CY- Connecting Youth

06/04/2025

Join CVSD and student-led GSAs for their annual Youth Pride Rally this Saturday, June 7, from 10 am to 1 p.m. at Hinesburg Community School.

All community members are welcome to celebrate, support, and uplift our LGBTQ+ youth through music, food, community connection and student-led activities. Vermont drag artist and storytime host Katniss Everqueer will kick off the celebration and lead an optional out-and-back march into Hinesburg’s town center. Attendees can visit student-run booths offering tie-dye, temporary tattoos, nail art, and Pride swag. The rally will be held rain or shine

See you there!

Vermont Department of Health
Winooski Partnership for Prevention
Burlington Partnership for a Healthy Community
Milton Community Youth Coalition, Inc.
Essex CHIPS
Outright Vermont

05/20/2025

Youth advocacy and empowerment are key aspects of Connecting Youth's work across CVSD.

Recently, 6-9th graders from OVX (Our Voices Exposed) and CY-LEAD produced their own PSAs - public service announcements - about the dangers of va**ng. With professional guidance and expertise from our partners at Media Factory, students learned what makes an impactful public service ad, how to storyboard an idea, and how to produce, film, and edit in a live studio environment.

After a few hours in the studio, acting out storylines, capturing voiceovers, and working on precise editing, students walked away with polished PSAs ready for community sharing and va**ng prevention advocacy.

Learn more about Connecting Youth's empowerment work at www.connectingyouth.cvsdvt.org

05/19/2025

On May 22nd, Connecting Youth returns for a final community viewing and discussion of Screenagers: Growing Up In The Digital Age.

Join CVSD's Student Assistant Professionals in exploring the challenges kids, parents, and educators face with screen time, from smartwatches in the classroom to social media pressures to unhooking from and monitoring video gaming.

After the screening, stick around for a short community discussion to share experiences, explore practical solutions, and connect on ways to support healthy screen use for kids and families. Don’t miss this meaningful conversation!
Register below, and we’ll send you an event invite and viewing information https://forms.gle/X2CXfv7TdNitTtrG8

Champlain Valley School District
Screenagers Movies
Essex CHIPS
Burlington Partnership for a Healthy Community
Milton Community Youth Coalition, Inc.
Prevention Works VT
Winooski Partnership for Prevention

04/11/2025

Connecting Youth returns April 17th with another community viewing and discussion of Screenagers: Growing Up In The Digital Age.

Join CVSD's Student Assistant Professionals in exploring the challenges kids, parents, and educators face with screen time, from smartwatches in the classroom to social media pressures to unhooking from and monitoring video gaming.
After the screening, stick around for a short community discussion to share experiences, explore practical solutions, and connect on ways to support healthy screen use for kids and families. Don’t miss this meaningful conversation!

Register below and we’ll send you an event invite and viewing information https://forms.gle/kk6qf1TmsyXvyKv27

Screenagers Movies
Champlain Valley School District
Essex CHIPS
Burlington Partnership for a Healthy Community
Milton Community Youth Coalition, Inc.
Winooski Partnership for Prevention

03/24/2025

I recently met with young activists advocating on an issue impacting their generation: the dangers of e-cigarettes and vapes. When the budding advocates asked me how they could be more effective in making change, I encouraged them to write an op-ed to their local paper, and I was thrilled to see that 8th grader Parker from Williston did just that! Go Parker! CY- Connecting Youth

03/17/2025

ICYMI We had an impressive turnout for our first virtual screening and discussion of Screenagers Movies: Growing Up In The Digital Age.

Connecting Youth's Student Assistance Professionals will host another screening of Screenagers, exploring the challenges kids, parents, and educators face with screen time, from smartwatches in the classroom to social media pressures to unhooking from and monitoring video gaming.

After the screening, stick around for a short community discussion where we’ll share experiences, explore practical solutions, and connect on ways to support healthy screen use for kids and families. Don’t miss this important conversation!

