Cougar Chronicle

We are pleased to inform you that the following students from your

school submitted entries in the 2027 Robert Howe Fire Safety Calendar and were selected as winners, and those entries will appear in the 2027 calendar:

Olivia – November – 1st Place

Maeve – June – Honorable Mention

The holiday season is right around the corner, and we are so excited to kick off our Snow Much Giving drive!

Snow Much Giving is our special community support program created to wrap local families in warmth, care, and cheer this winter with clothing, winter gear, and holiday gifts.

We would love your help to make this season extra special! Here are a couple of ways you can make a difference:

• Sponsor a Child: Stop by the school office and pick a tag from our Snow Much Giving board or fill out this form and Danielle will reach out to you. Each tag represents a local child's needs this holiday season.

• Make a Donation: Financial contributions (cash only please!) are always welcome and go directly toward purchasing gifts and essentials for local families.

Important Deadline: December 11th

Please ensure all unwrapped gifts, tags and monetary donations are returned to the school by December 11th. This gives our team enough time to bundle everything up nicely and get items to families before the holidays!

No act of kindness is too small, and every bit of help brings a smile to someone in our community. Thank you so much for opening your hearts and helping us make this season truly Snow Much Giving!

With gratitude,

Calais Elementary School

As the weather turns colder and wetter, we want to make sure all of our students stay warm, dry, and comfortable during outdoor recess.

Please remember to send your child to school each day with appropriate outdoor clothing, including:

• A warm coat (water-resistant or waterproof is great for damp days)

• Boots for wet or muddy ground

• Extra layers (such as a sweater, sweatshirt, hat, or gloves) so they can adjust to changing temperatures

We head outside whenever possible, and having the right gear helps everyone enjoy recess safely.

Thank you for your help in keeping our students bundled up and ready for the season!

In the first few months of 2025, there have been multiple outbreaks of measles with

deaths reported. Notably, there is an ongoing outbreak of measles in Quebec. Most

cases have been in children and teens who are unvaccinated against measles. Get

current information about cases and outbreaks (CDC). We have recently (November 9, 2026) been alerted and confirmed of a small measles outbreak in Orleans county. Our risk is low right now because most Vermonters are vaccinated.

Measles is not just a little rash. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that

can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. Some may suffer from

severe complications, such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and encephalitis

(swelling of the brain). Nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with

measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.

Measles is almost entirely preventable with vaccines. While most people in the U.S.

and Vermont are vaccinated against measles, communities with lower vaccine coverage

are at higher risk for outbreaks. Vaccinating your family protects other children from

measles who can’t get vaccinated because they are too young or have medical

conditions. Being vaccinated against measles is your best defense against measles.

Here’s how you can help keep your family, school, and community healthy:

1. Make sure you and your family are vaccinated against measles—especially

if you plan to travel outside of the U.S. Measles is still common in many parts

of the world. Every year, measles is brought into the U.S. by unvaccinated

travelers who get measles while they are in other countries.

Children should get two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)

vaccine—the first dose at 12-15 months and the second dose at 4-6

years.

Babies 6-11 months old who are traveling internationally should get an

early dose of the MMR vaccine at least two weeks before travel.

2. If your child is sick with measles symptoms, stay home and call your

doctor.

Symptoms usually start with a high fever, then a cough, runny nose, and

red and watery eyes. A rash usually appears three to five days after the

first symptoms.

If you do not have a health care provider, call 2-1-1 to be connected to

care.

If you suspect measles, make sure to call before going to a doctor’s

office, the hospital, or a clinic to let them know about symptoms. Because

the virus is so contagious, the office will need to take precautions before

you arrive.

While there is no treatment for measles, your doctor will have the best

guidance on how to care for a child with measles.

For more information on measles and vaccines, visit HealthVermont.gov/measles.

11/14 - Community Craft Fair

11/26 - 3rd Annual Calais Thanksgiving Potluck

11/25-11/27 - Thanksgiving Break (No school)

12/1 - Deadline for Sugarbush Youth Program sign ups

12/5 - Annual MCCC Holiday Craft Fair

12/6 - Pie Breakfast + Rummage Sale (Save the date!)

12/7 - Community Learning Series @ Calais Elementary School

12/9 - Open Mic Coffee House - Instrument Drive

12/11 - Deadline for "Snow Much Giving" Drive

12/11 - Gifts for Giving

12/14 - Community Learning Series @ Calais Elementary School

12/18 - Gifts for Giving (Snow Date)

12/18 - Parent's Night Out Fundraiser (Save the date!)

12/23- 12/31 - Holiday Break (No school)

1/15 - Half Day Dismissal (12:30)

Breakfast and Lunch Menus

26/27 Student and Family Handbook

26/27 School Calendar

U-32 Chronicle

Community Links and Resources

Link to Upcoming Parent Education Programs

Calais Advisory Team (CAT)

CVSWMD - ECO Depot

Community Craft Fair - 11/14

Hosted by WCSUUD Athletics - Support Youth Sports for Rumney Doty and Calais

Barre Figure Skating

Girls Who Code

Autumn Onion 5K & Monster Mile

AllTogetherNow! Fiber Camp: Fun With Natural Dyes and Fibers

Are you interested in joining the Sugarbush Youth Program this winter?

Sugarbush is offering skiing and/or snowboarding for member schools and recreation departments. The goal of this program is to encourage and/or introduce children to the sport of skiing and/or snowboarding at a reasonable rate. All Sunday youth programs will take place at Mount Ellen at Sugarbush.

Calais/Sugarbush Youth Program sign-up link

Registration Process by Dec. 1:

1.) Select our School Group Program: Calais

2.) Select Program: choose the program you are registering your child(ren) for

3.) Complete Registration: Add to cart and follow the registration process

Note: All participants must have lift access to participate in the program. If your child(ren) does not, please register for a program that includes a lift ticket.

Program Dates

This program will run Sunday January 24 and 31, February 7 and 28, March 7, 2027. Cancellation make-up date will be Sunday, March 14, 2027 (only if cancelled by Sugarbush).

Transportation: Families will arrange for transportation to/from Sugarbush. Carpooling is encouraged.

Eligible Participants:

Children and youth ages from 5 to 18 and their immediate family members, guardians or chaperones are eligible for our five-day program.

Questions? Contact Ms. Katie: ktruesdale@u32.org

The Calais Advisory Team is hosting a Pie Breakfast on Sunday, December 6th from 10 - 11:30 and we need your help to make is a success!

We are looking for donations of delicious pies—sweet or savory! Whether you are a master baker or want to support us with a bakery-fresh favorite, your contribution directly supports our school's programs, teacher appreciation events, and classroom resources. Whether it is apple, berry, pumpkin, or quiche, every slice helps!

We are in need of whole pies that are either homemade or purchased. No judgement here! We love all pies!

If you are up to donating some pie, please fill out this form or email Julie Arms at juliearms15@gmail.com and let us know how many pies you plan to bring.

Several people have asked us about our "I love Calais hats" and where to get one. These are not being sold by the school, rather through Friends of Calais. They offer four colors including pink, orange, light blue and dark blue at $25.00 each. You can reach out to them with any interest at friendsofcalais2020@gmail.com.

Kellogg-Hubbard Library

Rainbow over playground

The Kindness Club Presents: The Teacher of the Week!

Ms. Jamie 😄

1st-3rd Grade ECO

Principal - Katie Truesdale - ktruesdale@u32.org

Nurse - Kathryn Saunders - ksaunders@u32.org

Counselor - Jasmine Nakhleh - jnakhleh@u32.org