Waitsfield Elementary

Autumnal recess sunshine is mighty sweet -- and so are friendships.

Principal's Message

Dear families & friends,

Waitsfield resident (and parent of two WES alumnae) Candice White, who serves in the Vermont House of Representatives, visited our 3rd & 4th grade classrooms this past Tuesday to read the book Vote for our Future and discuss the voting process.

Just like the school in this story, there will be no school at Waitsfield Elementary School on Tuesday, November 3 as our building transforms into a local polling station. The students in this story are inspired to talk to the adults around them, helping them each to make a voting plan and consider why their vote might count. I hope you each will help set an example for our students by participating in elections on November 3.

Ms. White fielded a range of questions from students, from “Why are there parties that people belong to?” to “Why doesn’t everyone vote?” She shared about some of the kinds of decisions she participates in and provided a great example of how a person, or one’s neighbor, can become someone who helps shape our government and communities.

FAMILY CONFERENCES

Family conferences will occur November 4th and 5th, after school. These conferences provide an opportunity for families, students and teachers to talk together about growth and goals.

This opportunity to focus individually on each child supports students in knowing the work they do each day is important and valued by families and school staff. Staff and students will be ready to share some highlights and suggestions for next steps for growth. This is also an opportunity for families to ask questions and share their top priorities for their child. We deeply value your partnership.

Please plan for students in 1st - 6th grade to join the conferences; there is childcare available for siblings as well as if you’d like to have a few moments alone with teachers. If you haven’t yet signed up for a conference slot, please do so, or reach out if you need assistance.

Respectfully,

Kaiya Korb, WES Principal

Help your neighbors!

Each year, WES sponsors a Community Giving Drive for our school community. This drive offers financial support to those in need during the holiday season. This helps families purchase holiday gifts or winter gear for their children. If you are willing to donate to our drive, please complete this form to donate. If your family is in need, please complete this confidential form for support. Due dates are embedded in the forms.

In addition, the Mad River Valley Interfaith Council will once again offer Joys of the Season coupon booklets for local shopping. If your family needs this holiday support and would like a coupon booklet, please let Liz know by 11/13/26. You will only receive the booklets if you let us know. As always, your information is kept confidential.

Wishing you all a happy holiday!

Love your Waitsfield School Community!

WES SWAG

Have you seen the Waitsfield School hoodies, sweatpants and other great swag?

AVAILABLE ONLINE

Waitsfield school merch is available to order online here.

NOVEMBER DELIVERY

Place your oder now for delivery in mid-November!

Save the Date! The Ski & Skate Sale is ON!

When: Saturday, November 14, 2026, 9AM-4PM

Volunteer Shop > 7-8 AM
Ticketed Early Shop > 8-9 AM
General Public > 9AM - 4PM

Where: Waitsfield Elementary School, 3951 Main Street, Waitsfield

What: New and Used Gear: Alpine, Nordic, Skate, Backcountry, aznd hard/soft goods

More Info: http://www.waitsfieldpta.org/ski-and-skate-sale.html

Consignment Registration is Open!

Consignors are required to pre-register items online to receive item tags; no unregistered or untagged merchandise will be accepted onsite. You can register online to consign at https://sale.waitsfieldpta.org/register.

Consignment registration deadline: Monday, Nov. 9th at 11pm
Consignment tag pick up: Wednesday, Nov. 11th -Friday, Nov. 13th at WES
Pre-registered consignment drop off: Friday, Nov. 13th from 4pm to 7pm at WES

Volunteer for the Earliest Shopping Access!

Volunteers get first dibs! We need support from all families to make this a success! This is the school’s only fundraiser for the year, and all proceeds support educational and enrichment programs for students, including our Winter Ski & Ride Program, ECO, and field trips.

Upcoming Important Dates

Tuesday November 3, NO SCHOOL (election day)
Wednesday November 4 & Thursday November 5 2:40 - 6 Family Conferences
Wednesday November 11, 11:30 dismissal (Staff development in afternoon)
Saturday November 14 SKI & SKATE SALE Volunteer shop 7 a.m Early shop 8 a.m. Sale 9 - 4

2026-2027 School Calendar

Please note that the opportunities/events listed below are not specifically endorsed or screened by school staff. As always, families should use their own standards and review processes to determine appropriate activities.

MRVSA SPRING TRYOUTS!

⚽⚽⚽It’s hard to believe, but it’s time to plan for spring soccer! MRVSA is holding tryouts for its spring 2027 travel teams on Saturday November 7th at 11am. Our travel teams will compete in the Vermont Soccer Association (VSL) Spring League. This is MRVSA’s only spring program for U10 through U16 players. Information on our U6 and U8 program will come out in the early Spring.

Any player interested in spring soccer must register for and attend the tryout. Team spots are limited, and not every player who tries out will be placed on a team. Register here.

About the season
The spring league is a local, affordable way for qualified players to have a more competitive experience and compete in the VSL. Each team will be placed in the division that best fits its skill level. Teams practice twice a week and play one or more matches weekly, with home games here and away games around the state. The season typically runs from the first weekend in May through the second weekend in June. Teams may also enter Vermont tournaments after the season for an additional fee. Additional information is available here.

The VSL sets all schedules and will release them in April. Games are typically on Sundays.

Age groups
Following US Soccer, the VSL now groups players by school year (August 1 – July 31) instead of birth year. Players may try out for an older age group but not a younger one (e.g. a 2nd grader ready for a more competitive experience can try out for U10).

· U10: born Aug 1, 2016 – July 31, 2018

· U12: born Aug 1, 2014 – July 31, 2016

· U14: born Aug 1, 2012 – July 31, 2014

· U16: born Aug 1, 2010 – July 31, 2012

Timeline

· Tryout registration is open now: link

· Tryouts: Saturday, November 7, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., at Mad River Park in Waitsfield. Please register in advance!

· Team invitations sent by Sunday, November 22

· Accept your invitation and complete registration by Sunday, December 6

· Uniform store opens in December

Scholarships are available. Contact registrar@madrivervalleysoccer.org for details.

Check out the latest StoryWalk at the Moretown Recreation Fields!

Every Autumn, the teeny tiny woman’s, teeny tiny house in the forest is completely

buried by the falling leaves, which is not a teeny tiny problem. She tries making noises

of increasing intensity, but no one hears her. As she is loudly banging cookie sheets

together to no avail, she decides on a new strategy.The delicious aroma of chocolate chip cookies baking in her oven soon does attract three children who are out trick-or-treating. Soon, they are all enjoying a sweet Halloween treat together. We hope you enjoy this book, and stop by the library to tell us about some of your favorite Halloween stories.

Take a stroll along the Moretown recreation fields and enjoy this latest StoryWalk installation.