Wildcat Buzz

1. Friday - Cedar House hosted 7th & 8th Grade Dance @6:30 pm

2. Walk or Roll to School - NEW DATE! Thursday 11/20

3. Basketball tryouts start Monday, 11/17 (Grades 6-8)

11/14 - 7th & 8th Grade Dance hosted by Cedar House, 6:30 - 8:30pm @WCS

11/17 - Basketball Tryout Start - see Athetics webpage for registration

11/24 - 11/28 - Thanksgiving Break, NO SCHOOL

12/16 - 5-8 Chorus Concert, 6:30 - 7:30pm

12/17 - 5-6 Band Concert, 5:30-6:30pm, 7-8 Band Concert, 7-8pm

12/24 - 01/02 - Early Winter Break, NO SCHOOL

01/05 - Welcome Back, break ended

01/19 - Martin Luther King, Jr Day - NO SCHOOL

01/28 - Middle School Open House & Celebration of Learning, Gradesa 5-8 @6:30p-7:30p

by Lauren Goracy, Director of Student Services

Rethinking How We Support Students with Anxiety

In recent weeks, I’ve been thinking a lot about how we support students with anxiety, especially after reading an article that challenged me to reflect on our current practices. With the best intentions, we often excuse students from stressful tasks such as presentations, tests, or group work. Research shows that avoiding what makes us anxious can actually make anxiety stronger over time.

Gently facing fears, on the other hand, helps students build confidence and resilience. Every day school experiences, such as speaking in class, working with peers, and managing time, all play a role in helping students grow.

That said, the reality in schools is complex. In both my current role and my past work as a special educator, I’ve written many student support plans (IEPs, 504s, and ESTs) with these same accommodations. For some students, these supports are truly a lifeline. A first step toward feeling safe enough to engage in school. Still, it’s important that we think carefully about how and when to fade this support so students can build independence and confidence.

Our job is to find the right balance: meeting students where they are while encouraging small steps beyond their comfort zones. The goal isn’t to remove accommodations, but to use them thoughtfully, always with the hope that, over time, students will grow to need them less. Below are some ways our school can support students with anxiety, along with strategies caregivers can use to help at home.

What Schools Can Do

• Teach about anxiety early. Help students understand that anxiety is normal. Facing fears (not avoiding them) is how we grow.

• Build coping and resilience skills. Use small, supported challenges in classrooms to help students practice managing discomfort.

• Use accommodations thoughtfully. Provide support when needed, but include a plan to gradually fade them as confidence grows.

• Collaborate with community providers. Partner with outside therapists or clinics for students who need more intensive support.

• Focus on progress, not perfection. Celebrate effort and growth, even small steps forward count.

What Caregivers Can Do

• Normalize anxiety. Let your student know it’s okay to feel nervous and that courage means doing things even when you’re anxious.

• Encourage, don’t rescue. Offer reassurance and support, but avoid letting your student completely avoid anxiety-provoking situations.

• Model calm and confidence. Show through your own actions that it’s okay to face challenges or make mistakes.

• Collaborate with the school. Communicate openly with teachers and counselors about what works best for your student.

• Praise effort and persistence. Focus on your students’ progress and bravery rather than just outcomes.

• Seek help when needed. If anxiety is severe or persistent, work with a therapist trained in exposure-based or cognitive-behavioral strategies.

https://www.tc.columbia.edu/articles/2025/october/schools-are-accommodating-student-anxiety--and-making-it-worse/

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

Champlain Valley School District is committed to fostering learning environments where every student can feel safe, valued, and respected. To support this commitment, we have updated the CVSD Family and Student Handbook to clarify our expectations regarding the use of language in our schools. We encourage you to review the updated handbook language and to discuss these expectations at home. We thank you for your continued partnership in supporting a positive learning environment for all students.

Dear ABS Families,

The health office is looking for "a few" gender neutral pants. If interested, please send in size 6-7-8 sweatpants, leggings, cargo pants or the like.

- Pull on/elastic waist only please (no buttons, zippers, jeans)

You can put them in a bag label "Health Office" or "Nurse Love" and send them in with your student or drop off at the front office.

Thank you in advance,

Sylvia Love, RN BSN

ABS School Nurse

We are excited to announce the continuation of our SEEDS student group at ABS. Students Encouraging Equity, Diversity, and Success (SEEDS) is a joyful and supportive student group dedicated to celebrating the cultural richness and diverse life experiences of our students of color. This space is designed to foster self-confidence, resilience, and peer mentorship, while allowing members to connect with friends, share stories, and always feel safe and affirmed. The group’s focus will be on themes, discussions, and celebrations of shared heritage that directly resonate with the lived realities of students of color. This group will meet once a month during school hours to enjoy snacks, participate in crafts, read books, and engage in meaningful conversations.

If your child would like to participate, please reach out to Nicole Pfende at npfende@cvsdvt.org to have your child added to the list!

• Students who participated last year are automatically signed up for this year!

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.

Williston Rec & Parks Continued...

Learn to Ski/Ride

Grades K-8th. Early-Bird Discount Deadline is December 21. Registration Deadline- Sunday, December 28. Be sure to register now and don’t miss out on the Equipment Rental nights on November 19 and December 11. You need to register your family for one night and one-time block.

Swim Lessons- Splash

Age 6 mos-2.5 yrs. The Recreation Dept. and The Edge on Morse Drive in Essex are teaming up to offer Tot-Preschool group swim lessons. The lessons introduce swimming techniques and increase safety skills around the water. Group lessons run year-round in the indoor pool at the Edge.

Hoopla & Sensory Play

Ages 9 and under. A joyful movement class where tots and caregivers play, move, and explore together! Designed for children to experience with their grown-ups. This class blends beginner hooping, music-led movement, and hands-on sensory play to support connection and healthy movement for all bodies. Monday, November 24, 9:00-10:00 am, $25.

• 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.