We are looking for volunteers to help us with our Green-up/Clean-up Day!! Please see the information below:
Date: May 1, 2025
Rain Date: May 2, 2025
Time: 9:30-12:00
Where: On school grounds (gardens, and playground area), walking the roadside near the school and going by bus to a roadside in Calais.
If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please fill out this form here.
We are also looking to borrow some of the following tools:
- Rakes (2 adult size)
- Trowels (4-5)
- Watering cans (2)
- Gardening gloves (8-10 pair)
We will take gentle care of these items and will return them as soon as possible!! If you are able to donate any of these for a day or two, please fill out this form here or reach out to Danielle in the office at dmackay@u32.org.
3/28 - Central VT Little League Registration Ends
3/28 - Dragon! @ Taplin Theater
3/29 - HERVermont Opening Event
3/29 - Dragon! @ Taplin Theater
3/29 - 38th Annual State Scholastic Chess Championships – Vermont Chess
3/30 - Dragon! @ Taplin Theater
4/2 - Parent Advisory Team Meeting
4/5 - U-32 Spring Craft Fair
4/10 - "Monty Python's Spamalot" @ Stage 16
4/10 - Friends of Calais meeting
4/11 - "Monty Python's Spamalot" @ Stage 16
4/12 - "Monty Python's Spamalot" @ Stage 16
4/14 - Selectboard Public Hearing on Proposed Town Plan and Zoning Regulations
4/17 - Coffee and Conversation with the Superintendent
4/21-4/25 - April Break - No school for students
5/1 - Green-up/Clean-up Day
5/2 - Green-up/Clean-up Day Rain Date
5/7 - Donate Blood in Honor of Lei
5/31 - Out Run the Floods 5k
Dear Calais Families, Students and Staff,
Throughout the month of March, students will have the opportunity to explore college and careers in Guidance class. Students will learn more about different professions, college and skill requirements needed and a general description of the work entailed in each profession presented.
If anyone is interested in coming in to talk with students during Guidance class about their college or career, please complete the response form below. Presentations can be anywhere from 5-15 minutes in length. You may drop it off at the Calais Elementary Office or in the Counselor's room in the Learning Center.
I look forward to hearing from you and feel free to stop by or call if you have any questions at 802-454-7777 ext 105.
Kind Regards,
Ruth Frisenda
Calais is home to an incredible Preschool program and we want all of our parents of 3-4 year olds to consider enrolling their children in our program for the 2025-2026 school year. The more children we have sign up for Preschool the more we might be able to offer.
Please check out the website below for more information and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.
We have been made aware that several of our sinks in classrooms have tested at higher levels of lead than is allowable. At this time, those sinks have been restricted from use out of precaution. As of today, we are working with the Director of Facilities for WCUUSD on a remedy as soon as possible.
If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Weiss.
We’ve asked staff to start sharing positive stories each week and this week there has been so much to share.
Students: Our students have been so kind, caring, and gracious during a time when one of our students (my own son!) was out this week for a major surgery. The care the kids have shown, how often they ask how he’s doing, and love and compassion has been beautiful!
Staff: Ms. Ecklund always writes an encouraging message to her students on her whiteboard in the morning to get them started with their day. It makes me smile! She has fun with them while teaching them important academic and life lessons and helps them to become creative thinkers and leaders - which is much needed in our world today.
Mr. Weiss is always ready to lend a hand and actively listens.
Ms. Danielle goes above and beyond to make things happen here Calais for staff, students and families.
Berlin Board Member: 3 Year Term
District Clerk: 3 Year Term
Want to make a positive impact for students in Vermont? You can! By serving on your local school board. While it is a big responsibility, we don’t always hear about the benefits of school board service.
Your decisions have the potential to directly and positively affect the lives of students and their families, the livelihoods of those the district employs, and the economic well-being of your community.
To learn more, the VT School Boards Association (VSBA)’s website at https://www.vtvsba.org/runningforschoolboard
If you are interested in either of the positions please submit a letter of interest to Flor Diaz Smith at fdiazsmith@u32.org
As part of our commitment to supporting students’ social and emotional growth, we will be using the DESSA (Devereux Student Strengths Assessment) SEL screener. This research-based tool helps us understand and nurture key social-emotional skills such as self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and relationship-building.
The screener is strength-based and designed to identify areas where students excel, as well as areas where they may need additional support. Based on the results, our school will provide targeted support through classroom activities, small group interventions, and individualized strategies to help students develop essential life skills. Our goal is to create a positive, inclusive, and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for your partnership in fostering your child’s well-being!
The 5/6ers are working on projects that help out both CES and the Calais community. This week they decided to start with creating a mini food shelf at CES.
6th grader, Katie is taking the lead with a large donation from her family. If you would like to participate please drop of non-perishables at CES during school hours.
The food that is donated is available to everyone so please help yourself, at any time, no questions asked.
Hi Calais Cougars
Today we are interviewing Astrid! (Yay)
Her favorite color is light teal.
