On the Horizon

Dear Commodore Community,

This past week at the assembly I shared that we would be starting the Commodore Committee. This will be a student group that works with me and sometimes with the staff leadership team. Using our data (panorama and fastbridge), student feedback forms, and other forms of input. The main goal is to make sure that we have student voice in the changes that we make in the school and to have the students be a part of the change to the climate and culture of our school. There will be two informational/interest meetings this week to find out more and what the commitment will be to be a part of this team. You can come either on Wednesday 10:55-11:25 or Thursday during 11:25-11:55. We will meet in Jody's office.

Some events that are coming up in the next few weeks are:

• 12/11: All 10th graders attend PAHCC
  
• 12/11: JV & Varsity Boys Basketball @ Colchester, 5:30/7pm. The bus departs at 4:15pm.
• 12/12: Varsity Wrestling @ CVU, 5:00pm. The bus departs at 3:45pm and JVB Boys Basketball Home vs. Mt. Abe, 5:30pm.
• 12/13: Varsity Boys Basketball Home vs. Northfield, 7pm.
• 12/14: A Community Event about the Israel/Palestine War @ 5:30
• 12/15: JV & Varsity Girls Basketball @ Peoples, 5:30/7:00pm. The bus departs at 3:00p and JV & Varsity Boys Basketball Home vs. Stowe, 5:30/7:00pm.
• 12/16: Varsity Wrestling North/South Duals @ St. Johnsbury Academy, 10:00am. The bus departs at 6:30am.
• 12/17: Varsity Indoor Track @ UVM, 8:30am. The bus departs at 7:00am.
• Winter Break Begins 12/22

Have a great week Commodores!

Jody Chamberlin JChamberlin@anwsd.org

Please see the board meeting and sub committee meetings that are happening this month.

The following students were accepted into the GMMDV High School Chorus:

Sophia Johnson

Phoebe Raphael

Ellie Wilkinson-Sachs

Di Hunt

Isabelle Van Voorst

Megan Willis

Maddie Stroup

Jing Williams

Gina LeBeau

Calvin Gramling

Benedict Diehl-Noble

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For the 2023-2024 Vermont High School All-District Band Selections we had the following 14 students accepted. Last year we had 7 and the year before was 3. Way to go Commodores!

Adrienne Smits – 2nd Chair Oboe

Marybeth Cosgrove – 1st Chair Flute

Ellie Eckels – 2nd Chair Flute

Maddie Stroup – 2nd Chair Clarinet

Micah Clevenstine – 1st Chair Alto Sax

Micah Clevenstine – 1st Chair Tenor Sax, Jazz Band

Riley Gagnon – 2nd Chair Alto Sax

Jing Williams – 1st Chair Trumpet

Jing Williams – 4th Chair Trumpet, Jazz Band

Mia Kutchukian – 2nd Chair Trumpet

Cole Gagnon – 3rd Chair Trombone

Grey Fearon – 1st Chair Trombone

Grey Fearon – 3rd Chair Trombone, Jazz Band

Chance Koenig – Tuba (no chair levels)

Megan Mentzer – 1st Chair Drums, Jazz Band

Megan Mentzer – 1st Chair Mallets

Cal Gramling – 1st Chair Snare

Bryan Norton – 2nd Chair Snare

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It’s time to order your 2023-2024 yearbook!

The cost of the high school yearbook (grades 9-12) is $55. Order Link

A middle school yearbook (grades 7-8) costs $25. Order Link

Last year we sold out of yearbooks completely! Please preorder yours to ensure you get one.

If you are not able to order online you can order by emailing Melissa Muzzy (MMuzzy@anwsd.org) and send in a check made out to ANWSD. Checks can be left in the main office or brought directly to Melissa Muzzy. Please make sure you include in a note or in an email the following information:

Your Name

Student Name

Email Address

You will then get added to the list for the orders and she will email you when it has all been entered.

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Green Team is holding a bottle drive for fundraising for a couple of projects throughout the year. Please ask anybody you know who has bottles and cans to save them and donate them to the Green Team. The drop-off date is Tuesday, December 12 at the High school, stay tuned for more details which will come later.

Thanks! 2023-2024 Green Team Members

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The ANWSD Tech Dept is looking for a student or students with a bit of mechanical/computer/electronics aptitude to help us repair Chromebooks with various problems. The job will typically consist of swapping out batteries and displays, removing batteries in preparation of sending the device to e-waste, repairing or replacing the occasional keyboard, and investigating other miscellaneous failures. The student will be taught to work safely, coached on repair best practices and troubleshooting techniques, and supervised during the repair process. We will provide the needed hand tools. The student has only to bring a positive attitude and a willingness to learn and use their hands. To apply please email Jody Chamberlin or Colden Golann a letter of interest.

