February 2025
The Carillon 2/1/25
the Carillon
car·il·lon /ˈkerəlän,ˈkerələn/
your weekly update from Carrollton Elementary
February 1, 2025
From the desk of Mr. Brennan…
If I have to choose between convenience for adults and safety for children, I hope by now you know which I am going to select. In an effort to fix the mess that our parking lot has become during morning drop-off, I will be monitoring next week and redirecting drivers as needed. While the expectation for who can use the parking lot between doors 1 and 12 has never changed, my regulating it declined and it’s fast becoming like a mini demolition derby out there: vehicles parking wherever, fender-bender near misses, honking, rudeness. When we have moving kids in proximity to moving vehicles, this is a problem. So, here’s the plan to fix it together:
1. The only driver who may enter the front parking lot between 8:00 a.m. and 8:55 a.m. is one who…
· is dropping off a student for the YMCA before-care;
· is employed by IWCS;
· has an official handicap placard displayed;
· has a school-issued CAES Parking Pas displayed;
· has a previously scheduled appointment with a CAES staff member;
· has business to be addressed in the office or clinic.
2. The only driver who should park in a “Reserved Parking Only” spot is one employed by IWCS.
3. The only driver who should park in a spot designated for handicap parking is one who…
· has an official handicap placard displayed;
· has a student who receives hand-off transition with a staff member.
4. No student will be permitted to walk through the parking lot without an adult.
Basically, the only drivers that should park in the lots in the morning are those who are coming into the building for a meeting and/or those who are meeting a staff member who is escorting a student to class. Yes, going through the drop-off loop may feel inconvenient if one has places to go, people to see, but scores and scores of our caregivers do it right each weekday morning -- besides, an accident in the parking lot would be a whole bunch more inconvenient. If anyone has questions about my commitment to keeping our students safe, please call me at 757-357-8850.
Let’s Grow!
Mr. B.
Mr. Brennan
Cardinal Kudos!
Congratulations to the following IWCS Service Award recipients:
5 years of service:
- Mrs. Hinton
- Mrs. Joslin
- Mrs. Kitchen
- Mrs. Lee
- Mrs. Rowland
10 years of service:
- Mrs. Artis
- Ms. Berkeley
- Mrs. Brant
- Mrs. Delong
15 years: Mrs. Oparaji
20 years: Mrs. Fraas
25 years: Mrs. Rosenberry
30 years: Mrs. J. Smith
40 years of service with IWCS: Mr. Evans!
Help Wanted
Mrs. Rosenberry’s pre-K students will gladly turn your empty tissue boxes into fun projects!
If you or your business/company would like to make a charitable donation, please consider contributing to the betterment of what we do here at school; you can do this easily through the Online School Payment (OSP) site.
OSP link for general donations: OSP: General Donations
OSP link for specifically for music and art donations: OSP: Music & Art Donations
OSP link for CAES: is: OSP: Carrollton Elementary
OSP link for the county: OSP: IWCS
From our Engineering teacher Mrs. Waibel: I would like to collect as many dominoes as I can for the students to use in class. They do not need to be new, and if you find some you’re willing to part with, please send them in. Thank you so much!
Caregivers often ask how they can support the school staff and one way would to provide items for staff incentives; here’s an Amazon link for such items: Ways to Encourage the CAES Staff
Good to Know
From Mr. K. Wimbush, our Great Computer Challenge coach:
Hey Future Tech Stars! Are you ready to show off your computer skills and have a blast? The Great Computer Challenge is just around the corner, and we want YOU to be a part of it! It’s a super fun competition where you’ll get to solve cool puzzles, create awesome projects, and work with friends—all while having an amazing time!
Whether you love coding, designing, or just playing with tech, this challenge is for YOU! And guess what? Tryouts are coming soon! This is your chance to step up, show what you’ve got, and possibly earn a spot in the competition. If your young scholar is interested in trying out, please contact us via this email for tryout details: [email protected].
