Updates from the superintendent

School starts this week, and Champlain Valley School District (CVSD) Superintendent Elaine Pinckney had some updates for the community.

“We are so happy to share that the USDA has announced it is allowing schools to continue to provide free breakfast and lunch meals to all children 18 years old and younger,” she wrote in an email to parents. “CVSD will be offering in-school meals, pick-up, and delivery. To read about our program, see our menu and place your order, go to our district website and scroll down to “Food Service.” Our amazing food service team is excited to continue to serve the children of our community meals that are safe, nutritious, and delicious!”

She also emailed the following:

Dear Friends and Families,

Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year – a year like no other!! We are so ready to have you all back. It’s been a long, and sometimes harrowing, six months, but we are here, and we are ready. Kudos go to our administration, faculty and staff for getting us to this place. This week, students have met their new teachers—some in-person, most through wonderfully engaging “get to know me and your classroom” videos.  The energy and enthusiasm for what lies ahead are palpable. Welcome aboard!

For the past month, we have been working on the coordination and provision of childcare opportunities so that every child has a safe place to go; teachers can teach; parents can work, and students can thrive.  The information gathered from our community partners is linked here. This is a live link and will be updated as more providers complete the information. Additionally, our Part II provider is poised to open one of the Governor’s Childcare Hubs at the Shelburne Field House. This hub is slated to provide 100 childcare slots beginning on Sept. 14. The specific information is available in this letter.

Last week, we shared the September calendar. We were hoping to share the full-year calendar in this edition of the newsletter, but are still awaiting legislative action on the required number of student days. Once we have that information, we’ll adapt the calendar to adjust for changes that have already occurred. Thank you for your patience!

Lastly, I want to wish you all a great school year – one in which your children thrive, your lives are manageable, and one in which together we return to normal. We’ve got this CVSD! Thank you!

Stay well,

Elaine