THE CCS NEWSLETTER
September 25, 2026
CCS Community,
We want to share two important updates today: Open House & Two Employment Opportunities.
CCS Open House – Tuesday, September 29, 5:00–6:00 PM
Our annual Open House is coming up this Tuesday from 5:00–6:00 PM. This date and time have been consistent for the past several years and were set before fall athletics schedules were released. We know there are a few game conflicts that afternoon, including some away games. While that is unfortunate, moving Open House now would create additional challenges, as the date has been shared with faculty, staff, and families since August.
We hope to see you Tuesday and understand that some families may not be able to attend.
If you are unable to attend, Family Conferences are coming right up, and teachers will soon be sharing options to connect and learn more about your child’s experience and learning.
Open House is just that—a true open house. Please move through the school with your child(ren), letting them lead the way, show you their learning spaces, and share some of what they’ve been doing. Staying together also helps keep students supervised and focused on the purpose of the evening.
Two Employment Opportunities at CCS
CCS currently has two permanent employment opportunities, both offering competitive pay and full benefits:
Intensive Paraeducator: A school-year position supporting a small number of students in their general education settings, primarily in grades K–2.
Second-Shift Custodian: A full-year position, typically beginning around 3:00 PM.
Please reach out to either of us with questions, and we would be grateful if you would share these opportunities with people in your networks who may be interested. You can see the job postings and apply online using the links above.
Thank you for helping us spread the word, and we hope to see many of you Tuesday.
All the best,
Tim & Lauren
Tim O’Leary, Principal; toleary@cvsdvt.org
Lauren Goracy, Assistant Principal & Director of Special Services; lgoracy@cvsdvt.org
CCS Family Farms Appreciation
A couple of weeks ago, Andre posed for a photo in front of CCS while holding a large bag of greens he was delivering from his family’s farm, Sweet Roots, right here in Charlotte. He was filled with pride!
After we shared that photo, another CCS family who owns Golden Apple Family Farm reached out to connect with our Food Service team. They soon donated green beans and watermelons that made their way into school lunches this week.
It’s hard to imagine something much better than this: CCS families tending and growing nutrient-rich food, dropping it off at school alongside their children, and seeing that food nourish many of our 340 students each day.
Thank you, Sweet Roots and Golden Apple Family Farm, for helping care for our school community in such a meaningful way. And, thank you to Sherry Beatty, our Food Service Manager, for working with both of these farms.
PUP Quick Tips! - Plan Changes & FAQs
As a reminder, we are using PickUp Patrol for ALL student absences, late arrivals, early pickups, leave and return, late bus reservations, and changes to a student’s default dismissal plan.
To report a change to your student’s plan:
Open PickUp Patrol and select the appropriate date.
Click the top section, where your student’s current default plan is listed.
A menu will pop up. Select Plan.
💥You may need to scroll up/down until you see the appropriate option from the drop-down menu.💥
Click on the appropriate option.
Add any helpful details in the More Info section.
Click Submit to save your change.
Once you submit your changes through PickUp Patrol, you don't need to call, leave a message, or email us. This helps us keep all dismissal and attendance information in one place and ensures we have the information we need.
Thank you for your help in using PickUp Patrol consistently
Mark Your Calendar
Every Wednesday School Is in Session — Early Dismissal, 1:45
Sat., Sept. 26 - *Save the Date* Spirit Day at CVU - full day of sports, food, and fun
Tues., Sept. 29 — Open House, 5:00–6:00 - The CCS PTO Potluck will be scheduled for another date this year, rather than be combined with the Open House. Potluck Date TBD.
Wed., Sept. 30 — Picture Day at CCS (details will be sent to families from Beltrami Bsnap)
Fri., Oct. 2 — Dance! Grades 6–8, MPR, 6:30–8:30
Wed., Oct. 14 — CCS PTO Back-to-School Potluck, CCS Playground, 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Tues., Oct. 20 — CVSD School Board Meeting, 6:00 - 8:00
Fri., Oct. 23 — No School: K-12 Conferences
Picture Day at CCS - Wednesday, September 30th
Beltrami Studios is once again out photographer for CCS for Picture Day.
Order forms have been sent home with your child(ren) and Beltrami will be sending ordering information directly to caregivers via email. Naomi Strada has a limited number of extra paper copies in the Main Office if needed.
Every student will have their picture taken whether a package is ordered or not and every student will receive a free class picture.
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.
Here is an upcoming FREE Webinar:
GPS Parenting Series FREE Virtual Events Coming Up! World-renowned authors and clinicians present relevant, research-based teaching to empower and strengthen families, individuals and communities by sharing practical strategies to help humans of every age thrive. GPS is *free* and open to all. No registration, no subscription!
When Kids Say, "I Hate Myself": How to Respond - with Blaise Aguirre, MD and Ross Szabo. Wednesday, September 23 at Noon and 7pm (click on the link for more information and to register)
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!
Get in touch with me!
Betsy Lloyd, School Counselor
(802)425-6604
One Hour a Week. Become a Mentor
Connecting Youth at CCS is seeking trusted and caring adults to become youth mentors. If you are interested in being more connected to your community, have one hour a week to give during the school year, and a willingness to show up consistently to get to know a young person, mentoring could be the right fit for you.
For more than 25 years, Connecting Youth Mentoring has brought students and community members together through one of Vermont’s largest school-based mentoring programs. And those connections matter: in MENTOR Vermont’s 2025 survey, 96% of mentees said their mentor makes them feel like they matter, and 96% said having a mentor has made a positive difference in their life.
Mentoring builds belonging, creates connection and strengthens a community. And sometimes the simplest thing is the most impactful: an adult who chooses to show up, listen and be in a young person’s corner.
Could that be you?
Contact CCS Mentoring Coordinator, Jessica Phelan jphelan@cvsdvt.org
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE SMS/TEXT MESSAGES
Please enroll to receive text messages from the district and/or our school. If you haven't done this yet or if you are new to CVSD, follow the easy steps on this flyer. We don't overuse this method of communication, but it is helpful for reminders and quick announcements. Don't miss out!
Ways to Get Involved at CCS
CCS has several opportunities for caregivers and community members to be part of our school community.
- Volunteer at CCS: Please complete the required volunteer forms and return them to Cindy LaWare at any time. Questions? Contact Cindy at 425-2771 or claware@cvsdvt.org.
- Mentor a student: If you are interested in mentoring a student in grades 5–8, please contact Jessica Phelan at jphelan@cvsdvt.org.
- Substitute at CCS: We are always looking for positive, energetic individuals to substitute teach in grades K–8. Please contact Naomi Strada at 425-6600 to learn more. You can also find additional information about substituting on the CVSD website.
CVU Spirit Day — Saturday, September 26
Champlain Valley Union High School
Come cheer on your hometown athletes at CVU’s annual Spirit Day, a celebration of Redhawk pride featuring a full day of home games, fans and festivities!
Soccer, field hockey, volleyball and football games will take place throughout the day, while food trucks, concessions, music, face painting and a CVU merchandise booth will round out the festivities.
All are welcome!
Charlotte Library
October Menu
CCS Caregiver Frequently-Used Resources
CCS Parent-Teacher Organization
Charlotte Community Resources
Tim O'Leary, Principal
Lauren Goracy, Assistant Principal & Director of Special Services
The Newsletter is published every Friday, when school is in session. It is delivered to our families via email, posted on our website, and on Front Porch Forum. A hard copy is available by contacting the school.