THE CCS NEWSLETTER

CCS Community,

On Thursday, February 5, 2026, the whole CCS school (students and staff), will be attending the UVM Women’s Basketball Game. This is a school-wide PBiS celebration and an exciting opportunity for our school community. Students will be chaperoned by our staff. The schedule for the trip is as follows:

● Grades K-8 leave for UVM 10:00

● The game starts at 11:00

● Students will return between 1:30 and 1:45

All students will need is lunch. Lunches can be brought from home or bag lunches will be available for order through the cafeteria. Students will be eating lunch at Patrick Gymnasium.

If you have an appointment for your child or other scheduling conflicts, please let your child(ren)’s teacher know so we can plan accordingly.

***Since we have students with serious food allergies we ask that all students be sensitive to these allergies. Please follow the food guidelines for your classroom.

We are excited about this trip and our future collaboration with the UVM Women’s Basketball Team! We encourage all students to wear green and/or gold that day in the spirit of UVM.

With gratitude,

Tim O’Leary & Beth Slater

Charlotte Central School Leadership Team

We want to remind everyone of the need to keep the front circle clear of cars before 7:50 to allow our buses to pull in and unload students safely. If you arrive before 7:50, please use either the cafeteria or flagpole door drop off locations.

There's more information in our Family Handbook about Attendance, Arrival, Dismissal, Pick-Up, and Drop-Off.

CCS has grown its partnership with UVM significantly over the last couple of years, hosting both full-time student teachers and "interns" who partner with a class for one full day per week. This is a typically followed by student teaching in the following year. This semester, there are four full-time student teachers at CCS and 15 interns here on Thursdays.

Miss Alves (Samantha) is enjoying her time in 1st Grade with Mrs. Filardi's class. She is learning so much and the students enjoy having her in the classroom.

Mark Daly is joining CCS this spring as a student teacher in PE, working alongside Mr. Kent through the TAP program at Champlain College. He’s excited to get to know students and help make PE active, fun, and positive for everyone. To learn more about Mark, click here.

Hello everyone, I am JoAnna Ray! I am in Mrs. Fraser's 4th-grade classroom and am currently a senior at UVM. So far, my time here has been so awesome, and I can't wait to make more connections with everyone within the CCS community!

Ms. CC (Clarinda McAllister) is having a wonderful time getting to know Ms. Poirier's third grade!

On Thursdays, we’re lucky to welcome 14 additional college students into our community as University of Vermont Interns 🎓💚

They spend the day learning in a dedicated classroom and then gather for lunch to hear from—and interview—a CCS staff member as they dig into the many overlapping and interrelated systems that make a school run. We’re grateful for the curiosity, energy, and thoughtful questions they bring into the building each week.

Here’s their first day of school photo from last Thursday 📸

As part of our ongoing commitment to school safety and emergency preparedness, CCS will be holding our first Options-Based Safety Drill (Run–Hide–Fight) of the year on Monday, February 2nd. We have had other drills already this year: egress/fire drills and a very successful relocation drill already.

The Vermont Agency of Education requires two Options-Based drills each school year, and we will complete a second drill later this spring. This options-based drill will be developmentally appropriate and differentiated by age:

• Grades K–4 will practice the “Hide” option in a developmentally appropriate way.

• Grades 5–8 will talk through a scenario as a class and make a shared decision about what option they might choose.

We know drills like this can bring up questions or worries for some students and caregivers. If you’d like support with how to talk about this at home, these resources may be helpful:

• Tinybeans: How to talk to kids about school lockdown drills

• ParentsTogether: An age-by-age guide to talking about lockdown drills

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or if your child may need additional support. You can reach out to your child's teacher or directly to Tim O’Leary, CCS Principal, at toleary@cvsdvt.org. You can also visit the CVSD Safety website for more information about district safety practices and resources.

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.

Opportunities for Caregivers/upcoming events

January is National Mentoring Month, and it’s a perfect time to celebrate something I see every day at CCS: the powerful impact of mentoring.

One of my favorite things to witness is how mentoring helps students feel like they truly belong - not just at school, but in our wider community as well. Mentoring isn’t only for students who need “extra support.” Imagine if every child had one more caring adult in their corner - someone who listens, encourages them, and consistently shows up simply because they care. That’s what a mentor is.

When students experience that kind of connection, the difference is clear. I see it in their growing confidence, stronger friendships, and deeper engagement in the classroom. Most importantly, they feel like they matter.

If you’re curious about Connecting Youth Mentoring for your child, or if you’re interested in becoming a mentor and strengthening your connection to the CCS community, please reach out to me or Jessica Phelan (jphelan@cvsdvt.org) to learn more. Mentoring is a powerful way to make a lasting difference in a child’s life—and in our community as a whole.

