
PAML Family Update
December 12, 2024
Upcoming Dates & Helpful Links
12/16-12/20- Frost Fest (see details below)
12/23-1/1 - No School (December Break)
1/20 - No School
Notes from the Principal
Who is excited for FROST FEST? I am!! Next week we have fun activities planned all week for students including a walking field trip to the movies to see Mufasa!
Monday - PJ day, Door Decorating Contest, Kindness Snowflakes
Tuesday - Winter Wonderland White-out day, Cookie decorating
Wednesday - Green and Gold Day, Winter Haiku Contest, TA Game Fun
Thursday - Beach Day, Guest reader with Hot Cocoa, Photo Booth Day
Friday - Ugly Sweater Day, Community Meeting, Card Making Day, and Field Trip to the Movie theatre!
As we reflect on our recent parent-teacher conferences, I want to take a moment to express our gratitude for your continued involvement in your child's education. Your engagement is invaluable, and it plays a crucial role in fostering a supportive learning environment.
To enhance our future conferences and ensure they meet your needs, we kindly ask you to complete our Feedback Survey Your insights are essential in helping us understand what worked well and what could be improved. The survey is designed to be brief and straightforward, taking only a few minutes of your time.
Winter Wellness will take place over three consecutive Fridays: January 17, 24, 31. Each Friday, students will participate in one of several fun and enriching activities designed to encourage physical activity, creativity, and teamwork. This year’s choices include:
Downhill skiing at Smugglers' Notch
Art workshops with River Arts
Skating at the Waterbury Ice Rink
Swimming and gym activities at Northern Vermont University (NVU)
Bowling at Missisquoi Valley Lanes
Cross-country skiing at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center
Please note that there is no cost for families for any of these programs. Students will be provided with the necessary equipment if they do not have it themselves.
Every student will participate, please talk with your child about the options and help them consider what may be best to explore new interests, develop healthy habits, and enjoy the winter season. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 888.1401. Students will be taking the survey on Monday to pick their options and we will do our best to give everyone their first choice.
Thank you for your continued support in making Winter Wellness a success!
Best,
Jes
A heartfelt thank you to Dan Bruce and Lisa Leopold for their exceptional instrumental and vocal instruction without middle school. Your dedication and expertise have guided and brought out the best in our talented middle school students. Your passion, the students’ passion for music inspires all of us and enriches our community. PAML students sounded absolutely beautiful last night
Frost Fest 12/16-12/20
Monday - PJ day, Door Decorating Contest, Kindness Snowflakes
Tuesday - Winter Wonderland White-out day, Cookie decorating
Wednesday - Green and Gold Day, Winter Haiku Contest, TA Game Fun
Thursday - Beach Day, Guest reader with Hot Cocoa, Photo Booth Day
Friday - Ugly Sweater Day, Community Meeting, Card Making Day, and Field Trip to the Movie theatre!
We need donations please help!
Frost Fest - Donations needed by Thursday December 12th
PAML’s Pep Squad is planning a Frost Fest for students Dec. 16th-20th. This week will be similar to Harvest Fest where the whole school participates in activities, friendly competition, and opportunities to give back to the community. There are a few ways to volunteer or contribute to Frost Fest if you are able and willing!
Here is the list of what we need, and we need enough for the whole school!
-sprinkles
-icing
-paper plates
-plastic knives
-small plastic bags - sandwich bags
-stickers
-card stock
-card making materials
-construction paper
-small candy canes
-prizes for individual students
Student Perspective by Aurora
Greetings PAML families,
Hello, My name is Aurora Hancy. I am an 8th grader at PAML and this is the first student section of the family newsletter. Mrs. Wills has asked me to write this to give you a feel of what's going on inside the classes at our school. As winter break creeps closer us students have lots of work to get in with just two weeks left. With projects to complete and work to hand in, life in classrooms is always busy this time of year. A wide variety of work is being handed out throughout the four grades; in 8th grade students are graphing and mapping products and where they’re made with Mr. V, 7th graders are learning about circles with Ms. Paige, 6th graders are learning about using proper punctuation and grammar; as well as learning how to use evidence in a paragraph with Mr. Nat, all the way to 5th graders are finishing up with food webs and starting with chemistry with Mrs. Zuke. With school days dwindling and work being acquired it's very important for us students to stay on top of things. There are many ways people can stay on top of their work but after going around and asking a few people how they keep on top of their work here's what they do: they use a planner, others use their paper sheets as bookmarks, some do their homework on their bus rides home, in 8th grade and I’m sure some other grades also have what's called pack times at the end of the week which is used for getting caught up on homework and missing/make revisions to work. That’s all for this week. I hope this gives a little information about what's going on in your kids' classroom and how you can help them stay on top of work as break approaches.
