THE CCS NEWSLETTER

CCS Community,

I have two things I’d like to share with you today. One is an important hiring process underway given a shift in our leadership team for next year, and the other zooms in on a moment of joy and beauty with some of our 8th graders from earlier this week.

In Superintendent Bunting’s email to CCS families on March 19, he shared that Beth Slater, our Assistant Principal & Director of Special Services, will be transitioning to become a House Director at CVU for next school year. I’d like to share a bit more about how we are moving forward.

Beth’s departure from CCS leaves big shoes to fill. Over her nine years here, she has been deeply connected to our staff, families, and community, bringing both a strong understanding of Special Education law and a commitment to supporting students, staff, and caregivers. We are grateful for her contributions to CCS.

This position will continue to have dual roles as Assistant Principal and Director of Student Services. Since Superintendent Bunting’s email, we have formed a hiring committee, gathered input from staff about the hopes and values they would like to see in our next administrator, and have begun reviewing candidates. We will share more with the community in the coming weeks as the process unfolds.

One of the paradoxes of my role as principal is holding two truths at once: approaching transitions with clear, thoughtful systems, while also recognizing how deeply human they are. I have confidence in both the process and the collaboration of the hiring team to find the best possible candidate for CCS—someone who will continue to meet the needs of our community while also expanding engagement and opportunity.

As we hold that transition, I also want to share a small moment from this week that reflects the everyday joy of our school.

Some 8th graders in Amy Sayre’s Wellness class took a quick trip across the street to Philo Ridge Farm for some sunshine, cuteness, and a whole lot of smiles. Check out the images below from their visit with some of our baby lamb neighbors. Sometimes the best learning moments are the simplest ones.

With kindness,

Tim O’Leary

Principal, Charlotte Central School

Get in touch with me!

blloyd@cvsdvt.org

(802)425-6604

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.

Resources, Food for Thought (and maybe some conversation starters)

Summer Camp Scholarships Available!

I am excited to share that two scholarships are available for Charlotte Rec Summer Camps! Our goal is simple: we want every child to have the chance to enjoy a fun, active, and memorable summer.

If your family could benefit from this opportunity, please don’t hesitate to reach out. All inquiries and requests will be kept completely confidential.

Summer camp is a wonderful way for kids to make friends, build confidence, and create lasting memories. We’d love to help make that possible for more families in our community.

Interested or have questions? Please contact me directly.

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! Calm and Connected

Get in touch with me!

blloyd@cvsdvt.org

(802)425-6604

Friday, March 27th - DANCE! Grade 6-8, MPR, 7:00 - 9:00pm

Wednesday, April 1st - 2026 - 2027 CCS grades 1-8 registration opens. Watch for more details.

Wednesday, April 1st- Early Release

Thursday, April 2nd - Gone Guys: A CVSD Community Screening & Discussion - details below

Wednesday, April 8th - Early Release

Wednesday, April 8th - Community Field Project Information Session, CVU Library, 6pm

Thursday, April 9th - 3rd Annual CVU Empty Bowls Dinner & Silent Auction, CVU, 6:00-8:00pm

Friday, April 10th - CVU Spring One Acts, CVU, 7:00pm - see below for more details

Saturday, April 11th - CVU Spring One Acts, CVU, 7:00pm- see below for more details

Sunday, April 12th - CVU Spring One Acts, CVU, 1:00pm- see below for more details

Wednesday, April 15th - Early Release

Monday, April 20th through Friday, April 24th - No School - Spring Break

Wednesday, April 29th - Early Release

Thursday, May 7th - CCS Variety Show, MPR, 6:30-8:00 - see below for audition/rehearsal schedule

Tuesday, June 9th - CCS Band to perform National Anthem at Centennial Field - 6:00pm

July 6-10, 2026 - Save the Date! - Student Summer Learning (more information below)

Can you guess what Dave is teaching in science based on where they're "broadcasting from"?

🥘🔥Our CCS Iron Chef Jr. team competed on March 14th —and wow, what an experience! Their dish? A delicious Spiced Chickpea Stew.

Huge gratitude to Alexa Weitzman for bringing this opportunity to CCS and for coaching and supporting the team through practices since January

So cool to see our students learning, creating, and shining in new ways!👏🌟

March’s CVSD Inspiration Awards highlighted Charlotte Central School and Hinesburg Community School, honoring four students for their selflessness, perseverance and growth.

