On the Horizon

Dear Commodore Community,

Please remember that we do not have school tomorrow. I hope that you brought your glasses home and find a safe and fun way to see the Eclipse.

Due to the snowstorm last week we rescheduled the Title Informational Meetings which are now this Wednesday. Please see the poster below or come to the meeting in the auditorium at 5:00pm on Wednesday to learn about how we use our Title funding.

This week we will be completing the Panorama Surveys that we do every fall and spring. We use the information from these surveys to assess how supported our students feel, the amount of effort they are putting into their classes, their social awareness, and their self-efficacy. We also look at School Safety, School Climate, Sense of Belonging, and Engagement. Based on this feedback we make changes to our overall school procedures, our morning meeting routines, and even our classroom expectations. Student input is really important to building our school to be the best that it can be.

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

• April 16th: Spring Music Concert at 7pm
  
• April 22nd through April 26th: April Break
• May 1st: Early Release Day ~ Green Team Environmental Day

Thank you for all your support!

Jody Chamberlin JChamberlin@anwsd.org

Please see the upcoming April board meetings and the upcoming Community Event around the Portrait of a Graduate work.

Congratulations to Matilda Seyler for the Addison Independent Student of the Week recognition.

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Twenty-four Addison Northwest School District (ANWSD) students competed in the Vermont Historical Society’s annual Vermont History Day Contest, held at the University of Vermont’s Davis Center on Saturday, April 6th. These students, grades 5-11, joined over three-hundred competitors from around the state in presenting their historical research projects to a panel of judges. Students participated under the auspices of the ANWSD Fusion Afterschool program. This program is funded by the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program (21CCLC), a federal grant administered by the state of Vermont to support high quality afterschool and enrichment programming.

Coached by ANWSD humanities teachers Rebecca Coffey (Vergennes Union High School) and Josh Brooks (Vergennes Union Elementary School), students began in October by choosing a topic suited to the theme ‘Turning Points in History’, then got to work reading and citing primary sources, taking notes, writing annotated bibliographies, and putting it all together in a final presentation chosen from among five categories: website; documentary; exhibit board; research paper; and performance.

The entire ANWSD team did a fantastic job at this year’s History Day competition, with the eleven students receiving specific recognition and six students qualifying for the National History Day (NHD) contest in June.

Congratulations to the following High School Students.

• Jing Williams (VUHS 11)- Aeronautics for Everyone: How NASA’s Formation as a Civil Agency Redefined Access to Scientific Knowledge → 2nd place, Senior individual paper; qualified for NHD

• Quincy Sabick (VUHS 10)- The Liquor Law of 1853: The Tipping Point for Temperance → 2nd place, Senior individual website; George F. Edmunds Memorial Prize

• Sophia Johnson (VUHS grade 11)- Up to Code: How Airport Security was Forever Changed by 9/11 → 2nd place, Senior individual documentary; qualified for NHD; Freedom and Unity Civics Prize

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Lea Krause, senior, is attending the Dental Assisting Program at the Center for Technology, Essex this year where she is maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Recently she was inducted into the National Technical Honor Society at Essex High School.

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A letter for all families and students about the Panorama survey. We will take this on 4/10 and 4/11.

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Rob Irion presented two assemblies for our school on Friday April 5th. He is a VUHS Graduate (Class of 1981). His career in science journalism and with a path in higher education as a professor and journalism program director at UC Santa Cruz we were excited to have this opportunity. Rob came back to Ferrisburgh to watch the Eclipse from his old back yard and no amount of snow could keep him away from his old stomping grounds. We had a wonderful time learning about the Eclipse and Rob's journey through Science after he left VUHS.

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The Vermont Youth Orchestra had a concert in Vergennes on Friday night. We took advantage of them being in the area and all of ANWSD students were able to hear a small selection of the concert. The MS and HS were first and then both elementary schools came over for the experience. It was a wonderful afternoon. VUHS has a lot of talent in and out of the classroom. Meghan Mentzer, Grey Fearon, and Jing Williams are all members of the VYO. It was wonderful to see them in their element.

The Vermont Youth Orchestra was founded in 1963, the Vermont Youth Orchestra (VYO) is the flagship and most advanced ensemble of the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association, drawing passionate and dedicated young musicians from throughout Vermont, the Adirondacks, and northern New Hampshire. It presents three major concerts each year at Burlington’s Flynn Center for the Performing Arts and also performs at community events, school tours and in small-ensemble recitals. In the past decade, VYO has performed concert tours to China, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Iceland, Spain, Portugal, and Greece. The Conductor: Dr. Mark Alpizar

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Dana Block performed her one woman play out at Walden this past week. We were joined on this day by students from the BHS city-lake semester program.

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School Counseling Office Upcoming Events:

• Tuesday, April 9th, SGT Pelno, US Army & Reserves - in cafeteria blocks 4&5

• Tuesday, April 9th, 3:15pm Local Scholarship Deadline for Seniors

Congratulations to our 2024 Girls State Delegates

Congratulations to the following students on being selected as this year's Girls State delegates. Our delegates (sponsored by the Vergennes American Legion Auxiliary Unit #14) will be going to the Randolph campus of Vermont State University June 23-28 where they will learn about Vermont town, county and state government with leadership opportunities. Katie Laberge, Megan Mentzer, Sophia Johnson, and Jing Williams are the delegates for this year; Kendra Jackson is the alternate for this year.

