Updates from U-32

May 3, 2024

Principal's Update

Good afternoon U-32.

I hope everyone had a relaxing April break. It was nice to see students after a well deserved break. Students, faculty and staff appear energized and ready to make the final push towards wrapping up another successful school year.

I'm happy to announce that the Principal Hiring Committee has made progress in the search for the next Principal of U-32. Our Superintendent, Meagan Roy, will be sending out information this weekend detailing the next steps in that process. We are optimistic and we thank the Committee for their time and continued commitment to this important task.

Lastly, I'd like to encourage everyone to vote on the new proposed school budget on Tuesday, May 7th. Information on your polling places and their hours can be found here. We all recognize that this has been a challenging budget season and we thank you for your support.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Steven

Deadline Approaching! U-32 Booster Club Scholarship Opportunities

The U-32 Booster Club is awarding three $1000.00 scholarships to graduating seniors!

All applications are due by May 15th 2024.

For more information please email us at U32boosterclub@gmail.com

The application is attached below:

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Booster Scholarship Application.pdf

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U-32 Runs Food Drive to Support Local Food Bank

Starting the week before break and extending through Friday, May 3, the junior class at U-32 ran a food drive collecting non-perishable donations for Just Basics, Inc., a local food bank that helps out food and resource insecure folks in our community.

Students in the junior class made posters, "tabled" in the atrium, and made announcements on the intercom to spread the word about this opportunity to do good!

Our amazing school community filled several boxes in the atrium, which were dropped off to Just Basics by the junior class advisors on May 3.

Way to go, juniors!

Did you know? May is National Speech - Language -Hearing Month

Happy May! My name is Erica Smith, and I’m the speech-language pathologist at U-32.

I’m writing to let you know that May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month. This month raises awareness about speech and language disorders, which are among the most common disabilities that school-aged children experience. It also helps all students, no matter how they communicate, feel included in their school community.

More than 1 million children nationwide receive treatment services for speech and language disorders each year through the school system. Left unaddressed, speech and language disorders can affect a child’s academic and social success. Speech-language pathologists in schools work with children who have difficulties in the following areas:

Speech sounds—A child may substitute one sound for another, leave sounds out, add sounds, or change a sound, making it difficult for others to understand.
Spoken and written language—A student may have trouble understanding what others are communicating and may have problems explaining their thoughts or feelings. They may also have difficulty with reading and writing.
Stuttering (fluency)—A child may get stuck on certain sounds or words. They also may have tension or negative feelings about talking. This tension can get in the way of how they talk to others.
Cognition—A child may have problems with long- or short-term memory, attention, problem-solving, or organization.

Social communication—A student may have difficulty understanding how others feel or following the rules of conversation, such as knowing how to take turns.
Voice—A child may lose their voice frequently or use a hoarse or breathy voice. They may also speak with strain or effort.
Augmentative and alternative communication—A child may need to find other ways to communicate besides talking, such as using a picture board or a speech-generating device.
Feeding and swallowing—Problems with feeding and swallowing can make it hard for a student to participate in the school day. Speech-language pathologists help students eat and drink safely during the school day so that they have the energy to learn.

Whether or not your child has a speech, language, and/or swallowing disorder, it’s important for everyone to reflect on how we can be respectful and supportive of those who do. Encourage your child to give people time to get their message out, to focus on what a person is saying rather than how they’re saying it, and to never bully someone for how they communicate.

I wish you all success as we approach the end of the school year!

Erica L Smith, MS CCC-SLP (she/her)

Speech-Language Pathologist

U-32 Middle & High School

Would you like to attend Vermont State University for free?

Beginning in the fall semester of 2024, qualified Vermont residents can attend Vermont State University tuition free!

Delivering high quality and affordable education is our number one priority. With locations spanning across the entire state, Vermonters can be sure to have greater access to our programs going forward. VTSU will close the standard tuition* gap with institutional aid after all federal, state, institutional, and employer supported aid is applied to a student’s account.

Who is eligible?

Vermont residents of any age enrolling as new students in degree programs starting in the fall semester of 2024 or spring semester of 2025.
Student/family adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less as reflected on their FAFSA.
Students seeking their initial undergraduate degree. Those with previous bachelor’s degrees do not qualify.

How do students apply?

Apply and be admitted to Vermont State University for a standard tuition program.
Submit a FAFSA (School Code: 003698).
Submit a Vermont Grant Application through VSAC.

What are further requirements for eligibility?