More next week,
Aurora Hancy
Staff Spotlight
What is your role at PAML?
My role at PAML is to teach physical education to students in grades 5-8, where I focus on promoting fitness, teamwork, and a love for physical activity. This year, I also have the privilege of teaching Wellness Education to 5th-grade students, helping them develop social-emotional skills and healthy habits for lifelong well-being.
What do I love about PAML?
I love working at People Middle Level Academy because it gives me the opportunity to connect with students in a meaningful way through physical education and wellness. As a teacher for grades 5-8 PE and 5th-grade Wellness, as well as a soccer coach and sports enthusiast, I am passionate about fostering a love for movement, teamwork, and personal growth.
What I enjoy most is seeing students actively engaged, learning, and genuinely enjoying themselves. I believe that setting clear intentions for learning helps students develop not just physical skills but also confidence, resilience, and a sense of accomplishment. Watching them discover their potential and take pride in their efforts is incredibly rewarding.
What is a fun fact about you that many people do not know?
A fun fact about me that many people don’t know is that I am an NCAA Division III National Champion in Women’s Soccer.
What is the last book you read?
The last book I read is part of a captivating series by J.D. Robb, which features over 70 books. I’m an avid reader and typically finish about a book a week, so this series has been an exciting and ongoing journey for me.
What is a hobby of yours?
One of my hobbies is making wooden end ornaments. I enjoy crafting these unique pieces as gifts for friends and family, adding a personal and creative touch to special occasions.
What is on your travel bucket list?
My travel bucket list includes exploring the beautiful landscapes of Belize, revisiting the charm of Italy, and embarking on a camping adventure across the USA with my husband and son this summer. I also love the excitement of discovering new places I’ve never been before, making every trip a unique experience.
PAML Handbook
24/25 PAML Family Handbook
We are thrilled to announce the release of our updated school handbook! This new version has been carefully crafted to reflect our commitment to creating a supportive and enriching environment for all students, parents, and staff.
What's New?
Updated Policies: Cell phone policies, LOFT (loss of free time), behavior expectations, and more!
Enhanced Resources: Information on PBIS, extracurricular activities, and our school discipline philosophy .
Streamlined Communication: Easy-to-navigate sections to help you find the information you need quickly!
Where Can You Find It? The new School Handbook is available in the PowerSchool parent portal and in printed form at the school office. We encourage everyone to review it to stay informed about important policies and procedures.
Peoples Academy Booster Club
Please join us at our next meeting January 14, 2024 at 6pm in the library. We'll be discussing exciting upcoming events and brainstorming ways to enhance our programs. Your input is valuable, and we can't wait to see you there!
Get Involved This Basketball Season!
The basketball season is here, and we need your help to make it a success! The Booster Club is looking for volunteers to assist with concessions during home games. It's a fun way to support our athletes and get involved with the school community!
How can you help?
- Volunteer at the concession stand
- Grab a friend and make it a team effort!
- Flexible shifts to fit your schedule
Interested? Simply email us or sign up through the link- Basketball Concession sign up sheet . Every bit of help makes a big difference—thank you for your support!
Let’s make this season unforgettable!
Unbound Information
Swim Team
Join the funnest sport!!!
There is a swim team in your area and registration for new swimmers is now open.
The Central Vermont Swim Club is welcoming new swimmers at our Vermont State University location, practicing at the University Shape facility in Johnson.
Our team is open to swimmers new to competitive swimming who might not have aspirations to compete but want to gain endurance, stroke technique and have fun. The option to experience the sport by racing at meets is available to attend competitive meets during the winter season. We are a USA Swimming registered program that runs practices during the winter short course, 25 yard, season.
Session 2 begins January 6th, 2025, join us all winter till March. Youth swimmers of all ages up to 18, are welcome with independent skills such as jumping in deep water, and comfort submerging, swimming, and floating is a requirement. Scholarships are available! Please reach out and ask questions, join us this winter on a warm pool deck!
contact.cvsc@gmail.com with questions and check out http://www.teamunify.com/necvsc
Community Center Info
Morrisville Centennial Library
Healthy Lamoille Valley
For Parents/Caregivers and Educators
As the holiday season approaches, here are some helpful tips to keep kids and teens safe, whether you’re traveling or hosting guests:
Medicines: Lock up all medications, including over-the-counter ones. If you're visiting someone else, ask if they’ve secured their medicines.
