Newsletter | Putney Central

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PCS NEWS 11/7/25

Dear PCS Community,

Thank you for supporting your kids through another great week here at school! We have really turned the corner into fall - frosty mornings, warmer recess times, and our classes pretty deeply engaged in the rhythm of the school year. Some highlights of the past few weeks include:

Welcoming Moochie, Marisa's dog who has completed necessary training and is now able to be at school regularly!
We had a great Spirit Week with an all school assembly put on by our student leaders, and an end of the week mask party on the playground
A great middle school Crew pumpkin walk!
Our 2nd graders hosted "Scary School" with handmade spooky features throughout their room
A truly beautiful Lantern Support, which raised over $4000 for our 5th grade trip to Keewaydin.

Here is some information heading into the weekend:

Upcoming Dates:

Monday, Nov. 10th - Half Day for Parent-teacher conferences

Tuesday, Nov. 11th - No School in observance of Veteran's Day

Thurs. Nov. 13 - PCS Leadership Council Meeting - 5:00 in the Library

Thursday, Nov. 20th - Fall Family Lunch (information below)

Nov. 24 - 28 - Fall Break

Fall Family Lunch Info:

Again this year we look forward to inviting you to have a Thanksgiving meal with us at school on Thursday, Nov. 20th. Save the date! All family and community members are invited to attend lunch with their students. Lunch is free for all students; there is a cost for family members. We will share a schedule and detailed information in the coming days.

Future Events + Community Schools Initiatives

We have a few exciting events on the horizon related to our Community Schools work.

Nature-Based Story Time and playgroup - Nov. 14 10:00 - 11:30 with Emily Pals and Lisa Duncan. This is designed for kids ages Birth-4 along with their families - please spread the word!
Caregiver Conversation - Nov. 19 5:30 - 7:00 - "What do Kids like Better than Cell Phones?" Please join Marisa for this community conversation on the topic of kids and cell phones

Winter Sports

If you have not done so already, please make sure that all students in grades 3-8 are signed up for the Winter Sports activity of their choice by completing this form.

Again this year, we are raising funds to make sure that the program is accessible to all students to participate. In order to do so, we have set a fundraising goal of $8000. Please consider donating to support this program if you are able! Here is the fundraiser!

SNAP Benefits - Info from our Nutrition Coordinator
The federal government remains shut down. The USDA has issued new guidance following two recent federal court rulings confirming that November SNAP benefits cannot be withheld because of the shutdown. DCF is reviewing this guidance to understand how partial federal benefits may be issued.

In the meantime, the State of Vermont will provide a temporary, state-funded partial 3SquaresVT benefit for eligible households. This payment is equal to 50% of your regular November benefit and will be issued on Friday, November 7, 2025. Benefits will be loaded onto EBT cards or sent via direct deposit, just like your usual benefits.
Existing EBT balances from October or prior months remain available and can be used as usual. You can check your balance or recent transactions at www.ebtedge.com or by calling 1-800-914-8605
If you need food before your partial benefit is issued, you can find local food shelves and community meal programs at Vermont211.org or by calling 211.
DCF is also sending automated phone calls and text messages to keep clients updated. If you receive one of these messages, it is official communication from the Vermont Department for Children and Families and not a scam.

From the Putney Foodshelf and Food4Kids:

We continue to operate our wonderful food4kids program at PCS every Wednesday afternoon, which is a highlight of the week. We want to take the opportunity to thank core sponsors that allow that program to take place:

Turrell Fund Grant
King Arthur Baking Community Grant
VT Foodbank Vermonters Feeding Vermonters Grant
VT Foodbank Vermont Fresh Grant

News from BUHS (This is a new, regular section, so stay tuned for more information from BUHS):

BUHS Madrigals and BUHS Jazz Band will be performing at the Vermont Jazz Center (in the Cotton Mill) Saturday 11/8 from 2pm-3pm as part of the VJC Emerging Artist Festival. The event is free. Come check it out!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend,

Jon

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Upcoming Activities, Community Events and More!

Staff Highlight

Ali Wilder- Garden Coordinator

I’m an orchardist, farmer, and lifelong New Englander. I got my B.A. in Agronomy at Iowa State University before specializing in Heirloom fruit growing. I’ve worked at 3 different orchards since and now have my own micro farm and nursery called Bad Goose Farm that I run with my partner, Zeke. We have a fabulous baby together, and she is one of the great joys of our lives. I have 12 pet geese that mow my lawn and keep me company outside, 5 of which are Cotton Patch geese - a rare breed under conservation. You could definitely say I’m obsessed with geese. I also love to grow and propagate plants, cook, woodwork, and read. Some weekends I LARP with my friends and family, and I can’t wait for my daughter to become the third generation of players. Overall I always find myself exceptionally busy, but love to find time to make new friends.

I’m excited to revitalize the school gardens and let it shine as a place for kids to learn about the natural world and where their food comes from, as well as become a place of play and respite for all.

Counselor's Corner

From the School Counselor:

Meet Moochie! 🐾

Hello families,

I’m excited to share some fun news from the counseling office! Moochie is a proud PCS support dog who works alongside her mom, who is me, our school counselor! With her calm presence and wagging tail, Moochie brings comfort, joy, and a sense of safety to students of all ages. She’s a master of emotional support and, truth be told, the grown-ups often need her cuddles just as much as the kids. Moochie, will be visiting sometimes to spend time with students. Moochie is here to help create a calm, supportive space for kids, whether they want to read quietly, take a mindful break, or just enjoy a furry friend’s company.

Moochie is a certified therapy dog who has completed special training to work in schools and community settings. She loves people, animals and bringing smiles wherever she goes. Her calm and friendly nature helps students and staff feel more relaxed, supported, and connected.

When Moochie is here, she’ll spend most of her time in my school counseling office with small groups, and sometimes with individual students. Research shows that being around therapy dogs can help reduce stress, increase feelings of happiness, and even make it easier to focus and learn.

We’ll be introducing Moochie gradually and in ways that feel comfortable for every student. If your child is interested in visiting Moochie-or prefers to wait or opt out-that’s completely okay.

I’m looking forward to sharing Moochie with our school community and creating moments of calm and connection for students. Feel free to reach out if you have questions or want to know more about Moochie’s visits!

Warmly,

Counselor Marisa