Register for a minimum of 12 credits each fall and spring semesters (does not include summer).
Maintain good academic standing (2.0/4.0) and satisfactory academic progress towards degree completion.
Eligibility will be reviewed each academic year based on the current year FAFSA.

* The Vermont State University Free Tuition Guarantee covers standard program tuition only. Program tuition for Engineering and Technology; Nursing and Respiratory Therapy; and Dental and Radiologic is not covered by this program.

Free Summer Shakespeare Camp!

Upcoming Parent Workshops

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VTVLC Registration

2024-2025 VTVLC Course Registration Information

Priority registration for VTVLC (VT Virtual Learning Cooperative) courses opens May 1st. These are free online courses for students in grades 7-12 for courses offered “traditionally.”

Click here to see the courses available to U-32 students. Students are eligible to register for courses that are listed as traditional enrollment. See information regarding On Demand enrollment below.

Who are successful online learners? VTVLC recommends that students who enroll in their courses are strong readers and writers, possess good time management skills, are self-motivated and self-disciplined, committed to spending five to ten hours a week on the course, and have the ability to use technology properly.

Process for students opting to take course(s) through VTVLC to have coursework count towards U-32 Graduation level Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):

***Students who request to take an online class due to a teacher or classroom conflict need to participate in a restorative circle prior to enrolling in a VTVLC course. ***

Process for enrolling:

1. Meet with your school counselor to discuss options.

2. Go to VTVLC.org and create an account.

3. Log into VTVLC.org and complete Student Profile.

4. Request enrollment in class.

Grading & Transcripting:

Coursework with a final grade of C- or higher will “satisfy course specific Graduation level SLOs through transfer.”

1. Course will be listed on U-32 Transcript under Additional Course section with actual grade awarded

2. Grade / course score is NOT factored into U-32 GPA

3. Students may need to work with content level departments to determine which Performance Indicators (PIs) the course addresses.

4. Student may need to present evidence (portfolio, assessments, essays, labs, etc.) to a small committee to demonstrate proficiency in specific Graduation level SLOs through transfer

Failure to successfully complete a VTVLC course may prohibit a student’s ability to enroll in future courses.

VTVLC also offers On Demand courses that allow students to have flexible start and end dates. These courses offer a personalized pace. Like the other VTVLC courses, these are taught by Vermont licensed educators (HQT where applicable). These courses cost students $275 per semester length course. On Demand courses start on either the 1st or the 15th of each month.

For further questions about VTVLC courses or to sign up, students should see their school counselor.

Free Summer Class!

Student Services Newsletter

Visit this page for a FREE SAT Bootcamp!

SELECTIVE SERVICE

Did you know it is federal law that all young men need to register with the Selective Service System when they turn 18. Good news - it takes about 2 minutes go to https://www.sss.gov/Registration/Register-Now/Registration-Form

Failure to register can present significant roadblocks to a young man’s future opportunities. This is critically important because registration is linked to numerous federal and state benefits that can help bring funds into communities. These include access to all federal student loans and grants, job training programs, and eligibility for hundreds of thousands of federal jobs, including the U.S. Postal Service, and numerous state, municipal, and federal contractor jobs. Additionally, immigrant men who wish to become citizens will have the process significantly delayed if they don’t register.

Remember to register prior to your 18th birthday!

SAT TESTING DATES (register online at www.collegeboard.com)

SAT Test Date Registration Deadline

May 4, 2024 April 19th

June 1, 2024 May 16th

ACT TESTING DATES (register online at www.actstudent.org)

ACT Test Date Registration Deadline

June 8, 2024 May 3rd

Dual Enrollment / Early College

As a current Vermont high school junior or seniors, you are eligible for two Vermont Dual Enrollment Vouchers, allowing you to take one free college course in your junior year of high school and one in your senior year of high school.

It’s called Dual Enrollment because your free college courses will also earn you credit towards graduation from high school.

Dual enrollment is offered through all VT public colleges/universities and some private colleges too. Go to http://www.vtdualenrollment.org/ for a list of participating colleges and to request a dual enrollment voucher. Summer 2023 courses are now viewable and Fall 2023 courses will be viewable as of April 2023.

High School Seniors are also eligible for Early College- got to http://education.vermont.gov/student-learning/flexible-pathways/early-college for more information

SENIORS; What a great opportunity to check out available SCHOLARSHIPS also in Naviance: Please frequent the Scholarship List in Naviance as it is updated often for available scholarships.

SEE Education Foundation Scholarships - $5,000 - 15 Awards (Deadline: May 6, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be pursuing a technical, undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate in a field related to the commercial explosives industry.