April 2025
The Carillon 4/5/25
the Carillon
car·il·lon /ˈkerəlän,ˈkerələn/
your weekly update from Carrollton Elementary
April 5, 2025
From the desk of Mr. Brennan…
Last week I used this space to muse about the opportunity to spend time with our children when they’re young and still inclined to be seen with us. Today I’m going to practice what I preached. • My 16-year-old made a wistful, passing reference to the new Snow White movie, fondly remembering when she was obsessed with her favorite Disney princess. I can vividly recall her running through the house in her Snow White dress, clutching an apple in a chubby little hand – and then flailing to the floor after a fateful bite. Over and over and over again. (It was a great way to make sure she was getting fruit in her diet but left bruises on those sweet dimpled knees.) So, controversy about CGI dwarves aside, I’m cutting this short and heading to the Chesapeake Cinemark with my daughter who outgrew the blue-and-yellow gown years ago but is still my little princess. (And, yes, I’m sneaking an apple into the theater!)
Let’s Grow!
Mr. B.
Mr. Brennan
I realize that you are busy people and that this newsletter is full of information, therefore, moving forward, anything that is highlighted is new or very important info; the content not highlighted is still important but is a repeated item that I have shared before.
Kudos
Thank you, LeBlanc family, for remembering my request for season decorations and donating some to the school this week!
Help Wanted
The Ecology Club is collecting the following items to use to create green spaces, grow vegetables, and recycle for a good cause: 2-liter bottles, plastic
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 happen to have any colorful felt (especially brown, tan, or beige) that you are looking to get rid of, please feel free to donate it to our art teacher, Mrs. Gasparini. She is attempting to get enough for all of 3rd grade to complete their sculpture lesson coming up!
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
Please do not leave your vehicle in the front loop to conduct business in the office or clinic.
If you have someone picking up your child as part of afternoon dismissal, please make sure that person knows to have the correct pick-up number displayed and to remain with the vehicle.
Good to Know
Since Lynn Briggs declared next Wednesday, April 9, as a Purple Up! Day to recognize our military-connected students, let’s do that one and our originally scheduled one for 4/23.
Caregivers are welcome to come join us in the lobby and cheer for their students during our Military Kids Parade April 23.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed legislation March 21 that bans seven color additives in foods served at public schools. Carrollton parent and State Sen. Emily Jordan, R-Isle of Wight, sponsored Senate Bill 1289, which passed both legislative chambers unanimously in February. Read more at Smithfield Times.com.
Lost & Found items will enjoy spring break outside our building, so if your Cardinal is missing a coat or water bottle or lunchbox, please encourage him/her to check Lost & Found by next Friday, April 11. The week of April 14 – 18 the Lost & Found cart will be outside our main entrance for your convenience, and by April 21, all remaining items will be removed.
Our current student debt for charges in the cafeteria is over $3,000 in debt. If you child has a balance due to charges in the cafeteria, please make it a priority to pay off that debt as soon as possible. Direct questions to our cafeteria manager 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!).
IWCS Gifted & Talented Night (April 24) -- This division-wide event will showcase student work from grades K–12, celebrating the talents of both our gifted students and those enrolled in fine and performing arts programs. Each elementary school will present a musical performance, artwork from all schools will be on display, and a variety of gifted projects will be featured. The theme of the evening is “A Legacy of Talent and Creativity,” with selected student projects aligned to our division’s recognition of Virginia 250 — a multi-year initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and Virginia’s role in American independence.
From Our Reading Coach, Mrs. C. Smith
Dear Families,
Thank you so much for your participation in our One School, One Book event with our community reading of The Lemonade War, written by Jacqueline Davies.
In years past, I have asked for the books to be returned so another school could have a similar experience but this year I am letting everyone keep them. Instead, I am asking that each family fill out a survey for us so we can gauge how you feel about the event. Each family that completes a survey -- either digital or physical -- will have their child entered into a drawing for the next two books in the series or a lemon- themed surprise! Please return surveys no later than Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
I hoped you enjoyed spending time as a family reading about Jessie and Evan's lemonade stand drama. Paper copies of the survey will came home last week and you can access the digital survey here.
From Our Library
This spring there are lots of exciting things happening in the CAES library!
Please vote in our FINAL 4 book matchup in the CAES March Madness book bracket. VOTE HERE
Thanks to the help of library volunteers, starting next week, students in Pre-k, Kindergarten and 1st grade will be able to check out our new and refreshed Literature Kits. These kits include themed books and activities for the whole family to enjoy. They are checked out just like regular books and are due back to the library at your child’s next library Encore class.
