Waitsfield Elementary
November 6, 2025
Dear friends and families,
Now’s the time to go through your winter gear — skis, skates, jackets, boots, and more — to see what you need to replace and what you can consign at the Ski & Skate Sale. The sale is coming up Saturday, November 15, just over a week away.
Consignment Details
You can register to consign items here All items must be registered by Monday, November 10. Printed tags will be available for pickup at school anytime after 8 a.m. Weds., November 12.
Drop off consignment items on Friday, November 14, between 4–7 p.m. (No early drop-offs, please — we’ll still be running school during the day!) We’ll have a space available so you can attach your printed tags at that time if needed.
Shopping Information
The sale is a great place to find both new and gently used gear for the whole family. Make your list of what everyone needs and bring it to the Waitsfield School on Saturday, November 15.
Early Bird Shopping (8–9 a.m.) – $10 admission (purchase early shop ticket here)
General Sale (9 a.m.–4 p.m.) – Free entry
Volunteers Still Needed
We’re still looking for volunteers with trucks for Sunday morning. Volunteers get some great perks — including access to shop extra early from 7–8 a.m. on Saturday. If you’ve already signed up, please consider adding another shift or inviting a friend or neighbor to join.
See you at the sale!
FAMILY CONFERENCES
We look forward to seeing families at conferences next week. 15 minute slots are slated to support our staff being able to meet with the families of well over 100 students in just two days. Thanks for arriving on time and respecting these time boundaries. This is a time to celebrate your child’s growth and discuss goals going forward. I encourage you to consider, in advance, any particular questions or concerns you’d like to discuss.
Students play an important role in these conferences in 1st - 6th grade. Please plan to bring students along; there is childcare available for siblings as well as if you’d like to have a few moments alone with teachers.
Respectfully, Kaiya
One of the greatest gifts we can give children is the ability to focus—to direct their attention with purpose and sustain it long enough to learn deeply. In today’s world of constant notifications and fast-changing entertainment, attention is a skill we must intentionally help our children develop.
As parents and educators, the most powerful way we support this growth is through what we model and the environments we create. When children see us reading—whether for pleasure, information, or simply quiet time—they learn that reading is valuable and worth our time. When we set up routines that shield quiet moments, limit distractions, and celebrate persistence, we’re teaching self-control as much as literacy.
The link between attention, self-control, and reading is gaining increasing attention. In the article “ How To Raise a Reader in an Age of Digital Distraction”, author Jessica Ewing writes that “reading isn’t natural… Children who become strong readers develop these circuits through thousands of hours of focused attention on text.” Literary Hub She adds: “Our job as parents isn’t to eliminate technology—it’s to create intentional spaces where deep attention can flourish.” Literary Hub
In the podcast episode “Beyond My Years: Phone Policies and the Science of Self-Control” featured speaker Angela Duckworth highlights that “the strategy for regulating yourself that is the most successful … tends to be situation modification. That is not relying on will-power, but deliberately placing things either farther or closer, depending on whether you want to do them more or less.” This podcast, also found here on Spotify, explores how creating boundaries of time away from technology is so important to helping people develop habits of sustained focus and self control. Ms. Duckworth explores how most individuals who experience success have external factors (not just their own inner perseverance) like a physical environment that supports them, good role models in adults and peers and a supportive climate that support them. Podcast host Ana Torres shares, ““That science of self-control—we have to actually teach that to our students. That is not something they come out of the womb knowing how to do.”
Reading itself is one of the best exercises for strengthening attention. Each time a child follows a story from beginning to end, connects ideas across pages, or holds a thought while decoding new words—they’re practicing sustained focus. They’re also building the foundation for all future learning—because strong reading skills open every other door in education.
So as we enter the winter months, consider carving out a family “reading time.” Turn off devices, pour a cup of cocoa, and settle in together to read. Create a home environment where times of sustained focus on something other than screens, and especially on reading, occurs. The message to our children will be clear: attention, curiosity, and the joy of reading are things we value—and practice—together.When we model sustained, focused reading time, and design our spaces accordingly, we are helping children not just become “readers,” but become learners who can concentrate, think deeply, and ultimately thrive.
Kindergarten students have been exploring the various versions we have of some classic stories. We have read “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” comparing and contrasting the dreadful troll. We also checked out a total twist of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, reimagined as an underwater tale with a mermaid and an octopus family by Jan Brett, aptly titled “The Mermaid.” We also dove into a few versions of The Little Red Hen to find out if the birds always fall for the fox’s trickery. The class certainly seems to enjoy the familiarity of a classic story along with the twists that make each version unique.
