Cougar Chronicle

We’ve asked staff to start sharing positive stories each week and this week there has been so much to share.

Students: We have new students in our 5/6th grade and Preschool classrooms and our staff have been raving about the kindness and support our students have shown to our newest Cougars. This is what we want - welcoming new friends and building a positive community!

Staff: An adult had these kind and positive words to share for Mrs. Jackson (our 3rd/4th grade teacher): “Samantha truly cares for her students and tries to find new and unique ways of supporting them to their fullest potential.”

Another adult had this to say about Ms Campbell (our Art Teacher) “Ms. Campbell volunteered to help with whatever we needed for the all school celebration. She works in a lot of schools and has limited time and I thought it was really great that she offered to help (and DID help - significantly!) considering her schedule. She is a team player!

Our goal is to elevate the positive things happening in our school and to share that with our Calais Community!

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.

If you need a COVID test, please either stop by or email Nurse Kathryn at ksaunders@u32.org. Stay healthy!

If you are a PreK family in the WVSA regional district, please fill out this survey by Feb 10th!

Guide to the Elementary Report Card.

1/25 - 5th/6th Calais Boys Basketball game @ Northfield (10:00am)

1/25 - 5th/6th Calais Girls Basketball game @ Northfield (12:00pm)

1/25 - 3rd/4th Calais Boys Basketball game @ Rumney (12:30pm)

1/25 - 3rd/4th Calais Girls Basketball game @ Doty (12:30pm)

1/27 - 3rd/4th Grade - Cross Country Skiing

1/28 - U32's Ballin' for a Cure Game

1/28 - Nurturing Fathers Program

1/29 - 1/28 - U32's Ballin' for a Cure Game

1/30 - Strengthening Families Program for Families with Teens

1/31 - Spaghetti Dinner and Raffle

2/1 - Open Gym Soccer

2/1 - 5th/6th Calais Boys Basketball game @ Northfield (1:00pm)

2/1 - 3rd/4th Calais Boys Basketball game @ Calais (Time TBD)

2/1 - 3rd/4th Calais Girls Basketball game @ Calais (Time TBD)

2/3 - 2nd Grade - Cross Country Skiing

2/5 - 5th/6th Calais Boys Basketball game @ Calais (6:30pm)

2/5 - 5th/6th Calais Girls Basketball game @ Calais (5:00pm)

2/8 - Winter Carnival

2/8 - 3rd/4th Calais Boys Basketball game @ Calais (11:30am)

2/8 - 3rd/4th Calais Girls Basketball game @ Calais (12:30pm)

2/10 - 1st Grade - Cross Country Skiing

2/10 - Washington Central Allies and Caregivers of LGBTQIA++ Children Group Meets @ U-32

2/11 U-32 Transition Night for Rising 7th Graders

2/12 - 5th/6th Calais Boys Basketball game @ Berlin (6:30pm)

2/13 - Friends of Calais Meeting

2/15 - Open Gym Soccer

2/15 - 3rd/4th Calais Boys Basketball game @ Calais (1:00pm)

2/15 - 3rd/4th Calais Girls Basketball game @ Calais (12:00pm)

2/17 - Coffee & Conversations with the Supertendendent

2/17 - 5th/6th Calais Boys Basketball game @ Calais (6:00pm)

2/17 - 5th/6th Calais Girls Basketball game @ Calais (5:00pm)

2/20 - 3rd/4th Calais Boys Basketball game @ Berlin (5:00pm)

2/20 - 3rd/4th Calais Girls Basketball game @ Berlin (6:00pm)

2/21 - We Love Winter Break Dance

3/10 - 5th Grade - Cross Country Skiing

3/17 - 6th Grade - Cross Country Skiing

If you are interested in signing up to help with a station or donating towards the Winter Carnival, please sign up here.

These forms are being sent home in the Friday folders this week but if you need a new one, please email Danielle at dmackay@u32.org!

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.

INVITATION

Washington Central allies and caregivers of children exploring and/or identifying LGBTQIA++

(not our official name!)

The SECOND MONDAY every month--- 5-6:30pm.

