THE SCHOOL BELL
April 16,2014
Williston,
www.wsdvt.org
878-2762 (both schools)
St George School Board
Kelly Sayre
482-2044
Kelly Bowen
657-3935
ict
Will
is Williston Central School
s tr
chool D
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n
toAllen Brook School i
Williston School Board
Kevin Mara879-8122
Deb Baker Moody 879-0429
Josh Diamond
878-1989
Giovanna Boggero578-4621
Kevin Brochu 879-2983
WSDSchoolboard @cssu.org
Vermont
ABS Office: 871-6200; WCS Office: 871-6100
Caring teachers engaging students in meaningful learning
UPCOMING
4/16 Dialogue Night
6–8 pm, WCS Dining Room
4/16 Ski /Ride Equipment Return
A Message from the Administration
by Walter Nardelli
Technology Integration in the Williston Schools
This year the administrators in CSSU schools have been reviewing the current
use of technology as an instructional tool with the assistance of consultants from
the University of Vermont. The following is an excerpt from the work being done
4/17 FAPAC, WCS
that speaks directly about the Williston Schools.
8:15 am
4/17 Horizon Reading Restaurant From our discussions with administrators, educators, and staff across the supervisory union, it is evident that when administrators have a clear vision of the role
6–6:45 pm / 7–7:45 pm
and importance of educational technology that more attention, time, energy, and
4/18 Sterling Open House
resources are the result.
7:30–8:30 am (Integrated Unit Breakfast)
An example of this may be found at the Williston School District, where the prin4/21–4/25 NO SCHOOL
cipal is someone who feels strongly about employing technology to create a 21st
5/5-22 NECAP Test Window, gr. 4, 8 century learning environment. At Williston, vision is put into action by providing
enough computing devices and web-based services to meet the needs of all grade
5/9 Beauty & the Beast Play
levels. Funding is available to provide teachers, staff, and students with the sup7 pm, WCS Auditorium
port they need to be successful. One full-time information technology specialist,
5/10 Beauty & the Beast Play
two technology support assistants, as well as network and technical support posi1 pm & 7 pm, WCS Auditorium,
tions work cohesively to create the human and technical infrastructure in support
5/13 FAP Appreciation Breakfast of the instructional program. Williston School District teachers are asked annually to develop strategies to address 21st century and NET-S goals. Last year and
7 am–9 am, WCS & ABS
this year, for example, all WSD teachers have adopted a goal to increase com5/14 WSD School Board Meeting munication and collaboration, both within and outside the school. The academic
CVUHS, 7–9 pm
schedule ensures that students receive lessons in keyboarding, using electronic
5/15 ABS Art Show; 6:15–8 pm
resources, conducting research, work processing, and digital citizenship. Students at WSD are therefore more likely to have similar experiences in acquiring
5/16 WCS Dance, gr. 5–8
technology literacy skills. The principal meets weekly with the IT specialist to
6:30–8:30 pm
review progress and to discuss ways to increase teacher and student proficien5/17 Williston Fun Run
cies. Seven faculty meetings a year are devoted to technology-related topics and
10 am–noon
interests, and professional development opportunities which provide computing
Placement Input for grades
devices to teachers so they can learn how to use them well are offered during the
summer. Teachers at WSD understand expectations about the use and applicaKindergarten, 2, and 4 is due
tion of technology and are held accountable to meet these expectations. When
Friday, April 18. Input forms can be
the vision is clear and leaders communicate plans and expectations and provide
completed online (http://tinyurl.com/
adequate resources and infrastructure, conditions for success are in place.
l25ggvy). Hard copies are available in
the school offices.
6:30–7:30, WCS
No School April 21-25. Enjoy the Break!
WSD Health Offices
WCS 871-6171, 871-6170
Lisa LePrevost, RN, Sue Leister, RN,
Carol Albertelli, RN;
ABS 871-6248 Sylvia Love, RN
WITH THE WARMTH,
COME THE TICKS...
The good news is the snow and cold are gone (we hope).
The bad news is the ticks are here!
FOUR WINDS LESSONS are designed to get your children outside to learn about the natural world. In order to
keep them as protected as possible, please make sure they
are wearing closed shoes (i.e. sneakers), socks, and preferably long pants on their Four Winds lesson days.
