Wildcat Buzz
Transcend Visit and Student Focus Groups
This week’s work was just one step on our journey to co-create actions that channel our energy, creativity, and resources where they matter most—including to honor identity, foster connection, build proficiency and inspire direction across CVSD.
Save the Date!
- WCS VISION SCREENING is Tuesday OCTOBER 7th
- ABS VISION SCREENING is Tuesday OCTOBER 14th
Health Offices at WCS and ABS are starting to test students' vision. Vermont schools are required by the state to test students' vision and hearing in Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th grades.
Champlain Valley Lions Club will be coming to our schools on Tuesday October 7th (WCS) and Tuesday October 14th (ABS) to perform vision photoscreening.
The vision photoscreening will only happen on those dates. It is a one-day event and we strongly encourage your child not to be absent from school on that day. There will be no make-ups.
Vermont Lions KidSight program uses a photoscreening digital device called a SPOT to objectively check for vision problems. The photoscreener is like a large camera. It takes a picture of your child’s eyes. With that and the measurements obtained from the images, SPOT can detect a number of potential eye conditions.
If we find a problem, we will send you a referral letter. If your child’s SPOT results form states “Complete Eye Exam Recommended” at the top right of the page, it is a referral and we recommend that your child visit an eye care professional. On the SPOT referral, you will see a section on the right side of the page called “Potential Condition”. This includes information about the potential eye condition(s) detected by the SPOT device.
If you do not hear from us, your child passed the screenings.
If you have any concerns, please contact the Health Office. Thank you so much!
WCS HEALTH OFFICE - WCSnurse@cvsdvt.org
ABS HEALTH OFFICE - slove@cvsdvt.org
A Note from the Health Office
Head Lice Prevention and Treatment
Dear Williston Families,
We are starting to see cases of head lice in both Williston Schools. Head lice require direct head to head contact to be transmitted. Often slumber parties, some sports or other out of school activities where kids are in close contact for extended periods of time seem to be a common route for transmission. Please talk to your child about the importance of not sharing hats, brushes, helmets or other items that come in direct contact with their head. We also recommend talking with the parents of your child’s friends to see if they have been dealing with head lice. We often find that when parents disclose that information to others, cases are identified and resolved in a much quicker time period. Weekly checks at home are a great way to detect head lice early and to keep them from spreading. If you suspect or find head lice on your child, please contact your school nurse for assistance and advice. We can check heads at individual request if you feel that you are unsure of what you are looking for.
Here are some guidelines to follow:
Head Lice Facts
Anyone can get head lice no matter how clean they are.
Head lice do not carry disease. Secondary skin infections can occur from excessive scratching.
They cannot jump or fly and are spread by head to head contact.
Lice live for 1-2 days on pillows, furniture, stuffed animals, or clothes.
Head lice do not infest pets and pets do not spread head lice.
Ways To Prevent the Spread of Lice
Do not share combs, brushes, towels, hats, barrettes, sports uniforms, or pillows.
Avoid head to head contact with anyone suspected of having head lice.
Keep long hair up or pulled back/ braided.
What To Look For
Excessive scratching of the head, especially at the back of the head just above the neck.
Nits on the hair. These are usually pearly-gray in color and are attached to the hair shaft near the scalp. Nits are distinguished from dandruff because they stick to the hair shaft instead of flaking off when brushed.
Adult lice are about the size of a sesame seed. Lice are active at night so your child may have trouble sleeping.
Did you complete the PowerSchool Annual Update? If not, please keep reading...
As part of our safety procedures, it is important we have updated and accurate information about each and every student. If you have not already done so for the current school year please take a few minutes to do so as soon as possible. Students may not participate in field trips if Permissions and Health forms are not completed for the 2025-2026 school year.
To update your forms, log in to your PowerSchool Parent Portal account and navigate to the “Forms” icon on the left-hand toolbar. Review, update and submit the following:
Annual Student Contact Updates*
Annual Student Health Updates
Annual Student Permissions Update
*You will always be notified first in an emergency. Primary caregivers should not be checked as Emergency Contacts. Each student should have names and contact information for at least 2 additional local adults that may be contacted if you are unavailable/unreachable.
Click here for detailed instructions if needed.
If you have questions about how to access your Parent Portal account or how to submit the forms please contact Lisa Barland at lbarland@cvsdvt.org for WCS students and Shani Varricchione at svarricchione@cvsdvt.org for ABS students.
It’s time for WCS musicians to order their WCS Performing Arts shirts! All students in Band and/or Chorus will wear this shirt on concert days, to field trips and other organized events.
