THE CCS NEWSLETTER
October 16, 2026
Reminder - No School Friday October 23
Charlotte Central School will be closed. There will be no water due to required work on the well system. Parent Teacher Conferences should have been changed to virtual or rescheduled.
CCS Community,
One of our hopes at CCS and CVSD is to help students become thoughtful, responsible, and involved citizens. We want them to ask questions, research issues, consider different perspectives, and work together, especially when things are difficult. These are habits we hope to practice as adults, too: listening to understand, disagreeing respectfully, and being willing to admit when we're uncertain.
Two opportunities to put these habits into practice are coming up.
Elections are Tuesday, November 3. The choices Vermont voters make will shape the direction of public education across our state and at CCS. Our Secretary of Education is appointed by the Governor, making this election particularly relevant to our schools. Whatever your perspective, I hope you'll take time to learn about the candidates and issues, talk with your neighbors, and vote.
CVSD's Community Budget Forum is Tuesday, October 27, from 6–7 p.m. at the CVU High School Library, with a virtual option. All are invited to learn about the district's financial challenges and share their perspectives.
Elections and school budgets involve difficult questions and competing priorities. They deserve our attention, even when the answers aren't clear.
Our children are watching how we engage with one another and our community. Let's give them good examples to learn from.
All the best,
Tim
Tim O’Leary, Principal; toleary@cvsdvt.org
Lauren Goracy, Assistant Principal & Director of Special Services; lgoracy@cvsdvt.org
PickUp Patrol Now Has an App!
PickUp Patrol now has a mobile app, making it even easier to report absences, late arrivals, early pickups, and changes to dismissal plans. You can download it here:
iPhone: Download from the App Store
Android: Download from Google Play
Once installed, simply sign in with your existing PickUp Patrol login. Prefer using a web browser? You can continue using PickUp Patrol online just as you always have.
C3: Seeking Caregiver Volunteers!
Last year, CCS launched C3 (Clubs, Community, & Connect) to give students in grades 5–8 opportunities to explore interests, build relationships across grades, and connect with adults in new ways. Every Wednesday morning from 8:10 - 9:00, middle-school students participate in small, club-like experiences facilitated by CCS faculty and staff. Now we're exploring brininging 1-2 caregivers into the mix for each sesssion!
We're seeking caregivers interested in leading or co-leading a C3 club during our second session, November 4–January 13. This is a chance to share your interests and expertise while expanding opportunities for our students.
Interested volunteers should:
Be available every Wednesday during that session, 8:10–9:00 AM, to work with up to 12 students in grades 5–8.
Have experience and feel comfortable engaging middle school students and planning a weekly 50-minute activity.
Have completed, or be willing to promptly complete, CVSD's unsupervised volunteer approval process.
Clubs may be led independently or in partnership with a CCS staff member.
Interested? Email Tim O'Leary at toleary@cvsdvt.org by October 18 with a brief, informal proposal describing your club idea and relevant experience. We'd love to tap into the talents of our community!
PickUp Patrol: A Few Important Reminders 🚌
Please use PickUp Patrol for ALL absences, late arrivals, early pickups, late bus reservations, and dismissal changes. Once submitted, there's no need to call or email the school.
For any dismissal change, start by selecting "Plan Change." Then:
Changing buses? Select the NEW bus color and include the friend's name or drop-off address in the notes.
Switching from pickup to a bus? Select the correct bus color and include the drop-off address.
Taking the late bus? Select LATE BUS and include the drop-off address. The late bus should not be a default plan.
Remember: PickUp Patrol is not used for morning bus transportation. Your child's usual morning bus will stop if they are waiting at their stop.
Need help? Call the CCS Front Office at 802-425-2771.
Thank you for helping us keep attendance and dismissal information accurate and safe!
Every Wednesday School Is in Session — Early Dismissal, 1:45
Tues., Oct. 20 — CVSD School Board Meeting, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Fri., Oct. 23 — School Closed (no water) - Parent Teacher Conferences Remote or Rescheduled
Tue., Oct 26 - Community Budget Forum, CVU High School Library or Virtual, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Wed., Nov 4 - Makeup / Retake Picture Day, 8:00 - 9:30 AM
Tue., Nov 10 - No School: Diwali
Wed., Nov 11 - PTO Meeting, CCS Cafeteria, 8:00 - 9:00 AM
Thurs., Nov 12 - K-4 Musical: The House at Pooh Corner, 6 - 7 PM
Tue., Nov 17 - CVSD School Board Meeting, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Mon., Nov 23 through Fri., Nov 27 - No School: Thanksgiving Break
This week's edition features a commercial selling dangerous animal repellent (and a pretty sweet phone prop) along with a new closing song clip at the end that was voted on by students.
