Busing and Commuting Construction Update for Next Week

CSD Community, As we shared last week, the Town of Colchester will restart work on the Malletts Bay Sewer Project beginning this coming Monday.  Road Closure Information East Lakeshore Drive between Blakely Road and Williams Road will be closed to all but local and resident traffic, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m. The Town is asking drivers to avoid Bay Road, Williams Road, and East Lakeshore Drive during the construction period. Impact on Traffic All traffic will be rerouted to Blakely Road via the Severance Corners intersection. This will likely cause traffic congestion and delays, even for vehicles and buses that do not go directly through the construction zone.  We will continue to have buses transporting students who live in the Williams Road area. Due to the sharp angle where Williams Road meets Blakley Road, our buses require both lanes to safely make the turn. With increased traffic on Blakley Road, we would greatly appreciate the community’s help in letting our buses through if you see one waiting at the Williams Road intersection. Bus Rider Information Mountain Transit is asking students who ride the bus to follow their “7 and 7” guidelines. This will help account for most traffic delays caused by construction. Be at your bus stop at least 7 minutes before the normal time Be prepared for the bus to arrive up to 7 minutes after their normal time. We have also asked bus drivers to radio in if they are significantly delayed, and we will send a message through ParentSquare to notify families. Specific Message for Roads Near and Around: Bay Road, East Lakeshore Drive, South Bay Circle, and Williams Road Mountain Transit has made minor changes to its routes to avoid the construction zone. No major bus schedule changes are planned, but your bus may arrive from a different direction than usual. The main construction area will be on East Lakeshore Drive between Bayside and South Bay Circle. The Town has confirmed that buses will be able to access East Lakeshore Drive and South Bay Circle for the duration of this construction period. More Information To learn more about the project and the detour, visit the town’s website, where you can also sign up for email updates.  We will closely monitor how things go next week and again after April break. We will adjust plans if needed. Thank you for your patience and support! Colchester School District

Thursday, Apr 10 2025

Important Traffic and Busing Update

CSD Community, The Town of Colchester will resume work on the Malletts Bay Sewer Project starting Monday, April 14. Construction will focus on  East Lakeshore Drive , with additional work continuing on  Blakely Road . From  April 14 to mid-July, East Lakeshore Drive between Blakely Road and Williams Road will be closed  to all but local and resident traffic,  Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m.  The Town is asking drivers not to use Bay Road, Williams Road, or East Lakeshore Drive during the construction period. This construction and the planned detour will likely cause  traffic congestion and delays   for both cars and buses,  even those that do not pass directly through the work zone.  The Colchester School District is working with Mountain Transit to determine if any bus route adjustments are needed, particularly for buses that serve students in the construction and detour zones.  If any permanent changes are necessary, families will be notified next week.  For more details on the  project and the detour, visit the town’s website , where you can also  sign up for email updates .  Additionally, construction has started back up on  Main Street in Winooski  and  Exit 17 , both of which may further impact bus routes and travel times. We are actively planning for these disruptions, but as we’ve all experienced, conditions can change day-to-day. Thank you for your patience and understanding, Colchester School District

Friday, Apr 04 2025

The Laker View | April 2025 Edition

Dear CHS Families, Today marks the end of the third marking period and I am excited for everything that comes with the final months of our school year. This is a great time to check in with your student and please don’t hesitate to reach out to teachers if you have any questions or concerns. Over the past month our ninth and eleventh grade students have been taking the annual Vermont Comprehensive Assessment Program (VTCAP). Our 11th graders completed the VTCAP Science in March, and our 9th graders have completed the VTCAP Math, and are starting the VTCAP English Language Arts (ELA) today.  While we have much to be excited about at CHS, I have experienced a pattern over the past couple of weeks that gives me a sense that this has been a tough stretch of time for our school as a whole. Between February and April breaks, and the time change or being between athletic seasons, this time of year can feel long and challenging in schools, especially with state testing added into the mix. It’s important to check in with yourself and each other and to be mindful of this. It is equally important to know that it’s okay to not always feel 100% your best self and that life can bring us challenges. We are resilient and we have the ability to show grit and to grind through things when they are not easy. It is also important to be there for others and to accept help from others, when needed. That type of attitude is what helps make Laker Nation the place we expect it to be.  