THE CCS NEWSLETTER

CCS Community,

As winter sports have started and SPARK session 2 comes to a close, we’re excited to share the SPARK After-School Program Session 3 lineup. Signups start today. Session 3 starts the week of January 5th.

SPARK gives students the chance to build new skills, connect with peers and adults they might not meet during the school day, and explore their own sense of identity, direction, and proficiency through joyful, hands-on learning.

Our Spanish Clubs have been a tremendous success and Ainaka Luna has been at the center of that. However, she is taking leave from CCS at the end of next week, and we will pause our Spanish Club offerings for now and until we can hire the right person to step into this role for the remainder of the year. When that opportunity arises, we’ll be back in touch with those Spanish Club offerings.

SPARK Session 3 Clubs include:

Mondays
📚 Library Bingo (3–8) with Carol Blanshine | 2:50–4:20 PM | Max 12
Explore new genres and earn BINGO while discovering great books.

🐉 Dungeons & Dragons (4–8) with Ethan Naylor & Ashley Baird | 2:50–4:20 PM | Max 12
Collaborative storytelling, teamwork, and imaginative problem-solving.

Tuesdays

🎸 Guitar Lessons (5–8) with Conor Emerson | 2:50–4:20 PM | Max 6
Learn chords, rhythm, strumming patterns, and simple songs.

♟️ Chess Club (K–8) with Zach Pichette | 2:50–4:20 PM | Max 12
All levels welcome—learn rules, strategy, and play friendly matches.

Thursdays

🎸 Guitar Lessons (5–8) with Conor Emerson | 2:50–4:20 PM | Max 6

Build on chord fundamentals, rhythm, and song practice.

🪡 Sewing Club (K–8) with Bernice Murray | 2:50–4:20 PM | Max 8
Create pillows and accessories while learning safe machine use.

🤝 K–8 Buddies with Beth Rowntree | 2:50–4:20 PM | Max 16
Older and younger students pair up for art, games, outdoor play, and maker activities. Sessions are shaped by the group’s interests.
Note: This club will only run if we have a balanced mix of older and younger participants.

📅 Session 3 begins the week of January 5th.

➡️ Sign up by the end of December 17th. Waitlists will be created if interest exceeds available spots, but students on waitlists will receive priority for future sessions.

Read full club descriptions for specific dates, and access the SPARK Interest Form to sign up.

Questions? Reach out to Activities & Athletics Director Nicky Elderton, nelderton@cvsdvt.org.

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

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

FREE Parenting Groups - CLICK HERE to see all the offerings!

GPS Parenting Series - Mental Health 101: Supporting your teen’s mental health journey in high school, college and beyond, December 16, 2025. More info HERE

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!

blloyd@cvsdvt.org

(802)425-6604

Friday, December 5th - Part2 Parents Night Out (Part2 Families Only), CCS Cafeteria, 6:00 - 8:00pm

Wednesday, December 10th - Early Release

Wednesday, December 10th - PTO Mtg, CCS Library, 5:30 - 6:30

Saturday, December 13th - PTO Holiday Market, MPR & Gym, 10:00 - 2:00

Tuesday, December 16th - CVSD School Board Mtg, 6:00pm

Wednesday, December 17th - Early Release

Wednesday, December 17th - Winter Concert, MPR, 6:30 - 7:30

Wednesday, December 24th through January 2nd - NO SCHOOL, Early Winter Break

Wednesday, January 14th - PTO Meeting, CCS Cafeteria, 8:00 - 9:00am

Wednesday, January 14th - Early Release

Monday, January 19th - NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King Jr Holiday

Tuesday, January 20th - CVSD School Board Mtg, 6:00pm

Wednesday, January 21st - Early Release

Wednesday, January 28th - Early Release

Friday, January 30th - Winter Ball! Grades 7/8 only, MPR, 7:00 - 9:00pm

Dear Charlotte Caregivers,

We are so grateful for the steady support of our school community. As the seasons change, we often find ourselves in need of extra clothing and outdoor gear for our students. These items are kept here at school so we can help any child who needs a change of clothes during the day, forgot their indoor shoes at home, or whose shoes became wet or muddy at recess. Outdoor gear is also incredibly helpful for those moments when a student forgets something but still wants to join their classmates outside and enjoy all of Vermont’s seasons.

If you are able to donate gently used items, it would make a meaningful difference for many children throughout the school day. Thank you for considering a contribution and for caring so deeply for the well-being of our students.

Clothing
• Pants in sizes 5T through 10
• Indoor shoes and sneakers in sizes youth 12 through 4
• Most requested shoe sizes are Youth 1, 2, and 3

Outdoor gear
• Mittens and gloves in all sizes
• Boots in sizes youth 12 through 4
• Snow pants in sizes youth 5T through 12/14
• Jackets in sizes youth 5T through 12/14
• Hats in all sizes

Thank you!

With gratitude,

Lauren A. Calkins, BSN, RN (she/her/hers)

School Nurse

Charlotte Central School

P: 802-425-6644

F: 802-425-2122

Congratulations to Annie Palmer, Leola Guterres, Matilda McCracken, Nathan Woldow, Eddie Moore and Ben Vincent for successfully auditioning and being accepted to represent CCS at the District III Music Festival as members of the honors band. The festival will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at St. Michael's college. We are so proud of your hard work and determination! Way to go!!

As Vermont moves beyond Stick Season and towards the Winter Season, it will soon be time to celebrate the gradual return of the light and longer days! This month, the library is supporting opportunities for buddy classroom shared readings with book selections that highlight the themes of light, community, and connection. Here is a sampling of our book choices!

We are looking for a few additional parents to help run the club using materials from the Scripps Spelling Bee. Potentially starting in mid-December, students in grades 3-8 will be able to participate during their lunch/recess block. Kids in these grades who are interested in working with words are invited to join. We are ironing out some details including a NEED for a few parents to volunteer to support this endeavor. The commitment would be one or two days a week from 10:50-1:00 (days TBD). If you are interested in volunteering, please email Margery McCracken, margeryg@gmail.com.

Join CVU’s Threads Club on Monday, December 8, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. for a student-led community discussion focused on the question, “What does it mean to live a good life?”

All community members are welcome to join. Please RSVP here.

Mark your calendars, it's almost time for the CCS Holiday Market! Our Silent Auction opens on Monday morning featuring an amazing array of goods, florals, paintings, fresh produce, curated gift baskets, local experiences and gift cards all donated from our incredibly generous local friends. All silent auction and bake sale proceeds go directly to the CCS PTO to support a variety of student enrichment programs, including but not limited to STEM, theater, athletics, as well as our community Angel Fund.

Click here to volunteer at the market or donate to the bake sale.

We look forward to seeing you on December 13th, your support is greatly appreciated!

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.

**** Important Parent Meeting for 1st time Program participants

Thursday, Dec. 18th, 7 p.m., in the CCS Library ****

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

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!

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.

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.

Contact Us Form

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!

CCS PTO Website