CVSD Update

Partners in this effort

We have experienced the return of COVID in our schools and appreciate the support that families have provided. Please remember, we are partners in this endeavor and must work together to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.

Families: Please help keep COVID out of our schools by keeping kids home when they are sick, calling your family doctor, and communicating with your school's health office. Think carefully about choices your family makes at this time to minimize possible exposure or spread of the virus.

Here's a paragraph from the letter that went out to Williston families last night. We hope that everyone can help to do their part.

"We would like to stress that the battle against the spread of this virus must be a community effort. We share in the belief that full-time school is absolutely essential to the welfare of our children, our families, and our community. The school will continue to do whatever it can to slow the spread of the virus and is reviewing its mitigation strategies for possible adjustments. Your efforts as a family are critical as well. Unfortunately, it seems we are back in a time and place in which we once again must scrutinize the decisions we make at home and do our very best to avoid scenarios that increase our risk to our family members of contracting or spreading the virus. This could include skipping a planned concert or event - even if it is outdoors, rethinking that sleepover your child is asking you for, wearing a mask indoors when in public, postponing hosting or attending the birthday party for friends until virus activity substantially decreases, and making sure that all members of your household stay home when they are sick. Here are some additional tips from the VT DOH for reducing the risk of contracting Covid-19. We are in this together and need your help."

In our schools: We will continue to emphasize mitigation efforts to prevent and control the spread in schools. We are wearing masks, washing hands, and staying in our class cohorts. We are looking at enhancements to our efforts, including increasing the spacing between tables in the cafeterias, keeping students in class groups at those tables with assigned seats, and checking on and reviewing bus protocols.

Masking requirement update

On Wednesday, during Governor Scott’s weekly press conference, Secretary of Education Dan French announced that the masking requirement in schools should be in place at least until October 4th. CVSD will assess where we are with positive cases and close contacts around that date and will then determine possible next steps.

Surveillance testing and student vaccination data

To better monitor the path of COVID infections amongst our students, CVSD will participate in Vermont’s surveillance testing program. Our staff is in the process of getting trained, and the state’s surveillance testing contractor, CIC Health, is creating the infrastructure for the delivery of tools and picking up completed tests. To find out some the FAQs regarding Vermont’s surveillance testing program, visit the AOE surveillance testing webpage.

CVSD will begin collecting student vaccination cards and parent-signed attestations within the next few weeks. This is from the School Advisory Memo from August 19, 2021, titled Calculating a School’s Vaccination Rate:

"School district officials are permitted by law to request that parents voluntarily disclose their students’ vaccination status to assist with the implementation of pandemic precautions during the school year. Parents may opt to not disclose this information. If a parent declines to provide vaccination status, their students should be counted as not-vaccinated for purposes of this memo." (Link)

When we have set up our process for collecting this information, we will communicate it with you via school newsletters, social media, and on our website.

This month has been full of wonderful beginnings. It is good to have our students back and welcome so many new educators to our district. Yet, with beginnings also come endings. We are sad to inform you that Liliana Rodriguez has resigned from her position as Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, effective this week. She writes, “COVID continues to change the lives of many across the globe and I am sad to say that my family is no exception. I need to focus on unexpected health concerns and family needs right now.”

We were all just getting to know Lili. Superintendent Sanchez and she have discussed how best to keep the momentum going while we seek a new director. As Lili shared: “I was honored to be chosen for this position, felt so welcomed, and I am sad to leave so abruptly. I wish you all the best as you choose equity and inclusion every day…these words are verbs, requiring action from all of us.”

During Lili’s tenure, her work has guided CVSD to have three main efforts:

1. Conduct an equity audit and look to operationalize recommendations

2. Centralize Bias Incident Reporting and Protocols: building off of the last year’s work of CVU students and DEI coach Bageshree Blasius

3. Implement Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices in our recruiting and retention efforts across the district

In addition to the three main efforts, Superintendent Sanchez states it is the day-to-day recognition that diversity, equity, and inclusion flow through every aspect of a school district. Ranging from curriculum and instruction, budget planning, transportation, facilities, communications, and many other systems, equity must permeate every decision, action, and outcome. So it is critical to build on the momentum started by DEI coaches, the students, the administration, and Lili moving forward.

CVSD will begin the process of searching for a new director as soon as possible. CVSD hopes to have a new Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in place by January.

With school breakfast and lunch free for all students this year you may be wondering why you should bother to apply to the Free and Reduced Meal Program. Here are three really important reasons why.

• The amount of federal funds we receive to support early literacy and math intervention services is based on the percentage of students receiving Free and Reduced Meals. If you don’t enroll, these programs will disappear.

• The USDA is implementing a P-EBT (Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer) card program for families whose children are not in school due to school closure or quarantine. The details are being rolled out later in September, but we know that in order to be eligible, your student must be approved for Free or Reduced Meals.

• Later this fall we will be announcing a federal program to provide broadband assistance to CVSD families. This program will help with paying for internet access, provide a new internet hookup, or provide hotspots if necessary. Again, your student must be approved within the Free and Reduced Meal program to be eligible.

• Some folks created their account, but didn't fill out the forms yet. Log in and look on the left for the Forms link. Please fill out all of the forms! It doesn't take long; you know the information needed about your child(ren).
• If you haven't created your portal account yet, please do and then complete the forms.
• Our goal is to have everyone complete these forms by the end of September. SCS set a deadline for this Monday. We'll be watching to see which school will reach 100% first!

It is very important that we have the most current and up-to-date information to support your child and reach you. Thank you for your help. Reach out to your school if you need assistance.

• Through an online input form or Thoughtexchange
• Hosting community forums, in-person or virtual
• Inviting all members of the community to engage in the budget development process by attending budget-related board meetings. (Remember, all board meetings are open to the public.)

What other suggestions might you have to get folks involved in this process? Please send your ideas to cvsdinformation@cvsdvt.org We'll be getting underway soon and welcome your suggestions.

Email: cvsdinformation@cvsdvt.org
Website: https://www.cvsdvt.org/
Location: 5420 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, VT, USA
Phone: (802) 383-1234
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChamplainValleySchoolDistrict
Twitter: @cvsdvt