Lauren Goracy Named Williston’s Director of Special Education

 

Photo of Lauren thanks to AMV Photography

Lauren Goracy has been appointed Director of Special Education for the Williston Schools, which includes Allen Brook School and Williston Central School. Ms. Goracy will begin her leadership duties on July 1, 2022.

Williston’s Lead Principal, Greg Marino, shared this about Lauren joining the community, “The Williston Schools Leadership team is excited to welcome Lauren to our learning community. Lauren's knowledge of CVSD’s MTSS systems, structures, and current focus areas will help to power ongoing positive momentum. Her fresh and current leadership outlook will be an asset in our quest for continued growth and innovation in the service of student learning.”

Ms. Goracy graduated from the University of Vermont (UVM) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education. She holds a Master of Special Education degree, also from UVM. She is projected to complete a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in School Leadership from Saint Michael’s College in the near future.

Lauren joins the Williston schools after working most recently as a special educator at the Shelburne Community School, also a part of the Champlain Valley School District. In that role, she has supported the summer school program and was a co-director of the Early Childhood Summer Program. Lauren was an intern in the Williston schools when she was working on her degrees.

CVSD’s Director of Student Support Services, Meagan Roy, shared, "Lauren has been a member of the CVSD special education community for several years. Her dedication to our system and her more recent leadership coursework made her a clear choice for the interview committee. We are excited to welcome her to this new role!"

Lauren shared this message with us, “It feels special coming back to Williston Schools where I learned so much from the staff and students. CVSD has always been my home and it is an honor to continue to be part of this amazing community. I look forward to working with students, staff, and parents; it is a privilege to be a part of this innovative teaching team again!”

We look forward to working with Lauren in this role beginning on July 1.

Allen Brook School Student Chosen as the Vermont Winner in Doodle for Google Student Contest

 

A talented Williston, Vermont, student could soon have his art on the Google homepage for hundreds of millions to see. This week, Google announced the 54 State and Territory winners in its 14th annual Doodle for Google competition, a contest where K-12 students across the United States have the opportunity to create their own version of the Google logo inspired by the prompt “I care for myself by....”.

Kyle Adams, a 1st grader from the Allen Brook School in Williston, Vermont, is one of the 54 US State and Territory Winners with his Doodle, “Mind Over Monsters”. Kyle’s Doodle was selected from thousands of entries received this year. Students at the Allen Brook School helped Kyle celebrate during a surprise assembly on May 25.

When Kyle submitted his design, he wrote, “Meditation is a powerful way to manage hard feelings, troubling thoughts, and lets our mind take a needed rest.”

At the celebration, Kyle was presented with a backpack full of goodies including a t-shirt with his design on it, and he received a Google Pixel tablet. The school was presented with a very large replica of Kyle’s design. 

Jessica Wilson

Every year, Williston’s Digital Learning Leader, Jessica Wilson, has encouraged teachers and their students to participate in Google's Doodle contest. Jessica was recognized at the event as well.

To help their favorites succeed, everyone across the USA can vote for their favorite Doodle from the 54 State and Territory Winners. Voting will be open soon on this site: https://doodles.google.com/d4g/. The public vote will determine the Five National Finalists (one in each grade group). Google will announce these five National Finalists in June, one of which will have their Doodle featured on the Google homepage for a day.

The National Winner will take home a $30,000 college scholarship and their school will receive a $50,000 tech package towards the establishment or improvement of a computer lab or technology program.

Voting is open through July 12! Vote for Kyle's design. https://doodles.google.com/d4g/  Be sure to spread the word!

The Adams family

ABS students and staff at the surprise celebration

Kyle with ABS Principal, Angela Filion, and Williston Lead Principal, Greg Marino

Credit for many of these photos goes to Kyle's mom, Jennifer Adams @Studio 2N Photography. Thank you! 

CVSD Response to Texas School Violence

 

May 24, 2022

Dear CVSD Community,

Many elements of this letter come from a well-written statement from the Addison Central School District. Thank you to them for sharing it with us. 

It is with immense sadness that I write to mourn another act of gun violence in our nation’s schools, especially after just acknowledging recent violent acts in our most recent newsletter. Our thoughts are with the parents and community of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. As a native Texan who began my educational career in a district similar to Uvalde, it really pains me to see this happen yet again in schools and in Texas.

