Cougar Chronicle

INVITATION:

Community Invitation: Listening Sessions on Wednesday, November 5th at 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday, November 5th | 6:15–8:15 PM

Held in all five Elementary Schools Berlin, Calais, East Montpelier, Middlesex and Worcester.

Dear Community Members,

You’re invited to join us for a Listening Session on Wednesday, November 5th from 6:15–8:15 PM,

happening simultaneously in each of our five district towns.

These sessions are an opportunity for the Configuration Committee to listen and learn from you, our

students, families, staff, and community members. Together, we’ll talk openly about the new school

configuration model presented to us on October 15th and discuss what it could mean for our district’s

Future.

Your input will help us understand what’s most important as we plan for any potential transition related to the proposed school configuration.

While the Configuration Committee has recommended a model, this is a moment to hear from you:

● How does our community feel about this possibility?

● What priorities, hopes, and concerns should guide the School Board and Administration as we move forward?

During the session, we’ll discuss questions such as:

● What concerns do you have about possible school closures?

● What challenges or opportunities do you see in creating multi-town elementary schools?

● How can we build strong, connected, and student-centered school communities?

● What would help students, families, and staff feel welcome and proud in a new multi-town school?

● What can we do to make any transition easier for everyone?

Your thoughts, experiences, and ideas will help shape our shared vision for the future of our schools.

Notes and reflections from all five sessions will be shared with the full School Board to inform future Discussions.

We encourage you to stay engaged, reach out to the Board directly or share public comments at upcoming meetings.

Let’s come together to listen, learn, and plan for a strong, connected, and student-centered future for our schools. We hope to see you there!

The Washington Central School District Configuration Committee and your School Board

Breakfast and Lunch Menus

25/26 School Calendar

25/26 Family Handbook

10/31 - Basketball Signup's - LAST CALL

11/1 - 2025 Calais Halloween Spooktacular

11/3 - Caregivers & Allies of LGBTQ++ young people

11/4 - Parent Advisory Team Meeting

11/5 - Configuration Committee Listening Sessions

11/7 - Picture Day Retakes

11/8 - U-32 Fall Craft Fair

11/13 - Friends of Calais Meeting

11/21 - Contra Dance to Benefit Migrant Justice

11/21- Coffee and Conversations with the Superintendent @ Rumney Memorial School

12/19 - Coffee and Conversations with the Superintendent @ Berlin Elementary

1/16 - Coffee and Conversations with the Superintendent @ Calais Elementary

Next week, she will be at Calais on Monday 11/3, Wednesday 11/5 and Friday 11/7

Navigating Halloween Fears and Dilemmas

Friends of Calais is a volunteer-led organization, collaborating to design fun, engaging events and programs intended to foster closer bonds within the Calais community. Click here for more information and to see a list of all of their upcoming events!

Hosted by the Friends of Calais & CES Parent Advisory Group

Saturday, November 1, 2025
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Calais Elementary School

Get ready for an afternoon of frightfully fun festivities at our 5th Annual Halloween Spooktacular! This year’s event will feature both trunk-or-treat and activity stations and a spooky house and warm up station — and we need YOU to help make it a spooky success! Click HERE for all of the details and to volunteer!

And please consider helping us with our Spooky House – we need help to make this happen! So if you can, please sign up in the Sign-Up Genius if you can.

Barre Figure Skating Club

Central Vermont Swim Club

Girls on the Run

Destination Imagination

This is the last call for basketball signups for this season. Final registrations will be accepted through October 31 (TODAY!) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSegChW88D6FVAryQUWicQWT9h2T-a_GQtpR8j2VgZXvTJy_YQ/viewform?usp=header

Music by Atlantic Crossing with Caller Luke Doneforth

Nov 21, 7 PM to 10 PM

Capital City Grange

6612. V-12

Berlin, VT 05602

Bring clean soft sole shoes for dancing. By donation. Presented by Indivisible Calais; Sponsored by Linda Sprout, Bernie Lambek, Colleen Bloom, Capital City Grange

We are a community group of parents, caring friends, caregivers, and district staff gathering to share and think together. We explore our questions and concerns, share resources and experiences as we learn, love, and teach our LGBTA++ young people.

Our meetings are the second Monday of each month. However, in November we have a conflict so we will have our second meeting for Caregivers & Allies of LGBTQ++ young people on November 3rd from 5:15-6:30pm. We will meet in the U-32 Library classroom.

Any questions? Please send an email to svermilya@u32.org

Just Basics is partnering with Calais Elementary School along with The Humanity & Justice Calais Coalition to assist families in the Calais area with weekly food and household essentials.

Families who are interested may contact Caroline Munroe at Just Basics through her cell at: (802)917-8164 or by email at caroline@justbasicsvt.org or feel free to stop by Counselor’s Office or Main Office at Calais Elementary School or email Ruth Frisenda at rfrisenda@u32.org if you wish to complete intake form to receive items.

Help Stave Off Hunger in Vermont

As many as 65,000 Vermonters are faced with losing SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits on November 1st.

Vermonters who rely on SNAP to feed their families are about to go hungry. That's because the government shutdown means that states have run out of funds to distribute to the more than 42 million Americans who need SNAP to put food on the table.

If you have the financial means, please consider buying a $25 gift card for groceries from Shaws, Price Chopper, Hunger Mountain Coop or another grocery store that Just Basics can distribute to Central Vermont residents who may lose their benefits. Just Basics is located in City Center with the Vt. League of Cities and Towns, 89 Main St., Suite 4a, Montpelier. You can slide a card under the door or mail it to them at that address. https://www.justbasicsvt.org/

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

Family Support Programs

5 Tips to Ease Back-to-School Anxiety

Youth First Mentoring

Food Resources For All

Backpack Program

Hubbard Park Hike!

Paint and Sip!