THE SCHOOL BELL

Tuesday Professional Development

By Jacqueline Parks, WCS Building Principal

Our early release of students on Tuesdays affords us the opportunity to support the professional growth of our teachers in a meaningful and thoughtful way.

As an example of this professional development work, the WCS faculty and staff had two different trainings taking place this past Tuesday. Our middle school teachers are all part of a year-long lesson study in humanities, mathematics or science. Lesson study is a professional growth model where teachers gather to engage in professional learning, plan and watch a lesson being enacted and then collectively debrief the lesson. We are using two consecutive Tuesdays for this work and teachers observe the “model lesson” in between the two Tuesdays. As part of this work, I had the opportunity to observe the 5-6 science lesson this week, along with our science teachers. We observed students learning how to draw a model of a phenomenon and make predictions about what was happening to car exhaust as it exits the tailpipe. Being able to have professional discussions after observing a class is such a powerful learning tool for teachers. We are able to share our observations, discuss what went well and what to do differently the next time. This shift from teaching being an isolated act in a classroom to a shared learning experience is a shift that will help us move the profession forward.

Meanwhile, our Essential Arts, World Language and 3rd/4th grade teachers and staff participated in professional learning about restorative practices. We learned about the brain research related to these practices and how to build a strong community through a “circle” method. We also focused on the seven components within the definition of restorative practices, so we have a common foundation of knowledge to build upon. One of the most powerful statements the trainer made was that restorative practice is the “base” that everything else in education sits on. It is the community, relationships, belonging, respect and truth that enables teaching and learning to happen!

This is just a small glimpse into the Tuesday professional learning that we are able to engage with because we have this ongoing professional time through our Tuesday early release. As a system, we are extremely grateful for the weekly time! Instead of holding topics and professional learning for a day scattered here or there in the school calendar, we can thoughtfully embed them in our weekly time.

The Beginner Band instrument pick up night has been rescheduled for WEDNESDAY, 11/13 at 6:30 in the WCS theater. If you cannot attend, please contact Ellis Music. You can sign your rental agreement online and have the instrument delivered to school in time for your student's first lesson.

WCS Band Web page

Thank you to the many people who helped make the 28th Annual Craft Show a success, enabling FAP to raise over $10,000 to benefit our school community. From placing yard signs, show set-up, promotion or working at least one shift, we couldn't have done it without you!

Brooke Thomas, Miki Beach, the Armstrong family, the Francisco family, Alison Whritenour, Allyson Stewart, Amy Beaumier, Amy Brewer, Angela Arsenault, Carolyn Tesini, David Bolger, Denise Gonyea, Diana Popa, Ingrid Luby, Isabelle Doris, Jamie Abaied, Josilyn Adams, Kelly Wagner, Lindsay Colf, Randi Becker, Sarah Kim, Sheri Gates, Susan Stephens, Karen Boutin, Emily Downing-Ponce, Tim Shea, Matt Spitznagle, Julia Nesbit, Chris LeBlanc, Christian Sardak.

Thank you too, to staff members who promoted the show via their local Front Porch Forums. A shout out to our awesome custodial staff: Dizzy, Bob, Chris & Jo, as well as: Laura Gigliotti, Amy Benoit, Cindy Pavlik, Jessica Wilson, Mike Kanfer, Equinox, Swift, World Languages, Leah Joly and Design & Technology, Parks & Rec., and Williston Public Works each for lending us space, expertise, or equipment to help make this event run smoothly. Thank you to Sam Beatson, Ashley Beauregard and Scott Wagner for the food service.

Many thanks too, to our local Boy Scouts Troop 692 (and their parents) for their community service for the all important task of helping the crafters unload and load their vehicles: Will, Morgan & Mark Ackerly, Aiden and Alec Blevins, Corey Caulfield, Sean Early, Cooper & Spencer Freeman, Jared & Paul Kartschoke, Dylan & Delainey LeBlanc, Brandon & Sarah Lewis, Thomas & Jake Mathon, Jacob & Tony Medici, Robert Nesbit, Micah Reilly, Logan & Lauren Vaughan.

With gratitude,

- Karen Olson & Paula LeBlanc

This year’s annual Spring Musical will be FROZEN, the Disney spectacular with a huge cast on epic sets.
Come join Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Sven, Hans, Kristoff and a cast of dozens. The Parent/Student meeting is December 9th at 6:00 in the WCS Theater, and the musical will be April 3 and 4, 2020.

Also this year we are inviting 5th grade students to audition along with 6th, 7th and 8th. Lots of good roles for everyone- and of course tons of set positions.

See you at the Parent/Student Kick off December 9th!

Recent and concerning headlines about vaping have many adults wondering how we can help prevent youth from ever starting to use e-cigarettes.

"Young people who believe e-cigarettes cause no harm are more likely to use e-cigarettes than those who believe e-cigarettes cause a lot of harm. Youth tobacco use in any form, including e-cigarettes, is unsafe. A 2016 national survey showed that about 10% of U.S. youth believe e-cigarettes cause no harm, 62% believe they cause little or some harm, and 28% believe they cause a lot of harm when they are used some days but not every day." Here is a useful resource from the U.S. Surgeon General and the Center for Disease Control with more information about e-cigs and how to prevent youth use.

Lynn W. Camara, MA, MA
she/her/hers (learn more?)

Student Assistance Program (SAP) Counselor

Hinesburg Community School Tuesday & Thursday 802-482-6248

Williston Central School Monday, Wednesday & Friday 802-871-6162

My name is Abby Niquette and I am an eighth-grader on Harbor house in Mrs. Griffin's core. For my eighth grade challenge, I am fundraising for the Vermont Children's Hospital. I have collaborated with the local restaurant, Agave, to have a fundraiser day on Thursday, November 14. 10% of profits from the whole day will go to my project, and all of the money I raise goes to the hospital.