School Counseling Office Upcoming Events:

• Monday, 12/11, 10th grade visit to Patricia Hannaford Career Center (PHCC) 12:05 - 2:40 pm

REMINDER - 10th grade visit to Patricia Hannaford Career Center (PHCC):

Brenda Logee, School Counselor at the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center (PAHCC), met with our 10th grade class in November to discuss the many options available at PAHCC. Following this presentation, students signed up to observe two programs in the areas of Agriculture, Arts and Humanities, Business and Services, or Technology for their visit to PAHCC on Monday, December 11, 2023 from 12:05 p.m. - 2:40 p.m.

This visit will take place so that all 10th graders are aware of the college and career preparation opportunities that are available to them at PAHCC for 11th and 12th grades. This trip is also an exploration time to learn about other flexible pathways offered in 11th and 12th grades for students at Vergennes High School. We will leave on Monday, December 11th at 12:05 p.m. (after lunch and during Block 6) and return about 2:40 p.m. to go to the end of Block 8. If you have any questions, please reach out to your student’s school counselor.

The Governor’s Institutes of Vermont (GIV) - Summer Sessions 2024:

Information is now available regarding this year’s summer sessions being offered. If you are interested in attending, check out the information so you are ready to apply when applications become available in January! Summer Sessions at GIV 2024

VSAC Scholarships for Vermonters:

VSAC scholarships are now available for application. If a senior didn’t receive a book yet, hard copies of the scholarship book are available in the school counseling office. Click here to visit the VSAC site for more information and to apply. Transcripts will be uploaded by the School Counseling Office once the USA application has been submitted. If students or parents have any questions, please contact your school counselor in the School Counseling office. Click here for VSAC Scholarship Instructions. Application deadline: February 14, 2024.

Reminder for Seniors - Available Scholarships:

Seniors are encouraged to check the linked document, Scholarships Currently Available for Application, often. This document is updated on a regular basis and scholarships are starting to come in more often from now through spring.

FAFSA and FSA ID Help from Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC): Seniors and Families - VSAC is offering 30-minute appointments through January 2024 with virtual and in-person options available. Visit our Calendly page to sign up for a meeting. FAFSA filing appointments will be offered after the FAFSA becomes available later this year. For more information, visit the VSAC calendar of events in December. In the meantime, see these VSAC infographic flyers for information regarding the new FAFSA form: Focus on FAFSA , Focus on FAFSA with VSAC Questions? Call our toll-free helpline at 833-802-8722 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm).

Use these links for instructions on how to create your FSA ID and how to create a MyVSAC Account:

How to create an FSA ID

How to create a MyVSAC Account

Boosters - If you're looking for an easy way to raise money for your child's team or club, the Booster Club has a great opportunity for you! If you have any questions, please contact Kirsten De La Cruz (klh@gmavt.net).

CPTG - Commodore Parent Teacher Group Sign up. Let's work together to ensure that our children have access to a stimulating and nurturing educational environment. Your partnership with VUHS Commodore Parent Teacher Group will help shape the minds of future leaders, innovators, and lifelong learners.

Friends of Music - Consider joining the Commodore Friends of Music for our children, our music educators and our community. Meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm via the Zoom link. For more information please visit our website https://sites.google.com/view/commodore-friends-of-music/home

Lunch Menu

We have had a few instances of students consuming hot peppers and products containing them during school. Chili peppers do have various health benefits and are rich with vitamins and nutrients but when consumed by individuals that are not used to consuming spicy foods, they also have risks. The active “spicy” compound in peppers is called capsaicin, which causes a burning sensation in the mucous membranes of your digestive system. It also increases secretion of gastric acid and stimulates the nerve endings in the skin. A person who ingests a large amount or is not used to eating chili peppers may have some side effects including nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, pain in your stomach, mouth, chest, and/or any area that comes in contact with the oils from the pepper. These are not symptoms they want to experience during school and Please discuss with your child the potential risks associated with following social media trends and pepper related challenges.

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Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to discuss your child's illness. Jaime Wells at jwells@anwsd.org or 471-2298

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We have put together a new Community Health and Wellness site that can be accessed from the ANWSD website. The site is updated as new info becomes available.

Sports have started!! Be sure to check out a game or two :)

Athletic Information- Winter 2023/24

Sign up with this link: Session TWO Fusion Registration

All sophomores will attend the visit to the PAHCC on Monday, December 11, 2023 from 12:05 p.m. - 2:40 p.m.

Check out the new and updated the PAHCC Newsletter!

Title Programs ~ Parent & Family Engagement Information

JumpRope User Guide

JumpRope Parent Portal Walk Through

What: A Community Event about the Israel/Palestine War

Who: All members of the community

Where: VUMHS Library

When: December 14th from 5:30-7:00

The goal: To create an event that helps people

• get more background information about the conflict
• gain skills to have conversations about the war,
• gain skills to have conversations about instances of hate, bias, and violence that are happening
• to be ok with complex and uncomfortable topics

If you have a community event, a student opportunity, or any other information that you would like featured in the newsletter please email Jody Chamberlin (JChamberlin@anwsd.org). We need the information and images by Thursday afternoons at 3pm so it can be in the Friday Newsletter.

Email: JChamberlin@anwsd.org
Website: https://vumhs.org/
Location: 50 Monkton Road, Vergennes, VT, USA
Phone: (802) 877-2938