With that said, it is also important embrace the good stuff when you can, and we have a lot to be excited about this month. Starting this week, we have our Choral concert, Thursday at 7 pm, followed by the Music Department trip  to New York City this weekend, a trip to France over April break, the Colchester Theater Company Spring show, Alice in Wonderland, April 11th to April 13th, and all spring sports (hoping for better spring weather). Good luck to all and thanks to all of our teachers directors coaches, families, and students leading the way! I also want to thank our Band Director, Evan Peltier, for inviting me to the Band concert last week, where I made my conductorial debut as a guest. The concert was awesome, and despite having an amateur conductor, our students set me up for success and were amazing!  I hope everyone has a great finish to the school year, it’s going to be here fast! Best Regards, Andrew Conforti, CHS Principal   Upcoming CHS Calendar - April 1 End Quarter 3 1 School Board Mtg. 7P 2 TL Meeting, 8:42A 2 Start Quarter 4 3 Faculty Meeting, 2:40P 3 Spring Choral Concert 7P 5 ACT Test Date 7 Department Meeting, 2:40P 7 Grades Due by 5P 8 GLA Meeting, 2:40P 9 Early Release 9 TL Meeting,  2:40 (Amber) 11-12 Colchester Theatre Company Spring Play  7P 13 Colchester Theatre Company Spring Play 2P 14 PDC Meeting, 2:40P 15 School Board Mtg. 7P 16 TL Meeting, 9:43A 17 Faculty Meeting, 2:40P 18 SAT Registration Due for May 3 Test 21-25 School Recess 28 Department Meeting, 2:40P 30 TL Meeting,  2:40 (Chad) Happenings Around CHS A reminder that our next early release is Wednesday, April 9th. Students will be dismissed at 12:10 PM. The bus schedule for BTC and CTE students are as follows: BTC will have a normal run in the morning and afternoon. Returning students in the afternoon are responsible for their own transportation home from CHS. CTE will have a normal run in the morning but depart CTE  at 11:45am  to get back in time to transfer to their regular bus at CMS.  If you have any questions, please contact Chad DeMagistris, Assistant Principal, at  Chad.Demagistris@colchestersd.org . LEAVING MY MARK By Trinity McCarthy Since my sophomore year, I have wanted to paint a mural. This process took more than a year. Luckily, working with someone as obliging as CHS principal, Andrew Conforti, the process was enjoyable. And with the help of Jack Robinson and Jack LaChance, we made incredible progress in a short amount of time. Why a mural?: I hated the idea of a white wall. I felt as though our school needed more vibrancy and personality to match the spirit filling the hallways. So with this idea, I drew up many drafts, made multiple presentations and eventually got my final draft approved in the fall of 2024. Due to sports and the busyness of life, I had yet to begin the mural. I promised myself a start date in late December but was asked to go to another meeting to discuss the mural on January, 13, 2025. During the meeting with both Conforti and Gabriela Barnes, we established new hopes for the mural. We wanted to incorporate a way to photograph visiting speakers in front of the mural, include Jennifer Riarden’s message (more on that below), and expand the core values that differentiate Lakers from competing high-school students. With this, I asked for help.  Robinson embodies Laker pride and has many connections to the community, it’s no surprise he offered to help me with the mural. And, one of my classmates had repeatedly shown his ability to create realistic- life like art, so I recruited him to help me as I’m not good at perspective drawing. LaChance made my idea come to life. The three of us worked hard to make this happen over a span of two months.  Riarden was once a CHS student, embodying what being a Laker meant. She unfortunately passed, but thanks to her aunt, her death was extremely impactful on so many lives. And, had a ripple effect on high-schools, especially CHS. Her aunt created a website, handed out teddy-bears, and bracelets to spread Riarden’s message, “Please be kind, loving, caring, and sharing”. To help spread Riarden’s message, we incorporated her words onto ladder rungs to show that by being kind, loving, and caring, you will be a better person. The words were accompanied by our core Laker values, respect, responsibility, and pride. It’s clear they work in tandem. We made sure to use the colors that make up her website (purple and white) in the form of butterflies as they represent personal growth and joy.  Hidden meaning The mural has deeper meanings that may seem superficial at first glance. I’ve decided to highlight some of them: Because of the mural’s location in the senior hallway, I wanted to honor the life we, as Lakers, will live. My vision was to represent the path we will all take in life, though it will vary person to person and Laker to Laker. This is why there isn’t just one road, because not everyone will do the same thing. The flowers that line the bottom of the painted wall capture the beauty along the way as beauty is often shown in the small things and moments. The tall mountains show that while the journey may be a hard climb, the view will always be worth it, hence the colorful sky. I’m also an avid sunset watcher so pulling in the glowing oranges and pinks made it feel more personable to me. The whole mural was based on this idea that all of us will do great things in life. Through every phase of this mural’s life, Noah Kahan’s lyrics were the center. Kahan is a Vermont singer-songwriter who is a two-time Grammy nominee. He is demonstrating that even when you’re from a small town in Vermont, you can be somebody whose name is known worldwide. Following the theme of honoring the different paths in life, I choose to highlight his song,  You’re Gonna Go Far  to tie it all together. Many laughs were shared during the duration of this project. I’m grateful to have been able to create this and leave both a metaphorical and literal mark on the school.  Special Education Department  |   We are so excited for the beginning of our Unified Basketball season!  Students have started practicing and are looking great on the court.  These are amazing games to attend and cheer for your team.  