Beginning February 10th

Location: Room 128 at U-32

We invite all district members with children (preK-12) in their care or in a caring relationship with kids who are or are exploring their gender expression.

Sometimes the health and well-being of our kids is hampered by the social expectations we have all been taught-- about what to expect from boys and girls.

As adults we carry our upbringing of such expectations AND we adore our kids who may be breaking up with those very ideas.

This group welcomes conversations about how our kids are declaring who they are, defying expectations, how our kids love pink or don't, play with trucks instead of dolls, wear dresses instead of pants, or both, love everyone and sometimes do not receive such open heartedness from others.

What do we do about pronouns, bullying, our own 'coming out' as adults who love and adore kids who tell us they are questioning how they fit in the world? What about LGBTAQ++ and non-binary? Wondering about gender and as age appropriate, growing into social and emotional intimate interests?

We want to create a place to share experiences and resources guided by Shelley Vermilya, district equity scholar and gender studies educator, and parents.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Shelley

Please send questions and RSVP

Shelley Vermilya svermilya@u32.org

If you are interested in helping to plan events for our school and our students, please feel out this Calais Advisory Interest Form. We want to continue to do big things for our students, including events big and small, but we need help! If you are interested in helping to plan these events, please feel out the form.

The Parent Advisory Team has worked with a group of students to put together another school dance! The next dance will be in March and while we are still working on the final dates and details we want you to start thinking about your dance moves now!

Check out the online Calais Cougar store and find the perfect gift for the Cougar in your life. Shirts, sweatshirts, hats, sweatpants, bags, even sandals are just some of the items you can get as a gift. This store is sponsored by the Friends of Calais and part of the proceeds benefit their incredible programs. Check the link below and order today!

https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/#/lockers/calais-cougars

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

Please review the 2024-2025 Family Handbook. This handbook spells out procedures, guidelines, expectations, and list of resources. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Weiss.

One of our goals this year is to engage with our community, not just parents and families, but the larger Calais community. This school is part of the community and we want the community to come and be part of CES.

You may want to volunteer in the classroom, help us coordinate activities or chaperone trips, tap into a talent to teach our students, or generally be available to help where needed. We will welcome you all to Calais!

Work continues on the details for the Calais Volunteer Program as there are a few moving pieces that need to be completed, but we want you to let us know of your interest. Please put your name on our list by filling out the Volunteer Program Form.

GET INVOLVED!

Would you like to be more involved in any of the many ways it takes to run a great Town like Calais?

Here's your opportunity to join the MANY dedicated volunteers who contribute in both big and small ways to make Calais a wonderful place to live and raise a family!

Each year, the Calais Selectboard makes appointments to fill:

• multi-year terms on standing Boards, Committees and Commissions, and
• annual appointments for one-year positions.

Take a look at www.calaisvermont.gov for the full list of appointments the Selectboard will be considering in April 2025. If you see any position of interest to you, please email AssistantTownClerk@calaisvermont.gov by Friday, January 24, 2025 stating your interest and why the Selectboard should consider appointing you.

Of special note are the following positions that are currently or soon-to-be VACANT and in need of nominees (keep scrolling down):

One Year Terms

Animal Control Officer, 2nd

Constable, 1st and 2nd

Curtis Pond Island Oversight

NEK/CVFiber Alternate

Emergency Management Director*

Selectboard Recording Secretary*

* Eligible for stipend

Multi Year Terms

Conservation Commission, 4-year term (two seats vacant)

Development Review Board, 3-year term (2 Alternate seats vacant)

Emergency Management Committee, 3-year term (4 seats vacant)

Historic Preservation Commission, 3-year term (3 seats vacant)

Questions? For more information or to apply for any position, please email AssistantTownClerk@calaisvermont.gov by Friday, January 24, 2025 stating your interest and why the Selectboard should consider appointing you. Thank you!

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

Hello Calais Cougars.

Today I forgot to interview somebody, sorry! I have a few questions for you:

What is your favorite color?

What is your least favorite color?

Sorry this is so short.
Bye for now.

Ms. Scoop