THE CCS NEWSLETTER

CCS Community,

As we move toward the shortest and darkest days of the year, we find ourselves grateful for the light this community generates. So much of what has unfolded since August has been rooted in connection—students greeting each other across grade levels at all-school meetings (with caregivers joining us for those assemblies for the first time in years), showing up for clubs, sports, and classroom celebrations, and staff leaning into collaboration and learning together with curiosity and care.

We have launched new structures together—C3 (Clubs, Community & Connections on Wednesday mornings) for our middle schoolers, Collaborative Work Groups for staff, Morning Movement for our K–4 students as a simple way to move their bodies and settle their minds at the start of the day, and multiple rounds of SPARK after-school clubs that help students try something new, find joy, and build relationships they may not have built otherwise. At the same time, we have continued CCS traditions like the Carnation Ceremony and daily routines—like having administration, faculty, and staff outside every door each morning to greet students and caregivers—that help school feel calm, safe, and welcoming.

We have talked honestly about belonging, had hard conversations when it wasn’t happening, and taken steps to deepen safety practices—from safety teams, to staff-wide drills, to a full-school relocation drill—approached with care across nine grade levels and the developmental needs within that wide spectrum of learners and adults.

Most importantly, we have seen students step forward with confidence—leading assemblies, taking creative risks, supporting classmates, and offering small gestures of kindness that reinforce who we are as a school community. Those moments, more than any program, illuminate the culture we are building together.

In this season when daylight narrows, community becomes its own source of warmth. We hope each of you can find time for rest, brightness, and care in the days ahead. Thank you for your partnership, your trust, and the many ways you help make CCS a place where children are known, supported, and proud to belong—especially when the path to do so is not always linear.

With gratitude,

Tim O’Leary & Beth Slater

Charlotte Central School Leadership Team

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

Tending to Grief During the Holidays - a craft making workshop for bereaved children and their caregivers - see flyer HERE

GPS Parenting Series - Mental Health 101: Supporting your teen’s mental health journey in high school, college and beyond, December 16, 2025. More info HERE

Resources, Food for thought (and maybe some conversation starters)

Managing Big emotions - Thriving Kids podcast from the Child Mind Institute, talks with Dr. Marc Brackett (author of Permission to Feel and Dealing with Feeling) about supporting kids with emotional regulation. Listen and find more details HERE

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

Whether you’re spending time at home or traveling to visit family, secure any firearms in your home and ask how guns are stored in the homes you’re visiting. Do you need to secure your firearm? Free cable gun locks are available in our school office: Stop by and pick one up!

Wednesday, December 24th through January 2nd - NO SCHOOL, Early Winter Break

Wednesday, January 14th - PTO Meeting, CCS Cafeteria, 8:00 - 9:00am

Wednesday, January 14th - Early Release

Monday, January 19th - NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King Jr Holiday

Tuesday, January 20th - CVSD School Board Mtg, 6:00pm

Wednesday, January 21st - Early Release

Wednesday, January 28th - Early Release

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

Items in the lost and found will be donated at the end of Tuesday, December 23rd.

Our third graders have been busy exploring all the layers and components that make up a deciduous forest —from the forest floor to the canopy! Here’s a glimpse of some of their amazing artwork, inspired by careful observation, creativity, and a deepening understanding of the natural world. We’re so proud of their work!

It's new bookapalooza time! The library has recently added shiny new books, and that means it's the perfect time to build excitement for them in our readers. Rather than place them directly on a shelf, we talk about those books in a variety of ways in order to engage students, help them discover something new, and build a community of readers. Booktalks are an important part of our library program, and have helped get those new books into readers' hands just in time for the December break. To see what's new, visit our Destiny online library catalog.

Dear Charlotte Caregivers,

We are so grateful for the steady support of our school community. As the seasons change, we often find ourselves in need of extra clothing and outdoor gear for our students. These items are kept here at school so we can help any child who needs a change of clothes during the day, forgot their indoor shoes at home, or whose shoes became wet or muddy at recess. Outdoor gear is also incredibly helpful for those moments when a student forgets something but still wants to join their classmates outside and enjoy all of Vermont’s seasons.

If you are able to donate gently used items, it would make a meaningful difference for many children throughout the school day. Thank you for considering a contribution and for caring so deeply for the well-being of our students.

Clothing
• Pants in sizes 5T through 10
• Indoor shoes and sneakers in sizes youth 12 through 4
• Most requested shoe sizes are Youth 1, 2, and 3

Outdoor gear
• Mittens and gloves in all sizes
• Boots in sizes youth 12 through 4
• Snow pants in sizes youth 5T through 12/14
• Jackets in sizes youth 5T through 12/14
• Hats in all sizes

Thank you!

With gratitude,

Lauren A. Calkins, BSN, RN (she/her/hers)

School Nurse

Charlotte Central School

P: 802-425-6644

F: 802-425-2122

Spelling Club will start next Wednesday, December 17th. Students in grades 3-8 will be able to participate during their lunch/recess block next Wednesday and Friday and then continue in January after break. Kids in these grades who are interested in working with words are invited to join. We are still looking for a few additional parents to help run the club. The commitment would be one day a week from 11:20 - 1:00 (either Wednesday or Friday). If you are interested in volunteering, please email Margery McCracken at margeryg@gmail.com.

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.

**** Important Parent Meeting for 1st time Program participants

Thursday, Dec. 18th, 7 p.m., in the CCS Library ****

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.

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.

Contact Us Form

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!

CCS PTO Website