Announcements 12-1-11

News From Open Doors

The students from the Open Doors Artists on the Move class designed name plates for the horses at the Phoenix Horse Farm. The name plates will help beautify the newly built stable. What a great way for students to contribute to their community!

Announcements from Open Doors

Open Doors is meeting next week except for Friday. Open Doors Artists on the Move class will be meeting on Monday, Dec 5th and Mon, Dec 12th. The class has been extended one week.

News from Music Class

Kindergarten students are working on being singers in music class. They earn stars for singing as a class. Each class, students work together to earn up to 3 stars. At the end of the week, the class or classes with the most stars receive the "Best Singing Class" award. If a class earn 6 stars in the week, every student in the class receives a City Card, also. Best singing class for the week of Nov. 14 : Mrs. Edelstein ( 5 stars) and Mrs. Scott ( 5 stars). Keep up the good work.

Teacher Appreciation

The American Legion, Green Mountain Post #1, sent over a crate of fresh apples to SACS to say thank you to the teachers for all they do and let them know how much the community appreciates their hard work!

Hot Lunch Entree

Meat or Cheese Lasagna
Spinach Salad w/Apples & Maple Vinaigrette
Garlic Breadsticks
Low-Fat Dessert
Fresh Fruit
Farm Fresh Milk

Announcements 11-30-11

News from The Explorers

On November 16, 2011 the 3^rd graders from the Explorer team went on a field trip to the St Albans Cooperative Creamery here in the city of St Albans. The teachers, chaperones, and students had fun, and learned a lot about the role that the creamery plays in the dairy industry in Vermont. In addition, it was a nice way to end their research of the Vermont dairy industry as part of their Community/Economics thematic study.

Drama Club

Drama Club will be starting on Tuesday, December 13^that 3:15 in Room A-1.

Any student in grades 5 through 8 is welcome to join.

See Miss Jarvis for a permission slip.

Our play this year is:

“THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH”

and it’s lots of fun!

Cram The Complex

Please help Renaissance reach their goal of 2011 non-perishable items to bring to donate to the "Cram the Complex" food drive. There are collection boxes in each community as well as in the front lobby.

Odyssey of the Mind

Team meeting in room A3 6:00-7:00pm

Hot Lunch Entree

Hearty Chili w/ Beef & Beans

Crispy Tortilla Chips

Dark Green Garden Salad

Low-Fat Dessert

Fresh Fruit

Farm Fresh Milk

Announcements 11-29-11

For SACS VKAT kids, staying away from tobacco products is a no-brainer!

News from SACS VKAT

by Nate Gunter

I am part of a program called VKAT, Vermont Kids Against Tobacco. Through VKAT, we are trying to reduce smoking rates in the U.S. by talking to our peers, writing to legislators, and being leaders when it comes to making overall healthy choices.
Two friends and I had the privilege of going to a presentation and leadership training at the Double Tree hotel in South Burlington. First, we were interviewed on our thoughts on smoking. We were asked how we felt about teens and younger kids picking up smoking, and why they would start in the first place. I said I thought smoking was terrible, and the main reason kids would pick it up is peer pressure. Next, there was a slide-show about kids rallying and protesting against tobacco being marketed to kids. It was so powerful. We also learned about Kick Butts day, All American Smokeout ,and World No Tobacco day. We learned that 1,200 people die everyday day of a tobacco related disease. The tobacco companies target their advertising to kids to replace that 1,200 or so that die of smoking. I was very happy that I attended the training and I walked out a much more informed person.

WordMasters - First Meet

The first WordMasters meet is December 8th. All student participating must be in the cafeteria at 8:25 am.

Athletics

Boys 5/6 Basketball practice begins tonight (11/29) at 6:00 pm.

Eighth Graders and Their Families

The BFA Experience is on January 9, 2012 at 6:30 pm in the BFA Gym.

Dance

Team USA is hosting a dance this Friday December 2nd in the cafeteria for grades 6, 7 and 8 from 7:00-9:00 pm

Hot Lunch Entree

Taco Bar w/ The Works

Seasoned Taco Meat, Shredded Cheese,

Lettuce, Onions, Salsa, Cabot Sour Cream & Soft Flour Tortilla

Rice Pilaf

Marinated Black Beans & Corn

Fresh Pineapple

Farm Fresh Milk

Announcements 11-28-11

Welcome Back

We hope everyone enjoyed the week off!

