Wildcat Buzz

1. First Walk or Roll to School day of 2026 - Tuesday, Jan 13th

2. Workshop: Managing Youth Stress, Presented by WFAP - 1/13 @6pm

3. Parent Volunteers needed for ABS Ski & Ride, starting 1/14/26

01/12 - Auditions for WCS Musical - Matilda Jr, Grades 6-8 @3-4:30pm

01/13 - Walk or Roll to School Day

01/13 - Workshop: Managing Youth Stress, presented by Jill Everett - hosted by WFAP, @6-7:30pm

01/14 - Williston Rec Ski & Ride begins grades 1 and up

01/15 - Auditions for WCS Musical - Matilda Jr, Grades 6-8 @3-4:30pm

01/15 - SPARK Session 3 Begins

01/16 - Callback Auditions (if needed) for WCS Musical

01/19 - Martin Luther King, Jr Day - NO SCHOOL

01/28 - Middle School Open House & Celebration of Learning, Grades 5-8 @6:30p-7:30p

02/02 - Kindergarten 2026 Registration Opens

02/03 - "Treble Cat Chorus", 4th Grade Concert, 6:30pm @WCS

02/12 - 8th Grade Family Night at CVU, 6:30-7:45pm

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

It is with a heart full of mixed emotions that I write to share some personal news. After 38 years in education—and 18 wonderful years serving as your principal—I have decided to retire at the conclusion of this school year.

My journey in education has been a true adventure. It began at Damascus Community School in Syria and took me to the International School of Aruba, Colbert Elementary in Texas, and Manchester Elementary Middle School in Vermont, before finally bringing me home to Williston Central School. Over nearly four decades, public education has evolved and become increasingly complex, but my core mission has always remained the same: supporting teachers, so they can support the growth and well-being of our students.

When I accepted this position 18 years ago, I didn’t necessarily intend for it to be such a long-term experience. At the time, my family had just moved to Essex with our 3-year-old and 5-year-old children. However, I quickly discovered that WCS is a rare and special place. I found a community of amazing students, a highly effective and dedicated staff, and families who were truly willing to be engaged and collaborative.

Together, we have navigated significant chapters in our school’s history. Whether it was two separate reconfigurations, the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, or building renovations, I have been constantly inspired by the resilience and spirit of our students and staff.

I want to thank you for your unwavering trust and partnership. A school is only as strong as the community that supports it, and your involvement has been vital to our success. This partnership is more necessary now than ever as we help our children navigate the modern "curve balls" of social media, mental health, and a changing economy.

As my tenure as your principal draws to a close, my priority is ensuring a smooth transition. I will be working closely with Greg Marino and CVSD to support the selection of a leader who will continue to uphold the values and excellence of Williston Central School.

While I am looking forward to moving south, gardening, traveling, and exploring new activities, a piece of my heart will always remain here. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives and for the honor of leading this school.

Best Wishes,

Jacqueline Parks, WCS Building Principal

The Williston Recreation Ski & Ride program begins this upcoming Wednesday for those first and second graders registered. In order for this program to run we are in urgent need of parent volunteers.

Volunteers assist with:

• Helping students get dressed and ready for the mountain

• Supervising skiers and riders as they wait for the bus to depart (around 2:05–2:15 PM)

Even helping one Wednesday makes a big difference! If you can lend a hand (for all Wednesdays or just one), please email Laura Gigliotti at lgigliotti@cvsdvt.org.

Program dates: Wednesdays, 1/14 through 3/4

Your help is so appreciated and absolutely essential to keeping this program running for our kids.

Think Snow! Thank you for your support!

The Williston Wired Cats Lego Robotics Team had a great performance at the Central Vermont Regional Championships at Norwich University on Sunday, December 14. Overall, they placed 3rd out of the 20 teams and earned an invitation to the Vermont State Championship meet that will be held on Saturday, January 17 at Global Foundries in Essex. Their robot coding was excellent, placing them in the top 5 teams for that aspect of the competition. They will be working hard over the coming weeks to see if they can speed things up and improve their precision, hopefully scoring even better at states, where they will be competing against the top 40 teams from middle schools all over Vermont.

The Team also earned special recognition for their Innovation Project, where they have partnered with community member and WCS volunteer extraordinaire Chapin Kaynor to help raise awareness in the community about our Abenaki heritage and specifically the discovery of 12,000-year-old artifacts at an archaeological site near Allenbrook Elementary School. The project aspect of the competition asks students to find an authentic problem faced by archaeologists and propose possible solutions. The students were struck by how little they each knew about the important history of their own school site, and are actively exploring ways to help ensure they and others can be made more aware. The judges felt this was a fantastic idea and loved their research and enthusiasm, which is why they won that special recognition. You can look forward to an upcoming newsletter article as part of their next outreach strategy!

