Hello Cornwall School families,

Please see below for information on 2nd grade learning, the superintendent search, conferences, preschool, the Special Education Parent Advisory Council, and more!

Have a great weekend,

Heather

We recently started our How the World Works unit focused on the central idea of how people use water depends on its properties. We've used watercolors to paint scenes showing where water can be found on earth. We also created models of Earth's surface to show how rivers flow. Later in our unit we will learn technology that uses water and about changes caused by heating and cooling.

In math, we have been extending our understanding of place value as hundreds, tens, and ones by counting and organizing numbers up to 1,000. We've also been learning about money to practice counting by 5's and 10's in different ways.

March 24 is the designated conference day. If you haven't already, please sign up for one of the conference slots provided by your child's teacher.

The superintendent search has launched. Thank you to the hundreds of staff, students, parents, and community members who took part in the stakeholder forums and survey. You can find the job posting, updates, and the full document with stakeholder feedback here.

ACSD has opened the interest survey for its preschool programs at Mary Hogan and Bridport schools. Enrollment is open to residents of Bridport, Cornwall, Middlebury, Ripton, Salisbury, Shoreham, and Weybridge.

More information about the ACSD preschool programs can be found here along with a link to the Interest Survey. Interested families should complete the survey as soon as possible.

Students are encouraged to bring water bottles to school, and we have filling stations on each side of the building.

Please note that we allow only clear water in classrooms. Please do not send flavoring packets, soda, or sports drinks with your child. This helps keep the building clean.

Thank you.

• 3/24/23 - Elementary Conferences day (see above)

• 4/5/23 - Early Release Day

• 4/19/23 - 5th Grade Exhibit, 1pm

• 4/20/23 - Bingo Night, 6pm

• 4/24-4/28/23 - April Break

Sometimes there are changes to the school menu. You can always click here to find the latest one.

Hello Cornwall School families,

Another sunny Friday! Enjoy it, and have a great weekend.

Warmly,

Heather

We recently began our fifth IB unit Where We Are in Place and Time, a unit that looks at how patterns build an understanding of time and in which we will conduct inquiries into our orientation in place and time. We will conduct observations of cycles, how the activities of living things are affected by patterns, and explore various measurements of time. Our first explorations will be into day and night, and to focus our attention on these topics we worked with Ms.Flynn on an art project that taught us about warm and cool colors and vector patterns.

In math we extended our understanding of base ten blocks with addition work and a fun application of these skills by creating base ten block characters and figuring out how much they were “worth”. See below for some pictures!

Students are encouraged to bring water bottles to school, and we have filling stations on each side of the building.

Please note that we allow only clear water in classrooms. Please do not send flavoring packets, soda, or sports drinks with your child. This helps keep the building clean.

Thank you.

The window for spring Elementary school conferences is March 6th through April 21, with March 24 set aside as a designated day. You should be hearing from your child's classroom teacher in the next week or so with sign up options. Conferences will take place in-person when possible. Virtual options will be provided as well.

You may have heard that Vermont is rolling out a new series of standardized tests this year, replacing the old SBAC exams. The new Vermont Common Assessment Program (VTCAP) will feel familiar in many ways. 3rd and 4th graders will still take tests in Math and English Language Arts, and 5th graders will test in Science. We’ll share more information in the weeks ahead.

ACSD has opened the interest survey for its preschool programs at Mary Hogan and Bridport schools. Enrollment is open to residents of Bridport, Cornwall, Middlebury, Ripton, Salisbury, Shoreham, and Weybridge.

More information about the ACSD preschool programs can be found here along with a link to the Interest Survey. Interested families should complete the survey as soon as possible.

• 3/24/23 - Elementary Conferences day (see above)

• 4/5/23 - Early Release Day

Sometimes there are changes to the school menu. You can always click here to find the latest one.

WHEN: Saturday March 4 8:30-9:45,

WHERE: Cornwall School

Please see the flyer below for further details.

Hello Cornwall School families,

This newsletter is FULL of information! Kindness, Friendship Week, Cookie Love, Superintendent Search, 5th grade Exhibition, Library update, and more!

