Spear’s Store is still open
“One of the things is trying not to worry and to keep a positive spirit when they come into the store. Other than that, I’m washing the door and counter, definitely,” Carrie Spear, owner of Spear’s Store, said.
Ideas on keeping ourselves busy; small businesses are under stress
We interviewed some families, and learned that most kids would rather be at school than at home. For example, 4th grader Parker Trono hasn’t gone anywhere except outside.
CCS and CVSD update
Following is a letter from the Champlain Valley School District. In addition to the broad communication from the district office, Charlotte Central School Co-Principal Jen Roth said in an email, on behalf of the school, which was open March 16 and 17, “Our CCS faculty and staff have done a remarkable job using the precepts of our school to model the calm necessary for our students to feel safe and to carry on with what they know. At a time with many uncertainties, we need to hold onto what we believe.
Armed at the door, but not hired as security: school resource officer monitors town meeting
Recent weeks showed a conflict between the Charlotte Selectboard and the Champlain Valley School District regarding a contract sent to the board earlier this year informing the town that they are responsible for footing the bill for any security the school district hires for election days and town meetings that take place in Charlotte Central School.
CCS students get to take a crack at the bat or the track
After a four-year absence, baseball is back at Charlotte Central School, and a new sport is ready to go: track and field is now one of the school’s middle school spring sports offerings, joining the already-popular March volleyball team.
Greenhouse gas is a problem
Greenhouse gas is a big problem. It causes fires, flooding and the species extinction. Everybody must take part in stopping greenhouse gas. Every single person in this world must take part. The world takes care of us. Now it is our turn to take care of the world.
A-W-E-S-O-M-E
Julia Lollis, winner of this year’s CCS Scripps spelling bee, with co-principals Stephanie Sumner and Jen Roth. Say the word, spell it, then say it again: this is the mantra for all participants in the Charlotte Central School Scripps Spelling Bee.
School board approves budget
At the Champlain Valley School District school board meeting on January 21, the board weighed educational goals, equity concerns, and various budget constraints to approve a budget that will be put in front of the voters on March 2 and 3. Among the educational needs and goals were the immediate needs for a guidance counselor and administrative support at CVU, and the imperative to ensure equity among all schools in their educational offerings and support services. In addition there is an effort to provide more intensive services within the district for students with emotional and behavioral problems. These requests were met by reshuffling of personnel, creatively using grants, and requesting additional personnel.
CCS up for $4.5m investment from CVSD bond
The Champlain Valley School District, of which Charlotte Central School is a part, would receive $4.5 million of the $6 million that’s up for a bond vote in March. On Town Meeting Day, voters in Charlotte, Shelburne, Hinesburg, St. George, and Williston will decide via Australian ballot whether or not the capital improvement project is a go. All five towns need to approve the bond vote in order for it to pass.
CVSD awarded a grant toward the purchase of electric buses
The Champlain Valley School District has been selected to be a partner in the Agency of Natural Resources Electric School and Transit Bus Pilot Program! The announcement reads:
Operations school budget reviewed at December 17 board meeting
The Dec. 17 CVSD School Board meeting focused on the operations budget, the part of the budget that deals with maintenance, food service, transportation and technology services. This side of the budget also includes the management of the capital-needs budget.
Sports Report – Dec. 19, 2019
Both men’s and women’s hockey teams stand at one win, one loss as of last Saturday. In their opening game on Wednesday, the CougarHawk women, a combined team with CVU and Mount Mansfield Union, could not find the net in a 10-0 loss to another combined team, Burlington/Colchester.
CCS robotics team snags Rookie Inspiration Award
Charlotte Central School’s first LEGO robotics team ever came away from the Vermont FIRST LEGO League Vermont State Championships with the Rookie Inspiration Award on Dec. 8 at Norwich University.
Students and community members learn about stormwater
Where does all that water go after it flows into the storm drain or grate near you? Water entering storm drains often flows into nearby wetlands or streams with no treatment of the runoff. If that water has sediment—salt from roads and parking lots, or other pollutants in it—it contaminates Lake Champlain, which can contribute to unhealthy conditions, including toxic cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms and fish die-offs.
Is Elf on the Shelf real?
It’s December, and you wake up to a crisp and snowy day already feeling that exciting tingling that all kids feel when you enter the Christmas month. When you race downstairs you see the Christmas tree and on top of it…an elf!
These are no ordinary elves! They are Elf on the Shelf elves, and to the people who carry out this tradition they are some of the highlights of Christmas.
The rules are simple:
CVSD School Board considers general education budget constraints
The December 3 CVSD Board meeting focused on a discussion of the FY 2021 general instructional budget and the difficulties of aligning board goals and vision with budget realities. Superintendent Elaine Pinckney guided the board through the process of how the budget is developed through planning meetings with principals and building staff.
On a cold, rainy November night, CVU students sleep out to support homeless youth
For about 55 students and a handful of adults at Champlain Valley Union High School, the night of Nov. 21 is one that will likely stay with them for a long time.
Budgeting for special education discussed at November school board meeting
The CVSD Board meeting on Nov. 19 focused on a discussion of special education budgeting and spending estimates for 2021. Director of Student Support Services Meghan Roy and Chief Operating Officer Jeanne Jensen led the discussion on the factors involved in making budgeting decisions.
The s’more diversity
S’mores are a delicious snack that almost everyone loves. They’re so creamy and chocolatey, and everyone wants to have them. S’mores are a gooey sensation that are made out of chocolate, graham crackers, and roasted marshmallow.
CVU’s Grad Challenge both liberates and burdens students
Since 1994, every senior who has graduated from Champlain Valley Union High School has completed a graduation challenge project. The guidelines are very open ended, encouraging creativity and allowing students to do virtually anything they want—all for half of a credit.