Cougar Chronicle

We have been made aware that several of our sinks in classrooms have tested at higher levels of lead than is allowable. At this time, those sinks have been restricted from use out of precaution. As of today, we are working with the Director of Facilities for WCUUSD on a remedy as soon as possible.

If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Weiss.

Calais is home to an incredible Preschool program and we want all of our parents of 3-4 year olds to consider enrolling their children in our program for the 2025-2026 school year. The more children we have sign up for Preschool the more we might be able to offer.

Please check out the website below for more information and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.

WCUUSD Preschool Registration Information

As part of our commitment to supporting students’ social and emotional growth, we will be using the DESSA (Devereux Student Strengths Assessment) SEL screener. This research-based tool helps us understand and nurture key social-emotional skills such as self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and relationship-building.

The screener is strength-based and designed to identify areas where students excel, as well as areas where they may need additional support. Based on the results, our school will provide targeted support through classroom activities, small group interventions, and individualized strategies to help students develop essential life skills. Our goal is to create a positive, inclusive, and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for your partnership in fostering your child’s well-being!

Act 139, Vermont's new literacy bill, was passed by the Legislature late last spring and went into effect on July 1.

Act 139 is intended to support strong literacy achievement for all students by focusing on young learners. Specifically, Act 139 focuses on K-3 learners and requires assessment to identify students who might need support, the provision of student support, professional learning for teachers, and caregiver notification when student assessment results are substantially below expectations.

The shifts we've made in our district to the Acadience reading assessment and the Fundations program in recent years are in alignment with Act 139.

We are in the middle of our winter assessment window right now, which means students are taking the Acadience reading assessment again. If your K-3 child scores well below the winter expectations, your principal will send a letter home as required by Act 139. The letter will let you know your child's current strengths and areas for growth along with the supports that are or will be put in place to support your child's continued growth in reading.

In future years we will send the family notification letter after the fall assessment window.

Please reach out to your principal if you have any questions about Act 139.

The Friends of Calais are hosting lunch at Town Meeting on Tuesday, March 4th.

Many helpful and energetic volunteers are needed to make this town wide event successful. Please check out available opportunities here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094BABAD23A2F8C43-55152532-2025

A community lunch will be available at the Calais Elementary School on Town Meeting Day, Tuesday, March 4th. The lunch will be immediately following adjournment of the meeting, or at a break from floor discussion as deemed by the Moderator.

Lunch format will be potluck—vegetarian and gluten free options will be available. Volunteers will be able to hear the meeting on a speaker, but will not be able to actively engage.

2/24-3/4 - No School for Students

2/24-2/28 - Community Connections Winter Day Camp

2/28 - Fish Art Contest Deadline

3/7 - Spring Fling Dance

3/8 - Baseball and Softball Registration Closes

3/10 - 5th Grade - Cross Country Skiing

3/13 - Friends of Calais meeting

3/17 - 6th Grade - Cross Country Skiing

3/29 - 38th Annual State Scholastic Chess Championships – Vermont Chess

Starting later this month, Calais will be starting the formation of our own “Humanity & Justice Coalition” in alignment with the strategic goals and vision of the WCUUSD. Simply put, the HJC is a group working to ensure all people feel heard, welcome, and safe at Calais Elementary and in our community. It is a celebration of all that makes us who we are and will work to ensure we will always be a community that welcomes and respects all people.

Our first step is to work with our students to better understand what it means for an HJC to exist at Calais. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me and be sure to talk with your students - those conversations are going to be critical. This is something we believe is important and I personally want to ensure that all viewpoints are heard and all people have a stake in this work. Do not hesitate to reach out to me personally with any questions.

Additionally, we will be planning a Parent/Community Humanity and Justice Information Session in the Spring. Be on the lookout for more information in the future.

This week our staff spent time with Sally Russell from Youth First Mentoring. There are some incredible opportunities for our young people through mentoring and this is something we hope you explore if your child would be interested. We are happy to help connect you and help with the process if this is something you want to explore for your child. Check out this local organization at → https://youthfirstmentoring.org/

If you are interested in being a chaperone for this event, please check "yes" on this form.