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, January 30th - K-4 report cards mailed to caregivers

Friday, January 30th - Winter Ball! Grades 7/8 only, MPR, 7:00 - 9:00pm

Monday, February 2nd - 26-27 Kindergarten Registration Opens (through February 28th)

Wednesday, February 4th - Early Release

Wednesday, February 4th - Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age, CCS Library, 5:30 - 7:00pm

Thursday, February 5th - Field Trip, CCS to UVM Basketball Game, Patrick Gymnasium, 10:00 - 2:00pm (see below for more details)

Friday, February 6th - SCS Presents: Hans Christian Andersen, Jr., CVU Auditorium, 7:00pm

Saturday, February 7th - SCS Presents: Hans Christian Andersen, Jr., CVU Auditorium, 2:00pm

Saturday, February 7th - SCS Presents: Hans Christian Andersen, Jr., CVU Auditorium, 7:00pm

Tuesday, February 10th - CCS Spelling Bee, MPR, 9:00 am (see more information below)

Tuesday, February 10th - Digital Well-Being & Youth Development, CCS Library, 5:30 - 6:30pm

Wednesday, February 11th - CCS PTO Meeting, Cafe, 8:00 - 9:00am

Wednesday, February 11th - Early Release

Wednesday, February 18th - Early Release

Wednesday, February 18th - Tools, Monitoring, and Partnership: A Practical Conversation, CCS Library, 5:30 - 6:30

Monday, February 23rd through Friday, February 27th - NO SCHOOL - Winter Break

Tuesday, March 24th - Save the Date: Celebrate the Arts at CVU

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

It includes some hilarious bloopers that will definitely make you smile.

The CCS school spelling bee will be held on Tuesday, February 10th at 9:00 am in the MPR. The final spelling clubs before the bee will be held for interested 3rd - 8th graders on Wednesday and Friday next week during lunch. The top two spellers from the school bee will be invited to the Vermont State Spelling Bee on March 11th at Norwich University.

The CCS Yearbook is now available for order. The CCS yearbook is primarily for middle school students, grades 5-8, as only these students are featured in the yearbook. The cost of the yearbook is $30. If purchasing a yearbook for your student is a financial hardship for your family, please reach out confidentially to our school counselor, Betsy Lloyd at blloyd@cvsdvt.org so we can make sure your middle schooler can receive a yearbook.

The deadline to order a yearbook is February 4, 2026. Please order your yearbook today!

For yearbook related questions, please reach out to our yearbook advisor, Elisa Miller, at emiller@cvsdvt.org.

Next weekend, February 6 and 7, SCS will be presenting their middle school musical,

Hans Christian Andersen Jr.!

The show will be at CVU.

To purchase tickets- please click HERE.

Please come out to support our fellow CVSD kiddos! We hope to see you at the show! :)

January marks National Mentoring Month when we pause to celebrate the caring adults in our community who show up for our youth in meaningful, formative ways. For more than 25 years, Connecting Youth has paired thousands of community mentors with 5-8th grade students across Charlotte Central School, Hinesburg Community School, Shelburne Community School, and Williston Central School.

The short video below highlights the heart of mentoring and its impact: trusted, caring relationships that ensure young people feel seen, supported, and connected to their community as they navigate the middle school years. Not to mention the value it brings for the mentor too.

As we honor our mentors, we are also reminded of the ongoing need for caring community members to step into this important role. Interested in learning more about becoming a mentor yourself? Reach out to CCS program coordinator Jessica Phelan at jphelan@cvsdvt.org.

Volunteer to be a Girls on the Run (GOTR) coach for CCS this spring! Girls’ voices matter, though they may not realize it … YET. As a GOTR coach this season, you have the chance to help girls find the confidence to speak up and boldly share their amazing ideas. You’ll empower them to listen deeply and guide them in helping others find their voices, too. With your support, girls on your team can realize just how powerful they are. Being a GOTR coach isn't just impactful—it's life-changing. Not only do GOTR coaches empower the girls on their team, they also reported the experience strengthened their connection to the community and enhanced their personal and professional skills. Be a part of something truly meaningful!

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. Our 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!

Visit gotrvt.org/coach to learn more or sign up to volunteer. Families can fill out a participant interest form to get connected. Questions? Contact GOTRVT at stephanie@girlsontherunvermont.org, or 802-871-5664.

Join students from across the Champlain Valley School District for an evening of entertainment and celebration, showcasing performing and visual arts from the district’s six schools. This annual tradition returns to CVU on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, transforming the high school halls and theater into a vibrant gallery of learning, innovation and inspiration.

The 14th-annual Celebrate the Arts Night brings together art, music, theater, media, arts, foods, business, design and technology in a one-night-only exhibition of student creativity.

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.

Registration Fees:

$129 Program fee (for those 6+ or those without a BV season's pass)

$49 Program fee (for those under 6 or who have a BV season's pass)

No Charge/FREE to borrow equipment from CCS on a first come/first serve basis

BV rental equip. Optional: please see Charlotte Recreation website for details

$75 lessons - Levels 1 or 2, ski or snowboard

Chaperones:

Chaperones are needed to maintain a 1-to-10 ratio to students. Chaperones ski free or at a sharply reduced rate and are expected to help and have fun. Some chaperones are needed to ride the bus. More info for “1st timers” at the meeting!

Transportation:

Bus/Transportation leaves CCS after school and returns by 7:40pm. Students MUST (unless

prearranged) return the same way they arrived. If changes occur for the ride home, the parent or child MUST notify the bus coordinator or driver of the car in which your child arrived.

Equipment Donations:

As always, we are on the lookout for newer skis, boards, boots, and helmets. If you would like to

donate, please drop off at Charlotte Town Hall to the Rec Department (Gary Rogers), or contact

Michael Krasnow (mkrasnow1@gmail.com), who will be doing the fittings.

Registration:

Registration is now being done through the Charlotte Recreation website. Please head to

https://charlottevt.myrec.com/info/activities/default.aspx to register.

Financial Aid/Scholarships - Financial Aid is available for any student who would otherwise be unable to participate. Contact Gary Rogers at information below.

Need More information: email recreation@townofcharlotte.com or call/text: (802) 989-2929

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!