Save the date…
‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’
Williston schools night at the
Vermont Lake Monsters game
is Sunday, June 29
Kick off your summer with friends, classmates and Champ !
$6 tickets go on sale May 5.
More info after April break…
Questions…contact Pam [email protected]
We have seen children in the past with ticks from being
outside. Not all ticks carry Lyme Disease, but it is becoming more prevalent here in Vermont and always a concern.
We do not have tick spray here at school. If your child’s
teacher is agreeable to applying the spray, you may want
to send some in with your child.
You can go to http://www.cdc.gov and the http://www.
healthvermont.gov websites for information and guidance
about preventing ticks and what is safe for your child.
Thank you so much!
Sylvia Love, RN
Allen Brook Nurse
Julia Nesbit
Four Winds Coordinator
PLEASE KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME
FOR 24 HOURS AFTER AN ILLNESS!!!
The Health Office Staff at WCS & ABS recommend
that your child stays home for 24 hours after an illness.
Students should be fever free for 24 hours as well. If
your child vomited or had diarrhea prior to the start of
the school day, they should not come to school! If we
send your child home from school vomiting, they should
not return to school the next day. Usually, kids who have
been vomiting and/or had diarrhea, need a day home
to rest, rehydrate, and slowly start eating solid food. If
your child has a continuous runny nose you may want to
keep them home for a day as well. Please have your child
wash hands often, especially before eating!
The Health Office staff understands this can be a hardship on families. Please plan ahead for an unexpected
illness. Working out a “Plan B” can relieve the stress associated with an ill child. Most often, a child who comes
to school not feeling well comes to the Health Office
needing to go home. This can be stressful for a parent as
well.
Dress Code
School dress must be appropriate and non-disruptive to the educational process. Articles of clothing
(including hats and backpacks) that advertise alcohol or
tobacco products, are sexually suggestive or obscene,
are not allowed.
The following articles of clothing are deemed
disruptive or offensive: halter tops, short-shorts, micromini skirts, spaghetti straps and clothing which bare
midriffs, shoulders and underwear (bras and boxer
shorts).
If a student comes to school with inappropriate
dress, s/he will be asked to change into appropriate attire (provided by the student or brought in from home).
This dress code applies to all students K–8.
Please help us maintain a positive learning environment by making sure students are dressed appropriately.
Spare Clothing Needed at School
Please be sure to send in spare clothing that can be
kept at school for children who frequently need a change
of clothes. Sometimes kids get wet or muddy on the
playground, spill milk on themselves, or have other accidents. The school nurses do not keep clothing on hand to
lend to students, so every family must supply their own.
5K Run/Walk & Kids Fun Run
Saturday May 17, 2014
10:00 AM - Community Park
Organized by FAP
100% of the proceeds support Williston
students & teachers
Two easy ways to REGISTER:
• Online at www.willistonruns.org
or
• Complete a paper form and return it to either ABS or WCS front office
(paper forms available at both schools or download and print from the website)
First 100 to register receive a FREE lunch afterwards compliments of Texas Roadhouse
Register by May 9th and you are automatically entered into the Grand Prize Raffle
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Scheer & Hickey, CPA’s
State Farm – Anthony Murphy, Agent
Engineering Ventures
The Francisco Family
Vermont Butcher Block
Curtis LaCrosse
Ameriprise Financial – Russell, Blanchard & Dubois
Champlain Orthodontics
Vermont Mechanical
River Cove Animal Hospital
Distler’s Pretzels
Fleet Feet Sports
For more information please contact Sue Scheer at [email protected]
Big Basket Raffle Raises a Record $9,700!
THANK YOU to all those who attended the Big Basket Raffle. Your support helped to raise a
record $9,700 for our student. It is with the support of the entire community, including the 95
local merchants and our families who generously donated merchandise to fill the baskets, that
this event is a continuing success and our children the ultimate winners.
