Principal Page

 

“The more risks you allow children to take, the better they learn to take care of themselves.” - Roald Dahl, British author of popular children's literature and short stories, a poet, screenwriter, and a wartime fighter ace

Principal’s Message

On Thursday, we came together for our All School Morning Meeting to celebrate another month of learning, playing, and growing together. Ms. Barry’s 4th-grade class facilitated the meeting, which included an epic, whole-school Rock, Paper, Scissors competition! Congratulations to Logan from Ms. Stein’s class for being the last student standing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also recognized our Student and Employee of the Month recipients and raffled off the latest round of Project Play prizes. The meeting ended with a very sweet surprise—thank you to the Sunshine Committee for recognizing my official hiring as the FCS Principal. To celebrate, we all enjoyed cupcakes for breakfast!

Student and Employee of the Month for December

Kindergarten: Destiny McFann, Cole Sartelle

First Grade: Lucas Brouillard, Conor Donovan

Second Grade: Zoe Burkett

Third Grade: Wyatt Seeley

Fourth Grade: Riker Cooley, Keilee Chaqui Caguana

Fifth Grade: Braelynn Loree

Employee: Ms. Valcourt

 

As a reminder, our winter vacation begins on Wednesday, December 24th. Students and staff will return to school on Monday, January 5th. We wish everyone a peaceful and relaxing vacation. 

 

---

 

Spirit Week & Winter Craftaganza

FCS Student and Teacher Leadership Teams have enjoyed seeing all of the fun ways students and staff have been participating in our Winter Spirit Days! We are looking forward to Glo Bowling with Ms. K tomorrow and our Winter Craftaganza on Tuesday.

 

Up for Learning Student Leaders

On Tuesday, six 4th- and 5th-grade students, along with Mrs. Bearor and Ms. Jess, attended an afternoon retreat with peers from Vergennes Elementary. Together, we worked with Pat, a facilitator from Up for Learning, to begin exploring what we know about ourselves as learners, collaborators, and leaders. This group, known as P2C2 (Personal Power and Community Connection), will meet several more times this spring to take a deeper look at school climate data. Our goal is to identify strengths and challenges within each school and brainstorm ways to make our communities even better for everyone.

 

 

 

---

 

Classroom Spotlight: Kindergarten

Our kindergarten students continue to learn and explore in our outdoor classroom. The ravine is always a favorite spot, no matter the season, offering rich opportunities for discovery. While outdoors, students naturally take healthy risks, collaborate with one another, and engineer solutions to problems they encounter. Recent snowfalls have also provided opportunities for the group to investigate and learn about animal tracks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

Important Information

🎟️Project Play Tic-Tac-Toe

On Friday, students brought home a new Project Play Tic-Tac-Toe. We hope you will find some time over break to try a few of the activities as a way to review the concepts we have been covering related to our transferable skills.

 

Important Upcoming Dates

December 15-23 Spirit Days

December 22 Glo Bowling

December 23 Cozy Day & Craftaganza

Dec. 24- Jan. 2 Winter Vacation

January 9 3rd & 4th Grade Shelburne Farms Field Trip

January 22 Title 1 meeting @ 5:00

January 22 PTO Family Fun Night-5:30-7:00

 

 

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. - John Quincy Adams, lawyer, senator, and 6th President of the United States

Principal’s Message

I am hopeful that everyone had a chance to relax and reflect a bit over the break. During the three weeks ahead, we know students will experience a wide mix of feelings—excitement, nervousness, joy, uncertainty, and everything in between. Big transitions and changes in routine can bring up big emotions, and that’s completely normal. We will continue to create space to talk about these feelings, practice regulation strategies, and support one another with kindness. Thank you for partnering with us to help students feel grounded and connected during this busy time of year. As always, please reach out to me, Nurse Jamie, Ms. Kaitie, or Ms. Jess if your child or family could use some support.  

 

If your family could benefit from Junebug’s Cozy Kids program, providing winter gear to Addison County children, please fill out this Cozy Kids form. Families who would like to support the program can shop for a child or make a donation at https://junebugvt.org/cozy-kids. If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Bearor or Nurse Jamie.

