THE CCS NEWSLETTER

CCS Community

Today, we gathered as a school community for one of CCS’s most cherished traditions—the Carnation Ceremony. Each fall, our 8th graders present carnations to our kindergartners as a way of welcoming them into the CCS community. In June, our kindergarteners will return the gesture to those same 8th graders as they prepare to graduate and head off to high school. The ceremony is a beautiful reminder of the full circle of learning and connection that happens under our roof from kindergarten through eighth grade.

Our student speakers captured this spirit so well. Sadie welcomed families and caregivers, sharing her excitement about passing on this tradition. Harper spoke about the meaning of the ceremony and how it connects the oldest and youngest learners across generations. Griffin added his own reflections, reassuring our new students that while 8th graders may look intimidating, they remember what it felt like to be small and are here to support the kindergartners on their journey.

As principals, we are deeply moved by this tradition each year. It is more than a moment of welcome—it is a symbol of who we are as a K–8 school: a community of learners who care for ourselves, care for each other, and grow together in kindness. Seeing our oldest and youngest students come together in this way is a powerful reminder of the joy, responsibility, and sense of belonging that define CCS.

With gratitude,
Tim O’Leary & Beth Slater
Charlotte Central School Leadership Team

Photo Credits: Elisa Miller :)

A few spots remain in our SPARK Thursday Clubs (Session 1), which begins next week—knitting (grades 2-8), dance (4-8), and sewing (K-8)! If your student is interested, please contact our Activities Director, Nicky Elderton, at nelderton@cvsdvt.org

These lonely clothes are looking for their owners! Please stop by the Lost and Found soon to see if any of them belong to your household.

To keep things manageable, we’ll be clearing out the Lost and Found at the end of the day on Friday, October 10th. After that, the space will be ready for the next wave of wandering clothes, water bottles, backpacks, hats, and more.

Help us reunite these items with their families before they move on!

Get in touch with me!

blloyd@cvsdvt.org

(802)425-6604

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

Parenting your ADHD KID - A FREE summit for caregivers -

Fewer meltdowns

Stronger connections

Happier kids

Click Here for Information and to Register

Resources, Food for thought (and maybe some conversation starters)

Help kids make friends and build confidence - Plus 100 conversation starters! = GoZen is a great resource for social and emotional learning tools for kids and teens and also lots of resources for parents!

Check out this blog post on helping kids make friends

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

Helping your child Navigate changing friendships - This is a great printable to help your child navigate the natural ebb and flow of relationships as they grow

How to Navigate Friendships

Wednesday, October 8th - Early Dismissal, 1:45

Wednesday, October 15th - Field Trip, Grade 3 (Hatch/Poirier) to Shelburne Farms, 9:00 - 1:20

Wednesday, October 15th - Early Dismissal, 1:45

Wednesday, October 15th - PTO Meeting, CCS Library, 5:30 - 6:30

Friday, October 17th - Field Trip, Grade 4 (Fraser/Grey) to Maritime Museum, 8:30 - 2:00

Wednesday, October 22nd - Early Dismissal, 1:45

Thursday, October 23rd - NO SCHOOL, Diwali

Friday, October 24th - NO SCHOOL, Parent Teacher Conferences

Tuesday, October 28 - Community Budget Forum, 6 p.m., CVU Library

Wednesday, October 29th - Early Dismissal, 1:45

Friday, October 31st - Make-up / re-take picture day! Starts at 8:30 until complete.

As part of CVSD’s focus on co-creating engaging student experience, a team of administrators, curriculum leaders, and our partners from Transcend toured classrooms in every school across the district this week. In addition to observing classes, clubs, and activities, the planning team hosted 15 focus groups that welcomed more than 100 students. They explored everything from how and where students see connections in their learning to one thing students might change about school to make it better match who they are and what they need.

This week’s work was just one step on our journey to co-create actions that channel our energy, creativity, and resources where they matter most—including to honor identity, foster connection, build proficiency and inspire direction across CVSD.

Looking for a great readaloud to share at home? Out of all the picture books that have been shared with students in the library during the first month of school, these came out on top as absolute favorites!

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

I hope this message finds you well! My name is Matt Kent, and I serve as the K–4 Physical Education and Wellness Teacher here at Charlotte Central School. While I work primarily with our youngest learners, I’m reaching out to our entire K–8 community, since the donations we collect will benefit students across all grade levels.

We’re hoping to expand the movement opportunities we can provide for students, and one way you can help is by donating gently used equipment or sneakers that your family may no longer need. Some of the items we’re especially looking for include:

• Scooters (flat ride-on boards with handles)
• Balance toys (balance boards, stepping stones, river rocks)
• Wiggle boards or wobble cushions
• Pogo sticks or hop balls
• Small gymnastic equipment (tumbling mats, balance beams)
• Obstacle course components (tunnels, hoops, agility items)
• Helmets (if donating ride-on gear)
• Velcro catch sets
• Lightly used sneakers (clean and in good condition, a variety of youth sizes)

👉 Drop-off plan: Donations can be placed in the labeled tote located in the front vestibule of the school. This makes it easy for families to contribute without adding to the workload of our front office staff.

All items should be in good working condition and safe for student use. These donations will support our schoolwide focus on coordination, teamwork, creativity, and a lifelong love of movement.

If you’re unsure about whether an item is appropriate, feel free to send me a quick email or photo—I’d be happy to help. Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our PE program!

With appreciation,

Matt Kent

Physical Education & Wellness Teacher
Charlotte Central School
mkent@cvsdvt.org

Click here to visit the CCS PTO Spirit Gear Store.

As kids head back to school, adults have homework too. The assignment? To learn about safe gun storage. Do you need to secure your firearm? Free cable gun locks are available in our school office: Stop by and pick one up!

Across Vermont, 96% of youth with a mentor say it helps them feel like they matter. And mattering, matters! It strengthens confidence, protects against risky behaviors, and gives students the hope they need to thrive.

At CCS, we’re looking for caring adults to spend just one hour a week with a student. Interested? Reach out today to start your mentoring journey. Training, support, and flexible scheduling are provided.

Reach out to CCS Mentoring Coordinator, Jessica Phelan: jphelan@cvsdvt.org | 802-425-6682 or learn more here

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.

More information about subbing can be found here.

• Athletics
• Bus Schedules / Routes
• Calendars: 2025-26
• CCS & CVSD Handbook
• Connecting Youth Mentoring
• CVSD School Board
• Food Service and Menu
• Health Office
• MySchoolBucks
• Volunteer at CCS

We welcome your feedback at any time. Whether it's intended for our school’s leadership team, district office, or a specific department, your message will be directed to the appropriate team members. We aim to follow up within three business days.

The CCS Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is a partnership between parents, teachers, and staff, working together to create enriching experiences for our students. Visit our website, Facebook, and Instagram pages for the latest and stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to get involved!

• Access Community Education Classes and Registration
• Charlotte Food Shelf
• Charlotte Public Libary

• Town of Charlotte

Tim O'Leary, Principal; toleary@cvsdvt.org

Beth Slater, Assistant Principal & Director of Special Services; eslater@cvsdvt.org

Find CCS on Instagram and Facebook, too!