Waitsfield Elementary

Yesterday was the first session of ECO (Educating Children Outdoors) for our kindergarten and third/fourth grade classrooms. This program, conducted in collaboration with North Branch Nature Center, grounds learning in the local environment. Thanks so much to the PTA for helping to fund these experiences and to Luke & Rachel Foley, who generously share their land.

Dear friends and families,

At the heart of a thriving community is the individual's sense of belonging, where a person feels they are an integral and valued part of a group, place, or institution. Research indicates that this feeling is not a luxury, but an educational and psychological necessity. A student's sense of belonging empowers them to fully engage in their learning, express themselves, and take risks without fear of judgment or stereotype.

Research shows that community is a prerequisite for academic achievement, a catalyst for social-emotional growth, and a critical protective factor for student well-being. We work intentionally to create community in our classrooms and across the school in many ways. We feed school community through activities with cross-classroom buddies, to all school activities like our schoolwide hike planned for September 24 (please let me know if you’d like to join us), to celebrating together when we collectively earn 1000 We Rock cards.

We’re about to accomplish the feat of earning 1000 We Rock cards; we reported yesterday morning that over 9 days of school 897 tickets had already been earned. While not everyone could calculate our daily average, everyone could see that was a lot of acts of responsibility, respectfulness, and safety in a short period of time. Our first celebration of this achievement will be making cider together (and perhaps having some cider donuts too!), which we anticipate doing at the end of next week. We are looking for donations of apples for this activity. If you’ve got apples you’re willing to donate (or some that we could send some volunteers to pick) please let me know – we’ll need lots! Thank you!

There’s lots of research about the importance of community and connection for adults as well. We hope that the school can provide some sense of connection and community to our families as well. There are various ways to help feed this, from volunteering in classrooms or special events, to attending school functions, to participating in our PTA. The first PTA meeting is next Wednesday, Sept 17, 6 pm here at WES. All are invited to join.

If you’re interested in learning more about the importance of community, you might want to check out the movie “Join or Die”, screening at the Big Picture on Friday Sept 19. This interesting film explores the societal impacts of the decline of people belonging to clubs or other groups. Further details about how to get tickets for this film can be found here. The movie is part of a “We Are MRV” Community Engagement weekend, which includes a Community Connection Fair from Noon- 3 on Sunday, Sept 21. Perhaps I’ll see you there?

Respectfully, Kaiya

During these first few weeks in the library we have been focusing on the basics with the help of a few good books. We read Library Lion and Red Knit Cap Girl and the Reading Tree to talk about library expectations. We read A Perfectly Messed-Up Story and checked out the “No No Never Never Box” to chat about how to take care of our library books at home. Reading How to Read a Story helped us think about the steps we can take to find a right fit book and enjoy it. But my personal favorites were The Day the Books Disappeared and The Spell of a Story, both of which remind us of the power that a good book can have on our own imaginations and our relationships with friends and family. I believe the library has something to offer everyone when it comes to fostering our curiosities and creating connections.

As we start this new year, please help your children to remember that their library works best when they borrow books and bring them back so that we all have plenty to choose from. Library classes are on either Monday or Thursday this year, but it is always open!

September 17, 2025 @ 6 - 7pm, School Library

6:00 - Welcome and Introductions

6:05 - PTA Overview

6:15 - Room Parent Lead Activities

6:25 - Budget and Fundraising

6:35 - School update

6:45 - What is Up Next?

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.

One Key has been placed in a unique envelope and hidden somewhere in the Mad River Valley. Starting September 5th, the lucky child who finds the key will be in charge of Inklings for one day & win a very special prize!

The Key is hidden in one of these participating businesses: 5th Quarter Butcher + Provisions - Bisbee’s Ace Hardware - Blockhouse Studio - The Collection - Deadrise Revival - Early Literacy Labs - Inklings Children’s Books - Moretown Memorial Library - Product Think Tank - Salt & Sand Studios - Three Mountain Cafe - Warren Public Library - Whipple Tree Designs

***NO PURCHASE NECESSARY***

FOLLOW @inklingschildrensbooks ON INSTAGRAM FOR CLUES

Join NBC5's Marissa Vigevani, on Saturday September 13th at 10:30am for Cloud Appreciation Day!

Marissa will be reading CYRIL, THE LONELY CLOUD. Afterwards, she'll talk with children about the fascinating work she does as a meteorologist.

A fun cloud craft will follow!!

Inklings is excited to welcome author Leda Schubert on Saturday, September 27th at 11am for a reading of her book, FIRSTS & LASTS, THE CHANGING SEASONS.
In this jubilant ode to seasonal rituals, Leda Schubert evokes the familiar, enchanting rhythm of the four seasons; each captured with evocative words and glorious cut-paper collages.
Following the reading, there will be a very special craft!

LEDA SCHUBERT was the school library consultant for the Vermont Department of Education, and she has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College!

The Day You Begin

Written by Jacqueline Woodson & Illustrated by Rafael Lopez

“There will be times when you walk into a room

and no one there is quite like you.”

The book begins as young Angelina enters her new classroom with trepidation, worrying about how/if she will fit in. She is reluctant to speak as other classmates share their summer experiences, traveling to exciting places, while she had to stay home and take care of her younger sister.

But the more she listens to their stories, she realizes that, although there are many differences in their appearances and interests, their talents and struggles, there are also many common emotions and hopes. Angelina finds the courage to share her own stories, and by doing that, she discovers that, “in the room where no one else is quite like you, the world opens itself up a little wider to make space for you.”

“This is the day you begin to find the places inside your laughter and your lunches, your books, your travel and your stories, where every new friend has something a little like you - and something else so fabulously not quite like you at all.”

The illustrations are bright and beautiful, with details that enhance the story, and support the message of finding your own voice, and having the courage to use it.

We hope that you enjoy this StoryWalk®, and that it inspires you to say or do something new, even when that feels difficult.

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.

Wed. Sept. 17th: School Photo Day

Wed. Sept. 24th: All School Hike @ MRG

Tues. Sept. 30th: Open House 5:30-6:30

Fri. Oct. 10th: NO SCHOOL. Teacher In-Service

Mon. Oct. 13th: NO SCHOOL. Indigenous People's Day

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

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

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