CVU Celebrations

Dear CVU Community: Given the new year, it's no surprise we spent much of this week talking about goals met and goals set. On Thursday night students shared the outcome of the goals they set in their semester one Nexus projects. The photos below capture presentations that ranged from Watercolor Painting to TIG Welding to Veterinary Sciences to CGI to learning Portuguese to Interviewing Vermont's Politicians. Here is a one minute video glimpse of some really cool learning!

Students and I set some experience goals this week. An experience goal moves us out of the frame of accomplishment and asks this question instead: What do you want to experience this year? Here are some of the responses I received. If you're inspired to craft your own, send some my way (abunting@cvsdvt.org). I'd love to read them!

I will swim in the Mediterranean Sea this summer.

I will cook a food from one different culture every month.

I will take the polar plunge twice a month in January, February, and March.

I will text friends an appreciation once a month.

I will pick up trash and recycling on the side of the road.

I will night swim in Lake Champlain.

I will learn how to make macarons from scratch.

I will visit 3 new Vermont towns.

I will make a 3 tier cake.

I will ride all the rail trails in Vermont.

I will see the sunrise on a mountain and the sunset in the Lake on the same day.

I will start a fire with limited resources.

I will video chat with my sisters once a week.

I will learn how to use my standing mixer.

I will go on a trip with each parent–alone.

I will play 25 games of pickle ball.

I will walk 420,000 steps in February.

GRADUATION TASK: Seniors in preparation for graduation on June 16, 2023, please stop by the Direction Center as soon as possible to check the spelling of your name and how you want it to appear on your diploma. It is important that your name appears just the way you want it! Families, please encourage your graduating senior to verify the spelling of their name as soon as possible. If you prefer, you can email the appropriate spelling directly to our Registrar, Colleen McSweeney at cmcsweeney@cvsdvt.org. The deadline for making changes is Thursday, January 26th. Once the order is placed with the printer, changes can only be made at your expense.

Samara Ashooh sent this picture from Nepal as she learns about climate science abroad. Below, she meets with the Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

Thank you to our amazing Peer Math Tutors: Thomas Garavelli, Jacob Medici, Erin Fina, Addi Hunter, Veronica Miskavage, Keaton St. Martin, Carly Trapeni, and Emerson Rice. These students volunteered their time and talents over the last few months to staff a full time help desk in the Learning Center. On behalf of many, thank you for your ongoing contributions to the CVU community.

Students in Lianna Reed's AP Human Geography class dressed up magnificently for political geography speed dating and some love matches between terms were made!

Jaden Parker holds up his Congressional App Challenge certificate. Congrats, Jaden!

From Magali Simon-Martin: French II and French V classes enjoyed eating the traditional Bûche de Noël to celebrate the holidays. One class made delicious madeleines and after a vote one team won the best madeleines contest! Thank you to Eleanor Marsh for letting us use the kitchen.

Congratulations to the first semester "Service Stars" from the Volunteer Outreach Club! These 7 students have done the most hours of community service from June to January! We celebrate you: Colby Morehouse, Russell Willoughby, Natalie D'Amico, Erin Fina, Ariel Toohey, and Emerson Rice and Linni Goldsmith (not pictured)

Jack, Sam, and Garrett enjoying their first Friday at Vermont Adaptive Ski!

Please watch the last CVU Show for the 1st semester. This week's show features a look at the making of a CVU Show episode along with CVU News and Sports. https://youtu.be/zPoFQqofryY The CVU Show will be back next month with all new shows. Thank you for your support.

A shout out to John Bennett, one of our winningest coaches of all time. John and his team host a Scholars Bowl tourney at CVU this afternoon! Come on by!

Please welcome Mariel Dimidio (English/Essentials) and Lizz Lach (Special Educator) as our newest faculty members. Lizz, of course, may look familiar as she has been a part of CVU for some time as a member of our staff.

CVSD January Virtual Town Hall: Strategic Planning

On Wednesday, January 11, at 6:30 pm, we will host our monthly Virtual Town Hall. This month's focus is on Strategic Planning. We'll share updates about current work and drafts of the priorities the steering committee has developed. We will invite input and feedback during and after the Town Hall and will lay out the timeline for the next steps in the process. Please join us! The Zoom information can be found on the Strategic Planning page of our website and on the website calendar.

A Message from the Vermont Community Broadband Board

Do you really get the internet service providers say you do on the FCC Map? See this letter that was sent to school districts for more information and the steps to check your address or file a challenge. Correcting it could mean tens of millions of additional federal dollars for Vermont and more affordable service for Vermonters! This must be done by January 13.