For more information and to sign up click this link → Central Vermont Youth Lacrosse Interest Form

Dear Calais Families,

We will be starting the Backpack program soon here at Calais Elementary School for families. The program is designed to provide families with children who attend Calais, the necessary food and clothing that they may need throughout the school year. Food and Gift bags will be dispensed in a discreet and caring manner. This program runs the full school year on a weekly basis with exception to student breaks and summer. This includes winter clothing, Thanksgiving and Christmas presents, in addition. There is no cost associated with this program. If you wish for your child to participate in the program, please sign below and return this letter to the school in your child's folder or drop it off at the Main Office by next Friday. Thank you and please let us know if you have any questions or any needs for your child at any time.

Feel free to email me at rfrisenda@u32.org or call 802-454-7777 ext 105 at any time.

Sincerely,

Ruth Frisenda

School Counselor

Calais Elementary School

2024-2025 Family Handbook

Volunteer Program Form

Calais Parent Advisory Interest Form

Calais Cougar Online Merchandise Store

We’re excited that Calais Elementary School is participating in the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge! This amazing program teaches students the importance of heart health, staying active, and helping others—all while having FUN!

🌟 What is the Kids Heart Challenge?
It’s a school-wide event where students learn about heart-healthy habits, participate in fun activities, and raise funds to support the American Heart Association’s mission to fight heart disease and stroke.

💪 Why Join?

• Encourages kids to be active and make heart-healthy choices

• Teaches valuable lessons about kindness and helping others

• Supports life-saving research and education programs

🎉 How Can You Help?
1️⃣ Register online (it’s quick and easy!)
2️⃣ Encourage your child to complete heart-healthy challenges
3️⃣ Help spread the word and support our fundraising efforts

Together, we can make a BIG difference in our community and beyond. Let’s get moving, have fun, and keep our hearts strong! 💖

Stay tuned for more details, and thank you for supporting Calais Elementary in the Kids Heart Challenge!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/18OEWcxhIvk

Central Vermont Little League offers programs for boys and girls between the age of 4 and 12. The league serves the communities of Berlin, Cabot, Calais, East Montpelier, Marshfield, Middlesex, Montpelier, Plainfield, and Worcester.

On Time Baseball and Softball Registration Closes on March 8, 2025

**For 2025**! Central Vermont Little League (CVTLL) is offering spring clinics for league ages 8 to 12 (please see the league age calculator link below). Your registration for the 2025 spring season includes winter clinics at Norwich University Jacob Shapiro Fieldhouse. The clinics are scheduled for Sunday, March 2nd, Sunday March 16th, Sunday March 23rd, and Sunday, March 30th from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Please look for the spring clinic RSVP link in the registration confirmation email. Clinic spots are limited, please only sign up for the days you plan to attend.

Visit our website at https://www.cvtll.org/ for more information or to register.

Thank you,

Central Vermont Little League

Good Morning, Blue Raiders

I am starting to get some solid responses with interest to participate in a Blue Raider Run this early spring. This little Hoop Run is intended to keep our U32 Ballers playing a little longer together, build skills and have some fun!

We are having a Blue Raider meeting this coming Saturday at 11am in the U32 Auditorium.

Is there anyone interested in coaching a team? Please let me know. We are looking for coaches at all levels.

Coach Olivia and myself will be available to answer questions and gather player information. If you are unable to attend, that is OK. You can provide your son or daughters information in an email and I can insert it in the spreadsheet. We are looking to fill teams from 4th Grade to 8th Grade. Depending on the number of Players per grade and available coaches some grades may be combined. This is geared to include basketball players of all skill levels. We will work with players that already have early spring commitments. No pressure just come and Hoop!!

Please provide the following player information to start building teams and registering for tournaments. Things are happening fast.

• Full Name, Birthday, age, address, grade

• Jersey Size

• Parent contact information

Proposed Schedule. Details TBD and subject to change.

• 2 - 1 Hour practices per week starting in early March. TBD Before I can reserve the gym I need to see how many teams we will have. Gym times are 7:30-9 possibly 9:30 until spring sports get outside.

• 2-3 Local Tournaments

March 22-23 Castleton Slate Valley Kickoff 4 games

March 29-30 Vt Sting Ice Breaker Barre/Mont 4 games

April 5-6 April Fools Bash Burlington 3+ pool play

Looking forward to this Springtime Hoop Run!! Reach out if you have any questions. Please try to get back to me as soon as possible as things are moving fast with Spring Sports.

If you are interested, please fill out this Google Form → BLUE RAIDER AAU SIGN UP 2025

Thank you

Coach John jmedose@u32.org

Get some before Town Meeting!