Essential Arts Conference Times
If the times listed below do not work for you, please email the specific teacher
you would like to meet to suggest / set-up an alternative time.
Nicky Elderton - 5th - 8th Physical Education / Health
Please email nelderton@cvsdvt.org to schedule a video conference or phone call.
Tuesday, October 13th 3:30 - 6:30 PM
Wednesday, October 14th 3:30 - 6:30 PM
Thursday, October 15th 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Steve Flint - STEM and Digital Learning
To schedule a video or in-person conference please email sflint@cvsdvt.org.
Monday, October 19th 3:15 - 6:15 PM
Tuesday, October 20th 3:15 - 6:15 PM
Wednesday, October 21st 4:15 - 5:45 PM
Chris Gribnau - 5-8 Instrumental Music
To schedule a video or in-person conference, please email cgribnau@cvsdvt.org
Monday, October 19 3:15-5:15 PM
Wednesday, October 21 4:15-5:45 PM
Jahida Jorganes - K-4 General Music, 5-8 Chorus
To schedule a video or in-person conference, please email jjorganes@cvsdvt.org
Monday, October 19th 3:15-6:15 PM
Tuesday, October 20th 3:15-6:15 PM
Wednesday, October 21th 4:15-6:15 PM
Matthew Kent - K-4 PE/Wellness
To schedule an in-person, video, or phone conference, please email mkent@cvsdvt.org or call (802) 345-6696.
Monday, October 19th 3:15 - 6:15 PM
Tuesday, October 20th 3:15 - 6:15 PM
Wednesday, October 21st 4:15 - 5:45 PM
Erika Norris - K-8 Art Teacher
To schedule a conference (either virtual or in person) please email enorris@cvsdvt.org.
Monday, October 19th 3:15 - 6:15 PM
Tuesday, October 20th 3:15 - 6:15 PM
Wednesday, October 21st 4:15 - 5:45 PM
Amy Sayre - 5-8 Wellness
To schedule a video conference or phone call, please email asayre@cvsdvt.org
Tuesday, October 13th 3:30 - 6:30 PM
Wednesday, October 14th 3:30 - 6:30 PM
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.
UPCOMING FREE WEBINAR Thursday, October 20th - The New Bully: Confronting Online Conflict, Rumors and Social Exclusion with Dr. Katie Hurley
Today’s youth navigate an unrelenting barrage of social pressure unknown to earlier generations. The ceaseless pace of group chats, lightning-fast viral rumors, and the deliberate sting of digital exclusion happens around the clock.
Author and child and adolescent psychotherapist Hurley comes to GPS to reveal how modern behaviors influence youth mental health. She is not focused on stripping technology from children, instead Hurley advocates for equipping kids with the emotional intelligence to navigate their digital environments safely and empathetically. Click HERE for more information!
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.
Good Inside - A great resource for caregivers, for all things related to raising kids. Dr. Becky Kennedy provides amazing resources and tools across many platforms - podcasts, books, social media, an app, plus many more!
The Importance of Letting Your Tween Fail - Letting your tween fail feels wrong in the moment - and it's one of the best things you can do for them. Here's how to step back without stepping away.
Gentle vs Firm Parenting: Have You Overcorrected? - Are you overcorrecting in your parenting? Stop choosing between kindness and firmness. Discover how to balance empathy and boundaries for a healthier home.
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
Family Support Exchange
Run by CVSD SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council), this program connects caregivers experienced in navigating special education within the CVSD public school system with those seeking peer support and shared experiences
What to Expect
Fill out the intake form.
A member of CVSD SEPAC will review the form and find a peer caregiver that matches your needs.
You will receive an introductory email with your mentor caregiver
Support can be provided however works best for both parents. This may take the form of a few emails or phone calls where a single question or concern is addressed. It may also look like meeting up in person, or forming a longer term relationship to provide ongoing support. This will be up to each match and the needs of the caregiver seeking support.
