Dear HUUSD Community,
It has been a busy month in our community so I wanted to provide a few updates today.
Budget
Thank you to all of the parents and community members who turned out to vote for the budget. As you may have read, the budget passed 70%-30%, a strong show of support for our schools. The final tally was 2119 yes votes and 871 no votes.
While we are happy for this success, it still means that we are reducing positions in our school district and throughout public schools in Vermont, so it is not an overwhelming win in my opinion. I will communicate more details next month on how the budget reductions will impact HUUSD schools.
While we can move on with plans for next year, please remember that the right of our students to a free public education is central to the succes of our schools. We encourage all parents to remain engaged as our state legislature debates what our school system should look like in the coming weeks!
CBMS Flooding Update
The flooding March 6 was more extensive than that experienced over the summer and includes 7 classrooms on the first floor 5/6 wing, music rooms, the cafeteria, and the main office. The source of the water was similar to the July flooding, where the water came in through the telecommunications conduit. This time the water infiltrated through the underground electrical conduit from the brook.
The district has been working over the past six months with contractors and the State of Vermont for approvals to correct these issues. While the work was scheduled, it was not able to be completed in time for the heavy rains and melting snow that we experienced this week.
We are working with a company to clean and remediate the damage. We also have a plan in place to relocate impacted classrooms to other areas of the school so we can resume classes. We will first need to ensure that the school is safe for students and staff to occupy. We will share more information in the coming days.
District Nurse Allison Conyers Receives Award
Join me in congratulating Allison Conyers, winner of the National Board Certified School Nurse 2025 Recognition Award. This award is given annually to one school nurse nationwide, recognizing their incredible contribution to supporting school nurse excellence by encouraging national certification.
2024-2025 Calendar
In the February newsletter emailed on February 7, I shared that due to our weather this year, student days will now extend into the week of June 16. Our current year calendar indicates that students could be in school as late as June 23; however, it is likely that, as of now, our last student day will be June 18.
I have told teachers and staff to refrain from making vacation plans in June until we are able to determine a definitive last student day and last teacher day. That normally occurs in early to mid April when we are beyond snow and mud season.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mike
Division 2 Boys Basketball
Saturday @ 3:45 @ Barre Auditorium
Division 2 Boys Hockey
Sunday @ 1:00 @ Gutterson Field House, UVM
We officially reached the 23% mark in our local food purchasing for the fiscal year 2023-2024! We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our local farmers, producers, and distributors. Our goal was to allocate at least 15% of our total food budget to local Vermont products, and we are thrilled to have surpassed that target by reaching 23%. AGAIN!!!
Thank you to our dedicated staff for all their hard work in ensuring our students receive healthy meals every day. We also appreciate the continued support from our community!
Erika Dolan, Director of Food Services
CBMS
Several students competed in the CBMS school spelling bee February 11 for a total of 15 rounds: Lillian Keller, Hazel Deane, Eden Shaw, Susannah Rye, JD Cauchon, Kate Smith, Theo Bennett, Henry Managan, Sam Rost, Jacob Rye, Beckett McElroy, Silvan Thompson, Sam Phillips, Hunter Nelson, Alex Fury, and Pace Fulton.
School champion Lillian Keller (pictured) plus Henry Managan and Kate Smith will represent CBMS at the State Spelling Bee March 24!
Fayston
BPS
February 10-14 was Random Act of Kindness week--with a variety of activities. Students identified ways to show kindness using a “kindness wheel”; they enjoyed a very popular photo booth; students and staff watercolored hearts on squares that were assembled into three mosaics and delivered to the shelter at the Armory; students were invited to state positive self-affirmations in a mirror and write positive messages of kindness and gratitude to school adults.
Moretown
Waitsfield
February packed in several fun events--the 100th day of school, which several students and staff celebrated by imagining themselves as 100 years old; an artist residency with Jeh Kulu, a West African drumming and dancing troupe, set our halls thrumming with their rhythmic energy; and finally, we celebrated winter and community with the annual Winter Compass Cup. This event places all of our K-6 grade students into four multi-age teams--encouraging camaraderie, leadership, and cross grade connections.
Warren
Like other HUUSD elementary schools, Warren has a long legacy incorporating the Responsive Classroom into its school culture. The teaching method strengthens both academic and socio-emotional learning.
HUMHS
Four Harwood students placed in the top 10 of the Mathcounts Chapter Competition: Zoe Wanner, Fiona Wanner, Donovan McGinty, and Eli Askew (pictured left to right).
The Harwood team (Eli Askew, Ben Kramen, Donovan McGinty and Fiona Wanner) placed 2nd. We'll know soon who will advance to the State competition.
- March 8: Boys Basketball Final
- March 9: Boys Hockey Final
- March 12: HUUSD Board Meeting; spring sports parents' meeting @ HUHS, 6:00
- March 18: District Choral Night (snow date 3/19): 7:00 @ HUHS
- March 19: HUUSD Board Meeting
- March 21: No school for students
