THE CCS NEWSLETTER
Charlotte Central School - May 29, 2026
CCS Community,
For four Fridays in May, Constancia Gomez led an Artist-in-Residence program at CCS focused on South American dance—think salsa, merengue, tango, and more! There were hands in the air, hips moving, twirls and spins, and a whole lot of fun.
Today was the final day of the residency, which ended with a K-4 Dance Celebration in the MPR. Enjoy the photo below, and be sure to check out some of the videos posted on the CCS Instagram and Facebook pages, too.
Walking into the MPR this afternoon was a magical moment as a school leader. The room was filled with energy, joy, collaboration across grade levels, and teachers as lead learners—yes, they were dancing, too! Most of all, it was wonderful to see students showing pride and confidence as they celebrated something they had practiced over the past several weeks.
Thank you to Constancia for bringing this joyful experience to CCS, and thank you to the CCS PTO for saying “yes” when asked to financially support this residency.
With appreciation and a little extra rhythm,
Tim & Beth
CCS Administrative Team
2025-26 Family/Caregiver Engage Survey
Caregivers, Please take a few moments to complete our 2025-26 Family/Caregiver Engage Survey.
Collective data from this survey will be used to evaluate and improve our system and to build more meaningful experiences for students, families, and caregivers. Please complete one survey per student by Friday, June 5.
A few beaming 6th-graders after CCS' final track meet against HCS!
CCS PTO Fun Run – June 2
We hope you’ll join us for a fun-filled evening at CCS on Monday, June 2nd for our Spring Fun Run and Community Potluck!
The optional Fun Run begins at 5:15 PM and is open to all ages and ability levels. Whether you’d like to run, walk, cheer, or simply connect with others, we’d love to see you there. Following the run, we’ll gather for a community potluck at 5:30 PM, and the evening will conclude with a raffle at 6:30 PM featuring baskets donated by families from each grade level.
This event is also part of our school fundraising efforts. Families and friends can support student runners by scanning the QR code on the flyer or visiting charlotte.pledgestar.com.
The grade level with the highest percentage of students who have pledges in any amount through Pledgestar will get a popsicle party, sponsored by the PTO! Let's have some friendly competition for a good cause.
Thank you to everyone helping organize, volunteer, donate, and participate in this special CCS community event!
The CCS Lake Monster Ticket Fundraiser is Back!
It’s that time of year again—an exciting opportunity to have some fun while supporting the CCS PTO! The Lake Monsters are back, and we’re selling tickets for the June 9 game, where the CCS band will perform the national anthem.
All students will be selling discounted tickets, and you can purchase yours using the provided link or QR code. Even better, 50% of every ticket sold goes directly to the PTO. These funds support a wide range of valuable programs at CCS, including recent theater upgrades with new sound, lighting, and curtains; the outdoor pavilion initiative for flexible learning; the Fun Run; staff appreciation events and quarterly lunches; Math Night, Open House, STEM Night; the Angel Fund; and much more.
Mark Your Calendar
Tuesday, June 2nd - CCS Fun Run & Raffle - 4:00-7:00 PM (rain date Wed, 6/3)
Wednesday, June 3rd - Early Release
Saturday, June 6th, CVSD annual PRIDE Rally, Shelburne Community School, 10:00-Noon(rain or shine)
Monday, June 8th - Wednesday, June 10th - Graduation Flower Donations needed - see details below
Tuesday, June 9th - CCS Band to perform National Anthem at Centennial Field - 6:00pm
Support the CCS PTO - Buy your Lake Monster fundraiser ticket by June 2nd - see below for purchase information & link.
Wednesday, June 10th - Early Release
Wednesday, June 10th - Looking Ahead! - 8:30 - 9:15
Thursday, June 11th - 8th Grade Graduation - 6:15pm / Graduation Dance - 7:00pm - 9:00pm (last day of school for 8th graders)
Friday, June 12th - Last Day of School for K-7, Early Dismissal 11:45am
July 6-10, 2026 - Save the Date! - Student Summer Learning (more information below)
CCS Student Recognized in Statewide Art Contest
Simone, a third grader, is one of 13 winners in the Casella Calendar Art Contest which had 286 submissions this year. The Casella Calendar Art Contest is an annual educational competition that invites third graders across Vermont to submit art based on themes such as reducing, reusing, recycling and caring for our earth. Her art will be featured in the 2027 calendar! Congratulations to Simone!
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
PCAVT - FREE Virtual Parent Education Programs and Support Groups for Vermont Parents!! CLICK HERE to see what’s upcoming!
Resources, Food for thought (and maybe some conversation starters)
Chittenden County Food Resources - list of free food resources throughout Chittenden county, with information about hours, location, accessibility and eligibility requirements.
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!
Get in touch with me!
(802)425-6604
School Library News
It's time to round up those library books! Today was the last day of book checkouts for the school year. All library books are due back Friday, June 5! Check your email inbox for a reminder about what your students have checked out.
Can't find those pesky books? Here is a handy list of places that students have told me they have found missing books:
- backpack
- car (especially under seats)
- under the couch
- your bookshelves
- between the bed and the wall
- closet
- top of fridge
- laundry hamper
- in the classroom
- school locker
- school hallway
Graduation Floral Donations
The Graduation Decorating Committe will be collecting floral donations beginning Monday, June 8th, through Wednesday, June 10th.
Collection buckets will be located both at the front of the school and at the flagpole for families who would like to contribute flowers or greenery to help decorate for our 8th-grade graduation ceremony.
We are so grateful for the incredible generosity of our CCS community each year, and we hope families will be willing to help us make the space feel extra special for our graduates.
Connecting Youth Mentoring
Last week, Connecting Youth Mentoring celebrated another year of connection, belonging, and relationship-building with a gathering at Mt. Foolery in Charlotte.
Hosted by CCS mentor and local artist Woody Keppel, mentors and mentees spent the afternoon doing what kids and caring adults do best together: playing lawn games, swinging from trees, catching frogs along Lewis Creek, sharing food, and simply enjoying each other’s company.
The potluck-style celebration brought together students from across 5-8 grades and many mentors reconnected for the first time all year. It’s moments like these that remind us of the value of community connection and the ripple effects of mentoring.
CVSD 6th Annual Pride Rally
Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Shelburne Community School
CVSD’s Annual Youth Pride Rally is back for its sixth year! The event is happening rain or shine, and students, staff, families, and community members are welcome to come and celebrate alongside us.
The Pride Rally is an opportunity for our larger community to come together and celebrate our diversity, as well as support our LGBTQ+ community members in feeling seen, celebrated, and protected. Come ready to eat, jam out, and hear from queer activists, students, and educators.
2026 Summer Camp Information
It's that time of year again where we begin to share with you summer camp information that we are asked to pass along to our community caregivers. CCS does not endorse the following camps, this is shared with our community as informational only.
- Buckeau Farm Camp - Charlotte farm camp, ages 6-12, 9am-4pm, June 29th-July 24th
- CVU Lacrosse Summer Camps - August 3rd-6th, 9am-1pm
- Junior Redhawks Running Camp - kids finishing grades 4-8
- Livery Horse Farm - horse / pony day camp for ages 1st grade and up
- Sentinal Farms Youth Camps
- Vermont Youth Dancers - various dates and ages
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
The Newsletter is published every Friday, when school is in session. It is delivered to our families via email, posted on our website, and on Front Porch Forum. A hard copy is available by contacting the school.