Wildcat Buzz

1. ABS Photo Retake day - Tuesday, Nov 3rd

2. WCS 7th & 8th grade Dance Tonight!

3. Williston Craft Show @WCS on 11/07

Reminder: Time Change this Weekend!

10/30 - 7th & 8th Grade Dance @WCS, 6:30 - 8:30pm

11/03 - ABS Picture Retakes, 10am-Noon

11/06 - Wildcat Cub Band Signup deadline!

11/07 - Williston Craft Show, @WCS 9am to 4pm

11/10 - No School, Diwali

11/12 - WFAP Monthly Meeting, 8:30-10:30 am @WCS Community Room

11/12 - SPARK Session 2 begins

11/12 - Soundscapes, Opening Night @6:30pm, WCS Al Myers Theater

11/12 - 3rd & 4th Grade Art Show, opening reception 5:30 - 6:15pm

11/13 - Soundscapes, @6:30pm, WCS Al Myers Theater

11/14 - Soundscapes, Matinee performance @2:00pm, WCS Al Myers Theater

11/23 thru 11/27 - No School, November Break

12/08 - Spring Musical, Parent Info Night

12/10 - WFAP Monthly Meeting, 8:30-10:30 am @WCS Community Room or Virtual

12/15 - WCS Middle School Chorus Concerts

12/16 - WCS Middle School Band Concerts

by Greg Marino, Williston Central School Principal

As we prepare to transition into our third month of the school year, our students and staff continue the important work of creating the conditions where we can all be ourselves and do our best learning. Together, we are finding meaningful ways to make The Wildcat Way come alive - taking care of ourselves, taking care of each other, and taking care of this place.

Part of this ongoing work includes our annual student workshops around HHB (Hazing, Harassment, and Bullying), which we affectionately refer to as our "HHB Roadshows." While these aren't always the easiest topics to talk about with kids, they are vital conversations. In addition to being required by district and State policy, we believe these sessions provide essential pieces of learning for all our students. Fine-tuned to meet the specific developmental stages of each grade band, these workshops help define what it means to keep our community safe and welcoming. Students hear directly from us that our primary goal in having these discussions is to ensure our school remains a place where everyone feels they belong and can be themselves without being subject to unkindness or targeted behavior. We explore the power of our words, how to be an active upstander, and what it looks like to protect the attributes that make each of us unique. I have been impressed so far by the thoughtful participation of our students during these assemblies and look forward to completing the remaining sessions over the next two weeks. Because fostering belonging is work that is never truly "done," we are also in the process of developing a caregiver version of this Roadshow, with plans to host an event for parents and guardians later this school year.

Moving from the important foundational work of school culture to a moment of schoolwide celebration, we want to highlight an exciting civic experience our upper elementary students recently shared. This fall, WCS 5th and 6th grade teams participated in the Vermont Kid Governor program, an initiative that involves local elections for a grade-level Kid Governor. To run for office, candidates must research and build a platform focused on a community issue, present their ideas to their peers, and lead a campaign heading into election day. While the official statewide program is geared toward 5th graders, we were thrilled to expand the opportunity locally to run elections for both a 5th grade and a 6th grade Kid Governor. We would like to extend a warm congratulations to our School Kid Governors, 5th grader Olivia Agoos and 6th grader Emilie Veljovic!

Our 5th grade Kid Governor received some extra special recognition yesterday during the 5–6 lunch period at WCS when she learned she had been named a statewide finalist for Vermont Kid Governor! The moment was made even more memorable thanks to a surprise visit from Vermont's Secretary of State, Sarah Copeland Hanzas, along with members of her staff, who arrived in person to present the honor alongside Olivia’s parents (who were also secret guests for the big announcement!). The cafeteria erupted in cheers, which spontaneously turned into an enthusiastic chant of “Oli, Oli” - a truly joyful and memorable moment for our community. We want to extend our sincere thanks to Secretary Copeland Hanzas, who was exceptionally gracious with our students and stayed after the presentation to chat and answer questions with eager young leaders. Before departing, she shared how much she enjoyed the vibrant, positive energy she felt during her visit. Positive energy indeed! Once again, I feel deeply privileged to experience this spirit every day and to partner with all of you in supporting our students.

visit the CVSD food service page on our website for additional information and resources

We ask parents and caregivers to use PUP to inform the school of:

📆 Absences

⏰ Late arrivals

⏰ Early dismissals & leaving for appointments

🚗 Changes to what your student will do at the end of the day

• iPhone: Download PickUp Patrol on the App Store
• Android: Get PickUp Patrol on Google Play

How to sign up: Here is the sign up form. It is also available on the WCS Band webpage. Please be sure to sign up by 11/7 in order to ensure your child is enrolled in a class.