News from the SACS Tech Squad

During the teacher in-service, Mr. Clark and members of the SACS Tech Squad ran a Google Docs training for staff members. Using a smart board in the library, they were able to demonstrate how to use Google Docs and the staff were able to try it out for themselves. It was very exciting to watch the students become the teachers, and it was exciting for the students to show off their tech skills.

Way to go, SACS students!

158 students will be receiving perfect attendance certificates this week, signed by Mrs. Andrews.

Tutoring Notice

There will be no After School Tutoring the week of December 5 due to Learning Showcases (Parent Conferences).

Dance

Team USA is hosting a dance for grades six, seven and eight on Friday December 2nd in the cafeteria from 7:00-9:00.

Boxtops for Education

Here's another quick and easy way to earn our school money with just a few minutes of your time!

1. Visit this website: http://generalmills.promo.eprize.com/clickandearn/:b=chrome/?affiliate_id=1f
2. Login (it's free and easy if you haven't registered on the BoxTops website yet).

3. Click on any of the 4 promotions (Big G Cereals, Chex Party Mix, Betty Crocker, uDraw)

4. Play the short video.

5. Answer a few easy survey questions.

You could earn SACS up to 9 boxtops each!

Thanks for you support. This is an awesome program to bring in funds for our students.

Hot Lunch Entree

Fish Sticks & French Fries

Side Caesar Salad

Wheat Dinner Roll

Fresh Fruit

Farm Fresh Milk

SACS Tech Squad @ KITS 2011

Spotlight on The Tech Squad

Kids in Technology & Science

By Camille Gunter

The SACS Tech Squad have recently gone on the KITS field trip.

The SACS Tech Squad is a group of kids ages 5th to 8th grade. They learn about technology and become more tech savvy, so they can help adults and students become more familiar with technology, such as Google Apps.

The KITS field trip is a yearly trip, where students are chosen to go to Champlain College to learn about and work with technology. There are two “sessions” during the day. There are four sessions to choose from, and we were able to choose two.The choices were, Building Computers, Radiology and Science, Math and Games,and Lego Robotics. Some did not get their first choice, but at least got their second choice. I thought it was a great experience! It was fun to get to know some other kids that also have an interest in technology.

No School Next Week

Reminder: There is no school all week. Monday and Tuesday are teacher in-service days, and the rest of the week we are off for the holiday. School resumes Monday November 28^th. Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you!

Today we are very thankful to everyone who made our annual Holiday Dinner a huge success. Thank you to The Abbey staff for making and serving a wonderful meal, parents and families who came out to join their students for lunch, Team USA and the Senior Band for putting on the lunch and entertainment for local senior citizens, First Student bus company who donated busing and drivers to get the seniors to and from the lunch, and to our SACS staff who opened their classrooms to families, were flexible on lunch times and made a wonderful welcoming environment to all of our guests. We served more people today than we have in many, many years, with 172 adult meals served, 684 student meals served, and 200 senior meals served or packed to bring home.

Athletics

Monday November 28^{th the} 8^th grade girls

basketball team have practice 7:30-8:30 with a short parent meeting following practice.

Also, on Monday November 28^th the 5/6 girls basketball

team have practice 5:00-6:00 pm with a parent meeting immediately after practice.

St. Albans Youth All Stars Cheer With the BFA Cheerleaders

We invite you to join our fun and dynamic cheering program

Who: Any boy or girl in grades K-4 in Franklin County

When: 1:30-3 pm Nov. 27, Dec. 4, Dec. 11, Dec. 18, Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29 Feb. 3

Competition on February 4th

Where: Collins Perley Complex

Cost: $100. Price includes a uniform, briefs, socks and hair bow.

(Cost is $60 if you already have a uniform)

We will learn a competition routine that includes a cheer, dance, stunting, and some gymnastics. The program culminates at our own youth competition!