 

Student Leadership Team

We are excited to announce that the FCS Student Leadership Team, made up of 4th and 5th-grade students, has been formed! The group of ten students, along with Ms. Jess, our School Counselor, and Mrs. Bearor, will meet once each month. The FCS Student Leaders will be tasked with supporting the development of new PBIS Schoolwide Behavior Agreements, planning a spirit week for the week before our next vacation, and taking on other roles throughout the year. Their first task was to plan something special for our first All-School Celebration, which is why students and staff all enjoyed hot cocoa on Pajama Day on the last day before break! 

 

Mentoring: Giving the Gift of Time

Time is a valuable resource that we rarely have enough of.  Mentoring is a program that creates time.  Community mentor volunteers work with children to provide attention and build positive relationships. Whether they play a board game, hang out during recess, or eat lunch together, the mentor relationship provides attention, conversation, and sharing of life experiences for both the child and the adult.  Mentoring supports children, families, and the school; there is no judgment, just the opportunity to support kids.

Classroom Spotlight: Second & 3rd Grade

Our Second and Third Graders had an amazing time visiting ECHO on the Thursday before break. They enjoyed learning about the various species that live in Lake Champlain, “broadcasting” the weather using green screen technology, and trying their hand at various STEM activities. Our teachers returned from the trip glowing about what an amazing job the students did representing FCS! Well done!

 

 

---

Important Information

🎟️ Return Project Play Activity Sheets & Bingo Boards

Hopefully, you had a chance to work on the Project Play Bingo Board over vacation. Please return completed sheets (or simply send Mrs. Bearor an email) so you can earn tickets to win fun experiences with our staff!

 

🧥 🧤🥾🧢🥤 Lost & Found - Last Chance!

The FCS lost and found will be bagged and donated on Wednesday afternoon. Please stop in or let us know if you are missing something specific.

 

🍌 FCS Compost Shed

Please note that the FCS Compost Shed is closed for the season. Please do not add food waste to the compost shed at this time. 

 

🚫 No Parking In Fire Lane

Parking in the fire lane continues to be a concern. The area along the building near the front door (by the gym) is not a designated parking area. You may use the spots lined with yellow paint next to the island. This applies during the school day, while picking up from Cougar Care or Fusion, and for evening events.

 

---

 

Important Upcoming Dates

December 10 Early Release Day

December 12 Family Winter Luncheon

December 24- Jan. 2 Winter Vacation

 

 

“The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of world and wake up in another quite different.” - John Boynton Priestley, English novelist, playwright, screenwriter, broadcaster

 

Principal’s Message

Students (and some adults!) were excited to see the snow last week—it brought a lot of energy and joy to the playground. We also recognize that not all students may have had the warm winter gear they needed.

The Cozy Kids program, organized by Junebug, is a great resource for families in need of coats, snowpants, boots, hats, gloves, or other cold-weather items. Launched in 2016, Cozy Kids ensures all children can stay warm and dry throughout the winter. Last year, Junebug partnered with schools across Addison County to provide brand-new winter gear for 92 children. With early snowfall and rising economic challenges, the need in our community is higher than ever.

If your family could benefit from this program, please fill out this Cozy Kids form. Families who would like to support the program can shop for a child or make a donation at https://junebugvt.org/cozy-kids. If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Bearor or Nurse Jamie.
 

                                                     

All School Meeting/Student & Employee of the Month

On Thursday, Ms. DaBica’s Fabulous Fifth Graders facilitated our monthly All School Meeting that they planned as a class. Students and staff had an opportunity to consider things they were grateful for, new Project Play prize winners were selected, and we concluded by playing Keepy-Uppy! We were thrilled to have families join us for the announcement of our Student and Employee of the Month awards.

Kindergarten: Isaac Rose & Owen Billings

1st Grade: Kiera Hammond & Lilah Hume

2nd Grade: Levi Rose

3rd Grade: Lila Kanetzky

4th Grade: Alec Gingras & Nyra Cushing

5th Grade: Emrys Yarborough

Employee: Nurse Jamie

 

Extended Absences

We do appreciate that families make every effort to avoid scheduling a vacation/time away while school is in session, and fully recognize that there are instances when this is just not possible. If your child will miss 3 or more consecutive days of school, please fill out the ANWSD Extended Student Absence Form so your child’s absence can be properly recorded in our system.

