Waitsfield Elementary

WES students, partnered with their classroom buddies, have been busy carving pumpkins to line Old County Road on Friday night. Thank you to the WES PTA for providing the pumpkins and helping light this local Halloween haunt for our children.

Dear friends and families,

Next Tuesday, on election day, all registered voters in our area have the opportunity to weigh in on the construction of a new Central Vermont Technical Education Center. This $149 million bond vote is significant for many reasons. Applications to our current tech center, built in 1969 and housed in Spaulding High School in Barre, far surpass capacity; this school year applicants were double the available spaces. Trained tradespeople are essential to the health of our communities. The Central Vermont Tech Center supports careers in field like automotive technology, electrical technology and the building trades. It also offers training for professions in health sciences (such as emergency services and medical professions), digital media arts and culinary arts. Vermont's regional tech centers are an example of effective consolidation and pooling of resources across communities -- while one school district alone could not offer the modern technology and range of classes, together as a region, we can provide our youth with these opportunities. PLEASE learn more about this proposed bond (you could read this VT Digger article, or this article from The Bridge) and please be sure to cast your vote on or before next Tuesday.Waitsfield voters can cast their ballot at the Waitsfield Town Office on 4144 Main Street, 7 a.m - 7 pm. , or request an absentee/early ballot at 496-2218,x 3 or emailing jennifer.peterson@waitsfieldvt.gov. request To get more information about the vote, visit https://secure.smore.com/n/sw23k-central-vermont-career-center.

Family Conferences are scheduled for the afternoon/evenings of Wednesday, November 12 and Thursday, November 13. Families, if you haven't yet signed up for a conference slot, please do so here. We ask that children in 1st grade and older attend the conference with their family. This is an opportunity for students to take an active role in talking about their learning and goals. Childcare will be available, at the school, for siblings and to allow parents/guardians a few minutes to speak to the classroom teacher alone, if so desired.

Please be aware that set up for the Ski & Skate sale (it's coming soon!!!) will also be occurring on the afternoon/evening of 11/13, with a tent being set up on the South side of our parking lot. As such, you may need to park at the General Wait House, further south on the street, or at across the street.

Respectfully, Kaiya

Dear Families,

For those I haven't met, my name is Liz Crowley, and I have been an educator for over 30 years. I was a classroom teacher for 27 years, and this is my fourth year as the WES School Counselor. As you may know, I teach Wellness Class to all students each week, 1x per week. This year, the elementary school counselors in the Valley are piloting a program called Character Strong. The lessons are based on character traits and support students in being their best selves at school. As part of the unit on respect, we have been learning how to deal with bullying (meanness, physical or emotional, that's repeated over time, and involves a power dynamic) and when to report it to trusted adults. I've encouraged students to always ask for help and to shift their perspective from thinking that they are tattling to get someone in trouble, to I need help from an adult.

I also meet with students 1:1 and in small groups during lunch, WIN block, and other times throughout the day. This happens when students are referred for support in a specific area or express a desire to meet with me and maybe a friend. I provide short-term support, not therapy, as I'm not a licensed therapist; however, I do work closely with many therapists to help ensure school success.

I also offer parenting support and really enjoy consulting with families to troubleshoot struggles that are impacting school success. This month, Hannah’s House is offering two programs that look great. See below for further details.

Please feel free to reach out to me directly with any questions or concerns about your student. I am available during conference times, so please let me know if you would like to meet.

Take care, Liz

We wrapped up a great bike unit with time at the pump track on Friday. I'm so proud of all the students who tried to something new or encouraged a classmate who was trying something new- whether that was pedaling on two wheels for the first time, riding a tandem with a friend (or family member at Bike Night), or hitting the pump track. Next up in PE, we'll be celebrating the end of the month with a choice day and heading into soccer and foot skills lessons.

Please take a moment to check out the survey below to help with planning for a health education event!

Family Health Education Survey. Following the success of last year’s Family Nutrition Night at WES, we’re excited to plan another series of caregiver workshops—this time hosted at MES! We’d love your input as we decide which topic to offer this year. Please take a moment to fill out this short survey by October 31st to let us know which workshop you’d be most interested in attending. Your feedback will help us design an event that best supports our students and families.

