Python Post

Hello,

Four weeks in and school is off to a great start. We've had several field trips that have been educational and fun. The 4th grade went on the MEMSEC Floating Science cruise on the Northern Star. These trips are valuable because they deepen students' connection to the material through hands-on activities and experiments. Northwoods and Craftsbury Outdoor Center were also great experiences.

Our benchmark assessments will wrap up soon, and we will continue using this feedback to promote and support student learning. We are increasingly relying on data to guide our instruction and intervention practices while continuing to develop and refine our systems. There are many components to educating children, but our first and foremost mission is to provide the high-quality instruction that drives academic achievement.

I saw many of you at our Open House and Harvest dinner—thank you for supporting our school and your child's learning. We always appreciate how this community feels closely connected to our school; it's one of the things that makes CVS a special place.

On another note, I wanted to talk a bit about some of the new truancy legislation passed recently. Vermont passed Act 122 in June, which focuses on school attendance and truancy practices. The Vermont Agency of Education is currently creating a policy based on the law.

Some of the key tenets of Act 122 include defining absenteeism as missing more than 10 of school days in a calendar year, which equates to 17.5 days; improving how absences are tracked; changing the definitions of “excused absences”; and requiring earlier intervention when attendance becomes a concern.

Because of this legislation, our attendance procedures will shift. We’ll share more information as the Agency of Education develops its policy and as we clarify how these changes will be implemented at school. Our goal is to support students and families early so that attendance concerns can be addressed in a helpful and constructive way.

Thank you for being a great community!

Sincerely,

Jason B. Lees

Principal, Coventry Village School

jason.lees@ncsuvt.org

On September 17, 2026 grades 3-5 traveled to Charleston for the day to work on some team building skills at Northwoods. Students participated in a low ropes course, several other short team building activities, and a game called The Circle of Life. Students were given tasks to complete where they had to practice communication skills, critical thinking skills, working as a team, and making sure everyone was included. All three grades had a blast and did a phenomenal job showing off their teamwork skills.

Vermont Agency of Education

At our September whole school assembly we had some special visitors: Stop-a-Tron, Flexi Lexi, Gracie the Goal Getter, Plan Man, Emotibot and our newest Executive Skill character, Sustain-o the Great!

Students were presented with some scenarios of problems that they may encounter at school and had to identify which executive skill character(s) could help them solve that problem! Thanks to our AMAZING CVS staff for being great sports and helping to bring these characters to life for our students!

In science class, kindergartners have been learning about environmental scientists and how to reduce waste and protect our planet. During the lessons, students learned about ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. After creating guitars from recycled materials, kindergarteners used their creations to make music for the reduce, reuse, recycle song they learned in class and to create their own songs.

Jen Stanchfield from Experiential Tools of South Newfane, Vermont, is working with us this year to strengthen school-wide community building and engagement with students, staff, and families, as many of you saw during open house.

In classroom sessions with students, she facilitates cooperative problem-solving and communication-skills building activities such as this “Tin Can Pass” challenge pictured here with third through fifth grade students. When students completed level three of the Tin Can Pass, they shared that they practiced listening to and being open to each other’s ideas, taking turns, and making a plan before diving in, persevering – or trying again and again in different ways, and practicing kindness and respect as they work together. In science class this week we explored and practiced our new geology vocabulary using active review games such as Play Do Pictionary and Charades Race.

Student’s also reflected on this year's classroom agreements using Jen’s Pick-a-Postcard kits. For example, the 4th grade picked the Sign-maker’s Tool Bench photo because they want to be creative and have fun, but also be organized and safe.

Along with community building, reflection, and communication skills, Jen helps teachers infuse active academic review games to boost engagement, practice and apply content, and bring learning to life. To learn more about Jen’s work, visit experientialtools.com or email jen@experientialtools.com.