A member of CVSD SEPAC will follow up to ensure contact has been made between caregivers, the match was appropriate, and support has been provided.
To learn more and fill out the form click here.
🏀 CCS Basketball Registration! 🏀
Just a friendly reminder that registration for the 2026–2027 Winter Basketball Season is open! If your child is interested in playing basketball this winter, please make sure they are registered.
Basketball at CCS is available for the following grade levels:
Girls Basketball: All students in grades 5–8
Boys Basketball: All students in grades 6–8
Already Registered for Another Sport?
If you have already registered your child for a sport this school year, you do NOT need to complete the entire registration process again! Simply log back into your existing registration, navigate to the "Sections" page, and check the box for Girls Basketball or Boys Basketball.
If your child has not yet registered for a sport this school year, please complete the full athletic registration using the link below.
Registration Link:
We look forward to another great winter basketball season at CCS!
Thank you,
CCS Athletics
Seeking Toy Donations
As you tackle your fall cleaning, consider giving some previously loved toys a second life! Miss Lizzy is looking for donations of gently used toys and games to help enrich play opportunities for our students. These materials encourage creativity, imagination, problem-solving, and social skills while giving students more ways to learn and play together.
Items we’re looking for:
Animal figures
Dinosaurs
Matchbox cars
Construction vehicles (small vehicles and larger ones for outdoor play)
Puzzles (20–100 pieces)
Board games suitable for ages 4–8
Donations should be clean and in good, usable condition, with all essential pieces included when possible. There will be a blue bin in the CCS front vestibule to recreive donations.
If you have other ideas, please reach out to Lizzy: Lkruger@cvsdvt.org . Thank you for helping us create engaging, playful learning experiences for our students! Every donation is appreciated.
Community Budget Forum
Join Us: Community members, students, faculty & staff, and parents & caregivers are invited to CVSD's Community Budget Forum, where you can share your perspective and learn about our schools in the current fiscal climate and the collaborative approach we bring to the budget process.
When: Tuesday, October 27, 6-7 p.m.
Where: CVU High School Library or virtual
PTO Student Directory
The Charlotte Central School PTO is building this year's school directory. Your family will be listed based on the information that you submitted to PowerSchool earlier this year and whether you gave permission to share that information. New this year, we're giving families the option to include a home phone number.
Many families have told us a home number would make it easier to connect for playdates and allow the kids to connect directly without the use of cell phones, so the PTO is making a special effort to gather them. We know some of you shared home numbers with CCS and others may not have.
If you'd like your home phone number added to the CCS PTO family directory, please fill out this short form by October 23.
This is completely optional. If you'd prefer not to include a home number, no action is needed, and your listing will stay the same. The directory is shared only with CCS families. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kristin Hamilton / kristin9222@gmail.com .
🌟 Help Us Bring Girls on the Run to CCS! 🌟
Hey CCS families and friends! Girls on the Run Vermont (GOTRVT) is exploring interest in bringing its empowering, confidence- and life skills-building program to CCS after school in Spring 2027—and we want to hear from you!
Girls on the Run is open to girls in grades 3–5 and combines fun physical activity with lessons that build confidence, friendships, healthy habits, and important life skills.
● 10-week season | Begins the week of March 15
● Twice-weekly practices | 90 minutes each
● Celebratory 5K | Saturday, June 5
Interested in having your child participate? Please complete the GOTRVT Participant Interest Form to let us know!
Learn more about GOTRVT programs at gotrvt.org/programs or contact Stephanie at stephanie@girlsontherunvermont.org.
Ways to Get Involved at CCS
CCS has several opportunities for caregivers and community members to be part of our school community.
- Volunteer at CCS: Please complete the required volunteer forms and return them to Cindy LaWare at any time. Questions? Contact Cindy at 425-2771 or claware@cvsdvt.org.
- Mentor a student: If you are interested in mentoring a student in grades 5–8, please contact Jessica Phelan at jphelan@cvsdvt.org.
- Substitute at CCS: We are always looking for positive, energetic individuals to substitute teach in grades K–8. Please contact Naomi Strada at 425-6600 to learn more. You can also find additional information about substituting on the CVSD website.
October Menu
CCS Caregiver Frequently-Used Resources
CCS Parent-Teacher Organization
Charlotte Community Resources
Tim O'Leary, Principal
Lauren Goracy, Assistant Principal & Director of Special Services
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.