Check out the schedule and come on by! Science Department |   CHS students had an opportunity to learn about brain and nervous system function (and dysfunction) when UVM's Brain Awareness Week team came to visit.   Health Department |  Ann Shangraw from Prevent Child Abuse presented to both the  Health and Life 101  classes. This presentation included awareness of the harmful effects of shaking babies, how to keep toddlers safe, strategies for safe caregiving of babies and toddlers, and safe sleep practices. The presentation was inactive and engaging. Physical Education Department |   The PE department is currently teaching our Personal Fitness and Team Sports Units.  Our goal is to teach students about the many types of fitness and how fitness can support them in their drive for a healthy and active lifestyle.  We then apply what that fitness information as we participate in mini-team sports. A PE class enjoying some floor hockey after learning about the 6 skill related components of fitness. Humanities Department  |  Humanities Teachers Continue to Explore Ways to Promote Growth in Reading Informational Texts Humanities teachers are busying themselves this spring exploring more ways to teach students how to successfully read informational texts.  Since this is one of our year-long goals, teachers took time this winter to share reading data they collected and examine strategies that directly connected to those results.  To provide more direction for data collection and instructional adjustments for the spring, teachers used that information to brainstorm 6 big questions about our informational reading exploration, so far.  These questions gave teachers a framework to focus their work for the remainder of the spring, and have already sent us down new pathways as we uncover new strategies for and systems for developing stronger and more resilient readers.   Math Department |   On Tuesday March 18 th , CHS hosted its annual math meet competition as a part of the Greater Burlington Math League. CHS hosted over a dozen area schools and over 50 mathletes across various districts. CHS in particular shined on the arithmetic test with Dylan Tompkins, Madison Dutton, and Jailee Young - who finished with a perfect paper, all placing among top scorers. On the Algebra and Advanced Math tests, Quang Le led the team while Eli Nutting and Naomi Shpaner also chipped in on the team test. Over the course of the season Quang Le and Aida Russell both took the maximum possible competitive tests at 15. The CHS Math Department would like to thank Ms. Mori for organizing the event with special help judging from several faculty members. Ms. Mori has been a dependable and consistent coach all season while working to prepare our mathletes to compete.  Good work everyone! Art Department |   During the month of April, Students will be finishing up pieces created for our annual Art show in May. Painting Students are working on Amazing Landscape Paintings, which will be in the hall in the next couple of weeks.  Photo students are finishing up their Darkroom printing/35 mm film Camera projects.  During April, photo students will begin the Digital Camera portion of the class.  Pottery Students have just begun their lidded container projects.  Students have come up with great ideas for this project:  Tigger, Eeyore, Dragon, Football, just to name a few.  Pottery 2 students are just beginning their lamp projects, which will be in the Art Show in May.   World Language Department |   Sp 1: students in Spanish 1 are exploring professions and learning about Latinos who have made notable contributions to US society. They are studying the life and work of Jose Hernandez, a Mexican-American astronaut who went to space in 2007 after growing up between Mexico and California as the child of migrant farm workers.  Sp 2: Spanish 2 students are beginning a new unit “En La Universidad” to discuss what classes they take, what languages they speak and what they want to be when they grow up. They are engaging in comprehension activities, both reading and listening and producing their own simple written work. They use authentic resources to study what school systems are like in the Spanish speaking world.   Sp3: Spanish 3 students are reading a novel on the life and career of Felipe Alou, a Dominican baseball player and manager who grew up in the Dominican Republic under the brutal dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. They are making comparisons between presidents and dictators and building on their previous knowledge from their 9th grade humanities course, in target language. In Spanish 5 students will be reading excerpts from the graphic novel  El viaje más caro , (The Most Costly Journey), the Vermont Humanities Council Vermont Reads 2022 selection. French V.  Students are exploring the theme of Personal and Public Identity which includes the following sub-themes:  Alienation and Assimilation, Beliefs and Values, Gender and Sexuality, Language and Identity, Multiculturalism, and Nationalism and Patriotism. S imultaneously, t hey are practicing how to write a persuasive essay. The essay topic is based on three accompanying sources, which present different viewpoints and include print and audio material. Students are asked to clearly indicate their own opinion and use information from all three resources to support their essay. In Intro to Arabic Part 2, we have been working on   writing and pronouncing the letters  ف faa ,   ق    qaaf,  and   ك  Kaaf.  Here is a sample of what students can write and read. S tudents practiced writing their names in calligraphy, using multiple fonts: Music Department |    Were selected to perform in the New England Music Festival Honor Choir and Orchestra in Middletown, CT March 13-15th.   Naomi Shpaner, Claire Sicotte, Rachel Sweeney, Greta Stirling, Remington Hardy, Jonathan Barrows, Ava Burdick, Ian Wirtz and Charlie Blanchard CHS Library |   April is Poetry Month!   