New Families

New Student Enrollment Forms

Please fill out these forms for all newly enrolling students including: pre-kindergarten or kindergarten students, students re-enrolling in ACSD, and those transferring in from another district or home school.

• All of the enrollment forms can be found in this Google Doc: Please print single-sided and complete by hand or make a copy, complete electronically, and print single-sided. Annual Student Information Update Forms will be distributed annually by the schools' registrars.
• For information about school lunches, click here.

To be used by school registrars: Permission to Obtain or Release Records or Information Form

For Sale:

To search local real estate listings you can visit any local real estate agency or search online here. Note: Although Addison Central School District is in Addison County, there are several school districts that serve Addison County. Students must reside in Bridport, Cornwall, Middlebury, Ripton, Salisbury, Shoreham, or Weybridge to attend an ACSD elementary, middle or high school. 

Housing rights:

Your family has the right to safe and fair housing. State and federal laws protect your family from discrimination, unfair evictions, and unsafe housing. If you need help with your rental housing, you can reach the Vermont Tenant’s Hotline at (802) 864-0099.

Housing can be difficult to pay for. There are federal, state, and local programs to help families with housing:
Vermont State Housing Authority: Runs the federal Section 8 housing program. This
program helps low income families pay for rent. For more information and to apply, go to:
https://www.vsha.org/vsha-programs/rental-assistance-program/

• John Graham Housing and Services: Temporary housing in a shelter and apartments. Serves community meals in Vergennes. Call 802-877-2677.
• The Charter House Coalition: Temporary stays at their winter warming shelter. Staffed day station to help find community services. Serves community meals in Middlebury. Call 802-989-8621.
• Helping Overcome Poverty’s Effects (HOPE): Middlebury. Financial and housing supports, a food shelf, thrift store, and job training. Information at http://www.hope-vt.org/ or call 802-388- 3608.

Tri Valley Transit (formerly ACTR): Local bus system offering free rides to those who qualify. Or call 802-388- 2287. Note: Children under 5 ride free with a fare paying passenger and there are Fare-Free zones so students may be able to ride free within zones in Middlebury. Check fees here. 

CHILD CARE:

Visit our preschool pages for resources within our ACSD schools. 

Child care can be hard to find and pay for. Child Care Resource and Referral run by Mary Johnson Child Care can help. They keep a list of openings at nearby child cares. They also offer the Child Care Financial Assistance Program to help pay for child care (subsidy). For more information call (802) 388-4304. Looking for more information about nearby child care programs? The Vermont Bright Futures Information System (BFIS) shows how many STARS each program got for quality. More STARS mean programs involve families and provide a safe learning space for children. BFIS also shows child care licensing problems. Information can be found online at: http://www.brightfutures.dcf.state.vt.us To learn more about what to look for in a child care program, try this booklet: https://dcf.vermont.gov/sites/dcf/files/CDD/Brochures/CC_Y_Feb_draft.pdf 3

UNIVERSAL PREK: Your children have the right to an education. PreK programs use the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS) to decide what activities are right for your child. More information at: http://education.vermont.gov/documents/edu-early-education-vels.pdf ALL preschool children aged 3-5 (not attending kindergarten) can attend preschool for FREE 10 hours/week, 35 weeks/year. PreK is offered in schools and child care programs. Contact your school district for more information:

• Addison Central SD Early Education (Bridport, Cornwall, Middlebury, Ripton, Salisbury, Shoreham, Weybridge): 802-382-1760 
• Mount Abraham USD Early Education (Bristol, Lincoln, Monkton, New Haven, Starksboro): 802-453-3674 
• Addison Northwest SD Early Education (Addison, Ferrisburgh, Panton, Waltham, Vergennes): 802-877-2867

DEVELOPMENT: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides information about what children can usually do at different ages: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html (in English and Spanish). If you are worried that your child is not meeting these milestones, you can get help. Schools and others give free screenings in homes and the community. During the screening, your child will be able to play. You will share information about how your child speaks, plays, gets along with others, and moves. The visitor can share information about how children usually grow and learn. To schedule a free screening:

• If your child is aged birth to third birthday: Contact Children’s Integrated Services (CIS) staff of the Addison County Parent Child Center at 802-388-3171. 
• If your child is aged three to five: Contact your school district at the phone number above. 
• If your child is kindergarten or above: Discuss your concerns with your child’s teacher.
• If your child has a developmental concern, special education will be provided under IDEA. This federal law requires schools to provide a free and appropriate education for all children with disabilities. Services may happen in your home, school, or child care program. More information about your rights and services under IDEA available at: https://www.ncld.org/wpcontent/uploads/2014/11/IDEA-Parent-Guide1.pdf

