Wildcat Buzz
by Greg Marino, Williston Schools Lead Principal
Dear Williston Families and Caregivers,
With the arrival of May, we are deep into a season defined by celebration and transition alike. It is a special time to honor the incredible growth our students have shown while thoughtfully planning for the new beginnings that await us next school year. In that spirit of looking ahead, I am writing to follow up on my announcement a few weeks ago regarding our leadership transition for our Director of Student Services role.
Today, I am very excited to announce that Sarah Gordon has been selected as Williston Schools’ new Director of Student Services, a position she’ll begin at the start of next school year. Sarah brings over 20 years of experience as both a general educator and special educator to this role, including nine years working at Allen Brook School as a kindergarten/first grade special educator.
As those who have worked closely with Sarah know, her advocacy for inclusive education and leadership among her colleagues make her an excellent choice for this role. Throughout her two decades as an educator, Sarah has demonstrated a strong commitment to collaboration and building effective, inclusive systems of support. She has a particular focus on strengthening MTSS, as well as providing meaningful training and support to paraprofessionals, and our search committee was impressed by her deep expertise and the collaborative perspective she’ll bring to CVSD’s leadership team.
“I am humbled to be the next Building Based Special Education Director in Williston,” Sarah says. “Working with the Williston faculty, staff and caregiving community for the past nine years has inspired me. I am a firm believer that all our students need to be given opportunities to thrive, experience joy and be provided with inclusive and compassionate learning environments. Both Williston Central School and Allen Brook encompass these beliefs, and working alongside such collaborative, informative and thoughtful educators, caregivers and leaders is an honor.”
We’re thankful to the search committee for their time and focus on this process and are very excited for Sarah to join the Williston administration in this new role.
Thank you,
Greg Marino, On behalf of the search committee
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.
Allen Brook School
Start Time: 7:50am
Williston Central School
Start Time: 7:55am
Allen Brook School
Bus Doors Open/Arrival Time - 7:35 am
*Early Arrivals: Any students arriving between 7:25 - 7:35 must remain in the cafeteria where they will be supervised until the first bus arrives.
*Late Arrivals: Any students arriving after 7:50 must check in at the front office
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Kindergarten Dismissal begins at 2:25pm (1:25 on Wednesdays)
First & Second Grade Dismissal begins at 2:30 (1:30 on Wednesdays)
Buses depart at 2:35 pm (1:35 Wednesday)
Please carefully read the arrival and dismissal information linked below for more details
Williston Central School
Bus Doors Open/Arrival Time - 7:45 am
*Early Arrivals: If an early arrival is necessary (starting at 7:30 am) 3rd & 4th graders must wait in the lobby near the west entrance and 5th-8th graders will be in either the cafeteria or the lobby near the main entrance.
*Late Arrivals: Any students arriving after 7:55 must enter through the front entrance and check in at the office for a pass.
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Students will be dismissed at the following times
2:35 - 2:45 - Grades 3 & 4 Dismissed (1:35-1:45 on Wednesday)
2:40 - 5th thru 8th Dismissal for buses only
2:40 - 2:45 - Buses load and depart
2:45 - 2:50 - Grades 5-8 Dismissal for all students not riding the bus
Please carefully read the arrival and dismissal information linked below for more details
Bus Information
click for bus information, including routes and estimated times
CVSD Website
click for district information
School Safety
click for meeting notes and information from our Williston Safety Team
Hill Closings
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.
*YOUTH PROGRAMMING*
Children in 5th grade and up may use the library unattended, while those in grade 4 or under must be supervised by a person over 16 years of age. We are happy to welcome children into the library after school and will be offering programs on early-release Wednesdays.
For information on the Unattended Children Policy, visit www.damlvt.org. Parents and guardians are encouraged to stop by or call 878-4918 to chat with a youth librarian about expectations and the library's after-school experience.
Saturday Storytime
Saturday, May 2, 10:30-11 a.m. Start your weekend off with Cindy’s Storytime!
Storytime
Tuesdays, 10:30-11 a.m. Have fun with stories and songs during our weekly storytime.
Baby Time
Wednesday, May 6, 10:30-11 a.m. Suggested ages 0-18 months. Enjoy gentle literacy, bonding, and socializing activities.
After School *Special* Lake Champlain Basin Gyotaku
Wednesday, May 6, 2-3 p.m. Make fish prints with fossils from Lake Champlain! If there is time after, practice nature sketches
Music and Playtime
Thursdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Drop in for music, and stay to play.
LEGO Time
Thursday, May 7, 3-4 p.m. Stop in and build something exciting with the Library’s LEGO collection!
Kids' Fest - All Ages. Kids’ Fest is a family-friendly day at the Park. There will be children's activities, games, giveaways, food, and fun! Come dressed to be active. Saturday, May 16, from 12:00-2:00 pm at Village Community Park, 250 Library Lane. Note: This event is free to attend, and pre-registration is not required.
Archery Grades 6th-8th. Strength does not come from what you can do; it comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t. Like a well-aimed arrow, life requires direction and the courage to let go. In this introductory program, your child will become part of a community that has spanned the course of human history; its presence directly impacting cultures across the world. This program will teach your child the fundamentals of archery, including the description of equipment, and the proper technique to safely and successfully loose arrows. There will be guided target shooting, but also games designed to provide a challenging and fun way to hone accuracy in the hopes that, working together, we unlock the inner Robin Hood in all of us! Instructor: Fred Murray. Tuesdays, May 5-June 9, 2:50-4:15p, $85.
Age 5-10. Give the kids a night of fun while you enjoy a little time to yourself! Join us from 5:30–8:30 pm for an evening filled with games, crafts, and tasty treats. We’ll have pizza and snacks to keep everyone fueled for the fun! Activities include Sensory Table, Play-Doh, and Kinetic Sand, Lego Table, Dance Party, Board Games, Crafts & Coloring, more. Movie: A fun, family-friendly movie to wrap up the night. Come enjoy a night of creativity, games, and laughs! Leader: Rec. Staff. Friday, May 8, 5:30-8:30 pm, $15/$25.
Tennis in the Parks - Learn & Play - 6th-8th. This program is for brand-new, beginner, or returning novice youth players. Led by a USTA-approved coach, we focus on FUN and learning the basics. This program uses modified tennis balls, age-appropriate rackets and engaging activities that help players successfully learn and play the game quicker. Instructor: USTA Coach. Thursdays, May 7- June 18, 5:15-6:15 pm, 75/$85.
Recreation & Parks Master Plan Survey- This is the final survey before the Recreation & Parks Master Plan is completed. This is your chance to share your thoughts, suggestions and comments to develop a comprehensive plan for the future of the department. The survey will be available until May 10. Share the link with Williston families and friends Thanks!
Community Garden- The garden is a 30-plot area off Mt. View Road. Open plots are now available to Williston residents. You will need to register and pay with a credit card on the site or come in to register in person with a check or cash. Plots remaining: Raised Bed- 4x8 $15, Small- 12x10 $25, Medium- 12x20 $50.
Allen Brook School
Start Time @ 7:50am;
Dismissal for PreK & K at 2:25pm - grades 1 & 2 @2:30pm
Wednesday Early Dismissal @ 1:25 & 1:30
Williston Central School
Start Time @7:55am;
Dismissal grades 3 & 4 @2:35pm - grades 5-8 @2:45pm
Wednesday Early Dismissal @ 1:35 & 1:45
Williston Schools Leadership Team
Greg Marino, Williston Schools Lead Principal
Jacqueline Parks, WCS Building Principal
Angela Filion, ABS Building Principal
Lauren Goracy, Director Student Services