Don’t worry, 2nd and 3rd graders, I haven’t forgotten about you! Next week you will be able to start checking out VOX audiobooks! VOX audiobooks are a book with a built-in speaker that will read the book to you. Just like the kits, these books are checked out and due back at your next library Encore.
I wish we had enough kits and audiobooks to allow every student to take one home each library class, but unfortunately that is not the case. Each class will be able to check out 2 or 3 kits/audiobooks each time they come to the library. I will be randomly pulling students’ names for who gets the check out that day and tracking checkouts to ensure that all students will get a chance to check out these items. Check out will not be based on behavior or completion of classwork. I believe all students should have access to these resources, regardless of behavior or academic achievement.
Families, when your students bring home one of these resources, please help them to use the items gently and respectfully. The kits and audiobooks take up much of the library budget and in order to maintain the ability to provide these high-quality items families will need to treat them with care and return them on time. Thank you for your help in making the CAES library a fun and dynamic learning environment for all students!
Reach out at [email protected]. Hap
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’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
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 ordering will be ready to order about two weeks.
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
4/7 Actual date for the Mock SOL: Math 3
4/9 IWCS Purple Up to support our military-connected kids
4/10 3rd grade field trip to the Mariners’ Museum
4/11 RED Friday (Remember
4/11 Career Day
4/11 Pre-K field trip to Virginia Living Museum
4/11 Spring Break begins at 3:55 p.m.!
4/21 No school: Staff virtual clerical day
4/22 Report cards come home
4/23 CAES Purple Up to support our military-connected kids and Military Kids Parade (3:00)
4/24 Gifted & Talented Night at SHS/SMS
4/25 RED Friday (Remember
4/25 2nd & 3rd graders’ trip to Langley AFB
5/2 Cafeteria Workers Appreciation Day
5/2 Asynchronous day for students; PD for staff
5/4 Teacher Appreciation Week begins!
5/7 School Nurses Day
File attachments:
Spring Break Tennis Camp schools.jpg
Kindergarten Information Night (1) (1).png
The Carillon 4/12/25
the Carillon
car·il·lon /ˈkerəlän,ˈkerələn/
your weekly update from Carrollton Elementary
April 12, 2025
From the desk of Mr. Brennan…
Two words: Spring. Break.
Just a reminder: All IWCS schools and buildings will be closed April 14 – 18 and also Monday, April 21. We will be ready to receive those well-rested Cardinals again Tuesday morning, April 22, and then begin the fast-paced dash that takes us to June 12. I hope your Passover, Good Friday, Easter, or whatever you celebrate is meaningful and memorable and that you’ll be able to invest some extra time with your children during the next week, enjoying one another.
Let’s Grow!
Mr. B.
Mr. Brennan
The highlighted info below is new or very important; the content not highlighted is still important but is an item that has been shared before.
Kudos
This has been Assistant Principal Appreciation Week and I want to publicly recognize Mrs. Toth for her commendable work ethic, generous spirit, attention to detail, and love for our students and staff. It takes a special type of person to be an assistant principal and Mrs. Toth is doing a wonderful job with the myriad aspects of this position.
Great job with our Career Fair, Mrs. Bryant! Thank you for doing the hard work (and enduring a few headaches) to make this special event a reality for our Cardinals.
Thank you, Ms. Donna Wallace, for making sure that Clemson is represented in our College Cove! (If anyone else would like to donate a pennant to rep your favorite college or university, we’ll gladly accept and display your contribution.)
Help Wanted
The Ecology Club is collecting the following items to use to create green spaces, grow vegetables, and recycle for a good cause: 2-liter bottles, plastic
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])
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
Please do not leave your vehicle in the front loop to conduct business in the office or clinic.
Good to Know
Lost & Found -- The week of April 14 – 18 the Lost & Found cart will be outside our main entrance for your convenience, and by April 21, all remaining items will be removed
Wednesday, April 23 is our second Purple Up! Day to recognize our military-connected students.
Caregivers are welcome to come join us in the lobby and cheer for their students during our Military Kids Parade April 23.
IWCS Gifted & Talented Night (April 24) -- This division-wide event will showcase student work from grades K–12, celebrating the talents of both our gifted students and those enrolled in fine and performing arts programs. Each elementary school will present a musical performance, artwork from all schools will be on display, and a variety of gifted projects will be featured. The theme of the evening is “A Legacy of Talent and Creativity,” with selected student projects aligned to our division’s recognition of Virginia 250 — a multi-year initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and Virginia’s role in American independence.
