
Jon Spagnolo, SCS Behavioral Specialist
Nancy Haynes, SCS Planning Room Co-Director
SCS School Virtual Spelling Bee is this Wednesday, February 17th, for Students Grades 3-8 who qualified for the SCS Bee through the written test. Beginning at 8:30 AM until a school champion emerges (stopping for breaks and lunch if needed). The google meet link is provided via email to all of the qualifiers.
Jon and Nancy established a Bee date that they hope does not conflict with any other important events. We want as many people to participate as possible,
Keep practicing! Consider these resources.
2021 School Spelling Bee Study List
DUE TO COVID-19, THE 2021 VERMONT SPELLING BEE HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
5/6 Cross Country Ski Trip
Students in the 5/6 grade will be attending a cross-country skiing field trip at Shelburne Farms. Students will travel on the bus and attend with their grade-level team for a morning or afternoon session. Students will have the opportunity to ski, snowshoe, or walk the trails whatever is the most comfortable for them. Below is the schedule for students:
Thursday FEB 18th 9- 11:30- GREEN 5th
Thursday FEB 18th 12-2:30 - GREEN 6th
Friday FEB 19th, 9-11:30- BLUE 5th
Friday FEB 19th 12- 2:30- BLUE 6th
Please remember to send your child with the proper outdoor gear (jackets, snow pants, gloves, hat, high socks). If you have any questions please contact me at kspreen@cvsdvt.org.
CVSD News
DEI Update
The newly formed CVSD Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team has been working hard to increase diversity, equity & inclusion practices throughout CVSD. Here are some updates we are proud to share with our community:
We have formed school-based (both student and staff) DEI teams that are meeting regularly.
Coaches are consulting with school administrators to offer more DEI resources to staff & community members.
We supported school librarians in bringing hundreds of diverse books to K-4 classroom libraries, along with resources and tools to promote conversations about identity, ability, and race.
Our Coaches completed a racial equity facilitator training, sponsored by the Equity Literacy Institute, and have since been invited to attend an advanced level training this spring.
Our team is Implementing district-wide professional development to address Black History Month and Black Lives Matter in the months of January and February, with on-going work for the remainder of the year and beyond.
We are providing resources and advocating for increased awareness and implementation of anti-bias, anti-racist, and ability inclusion teaching practices across our district.
Our leaders consulted with school counselors and Sam Drazin- we began the process of providing schools with the Changing Perspectives Disability awareness curriculum.
Our team leaders are attending monthly Courageous Conversations Sessions with a small group of administrators and Central Office Leaders.
How you can support us:
Join your community DEI group and help in the planning for more collaboration with your local school.
Share resources among yourselves- if you need some, reach out to your local school’s DEI coach.
Ask questions. Accept discomfort.
Uplift voices historically excluded populations.
Suggested resources:
View the CVSD DEI website directly from the District's website under Our District, or access it under District News on any school's site.
The CVSD DEI Team
Yasmin Gordon- CVSD.
Vicki M. Nelson - CVSD
Meagan Roy - CVSD Central Office
Katie Bedell - CCS
Cara Clopton - ABS/WCS (PreK-4)
Ryan Batche- WCS (5-8 )
Ainaka Luna - HCS
Robyn Suarez - SCS
Bageshree Blasius - CVU
Christina Deeley - CVU
ParentIN CVSD Partners with H.O.P.E. Works
H.O.P.E Works (Healing, Outreach, Prevention, Empowerment) is a non-profit organization serving Chittenden County dedicated to end all forms of sexual violence. Part of our mission is in education prevention, outreach and bringing awareness to various situations that can cause harm and how to safely plan to try and prevent that harm. Trauma can often lead to substance abuse issues in adolescence and in adults and children who have been exposed to trauma are 4 times more likely to develop symptoms of substance abuse as a way of coping or dulling the pain.
For the month of February, H.O.P.E Works and ParentIn are partnering to bring awareness and safety tips to some very important topics to protect our children from different forms of trauma and exploitation. The topics we will be covering are consent, respecting boundaries, and internet safety.