So, if you’re ready to dive into the world of computers and fun challenges, reach out and let us know you're interested. We can’t wait to see what you’ll create! Ready to take the leap? Try-outs are 3:50 - 5:00 February 6 & February 13.
Here’s a link to a collection of resources to help you keep your children engaged with reading: VLP literacy opportunities
Our second-semester book fair is coming! Feel free to start browsing at this link: iterati.com/bookfair/
Lots o’ Links
Our school’s handbook: CAES Family FAQ ('24-'25)
Information about the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and the division’s new language arts curriculum, myView, is linked here: Virginia Literacy Act and here: IWCS Language Arts Info
Here is our school counselors’ referral form.
All students enrolled in Isle of Wight County Schools are given an opportunity to apply for free and reduced-price meals. Applications may be completed privately and securely online at www.schoolcafe.com, and forms can be obtained at any school's cafeteria or main office.
Cafeteria menus are posted monthly on the IWCS website at IWCS Cafeteria Menus ('24-'25)
Here’s the link to an “online note” that you can use to report your children’s absences: CAES Absence Noteand information about IWCS All Things Attendance
A copy of the school division’s calendar: 2024-2025 School Calendar
Bus info: IWCS Transportation Information
Reminders
If you would like to eat lunch with your child, please reach out to the teacher at least 24 hours in advance to schedule the visit; this will allow the teacher to communicate if there are any changes to the lunch schedule and to notify the office of your upcoming visit.
Early pick-up ends at 3:15 daily. From 3:15 to 3:35, students are receiving valuable instruction, at recess, or transitioning between classes, so your support is appreciated.
Here’s a link with more information: CAES Afternoon Pick-up Procedure
From Blue Dominion (www.
Class Photos:
- When: Whole class photos are coming up next Thursday, February 6.
- Important: Students who do not have a signed media release form on file with the school cannot participate in whole class pictures unless you provide written consent to the child’s teacher.
- Ordering: Photos will be ready to order about two weeks after picture day (more info to follow).
2024-2025 yearbooks can be ordered at https://www.
School photos can still be ordered and 20% of the net profit will go directly back to support the school.
Photo Website: https://www.
Mark Your Calendar
2/2-8 National School Counselor Appreciation Week
2/6 Class photos
2/6 Great Computer Challenge try-outs (3:30 – 5:00)
2/7 Report cards come home
2/13 Great Computer Challenge try-outs (3:30 – 5:00)
2/14 “Happy Hearts Day” – a chance for classes to dress Valentine-y and compete for the spirit stick!
2/14 School Resource Office Appreciation Day
2/17 No school: Presidents Day
2/17 PTA Appreciation Day
2/21 “Packer Backer Friday”
2/27 IWCS Parent Resource Center rep at school
2/27 Kids Heart Challenge family event (6:00 p.m.) – more info to come
The Carillon 2/8/25
the Carillon
car·il·lon /ˈkerəlän,ˈkerələn/
your weekly update from Carrollton Elementary
February 8, 2025
From the desk of Mr. Brennan…
I’m currently reading Kristen Green’s book Something Must Be Done about Prince Edward County and each time I finish a chapter, I find myself shaking my head because I’m shocked or saddened. Or both. I’ve only gotten to page 85 and the author has laid a thorough foundation to inform and impact her readers. The back cover provides this concise synopsis of the book: “In the wake of the Supreme Court’s unanimous Brown v. Board of Education decision, Virginia’s Prince Edward County refused to obey the law. Rather than desegregate, the county closed its public schools, locking and chaining the doors. The community’s white leaders quickly established a private academy, commandeering supplies from the shuttered public schools to use in their all-white classrooms. Meanwhile, black parents had few options: keep their kids at home, move across county lines, or send them to live with relatives in other states. For five years, the schools remained closed.” • While I had a passing knowledge about Prince Edward County’s digging in when it came to desegregating, I had no idea that the city leaders simply shut down the schools. All of the schools. For five years. Educators still talk about the effects of the pandemic closure of schools and we were only out of classes for four months! Imagine the legacy of loss created by refusing students an education for five whole years. • If you’re not brushed up on your Virginia history, here’s a fact that may surprise you: The public schools of Prince Edward County were locked shut in May of 1959, which is less than 66 years ago – basically my parents’ generation, which means we Gen Xers are the first generation of adults since schools became desegregated. And if you’re not from Tidewater, you may not realize that you can drive to Prince Edward County in about two hours. Here we are less than a lifetime later and about 120 miles away; not only is this history profoundly complicated to comprehend, it also hits pretty close to home. • So far, my biggest takeaways from this book – which I really encourage you to read – are that hidden heroes made big change happen (to that point, next week I’d like to introduce you to Mr. Oliver Brown and Miss Barbara Rose Johns) and that Black history is not relegated to that far ago or that far away.
