SCS Community Newsletter

Dear SCS Families, Caregivers, and Shelburne Community,

As part of CVSD’s commitment to co-creating engaging student experiences with our partners from Transcend, this week, a team of administrators, curriculum leaders, and Transcend partners toured classrooms across every school in the district, grounding our strategic work in the reality of daily student life. Beyond mere observation, the planning team hosted 15 student focus groups, welcoming more than 100 students to share their honest perspectives. This comprehensive approach allowed us to explore crucial topics, from how and where students see connections in their learning to the singular change they might make to ensure school better matches who they are and what they truly need.

The energy and quality of instruction we witnessed were a profound source of celebration. At Shelburne, the visiting team was inspired not just by the learning but by the culture of care. They spent lunchtime with kindergartners, discussing everything from their current interests to lunch menu recommendations. One observer was struck by the adults supervising the lunch, who didn't merely monitor—they sat and engaged in meaningful conversations, amplifying the safe and trusting relationships cultivated since the start of the year.

Our SCS visitors were truly “BLOWN AWAY” by the dedicated teaching and student growth on display. We celebrated the art teacher beautifully teaching young students about lines, the second-grade teacher captivating a class through story (earning a book recommendation for one observer’s own child!), and the third-grade teacher integrating digital citizenship by reminding students about internet safety as they practiced sending emails. Perhaps most inspiring was watching students learn to navigate and resolve conflict together in safe and healthy ways, demonstrating a mastery of essential life skills.

Our middle level students showcased connection by sharing the community building that happened on the annual Mt. Philo hike. These young innovators opened up to this visiting team all of their hopes for ways SCS could help prepare them for high school and beyond. Brainstorming about electives, project blocks and deeper learning about their choice of content were highlights of our focus groups. With this level of hope and agency, these visionaries will guide us as we begin to imagine all of the possibilities for middle school.

This week’s Transcend work, rooted in listening and learning, is just one invigorating step on our collective journey. The observations and the voices of over 100 students will immediately inform our path forward as we co-create actionable steps that channel our collective energy, creativity, and resources where they matter most. This includes our continued dedication to honor identity, foster connection, build proficiency, and inspire direction across CVSD, ensuring every student feels seen, valued, and ready for their future.

We look forward to this journey with you in partnership.

Jen, Brett, and Antonia

10/8 - PreK - 4th Open House (5:00 - 6:00pm)

10/8 - School Picture Envelopes Due

10/8 - Red 7th grade Field Trip (11:40-1:40, Meach Cove)

10/9 - Picture Retake/Make up day

10/10 - 7/8th Grade Dance (7:00 - 9:00, SCS Gym)

10/14 - PTO Meeting (6:00 pm, Green Team)

10/15 - Yellow 7th grade Field Trip (11:40-1:40, Meach Cove)

10/16 - PTO Social Mixer, adults only (5:30 - 7:30 pm, Shelburne Tap House)

10/18 - PTO Fall Cornhole Tournament (see details below)

10/22 - Red 8th grade Field Trip (11:40-1:40, Meach Cove)

10/23 - No School - Diwali

10/24 - No School - Conferences

CVSD 2025-2026 Calendar

Please sign up by 9:00 am Monday if you would like your student(s) to ride the late bus next week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, &/or Thursday.

THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO SIGN UP FOR THE LATE BUS.

Please note that athletes will need to leave practice approximately 10 minutes early to catch the late bus if their team is practicing at SCS. We ask that you look at practice and game schedules carefully to make sure you’re only registering your child for days they will actually ride.

Robocats, SCS's robotics team for 4th-8th graders, practices begin afterschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the library next week.

The mission of our SCS First Lego League team is to foster a collaborative and diverse community of STEM-curious members that will build and compete in a mission-based robotics game using the LEGO® Education SPIKE Essential platform. Robocats focuses on teamwork, robotics, and coding where all are welcome no matter their past experiences or current knowledge in these areas.

New team members: please complete the 25-26 Robocats Application.

Previous team members: please fill out only contact information and transportation needs on the application.

Applications are due Monday, 10/6.

Questions? Contact Joey Adams - jadams@cvsdvt.org

Join us for a parent night on Thursday, October 9 at 5:00 pm to find out how RoboCats can shape your child's future with fun, future scholarships and skill building!

Kindergarten Pick-Up

• A friendly reminder that Kindergarten pick-up is at School Street at 2:35 (1:35 on Wednesdays), and we ask families to please meet their Kindergartener at the door.

Please help us minimize disruptions to the teaching and learning during the school day, by following these SCS guidelines:

• Change in Dismissals: please let us know of any changes to your child’s normal dismissal plan, ideally first thing in the morning, but no later than 11:00 am. Email jgraham@cvsdvt.org or call 802-985-3331 x 101

• Please don't bring forgotten items like instruments or water bottles to school.
• If your student has after school activiites, please make a back up dismissal plan at home with your student(s) in the event that activities are cancelled during the day.
• Students should not be emailing home during the day. If they are feeling unwell, they should go to the Health Office.

Families should have received order forms & class photos this week.

Make up & retake picture day is scheduled for Thursday, October 9.

Please sign up if you would like your student(s) picture taken.

Questions? Contact Jen Marx (jmarx@cvsdvt.org, 383-1102)

If you have a student in 6th - 8th grade who would like to participate in our basketball program, you will need to complete our registration for SCS athletics. The registration link is located at the top of the athletics website.

Winter sports (Boys Basketball - grades 7-8 and Girls Basketball - grades 6-8) will begin on November 17.

In addition, you will need to submit a Wellness Exam - Sports Participation Form if your student athlete did not participate in a Fall sport.

Student-athletes WILL NOT be allowed to participate until their registration and wellness forms have been completed and submitted.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Leigh Petrucelli, SCS Athletic Director.

Thank you to all the students and families who came out for Wednesday's

Walk and Bike to School Day! Special thanks to the Shelburne Forward Bike and

PedestrianTask Force for providing baked goods.

Middle Level students & teachers enjoyed a beautiful morning of hiking & team building

at Mt. Philo this week!

Thank you to everyone for purchasing tickets. Winners will be announced on Monday and teachers will be sending invitations to winning students.

One week left to register for the 2nd annual Fall Cornhole Tournament on Saturday 10/18! Grab a friend, family member, or classmate and sign up a team today. Open to all ages and skill levels—from students K–12 to adults—this event is all about friendly competition and supporting our school community. Prizes will be awarded to the top teams, but every team helps make a difference!

Team registration is now open! Don’t wait—spots fill quickly:

Learn more and register at https://www.shelburnepto.org/cornhole

Not ready to play? No problem! Spectators can look forward to food, treats, and fall fun activities for all ages—more details announced soon.

Cornhole boards/bags, volunteers and baked goods needed to help make the event a success. Sign up here if you can help!

Questions? Email us at cornhole@shelburnepto.org

Come meet, mingle, and connect with other parents, caregivers, and SCS community at our upcoming PTO Social Mixer! This is a casual, fun opportunity to build community, share ideas, and learn more about how the PTO supports our school. Light appetizers will be provided.

Thursday, October 16th at 5:30-7:30pm

Shelburne Tap House

Please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/WrdhC8w2tPVRxWFCA

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