 

Mentoring: Giving the Gift of Time

Time is a valuable resource that we rarely have enough of.  Mentoring is a program that creates time.  Community mentor volunteers work with children to provide attention and build positive relationships. Whether they play a board game, hang out during recess, or eat lunch together, the mentor relationship provides attention, conversation, and sharing of life experiences for both the child and the adult.  Mentoring supports children, families, and the school; there is no judgment, just the opportunity to support kids.

 

Shout Out to Ferrisburgh Town Crew!

A special thank you to Reilly LaBerge for helping our Fusion class load, move, and spread the load of woodchips in the outdoor classroom! We appreciate the community support!

 

Classroom Spotlight: Kindergarten
Our Kindergarteners continue to explore the wonders of our Outdoor Classroom during Forest Fridays. Not only are they learning about nature, but they are learning more about themselves, each other, and their class community.

 

---

 

Important Information

🧥 🧤🥾🧢🥤 Lost & Found

The FCS lost and found is overflowing! If your child is missing something specific, let us know, and we can check the rack for you. You are also welcome to stop by and check out the collection in the vestibule. We will clean out the lost and found during the November break, and unclaimed items will be donated. 

 

🍌 FCS Compost Shed

Please note that the FCS Compost Shed is closed for the season. Please do not add food waste to the compost shed at this time. 

 

🚫 No Parking In Fire Lane

Parking in the fire lane continues to be a concern. The area along the building near the front door (by the gym) is not a designated parking area. You may use the spots lined with yellow paint next to the island. This applies during the school day, while picking up from Cougar Care or Fusion, and for evening events.

 

---

 

Important Upcoming Dates

November 17 Pre K Music Together Celebration

November 17-19 Scholastic Book Fair

November 18 Book Fair Friends & Family Night

November 20 2nd/3rd Grade Field Trip to ECHO

November 24- 28 November Vacation

December 10 Early Release Day

December 12 Family Winter Luncheon

Dec. 24- Jan. 2 Winter Vacation

 

“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” - John Muir, Scottish-American naturalist, author, and conservationist, known as the "Father of the National Park Service" 

Principal’s Message

It may have been a little drippy, but that didn’t dampen the excitement for our annual Hike for Hunger! Students and adults alike embraced the fall weather and enjoyed spending time outdoors together. It was also fun to have our friends from VUES join us this year! We extend a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who contributed to the food drive—our lobby is now filled with nonperishable items ready to be delivered to the Vergennes Food Shelf next week, along with generous monetary donations. We hope these contributions help keep our friends and neighbors nourished in the weeks and months ahead.

A reminder that this Wednesday, November 5th, is an Early Release Day. Students will participate in Wild Wednesday activities in the morning, which will include time outside. Please make sure your child has appropriate outdoor gear for the weather. Students may sign up for a bag lunch to take with them. Dismissal begins at 11:30. Once the buses have departed, students who are being picked up will be released. There is no Cougar Care on Wednesday. 

 

---

 

Cougar Care Reminder!

Please note that Cougar Care will be closed on our next Early Release Day, November 5th, so our staff can participate in professional development. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Picture Retake Day - November 4th

If your child was absent on picture day or needs to have their picture retaken, please email Kaitie @ kflynn@anwsd.org. We will be creating a list so we can schedule accordingly. Please note that students who are having a retake must return their original picture packet.

---

 

Classroom Spotlight: Ms. Kiel’s Second Grade Class

Did you know that Ms. Kiel’s second graders have a movement break outside every day? During this brief brain break, not only are they recharging their bodies, but they also stumble upon some amazing things. Check out this cool insect they found this week! Can you identify it?

 

---

 

Important Information

🍌 FCS Compost Shed

Please note that the FCS Compost Shed is closed for the season. Please do not add food waste to the compost shed at this time. 

🚫 No Parking In Fire Lane

Parking in the fire lane continues to be a concern. The area along the building near the front door (by the gym) is not a designated parking area. You may use the spots lined with yellow paint next to the island. This applies during the school day, while picking up from Cougar Care or Fusion, and for evening events.

 

---

 

Important Upcoming Dates

November 4 Picture Retake Day

November 5 Early Release Day, 11:30 dismissal - NO COUGAR CARE

November 17-19 Scholastic Book Fair

November 18 Book Fair Friends & Family Night

November 19 Pre K Music Together Celebration

November 24- 28 November Vacation