barnesandnoble.com/w/
Let’s Grow!
Mr. B.
Mr. Brennan
Cardinal Kudos!
School Store fundraiser -- As of Friday, 2/7, CAES has already earned $2,500+ and there have been $12,000+ gift cards donated!! Also, $7,820 in “Gift of Reading” gift cards have been donated directly to our students to purchase books. So exciting!
We currently have 58% participation and our goal is 100% participation so every student can earn a book buddy.
A few items to note:
· The additional prizes will be shipped from the company at the beginning of March.
· Students have until the end of the school year to return a completed lanyard to get a book buddy.
Help Wanted
If you have elementary-aged girls’ clothes and/or shoes that you’re willing to donate, our clinic could certainly use them. (We have lots of changes of clothes for boys but not for girls.)
From our Engineering teacher Mrs. Waibel: I would like to collect as many dominoes as I can for the students to use in class. They do not need to be new, and if you find some you’re willing to part with, please send them in. Thank you so much!
Caregivers often ask how they can support the school staff and one way would to provide items for staff incentives; here’s an Amazon link for such items: Ways to Encourage the CAES Staff
Good to Know
For those of you who drive your children to school, thank you very much for adjusting as necessary to make drop-off much smoother this past week. As a reminder, here are the expectations for use of the front parking lots:
1. The only driver who may enter the front parking lot between 8:00 a.m. and 8:55 a.m. is one who…
· is dropping off a student for the YMCA before-care or for safety patrol duty;
· is employed by IWCS;
· has an official handicap placard displayed;
· has a school-issued CAES Parking Pas displayed;
· has a previously scheduled appointment with a CAES staff member;
· has business to be addressed in the office or clinic.
2. The only driver who should park in a “Reserved Parking Only” spot is one employed by IWCS.
3. The only driver who should park in a spot designated for handicap parking is one who…
· has an official handicap placard displayed;
· has a student who receives hand-off transition with a staff member.
4. No student will be permitted to walk through the parking lot without an adult.
Report cards were sent home yesterday, 2/7.
Reminder about food/snacks: Students not share food/snacks with others due to potential health concerns. Remember, you can set daily spending limits on your child’s lunch account.
Curious about what’s going on in our library? Click this link for the latest Library Info from Mrs. O'Byrne
Our “One School, One Book” title this year is The Lemonade War. We want you to be aware of the title in order to make an informed decision about whether or not your family wants to participate, but please help us keep this a secret from the children. Here is a link to the author’s website www.
From Mr. K. Wimbush, our Great Computer Challenge coach: Hey Future Tech Stars! Are you ready to show off your computer skills and have a blast? The Great Computer Challenge is just around the corner, and we want YOU to be a part of it! It’s a super fun competition where you’ll get to solve cool puzzles, create awesome projects, and work with friends—all while having an amazing time! If you’re ready to dive into the world of computers and fun challenges, reach out and let me know you're interested. We can’t wait to see what you’ll create! Try-outs are 3:50 - 5:00 February 13.
