Visitors and a new musician at Charlotte Central School

Science teachers across the district have been looking for ways to integrate science into reading and writing classes while also creating a shared experience for students. In early February, Charlotte Central School will be welcoming Jason Chin to share his experiences and insights into writing and illustrating children’s books. Chin, a local author and illustrator, is a Caldecott Medal winner who has written and illustrated a series of children’s books, including many on non-fiction science topics. Throughout January and early February, individual classrooms will be preparing for his visit by exploring Chin’s books.

Music news
The Charlotte Central School Music Department is happy to welcome Hazel Dority to the team. She will be student teaching for the next semester with Andy Smith.

Dority is a student at the University of Vermont and is graduating with a bachelor’s in music education this spring. She is a woodwind specialist, but as a music educator, is able to play and teach all instruments. She has played in several bands around the Burlington area and has toured with bands throughout New England. She has also subbed on occasion for the Vermont Jazz Ensemble.

Dority has been passionate about music and music education since early childhood. She grew up taking piano and clarinet lessons and spent most of her free time in high school learning new instruments, arranging music to play with friends and tinkering with old clarinets.

High school students visit
Watching the students of Charlotte Central School bubble up with curiosity is very exciting. Over the last week, three separate groups of Champlain Valley High students have visited the school to share some of their own passion, wisdom and experiences. Members of the CVU Racial Alliance Club visited third and fourth grade classes to teach about taking care of others. The chorus performed for the seventh and eighth grade chorus and talked about participating in high school music electives.

All of the Omega students watched a special concert performed by high school students just a few years older than them.

Spring theater?
The possibility of a school spring theater production is being explored. Last year, Charlotte Central School partnered with Full Circle Theater to bring to life “The Wizard of Oz” with a cast of middle schoolers. Many hope for more opportunities for Charlotte Central School students.

Thanks to a handful of parents who have reached out to offer support, Charlotte Central School will be working again with Full Circle Theater for an anticipated May production. More information will be coming, once a musical director has been identified and interest from student performers has been gauged.

Library news
Beginning this week, kindergarten-fourth grade students will be reading, discussing and voting for their favorite Red Clover picture book. The 10 Red Clover nominees were selected by a group of children’s literature experts from all around Vermont, and include books such as “Abdul’s Story,” “Luli and the Language of Tea,” “Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion,” “Berry Song and “Dragon Bones: The Fantastic Fossil Discoveries of Mary Anning,” along with five other picture books published in 2022.

Students will learn about how books are made, practice critical thinking skills and deepen understanding as they identify with the stories, thinking and experiences of others. Visit the Red Clover Book Award website to learn more about all the nominees.