Special thanks goes to the army of volunteers that gave their time
for this event:
Organizing Committee: Karen Maklad, Carrie Murray, Laura McClure,
Lyn Porter, Wendy Ruggles, Stephanie Sumner, Debbie Underhill,
Shani Varricchione, Lisa Wong, Karen Wyman, Paula LaBlanc, Dana Hark
and Liz Neeld
Basket Packers/Wrappers/Movers/ Ticket Sellers etc.: Kim Antonioli,
Donna Powers, Kim Richburg, Amy Armstrong, Pam Niarchos,
Kelly DeSantos, Danielle Clos, Therese Schroeder, Grant Schroeder,
Katie Schroeder, Lilly Schroeder, Derrik Morin, Jamie Vaughn and the
numerous bakers who provided our refreshments.
Announcers: Jackie Parks and John Terko
Behind the Scenes Support: John Lentine, Sue Williams and Bob Pattison
WCS Dialogue Night
Co-Sponsored by FAP
Wednesday April 16th
6PM - 7:45PM
WCS Dining Room
What percentage..….
According to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey
(YRBS), given to WCS 6-8th grade students in
2013, what percentage of students reported “ate
breakfast on all of the past 7 days”?
a. 95%
b. 81%
c. 67%
d. 33%
For the answers to this and many other questions
including….
dieting, body image, access to cigarettes,
mean behaviors, perceptions of dangers of
drugs and alcohol and other behaviors,
come to the annual WCS Dialogue Night.
VKAT students will share their assessment of the
YRBS data for our school. Parents and students
will then dialogue in small groups and can decide
as a table what topic they would like to discuss for
the “dialogue”.
SAVE THE DATE!
Sunday, May 11, 12pm – 4pm
“Wings of Clay” Bird Ornaments Exhibit:
Opening Reception
Join us to celebrate original ceramic bird art by students
of Williston Central School! All visitors are welcome
to explore details about the birds, admire the art, and
support art for all ages. This art project has combined
science, literature, and art in an effort to make a special
connection between our students and their community. The Mother’s Day event will be a great way for everyone
to spend time together in our beautiful, natural surroundings and learn more about the birds found in our
area.
Ornaments will be for sale ($5 or donation) as part of
our Bridges to Birds fundraising; these delightful pieces
will contribute directly to the VT Bird Museum’s walkway and “treehouse” space. Information about these
projects will be available at our Mother’s Day reception.
Thanks to ALL WCS 3rd and 4th graders, their teachers,
and The Vermont Bird museum for being a part of this
integrated learning experience!
To help parents and their children feel comfortable
talking about adolescent issues, they will be seated
at different tables.
6PM - 7:45PM WCS Dining Room (Pizza will be
served from 6-6:15PM).
If joining for the free pizza, please RSVP to Sarah
Klionsky, SAP Counselor, [email protected] with
the number of adults and children in grades 5-8
who will be attending!
More information can be found on the VT Bird Museum‘s
website or Mrs. Baker’s blog (http://mrsbakersartroom.
blogspot.com/)
FAP Wants Your Input!
The FAP Advisory Council
would like to hear from you about
programs you would like to see
offered, how you would like our
resources spent, how to best communicate with you and more. Please click here
to complete a short survey. We are committed to
promoting children’s health, well-being, and educational success through strong and active parent,
family, and community involvement. Your feedback
is essential to this process. Thank you for taking the
time to complete this survey.
Eighth Grade Challenge Projects
Pennies for Patients
Leukemia Fundraiser
My name is Kevin Veronneau and I am an 8th Grader
from Harbor. For my 8th grade challenge I am raising
change to donate to kids with leukemia through Pennies for Patients. I decided to do this because I have a
cousin who had leukemia. I will be placing collection
boxes in the front offices of WCS and ABS, as well as
in all WCS houses where students can donate change.
The fundraiser will take place April 7th until April 18th.
Could you please send in some change with your children? Thank you for your support!
Ski Program Equipment Return
Wednesday, April 16th, 2014
6:30pm – 7:30pm at Williston Central School.
Thursday Spark Academy
We are excited to offer your child an opportunity to participate in the Thursday Spark Academy, an after-school
applied learning program for students in grades 5–8.
Sessions will run for 5 weeks from 3:00 p.m - 4:30 p.m.
with our next and last session starting May 1st and running through the 29th of May. The after-school bus will
provide transportation home for our students.
