THE CCS NEWSLETTER
Charlotte Central School - February 6, 2026
CCS Community,
It’s been an energizing stretch at CCS, filled with connection, creativity, and shared experiences across the school community. Below are exciting opportunities looking ahead and a few highlights from the past week.
SPARK After-School Clubs Sign-Ups Open: Something for Everyone
We’re excited to share our next round of after-school clubs, offering something for nearly every interest and age level! From imaginative adventures in Dungeons & Dragons to hands-on creativity in Sewing, strategic thinking in Chess, active play with Pickleball, and cross-grade connection through K–8 Buddies, there’s a lot to explore. Students can also dive into Spanish language clubs at both the elementary and middle school levels, discover new books through Library Bingo, or practice sharing ideas in the Creative Presentations Club.
👉 Please see the full descriptions, dates, logistics, and the sign-up form. Spaces are limited, and some clubs may fill quickly. Sign-ups close at the end of Sunday, February 15th.
Questions about SPARK? Reach out to Activities/Athletics Director Nicky Elderton (nelderton@cvsdvt.org).
Go Cats Go!
Yesterday, our entire school community had the opportunity to attend the UVM Women’s Basketball Game and cheer on the Cats! Seven buses filled with CCS students and staff departed CCS around 10:00 AM and returned just before 2:00 PM, making for a full-school field trip that many of us fondly remembered doing before the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a day filled with fun, cheering, joy, and plenty of noise—and a wonderful reminder of the power of shared experiences. Go Cats Go!
Learning, Identity, and Voice
During our schoolwide morning meeting today, 4th grade students shared their learning in honor of Black History Month. One powerful message they emphasized was that Black history is American history—and that understanding our history helps us better understand ourselves. As part of this work, students reflected on their own identities by writing “Where I’m From” poems inspired by George Ella Lyon. They shared a moving compilation of their poems with the school, offering a thoughtful and personal lens on identity, history, and belonging.
With gratitude,
Tim O’Leary & Beth Slater
Charlotte Central School Leadership Team
Spotlight on Safety: Keeping Our Buses and Bus Riders Safe
We want to remind everyone of the need to keep the front circle clear of cars before 7:50 to allow our buses to pull in and unload students safely. If you arrive before 7:50, please use either the cafeteria or flagpole door drop off locations.
There's more information in our Family Handbook about Attendance, Arrival, Dismissal, Pick-Up, and Drop-Off.
Counselor Connection with Betsy Lloyd
My hope is to connect with families each week through the newsletter to provide information and resources to support kids and families. As always, please reach out if you need anything, have questions, or if I can help in any way.
Opportunities for Caregivers/Upcoming Events
CVU STUDENT/CAREGIVER NIGHT - February 12th 6:30pm - 8th grade students and their families are encouraged to attend this informational evening to learn more about the transition to high school! 8th Grade Family Night Flyer.jpg
You Are Not Alone - Navigating Your Child’s Mental Health With Wisdom from Experts and Real Families. A GPS online parenting series. Tuesday, February 10 at noon and 7 pm. Click HERE for more information and zoom link.
Resources, Food for Thought (and maybe some conversation starters)
Chittenden County Food Resources - list of free food resources throughout Chittenden county, with information about hours, location, accessibility and eligibility requirements.
Calm and Connected Podcast - This is a great resource on all topics related to children and families. Whatever the age of your child, there are topics to support you - ways for kids and teens to practice coping skills, self regulation and ways to connect, make friends and work on social skills. It will help guide you through all the stages of child development. There are also many resources and tools to dive into as well! Calm and Connected
Get in touch with me!
(802)425-6604
CCS Newscast
This week we went into the "field" and interviewed people to see who they thought would win the super bowl.
Spelling Bee Update
Mark Your Calendar
Friday, February 6th - SCS Presents: Hans Christian Andersen, Jr., CVU Auditorium, 7:00pm
Saturday, February 7th - SCS Presents: Hans Christian Andersen, Jr., CVU Auditorium, 2:00pm
Saturday, February 7th - SCS Presents: Hans Christian Andersen, Jr., CVU Auditorium, 7:00pm
Tuesday, February 10th - CCS Spelling Bee, MPR, 9:00 am (see more information above)
Tuesday, February 10th - Digital Well-Being & Youth Development, CCS Library, 5:30 - 6:30pm
Wednesday, February 11th - CCS PTO Meeting, Cafe, 8:00 - 9:00am
Wednesday, February 11th - Early Release
Sunday, February 15th - Rec Dept Winter Sports Pop Up Event, 2:00 - 7:00pm
Wednesday, February 18th - Early Release
Wednesday, February 18th - Tools, Monitoring, and Partnership: A Practical Conversation, CCS Library, 5:30 - 6:30
Monday, February 23rd through Friday, February 27th - NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
Tuesday, March 24th - Save the Date: Celebrate the Arts at CVU
Music News
Congratulations to Annie Palmer, Matilda McCracken, Eddie Moore, Ben Vincent, Leola Guterres and Nathan Woldow for their outstanding performance as part of the District III Honors Band at St. Michael's College on Saturday, January 31st, 2026. They represented CCS well and made us all proud. Bravo for your excellence and hard work!
26 - 27 CCS Kindergarten Registration Is Now Open
Middle School Families: Order your 2026 CCS Yearbook!
The CCS Yearbook is now available for order. The CCS yearbook is primarily for middle school students, grades 5-8, as only these students are featured in the yearbook. The cost of the yearbook is $30. If purchasing a yearbook for your student is a financial hardship for your family, please reach out confidentially to our school counselor, Betsy Lloyd at blloyd@cvsdvt.org so we can make sure your middle schooler can receive a yearbook.
