THE CCS NEWSLETTER
October 2, 2026
CCS Community,
This morning’s Carnation Ceremony was a special reminder of who we are—and who we aim to be—as a community. Our 8th graders welcomed our Kindergarten class with carnations, surrounded by students, staff, and caregivers from both grades.
Family-Teacher Conferences are also upon us. Some teachers have already reached out, and others will soon. These are valuable opportunities to connect about your child’s learning, social experiences, and next steps. Essential Arts teachers are also offering a variety of ways to connect; you’ll find details in this and upcoming October newsletters.
Finally, thank you to our faculty and staff for staying late Tuesday to host such a joyful Open House—and to all the caregivers who came. It was wonderful to see students excitedly sharing their lockers, artwork, writing, and other parts of CCS that matter to them.
All the best,
Tim & Lauren
Tim O’Leary, Principal; toleary@cvsdvt.org
Lauren Goracy, Assistant Principal & Director of Special Services; lgoracy@cvsdvt.org
Lost and Found
Please help us make some reunifications over the next week! Take a look and help these items find their way back home. Anything still in Lost & Found at the end of Friday, October 9 will be donated.
PUP Quick Tips! - Plan Changes & FAQs
As a reminder, we are using PickUp Patrol for ALL student absences, late arrivals, early pickups, leave and return, late bus reservations, and changes to a student’s default dismissal plan.
To report a change to your student’s plan:
Open PickUp Patrol and select the appropriate date.
Click the top section, where your student’s current default plan is listed.
A menu will pop up. Select Plan.
💥You may need to scroll up/down until you see the appropriate option from the drop-down menu.💥
Click on the appropriate option.
Add any helpful details in the More Info section.
Click Submit to save your change.
Once you submit your changes through PickUp Patrol, you don't need to call, leave a message, or email us. This helps us keep all dismissal and attendance information in one place and ensures we have the information we need.
Thank you for your help in using PickUp Patrol consistently
Every Wednesday School Is in Session — Early Dismissal, 1:45
Fri., Oct. 2 — Dance! Grades 6–8, MPR, 6:30–8:30 PM
Wed., Oct. 14 — CCS PTO Back-to-School Potluck, CCS Playground, 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Tues., Oct. 20 — CVSD School Board Meeting, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Fri., Oct. 23 — No School: K-12 Conferences
Wed., Nov 4 - *Newly Scheduled* - Makeup / Retake Picture Day, 8:00 - 9:30 AM
Tue., Nov 10 - No School: Diwali
Wed., Nov 11 - PTO Meeting, CCS Cafeteria, 8:00 - 9:00 AM
Tue., Nov 17 - CVSD School Board Meeting, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Mon., Nov 23 through Fri., Nov 27 - No School: Thanksgiving Break
School Library News
We love a bit of Library Joy! Our library is so much more than a place to find books—it’s a classroom, a space to relax and reset, and a place where connections are made. Recently, classroom teachers brought together our Kindergarten and 8th Grade students to share books with one another, and watching them connect through reading was truly a highlight of the week.
To learn more about our school library program, visit our website!
Essential Arts Conference Times
If the times listed below do not work for you, please email the specific teacher
you would like to meet to suggest / set-up an alternative time.
Nicky Elderton - 5th - 8th Physical Education / Health
Please email nelderton@cvsdvt.org to schedule a video conference or phone call.
Tuesday, October 13th 3:30 - 6:30 PM
Wednesday, October 14th 3:30 - 6:30 PM
Thursday, October 15th 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Steve Flint - STEM and Digital Learning
To schedule a video or in-person conference please email sflint@cvsdvt.org.
Monday, October 19th 3:15 - 6:15 PM
Tuesday, October 20th 3:15 - 6:15 PM
Wednesday, October 21st 4:15 - 5:45 PM
Chris Gribnau - 5-8 Instrumental Music
To schedule a video or in-person conference, please email cgribnau@cvsdvt.org
Monday, October 19 3:15-5:15 PM
Wednesday, October 21 4:15-5:45 PM
Jahida Jorganes - K-4 General Music, 5-8 Chorus
To schedule a video or in-person conference, please email jjorganes@cvsdvt.org
Monday, October 19th 3:15-6:15 PM
Tuesday, October 20th 3:15-6:15 PM
Wednesday, October 21th 4:15-6:15 PM
Matthew Kent - K-4 PE/Wellness
To schedule an in-person, video, or phone conference, please email mkent@cvsdvt.org or call (802) 345-6696.