Alcohol: Avoid leaving alcohol unattended. Provide fun, non-alcoholic options for young people and those who choose not to drink.
Cannabis, Tobacco, and Vapes: Keep all edibles, tobacco products, and vapes out of reach, and monitor their use. Be mindful of secondhand smoke and edibles can be especially tempting to young children, leading to an increase in poison reports.
Safety Code Words: Give your kids or teens a “code word” they can use if they ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable in any situation. Code words can be as simple as “pizza”, “homework”.
Inclusive Holiday Planning: Involve youth and teens in making holiday plans—they’ll enjoy the season more when they feel included!
Substance-Free Events: Plan substance-free activities, especially when driving is involved. December is Impaired Driving Awareness Month, a great reminder to prioritize safety.
HireAbility Vermont
Resources/Information
Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth (CAPE-Youth): CAPE-Youth conducts research on new and existing innovative policy and practice approaches to improving transition and employment-related outcomes of youth and young adults with disabilities: www.capeyouth.org. They have a nice series of recorded webinars on topics such as Financial Empowerment, State Policies to Improve Mental Health and Employment for Youth with Marginalized Racial Identities, Promoting Career and Technical Education and more. Find them here: https://capeyouth.org/resources-2/webinars/
Mental Health Response Service Guidelines: Attached above are new Mental Health Response Service Guidelines from the Crisis Program Director at the VT Department of Mental Health. These guidelines were created for first responders dealing with mental health crises. While they are not intended specifically for mental health professionals, they can still be helpful for anyone involved in these situations. The guidelines provide valuable information on how to respond to mental health emergencies in the community, outline available crisis services, and offer tips for staying trauma-informed and effectively de-escalating situations. Please feel free to share this widely. You can also find it on our website here: https://mentalhealth.vermont.gov/document/mental-health-response-services-guidelines.
Announcements
BIPOC Youth Group in Central Vermont: See the attached “Just Us” Flyer. The Vermont Network and Mosaic Vermont are hosting a winter retreat for BIPOC youth living in Central Vermont. This will be a space for young people of color to come together and hang out for a day or a weekend. This is a paid opportunity to hang out, build community, and meet new people. There will be music, snacks, and plenty of fun! You can expect a safe and welcoming space to talk about things that may not be possible to talk about in day-to-day life as a BIPOC person in Vermont. Learn more and sign up here ➡ https://bit.ly/499vCv9 This opportunity is open to high school students.
Vermont Youth Project (VYP): This is a re-post from last month as the application deadline is this Friday, 12/13/24. See attached flyer “Apply for VYP!” The VYP has expanded funding to build youth-friendly communities and community spaces in Vermont that embrace positive youth development and seek to empower their youth to be active contributors to their communities. Do you see youth as valuable members of your community? Is your community interested in coming together to support their youth and young adults? Do you want to see your young people actively participating in your community and creating positive change? If you said yes to any of these things, the Vermont Youth Project is here to help! The Vermont Youth Project (VYP) is ready to support your community to uplift, engage, and empower your young people. Whether your community has just started the conversation or are already champions at youth voice, VYP is adaptable to your needs! Offering 3 tiers of support, VYP is tailored to meet the needs of your community. Here is the link to the website that has more details and information: https://vermontafterschool.org/vyp/ and here is the link to the application: https://www.cognitoforms.com/vermontafterschool/vermontyouthprojectapplication
RIT/National Technical Institute for the Deaf – Registration for Summer Programs is open: This summer, deaf and hard-of-hearing middle and high school students have an opportunity to discover their passions, gain valuable skills, and connect with peers from across the country in a unique, hands-on programs. High School programs include: Explore Your Future; Health Care Careers Exploration; Advanced Tech Careers; and Financial Wizards. Middle School programs include: Tech Tigers (STEM exploration and building a computer to take home). These programs are perfect for students looking to discover new fields, challenge themselves, and build lasting friendships. Students will experience life on a vibrant college campus (Rochester Institute of Technology, NY), engage in hands-on activities and learn from expert instructors, and meet other deaf and hard-of-hearing students from across the country. Space is limited, so students are encouraged to sign up early to secure their spot. Learn more here: https://www.rit.edu/ntid/outreach