As we hold these families in our hearts, it is crucial that we continue the daily work that keeps our students, families, and staff safe and cared for. I want to assure you that we are focused both on our safety systems and on strengthening the relationships and lines of communication that prevent acts of violence.

CVSD’s staff and leaders receive training as recommended by the Vermont School Crisis System, created by the Agency of Education and the Department of Public Safety. We host training and drills at each school to prepare for school crises. Each school has an identified Crisis Team. We have strong working relationships and work actively with emergency responders in all of our district’s towns to support inter-agency leadership in the event of a school crisis. We continue to fund safety improvements to our buildings and utilize safety audits to determine areas for future investment.

In concert with these systems, it is essential that we continue to build a culture where every student feels safe, seen, and understood. We have an incredibly strong group of leaders, educators, counselors, school clinicians, social workers, school nurses, and school psychologists that are providing, every day, critical support for the students in our community.

These events can make us feel helpless and unsure of how to talk to our children. Events such as these provide us the opportunity to talk to them. Help them identify the trusted adults in their life and remind them of the importance of sharing any concerning words or behavior that they see in school, on social media, or elsewhere with you, a teacher, school administrator, or other trusted adult.

It is unfathomable that we have faced so many of these tragedies together. In these moments, I join you first as a parent. It is my sincere hope that we will join together to ensure a safer future for our children.

~ Rene

 

Additional Resources:

• For additional support, visit the National Association of School Psychologists’ guide to talking to children about violence.
• Restoring a Sense of Safety: Tips for Parents and Professionals
• Helping Your Child Cope with Public Tragedy
• First Call 802.488.7777
• Explaining News to Children, Common Sense Media

Emily Cogan Named SCS’s Director of Special Education

 

Emily Cogan has been appointed Director of Special Education for the Shelburne Community School (SCS). Ms. Cogan will begin her leadership duties on July 1, 2022.

SCS co-principal Alison Celmer shared this about Emily joining the community, “I am thrilled to welcome Emily Cogan to the SCS leadership team and our school family. She brings a warmth and friendliness that will help students and families connect with her, a compassionate and supportive approach to coaching faculty and staff, and uses data to inform decisions and problem-solving. She'll be present, approachable, and collaborative - modeling best practices and living her values. We are fortunate to have her perspective and expertise at SCS and CVSD!“

Ms. Cogan graduated from Saint Michael’s College with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, and a Master of Education degree in Special Education. She has almost completed a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership, also from Saint Michael’s College.

Emily comes to CVSD from the Burlington School District where she is a Special Education Coordinator. She was a special educator at BFA Fairfax in the Franklin West Supervisory Union for many years. Since 2014, she was a Chinese Cultural Exchange Program Teacher and Student Service Coordinator with BFA’s partnership with Spiral International, before the program was canceled due to COVID-19. She was also an accessibility coach and special educator in other schools in northern Vermont.

CVSD’s Director of Student Support Services, Meagan Roy, shared, “The SCS committee is thrilled to welcome Emily to their leadership team. Her experience as a special educator, her creativity and commitment to making education more accessible to her students, and her leadership experience as a special education coordinator made her the unanimous choice for the committee.”

Emily summed it up well by sending this message to us, “I am so excited to join the Shelburne and CVSD community. I am passionate about supporting Vermont's educators, students, and families. I know we have a lot of great work to continue and I look forward to joining this fabulous team.”

We are very excited to welcome Emily on July 1.

Erin Gagne Named CVSD’s Director of Early Education

 

Erin Gagne has been appointed Director of Early Education for the Champlain Valley School District (CVSD). Ms. Gagne will begin her leadership duties on July 1, 2022.

The CVSD Early Education Director position is a critical component of our district’s commitment to early education. The Director oversees all aspects of early childhood education, including early childhood special education, Act 166/Universal PreK (and managing the 50 community-based PreK programs that CVSD partners with) and coordinating 0-3 services for young children with special education.

Ms. Gagne graduated from Rivier College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education, Special Education, and Human Development. She earned her Master of Education degree in Intensive Special Education from the University of Vermont. She has almost completed a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from Saint Michael’s College.

