Wildcat Buzz
by Angela Filion, ABS Building Principal
Hello, ABS families! 🐝
We’re off and running, and it already feels like our hive is humming. Here are a few quick highlights to kick off the year. We have many new and wonderful faculty and staff who are joining us this year at ABS. Please take a few minutes to read and learn about them as they are new to our school community.
Together we hosted our first ever welcome back breakfast for grades 1-2. What a warm, happy start! Thank you to the families who joined us for coffee, muffins, and reconnecting. Our halls were full of laughter, new sneakers, and reuniting with our friends. Big thanks to our staff and volunteers who made it cozy and welcoming.
Our PreK and Kindergarten students have settled in beautifully-curious minds, brave hearts, and lots of joyful energy! In just a short time, they’ve begun learning routines, meeting new friends, and exploring centers, the playground, and our lunchroom. Thank you, families, for practicing drop‑off routines, sending those first‑day smiles, and trusting us with your little ones. We’re so proud of them already as they start to build their independence!
We gathered as a PreK–2 community for our first assembly of the year—a joyful chance to connect, celebrate, and set a positive tone. We hope you enjoy some of the photos of our time together(thanks to Mr. Marino for capturing it). We reviewed our schoolwide expectations: Take care of ourselves, each other, and this place, we celebrated examples of seeing this around our school. We will assemble together on the First Friday of every month to build on our community time.
I have had the chance to go to every classroom to visit, read a book, and share with the students that my number one job is to keep them safe(ask them at home what my number one job is to see if they can remember).
We read the book Keep Dancing Through . This story was about a family who had many small problems throughout the book and they solved them by taking deep breaths, taking space, and dancing through the hard times. We even had a dance party at the end with my disco globe! So fun!
SPARK Enrichment After School Session 1
We are excited to offer your child an opportunity to participate in Spark Enrichment, an after-school applied learning program for students in grades 5-8. Sessions will run for 5 weeks from 2:50 p.m - 4:20 p.m. with our 1st session starting September 25 and ending November 6.
Lost & Found is filling...
Please remember to label student items - jackets, sweatshirts, water bottles, lunch boxes, etc.
Allen Brook School
Bus Doors Open - 7:35 am
Start of School Day - 7:50 am
* Early Arrivals: Any students arriving between 7:25 - 7:35 must remain in the cafeteria where they will be supervised until the first bus arrives.
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Kindergarten Dismissal begins at 2:25pm (1:25 on Wednesdays)
First & Second Grade Dismissal begins at 2:30
Buses depart at 2:35 pm
Please carefully read the arrival and dismissal information linked below for more details
Williston Central School
Bus Doors Open - 7:45 am
Start of School Day - 8:00 am
*Early Arrivals: If an early arrival is necessary (starting at 7:30 am) 3rd & 4th graders must wait in the lobby near the west entrance and 5th-8th graders will be in either the cafeteria or the lobby near the main entrance.
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Students will be dismissed at the following times
2:35 - 2:45 - Grades 3 & 4 Dismissed (1:35-1:45 on Wednesday)
2:40 - 5th thru 8th Dismissal for buses only
2:40 - 2:45 - Buses load and depart
2:45 - 2:50 - Grades 5-8 Dismissal for all students not riding the bus
Please carefully read the arrival and dismissal information linked below for more details
Williston Central School Athletics are open to all students grades 6th-8th. All practices start at 2:50 and end around 4:20. Students can be picked up at the rear entrance to the school, or take the activity bus.
Visit the athletics website for everything you need to know about playing on a sports team at WCS. WCS Athletics
Bus Information
click for bus information, including routes and estimated times
CVSD Website
click for district information
School Safety
click for meeting notes and information from our Williston Safety Team
*YOUTH PROGRAMMING*
Children in 5th grade and up may use the library unattended, while those in grade 4 or under must be supervised by a person over 16 years of age. We are happy to welcome children into the library after school again and will be offering programs on early-release Wednesdays.
For information on the Unattended Children Policy, visit www.damlvt.org. Parents and guardians are encouraged to stop by or call 878-4918 to chat with a youth librarian about expectations and the library's after-school experience.
*LIMITED TIME* Connect & Play Theraplay®
Monday, September 15, 10:30-11 a.m. Suggested for parents/caregivers and children ages 3-6. Limit 16 parent-child pairings; registration suggested; attendance not required at all sessions! Join the Champlain Center for Play Therapy and Family Counseling for a series designed to strengthen bonds through joyful, structured play! Guided by trained facilitators.
Storytime
Tuesdays, 10:30-11 a.m. Have fun with stories and songs during our weekly storytime. On the Town Green when weather permits.
Baby Time
Wednesday, September 17, 10:30-11 a.m. Suggested ages 0-18 months. Enjoy gentle literacy, bonding, and social activities with your little one.
After School Activity: Craft
Wednesday, September 17, 2-3 p.m. Hang out with a teen volunteer and youth librarian and make your own zines!
Preschool Music & Preschool Playtime
Thursdays, 10:30-11 a.m. Sing and dance with Linda Bassick! Followed by preschool playtime from 11-11:30 a.m. Outdoors when weather permits.
Read to a Dog (Lola)
Thursday, September 18, 3:30-4:30 p.m. All ages. Sign up for a 10-minute session to read to or hang out with Lola the therapy dog!
Library 120th Celebration
The Williston Historical Society presents: The Williston Antiques Roadshow
Saturday, September 20, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Have your treasures appraised by local auctioneer and appraiser Ethan Merrill of Merrill’s Auction Gallery. See website for details.
DAML Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, September 20, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Celebrate the 120th year of library services in Williston with us! The celebration will be rain or shine, There will be old-style lawn games, a Town Band performance, cake and ice cream, and a chance to explore the Village Vibrancy expansion plans.
Allen Brook School
Start Time @ 7:50am;
Dismissal for PreK & K at 2:25pm - grades 1 & 2 @2:30pm
Wednesday Early Dismissal @ 1:25 & 1:30
Williston Central School
Start Time @8:00am;
Dismissal grades 3 & 4 @2:35pm - grades 5-8 @2:45pm
Wednesday Early Dismissal @ 1:35 & 1:45
Williston Schools Leadership Team
Greg Marino, Williston Schools Lead Principal
Jacqueline Parks, WCS Building Principal
Angela Filion, ABS Building Principal
Lauren Goracy, Director Student Services