Cougar Chronicle

Calais Elementary School will host our Veterans Day Program on Thursday, November 13 (starting at 9:30am), and we’d love your help in making it special!

We’re looking for veterans who would like to participate, speak with classes, or join us for lunch. We’re also hoping to display military artifacts or memorabilia for students to explore (please, no weapons).

If you’re a veteran or know someone who might be interested, please reach out to csmith@u32.org.

Thank you for helping our students honor and learn from those who have served!

This year, we’re bringing together our winter gear, holiday food assistance, and gift drive into one united support effort we’re calling “SNOW MUCH GIVING.” We’ve gathered information from our Calais families in need and have already started receiving generous donations of winter gear and gifts from our amazing staff members.

Our community has always shown incredible generosity, and this year we’re making it easier than ever to lend a hand. Right now, we are in immediate need of food gift cards to help provide holiday meals for local families. If you’d like to support a Calais family in need, please drop off a grocery store gift card with Danielle in the front office.

Together, we can help spread warmth, kindness, and a little extra cheer during these challenging times.

Breakfast and Lunch Menus

25/26 School Calendar

25/26 Family Handbook

11/8 - U-32 Fall Craft Fair

11/9 - Curious Calais Nature Walk

11/10 - Family Conferences - No School For Students

11/13 - Veterans Day Program

11/13 - Friends of Calais Meeting

11/15 - Calais Soccer Social

11/21 - Contra Dance to Benefit Migrant Justice

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

12/2 - Parent Advisory Team Meeting

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 Tuesday 11/11 and Thursday 11/13

HFMD is a common childhood disease that is spread by a virus (typically Coxsackie virus A16 or enterovirus A71) and typically not serious, but very contagious. Transmission is through physical contact with the person or a contaminated surface that an ill person has touched. To prevent the spread of HFMD, it is recommended that hand washing is done often, surfaces are disinfected, and avoid close contact with others. Wearing a mask is not recommended as transmission is through direct contact.

Symptoms can start with a fever that doesn’t last long, and sores are seen on the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands, and inside the mouth. They can be on other parts of your body, but the areas of the body just mentioned are why it has its name and they are the classic symptoms. The bumps often are little blisters with fluid in them. They can be itchy. The fluid in the blisters does carry the virus, so avoiding scratching them and opening the sores to help prevent spread of the virus.

Most children have mild symptoms that last 7-10 days. If your child develops severe symptoms, or cannot drink adequate fluids, do not hesitate to bring them to their health care provider.

Children may return to school following school protocols:

No fever for 24 hours without using medication.

Students must feel up to being and participating in school.

No uncontrolled drooling with mouth sores.

Additionally, I will add, no open weeping sores.

Below is a link to obtain more information on HFMD from the CDC. It discusses cause, symptoms, prevention, and when children may return to school. Please read this important information.

Link to information about H,F,M disease

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me, the school nurse, Kathryn Saunders at ksaunders@u32.org. Thank you.

Hi Calais Cougars!
Today we are interviewing Frances.

Her favorite colors are neon colors.

Her least favorite colors are orange/beige.

Her favorite animal is a tiger.

Her least favorite animal is a fly.

Her favorite food are ribs (Schoolhouse Farm).

Her least favorite food is chili.

Her favorite sweet food is Air Heads (yum).

Her least favorite sweet food is Ghost-Toast Kit-Kats.

Her favorite sport is basketball.

Her favorite show is "Is It Cake?"

Bye for now!
Ms. Scoop

Next meeting - Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 5:30pm in the Library.

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!

The Calais Elementary Soccer Social will take place on Saturday November 15th starting at 1pm.

Please join us as we celebrate all of our soccer teams prek-6 together as a community!

Please bring a dessert or appetizer to share!

Anyone willing to help with setup and cleanup, please let me know.

Kerri Zurowski / kzurowskk@u32.org / 802-461-6794

Barre Figure Skating Club

Central Vermont Swim Club

Girls on the Run

Destination Imagination

KB Training - Thanksgiving Pop Up Hoops Clinic - November 26th

We’re excited to announce that Calais Elementary will have a FIRST LEGO League (FLL) team this year! Phil Matheson and Luke Bennecker will serve as co-mentors, and we are looking for 4 more dedicated students (ages 9–16) to join. FLL is not just playing with LEGOs—it’s a hands-on challenge that combines robotics, research, and engineering. If your child is interested, please contact Phil Matheson at philej@gmail.com for more information. https://www.firstinvermont.org

• Join the Friends of Calais and the Calais Trails Committee for our next Curious Calais Nature Walk led by Holly Weiss on Sunday, November 9th, 10:00am-12:30pm.

• Meet up and walk the Bradley Loop Trail (yellow trail) via the Ellis Bruce Trail. The trailhead is on Long Meadow Hill Road. For a map of the trail and parking location, go to: https://www.calaisvermont.gov/vertical/sites/%7B226D684E-C864-4AFA-B4A5-59BE32741B77%7D/uploads/Long_Meadow_Hill_Trails_Network_Map.pdf

• The Ellis Bruce Trail, named for the ancient remains of two family homesteads, is an inter-town trail connecting the towns of Calais and Worcester. It was built in 2009 and is the first trial sponsored by the Calais Trails Committee.

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 and we 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

Halloween 2025