If you signed up your child for the previous Spark session, please register her/him again for this upcoming
one! Students should sign up for each Spark Thursday
session as it is scheduled!
Students will have the opportunity to participate in a
variety of activities such as: studio art, fly fishing, arts
and crafts, creative cooking, gaming and coding with
technology, woodworking, hula hooping, knitting and
outdoor activities.
In order to take full advantage of this learning opportunity, students will need to make a commitment to attend
all five Thursdays. The dates of the session are: May
1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th. Students will be selected on a
first come first serve basis. If a student has an unexcused
absence from a class, we will ask that he/she no longer
attend the session, as there are other students who want
to participate.
Please access the link to the sign-up form below by April
29th: http://tinyurl.com/wcsspark
Thank you,
Joan Beato and Kathy Rossier
[email protected] [email protected]
Clothing Drive
Hello my name is Alyse Fife. I am an eighth grader
in Swift House. For my Eighth Grade Challenge I am
studying Fashion in the 20th Century. For my community connection I am having a clothing drive to support
the Winooski School District. Please consider donating
any clothing items you may have available! The kick
off for the clothing drive will be held at the Big Basket
Raffle, on April 12th. In addition to the Big Basket Raffle collection, there will be boxes in each house’s kiva,
along with a box at WCS’s front office to collect clothing items. All clothing sizes are welcome. The clothing
drive will run through May 16th. Please join me in this
wonderful and important cause. Sincerely, Alyse Fife!
Humane Society Towel/Blanket Drive
My name is Jack Tenda. For my 8th Grade Challenge
I am volunteering at the Humane Society. They are in
need of new or used towels or blankets. The bedding
is changed and washed daily and it is helpful that they
have replacements for the animals when the other bedding is too worn. If you can, please make a donation.
There will be a TOWEL AND BLANKET DRIVE box
in the WCS front office.
Substitute Custodian Needed
No experience necessary, training provided.
Must have scheduling flexibility. Criminal record
check required. Please contact John Terko at 8716202 or [email protected].
Your Child’s Class Needs YOU…as a
Four Winds Volunteer!
Four Winds is a monthly parent-led program designed
to give K-4 students an opportunity to study nature in and
around their school. Students love this program, and it is
a unique and positive opportunity to be involved in your
child's classroom.
The topic for this year is “Patterns in Nature”. We will
investigate insects, leaves, snowflakes, frogs, tracks and
more to investigate patterns. Using prepared materials,
parents present information and guide the children through
hands-on activities.
The programs run about 45-60 minutes in
Kindergarten and up to 90 minutes for 1st through 4th
grades. Monthly training sessions are held from 8:30 to
10:30 am on the second Wednesday of each month at
WCS. If you are unable to attend the training sessions,
there is a Four Winds blog where a recording of the
training is posted along with written materials that parents
can use to prepare.
If you are interested in volunteering, would like to
observe a classroom lesson or training session before
the end of the school year, or have questions, please
contact the Williston Schools Four Winds Coordinator:
Julia Nesbit (878-8520) [email protected] or
[email protected]
Beauty and the Beast Tickets
The Williston Central School Drama Club is excited to
present “Beauty and the Beast” as our spring musical this
year. Community members can purchase tickets two
ways this year; online or by sending in the form below.
Online Ticketing:
Online ticketing will allow you to select your own seats
and pay by credit or debit card. There is a $.50 per ticket
fee for this service. To purchase tickets online please
click “Purchase Tickets” on our website at the following
link: http://www.wsdvt.org/Page/929 You will receive an
email with your seats, which will serve as your tickets. We
will have record of the seats you purchased.
Form Ticketing:
If you would like to save the $.50 per ticket fee, please fill
in the form below, and send it to:
Williston Central School Drama Club
195 Central School Drive
Williston, Vermont 05495
Keep Kids Tick-Free
During Four Winds
FOUR WINDS LESSONS are designed to get your
children outside to learn about the natural world. In
order to keep them as protected as possible, please make
sure they are wearing closed shoes (i.e. sneakers), socks,
and preferably long pants on their Four Winds lesson
days.
We have seen children in the past with ticks from being outside. Not all ticks carry Lyme Disease, but it is
becoming more prevalent here in Vermont and is always
a concern.
