SCS Community Newsletter

Dear SCS Families and Caregivers,

The wintry weather lent a sense of social magic to this week and inspired some curiosity about our outdoor world. The collaborative creations of snow people and arctic habitats spread throughout the playground after we went back outside for recess on Tuesday. Kindergartners were debating the sounds penguins and polar bears make and looking forward to finding some books to learn more about these animals they were mimicking. Some of our second graders were looking at the winter weather through the eyes of meteorology. How does the air temperature change the texture of the snow? Why did we get ice in one storm and snow in another?

Middle schoolers rolled huge snow boulders (see the photo below) and made a game out of trying to hit a specific targets on the snow-throwing wall. The snow football games continued throughout it all, and kids worked together to keep each other safe. These moments of shared wonder and care remind us that even the coldest days can spark the warmest connections within our school community.

With 2026 underway, we invite you to send some positive vibes to the people who keep our school running: our bus drivers, administrative assistants, the cafeteria staff, our maintenance crew, our nurses, support staff, and all of the educators of SCS. This dedicated team is here to keep shining light on the strength of this community even in the dark days of January.

We hope your child(ren) brings home their own stories of a joyful start to the new year, and we look forward to seeing them back here on Monday.

Warm wishes to you all!

In Partnership,

Jen, Brett and Antonia

The SCS Administrative Team

1/12 - Community Conversation (8:00 am, SCS library & virtual option) * details below

1/13 - PTO Monthly Meeting (6:00pm, Green Common Area)

1/16 - 5th/6th Grade Dance (7:00 - 9:00pm, SCS)

1/19 - NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

1/22 - 5th/6th Concert Band, Symphonic Band & Chorus Concert (5:15 pm, Gym)

1/22 - 7th/8th Concert Choir, Wind Ensemble & Stage Band Concert (7:00 pm, Gym)

1/23 - 7th/8th Grade Dance (7:00 - 9:00 pm, SCS)

1/30 - Last day to register for Shelburne Shines: A Winter Talent Show

1/30 - Movie Night at SCS for 3rd & 4th Graders (5:00 - 7:00 pm, SCS Band Room) * flier below

CVSD 2025-2026 Calendar

To sign up for the late bus the week of January 12-15, please sign up by 9:00 am Monday, 1/12 if you would like your student(s) to ride the late bus that week.

THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO SIGN UP FOR THE LATE BUS.

If your student is signed up for the late bus, we expect they will be on the bus. Please notify the front office if there is an unexpected change in plans.

Ms. Sands & Gina Pandolfo will be running Rainbow Club, an LGBTQ+ group for 3rd-5th graders starting January 12th. Our meetings will happen on Mondays after school. Students can either be picked up or ride the late bus home.

We’re choosing topics for the remaining Community Conversations this year—our monthly/

bi-monthly coffee-and-conversation series focused on subjects that matter to our community.

Let us know what matters most to you by filling out this short survey. Our next coffee and conversation will take place on Monday, January 12, and will focus on the bi-annual Student Engage Surveys. More info is below. We hope you can make it. Thank you!

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.

Kindergarten Registration for the 2026-2027 school year will open online February 2. CVSD is asking families to register their rising Kindergarteners by February 28, in an effort to get more accurate enrollment numbers for our schools. These enrollment numbers help us to plan our staffing and scheduling needs for the upcoming school year.

Students must turn 5 years old ON or BEFORE September 1, 2026, to be eligible for Kindergarten, per CVSD policy.

Parents of PK4 students receiving Act 166 funding or currently enrolled in the CVSD PreK program will automatically receive an email in the coming weeks with registration instructions from Katie Schut.

Please contact Katie Schut: kschut@cvsdvt.org, 383-1119 with any questions.

We are so excited to welcome the class of 2039 to SCS!

The SCS Mathletes performed admirably today! The team composed of Henry G, Ryan T, Charlie M and Rufus D took home the first place team trophy! Five of our mathletes made the countdown round; Henry, Ryan, Charlie, Jayden and Alex, and Ryan was crowned the overall winner of the countdown round!

As for individual scores, Henry G placed first and Ryan T placed third. They had a lovely day at Wiliston Central School.

The Shelburne Community School’s Lego Robotics team is ready to ROAR in 2026! The SCS RoboCats competed in the Northern and Southern Regional State Championships before winter break and came away as champions in both events. The team is composed of sixty members that compete in this STEM event that comprises Robot Design, a Robot Game that includes autonomous robots solving complex missions, an Innovation Presentation that solves a real world problem. All while demonstrating Gracious Professionalism as a Core Value. The First Lego League is a global program that helps create future leaders in science and technology and these RoboCats rose to the occasion. All First Lego League teams were generously supported this year with a grant from SCHIP that financed Lego kits across the CVSDVT school district to afford more hands-on learning for teams across the school district. The RoboCats are ready to ROAR at the State Championships on January 17th at GlobalFoundries!

Shoutout to our Bolton riders for organizing their items so nicely this week!

We’re thrilled to announce the first annual Shelburne Shines: A Winter Talent Show, now taking place on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Charlotte Central School’s upgraded stage! While the venue has changed, this remains a Shelburne Community School–only, school-wide fundraiser — and we thank CCS for graciously hosting our group!

SCS students in grades K–8 (and staff!) are invited to perform any talent they love — singing, dancing, playing an instrument, telling jokes, performing magic, gymnastics, martial arts, poetry, skits, theater, or something entirely their own. All talents are welcome!

Registration is extended through January 30 (or until we reach our 50-act cap).

Video uploads of your act are encouraged but no longer required at sign-up.

Details + registration: shelburnepto.org/talentshow

Audience tickets on sale soon!

Please join us for a winter walk at Shelburne Pond on Saturday, January 17th from 10:00 - 11:00. All are welcome - be sure to dress for the weather as we explore the beautiful trails together!

Meet at Shelburne Pond parking area at 10:00.

Sponsored by Shelburne Forward Bike & Pedestrian Task Force.

PCAVT has been around for nearly 50 years and offers a variety of resources for Vermont families. These are all virtual opportunities coming up in the next few weeks that feel especially timely given the amount of time many of our students spend online.

- If you are a crafter or creator and would like to sell (or just present) your products or services, sign up by January 18th!

- All are welcome to attend the market (for FREE) on March 28th, 2026 at Generator

- Click here for details: https://generatorvt.com/nextgenerator/

Are you interested in having some fun learning alongside our students as a guest teacher (aka sub)? If so, please reach out to CVSDHR@cvsdvt.org or Louise Michaels.

Click here for more information on becoming a sub!

Shelburne Community School Administrative Team

Jen Roth, PreK-4 Principal

Brett Cluff, 5-8 Principal

Antonia Trono, Director of Special Services