Final Reminder - Class of 2024 Local Scholarships - Deadline Tuesday April 9th 3:15pm

The 2024 Local Scholarships are now available for application. If you haven’t received your book, please stop by the School Counseling Office and pick it up. There are 30 opportunities available for cash awards and/or scholarships. One cash award is available for any VUHS senior – students do not need to be pursuing further education to apply for these cash awards. Students who will be attending technical/trade schools - there are multiple scholarships available for application - scholarships are not just for students pursuing the traditional college route. Applications, a PDF version of the scholarship booklet and instruction sheet are available - click here to access the School Counseling Website and choose VUHS Local Scholarships. Deadline for all these applications is on or before 3:15 pm, Tuesday, April 9th. If there are any questions, please check in with your school counselor (Ms. Edelman or Ms. Oliveira) or Mrs. Vincent.

Seniors - Helpful FAFSA Resource (how to make corrections & more)

From our VSAC Outreach Counselor, a helpful resource for seniors who have filed their FAFSAs and are wondering “what next,” or “Why can’t I access making correction(s) I need to make?” This article, “How do I Make Corrections on the FAFSA,” from understandingfafsa.org, is very easy to understand, and gives some great information and action steps for students and families.

Design Electronics and Get Them Manufactured For Free - STEM Grant Opportunity for Students

Hack Club is a nationwide, Vermont-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering teenagers with coding skills and an engineering mindset, at no cost. In 2024 Hack Club is giving 5,000 grants to students ages 18 and under to build STEM projects. This grant series is a direct-to-student learning opportunity and grant. Each grant is valued at $100. More information can be found here.

Free MedQuest Health Careers Expo for Students

Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center (AHEC) in partnership with Come Alive Outside, is hosting a MedQuest Health Careers Expo on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 3-7pm, at the Rutland Recreation & Community Center, 134 Community Drive, Rutland. Admission is FREE and the event is designed specifically for 14–21-year-olds, but all are welcome! There will be an array of health career-related activities and amazing demonstrations with over 20 different health career pathways represented. There will be music, giveaways, a Nerf battle, and even food trucks.

Drive for Excellence - Juniors & Seniors - A Chance to Win a New Car or a $1,000 Scholarship

Qualifying students (current Juniors and Seniors who are at least 16 years on or before 7/20/24) have the chance to win a new car or one of three $1,000 scholarships. Important information and instructions regarding this opportunity can be found here.

Job Opportunities For Students

Job opportunities for students are posted on the School Counseling Resources Webpage as well as in Job Opportunities for Students 23-24 document. As opportunities arise, they will be added to this document throughout the year. If you are looking for a job, check one of these two places often. Job opportunities are also posted on the wall right outside the School Counseling Office. Summer job opportunities are starting to come in including one from Goodies Snack Bar for this summer.

Summer Programs 2024

A list of summer program information that we have received in the School Counseling Office can be found here. And also on the School Counseling Resources Webpage. While we are not endorsing or recommending any one program, we wanted to make this information available to students and families. Each opportunity is a link to further information online from the sponsoring organization. Parents and/or students are also welcome to visit the School Counseling Office at any time to look at the information we have on file regarding summer programs. Please contact your school counselor if you have any questions.

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

See our Newsletter below!

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.

Please be sure that you register for spring sports if you have not already. Here is a direct link to the registration site.

Session IV Registration

Please see all of our fun opportunities for our next session.

Check out the new and updated (March) PAHCC Newsletter!

Title Programs ~ Parent & Family Engagement Information

JumpRope User Guide

JumpRope Parent Portal Walk Through

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Join the Friends of the Union Meeting Hall Friday, April 12th at 6pm for a Family Movie Night "where it's never too late to follow your singing dreams! We will be showing the movie Sing 2!

Entry is FREE! Concessions including popcorn, candy, chips and water will be available for purchase.

This event is sponsored by Gilfeather's Fine Provisions, Captain Drew of Master Class Angling and 2 Cowboys Sound Club. Questions? Email unionmeetinghall@gmail.com.

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We are excited to announce the formation of the Vermont Tobacco Control Youth Leadership Council!

This is a new youth leadership opportunity designed to bring youth and youth voice to the forefront of tobacco prevention efforts in Vermont. The 12 Members selected to serve on this committee, will meet monthly to make important decisions on youth engagement strategies, areas of focus and statewide activities for the Our Voices Xposed (OVX) and Vermont Kids Against Tobacco (VKAT) youth initiative programs. Council members will also work alongside Vermont Department of Health staff to envision and run the Youth Leadership Summit and Annual Statehouse Rally.

We are also happy to announce that each council member will receive a stipend of up to $1,400 to compensate them for their time, energy and participation in the Vermont Tobacco Control Youth Leadership Council activities. The application and detailed information for youth and their guardians is attached to this e-mail. Please share widely.

This opportunity is open to any Vermont youth entering grades 6-12 in the fall, who is interested in public health and wellness, youth leadership and using their voice to create positive change in their schools and communities.

The application period is open now through May 1st, 2024.

Please reach out to me directly if you have any questions about the application process or the Vermont Tobacco Control Youth Leadership Council.

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