If your young scholar is interested in trying out, please contact me via this email for tryout details: [email protected].
Click here for the Isle Grow Preschool website!
Continue reading if you have a typically-developing 3- or 4-year-old child who could participate as a peer model in a full-day inclusive early childhood special education classroom for the 2025-2026 school year.
Isle of Wight County Schools applications will open February 14 for typically developing three- and four-year-olds to serve as role models in the division’s tuition-based, full-day Reverse Inclusion Program for the 2025-2026 school year.
Applications will be accepted through March 13. With limited space, this program is offered for children who meet screening requirements to be peer models for children with disabilities. IWCS employees' students meeting screening requirements will receive priority admission. Complete your 2025-2026 application to begin the enrollment process and review the program contract.
Here’s a link to a collection of resources to help you keep your children engaged with reading over the winter break and beyond: VLP literacy opportunities
Our second-semester book fair is coming! Feel free to start browsing at this link: iterati.com/bookfair/
Lots o’ Links
Our school’s handbook: CAES Family FAQ ('24-'25)
Information about the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and the division’s new language arts curriculum, myView, is linked here: Virginia Literacy Act and here: IWCS Language Arts Info
Here is our school counselors’ referral form.
All students enrolled in Isle of Wight County Schools are given an opportunity to apply for free and reduced-price meals. Applications may be completed privately and securely online at www.schoolcafe.com, and forms can be obtained at any school's cafeteria or main office.
Cafeteria menus are posted monthly on the IWCS website at IWCS Cafeteria Menus ('24-'25)
Here’s the link to an “online note” that you can use to report your children’s absences: CAES Absence Noteand information about IWCS All Things Attendance
A copy of the school division’s calendar: 2024-2025 School Calendar
Bus info: IWCS Transportation Information
Reminders
If you would like to eat lunch with your child, please reach out to the teacher at least 24 hours in advance to schedule the visit; this will allow the teacher to communicate if there are any changes to the lunch schedule and to notify the office of your upcoming visit.
Early pick-up ends at 3:15 daily. From 3:15 to 3:35, students are receiving valuable instruction, at recess, or transitioning between classes, so your support is appreciated.
Here’s a link with more information: CAES Afternoon Pick-up Procedure
From Blue Dominion (www.
Class Photos are ready to be ordered! The link above is your one-stop-shop.
2024-2025 yearbooks can be ordered at https://www.
School photos can still be ordered and 20% of the net profit will go directly back to support the school.
Photo Website: https://www.
Mark Your Calendar
2/13 Great Computer Challenge try-outs (3:30 – 5:00)
2/14 “Happy Hearts Day” – a chance for classes to dress Valentine-y and compete for the spirit stick!
2/14 School Resource Office Appreciation Day
2/17 No school: Presidents Day
2/17 PTA Appreciation Day
2/21 “Packer Backer Friday”
2/27 IWCS Parent Resource Center rep at school
2/27 Kids Heart Challenge family event (6:00 p.m.) – more info to come
2/28 Interims go home
The Carillon 2/15/25
the Carillon
car·il·lon /ˈkerəlän,ˈkerələn/
your weekly update from Carrollton Elementary
February 15, 2025
From the desk of Mr. Brennan…
Last week I shared that I was reading Kristen Green’s Something Must Be Done about Prince Edward County, an eye-opening, heart-breaking account of a school division’s refusal to desegregate and instead lock the doors of all their buildings and leave no public-school options for any of their students, black, white, or other. • Any book about public education and desegregation will mention Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, and this one relies heavily on the scope and history of that pivotal Supreme Court decision. Now, if education history isn’t your thing or you didn’t have the luxury of taking a school law course in college, here’s the Brown ruling in a nutshell: Black kids and white kids should be allowed to attend school together. Brown was a revolutionary repudiation of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1896 decision, Plessy v. Ferguson, which gave legal cover to the myth that separate was equal: separate water fountains, separate sections on a bus, separate seating in theaters, etc. all based on skin color. • Brown v. Board of Education was argued by attorney Thurgood Marshall, future first Black