Keep an eye out in the library for a variety of ways that you can participate as a reader of poetry and/or as a poet in your own "write" (see what we did there?).  You'll find interactive displays where you can try out different poetry techniques, and of course, many wonderful collections of poetry and novels in verse on display. Don't miss it! Free Food Shelf in the Library Here in the library, we're all about sharing resources.  In that spirit, we've created a new free food shelf.  This shelf is always available and accessible to anyone.  Take what you need.  Leave what you can.  Let's be the kind of community that looks out for one another. Ongoing Displays and Events We love reading! Surprised? Keep up with all of our ongoing reading challenges on the  "Events"  page of our  Library website .  Need more inspiration?  Take a look at some of the student book responses currently on display in our windows.  Get excited about books! Free books! Feeling the need to add to your home library collection?  We've got you covered.  Thanks to the wonderful support of three student library helpers, we're off and running with a big "weeding" project.  Weeding our collection allows us to offer gently used, still lovely, books to our community of readers, while also making space on our shelves for new publications.  Come and check out our free books shelf, and help yourself to as many as you like! As we head into warmer weather, prom and graduation are just around the corner. This also means that it is almost time for our Annual Mock Impairment Crash and Mock Trial school events. Each of these school events have been specifically designed to be developmentally appropriate and intentional learning experiences for our CHS students. On May 16, 2025, CHS will be hosting the two school-wide events that promote making safe and healthy choices. Current 9 th  and 10 th  grade students will attend an engaging presentation on the impact of distracted driving  while 11 th  and 12 th  grade students will experience a Mock Crash. The Mock Trial will be held  in the spring of 2026. The purpose and design of these events is not to shock or traumatized students, but to demonstrate in a realistic way how a community may be impacted by such tragic events. Through the Mock Crash we hope to instill a message to students about making healthy choices and let them know how much their safety and well-being means to us. We want to support their successful growth and transition to life beyond high school, college and future employment. At the close of both these events students will have the opportunity to ask questions and share their thoughts. Please take time to discuss these events with your student(s). They may have new perspectives to share with you.  Here is what students can expect: 9th and 10th Grade: Distracted Driving Presentation Karen Torres, is a dedicated advocate, speaker, and educator in the field of distracted driving. Ms.  Torres  journey began from a profound personal tragedy, which started a passion to effect change in road safety. Witnessing the devastating impact of a distracted driver firsthand, Ms. Torres’ perspective on responsible driving shifted dramatically where she strives to foster accountability and awareness on the  focus of safe driving practices.  11 th  and 12 th  Grade: Mock Crash The Mock Crash is an event that has been staged for more than 15 years at area high schools and around the county. In partnership with the Colchester Police, Colchester Fire Department, Colchester Rescue, and St. Michael’s College Fire and Rescue, we are proud to bring back Mock Crash to Colchester High School.  Lastly, we are aware that these events may bring up issues for students who have been involved in a crash or who are close with someone who has experienced a similar situation. Please be aware that there will be a student support center available during these events. If you or your student have concerns about taking part in either of these events, please contact CHS School Counseling Office (802-264-5713) or Erica LeClair prior to May 16, 2025. We look forward to this event and our hope is to have a safe and wonderful Prom, Graduation, and Summer.   If you have further questions about the pre-prom program, please contact Erica LeClair at  Erica.LeClair@colchestersd.org  or Mark Jacobs at  Mark.Jacobs@colchestersd.org .    From School Counseling Explore Pre-College Programs this Summer at UVM!   Registration for UVM’s Summer Pre-College courses is now open, offering high school students the chance to jumpstart their college experience. Applications for the immersive Summer Academy (2 weeks on campus, 2 weeks online) are also available and due by June 17. Looking ahead, fall courses are now open for preview to help students plan their academic path and fall semester.    Ready to learn more? Don’t miss our informative, virtual info sessions this April, where parents and students can learn more about these opportunities and get their questions answered. Start planning for an exciting and enriching future today with UVM Pre-College today!   Choose from two virtual Summer Pre-College info sessions in April:   Pre-College Programs at UVM Info Session 1: Date:  Wednesday, April 16 Time:  12:30 – 1:00 p.m. ET Register here:   Zoom Registration Link   Pre-College Programs at UVM Info Session 2: Date:  Tuesday, April 29 Time:  7:00 – 7:30 p.m. ET Register here:   Zoom Registration Link Link for graphic:  https://learn.uvm.edu/go/explore-pre-college-vermont-parents/?utm_source=highschool-comms&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PACE_Pre_College If you have any questions or interest, please be sure to reach out to NicoleL’Huillier-Fenton,   Nicole.Fenton@uvm.edu .    