Monday, October 19th 3:15 - 6:15 PM
Tuesday, October 20th 3:15 - 6:15 PM
Wednesday, October 21st 4:15 - 5:45 PM
Erika Norris - K-8 Art Teacher
To schedule a conference (either virtual or in person) please email enorris@cvsdvt.org.
Monday, October 19th 3:15 - 6:15 PM
Tuesday, October 20th 3:15 - 6:15 PM
Wednesday, October 21st 4:15 - 5:45 PM
Amy Sayre - 5-8 Wellness
To schedule a video conference or phone call, please email asayre@cvsdvt.org
Tuesday, October 13th 3:30 - 6:30 PM
Wednesday, October 14th 3:30 - 6:30 PM
Counselor Connection with Betsy Lloyd
My hope is to connect with families each week through the newsletter to provide information and resources to support kids and families. As always, please reach out if you need anything, have questions, or if I can help in any way.
Resources, Food for thought (and maybe some conversation starters)
Chittenden County Food Resources - list of free food resources throughout Chittenden county, with information about hours, location, accessibility and eligibility requirements.
Good Inside - A great resource for caregivers, for all things related to raising kids. Dr. Becky Kennedy provides amazing resources and tools across many platforms - podcasts, books, social media, an app, plus many more!
4 Scripts for Changing Screen Time Rules - a great resource if you are looking for ways to do this!
What Actually Helps Young People's Mental Health? - building coping skills, not just avoiding stress, is key to fostering long term resilience
Calm and Connected Podcast - This is a great resource on all topics related to children and families. Whatever the age of your child, there are topics to support you - ways for kids and teens to practice coping skills, self regulation and ways to connect, make friends and work on social skills. It will help guide you through all the stages of child development. There are also many resources and tools to dive into as well!
Get in touch with me!
Betsy Lloyd, School Counselor
(802)425-6604
One Hour a Week. Become a Mentor
Connecting Youth at CCS is seeking trusted and caring adults to become youth mentors. If you are interested in being more connected to your community, have one hour a week to give during the school year, and a willingness to show up consistently to get to know a young person, mentoring could be the right fit for you.
For more than 25 years, Connecting Youth Mentoring has brought students and community members together through one of Vermont’s largest school-based mentoring programs. And those connections matter: in MENTOR Vermont’s 2025 survey, 96% of mentees said their mentor makes them feel like they matter, and 96% said having a mentor has made a positive difference in their life.
Mentoring builds belonging, creates connection and strengthens a community. And sometimes the simplest thing is the most impactful: an adult who chooses to show up, listen and be in a young person’s corner.
Could that be you?
Contact CCS Mentoring Coordinator, Jessica Phelan jphelan@cvsdvt.org
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE SMS/TEXT MESSAGES
Please enroll to receive text messages from the district and/or our school. If you haven't done this yet or if you are new to CVSD, follow the easy steps on this flyer. We don't overuse this method of communication, but it is helpful for reminders and quick announcements. Don't miss out!
Ways to Get Involved at CCS
CCS has several opportunities for caregivers and community members to be part of our school community.
- Volunteer at CCS: Please complete the required volunteer forms and return them to Cindy LaWare at any time. Questions? Contact Cindy at 425-2771 or claware@cvsdvt.org.
- Mentor a student: If you are interested in mentoring a student in grades 5–8, please contact Jessica Phelan at jphelan@cvsdvt.org.
- Substitute at CCS: We are always looking for positive, energetic individuals to substitute teach in grades K–8. Please contact Naomi Strada at 425-6600 to learn more. You can also find additional information about substituting on the CVSD website.
October Menu
CCS Caregiver Frequently-Used Resources
CCS Parent-Teacher Organization
Charlotte Community Resources
Tim O'Leary, Principal
Lauren Goracy, Assistant Principal & Director of Special Services
The Newsletter is published every Friday, when school is in session. It is delivered to our families via email, posted on our website, and on Front Porch Forum. A hard copy is available by contacting the school.