SCS Community Newsletter

Dear SCS Families, Caregivers, and Shelburne Community,

Welcome to the 2025-26 school year at SCS! There is a renewed energy in our building after welcoming our faculty back this week, and we can't wait for our entire staff to gather for the annual PTO breakfast on Monday. The final, most exciting piece will be welcoming your children—both new and returning—back to our halls next week.

First Day of School: Key Details

Please mark your calendars with these important dates and times:

• K-8 Students' First Day: Wednesday, August 27

• PreK Students' First Day: Thursday, September 4

• Arrival Time: Our doors open at 7:45 AM. The first 15 minutes of the day are crucial for a positive start, so arriving on time makes a real difference. Students are considered late after 8:00. Helping your child develop a consistent morning routine is a wonderful way to support their executive functioning at any age.

• Early Release Wednesday: As with all Wednesdays, our first day is an early release day. Dismissal will begin at 1:40 PM instead of 2:40 PM.

ICPD: The Four Pillars of Engagement

As a district, our leadership at all levels—board, administration, faculty, and staff—has been sharpening our focus on engagement. We are building systems and experiences for students, staff, and families that reflect our four CVSD pillars of engagement:

• Identity – Understanding and valuing self and others

• Connection – Building meaningful relationships and support systems

• Proficiency – Developing skills and knowledge with awareness of progress

• Direction – Gaining a sense of purpose through relevant learning experiences that connect to interests, goals, and future pathways

These pillars guide us in designing experiences that help every student and staff member grow.

Transportation, Handbooks, and Important Links

• Bus Routes: The 2025-26 bus routes are now available and can be accessed year-round on the SCS Website (under Menu > Families). Please note that you may not see your exact address, particularly in densely populated neighborhoods. If so, please plan for your student to use the nearest listed stop. This helps our drivers run efficient routes. For any questions, please contact our lead driver, PJ, at pjoyal@cvsdvt.org.

• Handbooks & Directory: Please take some time with your child to review the CVSD & SCS Handbook for 2025-26. It is our one-stop shop for district and school policies. A full Staff Directory is also available on our website, should you need to contact anyone.

Welcoming New Faces

We were busy this summer recruiting wonderful new talent to our team! Please join us in giving a warm SCS welcome to:

• Cassandra Desranleau, 3-5 School Counselor

• Alicia Jerome, Planning Room

• Emily Kallock, School Nurse

• Alison Duback, CY Mentoring Coordinator

• Matt Krickus, Behavior Team

• New Team Paraprofessionals: AnnMarie Anderson (Kindergarten), Katrina Ellis-Ferrera (Kindergarten), and Gabrielle Churchman (Third Grade)

We are also delighted to welcome Ms. Kiah back from maternity leave! She will be in a different role this year, joining the Kindergarten team as a paraprofessional three days a week.

Get Involved From Day One

Our school is a better place when parents and caregivers are involved. Here are two immediate ways to connect:

• PTO Kickoff: Please join the PTO at the Shelburne Field House after drop-off on Wednesday morning. It’s a great way to meet other families and hear about exciting events planned for the year (including what might be the largest Taiko Drumming event in Vermont history!).

• Volunteer for Morning Movement: We need a team of volunteers to help supervise our morning movement drop-off option from 7:25 AM until the school day begins. If you can help us provide this early drop-off service, please contact our coordinator, Christine Haines, at cbevacqua2@yahoo.com.

We are looking forward to a wonderful year together!

In Partnership,

Antonia, Jen and Brett

CVSD 2025-2026 Calendar

Arrival: 7:45 Doors open, students dismissed from buses - breakfast served until 7:58

Students being dropped off by car should enter through the School St door. Please do not drop students off in the bus circle or the Harbor Rd parking lot.

Dismissal: 2:45 (1:45 on Wednesdays)

Students being picked up will exit out the School St door.

Kindergarten parents/caregivers, please meet your student at the door at 2:40 (1:40 Wednesdays).

Tardy: If your student arrives past 8:00, they must sign in at the front office before going to their classroom.

• 2025-2026 Bus Routes
• If your exact street number is not listed, your student/s should go to the stop that is closest to your home.
• Routes are designed to have students arrive at SCS ready to unload by 7:45.
• We aim to have buses depart the school in the afternoon at 2:45 (Except Wednesday, when they should roll out at 1:45). In order to make that possible, we use a staggered afternoon dismissal, with bus riders being dismissed first.
• It is essential that your child’s transportation plan should be communicated to classroom teachers and on your PowerSchool information. Once school begins, any changes to the schedule provided must be communicated to the classroom teacher and Jane Graham in the main office. Please refer to the handbook for more information.
• We expect all bus riders to follow our Bus Use Guidelines for Students (BUGS). If your child is taking the bus, please review these expectations with them.

FALL sports registration is open for the 2025 - 2026 school year! If you have a student entering 5th - 8th grade who would like to participate in our athletics program, you will need to complete our registration for SCS athletics. The registration link is located at the top of the athletics website.

In addition, you will need to submit a Wellness Exam - Sports Participation Form.

Fall sports (Cross Country, Boys Soccer, Field Hockey, and Girls Soccer) will begin on August 28, 2025 (the second day of school). Student-athletes WILL NOT be allowed to participate until their registration and wellness forms have been completed and submitted. If you have any questions, please reach out to Leigh Petrucelli, SCS Athletic Director. Thank you!

If you are interested in volunteering, mentoring, and/or chaperoning at SCS for the 2025-2026 school year, and have not completed the necessary paperwork, please begin the process now.

• CVSD Volunteer and Chaperone Procedures

• CVSD Consent for Release of Information Form

Questions? Contact Jane Graham, 383-1101

We are still missing key people for:

We are looking to hire an a.m. and/or p.m. crossing guard to support a safe arrival and dismissal at School Street. Hours would be 7:30-8:00 and 2:30-3:00. If you are interested, please reach out to scsinformation@cvsdvt.org.

Are you interested in having some fun learning alongside our students as a guest teacher (aka sub)? If so, please reach out to CVSDHR@cvsdvt.org or Louise Michaels.

Click here for more information on becoming a sub!

Shelburne Community School Administrative Team

Jen Roth, PreK-4 Principal

Brett Cluff, 5-8 Principal

Antonia Trono, Director of Special Services