Updates from U-32

June 6, 2025

Principal's Update

Dear U-32 Families, Students, and Caregivers,

This was a packed week at U-32. Our 8th graders left for (and returned from) Washington D.C., a tradition that serves as a culmination to their middle grades experience while also creating authentic space for civic engagement. On Monday, the Green Team set-up and successfully held (on Tuesday and Wednesday), a Clothing Swap to encourage sustainable fashion practices. And all week was spirit week with Staff Trivia, find a Krista Dy day and Rock, Paper, Scissors. It culminated in the Class Cup - appropriately won by the senior class. Thank you to Pep for helping to bring our community together in important ways.

On Thursday, we welcomed elementary students from across our community to the auditorium for a district-wide music festival. This was yet another example of how our communities cross boundaries of towns and location to create spaces for young people to be creative together.

Friday evening was the Art Show; a deep and beautiful testament to the ways visual arts can impact individual and collective experience. Thank you to the artists and U-32 Art Department for your creativity and contribution to our community.

After an incredibly successful Career Fair on Wednesday, 7th Graders ended their week as their school year began: at Lotus Lake. As one person reflected, our beginning of the year trip was much quieter than the end of year trip, which was full of friendships formed across the school year. I look forward to seeing these 7th graders become the leaders of our middle grades next year.

Friday also marked the last day of classes for our seniors who will graduate next week. We celebrated with Decision Day, where students can publicly share their plans for the coming year.

This time of year is both a time of celebration and a time of closure. Take time to reflect on all you have done (students, families, and staff); it is remarkable. We are here to help with your continued success as the school year comes to a close. Individual success is our collective responsibility as a community and I look forward to celebrating with members of the class of 2025 this Sunday at our Awards Ceremony and next Friday at Graduation.

Best,

Becca

Important Graduation Information

Graduation will be held on Friday, June 13th at 6:30pm rain or shine. We will make the call about where (outside or inside) by 11am on Friday. Tickets are not required for graduation regardless of location and we encourage you to come to celebrate the successes of the Class of 2025.

Stream the event live at: https://www.orcamedia.net/show/u-32-graduation-2025-live

8th Graders Adventure in Washington D.C.

The 8th Grade trip to Washington, D.C. was an unforgettable experience packed with learning, exploration, and connection. After a long overnight bus ride, students arrived at Marymount University, our home base for the week. The real adventure began with visits to some of the Smithsonian’s most iconic museums, including the Air and Space Museum, the National Gallery of Art, and the Museum of Natural History. Students were awed by everything from real moon rocks to towering dinosaur fossils, and many shared that wandering through the Native American and African American museums gave them a deeper understanding of American history from new perspectives.

One of the most impactful moments of the trip came during the visit to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Walking through powerful exhibits and reading survivor stories left many students silent and reflective. Just blocks away, the group later stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, surrounded by monuments to leaders and movements that shaped the country. Seeing the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in person, with its towering granite presence and engraved quotes, helped bring classroom lessons about civil rights to life. Students wandered the National Mall in small groups, connecting what they’d seen online to the living landscape of the nation’s capital.

Another highlight was the day on Capitol Hill, where students had the rare opportunity to meet Senators Peter Welch and Bernie Sanders, and Congresswoman Becca Balint for a photo, questions and conversation on the Capitol steps. They toured the Capitol Building itself and learned how laws are made, all while experiencing the building’s stunning architecture and artwork. A ride on the Metro and a visit to Arlington National Cemetery brought further moments of awe and respect, especially during the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The week included a trip to the National Zoo and a night out at the Kennedy Center to see the play Shear Madness, offering some lighthearted fun and big laughs after heavy days of historical learning.

As the buses rolled home in the early hours of Saturday morning, students returned not only with souvenirs and photos, but also with new perspectives, closer friendships, and stories they’ll tell for years. From solemn memorials to joyful games of laser tag at Funland, the D.C. trip offered a meaningful blend of education and excitement that will stick with them well beyond 8th grade.

U-32's Student-Run Magazine is Back!

Dear Reader,

What are the Zoo Chronicles? The Zoo Chronicles were first brought to U-32 in magazine form in the 2010s. In the past they have been a celebration of student art, including news, visual art, short stories, etc. We, your U-32 Chronicle staff are working to bring this interesting part of school news back this year!

Editors: Avery Ryan, Elly Budliger, Elise O'Brien, Samara Davis

Advisor: Mark Brown

8th Grade Celebration of Learning

AP Physics Students Visit Rigorous Technologies and Flexaseal

On Thursday several physics and computer science students toured two Williston-based technology companies. Rigorous Technologies is a new robotics company that specializes in industrial automation. Flexaseal is a precision manufacturer of dynamic seals for a wide variety of rotating equipment including industrial pumps and mixers.