From Our Library
Thanks to the help of library volunteers, starting next week, students in Pre-k, Kindergarten and 1st grade will be able to check out our new and refreshed Literature Kits. These kits include themed books and activities for the whole family to enjoy. They are checked out just like regular books and are due back to the library at your child’s next library Encore class.
Don’t worry, 2nd and 3rd graders, I haven’t forgotten about you! Next week you will be able to start checking out VOX audiobooks! VOX audiobooks are a book with a built-in speaker that will read the book to you. Just like the kits, these books are checked out and due back at your next library Encore.
I wish we had enough kits and audiobooks to allow every student to take one home each library class, but unfortunately that is not the case. Each class will be able to check out 2 or 3 kits/audiobooks each time they come to the library. I will be randomly pulling students’ names for who gets the check out that day and tracking checkouts to ensure that all students will get a chance to check out these items. Check out will not be based on behavior or completion of classwork. I believe all students should have access to these resources, regardless of behavior or academic achievement.
Families, when your students bring home one of these resources, please help them to use the items gently and respectfully. The kits and audiobooks take up much of the library budget and in order to maintain the ability to provide these high-quality items families will need to treat them with care and return them on time. Thank you for your help in making the CAES library a fun and dynamic learning environment for all students!
Reach out at [email protected]. Hap
Lots o’ Links
Here is our school counselors’ referral form.
Our school’s handbook: CAES Family FAQ ('24-'25)
Here’s a link to a collection of resources to help you keep your children engaged with reading: VLP literacy opportunities
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
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 ordering will be ready to order about two weeks.
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.
Mark Your Calendar
4/21 No school: Staff virtual clerical day
4/22 Report cards come home
4/23 CAES Purple Up to support our military-connected kids and Military Kids Parade (3:00)
4/24 Gifted & Talented Night at SHS/SMS
4/25 RED Friday (Remember
4/25 2nd & 3rd graders’ trip to Langley AFB
5/2 Cafeteria Workers Appreciation Day
5/2 Asynchronous day for students; PD for staff
5/4 Teacher Appreciation Week begins!
5/7 School Nurses Day
5/8 School Board meeting (6:00 at Westside)
5/12 Progress reports come home
5/13 3rd grade Reading SOL, part 1
5/14 3rd grade Reading SOL, part 2
5/16 Fancy-Schmancy Friday (a chance to wear those Easter outfits again!)
5/19 Rising 4th graders’ trip to Westside Elementary
5/22 3rd grade Math SOL
5/22 1st and 2nd grades’ Art & Music Night
File attachments:
Rising-Kindergartener-Packet_
Rising-Kindergartener-Packet_
The Carillon 4/26/25
the Carillon
car·il·lon /ˈkerəlän,ˈkerələn/
your weekly update from Carrollton Elementary
April 26, 2025
From the desk of Mr. Brennan…
As long as there has been school, there has been this exchange:
Adult: What did you do at school today, honey?
Child: Nothing
The end.
Those of inside the school building know that that response isn’t at all true; there’s a whole bunch of something going on during the eight hours each school day that your little people and we big people are interacting. But how do you at home get an answer worthy of a discussion? Here are some prompts to kickstart a conversation with your Cardinal on the ride home, around the dinner table, or at bedtime (when kids become their chattiest):
- Besides recess and lunch, what was the best part of your school day?
- What made you laugh today?
- What was the hardest part of your school day?
- How would you describe your day on a scale of 1 to 10? Why?
- What was the most challenging thing you faced today?
- Did you learn anything new today that you didn't know before?
- If you could teach a lesson to the class, what would it be?
- Who did you sit with at lunch/play with during recess, and how was it?
- Who made you feel included and supported?
- Did you see any acts of kindness or helpfulness?
- To whom were you kind or helpful today?
- What rules are different at school than at home?
- If you could be in charge of the school rules, what would you change?
- What is your favorite thing about your classroom?
- If you could have any field trip, where would you go and why?
- How did your teacher help you today?
- What is something you would like to learn more about at school?
- What are you looking forward to tomorrow?
Children will talk when they know they have an adult who will listen, so if you ask any of these questions, be ready to connect and concentrate and converse. When you take the time to talk, you’re bound to learn a lot and your child will feel loved a lot.
Let’s Grow!
Mr. B.
Mr. Brennan
You are busy people and this newsletter is full of information,
therefore, anything that is highlighted is new or very important info;
the content not highlighted is still important but has been shared before.