How to get an instrument: Most WCS band students rent an instrument from Ellis Music Company. WCS Music has maintained a successful relationship with this Vermont family owned business for over 30 years. Renting from Ellis Music Company is encouraged, but you are welcome to rent from elsewhere or purchase a reputable used instrument from a private sale. If financial support is needed to participate, please indicate this on the sign up form.

🚨Buyer beware: “Instruments” sold at general retail stores and websites are not recommended. They are typically made from lower quality materials, are difficult to play and repair, or not repairable at all. If it’s brand new and the price is really low, be suspicious. If it comes in an unconventional color or if it comes with gloves, be suspicious. When in doubt, please ask a music teacher.

If you plan to rent from Ellis Music Company:

1. Please sign up on time (11/6) AND complete your rental contract transactions online.

2. Percussionists can rent a snare drum kit OR purchase sticks and a drum pad. You will also need this book.

3. If you cannot complete an online contract, please call or email Ellis Music Company for an alternative method. (802-234-6400).

If you already have an instrument or plan to get one elsewhere:

1. Please allow Kim Thompson to help you determine that your instrument is in working condition.

2. Please purchase the book which will be used in class.

(wind players- Tradition of Excellence book 1, percussionists: Alfred Drum Method, Book 1)

Questions? Please contact Kim Thompson: kthompson@cvsdvt.org or 871-6033.

Spark Enrichment, an after-school applied learning program for students in grades 5-8. Sessions will run for 5 weeks from 2:50 p.m. to 4:20 p.m., with our 1st session starting November 12 and ending December 17.

When registering, students can rank their choices to help us place them. We will make every effort to place students in their first choice and ensure they do not repeat workshops unless spots are available. Please use this registration form and a list of workshop descriptions. Contact Jess Eaton (jeaton@cvsdvt.org) with any questions. More details available by clicking on this link

Each year, members of our community—including local businesses, faith-based organizations, and various community partners—reach out to support our students and families during the November and December school breaks. These donations allow us to provide assistance while honoring each family’s independence and unique needs. November gift cards will be to a grocery store; December gift cards will be to a local store (choices listed on form). Please fill out the form below to let us know what kind of support you are requesting. FORM CLOSES ON 11/13/26

School Break Support Request Form

If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to the following:

ABS- Cally Ruess cruess@cvsdvt.org

WCS- Emily Chadwick echadwick@cvsdvt.org

Locked. Unloaded. Inaccessible.

Secure gun storage saves lives and protects children and communities.

Free cable gun locks are available in our local police stations.

WCS VISION SCREENING: Tuesday OCTOBER 27th

The Health Office at WCS completed vision screening for students in grades 3rd, 5th and 7th on Tue October 27th. We screened 318 students and have 26 referrals that will be sent to families.

Vermont Lions KidSight program uses a photoscreening digital device called a SPOT to objectively check for vision problems. The photoscreener is like a large camera. It takes a picture of your child’s eyes. With that and the measurements obtained from the images, SPOT can detect a number of potential eye conditions.

If we find a problem, we will send you a referral letter. If your child’s SPOT results form states “Complete Eye Exam Recommended” at the top right of the page, it is a referral and we recommend that your child visit an eye care professional.

On the SPOT referral, you will see a section on the right side of the page called “Potential Condition”. This includes information about the potential eye condition(s) detected by the SPOT device.

If you do not hear from us, your child passed the screenings.

If you have any concerns, please contact the Health Office.

Thank you so much!

WCS HEALTH OFFICE

WCSnurse@cvsdvt.org

Williston Central School Athletics are open to all students grades 6th-8th. All practices start at 2:50 and end around 4:20. Students can be picked up at the rear entrance to the school, or take the activity bus.

Visit the athletics website for everything you need to know about playing on a sports team at WCS.

WCS Athletics

The WCS Drama program is open to grades 6, 7, and 8 and currently includes a Fall Play and a Spring Musical.

Visit the drama webpage to learn more about upcoming productions and the WCS Drama program.

Williston Music Team

Kim Thompson Band Program Page

Emy Berger General Music 3-8, Choir 5-8

Danielle Trasciatti-Holmberg General Music PK-2, 4th Grade Chorus

Visit the Williston Music site for information about Band, Chorus, Concerts and more!