MORE EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION SERVICES

• Addison County Parent Child Center: Helps families needing parenting supports. Home visiting and outreach services. Community playgroups. Child care. Learning Together job training program. Contact information is: 802-388-3171. 
• Champlain Valley Head Start (CVOEO): Early education and home visiting services to eligible families who have children birth through five. A preschool program runs in New Haven four days/week. Contact Jessica Benoit for enrollment at 802-651-4180 x204. 4 
• Help Me Grow Vermont - statewide system for improving access to existing resources and services for prenatal parent and families with young children through age 8
• Libraries: Most town libraries offer story times and other activities for young children free of charge. Contact your library for details. Parks and Recreation Departments in Bristol, Middlebury and Vergennes offer classes, gym times, and sports for young children. Contact your town clerk for more information. 
• Vermont Family Network: Parent helpline, support groups, advice, and advocacy services to families who have children with disabilities. Call 802-876-5315.

Vermont schools offer free or low-cost meals to low income students. They offer breakfast, lunch, and sometimes dinner. Just ask your child’s teacher for more information. Many child care programs also offer free or low-cost meals to children. Some organizations offer community meals for dinner and over weekends. Call Vermont 2-1-1 to learn more.

The Vermont Department of Health runs the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. This program is for pregnant women and children ages birth under six. WIC helps low income families purchase food. Families also get information about healthy eating and breastfeeding. Families who qualify for Dr. Dinosaur also qualify for WIC. Call 802-388-4644 to reach the local office. Translation services available.
Local Food Shelves and Pantries:
 Vergennes Community Food Shelf—no income limits; phone 802- 877-2435
 Have a Heart Food Shelf, Bristol—no income limits; phone 802-453-5218
 Starksboro Food Shelf—no income limits; phone 802-453-2639
 New Community Project Food Share Program, Starksboro—no income limits; phone 802-434-2333
 Whiting Cupboard—no income limits; phone 802-623-8171
 Victory Baptist Church, Vergennes—no income limits; phone 802-877-3393
 Assembly of God Christian Center, Ferrisburgh—no income limits; phone 802-877 -3903

The Economic Services Division of DCF offers programs for low income families:

• 3Squares (SNAP): Provides low income families extra money each month for food.
• ReachUp: Provides money and job training to low income families with young children.
• Fuel Assistance, Crisis Fuel Assistance, and Utility Assistance: Helps low income Vermonters pay for heating fuel and other utilities.
• Emergency Assistance: Families who have an emergency need may be eligible for help. The money may be used for personal needs, emergency housing, medical expenses, or other costs.

Applications for these programs are at https://dcf.vermont.gov/mybenefits or call 1-800-479-6151. Translation services available.

MEDICAL

Your family can get supports to make sure your children are healthy and safe. You should choose one family doctor to see for regular well-child appointments. When your child is a baby, you will see this doctor every few weeks. By the time your child is in preschool, you will probably see your doctor less often, but you can always call with health questions. Your doctor will send you to specialists as needed.

Porter Hospital in Middlebury has an Emergency Room and an Express Care Center for less serious problems. Translation services are available. If you need health insurance, Green Mountain Care offers the Dr. Dynasaur (Medicaid) health insurance program. This insurance covers children whose families make up to 300% of the federal poverty limit. Go to: https://www.greenmountaincare.org/health-plans/dr-dynasaur to find out if your family qualifies. Addison County Home Health and Hospice provides in-home nursing visits to families. These include visits to newborns and their mothers to support parenting and/or breastfeeding. Additional nursing and physical therapy help is available for families referred by their doctor. Call 802-388-7259.

MENTAL HEALTH - Counseling Services of Addison County (CSAC)- a community mental health center located in Middlebury offers therapy for children and families. They also run family support groups and have a Crisis Hotline for runaways and mental health problems. Call (802) 388-6751 and ask for Youth and Family.

OTHER SAFETY, MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS

• WomenSafe helps families affected by domestic violence. Services include safety planning, advocacy, legal support, and short-term housing. Call 802-388-4205. 
• DCF Family Services protects children from child abuse and neglect. Call 1-800-649-5285 to make a report. 
• Turning Points Center of Addison County helps families recovering from drug and alcohol use and abuse. Services include support groups and individual coaching. Contact them at: 802-388-4249.

Vermont 2-1-1 can help you find more services if needed. Just dial 2-1-1 on your phone.

Visit our Multilingual Family pages

Migrant Education: If your family has moved due to farm work, you may be eligible for services. Translation services are available. For more information, call 802-651-8343 x504. 

There is a statewide Craigslist and local Front Porch Forums, a free community building online forum, for Middlebury, Weybridge/Cornwall, Bridport/Shoreham, and Salisbury/Ripton communities.