From the Health Office   Cap/Gown & Dues Info:  If you have not ordered you Cap & Gown please be sure to submit your order  AS SOON AS POSSIBLE  by using the following link -   Order Online | Cap, Gown & Tassel .  Currently we need under 50 students to complete their orders. Please reach out if you have any questions or need any support in the ordering process. We would be happy to assist.  Please take the time to watch this  Tutorial Video | How to Order  JUST  Cap, Gown, Tassel  to assist in troubleshooting any how-to questions. You can also  connect with Ms. Krista Knaus with any additional questions you may have at (802) 264-5701 or  krista.knaus@colchestersd.org . Also note that you can also connect with the Senior Class Advisors, Mr. Perry ( thomas.perry@colchestersd.org ) and Mr. Richey ( jeffrey.richey@colchestersd.org ) with questions. Seniors and families can also expect the April senior mailing to arrive sometime around April break.  The mailing will address information regarding any Senior debts. **All Senior information is also available on the  CHS Website  (click the link!) **   From the Activities & Athletic Director Hello, Laker Nation! Spring sports are in full swing!  As a reminder, all athletes must have an up-to-date physical on file and be registered on Arbiter before participating. This season, we’re offering: Baseball Softball Girls & Boys Tennis Boys & Girls Lacrosse Track & Field Ultimate Frisbee Unified Basketball Autism Awareness Week – April 14th-18th  CHS Athletics is proud to honor Autism Awareness the week of April 14th. Join us on  Thursday, April 17th, at CHS  for a special  Unified Basketball game , featuring a speech on Autism Awareness and a chance to get one of our commemorative shirts. Let’s show our support and celebrate inclusion together. CHS Hall of Fame – Nominations Open  We are still accepting nominations for the  inaugural CHS Hall of Fame class . Honorees will be recognized with a plaque on the  CHS Hall of Fame Wall , celebrating their lasting impact on Laker Athletics. Nominate a deserving athlete, coach, or contributor using this link:  CHS Hall of Fame Let’s make it a great season, Lakers! Oluwadare Sowunmi Activities & Athletics Director (802) 264-5705 oluwadare.sowunmi@colchestersd.org       Spring Gift Card Drive You may remember in the fall, we announced a new districtwide effort to support Colchester families who are in need of essential items. This spring, we’re once again collecting gift cards to stores that sell a variety of household items such as Target, Walmart, Kohls, Hannaford, or Shaws. If you’re in a position where you can support a fellow CSD family, we’d be so grateful. Here are the details: Who:  Anyone can donate a gift card and it will be given anonymously to an identified Colchester family in need. What:  Gift cards to stores that sell a variety of essential items such as Target, Walmart, Kohls, Hannaford, or Shaws. Any amount helps, but we’ve found $20, $40, $50 amounts work best. When:  We’re collecting donations until we dismiss for April Break.  Where:  You can drop gift cards off at any school’s main office or send them in with your student to bring to the main office. You can also drop them off at Central Office, located at 59 Rathe Road, or mail them to CSD Central Office ATTN: Chelsea Lareau, PO Box 27, Colchester, VT 05446. Spring practices have begun and games will be starting before we know it! Try to get out and catch your Laker athletes in action. CABA supports all our Spring sports by purchasing Varsity uniforms every 4 years and some needed equipment. This includes Baseball, Lacrosse, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, and Ultimate Frisbee. Be sure to follow  CABA Facebook  and  CABA Instagram  to keep up to date with all game schedules and news.  Be a team liaison!   CABA would like to connect with a team parent/guardian from every CABA sport, and this Spring is no exception. You are more than welcome and encouraged to come to a CABA meeting, but do not need to commit to regular meetings. You could simply be available to answer any questions CABA has about the team, their schedule, needs and/or help bridge communication between CABA and coaches. Contact us at  chscaba@gmail.com . Spring Concessions:    Stay tuned for more information on concessions. The more volunteers we have, the more games we will be able to open for. Students are also highly encouraged to volunteer and can earn community service hours. We ask families from  each Spring team  (Boys & Girls, JV & Varsity) to donate some time in concessions, so pick a game or meet that does not conflict with your athlete’s schedule and get involved in the school community! CABA will continue to provide everything needed as well as a detailed overview of instructions. Check back at  https://cabavt.org/  soon for open games.  CABA has launched an   Amazon Wishlist  (look for it on social media too!) as another way to help with concessions. We know that volunteering for concessions is not possible for some families so this will be another option to support Laker Nation! STUDENTS, SPIRIT, SUPPORT! Project Graduation | Class of 2025 What is  Project Graduation ? Project Graduation is a substance free celebration for graduating seniors on the night of graduation and will be held the night of June 14, 2025. The event is sponsored by local businesses and fundraising. The event is not sponsored by the school and is a separate entity made up of parents of graduating seniors. Next Meeting: April 3rd  at 6pm in CHS room 101. JUNIOR PARENTS AND SENIORS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND TO ASSIST WITH THE CELEBRATION AND PREPARE FOR THE CLASS OF 2026.    Can’t make it or have questions? Email:  chsprojectgradvt@gmail.com  to join our email list.  Calendar Raffle 🎟️ Ticket sales for the month of April Calendar Raffle ARE LIVE!  