Our first through fourth graders are at work reading our way through this year’s Red Clover Books. Red Clover is a kids' choice award across the great state of Vermont. During the year students will read the ten nominated books during library class and ultimately get to vote for their favorite in the spring. The list always includes some humorous stories, imaginative tales, and realistic fiction, as well as engaging informational books. First and second graders have been keeping a journal about each Red Clover book we read. The journal incorporates a written piece as well as a drawing. I love to see what part of a book stands out to each student, sometimes it is a silly part, but it can also be a tender moment that quietly grabs their attention. Third and fourth graders are journaling about the books through a designing app called Book Creator in a way to hone their writing and tech skills as well as unleashing some amazing creativity.
Fifth and sixth graders are wrapping up writing book recommendations for a variety of books in our library collection. Once on display it will be fantastic to watch other students read them while trying to figure out what to read next. Next up, we are going to dig into to a little digital citizenship to hone those skills of navigating the digital landscape safely, responsibly, ethically, and effectively.
US News & World Reports recently ranked Waitsfield Elementary School as #2 in all Vermont Elementary Schools. Schools are ranked on their performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare their students for high school. Read more about how US News & World Reports ranks the Best Elementary Schools.
Safe Sitter Babysitting Course
My name is Kacey Greene. I have a small business called Kids Connect 802 LLC. I hold classes to teach students the elements of babysitting through a class called safe sitters essentials. Students in grades 6th-9th can earn a hands only CPR Certification and a safe sitters babysitter certification to start a small babysitting business. This class is held for 6 hours one time. Class cost is $75
I also hold a class called Safe @ Home. Students grades 3rd- 6th take a 90 min class discussing the dangers of being home alone while a parent goes to the store or a appointment. Class cost is $35.
Please pass this on to your students and families as this is a amazing opportunity! Only 8 seats per class available sign up soon!
Email Kacey Greene @ kidsconnect802@gmail.com to get registered today!
A New StoryWalk: The Roll Away Pumpkin
This new StoryWalk® will “roll” through Halloween and into the autumn harvest/community
celebrations.
On a windy, autumn day, Marla Little’s giant pumpkin is rolling away, with no sign of stopping!
As she dashes after it, she passes multiple community members, engaged in their everyday
lives, who volunteer to assist her in the chase. After each encounter, she voices the same
phrase, “Diddle-dee-doo! Oh, what shall I do?”
The pumpkin travels through a farmer’s field, over a stone bridge, past a baker’s wagon, a
milkman’s cart, through the city’s center, and past the butcher’s shop. As the pursuers increase,
the silly procession gets even sillier as they encounter a marching parade. The people in the
town are delighted, as they assume the pumpkin is leading their annual harvest/vegetable
parade.
As the pumpkin approaches the chefs, preparing a feast for the marchers, Marla announces,
“Diddle-dee-doo! I know what to do!” She proceeds to tip a large cauldron in such a way, that
the giant pumpkin lands inside, and they all feast on the best pumpkin soup ever!
Daniela Volpari’s colorful illustrations are whimsical and full of delightful details, perfectly
complimenting this joyful, autumn story.
Stop by the library to share your thoughts on this book, or maybe try writing your own pumpkin
tale. Also, please let us know if you have some favorite pumpkin recipes that you would like to
share.
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson and developed in collaboration with the
Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier Vermont. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned
by the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.
Homemade Challah Event
Homemade Challah Event at Inklings Children's Books
National Homemade Bread Day is coming up! Inklings will welcome Marci Lutsky on Sunday, November 9th at 11am, for a reading of "Bubbie & Rivka's Best-Ever Challah" - which includes a challah recipe.
Following the reading children will have the chance to try homemade challah, provided by Marci!
Dinner with Kekla Magoon
Dinner with Kekla Magoon at Inklings
Join acclaimed Vermont author, Kekla Magoon, for a reading from her New York Times bestselling book, "The Secret Library." Following the reading, Kekla will answer questions from children. She'll also share her insight into the writing process - all while enjoying delicious food!
Kekla is a recipient of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, four Coretta Scott King Honors, two Walter Award Honors, and an NAACP Image Award, in addition to being a finalist for the National Book Award!
The event is FREE.
Please RSVP at inklingschildrensbooks@gmail.com
Purchase a copy of "The Secret Library" in advance, using this link! - https://square.link/u/uorqwWlV
Wreath Making with Art Pop
Wreath Making with Art Pop at Inklings!
Join Art Pop! at Inklings on December 6th to create one-of-a-kind wreaths to kick off your holiday season!!
Children and their grown-ups will have a chance to create their own wreath with local mixed greenery and finish with the decorations of their choice. Sign up while seats are still available!
DATE: Saturday, December 6th
TIME: 11:00am - 12:00pm
COST: $30 / per child (includes materials)
LINK to EVENT: https://square.link/u/VqYYe19y
About Us
Website: https://www.waitsfieldschool.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waitsfieldschool/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=waitsfield%20elementary%20school
Phone: 802-496-3643
Location: 3951 Main Street, Waitsfield, VT