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.

- Parking is not permitted behind the building or in the back driveway of the school.

- Your patience is appreciated as we ask all vehicles to use the lot during dismissal. Please walk with your child to and from the building - students will not be dismissed to cross the parking lot without an adult.

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.

In the event that weather and/or road conditions make it unsafe for our buses to travel hill roads, we will notify parents and/or caregivers of students on those routes with as much notice as possible.

When hills are closed for afternoon bus runs, if no one arrives to meet younger students, they will be brought back to school until arrangements are made for them to be picked up. Please talk with your bus drivers to let them know if you are comfortable letting your child walk home from the drop off location.

We will use the automated SchoolMessenger system to notify families on the hill roads.

Williston Rec & Parks Continued...

Snowperson Building

All Ages. There’s SNOW reason to be bored this January! From January 1 – January 31, anytime the snow flies, get outside and show off your snow-building skills. Build a snowperson, a snow creature, a snow animal, or any snowy creation in a local park or in your own yard! The more creative, the better! How to Enter: Take a picture of your creation and Email your photo to: recreation@willistonvt.org. All entries will be posted on Williston Recreation Facebook page (Facebook), and the picture with the most likes wins a prize! Thank you to the Prize Sponsor: Turner toys

Family Skate & Cocoa/S'more Night

All Ages. Grab your skates and the whole family for a fun evening of skating at Village Community Park! Glide across the ice, enjoy the wintery weather, and warm up with some hot cocoa, S'mores, and a bonfire! Note: This event is free to attend, and pre-registration is not required; just come and enjoy the fun! Saturday, January 17, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Village Community Park, 250 Library Lane.

Dangerous Girls- Age 14+. The program offers a combination of kickboxing and grappling. You’ll learn real fighting while bouncing to sweet tunes and laughing with new friends. Dangerous girls can change the world! Great program to take with a friend or a mother/daughter combination. Wednesdays, January 14-February 4, 6:30-7:30 pm. $95 Res. Instructor: ONTA Studio.

Ninja Intro Programs- Ages 4-15. There are separate programs for different age levels. Come try a four-week introduction to Kids Martial Arts. The programs help girls and boys realize their full potential in an environment that is playful, supportive, and fun. Instructor: ONTA Studio Staff. Programs begin the week of December and are offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays.

Do you want to create a positive impact in our community? Empower the next generation of bold, confident girls by coaching a Girls on the Run (GOTR) team at Williston Central School this spring! The lessons and activities in the 2026 Spring Season curriculum, ‘Hello, Bold Heart!’ help girls build the confidence to boldly share what’s in their hearts and help others use their voices, too. With a focus on life skills (including clear communication and listening deeply), goal-setting and physical activity, this program equips girls with the tools they need to thrive. By volunteering to coach a team, you’ll create a supportive space where girls in your school can speak up and use their voices like never before!

Not a runner? Haven’t coached before? No problem! Girls on the Run VT (GOTRVT) provides training, easy to follow lesson plans, supplies and support for a transformational season. Our season begins the week of March 16, 2026 and ends with a celebratory 5K on Saturday, May 30th. Over the 10 week season our team will meet twice weekly for 90 minute sessions to connect, move, learn and have FUN!

Visit gotrvt.org/coach to learn more about coaching or sign up to volunteer. Visit gotrvt.org/programs to learn more about GOTR and to complete the Participant Interest Form. Have further questions? Contact GOTRVT at stephanie@girlsontherunvermont.org or 802-871-5664.

• First Call - 488-7777: phone support, crisis intervention, assessment and referrals
• In Crisis: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) (National Hopeline Network: USA)
• National Suicide Prevention Life line- 1-800-273-TALK (8255), call or chat online
• Crisis Text Line - text HOME to 741741 (24 hours a day, seven days a week)
• Outright Vermont - support for LGBTQ+ community
• Vermont 211 -Vermont database of resources and services
• Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide - Website where you can find information to help yourself or a friend who may be having thoughts of suicide.
• Trevor Lifeline - 1-866- 488-7386 - provides suicide prevention and crisis intervention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. It offers free, 24/7, confidential counseling. TrevorText—text START to 678-678; TrevorChat—instant messaging at TheTrevorProject.org/help. It also runs TrevorSpace, an affirming social networking site for LGBTQ youth at TrevorSpace.