U.S. Supreme Court justice, and it had the backing of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; the case was ground-breaking as it declared the new law of the land was that children of all races should attend school together. The Court’s wisdom ran counter to what the elected leaders of Prince Edward County believed as they selfishly sacrificed the education of all students – except those who could afford to attend the private school that those same leaders opened and funded. What those leaders didn’t count on was Miss Barbara Rose Johns. Barbara was a junior at Prince Edward’s Moton High School, a building named for Robert R. Moton, Booker T. Washington’s successor as the president of Tuskegee Institute. Barbara bravely orchestrated a peaceful student protest that eventually led to the NAACP’s suit Davis et al. v. County School Board of Prince Edward County. And that case joined with four others from across the country – Delaware; Washington, DC; South Carolina; and Kansas (Topeka, to be exact). And all of those were combined as Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 to prevent the appearance that racial segregation was strictly a “southern problem.” • And for whom, exactly, was this landmark case named? Mr. Oliver Brown was the father of a seven-year-old whom he felt should be allowed to attend the school just a few blocks from their home and not one much farther away. We’ve grown up knowing about Booker T. Washington and Thurgood Marshall and Martin Luther King, Jr, and it’s essential to also recognize that history is made by the Robert Motons and Barbara Rose Johns and Oliver Browns of our country. This is why I believe reading is fundamental and knowing Black history is essential and taking a principled stand is critical.
Get the full story: barnesandnoble.com/w/
Let’s Grow!
Mr. B.
Mr. Brennan
Cardinal Kudos!
We are super grateful to our School Resource Officer (SRO) Deputy Currier for his dedication to our Cardinals, his positive presence, and how he keeps our safety his top priority!
This is School Board Appreciation Month and if you would like to reach out to any of the IWCS School Board members to express your thanks for their efforts on behalf of our school division and your child, here’s the link to the list of members: IWCS School Board Members '24-'25.
Mrs. Waibel would like to thank all the families that sent in dominoes. The students were so surprised and excited to build their own domino runs!
Help Wanted
If you have elementary-aged girls’ clothes and/or shoes that you’re willing to donate, our clinic could certainly use them. (We have lots of changes of clothes for boys but not for girls.)
Caregivers often ask how they can support the school staff and one way would to provide items for staff incentives; here’s an Amazon link for such items: Ways to Encourage the CAES Staff
Good to Know
Have you heard of the Slow TV movement? Here’s an article about how caregivers are making a change in their children’s television viewing fare with the hopes of combatting the overstimulation so prevalent with today’s media: abcnews./Family/slow-
For those of you who drive your children to school, thank you very much for adjusting as necessary to make drop-off much smoother. As a reminder, here are the expectations for use of the front parking lots:
1. The only driver who may enter the front parking lot between 8:00 a.m. and 8:55 a.m. is one who…
· is dropping off a student for the YMCA before-care or for safety patrol duty;
· is employed by IWCS;
· has an official handicap placard displayed;
· has a school-issued CAES Parking Pas displayed;
· has a previously scheduled appointment with a CAES staff member;
· has business to be addressed in the office or clinic.
2. The only driver who should park in a “Reserved Parking Only” spot is one employed by IWCS.
3. The only driver who should park in a spot designated for handicap parking is one who…
· has an official handicap placard displayed;
· has a student who receives hand-off transition with a staff member.
4. No student will be permitted to walk through the parking lot without an adult.
Report cards were sent home last Friday, 2/7.
Reminder about food/snacks: Students not share food/snacks with others due to potential health concerns. Remember, you can set daily spending limits on your child’s lunch account.
Curious about what’s going on in our library? Click this link for the latest Library Info from Mrs. O'Byrne
Our “One School, One Book” title this year is The Lemonade War. We want you to be aware of the title in order to make an informed decision about whether or not your family wants to participate, but please help us keep this a secret from the children. Here is a link to the author’s website www.