U-32 Jazz Band performance at the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival

Congratulations to the U-32 Jazz Band for being selected to perform at the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival on June 4th! The group headed up to Church Street on a blistering 80+ degree day and performed music by Chick Corea, Quincy Jones, Megan Vinther and more. You can view the performance here.

Book Buddies Day at U-32!

The 7th Grade Children's Book Project culminated in a heartwarming "Book Buddies Day" where students shared their original stories with first graders from our local elementary schools. Over the past several weeks, our 7th graders worked hard to plan, write, illustrate, and publish their own children’s books, each built around a meaningful message. Themes such as "everybody is different," "you can work things out through talking," and "it doesn't matter if you win or lose, just if you have fun" echoed the values of kindness, perseverance, and empathy that we hope to center at U-32. One student captured the spirit of the project beautifully, saying their story showed that “being nervous and having anxiety is okay, but also remember not everyone is going to be the worst person you've ever met.”

When it came time to share their books, the seventh graders were paired with younger students, reading their stories aloud and then giving the books as gifts. The experience was powerful for both age groups. “I loved reading to my buddies and they were amazed when they realized that I made the book,” one student reflected. Another shared, “My buddy was surprised that I used his name in the story.” These connections extended beyond the stories themselves. A seventh grader noted, “Meeting my book buddy was really fun and I learned that she really loves to paint and do gymnastics—it reminded me of when I was younger.”

While some students admitted to initial awkwardness—“It was a little awkward since I didn’t know what to say”—many were surprised by how quickly the experience became joyful and meaningful. One student described how “he was laughing and smiling through the book. When I told him he could keep it, he said ‘Really?’ and then hugged it tight.” Another student added, “It felt good to see my buddy get so excited from the book I made; at times, making the book felt hard and unenjoyable, but it was 100% worth it.”

The project not only strengthened literacy and creative expression but also fostered empathy and the concept of community. As one student put it: “I enjoyed giving it away, because now someone can enjoy the hard work I put into it.” Another reflected, “I honestly think we should do more things with buddies, not just the books. Maybe more things with them could be put together for next year’s 8th graders as well?” This final day of connection and celebration was a highlight of the school year—a chance for students to share a meaningful creation and, in doing so, see themselves as authors, role models, and contributing and caring members of our learning community.

Summer Meals for Kids & Teens

Summer Shakespeare Camp at U-32 - Free!

Dear Students and Caregivers,

We are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for rising 6th to rising 10th graders in the WCUUSD: Shakespeare Summer Camp, hosted by Peter Gould, director of Get Thee to the Funnery Summer Camp, and Erin Galligan-Baldwin, Director of Theater at U-32. In this camp we will stage an adaptation of The Tempest! Students will leap into voice training, physical theatre, script analysis and acting techniques, culminating in a public performance on July 9 at 3:00pm in U-32’s theater. The performance will feature non-threatening group work—no one is expected to learn lines and be "off-book" in such a short time! Limited to the first 20 students who register, so sign up today!

Camp Details:
Dates: July 8th and 9th

Times: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: U-32 Theater
Activities: Script analysis, acting workshops, and rehearsals
Performance: Open to the public at the end of the camp. July 8 at 3:00pm

Additional Info:
Lunch: Students are required to bring their own lunches
Snacks: Provided during breaks

Don't miss this unique opportunity to explore Shakespearean drama and enhance your acting skills in a fun and supportive environment. Spaces are limited, so register now to secure your spot!

Please fill out this contact form to register. For more information, please do not hesitate to be in touch: egalliganbaldwin@u32.org.

We look forward to a fantastic 2 full days of Shakespeare with you.

Thank you,

Erin Galligan-Baldwin
Director of Theater, U-32
and Peter Gould, 2025 U-32 theater-artist in residence

CVCC Building and Facilities Forum

News from the Student Services Office

2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is Now Available!
Do you have students that need help filing their FAFSA for the 2025-26 school year? VSAC is offering 1:1 appointments, virtually and in person, now through February. Visit the VSAC calendar for a full listing.

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 2

Quarter 3 HS/MS Progress Report - Available Now!

Quarter 4 HS/MS Report Cards - Available TBA mailed pending snow days

COURSE SELECTION for 2025-2026

Move Up Day (for incoming 7-12 graders) is scheduled for June 10th and additional information will follow.

Finalized schedules will be mailed home in June with Quarter 4 report cards.

Dual Enrollment / Early College

As an incoming Vermont high school junior or senior, 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.

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

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

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/

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.

1) FAITH Scholarships for Academic Excellence - $12,000 – 50 Awards (Deadline: June 24, 2025)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be a high school senior graduating from an accredited public, private or parochial high school in the United States of America and embarking to study in an undergraduate degree program in the fall of 2025.

B) Be a member of a Greek Orthodox parish.