Our goal is to teach skills while having fun. Our philosophy is:

Commitment, Hard work, Excellence, Energy and Respect

Registration is on November 27 at 1:30. All checks made payable to St. Albans Youth Cheer.

Any questions please contact Stacie Rouleau @ roknroul@msn.com or call 782-1157

Hot Lunch Entrée for Monday November 28

Fish & Chips

Fish Sticks & French Fries

Side Caesar Salad

Wheat Dinner Roll

Fresh Fruit

Farm Fresh Milk

Announcements 11-18-11

Spotlight on Team Discovery

Gentlemen’s Luncheon and Ladies Luncheon

Written by sixth grade student Jordan Phillips

Every Wednesday the girls and boys eat lunch in their classrooms and learn to be a gentleman or a lady.

The ladies work on being respectful, using manners and eating politely. The gentlemen work on being kind, respectful, being polite while eating and just in general and they work on using manners just like the ladies.

Culminating Events

Kindergarten/Bright Beginnings have their event on Community.

Renaissance has their event on Recycled History from 8:20 – 9:00

Team USA has their event on Your Constitutional Rights from 9:00- 10:10

The Investigators have their event on Science and Organisms from 8:30 – 9:30.

Discovery has their event on The Western Hemisphere from 9:00 -10:30

Dynamic Design has their event on Dynamic Disasters and Delights from 10:15-10:45

The Explorers have their event on Community and Economics from 10:00 – 11:15. Parents are invited to stay for the holiday luncheon.

Team Imagination has their event on Community and Economics from 11:00 am – 11:30 am. Parents are invited to stay for the holiday luncheon.

The Voyagers have their event, a gallery walk on Vermont Sustainability from 12:30 – 1:45.

RIF Distribution

Today, all students from preschool to eighth grade will have a chance to pick out a book specific to their age and reading level. RIF stands for Reading is Fundamental and it’s a program that started over forty years ago with the goal of putting brand new books in the hands of children who need them the most. RIF serves 4.4 million children every year and we are very excited to have this program in our school. Thanks to Meg Jarvis for all of her hard work in making this distribution possible.

Dance

Dance Tonight-11/18/11

Dances are held from 7 – 9 p.m.

Students will enter through the gymnasium doors and sign themselves into the dance.

School Expectations (Safe, Achieving, Caring) remain at all evening events and that includes

dances.

Dismissal from dances is the change. At the end of our dances chaperones and staff will walk

students through the

building to our front lobby. We will dismiss from there.

After all the parking lot changes we have noticed that the flow of traffic is

natural and more light is provided. Safety is important and this change will be safer for all

participants.

Please be prompt for pick up as staff and chaperones need to get home too. If your student does not have a ride home please don’t send them to our dances unless they have made

arrangements before coming to the dance.

Holiday Luncheon

Parents and families are invited to join us for a holiday luncheon. The menu is as follows:

Carved Roast Turkey

Chef Made Mashed Potato w/Gravy

Stuffing

Brilliant Peas

Chilled Cranberry

Homemade Wheat Dinner Roll

Holiday Dessert

Farm Fresh Milk

Senior Citizens Luncheon

Team USA is hosting a holiday luncheon for senior citizens from 1:15 to 2:15. Senior band, led by Mr. Mehaffey will be playing during the luncheon.

Band Fundraiser Wreath Distribution

If your band student participated in the wreath fundraiser for the band trip, the wreaths will be distributed Tuesday November 22 from 5:00pm-7:00pm. Please use the gym doors.

From Team USA

Our final announcement for the Team USA celebration. Thank you for taking the time to celebrate with us. Use the link to view the video and pictures.