Please read on, and enjoy the weekend,

Heather

During the month of February, we are focusing on kindness, friendship, and healthy hearts!

In PE, students are participating in the Kids Heart Challenge. Students learn about heart health and can opt to fundraise if they choose to do so. Activities and interactive technologies make it fun to learn how to keep the heart and brain strong and emphasize both physical and emotional wellness.

With our buddy classes and in our multi-age groups as part of All School Meeting, we are focusing on what kindness is and how to show kindness to others. Following the IB Action Cycle of Reflect, Choose, Act, students will be acting on the ideas and decisions they’ve made on how they can show kindness toward others.

In fact, we are in the beginning stages of potentially partnering with HOPE as a way to reach out and show kindness toward the community outside of our school as well. Classes are also participating in and choosing activities from the Great Kindness Challenge, which is developed by Kids for Peace and takes place all over the world.

Next week (the week before break), we will be celebrating Friendship Week, and we will continue with our focus on kindness, friendship and inclusion in the ways already mentioned. There is no need to send cards in for Valentine's Day as classes will be working together to share acts of kindness and friendship including making cards/creative ways to show appreciation for others.

FOCS has kindly offered to help gather some supplies, and sent the message below out earlier this week.

Here’s where FOCS is hoping you can help!

We are looking for supplies (stickers, stamps, ribbon, paper, etc) that reflect friendship and kindness (a.k.a fun, colorful, playful) to be donated to each classroom. If you’d like to make a donation, please drop off/send in supplies directly to your child’s teacher.

2023 has been busy in the library! Grades K-3 are reading and discussing the 10 Vermont Red Clover Award List books in preparation for voting in the spring. This book award is one of the only student-chosen state-level book awards in the country. The 10 books on the list represent the best picture books published in the previous year (we’re reading books published in 2021) chosen by a group of Vermont librarians, teachers, and other book professionals. I am currently serving in this group and delighted to be sharing these books with students. We’re about halfway through our list; be sure to ask your student what their favorite Red Clover book is so far!

Grades 4 and 5 have just finished a months-long collaborative project using Google Slides and WeVideo. 4th and 5th graders selected a book and prepared a book talk or read-aloud video. They had to write their script, practice, gather feedback from peers, record a video of it, and edit the video into a finished product. 5th graders also designed an interactive slideshow, with different groups of students taking on different parts of the project. The content the 4th graders created is also part of this interactive slideshow. We also practiced providing “warm feedback” when we viewed each others’ work. The purpose of this project is still a surprise (hint: it’s something for some of our younger students!), but everyone will find out about it after February break. Students have been very self-directed during this work and I’ve seen a lot of growth around their collaborative practices.

Outside of library class, I have been working with Ms. Erin to help 1st graders practice logging on to their chromebooks and using them as tools for learning. Here’s a photo in the 1st grade classroom during that time. I’m demonstrating the two-handed technique we use to type capital letters. Using two hands to do this task when they enter their password is one of the first good typing habits students can build.

Happy Reading,

Abby Adams

Library Media Specialist

Calling All Grade 5 Families!

This spring, ACSD fifth graders will be participating in our first PYP Exhibition. Students participate in a larger inquiry project and will be sharing it with people in the community.

Please join us for a virtual Family Information Night on Wednesday, February 15 from 6:30-7:00pm.

You will receive information about what the Exhibition is, what role your child will have, and how you can offer support.

Here is the Google Meet link: https://meet.google.com/aqx-gcmj-svd. If you can not attend, there will be a recording of the session available to you.

FOCS is partnering with Vermont Cookie Love to raise money for future events and opportunities. Students can sell cookie dough from February 10 - March 3. Please look for the letter and materials in your student’s classroom folder/backpack.

See below for pictures from Fancy Dress Up Day and the Living Statue Museum.

In second grade, Students voted on Fancy dress up day as how to celebrate students after they earned all of their marbles. They were earning marbles for doing focused work, listening to each other, and raising their hand to speak during group discussions.

Third graders shared their knowledge through a living statue museum. They researched an interesting or important person and created an oral presentation from their research. Visitors were able to turn the "statues" on to hear their stories. The students did an excellent job synthesizing information and being courageous speakers.

