THE CCS NEWSLETTER
Charlotte Central School - January 16, 2026
Digital Well-Being: Three Nights of Caregiver Conversation
CCS Community,
A couple of months ago, we shared an idea about developing a series of "Community Connections," opportunities for caregivers to connect with one another, learn alongside the school, and build community. The next phase of this work will take a deep dive into Digital Well-Being in the month of February. Here are the all the details, and we hope to see you there at one of more of these evenings:
Digital Well-Being: Three Nights of Caregiver Conversation
Open to all caregivers who live within the Champlain Valley School District—including families whose children attend CVSD schools, private schools, or are homeschooled. Please RSVP so we can plan for attendance and share any updates to the programming.
Purpose & Guiding Questions
This three-night series invites reflection on digital well-being and the role devices, social media, and gaming play in students’ relationships, communication, and daily lives. Grounded in curiosity rather than fear, we’ll explore practical family strategies that support kindness, empathy, and healthy boundaries—online and offline.
Guiding Questions:
How do devices and social media shape young people’s relationships and well-being at different ages?
What do young people need from adults to build healthy digital habits and boundaries?
Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age
Wednesday, February 4th | 5:30-7:00 PM
Charlotte Central School Library
60-minute documentary + table discussions (2025 updated film)
Screenagers explores how screen time is shaping kids’ lives—and the tension it can create at home and at school. Through personal stories and expert insight, the film offers practical ideas to help families find balance.
Panel Discussion: Digital Well-Being & Youth Development
Tuesday, February 10th | 5:30-6:30 PM
Charlotte Central School Library
A moderated panel featuring local professionals in youth health and mental health. We’ll explore how devices and social media intersect with development and well-being, with an emphasis on practical insights and shared responsibility.
Panelists: To Be Announced (RSVP with the link above and we will communicate this update.)
Tools, Monitoring, and Partnership: A Practical Conversation
Wednesday, February 18th | 5:30-6:30 PM
Charlotte Central School Library
A practical session led by CCS educators (and caregivers) focused on family strategies and tools for guiding device use. We’ll explore partnership-based approaches that help adults model healthy habits and support kids with clear expectations and ongoing communication, including a look at the Bark Parental Control app.
With gratitude,
Tim O’Leary & Beth Slater
Charlotte Central School Leadership Team
Counselor Connection with Betsy Lloyd
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
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!
(802)425-6604
CCS Student Project Leaders
CCS Project Leaders have been hard at work during their Thursday meetings, brainstorming a vision for a school heritage garden. As the project develops, students look forward to involving the wider community, including a future collaboration with Philo Ridge Farm. The group will share their progress with Shelburne Farms via Zoom on January 20th and celebrate their final work at the Statehouse in May alongside other schools.
Mark Your Calendar
Monday, January 19th - NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King Jr Holiday
Tuesday, January 20th - CVSD School Board Mtg, 6:00pm
Wednesday, January 21st - Early Release
Friday, January 23rd - Field Trip, Grade 4 (Fraser/Grey) to Flynn Theater, 9:15 - 11:45am
Friday, January 23rd - Semester 1 Ends
Monday, January 26th - CVU Chorus Visit to CCS, 11:25 - 12:05pm
Wednesday, January 28th - Early Release
Wednesday, January 28th - PTO Math Night, MPR, 6:00 - 7:30
Friday, January 30th - K-4 report cards mailed to caregivers
Friday, January 30th - Winter Ball! Grades 7/8 only, MPR, 7:00 - 9:00pm
Wednesday, February 4th - Early Release
Friday, February 5th - Field Trip, CCS to UVM Basketball Game, Patrick Gymnasium, 10:00 - 2:00pm
Wednesday, February 11th - CCS PTO Meeting, Cafe, 8:00 - 9:00am
Wednesday, February 11th - Early Release
Wednesday, February 18th - Early Release
Monday, February 23rd through Friday, February 27th - NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
PreKindergarten Lottery is now open for 2026-2027!
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.
What's Mentoring All About
Bolton Valley Ski & Ride Dates - 2/11, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18 (3/25 Make-up Date)
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
Be A Substitute / Guest Teacher at CCS!
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.
CCS Caregiver Frequently-Used Resources
CCS Parent-Teacher Organization
Charlotte Community Resources
Tim O'Leary, Principal; toleary@cvsdvt.org
Beth Slater, Assistant Principal & Director of Special Services; eslater@cvsdvt.org