Wednesday, November 20, 5:30 pm

Join us for some friendly, creative competition at our student poetry slam! Students in grades K-12 are invited to enter and read up to two original poems per themed category: nature (including animals), short epic (adventure poems), personal (experience or story), and poet’s choice (miscellaneous). Competition will be judged by a panel of local writers with prize winners of different age groups chosen in each category. All poems must be original and each poem may not exceed 3 minutes in length. Free event. Official entry of poems at event. Please pre-register by calling the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library (802-878-4918).

Event is at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, November 20.

The Williston Community Food Shelf is hoping to collect 150 turkeys for our clients for Thanksgiving. Turkey Day this year is on Saturday, November 23, from 8-11 am at the Food Shelf for the collection and distribution of turkeys.

Turkeys can be dropped off at 400 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 130 (down behind the Williston Coffee Shop). Feel free to donate gift cards from local grocery stores, so clients can purchase their own turkeys. Cards can be dropped off, or mailed to the Williston Community Food Shelf at P.O. Box 1605, Williston, VT 05495. Please help us reach our goal of having a turkey for each one of our less fortunate neighbors.

If you have any questions or need more information, contact Ginger Morton, President

Williston Community Food Shelf

mortonkg@comcast.net; 879-4558

Mark your calendars! Families as Partners is having our annual Fall Book Fair at WCS Monday, November 18th through Thursday, November 21st. This will be the first of two fairs, with the Spring Book Fair being held at ABS in the second half of the year. All students at WCS will have a chance to shop the book fair with their classes. ABS students will NOT be bused to WCS this year. Instead on the evening of Wednesday, November 20th we will be holding a special ABS night which will include games and prizes just for coming.

The Fall Book Fair theme is Arctic Adventure! Our fall book fair will be the perfect opportunity to stock up on books for the holidays! Among all of the amazing new releases and favorites, we will have the newly released Diary of a Whimpy Kid Book and will be taking preorders for the new Dog Man book being released in December.

We are looking for parent volunteers to help with set up, during the book fair and clean up. Please sign up at https://signup.com/go/sONzERG if you are interested in helping. Thank you for your support, all profits from the Book Fair go to benefit all of our Williston students at both schools. Hope to see you there!

This year, third graders in the 48 contiguous states have gotten hands-on gardening experience growing colossal cabbages with high hopes to win “best in state” and receive a $1,000 scholarship towards education from Bonnie Plants.

"We're certainly pleased and proud of Nolan Anand, our Vermont State Winner! We are grateful to have the opportunity to provide our youth with this enjoyable and enriching opportunity and engage their interest in the art and joy of gardening”, said Stan Cope, CEO of Bonnie Plants.

Launched nationally in 2002, the program awards a $1,000 scholarship to one student in each participating state. At the end of the season, teachers from each third grade class select the student who has grown the “best” cabbage, based on size and appearance. That student's name is then entered in a statewide drawing. State winners are randomly selected by the office of the Commission of Agriculture, in each of 48 particpating states.

“This unique, innovative program exposes children to agriculture and demonstrates, through hands-on experience, where food comes from. The program also affords our youth with some valuable life lessons in nurture, nature, responsibility, self-confidence and accomplishment”, said Cope.

Intensive Paraprofessional

Williston Central School is looking for a skilled, caring individual to provide intensive support in the areas of multi-layered curriculum or curriculum overlapping, communication, behavior and activities of daily living. Ability to promote child growth and foster independence and a willingness to learn. 6.5 hrs a day for 194 school days. The hourly range is $16.70 - $18.27. Lifting is a requirement. Supporting students on the bus ride to or from school may be required. If interested please email cmorin@cvsdvt.org or apply online: www.schoolspring.com

Full Time Custodial Position (2nd Shift)

Williston Schools has a full time 2nd shift (2:30 pm to 11:00 pm) custodial opening. Great benefits including paid holidays, health insurance options, sick and vacation time.

Contact Lyall Smith with questions. lysmith@cvsdvt.org or 871-6013.

Wed. Nov. 13 / Beginner Band Instrument Pick up / WCS Auditorium / 6:30-8:00 pm

Wed. Nov. 13 / Four Winds Training / WCS Community Rm / 8:30-10:30 am

Wed. Nov. 13 / CY Mentoring Kick off Dinner / 6-8 pm

Thurs. Nov. 14 / FAPAC /WCS Community Rm / 8:15-10 am

Nov. 18-21 / Fall WCS Book Fair

Fri. Nov. 22 / Harmony Breakfast / 7:45-8:30 am

Nov. 25 - 29 / NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break

Fri. Dec. 6 / School Dance / WCS / 6:30-8:30 pm

Wed. Dec. 11 / Four Winds Training / WCS Community Rm / 8:30-10:30 am

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Upcoming Events on the School Web Calendar

• WSD Mobile App Flyer
  
• Williston Facebook Page
• CVSD Facebook Page
• Did you know CVSD has a blog? http://cvsdstory.blogspot.com
  
• CVSD Handbook
• WCS Library Audiobooks
• Bus Information

Allen Brook School and Williston Central School

Email: cpavlik@cvsdvt.org
Website: https://www.cvsdvt.org
Location: 195 Central School Drive, Williston
Phone: (802) 878-2762
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Williston-School-District-1483758238612170/timeline/
Twitter: @wsdvt