CCS Newsletter
February 21, 2020
ADMINISTRATION UPDATE
Dear CCS Friends and Families,
Since today marks the last day before our Winter Break, we thought it was appropriate to share a couple of “Firsts” happening at CCS.
This week, we welcomed a new group of incoming kindergarteners and their families for our first Kindergarten Registration event. We are very excited for our next class of Little Champs!
In response to a lot of interest from students and a great amount of support from families, CCS will be offering some spring sports locally.
- 7-8 Volleyball, coached by Nicky Elderton
- 5-8 Track and Field, coached by Dave Baird
- 7-8 Baseball, coach TBD
On the last Friday of the month, the staff gathers for an early morning appreciation breakfast. This month, we celebrated the upcoming arrival of Baby Grey. Best wishes to the Grey family!
While these are not firsts, a few other exciting things happened at CCS this week!
Our CCS Scripps School Spelling Bee took place on Wednesday afternoon. We had a large group of finalists and they all showed up ready to compete! We are proud of all of the finalists, including our 2020 School Champion Julia Lollis! Julia is studying for the Regional Bee at St. Michael’s College in March.
Also, on Wednesday, SAP Amy Sayre accompanied several middle school students from CCS at the Youth Empowerment Conference. Students in attendance included Charlotte Chant, Rebekah Lucia, Whitley Pidgeon, Ruby Flinn, Max Ford and Griffin Hengelsberg.
We wish all of you a warm winter weekend and a wonderful Winter Break!
Kind Regards,
Stephanie, Jen and Cassandra
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, February 24th through Friday, February 28th
NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
Tuesday, March 3rd
Town Voting & Town Meeting, MPR, 7:00am - 7:00pm
Early Release, 1:55pm
Friday, March 6th
Principal Q&A, 7:45am - 8:15am
Tuesday, March 10th
Early Release, 1:55pm
Wednesday, March 11th
Field Trip - VAMLE Conference at Champlain College (select students), 8:15 - 2:30
Friday, March 13th
Trimester 2 Ends
Teacher Appreciation Luncheon, sponsored by 3rd & 4th grade families, Staff Rm, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Dance! Grades 6-8, MPR, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Tuesday, March 17th
Early Release, 1:55pm
Wednesday, March 18th
Field Trip - 5th Grade Chorus to Elley Long Music Center, 8:05am (no return to CCS)
Thursday, March 19th
Variety Show, sponsored by the PTO, MPR, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday, March 20th
NO SCHOOL - Parent Teacher Conferences
Monday, March 23rd
Field Trip - 1/2 Team to Flynn Theater, 8:45am - 11:30am
Tuesday, March 24th
Early Release, 1:55pm
Thursday, March 26th
Shrek the Musical! MPR, 7:00pm
Friday, March 27th
Shrek the Musical! MPR, 7:00pm
Saturday, March 28th
Shrek the Musical! MPR, 7:00pm
Tuesday, March 31st
Early Release, 1:55pm
LOST AND FOUND
The Lost and (not yet) Found is once again overflowing. Please have your child(ren) check the tables in the MPR lobby (by the trophy case) for any missing items. These items will be donated on Friday, February 21st (before the Winter Break). We hate to give away family's missing items, so please come by!
6TH GRADE "BILL OF CIVIL RIGHTS"
6th-grade students have spent the past 7 weeks studying social inequality in the US as well as the Bill of Rights and its protections of individual rights. We began by exploring data showing where inequality arises in our society, such as income disparities, religion-based hate crimes, and incarceration rates. From there, we investigated amendments to the Constitution and how they were intended to prevent inequality. We noticed there were some gaps in who was being most protected, and began creating our own amendments that directly addressed inequality we see today. After committees were formed and final drafts of amendments were written last week, students voted on amendments for their own “Bill of Civil Rights” that they believed would help conquer inequality and create a more fair society. They bring hope to their teachers for a brighter, more equal world!
EMPOWER YOUTH CONFERENCE
The Empower Youth Leadership Conference was attended by 6 of our CCS 6th graders on February 19th. The conference focused on helping participants grow their personal leadership skills. Middle school youth from across Chittenden County participated in fun, interactive workshops where they learned success strategies, tips for stronger minds and bodies, how to create a vision for their future, and how to communicate more effectively with parents and peers. They had the opportunity to discuss world issues and culture with teens in Uganda through a live Skype conversation!
CALLING ALL 6-8 GRADE VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS
CCS volleyball is right around the corner and the deadline to sign up is coming up. Mr. Elderton will be coaching the team this year and we are trying to get an official roster before the start of February break. The season will be from March 2nd - March 27th, with 1 match against another CVSD school each week. No volleyball experience is required. If you are interested in signing up, please follow the sign-up link below. The official schedule of practices and matches are also below.
Official CCS Volleyball sign up form
WHEN SHOULD I KEEP MY CHILD HOME?
Parents/Guardians often ask us when they should keep their child home and when they should send their child to school. In general, we encourage parents to ask themselves, "Is my child ready to be a student today?" If their illness is preventing them for being a productive member of their class, then staying home is best. Also, please keep in mind that a sick child can spread illness to their classmates so staying home is also important for others' health as well.