Who should order a shirt?
4th Grade Chorus members (NOT potential 4th Grade Band students)
5th-8th grade Band and/or Chorus students that are new to the program.
Returning 5th-8th grade Band and/or Chorus members that have lost or outgrown their shirt from last year.
How do I order a shirt?
Order your shirt here. Shirts need to be ordered and paid for by Wednesday, October 29, 2025. The cost is $13 and financial support is available.
What if I already have a shirt?
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I found my shirt, tried it on and know it will still fit on concert day.
If this is true, you do not need to order a new shirt.
Can I order a shirt if I am not in Band or Chorus?
Yes! If you wish to support our musicians, you may order a shirt.
Scan above or click below to volunteer!
Allen Brook School
Bus Doors Open - 7:35 am
Start of School Day - 7:50 am
* Early Arrivals: Any students arriving between 7:25 - 7:35 must remain in the cafeteria where they will be supervised until the first bus arrives.
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Kindergarten Dismissal begins at 2:25pm (1:25 on Wednesdays)
First & Second Grade Dismissal begins at 2:30
Buses depart at 2:35 pm
Please carefully read the arrival and dismissal information linked below for more details
Williston Central School
Bus Doors Open - 7:45 am
Start of School Day - 8:00 am
*Early Arrivals: If an early arrival is necessary (starting at 7:30 am) 3rd & 4th graders must wait in the lobby near the west entrance and 5th-8th graders will be in either the cafeteria or the lobby near the main entrance.
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Students will be dismissed at the following times
2:35 - 2:45 - Grades 3 & 4 Dismissed (1:35-1:45 on Wednesday)
2:40 - 5th thru 8th Dismissal for buses only
2:40 - 2:45 - Buses load and depart
2:45 - 2:50 - Grades 5-8 Dismissal for all students not riding the bus
Please carefully read the arrival and dismissal information linked below for more details
Williston Central School Athletics are open to all students grades 6th-8th. All practices start at 2:50 and end around 4:20. Students can be picked up at the rear entrance to the school, or take the activity bus.
Visit the athletics website for everything you need to know about playing on a sports team at WCS. WCS Athletics
The WCS Drama program is open to grades 6, 7, and 8 and currently includes a Fall Play and a Spring Musical.
Visit the drama webpage to learn more about upcoming productions and the WCS Drama program.
Bus Information
click for bus information, including routes and estimated times
CVSD Website
click for district information
School Safety
click for meeting notes and information from our Williston Safety Team
*YOUTH PROGRAMMING*
Children in 5th grade and up may use the library unattended, while those in grade 4 or under must be supervised by a person over 16 years of age. We are happy to welcome children into the library after school again and will be offering programs on early-release Wednesdays.
For information on the Unattended Children Policy, visit www.damlvt.org. Parents and guardians are encouraged to stop by or call 878-4918 to chat with a youth librarian about expectations and the library's after-school experience.
Saturday Storytime
Saturday, October 4, 10:30-11 a.m. Start our weekend off with Cindy’s Storytime!
Craft Circle
Monday, October 6, 5-6 p.m. All ages. Bring a project and work on it in the company of other crafters!
Storytime
Tuesdays, 10:30-11 a.m. Have fun with stories and songs during our weekly storytime. On the Town Green when weather permits.
After School Activity: Movie
Wednesday, October 8, 2-3:30 p.m. PG. Join the pumpkin king in making a particular holiday rather less festive, and much more spooky, than intended.
Preschool Music & Preschool Playtime
Thursdays, 10:30-11 a.m. Sing and dance with Linda Bassick! Followed by preschool playtime from 11-11:30 a.m. Outdoors when weather permits.
LEGO Time
Thursday, October 8, 3-4 p.m. Drop in and build something exciting with the Library’s LEGO collection.
French Storytime
Saturday, October 11, 10:15-10:45 a.m. Enjoy stories read aloud by a native French speaker!
Allen Brook School
Start Time @ 7:50am;
Dismissal for PreK & K at 2:25pm - grades 1 & 2 @2:30pm
Wednesday Early Dismissal @ 1:25 & 1:30
Williston Central School
Start Time @8:00am;
Dismissal grades 3 & 4 @2:35pm - grades 5-8 @2:45pm
Wednesday Early Dismissal @ 1:35 & 1:45
Williston Schools Leadership Team
Greg Marino, Williston Schools Lead Principal
Jacqueline Parks, WCS Building Principal
Angela Filion, ABS Building Principal
Lauren Goracy, Director Student Services