CVSD Community Connections

Dear CVSD Community,

I often describe the last two weeks of June as transition and celebration season. Of course, for either of those things to be meaningful, reflection is key. So is presence, especially at a time of year when every moment of our schedule seems designed to fill every open space with something.

I love graduations—high school and 8th grade alike. I also loved the smaller graduations we would sometimes host for students who were unable to attend the larger ceremony at UVM. Over the years, in each of those moments, I began to realize one very true thing: even though all of those diplomas look the same, they represent very different, personal, and unique journeys.

In those smaller ceremonies, I could ask, “So, what does this piece of paper mean to you?”

And if that didn’t elicit a response, I might ask, “Who are you doing this for? What was a struggle you overcame to get here? When did you discover you were really good at something? What was your favorite year? Which year did you grow the most? When were you scared you might not make it? Who has been lifting you up? Who did you lift up? Who do you want to be next? When did you laugh the hardest? What from this community will you bring forward?”

Of course, we could ask these questions at the conclusion of any year.

So, if you can, fight back against the schedule. Use a pen, or the electronic equivalent, and ink in 5–10 minutes to ask each other what that diploma, graduation, or transition from one year to the next really means. The celebration will mean so much more.

Enjoy this transition and celebration season,

Adam Bunting

CVSD Superintendent

“Prevention work is most effective when students are engaged and empowered to lead,” said SAP Counselor Steven Berbeco. “I’m proud of our OVX students who took a difficult and important topic and turned it into meaningful advocacy.” Read More

On Thursday, May 21, CCS hosted our first Project-Based Learning (PBL) exhibition.

Julia Beerworth writes: "Our library and classrooms came alive with projects reflecting our students' incredible creativity, collaboration, and hard work. The exhibition proudly highlighted the work of the incredible teachers in the Rowland Foundation Collaborative Work Group. These dedicated educators have been working tirelessly to design and bring meaningful Project-Based Learning (PBL) experiences directly into their classrooms." Read More

A group of 20 Farm to School (FTS) Coordinators from across the country visited Williston to tour Williston Central School. As part of the FTS Coordinator Learning Collaborative at Shelburne Farms, the coordinators spent time in WCS’s new Sustainability Room, visited the chickens and stopped by the garden to envision what it will be in the coming years.

“Having Shelburne Farms recognize the work we are doing and sharing it with the Farm to School Coordinators from around the country was energizing and inspiring,” says Lynn Brown, a paraspecialist who works as the school’s Garden Coordinator and Garden Club moderator. “It totally validated the direction we are headed.” Read More

In early May, we celebrated four of the many languages spoken across CVSD. Through presentations, food, song, and greetings, attendees learned about Swahili, Marathi, Arabic, and Spanish, as well as some of the customs and cultures of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Sudan, and Colombia that are shaped by these languages. Read More

Caregivers, Please take a few moments to complete our 2025-26 Family/Caregiver Engage Survey.

Collective data from this survey will be used to evaluate and improve our system and to build more meaningful experiences for students, families, and caregivers. Please complete one survey per student by Friday, June 5.

Summer can be a wonderful time for middle schoolers to relax, explore new interests, spend time with friends, and gain independence. At the same time, the less structured nature of summer can also create challenges for families. Clear, healthy boundaries can help young people stay safe, make positive choices, and enjoy a healthy summer.

Check out these tips and discussion topics to help start your summer with healthy boundaries.

Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Shelburne Community School

CVSD’s Annual Youth Pride Rally is back for its sixth year! The event is happening rain or shine, and students, staff, families, and community members are welcome to come and celebrate alongside us.

The Pride Rally is an opportunity for our larger community to come together and celebrate our diversity, as well as support our LGBTQ+ community members in feeling seen, celebrated, and protected. Come ready to eat, jam out, and hear from queer activists, students, and educators.

CVSD’s Free Summer Meals Program runs from Thursday, June 25, through Thursday, August 13, and provides free meal boxes for children who are 18 years old and younger. Meal ordering will be available beginning Sunday, June 14, and all CVSD families will be notified weekly by email on Sundays with the form to order meals for pickup the following week. Learn More