Team USA Celebration

Athletics

There will be NO Boys basketball practice Thursday November 17th

Announcements 11-17-11

Spotlight on Team USA

Wednesday, Team USA had a visit from Mr. Armando Vilaseca, the Vermont Commissioner of Education. The purpose of the visit was to help Team USA celebrate the third place finish in the National Contest "Teams That Make a Difference". The contest, sponsored by the Association of Middle Level Education honors those teams across the country who have proven effectiveness in teaching middle school students. Mr. Vilaseca praised the current students and the many former students of Team USA who were also in attendance. The students heard speeches from current students, former students, Ms. Cavallo, the Principal, Mr. Emerson Lynn, and of course the Commissioner. To find out more about the “Teams That Make a Difference” award winners go to this site: http://www.amle.org/AboutAMLE/Awards/TeamsthatMakeaDifference/PastWinners/tabid/408/Default.aspx

Important Open Doors Announcement

Due to transportation challenges, Open Doors will be running their program Thursday November 17^th without busing. Open Doors will have their regular program on Friday November 18^th. Please send your child to Open Doors on Thursday only if you are able to provide transportation home. Pick up time will be at 4:50 at City School. Thank you again for your patience as we resolve our transportation difficulties.

Athletics

There will be NO Boys basketball practice Thursday November 17th

Field Trips

Mrs. Williams’ and Mrs. Lawyer’s classes are traveling to the Post Office, St. Albans Free Library, and Mimmo’s from 8:30 to 11:30.

The Voyagers are walking to the bowling center at 9:00 and will be back at 12:00.

Three students from SACS’s VKAT group attending a leadership training in South Burlington. VKAT stands for Vermont Kids Against Tobacco. They will be learning how to educate their peers on the dangers of smoking, and to model healthy behaviors. To learn more about VKAT go to www.govkat.org.

Culminating Events

The Incredibles have their culminating event on community from 7:45 am – 8:45 am

Team Triumph has their culminating event, a Vermont history play, in the big gym at 6:00 pm. Please enter through the gym doors.

United Way Operation Happiness

Operation Happiness is an annual community initiative of the Franklin-Grand Isle Untied Way. The Operation is run by volunteers and relies heavily on the generosity and support of the community. With over 300 volunteers, Operation Happiness was able to provide baskets of food to over 100 needy families throughout Franklin and Grand Isle Counties in 2010. In addition, children in these families receive toys through the “Toys for Kids” Marine Red Barrel program as well as through the support of local monetary donations

Starting Monday November 21st through Friday November 25^th (excluding Thursday, Thanksgiving Day) and then continued Monday November 30^th until the maximum number of families have been met, you can call the United Way at 528-8530 between 8:30 am- 1:30 pm to register for a basket of food or for the “Toys for Kids” program.

Specific pickup locations will be announced at registration.

If you wish to volunteer contact Wendy Morrill at 527-7850

Monetary donations may be sent to: Operation Happiness c/o The United Way, PO Box 387 St. Albans VT 05478

Donations of canned goods, new hats, mittens and toys are happily accepted.

Hot Lunch Entrée

Homemade

Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza

Dark Green

Garden Salad with Dressing

Fresh Fruit

Farm Fresh Milk

Announcements 11-16-11

Raider the Penguin

Have you met Raider? Last fall our cafeteria gave up straws – the money that we have saved on straws was donated to the World Wildlife Federation to benefit the emperor penguin. The WWF sent us Raider, who is now our cafeteria mascot, in return. Raider has gone on many field trips with different learning communities and when he attended The Travelers culminating event with Channel 5 weatherman Tom Messner, he made the news!

Field Trips

Mrs. Edelstein’s and Miss. Laidman’s classes are traveling to the Post Office, St. Albans Free Library, and Mimmo’s from 8:30 to 11:30.

Mrs. Helen’s class is going to the St. Albans Co-Op Creamery from 12:15 to 1:45.

Mr. Clark’s class is walking to Houghton Park from 8:30 and will be returning by 10:15. They recently completed a unit on community service but they have decided not to end their service even though the unit is done. They will be cleaning up the park.

Athletics

Cheer practice begins for 5/6 from 3:30 to 5:00. There is a parent meeting for 5/6 and 7/8 immediately following practice at 5:00.

Lunch Accounts

Did you know that you can put money on your child’s lunch account online? You can find more information about the Lunch Pre-Pay service here: http://www.abbeygroup.net/school-stacity.php

Did you also know that you can submit an application for free and reduced lunch at any point during the school year? If you qualify for Three-Squares VT or receive Reach Up benefits you will automatically qualify for free lunch but we must have an application on file. For more information or to have an application sent to you please contact Desiree Gunter at 527-0565 ext. 1107. You can also print an application at home from this address: http://www.education.vermont.gov/new/pdfdoc/pgm_nutrition/school_nutrition/program/forms/educ_nutrition_fr_application_meal.pdf

Odyssey of the Mind

Team meeting from 6:00 -7:00 in room A3.

