Updates from U-32

June 22, 2024

Principal's Update

Dear U-32,

We have finished another year and looking back on all our work, I am proud of what our students have done. If you have kept up with the weekly newsletter, you have seen evidence of some many great things. I want to give a personal shout out to the Chronicle staff. This student newspaper has tackled tough issues and learned so much so that they can communicate to our community what is happening at U-32. I have enjoyed my monthly Press Conference with the journalism students. They ask tough questions!

This will be my last newsletter as the principal of U-32. Beginning July 1, as most of you know, I will be the new Superintendent of WCUUSD. My memories of U-32 will carry me into this new role and I can't thank the vast number of parents, students, staff and community members who have supported me and the school during my tenure. I know the importance of having a great school system, and I look forward to continuing my service to our communities in the years to come. Look for my introduction letter on July 1. For now, look for the introduction letter from our new U-32 Principal, Becca Tatistcheff. I am confident that under her guidance and leadership, U-32 will continue to be a place all students can learn and thrive.

Have a safe and happy summer,

Steven

U-32 Library Highlights & Happenings

open_in_new zoom_out_map

Thank you, community mentors!

Summer Lunch Benefits for EBT Holders and Summer Meals for Kids

Summer EBT Program

Vermont is among the first states to launch the new permanent Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (SEBT) program to help feed eligible school aged children during the summer vacation months.

The benefit is $120 for the summer per eligible child. Families can use the benefits to purchase groceries. The Department for Children and Families will be issuing a preloaded EBT card to those who don’t have one yet. If your household is already receiving 3SquaresVT benefits, SEBT benefits for your school-aged children will be loaded on the same card.

You will receive these benefits automatically if your child is:

Between the age of 6 and 16 at any point since July 2023 and lives in a household that receives or that received at any time since July 2023:

-3SquaresVT

-Reach Up, or

-Medicaid while the family’s income was below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level

Outside of the age 6 and 16 but attends a Vermont Public School or an Independent School that participates in the National School Lunch Program and lives in a household that receives or that received at any time since July 2023:

-3SquaresVT

-Reach Up, or

-Medicaid while the family’s income was below 185% of the Federal Poverty Limit

Children participating in several other assistance programs may also receive the benefit automatically.

Families who meet income guidelines but do not automatically qualify will be able to apply for the benefit in August Benefits will be mailed out starting July 15, 2024 and continuing throughout the summer.

We encourage families to wait until August before asking about eligibility as most eligible children will receive the benefit automatically. If a child is found eligible, a notice will be mailed to the household. Please keep the EBT cards as they will be used each summer for children who are eligible.

The EBT card can be used at grocery stores, farmers markets and online where EBT is

accepted.

Notification and cards will be mailed to the address on file for the program that qualified the child automatically. If you get 3SquaresVT, Reach Up or Medicaid and have recently moved, we recommend updating your mailing address with these programs. This will ensure that you receive the benefit. If you don’t currently participate in these programs, your children could still get the benefit automatically if you apply for them and are approved this summer.

The Summer EBT program is different than the Pandemic EBT program. The Summer EBT program is a permanent program that has income requirements and is only available during the summer, unlike Pandemic EBT where benefits were available throughout the school year and all students were eligible regardless of income. Receiving Summer EBT benefits does not affect the family’s immigration status. Additional information, including the application which will be available in August will be posted on summerebt.vermont.gov

If you have questions about the program, please contact DCF’s Economic Services Division at 1-800-479-6151, option 7.

Summer Meals for Kids

For information on receiving meals this summer, call 2-1-1, the United Way-run resource hotline, or go to the USDA Summer Meals for Kids Site Finder: https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sitefinder. All sites listed are open to all children, 18 and under. Information is available beginning mid-June and updates are made on a weekly basis. Some sites may provide grab-and-go meals that can be consumed off-site.

Spots remaining! Natural Resources Management Academy

Registration is open for Natural Resources Management Academy! This event is for youth entering grades 7-11, who are interested in the environment and ready to explore, in depth, their passion for Vermont's natural resources. NRMA will be held July 12-14 and takes place at Green Mountain Conservation Camp in Woodbury. Registration is $130. The workshops dive into topics like soils, wildlife, water ecosystems, forestry and more! Space is limited to 30 people.

More information can be found here. Registration can be found here.

Are you interested in becoming a Senate Page?

Is your French student interested in a trip to France?

Bonjour!

A trip to Paris, Normandy and a homestay in Langres, France, is happening in April 2025. Students enrolled in a French class and who will be either in 10th, 11th or 12th grades have the opportunity to join this trip.

A meeting with interested students has already happened during a Call Back. The next meeting is a chance for students and families to get more information and any questions answered.

THIS MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON JUNE 10TH AT 5:00 PM IN CAROLINE'S CLASSROOM (114), right before the Spring sports banquet.

Please feel free to email me at cgrace@u32.org with any questions.

Merci,

Caroline

J-Term 2025!

CVCC Future Facilities

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.

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

DUAL ENROLLMENT/EARLY COLLEGE

As a current 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.

UPCOMING ACT TEST OPPORTUNITY

ACT: Test Date July 13 - Registration Deadline June 7

PSAT OPPORTUNITY

U-32 will offer the PSAT to all juniors on Wednesday, October 9th at 8am FREE of charge. Registration is NOT necessary.

SENIOR IN-SCHOOL FIELD TRIP (POST-HIGH SCHOOL PLANNING)

On October 9th, U-32 will offer an in-school field trip for all seniors for support in career exploration, interviewing skills, common application, essay writing & financial aid. Watch for more info in the fall.

PreACT

U-32 will offer the PreACT to all sophomores on Weds, October 9th at 8am FREE of charge. Registration is NOT necessary.

Scholarships

Currently there are over 30 scholarships posted on Naviance. Go to your Naviance account, click on the College tab then Scholarship List to view each scholarship. While there, click on National Scholarship Search to look for additional scholarships.

Please frequent the Scholarship page often as new scholarships appear as soon as we receive them.

Automotive Hall of Fame Scholarships - $5,000 – 4 Awards (Deadline: June 30, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be accepted at an accredited college, university, or trade school within the United States.

B) Be a United States citizen or in the United States on a Student Visa and have a 3.0 GPA or higher.