We do not have tick spray here at school. If your child’s
teacher is agreeable to applying the spray, you may
want to send some in with your child.
You can go to http://www.cdc.gov and the http://www.
healthvermont.gov websites for information and guidance about preventing ticks and what is safe for your
child.
Thank you so much!
You will receive an email with your seat numbers, which
will serve as your tickets. This will arrive as soon as it is
processed.
Please email Julie Longchamp with any questions at
[email protected]. We hope this online experience is
one you enjoy.
Name___________________________________
Email___________________________
Phone #_________________________________
Performance
Friday, May 9th @ 7 p.m.
# of
Tickets
Cost Per
Ticket
$8.00
Saturday, My 10th @ 1 p.m.
$5.00
Saturday, May 10 @ 7
$8.00
th
Total
Cost
Total
We will select the best available seats for each performance. Please note any special requests below and we
will do our best to accommodate.
Year
Sale
WCS
k
o
o
b
r
Yea
Sale
2013-2014
Williston Central School
Yearbook Sale
for $30.00
After May 1st $35.00
Order online at www.Jostens.com
Or
Pick up order form from
House TA or WCS front Office
Adams Farm Market Mother’s Day Flower Sale
Proceeds benefit Swift House NYC Field Trip
Order your 10” hanging flower baskets for pick-up at Adams Farm Market between 5/7 and
5/11. You may select from the hundreds of baskets available in solid or a combination of colors. Ivy geraniums are available in a limited supply in red, pink and lavender or special order
color if specified. Payment voucher will be e-mailed and must be presented at pick-up.
Mother’s Day Flower Sale
10” Hanging Flower Basket
(retail value $28.99)
# of each at $24.00
Total
Petunia, Million Bells, Impatients, Verbena, Torenia, Bacopa,
Begonia (solid colors only), Fuschia (red/purple) & more
Ivy Geranium: specify color: red, pink, lavender, other ____
Total Cost of Order:
Make checks payable to WSD (due by 5/4/14)
Name:_______________________________________ Phone:_________________
E-mail:_______________________________________
Please drop off order forms and payment to the ABS or WCS office by 5/4/14
Harbor House Studies
Reproduction and Heredity
In April, Harbor house students have been learning about
reproduction and heredity. After gaining some background
knowledge in the subject, and learning a wealth of related
vocabulary, students participated in a heredity simulation.
In the simulation, students used popsicle sticks to model the
process of combining sperm and egg to create offspring with
certain traits.
Students compared offspring trait results from the
simulation to the expected trait results that they generated
using a Punnett square. One of the easiest ways to calculate
the mathematical probability of inheriting a specific trait
was invented by an early 20th century English geneticist
named Reginald Punnett. His technique employs what we
now call a Punnett square. This is a simple graphical way of
discovering all of the potential combinations
of genotypes that can occur in children, given
the genotypes of their parents. It also shows
us the odds of each of the offspring
genotypes occurring. Learn more about
Punnett squares and genotypes at
http://anthro.palomar.edu.
This hands-on learning experience allowed
students to apply what they had learned about
heredity while considering the experimental
vs. theoretical probability of inheriting a
particular trait.
Did you know…
Heredity is the passing on of characteristics from one generation to the
next. It is the reason why offspring look like their parents. It also explains
why cats always give birth to kittens and never puppies. The process of
heredity occurs among all living things including animals, plants,
bacteria, protists and fungi. The study of heredity is called genetics and
scientists that study heredity are called geneticists.
Through heredity, living things inherit traits from their parents. Traits are physical
characteristics. You resemble your parents because you inherited your hair and skin color, nose
shape, height, and other traits from them.
To read more about genetics and heredity, see http://www.cccoe.net/genetics/heredity.html
Curriculum Corner
Featured this month…
Curricul
um
Corner
SCIENCE HAPPENINGS
Reported by the Enrichment Program
What’s Happening in
Grades 5-8 Science…
Community Bulletin Board
Dorothy Alling Memorial Library Events
*All events are free* www.williston.lib.vt.us 878-4918
Children ages 8 and younger must be accompanied by an adult while at the library.