The ACSD Superintendent hiring process is underway. The ACSD Board wants to hear from all community members to help inform the superintendent hiring process. Victoria Jette, ACSD Board Chairperson sent this update on the timeline, process and opportunities to engage. We want to highlight 2 primary ways for community members to engage:

1. Take this survey any time through Feb 27 and/or
2. Attend the upcoming virtual and in person forums (listed below). Please note: the forums below are designed to cater to individual stakeholder groups (ie parents or staff) but you are welcome to attend ANY time that works for you.

ACSD Parents, Caregivers, Community members

Open forum (parents, community, staff & students are all welcome)

• Mon Feb 20, 2023 12:00-1:00pm. In person at ACSD 208 Charles Ave, Middlebury VT

ACSD Board Elections:

On March 7th, 2023 our ACSD district towns will vote on several open ACSD board seats. There will be elections for open seats in Bridport, Cornwall, Middlebury, and Salisbury. Although candidates run for a seat from individual towns, it is important to remember that our board members represent all students in the ACSD, not just the students in the school of their particular town. And, as members of the ACSD, you can vote for every open seat in the district, not only for the seat for your town. We encourage you to talk to any candidates who are running about your hopes, questions, and concerns and about their vision for how to serve all students within our district.

ACSD Annual Meeting:

The ACSD Annual Meeting will be held onFebruary 28, 2023 at 7-9pm at Middlebury Union High School, 73 Charles Ave in Middlebury VT. All are invited to attend.

Budget Book
The Annual FY 2024 Budget Book is available here on the ACSD Website or by to view a hard copy you can visit ACSD's Central Office at 49 Charles Ave, Middlebury VT.

• 2/10/23 - Cookie Love Fundraiser starts - see above

• 2/14/23 - 2pm, Band Concert at school

• 2/15/23 - Exhibition Family Information Night 6:30pm - see above

• 2/20 - 2/24/23 - February Break, No School

• 3/3/23 - Professional Development for elementary schools - no school

• 3/4/23 - FOCS breakfast before Town Meeting, 8:30-9:45. Town Meeting starts at 10am.

Sometimes there are changes to the school menu. You can always click here to find the latest one.

2/3/23

Hello Cornwall School families,

Please stay warm and safe this weekend! See below for some information if you or your neighbors need some assistance.

Heather

These dangerously cold wind chills are currently predicted until Saturday morning. As Superintendent Burrows shared, we encourage you to check on your neighbors and in the event of heating loss for yourself or others, the Middlebury Police department will have a warming/respite shelter available at 1 Lucius Shaw Lane, Middlebury. The police can be reached at 802-388-3191. In the event overnight sheltering is needed, the town will open the gymnasium at 154 Creek Road, Middlebury.

Calling All Grade 5 Families!

This spring, ACSD fifth graders will be participating in our first PYP Exhibition. Students participate in a larger inquiry project and will be sharing it with people in the community.

Please join us for a virtual Family Information Night on Wednesday, February 15 from 6:30-7:00pm.

You will receive information about what the Exhibition is, what role your child will have, and how you can offer support.

Here is the Google Meet link: https://meet.google.com/aqx-gcmj-svd. If you can not attend, there will be a recording of the session available to you.

As Superintendent Burrows shared in the Tuesday ACSD Community Newsletter, the ACSD Board is actively searching for a new superintendent to lead our District. In the coming days, they will send an email and update this webpage with an overview of the process and timeline and opportunities for community input.

Opportunities to engage will include written, virtual, and in person dates.

Please continue to check this page for updates. Questions and suggestions are welcome, and may be directed to mnoble@acsdvt.org.

In the March 7th, 2023 general election, there will be open seats in the towns of Bridport (3 year term), Cornwall (1 year term), Middlebury (3 year term) and Salisbury (3 year term). The school board is an important body which impacts the direction of our school district and the experiences of our students.

Although school board members are elected from individual ACSD district towns, each school board member represents all of the schools and students in our district. If you are interested in running, please contact your Town Office as soon as possible to take the steps necessary to appear on the ballot.