• Fever (greater than 100°) You must keep your child home until your child’s temperature is back to normal (less than 99°) for at least 24 hours before returning to school without the use of fever-reducing medication (Tylenol or Ibuprofen)
• Coughing (excessive) Your child’s cough should be “dry” sounding and easily controlled by a drink of water or cough drop before returning to school.
• Vomiting or Diarrhea Your child should be able to eat food and drink liquids without vomiting or diarrhea for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
• Red or Draining Eyes Please keep your child at home and check with a physician to ensure your child does not have conjunctivitis.
• Excessive Nasal Drainage Please keep your child at home and check with a physician to ensure your child does not have an infection.
• Lice Please treat your child’s lice and nits with proper medication, and let the nurse know if your child has lice so proper precautions can be taken to reduce cases of head lice in the classrooms. Children may return to school following proper treatment.
• Unusual Rash Please keep your child at home and check with a physician to ensure that the rash is not contagious.
• Infection If your child has been tested or treated for any contagious infection, please ensure that he/she has been taking the prescribed medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
If you give your child medication such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen prior to them coming to school, please let the school know. This does not prevent illness from spreading if your child is sick, it will only mask the illness for a few short hours.
Keeping your students home when they are sick is vital in preventing the spread of illness and helps keep our students and staff healthy.
CCS staff understands this can be a hardship on families. Please plan ahead for an unexpected illness. Working out a “Plan B” can relieve the stress associated with an ill child. Most often, a child who comes to school not feeling well comes to the Health Office needing to go home. This can be stressful for a parent as well.
Thanks for your support in helping to prevent the spread of germs!
CVSD CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION BOND ON TOWN MEETING DAY BALLOT
On the ballot for Town Meeting Day, March 3, not only will there be articles about the school district’s proposed budget, fund balance, and school buses, but this year there will also be an article about the proposed Capital Construction Bond. Information about the other articles will be shared in upcoming posts, but we wanted to share details about the proposed bond with our communities as soon as possible. We hope this article answers some immediate questions. Please view the Budget page of the CVSD website for additional information about the proposed budget and bond. www.cvsdvt.org/budget.
CVSD BOND PROPOSAL INFORMATION
Information about the Proposed CVSD School Budget and Capital Construction Bond
The District has added new materials to the website, including 2 new videos! We hope this helps to inform our communities and voters about the Proposed CVSD School Budget and Capital Construction Bond. You may access this by going to https://www.cvsdvt.org/ or straight to the Budget webpage at https://www.cvsdvt.org/budget
CVSD BOND PROPOSAL INFORMATION
CVSD $6 Million Bond Proposal Information - District-Wide Facility Improvements and CCS Building Efficiency Improvements Project
As part of its ongoing facility stewardship, CVSD is planning the next steps in building renovations to CCS. The thermal performance of the building is severely compromised due to a degraded envelope, causing significant waste in the form of out-sized fuel oil heating bills. Due to water-damaged siding and inadequate building insulation, as well as poorly-controlled, outdated mechanical systems, the building experiences great temperature swings throughout the day. Spaces lack adequate mechanical ventilation, often resulting in stale, stuffy, hot classrooms. These conditions result in health impacts on students and staff in hot and cold weather, and significantly impact learning.
Please click here for in-depth information: CCS Phase 1 Handbill or visit the CVSD Capital Construction Website.
We will be hosting informational tours at CCS on the following dates:
Monday, February 17th - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 18th - 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
GIRLS ON THE RUN IS COMING TO CCS
During each Girls on the Run season, girls make new friends through fun games and talking about what matters to them! Our trained coaches facilitate activities, challenges and discussions from our research-based curriculum to help each girl activate her limitless potential.
Participants develop confidence and tools for managing emotions, resolving conflicts and setting goals to navigate life challenges through adolescence and beyond! Physical activity is woven into each session to inspire a lifetime of wellness. After the 10-weeks, girls complete a 5K and see that the finish line is just the beginning!
GOTR is a spring program open to 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. It starts the week of March 31st. Our team will meet Tuesdays, 2:00-3:45 and Fridays, 3:00-4:45. Our season culminates with Girls on the Run Vermont’s celebratory 5K on June 6th at Champlain Valley Exposition Center.
The registration fee is $100. GOTRVT provides financial assistance directly on the registration form for qualifying families. Please contact GOTRVT at 802-871-5664 regarding financial assistance options.
Registration is now open online at GOTR Registration . Visit www.gotrvt.org for more info! Questions? Contact Jeanne Kaczka-Valliere, Jeanne.kv@gmail.com.
2020 SUMMER CAMPS
Camp Basin Harbor - ages 4-12. Two week long camps: June 15th - 19th and June 22nd - 26th.
Generator Kids Summer Camps - various ages / camps
Rosie's Girls 2020 - Explore the exciting range of activities we have in store for middle school girls and gender non-conforming youth entering grades 6-8 this summer. This year we have more camp spots open than ever before, meaning more opportunities for youth to explore the skilled trades and STEAM fields.
Vermont Comedy Club Summer Camps - Ages 11-19. Week long camp available in June, July and August.
Vermont Jazz Camp - July 6 - July 10