THE SCHOOL BELL
Williston Schools /January 29, 2020
A Message From The Administration
by Angela Filion, ABS Principal
Do you ever notice how much people say, "I'm sorry?" If you really take the time to listen you will be surprised at how many times in a day you will hear people say it. My next question is...do we actually mean it? Often times it becomes a habit for us to say these words without really even thinking about it. When we are working with students to repair harm that tends to be the first thing we say to them is, "did you say I'm sorry?" However, what if they are not sorry? If we encourage kids to apologize and they don't mean it are we doing more harm then good? I talked to a few kiddos around this topic and when I asked them what they think about this practice of apologizing kids responded with, "it makes me more mad if I don't want to apologize and someone makes me," "sometimes they don't even mean it and are only saying it because someone told them to."
So what can we do instead to repair harm? Here are some ideas to explore: Help kids focus on communication rather than the ritual of apologizing. Helping children express their wants and needs, listen to each other, and restate what they heard others say may help them process on a deeper level. Empowering the child to repair things on their own and encouraging them to choose what they might do to make things better. You can give them ideas — writing a nice card, fixing what is broken, and saying "I know you'll figure out the perfect thing to do."
Recently our school counselor has done some lessons on using a healing basket with a variety of items in it for kids to choose from to make repairs (see below). We can all lead by example and model as children learn from us how to repair relationship problems. This means we need to make sure our apologies are sincere and that we aren't meaninglessly saying those two important words ourselves.
Read earlier posts here.
WCS 3rd/4th grade chorus
We have two performances coming up!
The 3rd/4th grade chorus concerts will be on
Wednesday, February 5th 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 a collar, and a tie
Option 2: dress or skirt of appropriate length, or dressy pants, with an appropriate top
Shorts, t-shirts, hats, athletic wear, flip flops, and jeans are not appropriate. Please do not wear them.
Please contact me with any questions or concerns.
Danielle Trasciatti-Holmberg (Mrs. T-H) dtrasciatti@cvsdvt.org
Flu Symptoms
We are starting to see Influenza-like-Illness activity in our schools. In an effort to reduce the spread of illness, any student who comes to the health office will have their temperature checked. We ask that you keep your child home until they are healthy (fever-free for 24 hours without medicine), reinforce the importance of covering coughs and sneezes with an elbow or tissue, and encourage thorough hand-washing. At school, we are reinforcing good hand and cough hygiene and cleaning in work spaces.
If your child has flu symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, fever, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills and feeling tired, please notify the respective health office.
If you have any questions, we encourage you to call our offices, your child's pediatrician or refer to the resources we have shared below.
Be well,
WCS: ABS:
Maria Kapetanovic, RN, BSN, MSN/Ed
ph: 871-6170
Carol Albertelli, RN, BSN
ph: 871-6171
Sylvia Love, BSN, Ed, RN,
ph: 871-6248
8th Grade Student & Parent Night
AN INVITATION
To 8th Grade Parents and Students of the Class of 2024
8th Grade Student & Parent Night
Champlain Valley Union High School
CVU Gym, Thursday, January 30, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
This evening will provide you and your child an introduction to the academic and elective programs they will experience in the 9th grade.
Thursday, Jan 30, 2020, 06:30 PM
Champlain Valley Union High School Gym
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.
Celebrating Connecting Youth Mentors at WCS
This year’s National Mentoring Month display in the front lobby of Williston Central School features colorful and vibrant balloons created by our mentoring pairs, and the words, “We soar to new heights when we are together.” The magic of CY Mentoring relationships is that they give both mentor and mentee one more nurturing place to grow, learn, and strive to be all they can be.
The 2020 mentoring poster was generously created by designer by Kevin Lewis of KLWorks and printed by PrintTech. See the poster above, along with a key letting you know our mentors’ years of service.
I am already starting to form our class of new mentors for the 2020-21 school year. I would love to hear from you if you are interested in learning more about this hometown volunteer opportunity.
