PUTNEY CENTRAL SCHOOL
An exceptional PK-8 School located in beautiful southern Vermont
PCS NEWS 1/17/24
Dear PCS Community,
I hope this finds you all well! It has been a busy two weeks back at school since winter break - Winter Sports is off and running for students in grades 3-8, and the first half of the year is coming to a close today! Hard to believe.
Here is some information heading into the weekend:
Upcoming Dates
Mon 1/20 - No School on observance of MLK jr day
Tues. 1/21 - No School for teacher inservice
Wed. 1/22 - 2nd Semester Starts (see below)
Wed. 1/22 - JamFest at Next Stage at 6:30
Thurs. 1/23 - Winterfest (all choirs and concert bands) Next Stage at 6:30
Fri. 1/24 - Coffee Talk with Jon at 8:00 in staff lounge
Friday 1/24 - Parents Night Out! Drop your kids off for a movie night (Finding Dory) with our 8th graders and staff ($10/kid, $15/family)
Tues. 1/28 - Winter Sports week #3
Friday 1/31 - PTO Bingo Night (see Flyer in Newsletter)
Music Website:
Please see Mr T/s music website here for all things related to music classes, including a list of concerts for the year: putneycentralmusic.weebly.com
Report Cards
Report cards from the first half of the year will be sent home in backpacks on Friday, Jan. 31st. Please be on the lookout!
Second Semester Starts Wednesday
When we come back to school on Wednesday, we will be starting our 2nd semester of the year. For students in grades PK-5 this won't mean much, as things will continue as usual. For our middle schoolers, this will mean that students are enrolled in their new elective classes, and some students will change skills groups. They will get new schedules on Wednesday - please reach out to their advisors if you have questions about these courses.
I hope you all have a nice long weekend! We will see you back at PCS on Wednesday
Jon
Upcoming Activities, Community Events and More!
Looking for Childcare over February break?
The Pumpkin Patch is offering vacation care during the break. Click below for more info!
Putney Food Drop
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The Vermont Foodbank and the Putney Foodshelf co-sponsor a monthly food drop of free produce and some non-perishables on the fourth Thursday of every month, from 9 to 9:45 a.m. on Alice Holloway Drive (in front of Putney Meadows).
All are welcome. This is a drive-up service. Bags provided. The next monthly food drop is Thursday, January 23rd, 9-9:45am.
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Staff Highlight
Nicole Abelli- Intensive Seervices Interventionist
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Hi everyone! I’m Nicole Abelli, but feel free to call me Nikki. I studied studio art at UMass Amherst, and I’ve always had a passion for both creativity and building community. I’m so excited to have joined the PCS team in January 2024, working in the I.S. classroom, and I’m incredibly grateful to be part of such a kind and caring group of people. I’m also a proud cat mom to my two little sidekicks, Peanut and Rigatoni!
Before coming to PCS, my career focus was directing summer camps, running inclusive and equitable outreach programs, and organizing large community events, all of which were incredibly rewarding. I have an adorable niece, a younger brother and an amazing mom, and we all share a love for film, art, and animals. Whether I’m making art, spending time with my family, or hanging out with my cats, I’m always looking for ways to connect, create, and enjoy life’s little moments.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Happy December!
A few reminders from the Health Office;
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Head lice made an appearance at PCS this fall and although there has been a decrease in cases, unfortunately it has not been eradicated. Continue to check your child/ren and if you need help with anything regarding head lice please let me know. You can refer to my recent note home for more details.
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Winter gear- I have many extra hats, mittens and gloves. Students can request these from the Health Office anytime. Although I do not have many extra of the following; snow pants, coats or boots, these could be available if you let me know you are in need.
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Asthma- If your child struggles with asthma in the winter months, please be sure to send in inhalers for use at school.
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Should my child stay home? Symptoms that may keep students home include: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea or vomiting, stomachache, and diarrhea.
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We recommend staying in touch with your medical provider if your child is sick. If your child has a chronic condition with these symptoms, please get documentation from their provider.
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During the school day, students might need to go home if they have these symptoms or if they can’t participate in their learning. COVID testing may be available with parent or guardian permission.
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Before coming back to school, students should be fever-free for 24 hours without medicine and should show clear signs of improvement. Contact the school nurse who will help with a return-to-school plan after any illness.
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Finally, I have included the link for our district website. Please check it out!
District Website for Health Services
Counselor's Corner
Counselor’s Corner
January 2025
Dear Families,
We’ve had a busy and engaging month filled with meaningful conversations and activities across all grades. I’m excited to share some updates with you.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent Caregiver Conversation night! This session focused on insights from Lynn Lyons' book, Anxious Parents, Anxious Kids. We explored the importance of shifting perspectives and practical strategies to help families navigate anxiety in healthy and constructive ways. The discussions were thoughtful, and it was wonderful to hear how families might consider using these ideas to create calmer, more connected environments at home. If you missed the session and would like resources or highlights, please feel free to reach out!
What’s been happening in social-emotional learning:
We’ve been diving into some exciting topics in our classrooms:
In our 4th, 5th, and middle school grades, our focus has been on relationships. We’ve been discussing the qualities of healthy relationships, understanding boundaries, and building stronger connections with peers. These discussions have sparked valuable conversations and insights among our students.
In our primary elementary grades, we’ve been learning how to become better "social detectives" by observing and understanding social cues and behaviors. This helps students build empathy, navigate social interactions, and strengthen friendships.
I’d like to spotlight our 2nd Grade who recently went on a Social Detective Scavenger Hunt! It was a fun and interactive way for them to practice identifying social clues and making connections with their classmates. The students had a blast while learning important skills.
We have more activities and events planned to support our students’ emotional growth and well-being. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming topics and opportunities to join in our learning opportunities! As always, If you have any questions or would like to discuss anything further, don’t hesitate to reach out
All the best,
Marisa