THE SCHOOL BELL

Finding Voice

by Sarah Crum, Director of Student Support Services

I have been attending a professional development conference this week with presenter Jennifer Abrams, author of several books including Having Hard Conversations (2009). She shared a quote with us that really struck a chord for me:

“Our conversations invent us. Through our speech and our silence, we become smaller or larger selves. Through our speech and our silence, we diminish or enhance the other person, and we narrow or expand the possibilities between us. How we use our voice determines the quality of our relationships, who we are in the world, and what the world can be and might become. Clearly, a lot is at stake here.” - Harriet Lerner, The Dance of Connection

While there is immense responsibility in the power of our words, I find this quote full of potential. I have often asserted that my experiences have shaped my character and values. Perhaps I have overlooked the conversations that have enhanced my growth and expanded my possibilities as equally powerful in creating my world.

As caregivers and educators, we engage in conversation in so many ways: with our children, with our partners, with our colleagues and friends. We assert opinions, take or give feedback, shape behavior, inspire passion, process events and emotions. For some of us, language flows easily and we rely on this skill as we navigate the world. For others of us, we think of what we would have said only after the fact when we can revisit the conversation in our heads. Others find it challenging to find the words or may use other means of communication. Regardless of whether we find it easy or challenging to converse with others, when we exchange ideas with another person, we are engaging in conversation. If we can allow ourselves to be fully present in these conversations, even if we are silent, we will open ourselves to connection with another person in a meaningful way.

Part of what I have learned in these last two days is that we shouldn’t shy away from difficult conversations. We can have them in a “humane and growth producing manner” (Abrams); but it is through these challenging conversations, including listening genuinely, that we can learn about others’ perspectives, check our own beliefs, and willingly engage in becoming our best selves.

We, including our students, have a lot to say and a lot to hear. We must ensure that we honor the voices of our students and our community and that we support our most vulnerable members in inventing themselves through conversation. Finding our own voice and listening to the voices of others is a powerful skill each of us has to offer in creating the world in which we all want to live. May you find your voice and cultivate the voices of others.

Read previous posts

The 3rd/4th grade chorus concert will be on

Wednesday, February 5th

6:30pm in the WCS auditorium.
The musicians are required to wear concert attire*
The musicians need to arrive at WCS at 6:10pm for the evening concert.

*What is concert attire?
Option 1: long pants, shirt with a collar, and a tie
Option 2: dress or skirt of appropriate length, or dressy pants, with an appropriate topShorts, t-shirts, hats, athletic wear, flip flops, and jeans are not appropriate. Please do not wear them.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns.
Danielle Trasciatti-Holmberg (Mrs. T-H) dtrasciatti@cvsdvt.org

We are starting to see Influenza-like-Illness activity in our schools. In an effort to reduce the spread of illness, any student who comes to the health office will have their temperature checked. We ask that you keep your child home until they are healthy (fever-free for 24 hours without medicine), reinforce the importance of covering coughs and sneezes with an elbow or tissue, and encourage thorough hand-washing. At school, we are reinforcing good hand and cough hygiene and cleaning in work spaces.

If your child has flu symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, fever, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills and feeling tired, please notify the respective health office.

If you have any questions, we encourage you to call our offices, your child's pediatrician or refer to the resources we have shared below.

How do I know...Is it a cold or the flu?

Treatment

CDC

Flu Guide for parents

WCS:

Maria Kapetanovic, RN, BSN, MSN/Ed

mharlow@cvsdvt.org

ph: 871-6170

Carol Albertelli, RN, BSN

calbertelli@cvsdvt.org

ph: 871-6171

slove@cvsdvt.org

ph: 871-6248

On the ballot for Town Meeting Day, March 3, not only will there be articles about the school district’s proposed budget, fund balance, and school buses, but this year there will also be an article about the proposed Capital Construction Bond. Information about the other articles will be shared in upcoming posts, but we wanted to share details about the proposed bond with our communities as soon as possible. We hope this article answers some immediate questions. Please view the Budget page of the CVSD website for additional information about the proposed budget and bond. www.cvsdvt.org/budget.

School Counselor Heather Scandale is in search of Mardi Gras Beads. Please bring to the main office at ABS. Thank you!

Guidance information and news can be found at

https://absschoolcounselor.blogspot.com/

During the month of February, your child can receive a dental cleaning, exam, and fluoride rinse for $20.00. This will be done by a dental hygienist from Dr. Jace Molinari’s office. She will also offer helpful advice about good nutrition and dental care. The dental cleaning will take place at school during school hours, on Fridays in February (ABS – Feb 8th , WCS – Feb

15th ). If you are interested, please complete the form below and return it to the health office as soon as possible so plans can be made. The cost is $20.00 per student paid by cash or check.

