NEWS FROM WES

• Monday, March 2: No School, Teacher In-service day
• Tuesday, March 3: No School, Town Meeting Day
• Thursday, March 5: WES PTO Meeting, 4:30pm
• Friday, March 6: Final Ski and Art Runners
• Week of March 9: Report Cards distributed via email
• Tuesday, March 10: 4th-12th grade Band Showcase, high school gym
• Sunday, March 15: School Choice first round applications due
• Tuesday, March 24: 4th grade concert, 6pm, WES gym (snow date 3/31)
• Wednesday, March 25: 5th grade concert, 6pm, WES gym (snow date 4/1)
• Thursday, March 26: 6th grade concert, 6pm, WES gym (snow date 4/2)
• Thursday, April 2 Show Your Stuff Try-Outs, 3-6pm
• Monday, April 6: Show Your Stuff Dress Rehearsal, 3-6pm
• Friday, April 10: Show Your Stuff Performance, mid-afternoon, timing TBD
• Saturday, April 11: PTO Food Sale Fundraiser at Billings Farm Baby Animal Day
• April 13-17: Spring Break, No School
• Wednesday, May 27: May Day Celebration, 10am-11am WES playground (rain date 5/28)

For the complete WES events calendar, click here.

For individual classroom news and events, click here.

For all WCSU school board and committee meetings, click here.

On Wednesday afternoon, February 26, twenty-one students from Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grades met at the Norman Williams Library for the first Book Club of the year. They discussed Ban This Book by Alan Gratz. The multi age group chose to participate in this optional event organized by Jenny Hewitt, fourth grade teacher, Eileen Vaughn, WCSU elementary librarian, and Cory Smith, Abbott Memorial librarian. This is an annual tradition that has its roots dating back to The Pomfret School.

The students and adults bounced ideas back and forth related to the themes of the book, character traits, and author’s craft. There was also a lot of talk about the many surprises and favorite parts. The idea of a book being banned based on one person’s opinion received a lot of attention as well.

The students were very appreciative of the handmade bookmarks that Mrs. Vaughn designed out of old library cards as they were an integral part of the story. They were also delighted by the tasty treat provided by Cory.

The next Book Club discussion will take place in April. Stay tuned for more info!

Billings Farm is offering four 1-week sessions of Junior Farmer Camp this summer. The program accepts participants ages 8-12 (entering grades 3-6) and need-based scholarships are available. More information at this link to Billings Farm Junior Farmer Camp brochure.

The Windsor Central Unified District (WCUD) School Nutrition Program is proud to bring the VeggieVanGo program to the Windsor Central Supervisory Union (WCSU) Campus starting on Thursday, March 5th at 9:15am. VeggieVanGo is a program of the Vermont Foodbank, a non profit organization whose mission is to end hunger in the state of Vermont. Every month, come out to the location listed below to receive a variety of nutritious fruits and vegetables for you and your family.

Where: Woodstock Union Middle School and High School parking lot, at the Union Arena Rink end of parking lot

When: Starting Thursday, March 5th at 9:15am-Once a month, first Thursday of every month

Who: The purpose of the program is to help people who cannot afford to buy enough fruits and vegetables to sustain a healthy lifestyle. No questions asked of income, etc.

Questions: Contact Gretchen Czaja gczaja@wcsu.net, 802-457-1317, 1123 WCUD School Nutrition Program Director or Jessie Carpenter 802-595-9449 jcarpenter@vtfoodbank.org

Upper Valley psychologist Ray Chin, Abby Tassel of WISE, and our own mindfulness coach, Susan Mordacai will be presenting on Tuesday, March 10 from 5:30 to 7:00 at the Hartland Elementary School (97 MartinsvilleRoad, Hartland, VT 05048). Free childcare and free dinner!

Link to more information here!

Our six weeks of school-based winter workshops concluded on Friday, February 14th. There is a Super Hero theme to this final day, so students can bring a costume or cape, for instance, to wear while skiing and riding.

Programming for students enrolled in skating, winter fitness fun, and hands on history has concluded. The bridge builders will continue to work on their constructions at after school times in preparation for the competition this spring. Bridge builders should contact Ms. Gauvin about meeting times.

If you intend to pick up your child early on March 6 please be sure his/her homeroom teacher and the main office are aware in advance.

The following is from the Vermont Agency of Education's weekly field memo dated February 19, 2020, to school administrators:

The Vermont Department of Health is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention in planning for and responding to the novel coronavirus, now called COVID-19. Although the public health threat from COVID-19 is potentially high for countries around the world, there has been no spread in U.S. communities, and there are no cases of people with COVID-19 in Vermont (as of February 27, although there are two suspected cases in New Hampshire that were reported over the weekend).

The risk to Vermonters is low – and there are no special precautions for schools to take at this time. Should the situation in Vermont change, the Health Department will alert schools about specific preparedness and response guidelines to follow. Updated information and resources are available on the Vermont Department of Health's website and the department’s Facebook and Twitter sites. Vermonters can also dial 2-1-1 for information.

Respiratory viruses are common right now, and flu is currently widespread in Vermont. To help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, have your child get a flu shot and help them to wash hands thoroughly and often.

It's that time again...time to get SOAKED!!! Summer SOAK is a four-week program offered on the campus of Woodstock Union Middle/High School. All is possible in this summer enrichment program for students in Grades 1-9.

Experience programs like mountain biking, Two Weeks in the Woods, Jam Band, Harry Potter or even star in a play. Participate in exciting new programs offered this summer such as Wilderness Adventures in Your Own Backyard, Cupcake Challenges, Flying Objects in the Innovation Lab and Creating Music with Computers. Check out the descriptions of all the offerings here.

The day will be divided into two sessions. When registering for the program, students and parents must select by grade which activities they would like to participate in. Enrollment is based on the grade they will enter in the Fall of 2020. If students are not available for the full four weeks, students can still participate in a two week session.

All Registration Forms (Participation form, Medical form, Tuition Subsidy application) are now available for the upcoming 2020 Summer SOAK program! The programs are listed on the website as of March 1 and registration opens March 10.

Visit summersoak.com to print your forms and have them completed to ensure your spot once registration opens! When documents and payment are received, a confirmed copy of your child's schedule for Summer SOAK will be sent via email.

The Windsor Central Modified Unified Union School District (WCMUUSD) began accepting FY21 Elementary School Choice applications for students entering grades K-6 that reside within the district on Monday, February 3, 2020. Deadline for applications is March 15, 2020. More information and online application at https://www.wcsu.net/schoolchoice.

Email: jhansen@wcsu.net
Website: https://www.wesvermont.com/
Location: Woodstock Elementary School, 15 South Street, Woodstock, VT, USA
Phone: 802-457-2522
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wesvt/?ref=bookmarks