Charlotte Central School art educator Erika Norris recognized third grader Juliet Kennedy for her caring, patience, and genuine kindness—and her steady willingness to always help with cleaning up. CCS first grade teacher Monica Lubic celebrated Harper Gauthier for the support and kindness she shows her peers, including one for whom Harper goes above and beyond to include by communicating using American Sign Language.

From Hinesburg Community School, speech language pathologist Nancy Wood honored Jaxon Palmer for his immense growth as a learner and his deep understanding of his surroundings and incredible perseverance—and his sharp style. Then math teacher Paul Lasher acknowledged Evelyn Miller for her strong worth ethic and embodiment of the motto: “Take of ourselves, take care of each other, take care of this place.”

Celebrate the Arts was an incredible celebration of community and student creativity!

Tuesday night’s 14th-annual Celebrate the Arts and Community Night was a vibrant, energetic display of voice, learning and collaboration. We’re grateful to everyone who helped make the event a success, to all who attended, and to every single student who shared their inspiring talent. Thanks also go to the community partners who joined and to the local restaurants who generously donated food to feed our community. You can view a gallery of photos from the celebration here.

A shout out to Lilah, Caitlin, and Norah for teaching the next generation about farm life. 🌎

These Project Leaders brought the UN Sustainability Goals to life by teaching our kindergarteners all about the importance of farm life. They proved that making a global impact starts with a great lesson, a heart for the next generation, and—of course—a celebratory chicken dance. 🐔

Our 7th-grade Project Leaders - Matilda, Annie, and Lucy - delivered an engaging mini-lesson for our CCS 1st graders. They brought the UN Sustainability Goals to life by teaching first graders about composting, recycling, and plastic pollution. The mini-lesson concluded with a collaborative plastic challenge for the first grade table groups. It’s inspiring to see our older students empowering the next generation to think critically about our environment.

Thank you to volunteers, bus drivers, CCS staff, parents, and kids for a great year of Charlotte/Bolton Valley Ski & Ride!! (special thanks to the equipment and bag truck drivers, along with the "brave" adult bus chaperones) Conditions were excellent last Wednesday night, and they fixed the lift to the top of the mountain just in time for our program to enjoy top to bottom skiing. We had no serious injuries to report this season, and we were happy with the behavior of our participants. We lost some equipment along the way but most, and may be all of it, has found its way back to participants and the program closet.

When: June 9, 2026 (6:00 - 6:35 pm)

Where: Centennial Field, Burlington, VT

Attire: Please wear a solid color top (red, white or black to represent CCS), solid colored bottoms and comfy shoes.

Student performers are responsible for their own transportation to and from the game.

We will meet behind the fence by the Lake Monsters clubhouse (on the first base line) at 6:00 pm for warm-ups and a run through. The performance will take place just prior to first pitch (approximately 6:30 pm). Students will receive a complimentary ticket to the game (parents will have to purchase a ticket).

If you are interested in having your child play in the band please email Andy Smith at asmith@cvsdvt.org. We will sign up your student and email you the details as the date gets closer.

Thank you!

On Monday, March 16, OCAS and the Salisbury Conservation Commission held the first of what we hope will be two Salamander Escort events of the spring at Morgan Rd. in Salisbury.

Our own Charlotte Tobin family (Cara, Willie, Hank and Gus) has supported this event for many years. Gus and Hank did a great job this year and helped 77 Salamanders cross the road to get to their breeding ground.

You can read more about this at this link.

📍CVU Auditorium

📆Thursday, April 2 @7:00p

🎫Free & Open to the Community

Thursday, April 2 @7:00p, Connecting Youth Mentoring and the CVU Men’s Mental Health Club and invites all community members to a screening and discussion of Gone Guys, a Vermont documentary exploring the growing disengagement of boys and young men from school, work, and community. The film invites community members to consider how belonging, purpose, mentorship, and healthy connections shape the outcomes of boys and young men today.

The event includes a facilitated discussion focused on identity, connection and engaging in local support systems and resources. Check out the trailer here and we hope you will join us for this important event.

