SCS Community Newsletter

Dear SCS Families and Caregivers,

Our administrative team would like to take this time to share our gratitude to the community members dedicated to making our school a welcome space. From the volunteers who support Morning Movement to the Everybody Wins mentors who spend time weekly connecting with our your readers. Appreciation to the Nearby Nature volunteers who reinforce joy and curiosity in the natural world around SCS. Thank you to the CY mentors partnering with our middle school students expanding their access to interests and passions. Today, our PTO drove a coffee cart around the school with snacks and beverages.

The CVSD Inspiration Awards are an opportunity for CVSD educators to recognize students for their exceptional contributions to schools. This past Tuesday at the CVSD Board Meeting, two SCS students were highlighted for their impact on our community.

Mr. B recognized Milo Norris on behalf of the Blue Team, and Meg and Wendy recognized Rowan Gavin on behalf of the Red Team. Congratulations to Rowan and Milo! Thank you both for the kindness, curiosity, and energy you bring to school each day. We look forward to recognizing more of our younger learners with two additional Inspiration Awards this spring.

While we do have school next Monday and Tuesday, we want to take a moment to share our hope for the new year; That we can all carry the spirit of patience, presence, and generosity. We wish you time to connect with family and friends and the opportunity to find some recharge time for yourself.

Happy Holidays and warm wishes for 2026.

Peace to all,

Jen, Brett, and Antonia

12/24 - 1/2 - NO SCHOOL - Early Winter Break

1/12 - Community Conversation (8:00 am, SCS library & virtual option) * details below

1/13 - PTO Monthly Meeting (6:00pm, Green Common Area)

1/15 - Celebrate the Art Nights (5:00 - 9:00, CVU)

1/16 - 5th/6th Grade Dance (7:00 - 9:00pm, SCS)

1/19 - NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

1/22 - 5th/6th Concert Band, Symphonic Band & Chorus Concert (5:15 pm, Gym)

1/22 - 7th/8th Concert Choir, Wind Ensemble & Stage Band Concert (7:00 pm, Gym)

1/30 - Last day to register for Shelburne Shines: A Winter Talent Show

1/30 - Movie Night at SCS for 3rd & 4th Graders (5:00 - 7:00 pm, SCS Band Room) * flier below

CVSD 2025-2026 Calendar

The late bus will not be running on Monday and Tuesday next week.

To sign up for the late bus the week of January 5-8, please sign up by 9:00 am Monday, 1/5 if you would like your student(s) to ride the late bus that week.

THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO SIGN UP FOR THE LATE BUS.

If your student is signed up for the late bus, we expect they will be on the bus. Please notify the front office if there is an unexpected change in plans.

Ms. Sands & Gina Pandolfo will be running Rainbow Club, an LGBTQ+ group for 3rd-5th graders starting January 12th. Our meetings will happen on Mondays after school. Students can either be picked up or ride the late bus home.

We’re choosing topics for the remaining Community Conversations this year—our monthly/

bi-monthly coffee-and-conversation series focused on subjects that matter to our community.

Let us know what matters most to you by filling out this short survey. Our next coffee and conversation will take place on Monday, January 12, and will focus on the bi-annual Student Engage Surveys. More info is below. We hope you can make it. Thank you!

The CVSD Early Education Program is now accepting applications for a random prekindergarten lottery drawing for the 2026-27 school year. This lottery is for an opportunity to enroll in one of our school-based classrooms which runs 4 partial days per week. Our school-based prekindergarten classrooms are 5 STARs, licensed early education programs that provide play-based, developmentally appropriate environments for all children in an inclusive setting. Our curriculum is based on the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS).

Our programs follow the CVSD school calendar. Children who will be age 3 or older by September 1, 2026, who are not eligible for kindergarten, and live in the communities of Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, St. George, and Williston are eligible to enter the lottery. Families who are selected for the lottery and choose to enroll their child in a CVSD program access their Act 166 publicly funded prekindergarten funds for the school-based program.

All applications must be received by February 5, 2026, and are located on the CVSD Early Education website under PreK Enrollment. Paper applications are available upon request.

For additional information, questions about our program, or any concerns about your child’s development, please visit our website or contact Director of Early Education, Erin Gagne at egagne@cvsdvt.org. Our Early Education team is also available for developmental screenings in the areas of communication, social-emotional development, motor skills, adaptive development, and cognition. More information about an Early Multi-Tiered System of Supports is also available on the website.

Whether you’re spending time at home or traveling to visit family, secure any firearms in your home and ask how guns are stored in the homes you’re visiting. Do you need to secure your firearm? Free cable gun locks are available in our school office: Stop by and pick one up!

About 200 students participated in the Scripps Qualifying Written Test. Señora Kelley and Madame Thomas would like to thank everybody who participated, and we encourage you to keep learning about words and to try again next year! The following students have qualified for the 2026 SCS Scripps Spelling Bee Competition to be held on Thursday, February 12 in the SCS library. Qualifiers are listed below by grade, congratulations!

3rd Grade

Domenica B

Leonie C

Cecilia G

Elthea M

River N

Anya W

4th Grade

Evie C

Noah E

Laurel G

Madeleine H

Ezra L

5th Grade

Ari A

Lila C

Mason G

Santi L

Johnny S

6th Grade

Owen L

Gaby N

Roman S-B

Hannah V

Bridget W

Justice W

7th Grade

Anya A

Ari B

Owen B

Fiona F

Sean G

Henry G

Lena N

Sophie S

8th Grade

Clementine A

Quinn B

Charlie M

Owen M

Jayden M

Chris W

The SCS concert choir visited Wake Robin on Tuesday to sing and spread holiday cheer.

The 5th & 6th grade chorus sang at The Arbors on Thursday.

Students in the SKAT Open Studio class created this final project together,

a paper mosaic of Camel's Hump, which is now proudly exhibited in the cafeteria.

It is made using all original art work the students made.

We’re thrilled to announce the first annual Shelburne Shines: A Winter Talent Show, now taking place on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Charlotte Central School’s upgraded stage! While the venue has changed, this remains a Shelburne Community School–only, school-wide fundraiser — and we thank CCS for graciously hosting our group!

SCS students in grades K–8 (and staff!) are invited to perform any talent they love — singing, dancing, playing an instrument, telling jokes, performing magic, gymnastics, martial arts, poetry, skits, theater, or something entirely their own. All talents are welcome!

Registration is extended through January 30 (or until we reach our 50-act cap).

Video uploads of your act are encouraged but no longer required at sign-up.

Details + registration: shelburnepto.org/talentshow

Audience tickets on sale soon!

- If you are a crafter or creator and would like to sell (or just present) your products or services, sign up by January 18th!

- All are welcome to attend the market (for FREE) on March 28th, 2026 at Generator

- Click here for details: https://generatorvt.com/nextgenerator/

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