Wildcat Buzz

1. WCS Competes in Jr Iron Chef VT on Saturday, March 14th

2. Back to School for ABS on Monday, 3/16

3. 3/17 - Wildcat Wind Ensemble Concert

03/14 - WCS has 2 teams competing in Jr Iron Chef VT @CV Fairgrounds, starts at 9:30am

03/16 - Final Day for LuckyU sales @WCS (deadline extended)

03/17 - Final Day for LuckyU sales @ABS (deadline extended)

03/17 - 7th & 8th Grade Band Concert

03/17 - CVSD School Board Mtg, 6:00-9:00pm @CVU Library

03/19 - Conference Day - NO SCHOOL for Students

03/20 - Eid al Fitr - NO SCHOOL

03/24 - Celebrate the Arts @CVU, 5:30-8:30pm

03/28 - Big Basket Raffle, sponsored by WFAP - Adult only event, Doors open at 5:45pm

04/01 - CVSD Intra-District School Choice applications due

04/08 - Community Field Project Information Session, CVU Library @6pm

04/09 - Opening Night: WCS Spring Musial, Matilda Jr. @6:30pm

04/10 - WCS Spring Musical, Matilda Jr. @6:30pm

04/11 - WCS Spring Musical, Matilda Jr. @2:00pm

04/20 - 04/24 - Spring Break, No School

visit the CVSD food service page on our website for additional information and resources

by Greg Marino, Williston Schools Lead Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Over the past 48 hours, I have been moved by the strength and unity of our community. In the wake of Wednesday night’s fire at ABS, our neighbors, staff, and families have stepped up with flexibility and care. While this event stirred a wide range of emotions, the collaboration between our district, and local and state agencies has been our greatest asset. With WCS open today, I’ve had the chance to witness firsthand the poise of our faculty and the resilience of our students, both reminders of the supportive environment we build together every day.

We are pleased to share that, at this time, ABS will open on Monday. ABS parents and caregivers will hear directly from Angela Filion about modified arrival and dismissal procedures, as well as some of the steps the ABS team will take to help students feel comfortable as they return to school.

As we shared yesterday, I want to reiterate our commitment to safety - on our buses and across our campus, including through the following actions:

• At ABS, fencing has been installed around the scene at the state-recommended distance to keep individuals away from hazardous materials, which are being handled and remediated by a professional team.

• We are working to remove all buses, but due to the continued investigation, one or more buses may be on site. Remaining buses have been disabled and pose no risk.

• As of today, ABS’s modular, back playground and entrance sidewalk have been cleaned by an environmental services team.

• The Vermont State Police are continuing to investigate the fire and have no reason to believe the origin is suspicious in nature.

• CVSD will continue to ground our remaining electric buses.

I can’t emphasize enough the gratitude I have for our district leadership team, facilities crew, and community partners who have supported our response to this unexpected situation. Their collective support, alongside the understanding and flexibility that our parents and caregivers have shown, are a reminder of the strength of our community.

For those who celebrate Ramadan, school meals are available for take home. To request meals from February 17 through March 19, students or caregivers should email Food Service Director Scott Wagner (swagner@cvsdvt.org) in the morning, and meals will be available for pickup in the afternoon.

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.

Williston Central School Athletics are open to all students grades 6th-8th. All practices start at 2:50 and end around 4:20. Students can be picked up at the rear entrance to the school, or take the activity bus.

Visit the athletics website for everything you need to know about playing on a sports team at WCS. WCS Athletics

The WCS Drama program is open to grades 6, 7, and 8 and currently includes a Fall Play and a Spring Musical.

Visit the drama webpage to learn more about upcoming productions and the WCS Drama program.

In the event that weather and/or road conditions make it unsafe for our buses to travel hill roads, we will notify parents and/or caregivers of students on those routes with as much notice as possible.

When hills are closed for afternoon bus runs, if no one arrives to meet younger students, they will be brought back to school until arrangements are made for them to be picked up. Please talk with your bus drivers to let them know if you are comfortable letting your child walk home from the drop off location.

We will use the automated SchoolMessenger system to notify families on the hill roads.

• First Call - 488-7777: phone support, crisis intervention, assessment and referrals
• In Crisis: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) (National Hopeline Network: USA)
• National Suicide Prevention Life line- 1-800-273-TALK (8255), call or chat online
• Crisis Text Line - text HOME to 741741 (24 hours a day, seven days a week)
• Outright Vermont - support for LGBTQ+ community
• Vermont 211 -Vermont database of resources and services
• Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide - Website where you can find information to help yourself or a friend who may be having thoughts of suicide.
• Trevor Lifeline - 1-866- 488-7386 - provides suicide prevention and crisis intervention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. It offers free, 24/7, confidential counseling. TrevorText—text START to 678-678; TrevorChat—instant messaging at TheTrevorProject.org/help. It also runs TrevorSpace, an affirming social networking site for LGBTQ youth at TrevorSpace.