SCS Community Newsletter

Dear SCS Families and Caregivers,

Building on last week’s winter weather message, this week’s snow and cold temperatures led to some slower-than-usual bus runs to ensure everyone’s safety. We also had a bus that wouldn’t start due to the cold on Tuesday, which led to a small number of students being out at the bus stop before being notified that the bus would be late. That is never our intent, and we are working with our transportation team to make sure communications around delays reach you all in a timely fashion. As a reminder, everyone whose kids take the bus can get real-time updates on bus locations via the Stopfinder app. Please reach out to CVSD Transportation Director Barry Russell at brussell@cvsdvt.org if you need support getting that set up.

With the break approaching, we are pausing to reflect on a variety of projects that have been part of the life of our school so far this year. During some of our early release time on Wednesdays this fall, our faculty members have been participating in interest-based professional learning communities that we call Collaborative Working Groups (CWGs). Teachers and counselors identified a group of people to work with and a topic that they wanted to learn more about. Each group’s focus had to connect to student engagement through at least one of the lenses we are using as a district (Identity, Connection, Proficiency, and Direction). This week, we came together to share reflections on that learning journey.

Gathering across roles and grade levels to talk about teaching passions, you could feel the buzz in the room. Listening to colleagues talk about what they had accomplished and what they hoped to bring to their students resulted in many memorable anecdotes. One inspiring highlight came from a collaboration between our preschool and first-grade teams and our Essential Arts teachers. With support from a PTO grant, our youngest students will create artwork and explore the wonders of outer space in academic classes, art, music, and PE. This engaging unit will culminate in January with a special visit from "The Planetarium Lady" at the Pierson Library. Among other things, we learned that we have a constellation-themed parachute in the building to add to the fun!

Other examples include our Kindergarten team revamping its citizenship unit to think about how kids can spread joy throughout the community, using student voice to strengthen long-term plans for the continued growth of our First Lego League Robotics teams, and bringing techniques from the Harkness discussion method to classrooms here at SCS. It was a great reminder that when our staff feels connected and inspired, that energy transfers directly to your children. We hope to bring this energy into the final days of 2025 and continue it into the New Year.

We will have an abbreviated newsletter next Friday, December 19. As a reminder, school is in session on Monday, December 22 and Tuesday, December 23. Have a great weekend, all!

In partnership,

Jen, Brett, and Antonia

12/13 - First Lego League Northern Regionals (8:00am - 4:00pm, SCS)

12/16 - Field Trip - 7/8th Grade Chorus (1:30-2:30)

12/16 - CVSD School Board Meeting (6:00 - 8:00pm, CVU)

12/16 - 4th Grade Chorus Concert (6:30pm, Cafeteria)

12/19 - Field Trip - 8th Grade to CVU (11:15-2:30)

12/24 - 1/2 - NO SCHOOL - Early Winter Break

1/8 - Last day to register for Shelburne Shines: A Winter Talent Show

1/13 - PTO Monthly Meeting (6:00pm, Green Common Area)

1/15 - Celebrate the Art Nights (5:00 - 9:00, CVU)

1/16 - 5th/6th Grade Dance (7:00 - 9:00pm, SCS)

1/19 - NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

1/22 - 5th & 6th Grade Choir & Concert Choir Concerts (5:15 pm, Gym)

CVSD 2025-2026 Calendar

Please sign up by 9:00 am Monday, 12/15 if you would like your student(s) to ride the late bus next week.

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.

We’re choosing topics for the remaining Community Conversations this year—our monthly/

bi-monthly coffee-and-conversation series focused on subjects that matter to our community.

Let us know what matters most to you by filling out this short survey. Thank you!

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.

The Unified Sports Bowling Tournament on Thursday was a huge success.

Congratulations to our SCS team!

Members of the middle school SCS Choir receiving a certificate of appreciation from

Governor Scott during the State House Tree Lighting on Tuesday night.

Today was the final day of qualifying exams for the SCS Spelling Bee. Congratulations to everyone who participated - we'll be in touch with those who qualify for the SCS Spelling Bee next week.

We’re thrilled to announce the first annual Shelburne Shines: A Winter Talent Show, taking place on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at the CVU Auditorium! This brand-new school-wide event invites students K-8 to perform any talent they love — singing, dancing, playing an instrument, telling jokes, performing magic, gymnastics, martial arts, poetry, skits, theater, or something entirely their own. All talents are welcome!

Registration is open until January 8, and a short performance video is required at sign-up.

Details + registration: shelburnepto.org/talentshow

Supporting Youth Who Struggle with Anxiety & Depression: December 16th, 5:45-7pm

Learn common factors that contribute to childhood anxiety and depression, notice signs and how to access help. Time will be given to discuss ideas for how to help youth communicate their needs, interventions and coping skills to use at home.

No need to register!

Join each session 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