Dinner and childcare will be provided, event is co-sponsored by MES PTO and WES PTA.

Be Well,
Ms. Zaino

The WES annual Ski & Skate sale is fast approaching. This event supports our community in SO MANY ways -- great gear, great deals, great community support of our schools (which ultimately helps our families, our taxes and our community) AND it's the social event of the season.

Consign your goods.

Volunteer (and shop extra early!)

Invite neighbors and friends for the GREAT DEALS on gear from skis to snowpants!

Plan to attend and be ready to fully love winter in VT.

We are featuring periodic submissions from students in our newsletter, such as the article below.

- By Arlo kiviranna

A video game that launched in 2018, Super Animal Royale, is a popular choice among the students of 6th grade. Around 60% of students in 6th and 5th grade (with most of them being 6th graders) are playing this battle royale game. The game features cartoon-like animations and topped-down movement. The game includes a wide variety of animals and a big map filled with different locations. It features animated weapons, both real and fictional. But lets “Paws” on the action and go to the data.

- By Soren Bauer

A survey was sent to 5th and 6th graders concerning Super Animal Royale and including questions on if they play and when they play. 57% (12 People) of all 29 people who answered the survey. The most popular time to play is on the weekend or after school.

- By Miles Zeno

Super Animal Royale's backstory starts with the Super Animal World Theme park. Super animals were initially created to perform in the park. After being treated terribly by the humans, a group of animals called the "Super Animal Super Resistance" (S.A.S.R.), rebelled and obliterated the humans. Another group of super animals allied themselves together and called themselves Super Animal World Corporation (S.A.W.). All of the humans, however, got eviscerated. The Super Animal Rebellion Retreated. S.A.W. then created Super Animal Royale as a means of entertainment. The character you play as is SARs purpose is to fight for SAR. This is where the events of Super Animal Royale Tonight come in.

Please note that the opportunities/events listed below are not specifically endorsed or screened by school staff. As always, families should use their own standards and review processes to determine appropriate activities.

Gone Guys Film Screening & Panel Discussion

Wednesday, November 5th, 6-8p (Doors open at 5:30p)

Big Picture Theater 48 Carroll Rd, Waitsfield, VT

Tickets By Donation, Online or At the Door

TICKET LINK

FACEBOOK EVENT

Presented by The Richard E. & Deborah L. Tarrant Foundation and The Vermont Community Foundation. A Well Told Films Production.

Waitsfield Screening Co-Hosted by: Mad River Mentoring & Hannah’s House

Waitsfield Screening Sponsored by: Lawson’s Finest Liquids

Over the past fifty years, boys and young men have steadily disengaged from school, work, and broader society. They’re falling behind academically, struggling with loneliness and isolation, and facing rising rates of substance abuse and suicide.
This 45-minute documentary draws on the influential work of Richard V. Reeves’ “Of Boys and Men”, illuminating these challenges through powerful data and compelling personal stories. Many of us have experienced these issues first-hand, but it can be difficult to talk about them. It’s not zero-sum: caring more about boys and men does not mean caring less about women and girls.
Set in rural Vermont, the film brings national data to life with engaging animation accompanying lived experience featuring young men, educators, mentors, and trailblazing programs that are working to re-engage boys and young men in their communities and reshape their futures.

Content advisory: This film includes references to substance use, suicide, and mental health struggles.

More information & to WATCH THE TRAILER visit: www.GoneGuysFilm.com

This new StoryWalk® will “roll” through Halloween and into the autumn harvest/community

celebrations.

On a windy, autumn day, Marla Little’s giant pumpkin is rolling away, with no sign of stopping!

As she dashes after it, she passes multiple community members, engaged in their everyday

lives, who volunteer to assist her in the chase. After each encounter, she voices the same

phrase, “Diddle-dee-doo! Oh, what shall I do?”