Fuel Up to Play 60

Fuel Up to Play 60 is a program that our school participates in. It encourages healthy eating and 60 minutes of movement everyday. To find out more go to http://www.fueluptoplay60.com/. They are having a contest to see which school can get most students signed up and tracking their healthy eating and activity and we are hoping that we can be that school! If students need help signing up they can see Mrs. Gunter or Mrs. Trainer.

Dance

Dynamic Design in hosting a dance for grades six, seven, and eight on Friday November 18th from 7:00 – 9:00 in the cafeteria.

Team USA Celebration

All past members of Team USA are invited to join our current group of students to celebrate our community's accomplishments. The Vermont Commissioner of Education, Mr Armando Vilaseca, will be present a national award to Team USA.

The celebration will take place in the Team USA area, November 16, 8:30am.

Announcements 11-15-11

Kindergarten Field Trip

Mrs. Walsh’s and Mrs. Scott’s class are traveling to the Post Office, St. Albans Free Library, and Mimmo’s from 8:30 to 11:30.

Travelers Culminating Event

The Travelers are having their Weather culminating with local celebrity Channel 5 weatherman Tom Messner!

Athletics

Cheerleading and Basketball practices begin this week. Make sure you have your participation forms in to Mrs. Trainer.

Grades 5-8 Cheerleading parent meeting on Wednesday November 16 at 5:00pm in the cafeteria.

Composting

St. Albans City School has been composting since March of this year. Tyler Buswell, outreach coordinator for The Highfields Center for Composting stopped by our cafeteria recently to present SACS with a certificate because we have now composted six tons of food scraps! We are very proud of our program and of our students who have been the driving force behind it.

Hot Lunch Entrée

Nachos Supreme

Seasoned Taco Meat,

Nacho Cheese Sauce,

Lettuce, Salsa & Cabot

Sour Cream, Corn Tortilla

Chips

Rice w/Black Beans

& Corn

Creamy Coleslaw

Low-Fat Dessert

Fresh Fruit

Farm Fresh Milk

Announcements 11-14-11

Important Open Doors Announcement

Due to unforeseen transportation challenges,
all students attending Open Doors on Monday, November 14th will need to
be picked up by their parent and/or guardian in order to participate
in program. There will be no busing available on Monday.

Pick up time is at 4:50 at City School.

All programs including Horseback Riding will be held at City School.

Culminating Events

Each team has designated a time for families to come and see the projects their students have been working so hard on. The schedule is posted below. If your child is in Kindergarten, please contact their classroom teacher for exact times.

Kindergarten/Bright Beginnings	Friday 11-18	to be determined	Community
Explorers	Friday 11-18	10:00 - 11:15am	Community & Economics
Imagination	Friday 11-18	11:00 - 11:30am	Community & Economics
Investigators	Friday 11-18	8:30 - 9:30am	Science/Organisms
Travelers	Tuesday 11-15	12:00 - 1:00pm	Weather with Tom Messner
Discovery	Friday 11-18	9:00 - 10:30am	Western Hemisphere
Incredibles	Thursday 11-17	7:45 - 8:45am	Community
Triumph	Thursday 11-17	6:00 - 7:00pm	Vermont History Performance in the big gym
Voyagers	Friday 11-18	12:30 - 1:45pm	Gallery Walk/Vermont Sustainability
Dynamic Design	Friday 11-18	10:50 - 12:00pm	Dynamic Disasters & Delights
Renaissance	Friday 11-18	8:20 - 9:00am	Recycled History
USA	Friday 11-18	9:00-10:10pm	Your Constitutional Rights

Hot Lunch Entrée

Chicken Mania

Grilled Chicken

Sandwich on

Wheat Roll

Seasoned Sweet

Potato Wedges

Cucumber Sticks

Fresh Kiwi

Farm Fresh Milk

Announcements 11-11-11

Parent Involvement

I would like to take an opportunity to introduce myself, my name is Desiree Gunter, and I am the new Parent Involvement coordinator for St. Albans City School. I would like to start off by setting up a way to communicate with parents that are interested in hearing about the different opportunities for volunteering in our school as they come up. If you would like to be on this list please email me at gunterd@fcsuvt.org.

