CES Weekly Update

Happy Mother's Day to all of our mothers!

Our Service Learning Program is Growing!

Thanks to Nanci Lepsic and her creative mind and service oriented spirit, we have developed a new service learning opportunity for our fifth grade students. This week was our maiden voyage. Kye Lesure, Anya Manktelow, Sunnie Jacobs, Daxton Wells, Lucas Rodger, and Eva Reno accompanied me to the Varnum Library where we spent a fun-filled hour playing board games with some of our local elders. There was excitement in the air from start to finish and all participants agreed that they had a lot of fun and would love to do it again! For the remainder of the school year, fifth graders will have the opportunity to participate! Thank you Nanci, the kind folks at Varnum Library, and of course our community members who came to play games!

Monday, May 11 is our relocation drill to Smugglers Notch Resort

We have one safety drill left for the school year. We are saving the best for last. It's time for an off site relocation drill! Smuggler's Notch Resort is one of our off site relocation areas in the event that the school needs to evacuate away from the village.

On Monday, May 11 at 9:00 a.m., our entire school will practice evacuating the school and relocating via school bus to Smuggler's Notch Resort. Students and staff will load onto an assigned bus at CES, depart the bus for Smugg's and enter the Meeting House building where they will gather with their teacher and class. After everyone has done this and I have said a few words, we will all do the same thing in reverse. All of this will be done silently. The last time we conducted this drill, it took about 30 minutes to complete and the students did such a great job! Teachers will be discussing the drill ahead of time with our students so they know what to expect.

Our NCAL volunteers, Eppie Grey, Millie French, Jordy Sieverding, and Gulliver Baron spent most of their volunteer time preparing dog food for distribution at the pet food pantry located at NCAL in Morristown. They are seeing an increase in demand for assistance with pet food and NCAL stands ready to heed the call. It's nice to know that we played a little part in this important community support effort.

Finally, Rowan McFarland and Jameson Reynolds volunteered at the May Cambridge community lunch where they busily served beverages, cleared dishes, and sampled the chili and cornbread. They only had to hear the directions one time and they were off and running. I was so impressed with their skills and work ethic. Great job boys!

Bravo to our drama club and their coaches and the technical support crew for another incredible musical performance! I was once again amazed by the talent of our students, the dedication of our staff and community, and the creativity that runs through the veins of this school! The entire thing made me so proud and I hope that it made you feel that way too. None of it would happen without Marie Cloutier's directorship. Thank you to her and everyone else who volunteered countless hours to make this event possible.

Finally, below you will find an updated list of year end of events happening at CES! We are busy bees around here!

Feel free to reach out with any questions!

Best,

Mary Anderson

2026 End of Year Special Events

Monday, May 11-Friday, May 15 CES Staff Appreciation Week

Monday, May 11 Whole School Relocation Drill to Smuggler's Notch 9:00 a.m

Friday, May 15th (early release day): Academic Fair in the a.m.

May 18-22: I Love to Read Week

May 22nd: 6th Grade Step-Up Day at LUMS

Friday, May 29th: K, 1 & 2 Bike Day field trip 8:45-1:00

Thursday, June 4: K to 1 Step up 9:00-9:30

Friday, June 5: Last COL 8:20 a.m.

Staff vs. Student Soccer Game 1:00-2:00

Monday, June 8: No Strings Marionette perform "Treasure Hunt"

9:00 a.m.

Thursday, June 11: Student Variety Show, part 1

Preschool graduation, 1:00 p.m.

Friday, June 12: Student Variety Show, part 2 if needed

Last day of preschool

Monday, June 15 : Step up day (Grades 2-6) 8:30-9:00

Field day

Welcome summer BBQ for students, staff, and families

Sixth grade graduation 6pm

Tuesday, June 16: Last student day (dismissal at 11:30)

Jeh Kulu performance 9:00 a.m.