Nancy Carlson
CY Mentoring Coordinator at Williston Central School
802-871-6046
ABS Guidance News
School Counselor Heather Scandale is in search of Mardi Gras Beads. Please bring to the main office at ABS. Thank you!
Guidance information and news can be found at
Penguin Plunge 2020
This year’s Penguin Plunge is on Saturday, February 1st. We invite all students, parents, guardians, and staff members to join our efforts by either taking the icy plunge or making a donation to support our brave plungers.
Last year, our 46 fearless plungers raised over $17,000 – placing us second among other schools across the state. Ironically, CVU took first! Our goal this year is to raise over $20,000.
The Penguin Plunge is a Special Olympics event that supports sports training and competitions, health screenings, and leadership opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
These fundraising efforts also support our very own Unified Sports Teams. On Monday, December 16th our Unified Bowling Team proudly represented Williston, bringing home two bronze medals, four silver medals, and three gold medals from the Champion Schools Bowling tournament in Barre.
If you’re interested in taking the plunge or making a donation, please click here . Questions can be directed to this year’s Team Captain, Ashley Sutton – asutton@cvsdvt.org. Ashley is a Special Educator at WCS and co-coaches our Unified Sports team.
Dental Cleaning
During the month of February, your child can receive a dental cleaning, exam, and fluoride rinse for $20.00. This will be done by a dental hygienist from Dr. Jace Molinari’s office. She will also offer helpful advice about good nutrition and dental care. The dental cleaning will take place at school during school hours, on Fridays in February (ABS – Feb 8th , WCS – Feb
15th ). If you are interested, please complete the form below and return it to the health office as soon as possible so plans can be made. The cost is $20.00 per student paid by cash or check.
Please return the form below to Health Office at WCS or ABS
_________________________
Student Name
___________________ _____ _______________
House / grade / Teacher
Has permission to participate in the dental cleaning program at Williston Schools.
____________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
___ check for $20.00 is enclosed
____ will send $20.00 cash with the student at time of cleaning
___ student attends Allen Brook
___ student attends WCS
Make checks payable to Lisa Bianchi.
Scholarships may be available; please contact your Health Office
(WCS: 871-6170; ABS 871-6248).
Family Reading Night March 26th
The Allen Brook School Library is pleased to invite your family to participate in the 2020 Family Reading Night. This is an opportunity for you to share a book with your child or entire family, then gather together to discuss the book with other ABS families. We’ll also enjoy cookies and cider here at Allen Brook that evening.
If you would like to participate, simply choose one you’d like to read with your family. Then, sign up by Thursday, February 6th, so that books can be sent home over the winter break. Books will be given out on Thursday, February 20th to all families who have signed up by Thursday, February 6th.
We have 7 book choices! Please sign up for a book using this online registration link:
Family Adventures in Reading Book Sign Up:
If you would like to join a group but intend to get the book by some other means, please email Mrs. Clopton in our library at cclopton@cvsdvt.org to let her know for food and group discussion planning purposes.
On the evening of Thursday, March 26th we will gather at Allen Brook School from 6:00-7:00 p.m. to discuss the books in small groups as we enjoy our treats! Please let us know in advance if you will not join us on this date so we can plan accordingly.
I hope that your family will enjoy the time spent together reading and talking about your book, and I look forward to seeing you on our family reading night.
Cara Clopton, ABS Librarian
Game Cart Donations
Do you have games on your shelf that aren't being used? Consider donating them to the "Indoor Recess Game Cart" at WCS. Students access the cart when it's below zero, pouring rain, or when the playground is icy. Connect Four, Heads-Up, Apples to Apples, Pokeman Cards, Exploding Kittens, Throw-Throw Burrito, Spot-It, playing cards, and dice games. Any durable game in good condition that can be played in about 20 minutes. Drop off donations in the front office at WCS, care of "The Indoor Recess Game Cart." Thank you so much for considering!
Baskets Needed!
Kindergarten Registration
Williston and St. George children who will be 5 years old by September 1, 2020 are eligible to enroll for Fall 2020 Kindergarten.