The deadline has been extended. Please order your yearbook by February 20, 2026.
For yearbook related questions, please reach out to our yearbook advisor, Elisa Miller, at emiller@cvsdvt.org.
Learn More: Proposed FY27 CVSD Budget & Voting Information
On January 20, the CVSD School Board approved a $107.9M FY27 budget to support and operate the district. Voters will consider this budget on Town Meeting Day—Tuesday, March 3, 2026. You can also vote or absentee beginning Wednesday, Feb. 11, by requesting a ballot online at sos.vermont.gov/elections.
The proposed $107.9M budget carries forward the current year's level of services and programming into the 2026-27 school year, recognizing that further cuts to programs would affect the core mission of the district.
Learn more about the budget at www.cvsdvt.org/budget and at the upcoming informational meeting:
Virtual Community Budget Meeting
Monday, February 16 at 7 p.m.
Join via Zoom, Meeting ID: 287 287 5018, Passcode: cvsd11
CVSD Intra-District K-8 School Choice
Children entering grades preK-8 who live in the towns of Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, St. George and Williston may exercise school choice. Our goal is to both allow options for families and also make balanced class sizes to provide a positive learning environment for all of our children.
Processes for intra-district choice of school will be guided by the needs of students, space availability, and existing resources. Given this, we will work to meet as many families’ needs as possible. Guidelines and Application
Shelburne Community School Presents: Hans Christian Andersen Jr.!
Next weekend, February 6 and 7, SCS will be presenting their middle school musical,
Hans Christian Andersen Jr.!
The show will be at CVU.
To purchase tickets- please click HERE.
Please come out to support our fellow CVSD kiddos! We hope to see you at the show! :)
Girls on the Run Vermont
Volunteer to be a Girls on the Run (GOTR) coach for CCS this spring! Girls’ voices matter, though they may not realize it … YET. As a GOTR coach this season, you have the chance to help girls find the confidence to speak up and boldly share their amazing ideas. You’ll empower them to listen deeply and guide them in helping others find their voices, too. With your support, girls on your team can realize just how powerful they are. Being a GOTR coach isn't just impactful—it's life-changing. Not only do GOTR coaches empower the girls on their team, they also reported the experience strengthened their connection to the community and enhanced their personal and professional skills. Be a part of something truly meaningful!
Not a runner? Haven’t coached before? No problem! Girls on the Run VT (GOTRVT) provides training, easy to follow lesson plans, supplies and support for a transformational season. Our season begins the week of March 16, 2026 and ends with a celebratory 5K on Saturday, May 30th. Over the 10 week season our team will meet twice weekly for 90 minute sessions to connect, move, learn and have FUN!
Visit gotrvt.org/coach to learn more or sign up to volunteer. Families can fill out a participant interest form to get connected. Questions? Contact GOTRVT at stephanie@girlsontherunvermont.org, or 802-871-5664.
Save the Date: Celebrate the Arts, Tuesday, March 24
Join students from across the Champlain Valley School District for an evening of entertainment and celebration, showcasing performing and visual arts from the district’s six schools. This annual tradition returns to CVU on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, transforming the high school halls and theater into a vibrant gallery of learning, innovation and inspiration.
The 14th-annual Celebrate the Arts Night brings together art, music, theater, media, arts, foods, business, design and technology in a one-night-only exhibition of student creativity.
Bolton Valley Ski & Ride Dates - 2/11, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18 (3/25 Make-up Date)
Registration Fees:
$129 Program fee (for those 6+ or those without a BV season's pass)
$49 Program fee (for those under 6 or who have a BV season's pass)
No Charge/FREE to borrow equipment from CCS on a first come/first serve basis
BV rental equip. Optional: please see Charlotte Recreation website for details
$75 lessons - Levels 1 or 2, ski or snowboard
Chaperones:
Chaperones are needed to maintain a 1-to-10 ratio to students. Chaperones ski free or at a sharply reduced rate and are expected to help and have fun. Some chaperones are needed to ride the bus. More info for “1st timers” at the meeting!
Transportation:
Bus/Transportation leaves CCS after school and returns by 7:40pm. Students MUST (unless
prearranged) return the same way they arrived. If changes occur for the ride home, the parent or child MUST notify the bus coordinator or driver of the car in which your child arrived.
Equipment Donations:
As always, we are on the lookout for newer skis, boards, boots, and helmets. If you would like to
donate, please drop off at Charlotte Town Hall to the Rec Department (Gary Rogers), or contact
Michael Krasnow (mkrasnow1@gmail.com), who will be doing the fittings.
Registration:
Registration is now being done through the Charlotte Recreation website. Please head to
https://charlottevt.myrec.com/info/activities/default.aspx to register.
Financial Aid/Scholarships - Financial Aid is available for any student who would otherwise be unable to participate. Contact Gary Rogers at information below.
Need More information: email recreation@townofcharlotte.com or call/text: (802) 989-2929
2026 Summer Camp Information
It's that time of year again where we begin to share with you summer camp information that we are asked to pass along to our community caregivers. CCS does not endorse the following camps, this is shared with our community as informational only.
Vermont Youth Dancers - various dates and ages - Summer Dance Programs
Be A Substitute / Guest Teacher at CCS!
Are you interested in being a part of the CCS community and get paid? Consider being a substitute / guest teacher? Interested individuals should reach out to CVSDHR@cvsdvt.org.
CCS Caregiver Frequently-Used Resources
CCS Parent-Teacher Organization
Charlotte Community Resources
Tim O'Leary, Principal; toleary@cvsdvt.org
Beth Slater, Assistant Principal & Director of Special Services; eslater@cvsdvt.org