Waitsfield Elementary
September 25, 2025
Dear friends and families,
Tuesday 9/30, 5:30 - 6:30, is the WES Annual Open House. We truly value this opportunity to build connections between home and school, for each child to share the work, environment and community they are part of every school day. Students will have work to share and be ready to serve as the tour guide for their families. Our teachers and staff will be available to answer your questions and get to know your family better. Plus, rumor has it that Chef Joslin will once again be offering a delicious taste test. Stop by whenever it works for you between 5:30 and 6:30. We look forward to seeing you!
All-School Hike Rescheduled
The much needed and welcome rain of the past few days did cause us to reschedule our all school hike. We will now be hiking the morning of Wednesday Oct. 1, 8:30 - 11:30 Please ensure children come prepared with:
A small pack to carry a water bottle and a snack. (we will also provide snacks)
Good walking shoes.
Chef Joslin will be serving a picnic lunch at the mountain, or students are welcome to bring their own packed lunch. Thanks to Mad River Glen for hosting us and for their flexibility.
We Need Volunteers: To make this trek with over 100 students a success, we are in need of parent volunteers. Please email me at [kkorb@huusd.org] if you are able to join us for the morning.
Remember Appropriate Outdoor Gear
The recent rainy weather has also been a good reminder about the importance of bringing appropriate clothing for outside activities to school. We try to go outside every day, including in light rain. Moving around and being outside is so important for our bodies and especially our brains. Rain coats, boots and, when the weather gets colder, warm layers make being outside much more enjoyable for all. Thank you for helping your child make packing for the weather of the day part of the daily routine. Our kindergarten students, equipped in rain suits, demonstrated yesterday how the right gear can make hours in the outdoors enjoyable in all elements.
Respectfully, Kaiya
PE News
PE classes meet on Wednesdays and Thursdays — thank you for sending your student with socks and sneakers each week!
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been laying the groundwork for a successful year in PE. Students have practiced routines and expectations, explored safe equipment use (like the scarves pictured), and worked on teamwork through group games. For grades 3–6, this has included capture the flag, which challenges both strategy and collaboration.
We are now gearing up to launch deeper into skills development with our biking unit. Biking gives us a unique opportunity to keep practicing one of our core concepts: “looking for open space.” In grades K–2, students spend time intentionally learning what an open space is, how to move in a shared space without bumping into others, and how to respect personal space “bubbles.” Our bodies tend to follow where our eyes are looking, which is why students are encouraged to focus on scanning for open spaces rather than just watching out for people. The end goal is the same — safe, confident movement — but this shift in language helps students internalize the skill.
In grades 3–6, students have been practicing these same awareness skills through fast-paced games like tag and the ever-popular Boom City. The biking unit builds on this foundation by helping students transfer their spatial awareness to riding.
Beyond spatial awareness, biking also highlights balance. Students will be challenged to try new features such as the teeter totter and the pump track, both of which provide a safe but exciting way to push their skills further.
Thank you for supporting your child’s biking experience by sending a helmet to school on Thursday, Sept 25. We’re looking forward to an active, skill-building fall in PE!
Everybody Wins
Everybody Wins Vermont is thrilled to be returning to Waitsfield Elementary for another school year of meaningful mentoring and reading relationships. Mentors are matched up a with a student to read and play games together during lunch/recess once a week for an hour.
If your child is interested in participating in the program, they should fill out the self-nomination form that was distributed in class. Once completed, the form should be returned to Susan Laskaris.
If you have an hour a week to volunteer with the program, you can fill out a mentoring application by going to: https://everybodywinsvermont.org/become-a-mentor/
For more information about the program, please contact Marci Lutsky, the Everybody Wins Site Coordinator for Waitsfield Elementary at: waitsfield@everybodywinsvermont.org
After School at Joslin Library
After School at Joslin Library
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:30-4:30 pm, when school is in session*
Join us After School at Joslin for a variety arts and crafts, legos, games, and more! Please note that this program is for ages 8+, but younger children are welcome to attend with a caregiver. No registration required.
*Note: After School at Joslin Library will take a hiatus 10/6 and 10/9
Inklings 2nd Anniversary Celebration!
Join Inklings Children's Books in celebrating their second anniversary!!
Starting at 10am, Inklings is hosting an all-day celebration filled with drinks, cupcakes, storytime, craft making and more!
We can't wait to see you. FREE and open to all!
Author Melissa Perley visits Inklings Children's Books
Join Inklings Sunday, October 5th at 11am as they welcome author Melissa Perley for a reading of her book, THE VIOLIN FAMILY PLAYS NEW MUSIC.
This delightful book is an important reminder to readers of the power of music to bring people together, following a friendship that harmonizes instruments from different families.
Melissa Perley - an award-winning children's book author, professional cellist, and sheep farmer in Vermont - will play her cello, accompanied by clarinet player Tom Frink! This will be a truly special event.
Following the reading, there will be a very special craft!
Dinner with the Authors
Authors Grace Lin and Debbi Michiko Florence will be making a special stop at Inklings as part of their Very Asian Book Trip!
Join us on October 6th at 6pm for a chance to talk with them about their brand new books.
Pre-Order your copies of THE GATE, THE GIRL, AND THE DRAGON and LAST CHANCE ACADEMY now.
***Space is limited. Please RSVP at inklingschildrensbooks@gmail for a chance to be part of this incredible evening!!
Once Upon a Story, Fairy Tale Event
Once Upon a Story returns this November 8th in the Mad River Valley!
Vermont Literacy Network is thrilled to partner once again with Inklings Children’s Books to bring back their beloved immersive fairy tale event at the Big Picture Theater in Waitsfield.
Watch your child’s face light up as they meet characters like Goldilocks, the Three Little Pigs, and Little Red Riding Hood! Led by community favorite organizations, kids can dive into interactive, hands-on activities inspired by timeless fairy tales.
Grab your tickets early and save 20%! LINK
Saturday, November 8, 2025 | 10:00-2:00PM | Big Picture Theater, Waitsfield
About Us
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