Dear Wildcat Families,

This past week has felt challenging (for me). With a mix of information, misinformation, hypotheses, and questions, it's understandable that confusion has arisen. In this newsletter, I aim to provide clarity, reassurance, and a collaborative path forward so we can navigate this transition together successfully.

Success starts with a clear definition, and I recognize that our definitions may differ. I will create an opportunity for families across CIUUSD to share their perspectives on what success means to them, and I want to share mine with you today. Together, we can create two wonderful learning environments where children feel safe, families feel secure, and staff feel supported. Learning and community building thrive in an atmosphere of safety and that is my top priority.

To me, success looks like children who are excited to come to school because they feel welcomed and families who feel comfortable sending their kids to school for the same reason. It means providing learning spaces that honor every child, offering them challenging and rewarding opportunities, establishing clear expectations, and celebrating all successes, big and small.

For families, success means fostering two-way conversations, building trust, addressing concerns openly, and maintaining a high level of transparency, even when the conversation is tough.

For our teachers, success involves organizing classrooms with students in mind, showcasing student work, and teaching with enthusiasm and care. It means holding high expectations and engaging in open and honest collaboration with students, families, colleagues, and myself. This is my interpretation of success, and I eagerly look forward to learning about yours!

Schools are the heart of our communities, and I hold our community close to my heart. Our journey is just beginning, and it will take all of us to make this work.

While change can feel daunting, it also presents us with new opportunities. I'm excited to explore those opportunities.

Well, that was a heavy start to our newsletter! Thanks for sticking with me :) Below you will find answers to questions you have asked, ways to engage in the conversation about public education, lots of ski pictures, and more!

As always, my door and inbox are open to you,
Mrs. H

With Vermont's first confirmed case of Measles, the School Health Liaison & Chronic Disease Prevention Specialist, Karen Garrand, has asked all school administrators to provide information to families. Please see the information below.

The information is not intended to persuade you into vaccinating kiddos if that is against your beliefs, it is simply information regarding vaccinating and Measles.

Hello Legislators representing Grand Isle County,

The Grand Isle Supervisory Union will hold a special meeting on Saturday April 5th and would like to invite you all to participate. This meeting is meant to be a forum for sharing proposed education finance and governance changes being considered by the legislature and to answer questions of residents. This invitation is to provide you an opportunity to present information, answer questions, comment on current legislation and to hear feedback from Grand Isle County residents. We, and I believe the residents of Grand Isle County, would appreciate your participation. The time is somewhat flexible. We have reserved the North Hero Community Hall from 11am until 4pm. Our proposed time would be 1pm -3pm, but we are able to flex some if that would allow more of you to attend. As usual, to comply with the open meeting law, participation can be in person or via remote link.

Proposed Agenda would be:

15 minutes for school board to present information on proposed education governance and funding changes

15 minutes for legislature comments/updates on latest education governance and funding changes

Remainder of time for Q&A

We look forward to your participation. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Kind Regards,

Bob Chutter Chair, Grand Isle Supervisory Union

Whitney Maxham Chair, Alburgh School District

Michael Inners Chair, Champlain Islands Unified Union School District (Grand Isle, North Hero and Isle Lamotte)

Rich Monterosso Chair, South Hero School District

Grand Isle County Education Forum
Saturday, April 5 · 1:00 – 3:00pm
Time zone: America/New_York
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/asp-ocgz-jgj
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 475-441-4662‬ PIN: ‪555 191 705‬#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/asp-ocgz-jgj?pin=2902630409413

Our family calendar has more events than what is listed below. Be sure to click the Link to the Family Calendar.

March 19th- Bolton Ski Day

March 21st- 5/6 Dance 3-5 PM

March 31st- No School, family conferences

April 7th- NH Iron Chef

April 10th - Early release, 11:30 AM

April 21st-25th - Spring Break

This has been the most frequently asked question. The short answer is, I don't have the start and end times yet. There are a lot of factors that need to be considered and I need more time to work on this. As soon as I have an answer, I will let you know.

I have not heard that either school's after-school options won't be an option next year. We will transport kids to both locations (GI to NH and NH to GI)

When I'm not on campus, there is a chain of command, and it's a magical team that implements procedures without hesitation. We have procedures in place for safety, and this will remain in place and will be present at both schools. My goal is always to make it feel seamless because you shouldn't have to worry.

One small example of this is why I ask families to use the wildcats@gisu.org email. This email goes to multiple people in the front office in case someone is out. It's a lifesaver for us and makes communication more efficient.

Yes, the health office has trained staff in both schools and that position is supervised by the district nurse, Kristie Barber.

In addition to health office staff, we provide training to staff on EpiPens and inhalers, and other topics as necessary.

Like start and end times, this is something I need more time to figure out. We live in a geographically challenging area, and routes are something I will need to work with the bus company on. I will give you an update as soon as I have one.

While I have placed teachers, I don't know if everyone is returning. I will be able to give out the names of teachers in grades closer to the end of the year. The goal is to ensure we are fully staffed each year, and when we are not, we make adjustments.

Unified arts are mostly shared between the two campuses, so this won't impact students in any way. Kids, by law, need 2 PE classes a week in elementary school, and this will be maintained.

Both schools are safe places to have children. Each building has maintenance projects that need to be completed, there are security systems, cameras, etc at both locations, to keep everyone safe. Additionally, everyone is trained in drills and other safety protocols.

As of July 1, 2024, all schools serving students in PK-3 grade must assess students on their knowledge of phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Students who score “significantly below” on our screeners must receive a letter home at least annually. The letter informs the student’s family about their reading needs, how we are working with them to address their needs, when we will follow up with the family and provide some resources for support at home.

If your child falls significantly below, you should have received an email on Friday. Paper letters will be mailed this week.

2024-25 Yearbook is available for purchase. Starting at $25.00

LIfetouch - GIS code is 13507325

Email: ahanlon@gisu.org
Website: https://www.grandisleschool.org/
Location: 224 U.S. Rte 2, Grand Isle, VT, USA
Phone: 802-372-6913
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grandisleschool.org

Attendance Form: https://forms.gle/ABSvVURCxvqbMfXw7