Veterans Day Events

Team USA is hosting a breakfast for Veterans in the cafeteria from 8:30 – 9:30 am. Some of our band students will be playing patriotic music.

Team USA, Renaissance, The Travelers, and Kindergarten are walking to Taylor Park at 10:00 am to watch the Veterans Day parade.

Spelling Bee

Belated congratulations to our 7/8 spelling bee team. They competed at the regional spelling bee on Saturday November 5^th. Although they lost by four points, they showed great school spirit and it was evident that the team and coaches worked very hard!

Also, belated congratulations to our 5/6 team that took second place in our district spelling bee last month. They also showed great school spirit and hard work! Kudos to the spellers and coaches!

Hot Lunch Entrée

Homemade Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza

Fresh Broccoli Sprigs

Fresh Fruit

Farm Fresh Milk

Announcement 11-10-11

Open Doors
Please be informed that due to unforeseen circumstances,
there will be no Open Doors tomorrow, Thursday, November 10th.
Please remind students to board their dismissal buses.

Cram the Complex - Please bring in non-perishable foods! Such as....Canned food,Cereal,boxed foods,pasta,baby food,canned fruit,rice,canned vegetables,tooth paste,and any other non perishable foods.
If you have any questions please contact the Renaissance,food drive committee.
There will be a contest to see which team can collect the most food.Your team could win a ribbon.The contest ends December 1st.

Breakfast for Veterans
On November 11, 8:30am – 9:30am in the cafeteria.
hosted by Team USA

Announcements 11-09-11

The 7th grade boys basketball team will have a parent meeting on Thursday, November 10th at 6:00 in the school Cafe'. Parents and athletes are encouraged to attend and meet with Coach Tuttle.


Team U.S.A. and Renaissance will be going to Taylor park on Friday.November 11th for the Veteran's Day Parade.

Thanksgiving Luncheon will be on Friday,November 18th .The cost is $1.50 for students and $3.25. The menus is:
Roast Turkey
Homemade mashed potato w/gravy
Hearty stuffing
Chilled cranberry sauce
Steamed peas
Homemade dinner rolls
Festive dessert
Farm fresh milk

Announcements 11-08-11

Congratulations!!!
For the third year in a row a St. Albans City School Student has won the local district level of the Lions Club Peace Poster Contest. The
theme this year was "Children Know Peace" The winner of this years contest is Amber Cooper an 8th grade student from Renaissance.
Congratulations to Amber"

Travelers-The travelers will be going on a field trip on Friday,November 11th to Taylor Park for the Veteran's Day parade.

Announcements 11-07-11

School Board Meeting on Thursday November 10th from 6:00pm-7:30pm in the library.

Announcements 11-04-11

Odyssey of the mind team meeting on Wednesday,November 9th from 6pm-7pm in room A-3.

Announcements 11-03-11

Picture Retakes are Friday,November 4th!!

Announcements 11-02-11

The Dynamic Design Community has been working hard with the Box Tops for Education. We trimmed, sorted, and counted 5000 box tops and 10 bonus coupons for the first submission deadline. As a result of the lead of Dynamic Design's school stewardship and the entire school community's hard work, we were able to raise a total of $501.00 (so far)! Keep on clipping and have your student bring then in to their teacher. Thanks!

Congratulations Candy Corn Estimators
Our school held a Candy Corn Estimating Competition that was open to each class from k-8. The idea began with the students during the Open House Resource Fair, when they saw a decoration made by Mrs Fitzgerald and wondered if it was a counting jar.

Many classes competed with their estimates, and the winner was Mr. E's (Edwards) class that estimated 487. The actual number was 555.

We also recognized the closest 4-6 and k scores. Mrs Bashaw's class won for 4-6 and Mrs. Williams for kindergarten.

We will have more chances to practice estimation with future challenges -