One drawing each day will win the prizes listed for that day, including weekend getaways, restaurants, and free golf. FOR MORE INFO AND TO PURCHASE TICKETS VISIT :  PG CALENDAR RAFFLE ✨Wish List✨ In order to make Project Grad a success, we need to have GREAT raffle items and swag bags. We're off to a good start, but we need people to either purchase from the Amazon Wish List or make donations of cash through it. We will use the funds we receive to supplement the raffle themed baskets and assist in the purchase of the "big ticket" items. All attendees will receive a swag bag, have the opportunity to win the big ticket items, and receive tickets for the gift basket drawing(s) of their choice. Please use and share this link with family and friends who are interested in supporting the Class of 2025!  Amazon Wish List 🎉Registration is now open for Seniors!!  🎉 ALL STUDENTS MUST REGISTER IN ORDER TO ATTEND. Thanks to generous fundraising efforts, we’ve been able to cover a significant portion of Project Grad costs. However, to ensure a safe, fun, and memorable event for all, we are requiring a registration fee of $55 per student ($50 for early birds). This fee helps cover additional expenses and guarantees entry to all activities. We appreciate your support in making this celebration possible!  At CHS Project Grad 2025, We are committed to giving ALL graduating seniors the opportunity to participate, regardless of their ability to pay. If paying this fee is a hardship, please check the “scholarship request” box and return without payment. We will work with school administration to get a free or reduced price ticket! NOTE:  If you are willing/able to sponsor a graduate, we have added a field for a donation. STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EARN A REDUCED PRICE TICKET IF THEY PARTICIPATE WITH PROJECT GRAD FUNDRAISING. ATTEND OUR NEXT MEETING OR SEND US AN EMAIL IF INTERESTED.  For information about Project Graduation and to register:  Project Grad Registration Adults who wish to volunteer during the event, look for a sign up next month.  Business Sponsors and Family Donations -  If you or your employer is willing to make a  tax deductible donation , please make a check to  CHS Project Graduation  and mail to: Colchester High School Attn: Project Graduation PO Box 900 Colchester, VT 05446. Ongoing ways to support Project Grad:  Join our Facebook page for upcoming information- CHS Project Graduation Follow us on Instagram- chsprojectgradvt Look for our volunteer sign-ups and wishlists on social media    COMMUNITY NEWS Burnham Library March was an exciting month here at the library — a  new  Hunger Games  book ?? Yes please, thanks — but now it's time to look ahead to what's in store for April. I mentioned this in last month's write-up but just resurfacing it again: April is  National Poetry Month , and so the Saturday book group here at Burnham Library (which I co-run) will be discussing the novel-in-verse  The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin , by Kip Wilson, for our meeting  on Saturday, April 12 at 1 pm . This book group is open to any library-goers, but it would be especially great to have teen voices sharing their thoughts about this YA title. Copies are available now at the main circulation desk. Currently I'm working on planning a project for the Teen Advisory Group to overhaul some of our  Little Free Library  locations in Colchester. If you're interested in taking part, consider stopping by our next TAG meeting  on Monday, April 14 at 3:30 pm . That's when I'm thinking we'll be planning for that springtime initiative; the more hands and creative minds we can have to help out would be awesome. And lastly, a reminder that  voting is now open for the 2024-2025 Green Mountain Book Award . If you had a favorite from the most recent list of titles, you can make that known by casting your online ballot. Submissions will be accepted until May 25, so there's still plenty of time to read some more nominees if you haven't yet had a chance... and no judgment because there are a bunch I still haven't gotten to read yet either! There's only so much time in the day, you know? But it's really nice to have this list to reference as potential options for my next read. Until next time, Meg Malone (she/her) mmalone@colchestervt.gov Librarian – Young Adult Services & Interlibrary Loan Currently reading:  Everything is Poison , Joy McCullough Friends of Colchester Music Blooms for the  Band: Spring/Mother’s Day Plant Sale Fundraiser! Support Friends of Colchester Music by participating in our first annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale! Browse a beautiful selection of hanging baskets and annual flats (also gift cards). Pre-orders available April 1-20, with pickup scheduled for May 8 at the high school. Order right now at  http://fcmdonate.weebly.com

Tuesday, Apr 01 2025

The Compass: CSD Districtwide Newsletter for March

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ District Newsletter at a Glance ​ We know you get a lot of information. Here's a list of what's included in this monthly newsletter, what requires action, what is information, and what is celebratory! For additional information on each topic, please browse the full newsletter. Next school year's calendar is out. View all calendars at csdvt.org/calendar. YouthTruth Survey. Please take the family survey if you haven't yet. Less than 10% of families have completed it! Kindergarten and Act 166 Registration is open. Joining us next year? Please visit csdvt.org/register. Measles in Vermont. Information from our school nurses FY'26 School Budget. It passed, thank you! Facilities Renovation & Construction Update. Information about the planning stage as we prepare to break ground at PPS. CMS has VT's Health Teacher of the Year. We're celebrating Ms. Wilson! Spring Gift Card Drive. Schools are collecting gift cards to distribute to families in need. Recipe from the Kitchen. How does cheeseburger soup sound? Calendar Updates. No school and early release reminders. Sailing Around the District. A quick check-in with our schools! ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Next School Year's Calendar ​ The school calendar for next year (2025-26) is official! If you’re making plans for next school year, you can view the calendar at csdvt.org/calendar. It’s listed beneath the current year’s calendar. Take note that the region is going back to starting school on Wednesday instead of Monday. The first day of school for students will be Wednesday, August 27. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Share Feedback About Your School ​ We’d love it if you could spare 10 minutes to take the family YouthTruth Survey. The survey closes next Friday, March 28. The data we get from this anonymous survey helps aid decision-making and influences planning to ensure we are providing an enriching, welcoming, and safe environment for all students. So far, less than 10% of families have submitted a survey - we want to hear your thoughts! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Kindergarten and Act 166 Registration ​ Registration is now open for families looking to enroll their child in kindergarten or an Act 166 approved preschool. Please visit csdvt.org/register for more information.  Kindergarten: Children who live in Colchester and are five (5) years old before September 1, 2025, are eligible for kindergarten. Learn more about our schools and the kindergarten enrollment process at csdvt.org/kindergarten. ACT166 Funds for PreK: Children are eligible to receive $3,982 in ACT166 funds to attend prekindergarten if they live in Colchester, are three (3) years old before September 1, 2025, and will be enrolled in a qualified program. See a list of qualified programs here. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ From the Health Office ​ Measles cases are on the rise in the U.S. Measles can be dangerous, especially in young children. Nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications. The best way to protect your family against serious illness is with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR is safe and effective. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective. In the Colchester School District, 98% of students are protected against measles. Check to make sure your family is up-to-date, especially if you plan to travel outside of the U.S. Some adults may need boosters. Learn more about measles symptoms and the MMR vaccine at HealthVermont.gov/measles ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ FY'26 Budget Update ​ The Colchester community voted to approve the operational school budget for next year. This commitment provides our students and educators with the resources they need to be successful. We are so appreciative of this community’s investment in our future. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Facilities Renovation & Construction Update ​ Since the facilities bond was approved by voters in November, we have been engaged in lots of planning work with building-based committees, architects, engineers, and finance officials. Right now, our educators are making some final decisions on PreK-2 floor plans and classroom layouts.  We’ll share a more detailed update soon, but as you may have seen in the Annual Report to the Community, we plan to break ground at Porters Point School this August! For some inspiration on the playground design, we asked PPS students for their ideas, and they did not disappoint! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Ms. Wilson Named VT Health Teacher of the Year ​ We are thrilled to announce that CMS educator, Kim Wilson, has been recognized as Vermont’s Middle School Health Education Teacher of the Year! Ms. Wilson builds strong, meaningful relationships with her students, who love being in her class and often seek her guidance beyond the classroom. She excels at connecting health curriculum topics to students’ everyday lives, which creates high engagement through research and creative topics. She is always “all in,” as demonstrated by her creation of a new CMS Spirit Club. Please join us in congratulating Ms. Wilson on this well-deserved honor! We are incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated and knowledgeable educator at CMS. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Spring Gift Card Drive ​ You may remember in the fall, we announced a new districtwide effort to support Colchester families who are in need of essential items. This spring, we’re once again collecting gift cards to stores that sell a variety of household items such as Target, Walmart, Kohls, Hannaford, or Shaws. If you’re in a position where you can support a fellow CSD family, we’d be so grateful. Here are the details: Who: Anyone can donate a gift card and it will be given anonymously to an identified Colchester family in need. What: Gift cards to stores that sell a variety of essential items such as Target, Walmart, Kohls, Hannaford, or Shaws. Any amount helps, but we’ve found $20, $40, $50 amounts work best. When: We’re collecting donations until we dismiss for April Break.  Where: You can drop gift cards off at any school’s main office or send them in with your student to bring to the main office. You can also drop them off at Central Office, located at 59 Rathe Road, or mail them to CSD Central Office ATTN: Chelsea Lareau, PO Box 27, Colchester, VT 05446. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Sharing a CSD Recipe ​ Next Friday, our kitchens will serve cheeseburger soup with a kale Caesar salad and a garlic knot. Many items made all year long are from scratch, and we have a feeling this will be a favorite, so we wanted to share it with you in case you want to replicate it at home. Enjoy! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ CSD Cheeseburger Soup ​ Ingredients 1 lb ground beef 1 lb frozen diced potatoes 1 cup diced onion (about 1 medium onion)  ½ cup of diced carrot (about 1 medium carrot) ½ cup of diced celery (about 1-2 stalks of celery) 4 tbsp of butter or margarine ½  cup of flour 3 cups of milk ¼ tsp of salt  ½ tsp of black pepper 2 ⅔  cups of shredded cheddar cheese 1 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce Instructions Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef, onion, carrots, and celery. Cook and stir until the beef is browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Preheat oven to 425°F. Spread diced potatoes evenly on a shallow baking pan. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, turning once for uniform cooking. Cook until tender. Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until smooth, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk; simmer and stir until sauce is thick and smooth. Stir in the cheese, milk, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce. Cook and stir until the cheese melts.  Combine all the elements (beef, potatoes, cheese mixture). Stir until mixed well. If the soup becomes too thick, add some milk. Enjoy! ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Upcoming Calendar Reminders ​ Here are some upcoming dates to mark on your calendar. For a complete list that’s continuously updated, visit csdvt.org/calendar. No School - Monday, March 31 Early Release Day - Wednesday, April 9. Grades 6-12 will dismiss at 12:00 p.m. and grades K-5 will dismiss at 12:45 p.m. No School - April Break: Monday, April 21 - Friday, April 25 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ CSD School Calendar ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Sailing Around the District Highlights From Our Schools ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Colchester High School ​ The Faculty and Staff vs. Seniors annual basketball game was a huge success! Our Seniors won a triple-over-time thriller, and our amazing student section rushed the court in the end to chant MVP around Ms. Amanda Vella, as a result of her three-point shooting prowess and clutch free throws that sent us into the first overtime. Everyone in the gym felt the electric and positive atmosphere that included our dance team performance at halftime, student and staff officials and student announcers, all of whom added their personal touch to this feel-good community event. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Colchester Middle School ​ We had a great time building community this month during our latest Spirit Week! In addition to themed dress-up days, our Dude Be Nice club arranged friendly team competitions. TAs from different teams competed in CMS Jeopardy, Charades, Name That Tune, and more! PACT hosted a Coin War that got pretty intense, with our winning team earning a pizza party. We gathered for our third quarter school-wide assembly by walking over to CHS to enjoy our annual student vs. staff basketball game. The 8th-grade basketball players ran away with the game, but the whole school enjoyed the fun! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Malletts Bay School ​ Our annual Spring Carnival took place this past Friday evening, March 14th. The event was tons of fun and popular with our MBS students and families. Kids attending had a chance to play carnival games for prizes, get hair tinsel and temporary tattoos, and have an all-around fantastic time. Thanks to everyone who volunteered or made a donation to help make this event happen. We can't wait for next year! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Union Memorial School ​ The PTA held its annual snow sculpture contest this month.  Every student who entered the competition received a book of their choice from the virtual book fair. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Porters Point School ​ Students are putting their lessons about kindness into action with our “Chain of Kindness” project. When students see or experience kind acts, they write those moments down on strips of paper. Each kind act becomes a link in a long paper chain that will eventually wrap all around our school! To finish off the project, we’re holding a food drive for the Colchester Food Shelf. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Preschool at MBS ​ Our young learners are studying buildings and construction. The children are exploring buildings in their community and around the world, making connections between how they are the same and different. They will have the opportunity to build with different materials, experimenting with balance and scale. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Join the CSD Team! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Call for Substitutes ​ We are always looking for community members who are willing to sub in our schools. It takes many people in many different roles to keep our schools running smoothly each day and having a small pool of substitutes can make it very difficult to meet the needs of our students. From teachers to nurses, paraeducators and food service, there are lots of opportunities to join us for the day! For more information about becoming a substitute, visit csdvt.org/sub or reach out to HR Coordinator Mary Crowley at 264-5980 or mary.crowley@colchestersd.org. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Follow Along! ​ ​ ​ ​ If you're on Instagram or Facebook, we are, too! Follow along with our students on their educational journeys and see what makes ou Colchester community such a great place to learn and work. Facebook: Colchester School District Instagram: @colchester_schools ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Wednesday, Mar 19 2025