SCS Community Newsletter

Dear SCS Families and Caregivers,

We are grateful that, despite the germs going around, there was still so much to celebrate at school this week as you’ll see below. Don’t forget to ask your child(ren) about their favorite memories from the week. A few highlights are:

• The Read-a-Thon is in full swing, with over 65,000 minutes read and over $8000 raised so far. On Thursday, our mystery readers joined for Virtual Story Time. Thanks to Ms. Pinillos, Quigley, Ms. Alysia, and Lucy Cooney for sharing some of their favorite stories with our pajama-clad crew. This is becoming a great tradition, and we had our best turnout yet this year.

• Ms. Alysia recorded her story from the multicolored igloo rising by the main entrance. Students had a blast contributing to its construction this week, adding seating areas and suggesting the night photos you can see below. We’ll see what next week’s warmer weather means for its longevity! It’s certainly been a fun and unifying project so far.

• During Wednesday’s early release time, teachers participated in a midyear data review to reflect on the assessments students completed in January, identify successes, and plan any needed adjustments as we move into the spring. We look forward to supporting students in their continued growth as we foster their identities, connections, direction, and proficiency.

Have a warm and rejuvenating weekend!

Jen, Brett and Antonia

The SCS Administrative Team

2/17 - CVSD School Board Meeting (6:00 - 8:00pm, CVU)

2/19 - Winter Talent Show - Shelburne Shines (5:30 - 7:30pm, Charlotte Central School)

2/20 - Readathon Character Day - Dress like your favorite book character

2/20 - Spring sports registration closes

2/23-27 - NO SCHOOL - Winter Break

3/5 - Readathon Community Read - Ghost Boys (2:00 - 3:00, Green Team )

3/10 - PTO Meeting (6:00pm, Green Team)

3/19-20 - NO SCHOOL - P/T Conferences & Eid Al Fitr

3/28 - SCS PTO 3v3 Basketball Tournament (details below)

CVSD 2025-2026 Calendar

To sign up for the late bus for February 16-19, please sign up by 9:00 am Monday, 2/16 if you would like your student(s) to ride the late bus.

THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO SIGN UP FOR THE LATE BUS.

If your student is signed up for the late bus, we expect they will be on the bus. Please notify the front office if there is an unexpected change in plans.

For those who celebrate Ramadan, school meals are available for take home. To request meals from February 17 through March 19, students or caregivers should email SCS Site Manager Becky Mashak (rmashak@cvsdvt.org) in the morning, and meals will be available for pickup in the afternoon.

Owen M. emerged as the 2026 SCS Scripps Spelling Bee champion on Thurday after a spectacular 43 rounds! Owen is an 8th grader on the Red Team. Over 100 students participated in the written qualifying exam this year, with the top 10% of spellers from each grade level being invited to compete in the school bee. The championship was decided after 303 words!

8th graders Clementine A. and Quinn B. were the second and third-place runners-up. These three students did a fantastic job, and their hard work and dedication to practice were apparent.

The SCS Spelling Bee has consistently had the largest number of students participating across grades 3-8 of any extracurricular activity since coming back in 2021. Owen will move on to the Vermont State Spelling Bee where he will represent SCS with pride. The state Bee will be held on March 11, 2026 at 3:00 at Norwich University. School Spelling Bee winners from across the state will gather for a robust and exciting competition. Good luck Owen, we are proud of you!

The SCS Mathletes team came in second place last weekend at UVM which qualifies them for the State Competition to be held on Saturday March 21st! The team was composed of Rufus D, Henry G, Jayden M, and Ryan T. We also had two individuals competing: Charlie M and Thomas M. Both the team and our individual Mathletes did very well. Henry G also received an honorable mention for his high score, and both Henry and Charlie M also made the prestigious countdown round. The countdown round is where 12 students go head to head in a bracket style showdown.

Thank you Devon Morrill and Lisa Phelps for coaching our SCS Mathletes!

This Spring I am conducting a Children's Choir for the Vermont Symphony Orchestra's performance of Carmina Burana in early May at the Flynn Theater. I am pulling together children from around the State of Vermont, in grades 4-12, who would like to sing in the choir. Our first rehearsal is this Sunday from 3:15 - 4:30 at the Williston Central School Auditorium. More information is linked in the flyer and/or you can always email with questions.

Come join the choir!

Please encourage your children to visit the lost and found to collect their belongings! The space is overflowing and unclaimed items will be donated after winter break.