Please complete this registration packet and submit it, along with proof of residency, and copies of your child’s birth certificate and Immunizations, by January 31, 2020. If you would prefer we mail a copy of the registration packet to you, please call Laura at 802-871-6200.
Champlain Valley School District School-based Early Education Program Peer Lottery Application
The CVSD School-based Early Education Programs are now accepting applications for a random peer lottery drawing for the 2020- 2021 school year. Our preschools are 5 STAR accredited licensed early education programs that provide play-based, developmentally appropriate environments for all children. 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 are part day and partial weeks. Our programs generally follow the CVSD school calendar.
The lottery will be drawn in February 2020. Applications are due by February 6, 2020
Peers who will be age 3 or older by September 1, 2020 are eligible to enter the lottery for our programs.
If you are interested in your child being considered, please complete this form and deliver to your school.
All Breed Rescue
Hope on the Slopes
My name is Mitchell Niarchos. For my 8th grade challenge, I am working on a fundraiser called Hope on the Slopes (HOTS) for the American Cancer Society. HOTS is a day of skiing and riding at Jay Peak Sunday, March 1st. Teams compete in a vertical challenge and a fundraising competition. Après ski party, duck race and more. Read more here
Please consider joining my team, “Mayhem 2.0”, creating a team of your own, or donating to the event: Hope on the Slopes/Participate or Donate The $30 entry fee includes a lift ticket for the day if you raise $100. Email me at mitchellniarchos@cvsdvt.org with questions. Thank you very much!
WCS playground basketball court
My name is Kevin Lahiri. Help me as I seek funds to improve the WCS playground basketball court. The court is in need of some site work and new backboards, hoops and nets, so that the court is safe and functional. I have started a GoFundMe site to begin fundraising for this school improvement, which is part of my 8th Grade Challenge on Voyager House. Here is the link to my fundraising site.
Box Tops for Education
click for a video explaining the changes and more information
Bus Information
Part 2
Four Winds Volunteers
Monthly Fitness Fun
School Nutrition Program
Please make payment checks out to 'CVSD - ABS' or 'CVSD-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.
CVSD Meeting Schedules
CVSD Committee, Board, and and Budget Meetings
Committee meetings are on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 6 pm excluding Dec. and Jan., at CVUHS, Room 160, 162, 165
Regular Board Meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6 pm, excluding Dec. & Jan.
Tuesday Early Dismissal
ABS Dismissal is 1:35 pm.
WCS Dismissal 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.
Upcoming Events
Thurs. Jan. 30 / 8th gr. Student Parent night at CVU High School / 6:30-8 pm
Fri. Jan. 31 / kindergarten registration paperwork due
Fri. Jan. 31 / District 7/8 Music Festival
Fri. Jan. 31 / Variety Show / WCS Auditorium / 6:30-7:30 pm
Sat. Feb. 1 / Penguin Plunge
Wed. Feb 5 / Chorus (gr. 3-4) Concert / WCS / 6:30 pm
Thurs. Feb. 6 / Preschool Peer Lottery deadline
Fri. Feb 7 / School Dance / WCS / 6:30-8:30 pm
Wed. Feb. 12 / Four Winds Training / WCS Community Rm / 8:30-10:30 am
Thurs. Feb. 13 / FAPAC / WCS Community Room / 8:15-10 am
Feb. 17-21 / WCS Community Week
Feb. 24-28 / NO SCHOOL / Winter Break
Wed. March 11 / Grade 7-8 Concert / WCS
Wed. March 11 / Four Winds Training / WCS Community Rm / 8:30-10:30 am
Thurs. March 12 / FAPAC / WCS Community Rm / 8:15-10 am
Fri. March 20 / NO SCHOOL / Parent /Teacher/Family Conferences
Thurs. March 26 / Family Reading Night / ABS Library / 6-7 pm
More Links, More information
DAML Programs
Click here for Important info related to after school hours
Click here to access the DAML web site listing of events.
Recreation & Parks Offerings
Community Events
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