The pumpkin travels through a farmer’s field, over a stone bridge, past a baker’s wagon, a

milkman’s cart, through the city’s center, and past the butcher’s shop. As the pursuers increase,

the silly procession gets even sillier as they encounter a marching parade. The people in the

town are delighted, as they assume the pumpkin is leading their annual harvest/vegetable

parade.

As the pumpkin approaches the chefs, preparing a feast for the marchers, Marla announces,

“Diddle-dee-doo! I know what to do!” She proceeds to tip a large cauldron in such a way, that

the giant pumpkin lands inside, and they all feast on the best pumpkin soup ever!

Daniela Volpari’s colorful illustrations are whimsical and full of delightful details, perfectly

complimenting this joyful, autumn story.

Stop by the library to share your thoughts on this book, or maybe try writing your own pumpkin

tale. Also, please let us know if you have some favorite pumpkin recipes that you would like to

share.

The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson and developed in collaboration with the

Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier Vermont. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned

by the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.

Halloween Night

Friday 10/31, 5-6:30 pm

Joslin Library

Be sure to stop by the Library on Halloween night for trick-or-treating! We'll be handing out treats in addition to a non-food option for those with allergies.

The residents of Old County Road (Loop Road) in Waitsfield are looking forward to hosting another fun-filled evening of trick or treating this year! The road will be closed to traffic from 5:00-7:00 on Halloween night (Friday, 10/31), with parking available at Waitsfield Telecom (please do not block the garage doors), the Health Center, & Waitsfield Elementary. Candy donations would be greatly appreciated and can be dropped off at the Village Grocery or Waitsfield Elementary lobby. Come join us in celebrating! Trick-or-treaters are asked to exercise caution and please stick to roads and drive-ways and to not cut across lawns.

Homemade Challah Event at Inklings Children's Books
National Homemade Bread Day is coming up! Inklings will welcome Marci Lutsky on Sunday, November 9th at 11am, for a reading of "Bubbie & Rivka's Best-Ever Challah" - which includes a challah recipe.

Following the reading children will have the chance to try homemade challah, provided by Marci!

Dinner with Kekla Magoon at Inklings
Join acclaimed Vermont author, Kekla Magoon, for a reading from her New York Times bestselling book, "The Secret Library." Following the reading, Kekla will answer questions from children. She'll also share her insight into the writing process - all while enjoying delicious food!

Kekla is a recipient of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, four Coretta Scott King Honors, two Walter Award Honors, and an NAACP Image Award, in addition to being a finalist for the National Book Award!

The event is FREE.
Please RSVP at inklingschildrensbooks@gmail.com
Purchase a copy of "The Secret Library" in advance, using this link! - https://square.link/u/uorqwWlV

Wreath Making with Art Pop at Inklings!
Join Art Pop! at Inklings on December 6th to create one-of-a-kind wreaths to kick off your holiday season!!

Children and their grown-ups will have a chance to create their own wreath with local mixed greenery and finish with the decorations of their choice. Sign up while seats are still available!

DATE: Saturday, December 6th
TIME: 11:00am - 12:00pm
COST: $30 / per child (includes materials)
LINK to EVENT: https://square.link/u/VqYYe19y

Wed. Oct. 29th: School Photo Make-Up Day

Wed. Nov. 12th: Family Conferences 2:45-7:00

Thurs. Nov. 13th: Family Conferences: 2:45-7:00

Sat. Nov. 15th: Ski & Skate Sale at WES

Nov. 24th - Nov. 28th: NO SCHOOL. Thanksgiving Break

Tues. Dec. 23rd: EARLY RELEASE at 11:30am

Dec. 23rd - Jan. 2nd: NO SCHOOL

Mon. Jan. 5th: School Resumes

Mon. Jan. 19th: NO SCHOOL: MLK Day

Tues. Jan. 20th: NO SCHOOL: Teacher In-service

2025-2026 School Calendar

Website: https://www.waitsfieldschool.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waitsfieldschool/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=waitsfield%20elementary%20school

Phone: 802-496-3643

Location: 3951 Main Street, Waitsfield, VT