We are seeing an increase in flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, chills, body or muscle aches, cough, and sore throat—consistent with what’s being reported across Vermont and the country. We are also seeing some gastrointestinal illness.

When Should I Keep My Child Home?

Families often ask when it’s best to keep a child home from school. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself: “Is my child ready to be a student today?” If your child’s illness would prevent them from being comfortable, engaged, or productive at school, staying home is the best choice. Keeping sick children home also helps protect the health of classmates and staff.

Please keep your child home if they have:

• Fever (100.4° or higher). Children should stay home until their temperature returns to normal for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

• Excessive coughing that cannot be controlled with a drink of water or a lozenge.

• Vomiting or diarrhea. Your child should be able to eat and drink without symptoms for at least 12 hours before returning to school.

Ways to Help Protect Others:

• Stay home while sick to prevent spreading illness.

• Rest, drink plenty of fluids, and use fever-reducing medication if needed.

• Cover coughs and sneezes.

• Wash hands often.

• Improve airflow when possible by opening windows or using air filters.

• Wear a mask if you must be around others while sick.

If your child’s symptoms are not improving, please reach out to their healthcare provider. When calling or emailing your child out sick, we appreciate you sharing symptoms so we can help track trends within our school.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the SCS Health Office at 802-383-1108.

Thank you for helping keep our SCS community healthy and well.

We’re ten days in, and we have already read more than 66,000 minutes and raised more than $8,000. Way to go, SCS readers!

Our goal is to read 200,000 minutes as a school, and we need more readers to help us reach this goal. We can do it—join and log your minutes today!

Quick Links:

• Register now directly in PledgeStar!

• Learn more about how the Readathon works!

• Get the full info packet!

Next Up: Character Dress-Up Day - Friday, February 20th

Celebrate reading and the Readathon Friday, 2/20 by dressing up like your favorite book character or author. We ask that all costumes are appropriate for school (no masks or weapons, please).

Questions? Email: readathon@shelburnepto.org.

SCS sports registration is NOW OPEN for the 2025 - 2026 LATE WINTER (Volleyball) and SPRING (Baseball, Softball, Track & Field, and Ultimate Frisbee) season.

Registration will close on FRIDAY, February 20, 2026.

If you have a student interested in playing:

• co-ed volleyball (grades 6-8)
• baseball (grades 6-8)
• girls softball (grades 5-8)
• track & field (grades 5-8)
• co-ed ultimate frisbee (grades 5-8)

Volleyball will begin on Monday, March 2, and run through Friday, April 3.

Spring Sports will begin on Monday, April 6 and run through Tuesday, June 2.

Please complete our registration for SCS athletics and submit a Wellness Exam - Sports Participation Form. Student-athletes will not be allowed to participate until their registration and wellness forms have been completed and submitted.

The SCS Athletics website has all of the information for families.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Leigh Petrucelli, SCS Athletic Director.

SCS Alumn Catherine Gilwee braved the snow to cheer on the SCS Girls Basketball Team on Tuesday night as they faced off against Winooski. Cat is the starting point guard for the UVM Women's Basketball Team, who we got to see in action last week at Patrick Gym. Hopefully some of our players will be donning the Green & Gold someday down the line!

It’s almost showtime and we’d love for families to come cheer on our talented students and staff! Tickets will be available at the door only. To make the night a success, we’re still looking for volunteers to help make the event run smoothly. We’re also gratefully accepting donated baked goods for our bake sale. If you’re able to help, please sign up here.

We hope you can join us for a night of singing, dancing, gymnastics, spoken word, and more from our students and some very special staff guests!

It’s back for its 3rd year! The SCS PTO 3v3 Spring Basketball Tournament returns on March 28, landing right in the middle of NCAA Sweet 16 weekend and bringing March Madness energy to SCS. Students, staff and caregivers can form their teams of 3-5 and compete in grade-based divisions (K–8), high school (NEW) and adult competitive OR recreational also NEW to allow for ALL abilities. Gather your team and sign up for an afternoon of fun, friendly competition, and school spirit. Whether you're playing on the court or cheering from the sidelines, it’s one of our most exciting PTO events of the spring. Learn more and register your team at: www.shelburnepto.org/basketball

On January 20, the CVSD School Board approved a $107.9M FY27 budget to support and operate the district. Voters will consider this budget on Town Meeting Day—Tuesday, March 3, 2026. You can also vote or absentee beginning Wednesday, Feb. 11, by requesting a ballot online at sos.vermont.gov/elections.