Erin joined CVSD last August as an intensive needs special educator and an early education intensive needs coach. Prior to that, she was an early childhood special educator and intensive needs special educator in the Missisquoi Valley School District in Swanton, Vermont.

Upon accepting the position, Ms. Gagne said, ”I’m excited for the opportunity to work with dedicated early childhood educators and with the CVSD leadership team. I look forward to supporting school, family, and community partnerships to promote high-quality, enriching early learning experiences for all children.”

CVSD’s Director of Student Support Services, Meagan Roy, shared, “Erin is uniquely poised to take on this role, as her background in special education incorporates early childhood education and intensive needs education. This will help her support our youngest learners with complex disabilities as well as continue our work in implementing MTSS across the early education system. I could not be more excited to bring her on board in this position!”

We look forward to working with Erin in this role.

Gary Marckres Named CVSD’s Chief Operations Officer

 

Mr. Gerald (Gary) Marckres has been appointed Chief Operations Officer (COO) for the Champlain Valley School District (CVSD). Gary is replacing Jeanne Jensen, who is stepping down as COO to work on special projects for the district. Mr. Marckres will begin his leadership duties on July 1, 2022.

Mr. Mackres comes to CVSD from the South Burlington School District, where he has been the Director of Operations and Financial Management for four years. He also was Chair of the Grand Isle School/Champlain Islands School District’s board of directors for many years. Gary served in the Army National Guard and was Command Sergeant Major, Commandant of the Regional Training Institute, and Operations Lead. He states that “the assignments as Commandant of a regional training and education institute closely correlate to a superintendent role in a public setting. The financial management, accreditation, security, facilities management, food service, and staffing responsibility provided the direct experience which earned me the position I currently hold.” He is a graduate of Post University with a Bachelor of Business Administration.

CVSD’s chief operations officer oversees areas not directly related to academics, including transportation, facilities and grounds, food service, technology, human resources, and finance.

Gary shared this with the district, “I am very excited to join and work with the CVSD leadership team, staff, and students in July! I believe this is a great opportunity to continue my career of service in one of the most respected school districts in Vermont. I am looking forward to getting to know and work with CVSD's dedicated staff and hope that we can continue to advance the work that Jeanne Jensen and her team did so well over the past several years.”

Superintendent Rene Sanchez shared, “Mr. Mackres is a wonderful addition to our leadership team. His previous work in finance and operations in South Burlington will enable him to step into the position and be successful.”

We look forward to welcoming Gary on July 1.

Evan Sivo Named CVSD’s Behavior Systems Director

 

Evan Sivo has been appointed Behavior Systems Director for the Champlain Valley School District (CVSD). Mr. Sivo will begin his leadership duties on July 1, 2022.

The Behavior Systems Director is responsible for overseeing the CVSD ATLAS program (a highly specialized special education program for students with social-emotional disabilities) as well as working with CVSD leaders to provide district-wide leadership in the development of our systems of support for students who struggle with social-emotional learning (SEL). This position will help move forward the work of implementing our SEL systems of support.

Mr. Sivo graduated from Saint Michael’s College with a Bachelor of Arts in History, and a Master of Education degree in Special Education. He earned a post-graduate Certificate of Study in the Florida Institute of Technology’s Behavior Analysis Graduate Certificate program.

Evan joined CVSD in August of 2016 as a special educator at the Hinesburg Community School. He moved to the role of ATLAS Program Coordinator and Behavior Specialist in 2019. Prior to joining CVSD, Evan worked with the Howard Center as a behavior interventionist, a teacher interventionist, and a classroom teacher at the Baird School, where he earned an Excellence in Service Award.

Evan had this to say about assuming this new role in CVSD, “I am excited for the opportunity to examine our Multi-Tiered System of Supports and further the development of SEL. I believe social, emotional, and behavioral well-being is imperative to a student's success and leads to greater academic outcomes.“

CVSD’s Director of Student Support Services, Meagan Roy, shared, “Evan Sivo (the current lead special educator of the ATLAS program), a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and special educator, brings extensive expertise in social-emotional learning and behavioral systems. The committee was most impressed with his firm commitment to ensuring that our classrooms are accessible to all learners. We are excited for Evan to take on this new leadership role.”

We are very excited to welcome Evan on July 1.