Updates from U-32
November 15, 2024
Principal's Update
Dear U-32 Students, Families, and Caregivers,
Thank you to those of you who attended conferences this week. Conferences are not just a time to learn about grades, they are a time to hear students reflect on their work and progress, and to get to know the team of adults who support your learners. I would encourage you to continue to have conversations at home to celebrate student’s learning and support their goals. We look forward to continuing these conversations again in the next semester. In the meantime, please make sure you have access to Infinite Campus.
I am continuously impressed with the ways this large system pivots when we need to. Students and staff responded calmly to the news that we would need to change our bus routes today due to a police incident on Gallison Hill Rd. and families came and left safely. We continue to practice what it means to respond to our surroundings so that if we need to we can do so smoothly and effectively.
Best,
Becca
Rebecca Tatistcheff, Principal U-32
Play Bingo! to Support the U-32 French Trip
U-32 Library: Highlights & Happenings
Middle School Artists Shoutout!
The 7th graders just finished their first quarter of art here at U-32! What a fun bunch of artists!
A Message from the Family of Color Affinity Group
The Family of Color Affinity Group was created to provide space for families to connect with our community, participate in ongoing learning , and advocate for our students. Over the past two years we have met with the Restorative Practices facilitators, the U-32 Admin Team, representatives from the Student Curriculum Council, and the Humanity and Justice Coalition. Additionally we have provided feedback on the Strategic Plan and several District Policies. We also meet with community organizations like the Education Justice Coalition, to learn about additional resources and events that are of interest to us and our students.
This year, in order to increase outreach beyond U-32 and into the Elementary Schools, we have asked all District Administrators to share this information in their newsletter on a monthly basis. In this way, we hope to engage more BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) families to come and join us. In this case, a BIPOC family could have parents and students who identify as people of color, or just students who identify as people of color.
Our next meeting will be Tuesday. November 19 at Berlin ES from 5:30-7:00.
The tentative agenda includes sharing notes and reflections from our mtg with the Curriculum Council, sharing a draft of the response to hate incidents protocol that is being developed, and allowing space for reflection around the election and what that means for our children and families moving forward.
Please use this Google Form to indicate if you are able to attend the mtg or not.
Hope to see you there!
Do you want to learn CPR? Join the Friends of Calais this Saturday 11/16!
Marine Ecology Opportunity for U-32 Students
Marine Ecology, a course available to U-32 students in current grades 9-12, is an innovative course that combines face-to-face learning, online discussion, and a research experience abroad. Students will delve deep into Earth’s oceans and study ocean geology, biology, ecology, zoology, chemistry, and how humans impact ocean ecosystems. Students will investigate characteristics of marine food webs, distribution patterns of aquatic life, and threats to our precious underwater ecosystems.
The second half of the course will center around preparing for a July trip to Bermuda. In Bermuda, students will be intimately involved with marine research, collecting fish biodiversity data while snorkeling in coral reefs and other marine ecosystems.
For more info and to sign up, please visit https://northbranchnaturecenter.org/marine.
News from the Student Services Office
STUDENT/PARENT Resources
IC PLP courses- all students have a course called PLP in the AS (After School) slot in their IC schedule. There is a lot of info so we hope you will check it out.
Naviance - Remember to frequent Naviance as this site helps U-32 students explore post high school planning options, build a resume, manage timelines and deadlines for making decisions about colleges and careers. This is also where all of the scholarship opportunities are housed. Each student will work with his/her TA and school counselor in Naviance to create his/her Personalized Learning Plans (PLPs).
If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it yourself. If you have misplaced your registration code, please notify Student Services.
IMPORTANT GRADING INFORMATION
Report Card Dates for 2024-2025
Semester 1
Quarter 2 HS/MS Report Cards - Available Thursday, January 30, 2025
Semester 2
Quarter 3 HS/MS Progress Report - Available Monday, April 7, 2025
Quarter 4 HS/MS Report Cards - Available TBA mailed pending snow days
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DUAL ENROLLMENT: Vermont high school juniors and seniors can take one FREE college class during their junior and senior year. Dual enrollment gives students the opportunity to experience college while still in high school, and they can earn credit toward a college degree (saving hundreds of dollars in tuition fees).
Learn more about dual enrollment at http://www.vtdualenrollment.org/
To create an account and apply for a dual enrollment voucher, go to:
https://dualenrollment.vermont.gov/vtde
Community College of Vermont (CCV) Spring Schedule
Community College of Vermont (CCV) Summer Schedule
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Not All Colleges and Universities Require SATs/ACTs
Not all admissions processes are created equal. One major point of difference among colleges these days is how admissions officers consider your SAT scores. More schools are de-emphasizing SAT scores as part of your application with “test optional” and “test flexible” policies. One college has even eliminated SAT scores completely!