Please return the form below to Health Office at WCS or ABS

_________________________

Student Name

___________________ _____ _______________

House / grade / Teacher

Has permission to participate in the dental cleaning program at Williston Schools.

____________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature

___ check for $20.00 is enclosed

____ will send $20.00 cash with the student at time of cleaning

___ student attends Allen Brook

___ student attends WCS

Make checks payable to Lisa Bianchi.

Scholarships may be available; please contact your Health Office

(WCS: 871-6170; ABS 871-6248).

March 19th at 6:30pm in WCS Community Room

In this workshop we’ll explore the various ways that children and adolescents may experience loss. The loss can include (but is not limited to) a death of a loved one/pet; family member living away from home; divorce; friendship changes; move, etc. We will discuss some ways that the adults in their lives can help with these losses.

Amanda Cannamela, LCMHC, LADC is a therapist who specializes in working with adolescents and adults around a range of topics, one of which is grief and loss. She often gets questions from adults around trying to understand what children/adolescents could be going through when it comes to grief and loss and how to help.

The CVSD School-based Early Education Programs are now accepting applications for a random peer lottery drawing for the 2020- 2021 school year. Our preschools are 5 STAR accredited licensed early education programs that provide play-based, developmentally appropriate environments for all children. Our curriculum is based on the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS) and Teaching Strategies Gold. We believe that a diverse classroom offers opportunities for adults and children to practice acceptance and compassion and also provides a broad range of learning experiences. Our programs are part day and partial weeks. Our programs generally follow the CVSD school calendar.

The lottery will be drawn in February 2020. Applications are due by February 6, 2020

Peers who will be age 3 or older by September 1, 2020 are eligible to enter the lottery for our programs.

If you are interested in your child being considered, please complete this form and deliver to your school.

Allen Brook School families, have you selected your book for Family Reading Night 2020? The books just arrived today! Make your pick by Thursday, February 6th!
Family Adventures in Reading Book Sign Up:

Read more

Family Routine vs. Family Ritual

A simple and creative way to stay connected

By Erin Walsh

There is a lot of research on the importance of routine and ritual in children’s lives. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, family routines and rituals are “powerful organizers of family life that offer stability during times of stress and transition.” Search Institute found that meaningful traditions are a core family strength that predicts stronger outcomes for kids. Researchers point to the importance of rituals at family meals if you can swing them, cultural traditions and holidays, reunions, or birthdays.

It’s important to note that routines and rituals often overlap but they aren’t exactly the same thing. Routine is about creating some kind of dependable structure (to the degree possible!) so kids know what to expect. Ritual is about a repeated, simple set of actions or words that hold emotions, make meaning, and mark significance. Family rituals are sometimes referred to as the “glue that holds families together.” Read the full blog by Erin Walsh here.

Reprinted with permission from Dr. Dave Walsh. Copyright © 2011, Minneapolis , MN ; 612-729-1707 www.drdavewalsh.com. All rights reserved.

Wed. Feb 5 / Chorus (gr. 3-4) Concert / WCS / 6:30 pm

Thurs. Feb. 6 / Preschool Peer Lottery deadline

Fri. Feb 7 / School Dance / WCS / 6:30-8:30 pm

Wed. Feb. 12 / Four Winds Training / WCS Community Rm / 8:30-10:30 am

Thurs. Feb. 13 / FAPAC / WCS Community Room / 8:15-10 am

Feb. 17-21 / WCS Community Week

Feb. 24-28 / NO SCHOOL / Winter Break

March 9 - 13 Lucky You

Wed. March 11 / Grade 7-8 Concert / WCS

Wed. March 11 / Four Winds Training / WCS Community Rm / 8:30-10:30 am

Thurs. March 12 / FAPAC / WCS Community Rm / 8:15-10 am

Thurs. March 19 / FAP Speaker / WCS Community Rm. / 6:30-8 pm

Fri. March 20 / NO SCHOOL / Parent /Teacher/Family Conferences

Thurs. March 26 / Family Reading Night / ABS Library / 6-7 pm

Click here for athletics

• WSD Mobile App Flyer
  
• Williston Facebook Page
• CVSD Facebook Page
• Did you know CVSD has a blog? http://cvsdstory.blogspot.com
  
• CVSD Handbook
• WCS Library Audiobooks
• Bus Information

Email: cpavlik@cvsdvt.org
Website: https://www.cvsdvt.org
Location: 195 Central School Drive, Williston
Phone: (802) 878-2762
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Williston-School-District-1483758238612170/timeline/
Twitter: @wsdvt