At the beginning of the school year the 7th graders put together an application and presented their grant proposal to the Vermont Rural Education Collaborative (VREC). They were awarded the grant that was proposed to purchase and build new picnic tables, fix up the bread oven and purchase some baking supplies to use for community events. The 7th grade, led by Mrs. Russell, have the bread oven up and running and will bake some delicious treats with some other classes for the Writing is on the Wall night tomorrow, built the picnic tables and recently stained them to protect them from the weather. They are documenting all that they are doing for the final presentation they need to provide VREC as a follow up to receiving the grant. Great work Mrs. Russell and all of our 7th graders!

Thanks to Bill Half, our 5th and 2nd graders will once again be heading back to Harvest Hill Farm in May to do some planting. Bill will come to Walden School to work with our 2nd and 5th graders to start the potatoe and pumpkin planting process in early May and then the students will travel to the farm to finish the process. Next fall, the then 3rd and 6th graders will get the chance to see how well their potatoes and pumpkins turned out and help with the harvest. If you remember we did this last year and the current 6th and 3rd grade got to harvest at the beginning of the school year and the venture was very successful and the students loved the opportunity. We are thankful to Bill Half and Harvest Hill Farm for presenting our students with this opportunity!

Students in grades 3-8 will soon be taking the new VTCAP State Assessment. The testing window is from April 12th - May 26th and the classes have scheduled their times to take the test with times designated for make-ups. This is the first year for the new VTCAP assessment, which is similar to the old Smarter Balanced (SBAC) assessment that was given in the past. It is very important for students to be present on testing days.

*Here's eight simple tips for parents to help your student perform his or her best on testing days.

1. Prioritize attendance and homework.

2. Communicate with teachers.

3. Talk to your child about test taking.

4. Offer positive reinforcement.

5. Support healthy habits.

6. Give your child a study space.

7. Keep testing in perspective.

8. Debrief after the tests.

*Source: Edmentum (https://blog.edmentum.com/8-tips-help-your-child-prepare-high-stakes-tests)

• Please do not park on the corner of the driveway at pick up/ drop off, as Sabrina, the bus driver, can't fit by you.
  
• Sabrina would also like parents to remember that students need to be outside at their stop 5 minutes ahead of time for pick up in the morning.

Thank you so much for helping our transportation to run smoothly!

Please help us decide how Title grant monies are spent at Walden and in our SU by filling out the survey and providing us with your input!

April 13th: The "Writing is on the Wall" Night 5:00pm-7:00pm in the multi-purpose room

April 14th: Afternoon whole school celebration PBIS

April 19th: Spring concert and art display @ 1:30pm in the multi-purpose room

April 24th-28th: Spring Break (no school)

May 8th: 8th grade Northwoods Experience Field Trip

May 8th: CCSD Board meeting 6pm @ Walden School

May 19th: Early release, afternoon PD for faculty and staff

2022-2023 Walden Family Handbook can be located at https://walden.ccsuvt.net/ under the Community Resources tab.

Email: anthony.fontana@ccsuvt.net
Website: https://walden.ccsuvt.net/
Location: 135 Cahoon Farm Road, West Danville, VT, USA
Phone: (802)563-3000