Cornwall School News 1.9.26

Dear Cornwall families,

January means that teachers are getting ready for our first semester progress reports. If you're new here, these are what most other places call "report cards." Progress reports provide families with information about their child’s current performance relative to end-of-year grade level learning standards.

The progress reports include 3 basic parts. Teachers will assign an “indicator” (a number between 1 and 5) to show student progress towards those end-of-year standards for their grade. Teachers will also assess students with respect to our ACSD “Approaches to Learning”, often called ATLs. Teachers will assign a number between 1 and 4 for the ATLs. Lastly, there will be a narrative comment from the teacher.

Progress reports will be sent home in students’ backpacks on Friday, January 30, and for families with more than one household, we will mail them to the house that the student isn't going to that Friday. The progress report includes detailed information about what the indicators mean, and what they tell families about their child’s progress.

In partnership,

Nadya

Mon, 1/12 FOCS January meeting, 6:30

Wed, 1/14 Special FOCS Meeting with Dr. Wendy Baker, Superintendent re: facility planning

Mon, 1/19 No School, Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

Tues, 1/20 No School, Inservice

Wed, 1/28 Cornwall School goes XC Skiing at Rikert Outdoor Center in Ripton - 1st of 3 times

Fri, 1/30 Progress Reports go home in backpacks

Wed 2/4 February Early Release

Fri, 2/6 Cornwall School goes XC skiing at Rikert - 2nd of 3 times

Thurs, 2/12 Grades 3-5 go downhill skiing at the Middlebury Snowbowl

Wed, 2/18 Cornwall School goes XC skiing at Rikert - 3rd of 3 times

When there is a 2 hour delay due to snow, we do not serve breakfast at Cornwall School.

Students who ride the morning bus and students who are dropped off before 7:50 are outside, playing in the snow. Please help us start the day well by ensuring that your student is dressed for the weather, including boots. Thanks!

As we return from Winter Break, it’s time for a reminder about head lice! Head lice are not a health hazard or a sign of poor hygiene and do not spread disease.

What are head lice?

Head lice are tiny, wingless insects that live close to the human scalp. The eggs, called nits, are tiny, teardrop shaped eggs that attach to the hair shaft. Nits often appear yellowish or white and can look like dandruff that cannot be removed or brushed off. The nymph, or baby louse, is small and grows to adult size in one to two weeks. The adult louse is the size of a sesame seed and appears tan to grayish-white. An itchy and inflamed scalp is a common symptom of lice; however, it may take 4-6 weeks to develop this sensitivity reaction to the louse saliva. Louse eggs are incubated by body heat and will survive less than 1 day if away from the scalp.

Who is affected

All families are affected by lice. Neither hair length, cleanliness, frequent brushing, nor shampooing play a role. Head lice are mostly spread by direct head-to-head contact.

Preventing Head Lice

Classroom transmission is low; however, it helps to teach kids not to share personal items such as combs, brushes, or hats and to limit or avoid head-to-head contact with other students. Parents should check their child’s head for lice regularly and when the child displays symptoms.

What to do if an infestation occurs

If you think your child has head lice, talk to a healthcare provider to discuss the best treatment approach for your family. It is not necessary to keep your child home from school. Check other family members and treat if they are found to have live lice.

Our Role at School

Our goal is to educate and inform families. During the school day, we will only check students that have demonstrated symptoms and the parent requests a screening. If your child is found to have lice, they will remain in school and we will talk with them about avoiding head-to-head contact and not sharing personal belongings. The school nurse will contact you to inform you that lice/nits were found and suggest you call your healthcare provider to discuss treatment options. No one other than you will be contacted.

More information from the American Academy of Pediatrics can be found here. Or call Nurse Jones!

Cornwall School is going skiing! Do you love to be outside in the snow? Have you cross country skied more than 3 times? Are available on the dates below?

If you answered yes to all three of those questions, we have a volunteer opportunity for you! We're looking for family volunteers to help with boot tying, mitten wrangling, equipment. We also need volunteers who will ski alongside instructors and staff.

Contact Nadya and complete the ACSD volunteer process if you're interested.

• crackers/pretzels
• goldfish/bunnies
• non-peanut granola bars
• applesauce

Help shape the future of education in our community! The ACSD Board will have open School Board seats this year in Bridport, Middlebury, and Salisbury. If you're interested, gather signatures* on your nominating petition and submit the petition and your Candidate Consent form to your Town Office by January 26, 2026.This is also a great time to reach out to encourage someone you think would be a great candidate! Board elections occur on Town Meeting Day, March 3, 2026. Terms are 3 years. You must be 18 or older and a resident of the respective town to run. You'll play a crucial role in enhancing our schools and advocating for every student. Learn more on the Running for School Board page of the Vermont School Board Association website.

* Petitions must be signed by 60 voters or one percent of the ACSD checklist—whichever is less. Petitions and the Candidate Consent Form are available with the links above, at your Town Hall, or the ACSD District Office (49 Charles Ave, Middlebury). ​​​​​​​