Click here for the Isle Grow Preschool website!
Continue reading if you have a typically-developing 3- or 4-year-old child who could participate as a peer model in a full-day inclusive early childhood special education classroom for the 2025-2026 school year.
Isle of Wight County Schools applications opened February 14 for typically developing three- and four-year-olds to serve as role models in the division’s tuition-based, full-day Reverse Inclusion Program for the 2025-2026 school year.
Applications will be accepted through March 13. With limited space, this program is offered for children who meet screening requirements to be peer models for children with disabilities. IWCS employees' students meeting screening requirements will receive priority admission. Complete your 2025-2026 application to begin the enrollment process and review the program contract.
Here’s a link to a collection of resources to help you keep your children engaged with reading over the winter break and beyond: VLP literacy opportunities
Our second-semester book fair is coming! Feel free to start browsing at this link: iterati.com/bookfair/
From Our P.T.A.
Skate Night has been rescheduled!
When: Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Time: 6:00-8:00 PM
Location: Smithfield Skate Rink, 200 Wimbledon Ln, Smithfield, VA 23430.
Cost: $10 per person, includes skate rentals, slice of pizza, and a small drink.
Please sign-up here - https://www.signupgenius.com
Lots o’ Links
Our school’s handbook: CAES Family FAQ ('24-'25)
Information about the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and the division’s new language arts curriculum, myView, is linked here: Virginia Literacy Act and here: IWCS Language Arts Info
Here is our school counselors’ referral form.
All students enrolled in Isle of Wight County Schools are given an opportunity to apply for free and reduced-price meals. Applications may be completed privately and securely online at www.schoolcafe.com, and forms can be obtained at any school's cafeteria or main office.
Cafeteria menus are posted monthly on the IWCS website at IWCS Cafeteria Menus ('24-'25)
Here’s the link to an “online note” that you can use to report your children’s absences: CAES Absence Noteand information about IWCS All Things Attendance
A copy of the school division’s calendar: 2024-2025 School Calendar
Bus info: IWCS Transportation Information
Reminders
If you would like to eat lunch with your child, please reach out to the teacher at least 24 hours in advance to schedule the visit; this will allow the teacher to communicate if there are any changes to the lunch schedule and to notify the office of your upcoming visit.
Early pick-up ends at 3:15 daily. From 3:15 to 3:35, students are receiving valuable instruction, at recess, or transitioning between classes, so your support is appreciated.
Here’s a link with more information: CAES Afternoon Pick-up Procedure
From Blue Dominion (www.
Class Photos are ready to be ordered! The link above is your one-stop-shop.
2024-2025 yearbooks can be ordered at https://www.
Fall school photos can still be ordered and 20% of the net profit will go directly back to support the school.
Photo Website: https://www.
Mark Your Calendar
2/17 No school: Presidents Day
2/17 PTA Appreciation Day
2/21 Packer Backer Friday!
2/25 PTA-sponsored family skate night (see info in PTA section above)
2/27 IWCS Parent Resource Center rep at school
2/27 Kids Heart Challenge family event (6:00 p.m.)
2/28 Interims come home
3/5 Optional spring pictures (more info to come)
3/6 3rd graders to see the Virginia Symphony Orchestra at Smithfield High
3/10 Start of our annual family reading event, “One School, One Book”
3/13 Go Green! spirit day
3/14 Asynchronous (at-home) learning for students; conferences with teachers for caregivers
3/17 No school: Staff clerical day
3/24 IWCS Child Find team at school (9:00 – 12:00)
3/27 IWCS Parent Resource Center rep at school
3/28 Packer Backer Friday!