Kudos
We appreciate our office staff for all the many ways that they serve our students, the CAES team, our caregivers, and guests. Mrs. Karie Douglas, Mrs. Tammy Pascua, and Mrs. Lindsey Bogard are the best!
Congratulations to Mrs. Odom’s 1st grade class for making it all the way through the March Madness Attendance bracket by having the best overall attendance last month! The class faced off against the A Team (Mrs. Toth, Ms. Warren, Mrs. C. Smith, Ms. Berkeley, Mrs. Bryant, and Mr. Brennan) on the basketball court Thursday, and the final score was 20 to 22 with the A Team winning on a buzzer-beating bucket. A special shout-out to Ms. Sutphin and Mr. Sciarrotta for serving as referees – the A Team kindly suggests that they have their vision checked since they missed a few traveling violations and flagrant fouls that conveniently benefitted Mrs. Odom’s students…
A huge round of applause to Mrs. Vukmanic for facilitating the big field trip to Langley Air Force Base for the air show! The building was eerily quiet without all of our 2nd and 3rd graders Friday! Kudos to all the caregivers who volunteered to chaperone and special recognition to those who actually rode the buses!
Our building was the fortunate recipient of some TLC thanks to Ms. Mikayla Hume, Director of Volunteerism with the United Way of South Hampton Roads. Ms. Hume and a team of volunteers from Smithfield Foods provided service to us Friday by organizing in the library, cleaning our walls, cutting out feathers to be used in the school store, and sprucing up outside the building.
Help Wanted
The Ecology Club is collecting the following items to use to create green spaces, grow vegetables, and recycle for a good cause: 2-liter bottles, plastic
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])
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
IWCS is excited to announce that preschool registration is now open for the upcoming school year! If you have a child who will be 4 by September 30, you are invited to apply to our high-quality, nurturing preschool program designed to help your child grow, learn, and thrive. Spots fill up quickly, so don’t wait. Visit our IWCS Website or call 757-357-4393 for more information.
Our 1st & 2nd Grade Music & Art Night is Thursday, May 22!
- 1st Graders’ Music “Informance” begins at 6:00 p.m.
- 2nd Graders’ Music” Informance” begins at 7:00 p.m.
Doors will open 10 minutes prior to the music “informances.” Student attire is dressy casual.
The Art Gallery will be available for you to peruse your student's talents throughout the evening.
From Our Library
Thanks to the help of library volunteers, starting next week, students in Pre-k, Kindergarten and 1st grade will be able to check out our new and refreshed Literature Kits. These kits include themed books and activities for the whole family to enjoy. They are checked out just like regular books and are due back to the library at your child’s next library Encore class.
2nd and 3rd graders, you can check out VOX audiobooks! VOX audiobooks are a book with a built-in speaker that will read the book to you. Just like the kits, these books are checked out and due back at your next library Encore.
Each class will be able to check out 2 or 3 kits/audiobooks each time they come to the library. I will be randomly pulling students’ names for who gets the check out that day and tracking checkouts to ensure that all students will get a chance to check out these items. Check out will not be based on behavior or completion of classwork. I believe all students should have access to these resources, regardless of behavior or academic achievement.
Families, when your students bring home one of these resources, please help them to use the items gently and respectfully. The kits and audiobooks take up much of the library budget and in order to maintain the ability to provide these high-quality items families will need to treat them with care and return them on time. Thank you for your help in making the CAES library a fun and dynamic learning environment for all students!
Reach out at [email protected]. Hap
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’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
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, school pictures, and spring photos can be ordered at the link above is your one-stop-shop.
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
5/2 Cafeteria Workers Appreciation Day
5/2 Asynchronous day for students; professional development day for staff
5/4 Teacher Appreciation Week begins!
5/7 School Nurses Day
5/8 School Board meeting (6:00 at Westside)
5/12 Progress reports come home
5/13 3rd grade Reading SOL, part 1
5/14 3rd grade Reading SOL, part 2
5/16 Fancy-Schmancy Friday (a chance to wear those Easter outfits again!)
5/19 Rising 4th graders’ trip to Westside Elementary
5/22 3rd grade Math SOL
5/22 1st and 2nd graders’ Art & Music Night (1st grade – 6:00; 2nd grade – 7:00)
5/23 No school: Memorial Day weekend
5/26 No school: Memorial Day
File attachments:
Rising-Kindergartener-Letter-
Rising-Kindergartener-Packet_