Cougar Chronicle
December 19, 2025
For the month of December, Guidance will be discussing the many cultures, holidays and customs around the world that we celebrate during the winter months of the year. If anyone would like to come in to talk about a specific holiday, custom or culture that they celebrate during the winter months, such as Hanukkah, Kwanza, Los Posados, Yule, Chinese New Year, Diwali, Christmas, etc… please send an email to rfrisenda@U32 or call Ms. Ruth at 802-454-777 ext. 105 and we can schedule a time on Wednesdays in December for you to come in to talk with a class or read a story or enjoy a special holiday treat about a tradition that all of us can celebrate together and learn from one another during this special time of year.
12/20 - Calais Children's Christmas Choir Rehearsals
12/24-1/2 - No School - Winter Break
1/8 - Craftsbury Field Trip - 3rd and 4th Grade
1/15 - Craftsbury Field Trip - Kindergarten, First and Second Grade
1/16 - Coffee and Conversations with the Superintendent @ Calais Elementary
1/29 - Craftsbury Field Trip - 5th and 6th Grade
1/30 - Spaghetti Dinner and Raffle
2/5 - Kindergarten, First and Second Grade
2/12 - Kindergarten, First and Second Grade
2/19 - 3rd and 4th Grade
Next week, she will be at Calais on Tuesday 12/22
January 8th - 3rd and 4th Grade
January 15th - Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd Grade
January 29th - 5th and 6th Grade
February 5th - Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd Grade
February 12th - 5th and 6th Grade
February 19th - 3rd and 4th Grade
Happy December Calais Cougar Families!
With the winter weather upon us and with students being in close proximity to each other, the winter illness season is upon us!
Please note that we have a couple of class rooms with Strep Infection in them. If your child has a sore throat that seems to be prolonged or is severe, please have them checked by their primary care provider.
This year we have Strep A presenting as a full body rash too! This has come on quickly, usually is itchy and can cover the child. The best intervention is to have the child assessed and if they have been exposed to Strep, request a rapid Strep test and culture (the rapid strep test often comes back negative, but the cultures have been coming back positive).
Sore throats feel better with salt water gargles, throat lozenges, and herbal tea with honey. Ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen may also help.
Nurse Kathryn
To receive the most current, real-time alerts and notifications regarding your student's bus schedule, families should download the MyRide app and create an account. Once logged in and your student is added, please ensure you set your notification preferences within the app. This is the official platform for immediate communication about bussing changes and delays.
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!
Hello Calais friends and neighbors -
Friends of Calais is beginning to organize and request donations for the annual Spaghetti Dinner and Raffle to support ongoing Calais community programming and events. This year we want to tap into and connect with the MANY talented residents and resources we have available in our amazing community!
We are seeking donations of lessons or services that can be offered as raffle prizes - things like:
- Art, music, cooking, woodworking, fly fishing, or other lessons 🎨🎶🍳🪵🎣
- Fitness or yoga classes 💪🧘
- Home repair, gardening, or tech help 🔨💻
- Beauty, wellness, or pet care services 💅💆🐾
- Any other special skill or service you would like to share!
Your contribution not only helps us raise money for a great cause but also showcases your business or talent to the community, while strengthening connections within Calais. It's a win-win!
All donors will be thanked publicly at the event as well as on our website (unless you prefer to stay anonymous). Donor attendance at the event is welcomed but not required.
🗓️ Event date: January 30, 2026 5:30-7:30pm
📍 Location: Calais Elementary School - ALL ARE WELCOME, this is a community wide event!
⏰Deadline for Donations: January 15, 2026
If you would like to contribute please reply to this post or contact Friends of Calais at friendsofcalais2020@gmail.com Even a small offering can make a big difference!
Thank you for helping us make this yearly community fundraising event a success!
Please see the information below if you are interested in helping out!!
Coach focused
Ready to help girls speak up with confidence? Through the Spring 2026 Girls on the Run curriculum, ‘Hello, Bold Heart!”, girls learn how to share their thoughts, feelings, and ideas and help others do the same. Speaking up takes courage, and being a Bold Heart is all about building the confidence to share what’s inside—even when she feels nervous. Want to use YOUR voice and empower girls to speak up like never before? Learn more about volunteering to be a Girls on the Run coach at Calais Elementary this spring!
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. The 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! Girls on the Run at Calais will be open to girls in grades 3-6.
Visit gotrvt.org/coach to learn more or sign up to volunteer. Interested participants can complete GOTRVT's Participant Interest Form and learn more about the program at gotrvt.org/programs Have more questions? Contact GOTRVT at info@girlsontherunvermont.org or 802-871-5664.
Participant Focused:
Girls on the Run Vermont (GOTRVT) is gearing up for another empowering and fun season this spring, and we are looking to bring their programming to our community! GOTRVT's programs inspire girls to become their most confident selves, foster new friendships, and build life skills to use at home, in the classroom, and beyond. Girls gain these skills through an innovative blend of engaging lessons, team discussions, impactful community projects and fun physical activities. Each season culminates with a joyful 5K event where participants, coaches, families, and community members unite to celebrate how far girls have come and will continue to go. Bonus, Girls on the Run coaches agree the program has helped them enhance their own life skills, too!
Teams meet twice a week for 90 minutes each session for 10 weeks, starting the week of March 16. If you are interested in having your child participate, please complete the general interest form by clicking on this link: GOTRVT Participant Interest Form. Girls on the Run will be open to grades 3-6 at Calais Elementary. If you’d like to learn more about GOTRVT programs, or about volunteering to coach, check out gotrvt.org/programs or email GOTRVT at info@girlsontherunvermont.org.
Berlin Elementary School and Doty Memorial School are served with Title I federal funds this school year. The purpose of Title I is “to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close the achievement gaps” (Vermont Agency of Education). Title I funds supplement local funds, and schools are eligible based on poverty rates. The measure that we use in Washington Central is eligibility for free or reduced meals.
We are required to hold a Title I meeting each year. This year we will host a virtual Title I meeting. We will explain the purpose of the funds and how we use them in Washington Central, and we will welcome your questions and thoughts. We will also share information about Title II and Title IV funds and seek input regarding our district's Title I school compact.
The meeting will be facilitated by Jen Miller-Arsenault, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. It will take place on Thursday, January 15 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. via Google Meet, and a recording will be posted on our district website.
Here is the Google Meet link:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/xqy-mago-ebf
Or dial: (US) +1 475-441-4834 PIN: 979 964 543#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/xqy-mago-ebf?pin=2637969762166
Please reach out to Jen Miller-Arsenault at jmillerarsenault@u32.org or (802) 229-0553 if you have any questions. We hope to see you there!
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.
Type in your zip code or county to find different resources in your area!
To help with essentials
