Hello Washington Central,
We are closing out the month of March with a snow and ice storm, which reminds us that even though spring is on the calendar, winter can still hang on for a while. I am always encouraged by the longer days, sap starting to flow, and first signs of my garden bulbs starting to poke through the soil. It usually comes with these later storms, muddy roads, and strong winds. This reinforces what we all know about change. Change is sometimes a messy process that feels like it is getting started, then it feels stuck, then something miraculous happens, and we can start to see the effect of our change work.
Right now, it feels like everything is changing in the world of education. Our State is looking at how to create a more sustainable education system that meets our student needs and provide for a fair and equitable education for all our students. In our district, we are engaged with work to define our programming as a small, generally rural district. The high school is working on a new schedule for next year that expands student opportunities while preserving as much of the programming as possible. Many changes are needed because of things beyond our control, like declining enrollment and rising costs.
What we must continue to keep focused on is why we are changing. We are changing to meet student needs and to provide the next generation with as many opportunities as possible. Our changes are working to give a voice to our students and community needs. I hope that as we begin another spring and see the changes to the world around us, you will join the schools in Washington Central in our change process, and I hope that, like the blooms of spring, you will see our students thrive and grow.
Sincerely,
Steven Dellinger-Pate
Daffodils will see us through
Although we don’t get official recognition, April is Vermont’s Month of Mud. After a cold and fabulous season for snow sports, mud is for everyone. The most philosophical among us could write a sonnet or song. You may already be humming Vermont singer-songwriter Noah Kahan’s ‘Stick Season’ as you read along.
As the sun shines longer each day, mud and sticks start transforming from inert to active; growing begins in earnest. The Vermont landscape kind of forces us to be resilient, to adapt to the conditions out our door. May this be a natural dose of courage—to climb the muddy hill to home.
I’m concerned about the impact these tumultuous times are having on our students, our teachers, all our parents, administrators, and staff. How might we be kind and more careful as we navigate the political and social wild weather ahead together?
“The Declaration of Independence was written with a feather,” Dean Young reminds us in his poem “Belief in Magic.” I see the fragility of democracy in this line as well as the amazing strength of a quill. What bird contributed to our founding guardrails? Goose, swan, crow, owl, hawk, turkey, or eagle? I read that Thomas Jefferson raised special geese to keep him in writing implements.
Some of you may know the children’s books by Laura Numeroff: If You Give a Moose a Muffin, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. These books offer an important observation about learning --- one thing leads to another as curiosity and passion inspire. The nib of a goose feather wrote a document full of dreams of what could be -- a nation, no less. A promise so many of us still seek. These times offer an invitation to be our best creative selves as we respond to all that is happening in the nation and our communities.
The daffodils are emerging slowly, surely. May their fragility and strength remind us---we are in this together and our courage emerges when we find what connects us. In Dean Young’s poem there is another line, “I believe reality is approximately 65% if.” If we realize there are so many more ways in which we are similar, we’ll emerge with the daffodils, strong and bright, as we meet what’s ahead.
As you know, Justice is just us.
Your Humanity and Justice Scholar in Residence,
Shelley Vermilya
April 2:Policy Committee 5:00-6:00 PM @ EMES
April 2: Board Meeting 6:15-9:15 PM @ EMES
April 8: Finance Committee 8:30-9:30 AM ( Virtual)
April 10: Ed Quality Committee 5:00-6:00 PM ( In-Person/ Virtual)
April 16: Configuration Committee 5:00-6:00 PM @ U-32
April 16: Board Meeting 6:15-9:15 PM @ U-32
April 21-25: Spring Break
For all agendas and links please visit https://www.wcuusd.org/school-board/meeting-resources
Are there topics you would like the Board to discuss? Suggest them here!