To Complete the Annual Update Process:

1. Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal Account.
2. In the left menu, select More → Online Registration Update, and click Start next to Annual Update Forms.
3. Be sure to click SUBMIT when finished.

If you don’t yet have a Parent Portal account, email IC-support@lnsd.org for assistance.

Calling All Girls in Grades 3–5!

Join the Cambridge/Johnson/Waterville Minor League Softball Team!

We’re looking for a few more players—3rd, 4th, or 5th graders—to have fun, learn the game, and be part of a supportive team this season!

Why join?

• Make new friends
• Learn softball skills
• Have fun and build confidence

Sign up or get info: Reach out to Kerrie Gawrys (401-332-1404) or Kayleigh Gawrys (401-390-7199) directly!

Let’s make this season full of teamwork, laughs, and great memories!

Join ReTribe's WIlderness Adventure Day Camps this Summer

Spend the summer exploring our 80 acres of woods on the base of Mount Mansfield. We have 7 weeks of camp for ages 5-12. Activities include sneaking and playing running games, crafting and wood carving, swimming and playing in the pond and river, making fairy houses, battling with foam swords and taking part in a fantasy adventure.

For more info and to register visit our website: https://www.retribe.org/day-camp or email ReTribeTransformation@gmail.com.

Fairfax United Lacrosse is excited to welcome youth from Cambridge to join our growing program! Practices will be held in Fairfax and will focus on building strong foundational lacrosse skills in a fun, supportive environment.

Players will develop essential stick skills, learn the fundamentals of the game, and build teamwork and confidence on the field. Our experienced coaches are dedicated to teaching the game while fostering a positive and encouraging atmosphere for all athletes.

Whether your child is new to lacrosse or looking to strengthen their skills, Fairfax United Lacrosse is a great opportunity to learn, grow, and have fun with the game!

Join us and be part of the team!

https://app.teamlinkt.com/register/find/fairfaxunitedlacrosse

LINK for LAX sign up

Resource: Vermont Family Network – Support for Families

Vermont Family Network offers free information, education, and peer support to families of children and youth with special health, mental health, or educational needs. Their resources help caregivers navigate school systems, access services, and strengthen family voice - with a focus on connection, advocacy, and belonging.
Learn more here

Feeling the Winter Blues? You’re Not Alone.

Winter can feel heavy - shorter days, colder weather, less time outside, and changes in routine can affect mood and energy. It’s normal to notice shifts in how you’re feeling during this time of year.

Some signs to watch for include:

• Feeling more tired than usual
• Losing interest in things you usually enjoy
• Feeling down, irritable, or disconnected
• Sleeping more (or less) than usual
• Wanting to isolate or withdraw from others

If these feelings last more than a couple of weeks, or start to interfere with school, friendships, or daily life, it’s important to reach out. Talking with a trusted adult, school counselor, coach, or friend can make a real difference.

Small things can help too - staying connected, getting outside when possible, keeping a routine, and doing something kind for yourself or someone else. You don’t have to handle it alone.

Sharing Priority

Cambridge Area Rotary – Bike for Friends Program: This collaborative community program connects gently used high-end bicycles with individuals who may not otherwise have access to them.

• Donating a Bike: Those with gently used, high-quality bicycles they no longer need can

contribute to this meaningful community initiative.

• Each BFF recipient will also receive a new bike helmet!

• Individuals or families in need of a bike or bikes are encouraged to reach out to learn about available options and the application process.

• No questions are asked about income levels.

• On behalf of recipients, social service agencies, case managers, youth leaders, educators, and the like are encouraged to make requests too!

• For both bike requests and donations, interested parties should contact: Sam Lotto, swlvt57@gmail.com, Phone/Text: 802-793-5509

• Resources

• United Way Resource Page

• Vermont 211

• Lamoille Area Recovery Network (LeARN) is available to support flood survivors with recovery resources: learn@uwlamoille.org, 802-730-9513

• Flooding Resources: All other resources previously sent can be found here