Local Pediatrician: Stay Strong!

 Dr. Leah Costello, a CVSD parent, local pediatrician, and physician supporting our COVID team, shared the following letter on her networks and with us. This letter was unsolicited. She asked that we pass it along to our families. 

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

On Christmas day my husband, children and I gathered with my parents, who live locally. A week later, on Saturday January 2nd, we all underwent COVID testing as recommended by the Vermont Department of Health. I was impressed to receive our negative results within 36 hours and woke my children on Monday morning to tell them they could go back to school. They were so excited that it felt like Christmas morning again. 

I feel so lucky to live here in Vermont where I continue to feel safe sending my three children to school and childcare. Despite rising numbers of COVID cases our schools and childcares continue to be one of the safest places in our community. Yes, transmission within a school setting has been seen, but it has been minimal and there is little evidence that schools contribute meaningfully to community spread. This is because the safety protocols in place are effective. It is also due to an incredible amount of work on the part of the entire school and childcare administration, teachers and staff. They are burning the midnight oil, and beyond, to keep our children safe. 

If schools and childcare are not the risk then how are children getting COVID? Many pediatric cases are acquired from infected adults in the home. Other known risks are family gatherings, travel out of state, sleepovers, birthday parties and indoor playdates. We feel safe with people we know, we take off our masks and let down our guard. Knowing this risk we must limit these activities to protect ourselves and protect those educating and caring for our children. 

There is hope on the pandemic horizon. There are two vaccines available that are safe and effective. As a physician, I feel grateful to have been vaccinated and I desperately want everyone to have access to the COVID vaccine as soon as possible, though the supply of vaccine is limited at this time. Vermont has announced the decision to distribute COVID vaccine based on age groupings and I can imagine this was devastating news to those working in schools and childcare centers. The American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter is actively advocating that school and childcare staff be prioritized for the vaccine and we will continue to do this advocacy. 

At this time of intense COVID fatigue, we must continue to make sacrifices to protect our community until the vaccine is available to all. Continue to wear your mask, socially distance, and avoid crowded places. If you gather with anyone out of your household, travel out of state, or have any symptoms of COVID, please stay home and arrange testing. If you or your family member gets COVID please follow the Vermont Department of Health testing and quarantine guidelines to reduce its transmission. We must continue to do our part to prevent the spread of this disease. Our community, schools, childcare centers and children are counting on you. We’ve got this. 

Thank you, 

Leah Costello, MD FAAP 

Timber Lane Pediatrics

Educators Are Darn Tough

A Williston family dropped off many pairs of Darn Tough socks for adults who work in the Williston schools today with this note:

"We are nearly a year into the pandemic and you all are still persevering and doing the most important job of all - providing and facilitating an education for our next generation. But for the collective commitment to the children of Williston, we parents would be left to fend for ourselves. We've all seen the memes to know where this would land us in 20 years!

As a small show of appreciation and support, we would like to gift each of you a pair of Darn Tough socks. It is our hope that these socks will provide a similar level of comfort & warmth to your feet that you all have brought to our kids' lives during these uncertain times. A mere thank you doesn’t seem enough compared to all the effort you’ve put into teaching, cleaning, providing social/emotional support, and all the other large and small tasks in between. We hope you all know how valued you are in our community."

Thank you!

Handmade Student Desks Available

 

Do you have or know of a child that would benefit from a new desk? Perhaps this will help them when working remotely? 

A group of seniors at Wake Robin are making desks for this purpose. They are offering them for free to students who might benefit from a new desk. 

To get a desk for your child or to help a child you know, call 802-345-1452 and speak with Wendy. 

CVSD Superintendent Search Input Sessions

The CVSD community may recall from the announcement last summer that Superintendent Elaine Pinckney is retiring at the end of June. The search process for a new superintendent is underway and the Champlain Valley School District’s Board of Directors welcomes the community’s input. 

As part of the superintendent search process, the School Board is interested in seeking input from parents and the community in regard to the attributes of the community and school, the issues the new superintendent will face, and what qualities stakeholders would like to see in our new superintendent.

Zoom meetings for the CVSD Community will be held with the Superintendent Search consultant on these dates:

• January 26 7:00-8:00pm
• January 28 7:00-8:00pm
• January 29 12:00-1:00pm

The information needed to access the Zoom meetings is posted on the District’s website. 

An online survey is available on the District’s website as well. The survey will be open from Saturday, January 23 to Sunday, January 31. The compilation of all comments received will be published soon after the survey closes. 

* There will be separate input meetings for teachers, administrators, support staff, and high school students. 

We thank you so much for your valuable input!

Some Fireside Entertainment

WCS band students, working with band teacher Kim Thompson, have continued to adapt and find new ways to perform remotely. Musicians were empowered to choose, rehearse and record winter songs for the community, families, and friends to enjoy. In the video below, you will hear a variety of musical styles, content, and developmental levels spanning grades 5-8. There are some surprise guest performances from teachers and staff as well. Music is alive and well at Williston Central School!

CVSD Update: December 22, 2020

Dear CVSD Families and Friends,

In 2020, we took care of our families and each other. We collaborated and made connections in new ways. We adapted to change. We now look to the future and imagine, in a positive light, what 2021 may bring.

Please take a moment to view our latest newsletter. You'll find information about staying healthy and having fun over the break, a new video celebrating 2020, and an updated version of the Health Screener Questions.

You'll also notice a new format. Our hope is that it is more accessible to all viewers in our community. if you would like it translated or more easily accessible for reading, see the options on the top right panel.

I wish you a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season and winter break.

Elaine Pinckney,
Superintendent

Congratulations to CVSD Leaders!

The Champlain Valley School District celebrates and benefits from many previous participants in the Snelling Center for Government's Vermont School Leadership Program (VSLP). We are proud to recognize four leaders who recently completed the program under very different circumstances. According to this article in Vermont Digger, this cohort endured unusual challenges. 

The VSLP Class of 2020 experienced many unique elements over the course of the 17-month program. Most notably, the program was interrupted by the COVID-19 shutdown in the spring, but associates soon adapted to new ways of meeting, both in-person and virtually, that allowed momentum to gather over the summer and fall.

The 2020 cohort includes 22 Vermont educators, four of whom are leaders in CVSD:

• Jeff Evans, CVSD's Director of Learning & Innovation
• Alicia Kurth, Director of Special Education, Hinesburg Community School
• Stephanie Sumner, K-4 Co-Principal, Charlotte Central School
• Scott Sivo, Lead Principal, Shelburne Community School

Our district is fortunate to have motivated leaders who strive to learn, enhance their skills, and challenge themselves in order to best support our students.