• 2/7/23 - Combined band rehearsal at Salisbury 12:00-2:40

• 2/7/23 - Snow date concert at Salisbury 7:00 PM (6:30 call)

• 2/14/23 - Snow date for combined band rehearsal at Salisbury 12:00-2:40

• 2/14/23 - Snow date concert at Salisbury 7:00 PM (6:30 call)

• 2/15/23 - Exhibition Family Information Night 6:30pm - see above

• 2/20 - 2/24/23 - February Break, No School

Sometimes there are changes to the school menu. You can always click here to find the latest one.

1/27/23

Hello Cornwall School families,

First, I would like to apologize - I did not post a newsletter last week as I was home sick. This week's newsletter will include a lot of photos to highlight some of the activities around school, from skiing to learning about Lunar New Year!

Have a great weekend,

Heather

Cornwall Spanish students have just begun a new unit in which they will be learning to talk about the seasons, months, and weather. They have been enjoying playing games as they learn. The fourth grade is pictured here playing the game Wah while practicing the seasons in Spanish. If you'd like to practice with your child, you could ask them, ¿Cuál es tu estación favorita? (Which is your favorite season?) or ¿Qué tiempo hace hoy? (What is the weather today?).

With Middlebury College students from Children and the Arts, second graders created dances focused on connection.

In the March 7th, 2023 general election, there will be open seats in the towns of Bridport (3 year term), Cornwall (1 year term), Middlebury (3 year term) and Salisbury (3 year term). The school board is an important body which impacts the direction of our school district and the experiences of our students.

Although school board members are elected from individual ACSD district towns, each school board member represents all of the schools and students in our district. If you are interested in running, please contact your Town Office as soon as possible to take the steps necessary to appear on the ballot.

• 2/1/23 - Early Release day
• 2/2/23 - Skiing at Rikert (more information to come)
• 2/3/23 - Progress Reports mailed home

• 2/7/23 - Combined band rehearsal at Salisbury 12:00-2:40

• 2/7/23 - Snow date concert at Salisbury 7:00 PM (6:30 call)

• 2/14/23 - Snow date for combined band rehearsal at Salisbury 12:00-2:40

• 2/14/23 - Snow date concert at Salisbury 7:00 PM (6:30 call)

Sometimes there are changes to the school menu. You can always click here to find the latest one.

Hello Cornwall School families,

This week we introduced multi-age groups to our All School Meeting. It was the first time we've broken into groups in 4 years! After students got into their groups, they participated in a greeting and then, together they thought about and answered the question, "How can we show kindness?"

We will continue to focus on and think about that question - how can we show kindness? - both in our multi-age groups and throughout Cornwall School.

Warmly,

Heather

Attention Cornwall residents!

ACSD is seeking a school board member from the Town of Cornwall, Vermont to fill the vacancy left by departing Board member, Peter Conlon. The appointed candidate will fill the position until the next general election scheduled on March 7, 2023.

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest to the ACSD Board Chair Victoria Jette at vjette@acsdvt.org. Letters of interest will be accepted until January 23, 2023. Candidates will be invited to interview with the Board prior to a Board vote at the January 23, 2023 Board meeting.

Please note that the remaining year of the position’s 3-year term will be determined by the March 7, 2023 election, so candidates should also be prepared to complete the necessary steps to add their names to the general ballot.

Questions can also be directed to Victoria Jette at vjette@acsdvt.org.

Thank you!

We are excited to introduce Haysal Jones, who will be joining Cornwall School, Salisbury Central School, and Ripton Elementary School as our school nurse.

Haysal moved to Vermont from Texas last fall, and she has many years of experience in school nursing in the same district in Texas. She worked with all ages while she was there, from elementary through high school. Welcome, Haysal!

• 1/16/23 - No school, Martin Luther King day
• 1/26/23 - Skiing at Rikert (more information to come)
• 1/17/23 - No school, Professional Development Day
• 2/1/23 - Early Release day
• 2/2/23 - Skiing at Rikert (more information to come)
• 2/3/23 - Progress Reports mailed home

Sometimes there are changes to the school menu. You can always click here to find the latest one.