After-School Movie: Friday, April 18, 3 pm. When Charlie
finds a golden ticket he wins a tour of the ultimate candy
factory in this original version of Roald Dahl’s classic tale.
Rated G. Grades 1 and up. Free popcorn.
Toddler Yoga & Stories: Friday, April 18, 10:15 am. Learn
simple yoga poses and listen to stories with Karen Allen.
Ages 1-5. No pre-registration.
Vacation Week Fairy Stories and Drop-In Craft: Make a
Fairy House: Tuesday, April 22, 11 am: Fairy Stories with
Natasha; 12-2 pm: Fairy Houses: Make a fairy dwelling
using natural materials. All ages. Costumes welcome! Story
Time and Crafts: Tuesdays at 11 am, April 29 & May
6. Preschoolers are introduced to a variety of books and
authors while gaining early literacy skills. Includes a simple
craft activity. For children ages 3-5.
Williston Cub Scout Spring
Registration Night
If you enjoy car races, camping, helping others and
many more fun activities, come join your old friends and
make new ones as a Cub Scout! Boys entering 1st grade in
the fall of 2014 as well as any boys up through 5th grade
are welcome to sign up. If you are interested, come meet
our leaders and learn more about Williston Pack 692 at our
Spring Registration Night. By registering early, you will be
able to attend our family camp-out in June, march in the July
4th parade, and attend our August Bike Rodeo. We hope to
see you there!
Williston Central School Cafeteria
Monday, May 19, 2014, 6:30pm
Call Heather Rogers at 310-6863 for more information.
Easter Parade and Egg Hunt
The Williston-Richmond Rotary club will hold its 16th
annual Bill Mikell Easter Parade and Egg Hunt at the
Williston Central School at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April
19 for children 12 years old and younger. The event will
take place regardless of the weather so children should be
dressed appropriately.
Easter baskets with prizes will be awarded to children
who find specially marked Easter eggs. Other prizes will be
awarded to children wearing costumes or bonnets. Children
should bring their own baskets. Mark your calendar now so
you don’t miss this fun event. For more information contact
Andy Mikell (343.2704 or [email protected]).
Welcome Baby Social: Wed., April 30, 6 pm. Join us for
this free event open to all Williston/St.George residents
with babies born in 2013. Light refreshments & music with
Ellie from Ellie’s Preschool Parties. Pre-register at [email protected]. or contact Danielle at 876-7555.
Food For Thought Teen Group: Thursday, May 1, 4-5
pm. Gr. 7-12 Teen Advisory Group. Teens meet for pizza,
discussion, book/DVD selection, and planning special
events for the library. New members welcome!
Spanish Playgroup: Saturday, May 3, 10:30 am. Spanish rhymes, books, and songs for children birth to age 5.
Includes a craft activity and snack. Music with Constancia
and crafts with Natasha.
DISCOVERING MUSIC CARNIVAL
At the UVM Music Building: try an instrument that
you have always wanted to learn!
APRIL 19th UVM MUSIC BUILDING
12:00pm–5:00pm
Tickets for Sale at Door. Tickets can be used to discover
an instrument, see the performances, purchase
refreshments, and enter the raffle!
People of All Ages and Skill Level Welcome!
FEATURING LIVE MUSIC ALL DAY!
For any questions please email Kyle Washburn at
[email protected]
Trumpet Trombone Bass Drums Violin Sax
Piano Guitar Viola AND MANY MORE…
Spring/ Summer Opportunties
from WSD Staff (see WSD web site)
https://tinyurl.com/lpcd35d
Digital Photography & Scrapbooking (May)
Mystery Science (July)
Sewing (Transforming t-shirts, July),
Repurposed Button Down Shirts, August)
Techkids (July)
Wonder Science (July)
Crafts (June/July/August)
Art Camp (June/July)
To register please contact Williston Town Rec Dept.
http://www.town.williston.vt.us/vertical/sites/%7BF506B13C-605B-4878-806287E5927E49F0%7D/uploads/Guide_Summer_2014.pdf
We offer this space for announcements by local non-profit community groups. Information posted will be of benefit to Williston children and families. Inclusion of events is on a space-available basis; announcements run for limited periods of
time for this reason. Publication of events in this section does not imply school sponsorship or endorsement of them.