The proposed $107.9M budget carries forward the current year's level of services and programming into the 2026-27 school year, recognizing that further cuts to programs would affect the core mission of the district.

Learn more about the budget at www.cvsdvt.org/budget and at the upcoming informational meeting:

Virtual Community Budget Meeting

Monday, February 16 at 7 p.m.

Join via Zoom, Meeting ID: 287 287 5018, Passcode: cvsd11

Save the Date! July 6-10, 2026

CVSD is excited to host the Summer Academic Growth Experience (SAGE) for students rising into grades 2-6 who benefit from additional support in math and literacy. Held at Wiliston Central School from 8:00 am to 11:30 am, this program offers engaging, high-quality instruction focused on building joy and motivation in math or literacy. More information about who is eligible for the program and how to sign up is coming soon!

In July 2024, the Vermont State Legislature passed Act 139, a new law aimed at strengthening reading instruction for young learners. Officially titled “An Act Relating to Supporting Vermont’s Young Readers Through Evidence-Based Reading Instruction,” this law is designed to improve reading outcomes for students in kindergarten through third grade.

We are pleased to share that CVSD’s current curriculum already aligns with the law’s emphasis on evidence-based, systematic reading instruction. Thanks to our dedicated educators and strong literacy practices, 87% of CVSD third graders were reading at or above grade level at the end of the 2025 school year.

One key component of Act 139 is a new requirement to notify caregivers if their child is significantly below grade level in reading. CVSD has already begun this process, ensuring that families are informed and supported. Please know that we are committed to providing every child with the instruction and resources they need to develop strong reading skills. If your child qualifies for additional reading support, you will receive communication from us with more details. In addition, we have resources for families to support literacy on our website at cvsdvt.org/Academics/Caregiver Literacy Resources.

If you have any questions about this law or our reading instruction practices, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We appreciate your partnership in supporting our young readers.

Children entering grades PreK-8 who live in the towns of Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, St. George and Williston may exercise school choice. Our goal is to both allow options for families and also make balanced class sizes to provide a positive learning environment for all of our children. Processes for intra-district choice of school will be guided by the needs of students, space availability, and existing resources. Given this, we will work to meet as many families’ needs as possible. Guidelines and Application

Join students from across the Champlain Valley School District for an evening of entertainment and celebration, showcasing performing and visual arts from the district’s six schools. This annual tradition returns to CVU on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, transforming the high school halls and theater into a vibrant gallery of learning, innovation and inspiration.

The 14th-annual Celebrate the Arts Night brings together art, music, theater, media, arts, foods, business, design and technology in a one-night-only exhibition of student creativity.

The Shelburne Food Shelf offers additional food for families and children during the upcoming February and April school vacation weeks as part of the Food Is In When School is Out (FIIWSIO) program.

WHAT'S NEW for February and April 2026 school vacations:
• There are more shopping dates and hours available to families
• There will not be a dedicated single shop prior to the vacation weeks for families.
• Specific hours for February school vacation FIIWSIO shopping are:

Tuesday, Feb 24 - 4pm to 7 pm

• Families who already signed up for DEC and NOV 2025 FIIWSIO are on our list of shoppers already.
• Families can sign up for regular shopping hours twice a month.

• Families already on our list of shoppers still need to sign up online for the specific date they select by going to the SFS website, shelburnefoodshelf@gmail.com then go to SIGN UP TO SHOP
• We WELCOME New families! New Families should Contact the Food Shelf and say they are interested in FIIWSIO (only requirement is to show proof of residency - such as a license, motel room key, utility bill, and the like - the first time you shop).

We look forward to seeing you and your children!

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?

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.

Hosted by Howard Center’s School Services Program

No registration required. Everyone is welcome.
All sessions will include time for questions.

• Youth Substance Use – February 18 · 5:45–7:00 PM
• Improving Child–Caregiver Communication – April 16 · 5:45–7:00 PM

Check out the attached flyer!
Join all sessions by Clicking Here
Meeting ID: 835 1861 4607 Passcode: 760486

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 or Louise Michaels.

Click here for more information on becoming a sub!

Shelburne Community School Administrative Team

Jen Roth, PreK-4 Principal

Brett Cluff, 5-8 Principal

Antonia Trono, Director of Special Services