Why is it important to teach our children about consent? Consent can help keep children safe from potential child predators, sexual harassment, and exploitative relationship. Teaching our children about consent and respecting boundaries at an early age can help prevent harm from sexual assaults and misconduct from happening to them, and even from them causing harm to others intentionally or unintentionally. It can also help give a voice to children and empower them in navigating potential future difficult situations.
In teaching prevention at an early age, it will help students gain and maintain power over their bodies, and to be respectful to others. One in 9 girls and 1 in 53 boys under the age of 18 experiece sexual abuse or assault at the hand of an adult and 82% of all victims of sexual assault under 18 are female. Females ages 16-19 are 4 times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assaults and the rates are increasing in the 12-15 age group. Children in middle school and high school can be sexually assaulted by one of their peers or an older child in their community. For healthy relationships amongst peers, it is important to teach all children about consent and setting boundaries. By teaching and discussing consent and how to set boundaries, we can promote healthy behaviors and model healthy relationships and interactions amongst peers and adults and reduce harm and, in turn, reduce the likelihood of substance abuse. It is also critical for students to have trusted adults they can to regarding healthy relationships, consent, harassment and more.
We will also be examining the dangers of the internet and tips on how to keep your children safer as they navigate the internet and social media platforms. The internet has always provided a way for predators to locate and harm children and because of COVID-19 children are home and spending more time online with an increased time on social media. According to Homeland Security Investigations, since the pandemic began there has been a 150% increase in reported. incidents in Vermont of online child exploitation and attempted exploitation including both financial and sexual exploitation.
In Chittenden County we have seen an overall increase of this type of sexual harm and exploitation to children between the ages of 10-15 years and it is concerning. Children are vulnerable to a variety of online predatory behavior from sexual and financial exploitation. There are safety measures and tips that parents can use to help protect their child, as well as teaching children on safety tips as they navigate through the internet.
Please feel free to contact me at catherine@hopeworksvt.org for any questions or further information. H.O.P.E Works hotline 24/7 is available (802) 863-1236
CVSD Mid-Year Check-In: Share Your Thoughts!
We are excited to launch this Thoughtexchange to check in with you mid-year. Your thoughts about the first half of the year and suggestions for the second half will be reviewed as we plan for the remainder of the school year. We want to know what is important to you and what is going well.
This exchange will be open until February 21, 2021. Please share your thoughts and then rate the thoughts of others. See the tips in the Thoughtexchange to assist you. Thank you for sharing your perspectives with us! The Champlain Valley School District Administration
CVSD Proposed Budget for the 2021-2022 School Year
The letter referenced below is contributed by Kelly Bowen, CVSD School Board member and chair of the Finance Committee.
Dear CVSD Community Members and Voters,
FY22 budget season is upon us. While many voters may cast early ballots, for those who prefer to vote in person, TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021, is your chance to vote on the FY22 Proposed CVSD Budget and school-related Articles. (Articles and Ballot Questions refer to the same thing.)
As Finance Committee Chair, I am pleased to report that your District Administration and School Board are optimistic and future-focused. We developed the FY22 budget with a goal to return this August to the familiar in-person 5-day per week instruction.
There are NINE ARTICLES for voter approval this year. This letter will be the first in a series of communications to highlight the FY22 Budget Articles to help you prepare for voting. Read more at this link and find further information on the CVSD website: www.cvsdvt.org/budget.
~ Kelly Bowen
Food Service
We are so happy to share that the USDA has announced it is allowing schools to continue to provide free breakfast and lunch meals to all children 18 years old and younger. CVSD will be offering in-school meals, pickup, and delivery. To read about our program, see our menu, and place your order, go to our district website at https://www.cvsdvt.org/ and scroll down to "Foodservice." Our amazing food service team is excited to continue to serve the children of our community meals that are safe, nutritious, and delicious!
Your child will have the opportunity to order breakfast and lunch each morning when they arrive at school.
New Food Benefit Program for Families
We are excited to share a new food benefit program with families. An email went out about this on Monday, 2/8. We wanted to reach out in school newsletters as well to help inform families about this opportunity.
