Cougar Chronicle
December 5, 2025
For the month of December, Guidance will be discussing the many cultures, holidays and customs around the world that we celebrate during the winter months of the year. If anyone would like to come in to talk about a specific holiday, custom or culture that they celebrate during the winter months, such as Hanukkah, Kwanza, Los Posados, Yule, Chinese New Year, Diwali, Christmas, etc… please send an email to rfrisenda@U32 or call Ms. Ruth at 802-454-777 ext. 105 and we can schedule a time on Wednesdays in December for you to come in to talk with a class or read a story or enjoy a special holiday treat about a tradition that all of us can celebrate together and learn from one another during this special time of year.
This year, we’re bringing together our winter gear, holiday food assistance, and gift drive into one united support effort we’re calling “SNOW MUCH GIVING.” We’ve gathered information from our Calais families in need and have already started receiving generous donations of winter gear and gifts from our amazing staff members.
Our community has always shown incredible generosity as well, and this year we’re making it easier than ever to lend a hand. Right now, we are in immediate need of food gift cards to help provide holiday meals for local families. If you’d like to support a Calais family in need, please drop off a grocery store gift card with Danielle in the front office.
Together, we can help spread warmth, kindness, and a little extra cheer during these challenging times.
12/6 - Maple Corner Holiday Craft Fair
12/8 - Parent Advisory Team Meeting
12/8 - Caregivers & Allies of LGBTQ++ young people meeting
12/9 - Discussions and Dinner at Berlin Elementary School.
12/10 - Half Day Dismissal at 12:30
12/10 - Board Meeting
12/12 - Gifts for Giving
12/14 - Calais Children's Christmas Choir Rehearsals
12/19 - Coffee and Conversations with the Superintendent @ Berlin Elementary
12/20 - Calais Children's Christmas Choir Rehearsals
12/24-1/2 - No School - Winter Break
1/16 - Coffee and Conversations with the Superintendent @ Calais Elementary
Next week, she will be at Calais on Tuesday 12/9 and Thursday 12/11
To receive the most current, real-time alerts and notifications regarding your student's bus schedule, families should download the MyRide app and create an account. Once logged in and your student is added, please ensure you set your notification preferences within the app. This is the official platform for immediate communication about bussing changes and delays.
The Calais Parent Advisory Team has many exciting opportunities planned for this year. Be on the lookout for sign-ups and more information, but we are looking forward to great things happening this year. If you have any questions or would like to join the Parent Advisory Team, please let Jarrod know.
Next meeting - Monday, December 8 at 5:00pm in the Library.
Friends of Calais is a volunteer-led organization, collaborating to design fun, engaging events and programs intended to foster closer bonds within the Calais community. Click here for more information and to see a list of all of their upcoming events!
Hello Calais friends and neighbors -
Friends of Calais is beginning to organize and request donations for the annual Spaghetti Dinner and Raffle to support ongoing Calais community programming and events. This year we want to tap into and connect with the MANY talented residents and resources we have available in our amazing community!
We are seeking donations of lessons or services that can be offered as raffle prizes - things like:
- Art, music, cooking, woodworking, fly fishing, or other lessons 🎨🎶🍳🪵🎣
- Fitness or yoga classes 💪🧘
- Home repair, gardening, or tech help 🔨💻
- Beauty, wellness, or pet care services 💅💆🐾
- Any other special skill or service you would like to share!
Your contribution not only helps us raise money for a great cause but also showcases your business or talent to the community, while strengthening connections within Calais. It's a win-win!
All donors will be thanked publicly at the event as well as on our website (unless you prefer to stay anonymous). Donor attendance at the event is welcomed but not required.
🗓️ Event date: January 30, 2026 5:30-7:30pm
📍 Location: Calais Elementary School - ALL ARE WELCOME, this is a community wide event!
⏰Deadline for Donations: January 15, 2026
If you would like to contribute please reply to this post or contact Friends of Calais at friendsofcalais2020@gmail.com Even a small offering can make a big difference!
Thank you for helping us make this yearly community fundraising event a success!
Please see the information below if you are interested in helping out!!
Coach focused
Ready to help girls speak up with confidence? Through the Spring 2026 Girls on the Run curriculum, ‘Hello, Bold Heart!”, girls learn how to share their thoughts, feelings, and ideas and help others do the same. Speaking up takes courage, and being a Bold Heart is all about building the confidence to share what’s inside—even when she feels nervous. Want to use YOUR voice and empower girls to speak up like never before? Learn more about volunteering to be a Girls on the Run coach at Calais Elementary this spring!
Not a runner? Haven’t coached before? No problem! Girls on the Run VT (GOTRVT) provides training, easy to follow lesson plans, supplies and support for a transformational season. The season begins the week of March 16, 2026 and ends with a celebratory 5K on Saturday, May 30th. Over the 10 week season our team will meet twice weekly for 90 minute sessions to connect, move, learn and have FUN! Girls on the Run at Calais will be open to girls in grades 3-6.
Visit gotrvt.org/coach to learn more or sign up to volunteer. Interested participants can complete GOTRVT's Participant Interest Form and learn more about the program at gotrvt.org/programs Have more questions? Contact GOTRVT at info@girlsontherunvermont.org or 802-871-5664.
Participant Focused:
Girls on the Run Vermont (GOTRVT) is gearing up for another empowering and fun season this spring, and we are looking to bring their programming to our community! GOTRVT's programs inspire girls to become their most confident selves, foster new friendships, and build life skills to use at home, in the classroom, and beyond. Girls gain these skills through an innovative blend of engaging lessons, team discussions, impactful community projects and fun physical activities. Each season culminates with a joyful 5K event where participants, coaches, families, and community members unite to celebrate how far girls have come and will continue to go. Bonus, Girls on the Run coaches agree the program has helped them enhance their own life skills, too!
Teams meet twice a week for 90 minutes each session for 10 weeks, starting the week of March 16. If you are interested in having your child participate, please complete the general interest form by clicking on this link: GOTRVT Participant Interest Form. Girls on the Run will be open to grades 3-6 at Calais Elementary. If you’d like to learn more about GOTRVT programs, or about volunteering to coach, check out gotrvt.org/programs or email GOTRVT at info@girlsontherunvermont.org.
We’re excited to announce that Calais Elementary will have a FIRST LEGO League (FLL) team this year! Phil Matheson and Luke Bennecker will serve as co-mentors, and we are looking for 4 more dedicated students (ages 9–16) to join. FLL is not just playing with LEGOs—it’s a hands-on challenge that combines robotics, research, and engineering. If your child is interested, please contact Phil Matheson at philej@gmail.com for more information. https://www.firstinvermont.org
Stage 16 is proud to present:
Characters Behaving Badly
December 5 at 7:00 and December 6 at 2:00
Admission by donation at the door
U-32 Middle and High School Theater
Just Basics is partnering with Calais Elementary School along with The Humanity & Justice Calais Coalition to assist families in the Calais area with weekly food and household essentials.
Families who are interested may contact Caroline Munroe at Just Basics through her cell at: (802)917-8164 or by email at caroline@justbasicsvt.org or feel free to stop by Counselor’s Office or Main Office at Calais Elementary School or email Ruth Frisenda at rfrisenda@u32.org if you wish to complete intake form to receive items.
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