3/28 PTA Book Bingo family event
The Carillon 2/22/25
the Carillon
car·il·lon /ˈkerəlän,ˈkerələn/
your weekly update from Carrollton Elementary
February 22, 2025
From the desk of Mr. Brennan…
I think I’m finished with winter – how about you? Yes, the snow was beautiful (and bountiful!) and I like an unplanned day off as the next Cardinal, but I’m ready for warm weather. • Speaking of the snow, I encouraged the staff to provide our contracted school photographer with snow days pictures that may go in the yearbook and I want to extend that same offer to you to share any fun pix of your Cardinals enjoying our Snowpocalypse! Here’s the link to a Google folder that will be shared with Blue Dominion Studios, the maker of our yearbook: Snow Day Pix.
This is School Board Appreciation Month and if you would like to reach out to any of the IWCS School Board members to express your thanks for their efforts on behalf of our school division and, more particularly, your child, here is the link to the list of members: IWCS School Board Members '24-'25.
Let’s Grow!
Mr. B.
Mr. Brennan
Help Wanted
To prep the building for the HVAC overhaul this summer, our staff need to pack up and remove their belongings from the classrooms. If you have any interest in helping us with portable storage units, please let me or our bookkeeper Mrs. Bogard know. ([email protected])
If you have elementary-aged girls’ clothes and/or shoes that you’re willing to donate, our clinic could certainly use them. (We have lots of changes of clothes for boys but not for girls.)
Caregivers often ask how they can support the school staff and one way would to provide items for staff incentives; here’s an Amazon link for such items: Ways to Encourage the CAES Staff
Good to Know
eduClimber is the program that we are using to help write the student reading plans required by the state. As they are being written, the program will e-mail caregivers a copy of the plan – this is legit! If you have questions, please direct those to your child’s reading interventionist (Mrs. Baker at [email protected] or Mrs. Carr at [email protected]) or to our Reading Coach, Mrs. C. Smith at [email protected].
Please stress to your children the importance of not sharing food with others at school due to safety concerns. Remember, you can set daily spending limits on your children’s cafeteria account(s) to limit their snack-buying (and snack generosity!).
Have you heard of the Slow TV movement? Here’s an article about how caregivers are making a change in their children’s television viewing fare with the hopes of combatting the overstimulation so prevalent with today’s media: abcnews./Family/slow-
For those of you who drive your children to school, thank you very much for adjusting as necessary to make drop-off much smoother. As a reminder, here are the expectations for use of the front parking lots:
1. The only driver who may enter the front parking lot between 8:00 a.m. and 8:55 a.m. is one who…
· is dropping off a student for the YMCA before-care or for safety patrol duty;
· is employed by IWCS;
· has an official handicap placard displayed;
· has a school-issued CAES Parking Pas displayed;
· has a previously scheduled appointment with a CAES staff member;
· has business to be addressed in the office or clinic.
2. The only driver who should park in a “Reserved Parking Only” spot is one employed by IWCS.
3. The only driver who should park in a spot designated for handicap parking is one who…
· has an official handicap placard displayed;
· has a student who receives hand-off transition with a staff member.
4. No student will be permitted to walk through the parking lot without an adult.
Curious about what’s going on in our library? Click this link for the latest Library Info from Mrs. O'Byrne
Our “One School, One Book” title this year is The Lemonade War. We want you to be aware of the title in order to make an informed decision about whether or not your family wants to participate, but please help us keep this a secret from the children. Here is a link to the author’s website www.
Click here for the Isle Grow Preschool website!
Continue reading if you have a typically-developing 3- or 4-year-old child who could participate as a peer model in a full-day inclusive early childhood special education classroom for the 2025-2026 school year.
Isle of Wight County Schools applications opened February 14 for typically developing three- and four-year-olds to serve as role models in the division’s tuition-based, full-day Reverse Inclusion Program for the 2025-2026 school year.
Applications will be accepted through March 13. With limited space, this program is offered for children who meet screening requirements to be peer models for children with disabilities. IWCS employees' students meeting screening requirements will receive priority admission. Complete your 2025-2026 application to begin the enrollment process and review the program contract.