📆Thursday, April 9

🕕6:00-8:00 PM

📍CVU High School

This annual event brings community members together for a simple meal with a powerful purpose. Each ticket includes a handmade ceramic bowl (thanks to our team of CVU pottery students and community members, along with a dinner of homemade soups, artisan bread, and ice-cream.

🎫Tickets are limited to 250 this year and will sell out! Advance purchase is required—tickets will not be available at the door.

Tickets for the CVU Spring One Acts – Romeo and Juliet and The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged) go on sale March 28th. Shows are Friday & Saturday, April 10th & 11th at 7pm and Sunday, April 12th at 1pm.

Come support your local teens in this drama and comedy duo. You’re sure to be entertained! Get tickets in advance at https://www.ticketsource.com/cvutheater. General admission is $10; Students, Children & Faculty/Staff $7.

Got softball or baseball gear your player has outgrown? Bring it to our Little League Gear Swap and trade it in for something new to you! This is a great way to pass along gently used gloves, bats, helmets, cleats, and more while saving money and helping other families get ready for the season. All families are welcome, whether you're donating, swapping, or just browsing. Let's keep good gear in play and support our CVLL community! If you have any questions, please reach out to Elisa Miller at elisasheamiller@gmail.com.

Some key dates for the upcoming CCS Variety Show sponsored by the CCS PTO:

Auditions:

Dates: T & TH, 4/14 & 4/16

Time: 2:45 PM - 4:25

Place: Music Room/ MPR

Practice:

Dates: T & TH, 4/28 & 4/30

Time: 2:45 PM - 4:25

Place: MPR/ Music Room

Dress Rehearsal

Date: Tues, 5/5

Time: 2:45 PM - 4:25

Place: MPR/ Music Room

Performance

Date: Thursday, 5/7

Time: 6:30- 8:00

Place: MPR/ Music Room

CVSD is excited to host the Summer Academic Growth Experience (SAGE) for students rising into grades 2-6 who benefit from additional support in math and literacy. Held at Williston Central School from 8:00 am to 11:30 am, this program offers engaging, high-quality instruction focused on building joy and motivation in math or literacy. More information about who is eligible for the program and how to sign up is coming soon!

Children entering grades preK-8 who live in the towns of Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, St. George and Williston may exercise school choice. Our goal is to both allow options for families and also make balanced class sizes to provide a positive learning environment for all of our children.

Processes for intra-district choice of school will be guided by the needs of students, space availability, and existing resources. Given this, we will work to meet as many families’ needs as possible. Guidelines and Application

The Community Field Project invites you to an information session to learn more about the proposed field at CVU. The event is open to all and is structured to provide details and research for those who are excited, concerned, or just curious. Join us in the CVU Library on April 8th at 6pm.

It's that time of year again where we begin to share with you summer camp information that we are asked to pass along to our community caregivers. CCS does not endorse the following camps, this is shared with our community as informational only.

• CVU Lacrosse Summer Camps - August 3rd-6th, 9am-1pm
• Junior Redhawks Running Camp - kids finishing grades 4-8
• Livery Horse Farm - horse / pony day camp for ages 1st grade and up
• Sentinal Farms Youth Camps
• Vermont Youth Dancers - various dates and ages

Are you interested in being a part of the CCS community and get paid? Consider being a substitute / guest teacher? Interested individuals should reach out to CVSDHR@cvsdvt.org.

More information about subbing can be found here.

• Athletics
• Bus Schedules / Routes
• Calendar: 2025-26
• CCS & CVSD Handbook
• Connecting Youth Mentoring
• CVSD School Board
• Food Service and Menu
• Health Office
• MySchoolBucks
• Volunteer at CCS

We welcome your feedback at any time. Whether it's intended for our school’s leadership team, district office, or a specific department, your message will be directed to the appropriate team members. We aim to follow up within three business days.

The CCS Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is a partnership between parents, teachers, and staff, working together to create enriching experiences for our students. Visit our website, Facebook, and Instagram pages for the latest and stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to get involved!

• Access Community Education Classes and Registration
• Charlotte Food Shelf
• Charlotte Public Libary

• Town of Charlotte

Tim O'Leary, Principal; toleary@cvsdvt.org

Beth Slater, Assistant Principal & Director of Special Services; eslater@cvsdvt.org

Find CCS on Instagram and Facebook, too!