Her least favorite color is brown (same).
Her favorite animal is a hedgehog.
Her least favorite animals are caterpillars.
Her favorite food is a watermelon.
Her least favorite food is meat.
Her favorite sweet food is ice cream.
Her least favorite sweet food is frosting.
If she could be one thing in the world, it would be a hedgehog.
What is your favorite/least favorite animal? Answer here!
Bye for now!
Ms. Scoop
We are continuing to move forward with our “Humanity & Justice Coalition” working to ensure all people feel heard, welcome, and safe at Calais Elementary and in our community. We’ve even got a new name - “Humanity and Justice, Calais”. This will be our celebration of all that makes us who we are and will work to ensure we will always be a community that welcomes and respects all people.
As we push forward we are engaging our students to gather their input and help them to drive the process. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me and be sure to talk with your students - those conversations are going to be critical. This is something we believe is important and I personally want to ensure that all viewpoints are heard and all people have a stake in this work. Do not hesitate to reach out to me personally with any questions.
- Jarrod
Dear Calais Families,
We will be starting the Backpack program soon here at Calais Elementary School for families. The program is designed to provide families with children who attend Calais, the necessary food and clothing that they may need throughout the school year. Food and Gift bags will be dispensed in a discreet and caring manner. This program runs the full school year on a weekly basis with exception to student breaks and summer. This includes winter clothing, Thanksgiving and Christmas presents, in addition. There is no cost associated with this program. If you wish for your child to participate in the program, please sign below and return this letter to the school in your child's folder or drop it off at the Main Office by next Friday. Thank you and please let us know if you have any questions or any needs for your child at any time.
Feel free to email me at rfrisenda@u32.org or call 802-454-7777 ext 105 at any time.
Sincerely,
Ruth Frisenda
School Counselor
Calais Elementary School
Get some before Town Meeting!
Dear Colleagues and Neighbors - The Town of Calais has received hundreds and hundreds of at-home Covid-19 antigen rapid tests; plenty to share!
Expiration Date: July 2, 2025
Please reply via email to let us know if you would like some, and when you would like to come pick them up from the Calais Town Office (sorry, no deliveries). See our business hours below.
Let's keep everyone healthy and safe!
Barbara Butler, Calais Assistant Town Clerk
Teegan Dykeman-Brown, Town Clerk
Barbara Butler, Assistant Town Clerk / Assistant Treasurer
Town of Calais, VT
3120 Pekin Brook Road, East Calais, VT 05650
802.456.8720
Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 9:00am to 4:00pm; Closed Fridays.
All Land/Title/Deed research or vault time is by appointment only.
No cash transactions.
Our staff spent time with Sally Russell from Youth First Mentoring. There are some incredible opportunities for our young people through mentoring and this is something we hope you explore if your child would be interested. We are happy to help connect you and help with the process if this is something you want to explore for your child. Check out this local organization at → https://youthfirstmentoring.org/
Vermont Family Support Programs
Free VIRTUAL Parent Education Programs & Support Groups for Vermont Parents!
Free online Parent Education Programs to any parent/caregiver in Vermont who wants support and/or to learn new parenting skills.
Do you or someone you know want to learn more about the programs we offer?
Visit our website at: www.pcavt.org/family-support-programs,
email us at familysupport@pcavt.org or
call 1-800-CHILDREN
Nurturing Parenting®,
Strengthening Families Programs &
Circle of Parents®
Curriculum-based, parenting education programs for families experiencing stress.
Upcoming Parent Education Programs:
All programs are offered virtually and FREE!
Programs are 2 hours per week for 14-18 weeks
Nurturing Program® for Families in Substance Use Treatment & Recovery
Tuesdays at 5pm starting April 1st
Wednesdays at noon starting April 2nd
Tuesdays at 9am starting April 15th
Tuesdays at 5:30pm starting June 10th
Nurturing Skills™ for Families -
Mondays at 10am starting March 24th
Mondays at 5pm starting April 7th
Thursdays at 1pm starting May 8th
Mondays at 6pm starting June 2nd
Strengthening Families Program for Teens
Tuesdays at 1pm starting August 12th
Upcoming Circle of Parents Support Groups
Circle of Parents® is a network of professionally facilitated, peer-led, self-help support groups for using a strengths-based
approach and a shared leadership model.
All Circles are offered virtually and FREE!
Circles meet weekly for 60-90 minutes and are ongoing
*Participants may join anytime
Postpartum & Pregnancy Circle of Parents
2nd Monday of the month at 10am via zoom
Mondays 8pm via zoom
Circle of Parents of Children with Special Needs
Tuesdays at Noon via zoom
Circle of Parents for Adoptive Parents
1st Wednesday of month at noon via zoom
Postpartum & Pregnancy Circle of Parents
1st Wednesday of the month at 5pm in St. Johnsbury
Thursdays 515pm
Reach out to familysupport@pcavt.org for more information