Register below and we’ll send you an event invite and viewing information https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXmOcy07fY_NYaNZUBoZIfhZ13l-nppHIvnn2MjvdZmdWg4w/viewform?usp=dialog

Champlain Valley School District
Essex CHIPS
Burlington Partnership for a Healthy Community
Milton Community Youth Coalition, Inc.
Winooski Partnership for Prevention
Prevention Works VT

03/12/2025

Part of CVSD Connecting Youth’s work includes youth empowerment. Last month, Student members of Our Voices Exposed (OVX) represented CVSD at the annual Vermont Department of Health Youth State House Rally - a statewide event dedicated to raising awareness about the harms of to***co and ni****ne use among young people.

Joining over 170 peers from across Vermont, CVSD students marched from Montpelier’s Unitarian Church to the State House, where they took the stage—literally and figuratively. On the steps of the State House, they delivered authentic stories about how big to***co targets young people, shared their perspectives on prevention efforts, and advocated for policies to help build a healthier future.

Beyond the rally, students had the opportunity to engage with local legislators, including Representatives Erin Brady, Angela Arsenault, and Phil Pouech. These moments provided an invaluable experience in advocacy and civic engagement, reinforcing the idea that their voices matter and they can drive real change.

Read about what one student took away from their time listening to Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark.

https://www.willistonobserver.com/forum/letters_to_the_editor/letter-anti-to***co-for-multiple-reasons/article_c231f59e-fa0e-11ef-ad44-fbb7082411c9.html

02/14/2025

Connecting Youth and their Student Assistant Professionals present Screenagers Movies: Growing Up In The Digital Age.
In a virtual screening with your community, Screenagers will explore the challenges kids, parents, and educators face with screen time, from smartwatches in the classroom to social media pressures to unhooking from and monitoring video gaming.
Authors, psychologists, and brain scientists offer actionable solutions for empowering kids and caregivers to navigate the digital world and find balance at home, school, and in their world.

After the screening, join your community for a discussion where we’ll share experiences, explore practical solutions, and connect on ways to support healthy screen use for kids and families. Don’t miss this important conversation!

Register below and we’ll send you an event invite and viewing information https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdv5gS0BvBZOI87EeeqNvEuGVQ0GeEz-x8e6-1iIQJkQxQuIQ/viewform?usp

Champlain Valley School District
Hinesburg Community School
Williston Schools
Shelburne Community School
Williston Families as Partners - FAP
Shelburne Community School PTO
HCS PiE

02/05/2025

CVSD's OVX (Our Voices Xposed) youth groups are excited to return to the State House Rally next week in support of stronger to***co policies, especially for youth! We're making signs, practicing our chants, and will be ready to take the streets of Montpelier on February 11.

Champlain Valley School District
CounterBalance VT
Campaign for To***co-Free Kids
Vermont Department of Health - Chittenden County

Vermont student chapters of Our Voices Xposed (OVX) educate through CounterBalance on the harms of va**ng and ni****ne product use among youth.

01/31/2025

Larry is the parent of a current student at Charlotte Central School. He was matched with a 5th grade student, Hunter, in February '24. We asked Larry and Hunter to share why to them. Here’s what they said:

Larry - "It’s given me the opportunity to meet an amazing young man. I have learned so much from Hunter. He is like a son to me and is so intelligent. Each week I look forward to seeing him and truly enjoy talking. It's a special time. It's only an hour but I end up feeling good about me and the time with Hunter. I wish more people would put their toe in the water and give mentoring a try. You get so much back yourself."

Hunter - "I enjoy talking with Larry. I don't have to be embarrassed or worry about what I say. I feel comfortable when we're together. It's a really good feeling."

01/29/2025

Look at our MENTOR Vermont advocates! Thank you for amplifying the value of youth mentoring where it needs to be heard most!

Happy ! Today, mentoring champions across the country are gathering on the Hill to meet with members of Congress and for the vital role of mentoring in our communities. Vermont is here, advocating for our youth during a historic moment in our nation where this work will have a very real impact on local programs across the country. Every voice counts!