Charlotte Central School Newsletter – February 10, 2022
Message from Charlotte Central School administrators
Jen Roth: Learning about herself and her profession
Every year, the Snelling Center for Government offers professional development to school administrators through the Vermont School Leadership Project. This year, Charlotte Central School’s middle school co-principal Jen Roth is one of the participants.
CCS class of 2021 ends another unusual year and starts a new chapter
On Thursday, June 10, Charlotte Central School graduates of the class of 2021 and their families drove through the grounds of The Old Lantern Inn and Barn and were announced and congratulated by staff members before heading inside for a tropical-themed party.
“Phase 1” construction begins at CCS
Phase 1 of construction began at Charlotte Central School this month to repair age-related and other damage to the building’s exterior. The school will also undergo improvements to its ventilation system.
One hundred seventy-nine years of teaching wisdom retiring from Charlotte Central School
Five teachers at Charlotte Central School will be retiring next year after an average each of 30 years spent teaching. All but one teacher had taught exclusively at CCS. As a sometime student of public management in various roles, I was intrigued by the idea that committed professionals might spend an entire career in the same institution. So, I pursued with pleasure interviewing Kathy Lara, Penny Stearns, Leslie Thayer, Kris Gerson, and Christa Duthie-Fox.
A message to CCS families and community
As you are likely aware, we are being impacted now more than ever before by the effects of COVID on our CCS community.
New CCS FUND helps families in urgent need
The Charlotte Central School PTO, in collaboration with the CCS administration, is pleased to announce the development of the CCS Family Urgent Need Donations.
Stephanie Sumner: Bringing her A-game to Charlotte Central School
Stephanie Sumner just finished what she described as the best professional development experience she’s ever had. Sumner has been the lead principal at Charlotte Central School since 2017.
Two positive COVID tests at CCS in a week
Prior to last week, there had only been one case of Covid-19 at Charlotte Central School. On Jan. 18 and Jan. 22, CCS families received emails alerting them to the presence of a positive COVID test in the “school community.”
CCS addresses remote learning discrepancies
An email went out in November to parents of 7th- and 8th-grade parents from Meghan Metzler and Amy Shore, two parents of 7th graders at Charlotte Central School.
Sixth graders on pause in person
Just three days into Charlotte Central School’s first week of four-day in-person sixth-grade learning, students are back home for the rest of the week. According to a letter emailed to families from Champlain Valley School District Superintendent Elaine Pinckney, “a member our school community has tested positive for COVID-19.”
Talk the talk, run the run
If you’re going to talk the talk, you walk the walk. Or in Dave Baird’s case, you run the run—and you keep running for 62 miles. To celebrate the end of a coronavirus-altered but still fun fall middle school cross-country season, the Charlotte Central School coach, 5th-grade teacher and athletic overachiever spent last Saturday running a mile for each member of the team. If there were a Ph.D. for perseverance, we’d be calling him Dr. Baird for sure.
Community center committee forming, LURs the same for now
Here’s the quick takeaway from Monday night’s Selectboard meeting: there’s a problem with the relationship between the Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Zoning Administrator (see article page 1), Land Use Regulation amendments are still up for discussion, there are a couple new people on the Planning Commission, and Charlotte town leaders are perking up their ears regarding planning for a town recreation center.
Tree planted to honor Monica Smith
Anyone who knew Monica Smith knew that she loved to be around kids, so near the playground at Charlotte Central School is the perfect spot for a memory tree in her honor. The former CCS principal, who spent almost 20 years guiding the youth of Charlotte, passed away earlier this year.
CCS administrators hold back-to-school virtual town hall
Tuesday night’s Google Hangout Town Hall meeting, held by Charlotte Central School administrators, soothed some fears, answered some questions, and left a lot up in the air as the new school year approaches.
The days are long, the years are short
Charlotte Central School graduation has elements that remain the same each year: elaborate stage setup with the wobbly white archway; balloons and more balloons; a cake from Mrs. Laberge; a song from the teachers; a slideshow that’s reliable for tears and awwwwws from the audience; the dance.
Charlotte Central School end of the school year 2020
It’s not the end of the school year without those waving ribbons! Teachers sent students off for summer with smiles and some excellent dance moves, and parents made signs to thank and celebrate teachers.
Letter to the Editor – May 14, 2020
This can only be an echo of Rookie Manning’s extremely thoughtful, insightful and loving remembrance of Monica Smith. Monica’s time at Charlotte Central spanned most of my tenure on the board. Consequently, it strikes me as appropriate to underline what struck me as the essence of Rookie’s tremendous insights.
Monica Smith didn’t just light up the room…she was the room
Beloved former Charlotte Central School principal Monica Smith, who spent the last 19 years of her career as an educator at CCS before she retired, passed away last week. Her absence will be deeply felt by so many, including her friend, retired CCS teacher Rookie Manning.
Thoughts from the principals
The past ten school days have certainly presented us all with a huge learning curve! While many parts of this learning have been deeply challenging and sad, so many aspects have been incredibly uplifting and encouraging.