There are now over 800 accredited, bachelor-degree granting institutions that have changed their approach to standardized test scores. (Keep in mind that the majority of colleges, especially the more prestigious schools, do still require and strongly consider your SAT scores.) Let’s take a look at the different policies and which schools no longer require applicants to submit their scores for admission. Go to www.fairtest.org for more info
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Looking for an alternative to college?
VSAC is a fantastic resource for college and non college bound students www.vsac.org
VT DOL Apprenticeship Site - This Web site features detailed information on Vermont Registered Apprenticeships, employer-sponsored training programs that offer both supervised work experience and related instruction.
https://labor.vermont.gov/workforce-development/job-training-education-and-apprenticeship/apprenticeship or https://www.apprenticeship.gov/
Bolton Ski and Ride - January 2025!
Scholarship Opportunities!
The U-32 Student Services Office strongly urges all students and parents to frequent the scholarship section on the Naviance Family Connection site. Scholarships are updated weekly.
The scholarships below are accepting applications between October 29th, 2024, and May 31st, 2025. For more details about each scholarship and the eligibility requirements, read the details below carefully.
$2,500 (125 Awards)
Path to Pro Scholarship Program
Deadline: December 31, 2024
$5,000 (31 Awards)
Washington Crossing Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: January 15, 2025
$2,000 (3 Awards)
Deadline: February 15, 2025
$500 (3 Awards)
Science Without Borders Scholarship Challenge
Deadline: March 3, 2025
$25,000 (1 Award)
Deadline: December 1, 2024
$50,000 (1 Award)
Deadline: December 31, 2024
$3,500 (1 Award)
College Mix Christian College Scholarship
Deadline: May 31, 2025
$2,000 (12 Awards)
Deadline: November 30, 2024
$1,000 (50 Awards)
ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship
Deadline: November 29, 2024
STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Internship Opportunity
NASA and The University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research Summer Intern Program is a nationally competitive STEM experience for high school students. Interns will learn how to interpret NASA satellite data while working with scientists and engineers in their chosen area of work, including astronomy, remote sensing, and space geodetic techniques to help understand Earth systems, natural hazards and climate science.
Summer internships are offered to motivated high school students who have an interest in pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics careers. The interns will work beside NASA subject matter experts analyzing and visualizing data. This content knowledge, coupled with hands-on experiences, allows the intern to gain experience in authentic NASA research through field investigation and data analysis.
Interns are selected on the basis of their academic records, written application that includes answers to essay questions, introduction video, recommendation form, and interest in STEM. The deadline for submitting your application for the summer 2025 internship program is February 22, 2025.
- Apply Online at: https://spacegrant.net/apps/sees
- Sign up to receive notification for SEES application window and deadlines. Sign up at: https://bit.ly/3DeRMwL
College Calendar and Checklist for Seniors
November
Meet with college representatives virtually.
Check with your teachers, coaches, and/or TA to ensure that letters of recommendation are sent on time.
Mail applications for colleges with “rolling” deadlines as soon as possible.
Keep polishing your essay.
Continue to attend meetings with college representations.
Check in with your counselor.
Remember; Colleges take senior grades seriously.
December
Put the finishing touches on your essay. Be sure to proofread!
Try to wrap up applications before winter break. Photocopy all application materials before sending them in.
Send standardized test scores to your colleges. It can be done electronically at collegeboard.com or by phone at 800-SAT-SCORE.
Early Decision and Early Action letters start arriving this month. Check with individual schools to confirm dates. Good luck!
Regular applicants: call admissions offices to set up interviews if needed.
Complete CSS Profile if you haven’t already done so
Check in with your Counselor.
- ACT information
- January 17: Start of Quarter 3.
- Students admitted by Early Decision must withdraw applications to other schools. Deferred students should consider sending in additional letters of recommendation and other supplementary materials.
- Talk to friends home from college on break.
- Where possible, set up interviews with admissions officers or alumni interviewers.
- Check in with your Counselor.
Yearbook Info!
Purchase your yearbook early! You can customize it!
Seniors and their families! See THIS important information about senior quotes, farewells, younger photos and family dedication ads.
If you purchase your yearbook before October 31, 2024: your yearbook will be $35.00 and icons are FREE. If you purchase your yearbook between October 31, 2024 and December 31, 2024 your yearbook will be $35.00 before customizing. If you purchase your yearbook after December 31, 2024, your yearbook will be $40.00.
Here is the link to purchase your yearbook!
You can also purchase your yearbook from Sara Wolf in the technology office. Please bring cash or check made payable to U-32.
Yearbooks will be distributed in June.
If you have any questions please email yearbook@u32.org or call Sara Wolf at 802-229-0321 ext. 5107.