Here’s a link to a collection of resources to help you keep your children engaged with reading over the winter break and beyond: VLP literacy opportunities
Our second-semester book fair is coming! Feel free to start browsing at this link: iterati.com/bookfair/
From Our P.T.A.
Skate Night has been rescheduled!
When: Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Time: 6:00-8:00 PM
Location: Smithfield Skate Rink, 200 Wimbledon Ln, Smithfield, VA 23430.
Cost: $10 per person, includes skate rentals, slice of pizza, and a small drink.
Please sign-up here - https://www.signupgenius.
From Our Library
A lot is happening in the CAES library!
Overdue notices will begin to come home with students. Use this as an excuse to have your little one clean out backpacks and bedrooms. Tell them it's on Mrs. O'Byrne's orders. These notices are NOT a fine. Fines will not be assessed until June.
The bookfair is coming to the library, February 27 to March 6. Check out what it will have to offer and start shopping now at literati.com/carrollton-
We are looking for volunteers to help with the fair. Volunteers receive 20% off purchases. Sign up to volunteer here signupgenius/bookfair_
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. O'Byrne at [email protected].
Lots o’ Links
Our school’s handbook: CAES Family FAQ ('24-'25)
Information about the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and the division’s new language arts curriculum, myView, is linked here: Virginia Literacy Act and here: IWCS Language Arts Info
Here is our school counselors’ referral form.
All students enrolled in Isle of Wight County Schools are given an opportunity to apply for free and reduced-price meals. Applications may be completed privately and securely online at www.schoolcafe.com, and forms can be obtained at any school's cafeteria or main office.
Cafeteria menus are posted monthly on the IWCS website at IWCS Cafeteria Menus ('24-'25)
Here’s the link to an “online note” that you can use to report your children’s absences: CAES Absence Noteand information about IWCS All Things Attendance
A copy of the school division’s calendar: 2024-2025 School Calendar
Bus info: IWCS Transportation Information
Reminders
If you would like to eat lunch with your child, please reach out to the teacher at least 24 hours in advance to schedule the visit; this will allow the teacher to communicate if there are any changes to the lunch schedule and to notify the office of your upcoming visit.
Early pick-up ends at 3:15 daily. From 3:15 to 3:35, students are receiving valuable instruction, at recess, or transitioning between classes, so your support is appreciated.
Here’s a link with more information: CAES Afternoon Pick-up Procedure
From Blue Dominion (www.
Spring photos info:
· When: Wednesday, March 5 (makeup day is April 2).
· Instructions: Spring photos are optional. If you would like your child to participate in spring photos, please email your child's teacher and let him/her know. If you do not notify your child's teacher, then your child will not be photographed.
· Background: The photo will have a spring nature background.
· Ordering: Photos will be ready to order about two weeks after picture day (more info to follow)
Class Photos are ready to be ordered! The link above is your one-stop-shop.
2024-2025 yearbooks can be ordered at the link above until April 15.
Fall school photos can still be ordered and 20% of the net profit will go directly back to support the school. (Use link above.)
Mark Your Calendar
2/25 PTA-sponsored family skate night (see info in PTA section above)
2/27 IWCS Parent Resource Center rep at school
2/27 Kids Heart Challenge family event (6:00 p.m.)
2/28 Packer Backer Friday!
2/28 Interims come home
3/3 Annual Read-Across-America Vocab Day (We dress up to represent words!)
3/5 Optional spring pictures (more info to come)
3/6 3rd graders to see the Virginia Symphony Orchestra at Smithfield High
3/10 Start of our annual family reading event, “One School, One Book”
3/13 Go Green! spirit day
3/14 Asynchronous (at-home) learning for students; conferences with teachers for caregivers
3/17 No school: Staff clerical day
3/24 IWCS Child Find team at school (9:00 – 12:00)
3/27 IWCS Parent Resource Center rep at school
3/28 Packer Backer Friday!
3/28 PTA Book Bingo family event