- There is no change to the current free breakfast and lunch for everyone 18 and younger. No action is necessary to continue to get free meals.
- Every enrolled student who qualifies for free/reduced meals is also entitled to an additional $60 - $100 per child per month - retroactive to September.
- Many families who did not qualify for free and reduced meals last year may qualify this year due to a change in family circumstances. Because meals are free for everyone, you may not have completed the application. In order to get this additional benefit, you will need to apply now.
- Families who were qualified last year are automatically enrolled. You do not need to do anything but are being asked to check the 'head of household" name and address so the electronic-benefit-card gets delivered to the right person/house.
Community Resources
The Part 2 afterschool program operated at SCS is aware that families are seeking information for next school year (especially incoming Kindergarteners). Director, Sara Twombly, would be happy to receive your email inquiries and has provided the following information in an effort to help answer any afterschool care questions.
Additionally, registration for the Part 2 Summer program that will operate at SCS is now open.
Nurturing Parenting Programs and Circles of Parents On-Line Offerings February 2021
Annually, The Family Support Team at PCAVT coordinates several Nurturing Parenting Programs (NPP) and Circle of Parents support groups (COP) throughout the region. At this time, they continue to offer these groups virtually! These are groups for parents who are looking for extra support and/or want to learn additional skills around parenting. Currently scheduled…
Ongoing Circle Of Parents
- Open Circle of Parents with Cindy Atkins on Thursdays from 10-11:30am
- Circle of Parents in Recovery with Cindy Atkins on Wednesdays from 5-6pm
- Circle of Parents for Moms of Color with Heather Niquette on Wednesdays from 10-11am
Coming Soon
- Circle of Parents in Recovery— with Amber Menard on Thursdays from 3-4:30pm starting February 4th (supported by Springfield Turning Point Center)
- Circle of Parents for Fathers— with Amber Menard, starting the third week of February (supported by the Clara Martin Center)
- Circle of Parents for Grandparents— with Amber Menard, starting February 16th from 4:00pm-5:00pm
New Nurturing Parenting Programs (typically run for 12 sessions)
- Nurturing Skills for Families on Thursdays from 6-7pm with Heather Niquette starting January 28th
- Nurturing Skills for Families in Recovery on Mondays from 1-2:30pm starting February 8th with Amber Menard (supported by Springfield Turning Point Center)
- Nurturing Skills for Families in Recovery on Tuesdays from 6-7pm with Cindy Wells starting February 16th
- Nurturing Skills for Families on Tuesdays from 7:30-8:30pm with Heather Niquette starting February 23rd
- Nurturing Skills for Families on Wednesdays from 2-3pm with Cindy Wells starting February 24th
Its All About Being A Teen
An Open and Genuine Youth Discussion Series for Middle School Youth Grades 6-8th meeting on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30pm from February 3rd - April 7th with Heather Niquette and the Essex Teen Center. For more information on individual weeks’ topics Click here for more information on the weekly topics.
Please email Heather Niquette or connect by phone at 802-498-0607 for more information and to complete an intake/registration form. Space is limited in each program and will be given on a first come, first served basis.
Important Upcoming Dates
(A complete calendar can be found on the SCS website)
Feb 17th - SCS Scripps Virtual Spelling Bee (8:30am)
Feb 18th - Green Grade 5 Cross Country Ski Trip (9:00-11:30am)
Feb 18th - Green Grade 6 Cross Country Ski Trip (12:00-2:30pm)
Feb 19th - Blue Grade 5 Cross Country Ski Trip (9:00-11:30am)
Feb 19th - Blue Grade 6 Cross Country Ski Trip (12:00-2:30pm)
Feb 21st - CVSD Mid-Year Check-In: Thoughtexchange Closes (11:59pm)
Feb 22nd-26th - No School, Winter Break
Shelburne Community School
Scott Sivo - Lead Principal (5-8)
Email: ssivo@cvsdvt.org
Website: https://www.cvsdvt.org/shelburne
Location: Shelburne, VT, USA
Phone: 802-985-3331
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShelburneCommunitySchool/
Twitter: @SCSLearns