Dear Colleagues and Neighbors - The Town of Calais has received hundreds and hundreds of at-home Covid-19 antigen rapid tests; plenty to share!

Expiration Date: July 2, 2025

Please reply via email to let us know if you would like some, and when you would like to come pick them up from the Calais Town Office (sorry, no deliveries). See our business hours below.

Let's keep everyone healthy and safe!

Barbara Butler, Calais Assistant Town Clerk

Teegan Dykeman-Brown, Town Clerk

Barbara Butler, Assistant Town Clerk / Assistant Treasurer

Town of Calais, VT

3120 Pekin Brook Road, East Calais, VT 05650

802.456.8720

www.calaisvermont.gov

Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 9:00am to 4:00pm; Closed Fridays.

All Land/Title/Deed research or vault time is by appointment only.

No cash transactions.

K-12 Vermont students compete for state championship titles in the 38th Annual Vermont State Scholastic Chess Championships. The tournament is named in honor of John Balch, a great promoter of scholastic chess in Vermont, who passed away in 2004. He taught chess to hundreds of Vermont youth. Chess boards, pieces and clocks will be provided.

** DOORS OPEN AT 9AM **

Saturday March 29, 2025

Lamoille Union High School EVENT TIME

736 VT-15 Check-In

Hyde Park, VT 05655 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM

Instructions

ELIGIBILITY

This tournament is open to Vermont students in grades K through 12. Participants must be Vermont residents or be enrolled in a Vermont public or private school. No prior tournament experience is necessary. Home schooled students are eligible, as long as they are Vermont residents and under 19 years of age. Home schooled students in a program that doesn’t use traditional grade levels should enroll in a section appropriate to their age.

High School and 8th Grade sections will be USCF rated, and current USCF membership is required for participation in those sections. Please make certain that your membership is current prior to registration. You may obtain or update a USCF membership online at https://uschess.org.

All players must pre-register for the event. No walk-ins allowed. Registration closes on March 23rd. Registration may close prior to March 23rd due to space limitations. Online registration only, no entries will be accepted via mail or email. Terms and Conditions apply.

https://vermontchess.org/events/38th-annual-state-scholastic-chess-championships/

Vermont Fish & Wildlife is pleased to team up with Wildlife Forever to bring the national Fish Art Contest to Vermont! Fish Art Contest uses art, science, and creative writing to foster connections to the outdoors and inspire the next generation of stewards.

While participating students will explore and learn about Vermont’s fish species and some of the challenges they face.

How to Participate

The contest is open to grades K-12 (5-18 years). Students will select a fish species to research, create an illustration of the species and write a one-page creative writing essay.

Winners are awarded in four age categories: kindergarten-3rd grade, 4th-6th grade, 7th-9th grade, and 10th-12th grade. (Essays are not required for kindergarten-3rd grade students.)

Vermont entries must feature a fish species that occurs in Vermont. Use the resource HERE to select a species.

We are accepting only digital entries, either by individuals or groups (such as classrooms). Please scan your artwork and essay (if applicable) and upload via one of the links below:

Join as Individual

Join as Group

Deadline for the 2025 contest is February 28, 2025.

Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each age category.

• Review the 2024-2025 Rules and Guidelines
  
• Learn more about the ART of Conservation Fish Art Contest

http://vtfishandwildlife.com/learn-more/conservation-education/fish-art-contest

Type in your zip code or county to find different resources in your area!

https://www.navigateresources.net/211vermont/

https://resourcevt.org/essential-goods-program/#

https://www.amysarmoire.org/

Prevent Child Abuse - Vermont

5 Tips to Ease Back-to-School Anxiety

Hi Calais Cougars

Today we are interviewing Myles!

His favorite color is pink.

His least favorite color is yellow.

His favorite animal is a panda (aww).

His least favorite animal is a rat (yuck).

His favorite food are tacos (yum!).

His least favorite food is the pizza rolls at the cafeteria.

His favorite sweet food are donuts.

His least favorite sweet food is welches.

His favorite sport is basketball.

What is your favorite sport?

Bye for now!

The 5/6ers are working on projects that help out both CES and the Calais community. This week they decided to start with creating a mini food shelf at CES.

6th grader, Katie is taking the lead with a large donation from her family. If you would like to participate please drop of non-perishables at CES during school hours.