GES Weekly

August 18, 2022

Dear Grafton Elementary School Families,

It is that time of year again where we welcome you all back to begin another exciting school year! It is a privilege to be able to be part of such a wonderful and supportive community in Grafton and Athens. Your children bring such joy and positive energy to our school building each day and we cannot wait to get them in our doors.

We have new staff joining us this year! Please join me in welcoming the following staff to our community: Adam Altshuler, PE teacher and Restorative Practices Teacher, Sarah Pogue, Librarian, Jennifer Garretson, Music, Vanessa Stern, 3/4 teacher and Kristie Lisai, 5/6 teacher and Elizabeth Hickin, kindergarten teacher. Our school is so fortunate to have these wonderful educators joining our team!

A very special thank you to Gary and Bob for getting our school in tip top shape this summer for our staff and students. Among many projects this summer, the floors are sparkling bright and the paint is fresh and new. Teachers and staff have hard worked these past two weeks to create learning spaces conducive to learning and engagement. GES teachers and staff are dedicated to providing the best learning opportunities that we can and your children are lucky to have each one of them.

Grafton Elementary School is a special place to learn and grow. We practice kindness, perseverance and community each day that we are here. Staff works towards making sure our students understand their value, know they are accepted for who they are and that school is a safe and happy place to be. At GES, we value mistakes and see them as opportunities for learning.

Please know that my door is always open. Reach out to me if you have thoughts, concerns or suggestions either via email or by phone. I encourage you to join me at my monthly “Coffee with the Principal” event here at GES. I look forward to continuing to support GES and the Grafton and Athens community in a happy, productive and collaborative year!

Most sincerely,

Angela Cartier

Principal

In no particular order, here they are!

Bob Robillard - Custodian
Lori McDermid - Food Services
Stephanie Green - Occupational Therapy
Sarah Noble - Administrative Assistant
Scott Febbie - Art teacher
Cheryl Gay-Sherwin - Speech and Language
Erin Shaw - paraprofessional
Laura Vogell - 1/2 teacher
Desi Wilbur - Nurse
Elaine Kraiger - Math Interventionist
Gary DeRosia - Custodian
Marjie Ottenbreit - Special Education Teacher
Bonnie Miller - Physical Therapy
Doug Francis - Clinician

2022‐2023 SCHOOL YEAR

Questions about bussing? Email Renee Prue, Transportation Manager at renee.prue@wnesu.com

W3 Randy

Bus will pick up Middle and High School students at Eastman Road at 6:50am, then will stop at Fisher Hill and go to upper Athens road to 384 at 7:10 then go to Meeting House road at 7:15, then proceed to CIC in Cambridgeport and meet bus W6. High school and middle school students will get off bus #6 and get on bus W3. Bus will then leave CIC at 7:20 go to Saxtons river picking up high school and middle school along the way, then stopping in Saxtons River picking up students across from the store Then proceeding to Bellows Falls picking up students along the way.

W14 Kyle

Bus W14 will leave BFUHS at 6:30 and will go to Athens, will start picking up elementary, middle and high school students at 6:55 am on the lower road turn on to Valley Cemetery Road picking up Elementary, high school and middle school students. The bus will then proceed to the CIC building in Cambridgeport. High School and Middle School students from Grafton will get off bus W14 and get on bus #3. At 7:20a.m. bus W14 will proceed back to Grafton stopping at Fisher Hill and then to Eastman road and then to Townsend road turning around at Wright farm. Then going to the Grafton school arriving at 7:50 am. Bus then will go back to Cambridgeport and pick up students going to the Saxtons River School.

ATHENS AFTERNOON RUN W16

In the afternoon the bus will start at the Grafton School at 3PM, go down Route 121 to Cambridgeport at CIC meeting bus W3 taking High School and Middle School students and then going to the lower road in Athens dropping off students along the way. The bus will then go back to the Grafton School for the late run at 4:15. Grafton School for the late run at 4:15 .

Thursday, 8/25 from 2-3pm - Meet the Staff

Wednesday, 8/31 - First Day of School

Monday, 9/5 - No School, Labor Day

Tuesday, 9/6 - Flapjack Welcome Back (see flyer for times)

Wednesday, 9/14; Half Day - 11:45 dismissal

Wednesday, 9/14 PTO Meeting at 6pm

Thursday, 9/15 - Open House from 5-6pm

Our annual Open House will take place on Thursday, September 15th from 5-6pm.

• Visit your child's classroom
• Tour the building
• Connect with staff and families

• 8/31, 9/1 and 9/2 are half days for K students
• Dismissal will be at 11:30 for K students
• Breakfast and lunch will be served these 3 days

Arrival

• Arrival begins at 7:45
• Families drop their students off at the bottom of the driveway - Nurse Desi and Mrs. Cartier will be there to welcome students
• Our school day begins at 8am

Dismissal

• Dismissal begins at 3pm
• Students will be dismissed at the bottom of the driveway
• Cars should line the right side of the road with the first car being at the GES sign
• Once the bus is dismissed, car pick ups will be called two by two at the orange cones

Beginning the week of September 12th, our After School program will run from 3:00-5pm for students in grades 1-6. Kindergarten students are welcome to join our programming in January. All registration paperwork will be available electronically in the first weeks of school.

As soon as staffing is determined, we will communicate how many days a week the program will be offered.

Email: angela.cartier@wnesu.com
Website: https://ges.wnesu.org/
Location: 58 School Street, Grafton, VT, USA
Phone: 802-843-2495
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GESVermont