THE VIKING
Hinesburg Community School - October 17, 2025
Dear HCS Families,
We know that many of our students look forward to Halloween and the opportunity to wear costumes to school. This is a time we want to be playful, joyful, and community-centered. At the same time, it’s important to recognize that some costumes can unintentionally perpetuate stereotypes or reinforce limited and/or harmful ideas about people. Our goal is to celebrate in ways that are fun, safe, and inclusive for all members of our community.
We are asking families to keep the following considerations in mind when helping students choose costumes:
Halloween Costume Considerations
Cultural Sensitivity: Costumes should not make fun of or misrepresent other cultures or people. Culture is not a costume. Examples of inappropriate choices include kimonos, Native American headdresses, hijabs, sombreros, or Día de los Muertos costumes, blackface, or wigs used as a stereotype.
Age-Appropriate Choices: We serve a wide range of students, and some are quite young. Please avoid costumes that are excessively scary or gory, as these may frighten younger students.
Learning First: Costumes should allow students to fully participate in the school day. Outfits that are bulky, cumbersome, or distracting can interfere with learning and limit mobility.
Masks and Face Paint: Masks or face paint should not prevent staff from easily recognizing student faces.
No Props: Props of any kind should be left at home. In the past, items like toy swords, laser guns, or bows and arrows have been brought to school. These violate school rules and create unnecessary distractions.
At HCS, we encourage individuality, creativity, and joy, while also maintaining a safe and welcoming community for all students and families. Thank you for your support in helping us make Halloween a positive and inclusive experience.
If you have questions about these guidelines, please feel free to reach out to us.
Warmly,
Tim and Alexis
Are you interested in continuing the 1st-5th grade Cochran’s ski program? Kindergarteners can join if accompanied by an adult.
We need adult volunteers to help organize and run the program for about 50 students.
Volunteers needed-
Bus Riders- 3 parents who will meet at HCS on all 6 ski & ride program days at 2:15 to ride to Cochrans and back to HCS from the mountain at 5:30.
Equipment Transportation- We already have a parent volunteer for equipment transportation, but we could use one more volunteer to be a back-up for him in case he has an illness or a conflict come up. This person will meet families for equipment drop-off in the lower parking lot from 7:30-8:10am, then transport all ski equipment to Cochran’s after school to meet the bus on the mountain at 2:50 pm. At the end of the program at 4:45 pm, all equipment will be returned to their truck to be transported back to HCS for family pick up.
Group Leaders- 8 parents who can attend all 6 ski & ride program days and lead about 5-8 children. Parents would need to arrive at Cochran’s to meet the bus at 2:50.
The proposed program dates are Thursdays - Jan 8th, Jan 15th, Jan 22nd, Jan 29th, Feb 5th, and Feb 12th.
This program can’t happen without volunteers! If interested, please email Laura Edling at lauramatti7@gmail.com.
Have you considered mentoring a young person? Connecting Youth CVSD is seeking interested adult community members to join our amazing team of volunteers as youth mentors.
Not only will your mentoring relationship provide support, encouragement, trust, and guidance for a young person in your community, you’ll find substantial reward in being a person who is making a difference in someone’s life. Learn more here!
Why Mentor?
Build empathy and understanding for today’s young people
Contribute to the connectedness of your community
Experience joyful purpose from impacting a young person’s life
Be a trusted adult who cares and shows up
Explore new activities, experiences, and passions!
The Commitment
One hour a week during the school year
We work around your schedule
Continuous training and support provided
Middle schoolers and their mentors build friendship and trust over fun activities like cooking, crafts, STEM kits and games. If you’re fun, caring, and trustworthy, your simple presence can make a difference.
Learn more today and contact your CVSD Mentor Coordinator: Livy Bulger, lbulger@cvsdvt.org, 802-482-6248
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
About Us
Tim Trevithick, HCS Principal
Alexis Kelly, HCS Assistant Principal
Alicia Kurth, HCS Special Education Administrator
Email: hcsinformation@cvsdvt.org
Website: https://www.cvsdvt.org/hinesburg
Location: Hinesburg Community School, 10888, Route 116, Hinesburg, Vermont, USA
Phone: 802-482-2106
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hinesburg-Community-School-125786304154731/