Principal's Corner Newsletter
Woodstock Union High School and Middle School
November 5, 2023
Dear Students and Families,
The first quarter ended last week, and current grades can be found by logging onto wuhsms.getalma.com. If you would like to meet and discuss progress with a teacher, spaces may still be available for virtual teacher-family conferences on Nov. 9th and Nov. 16th. Visit https://wuhsms.meettheteacher.com to book conference appointments. Sign in with your name, email, and your student’s name and date of birth. If you have more than one student at WUHSMS, you can use any of your students' info to log in and book appointments for all of them.
This past week, AP American Government and Politics students drafted bills and debated during a day-long mock Senate experience at the Kennedy Institute for the Senate in Boston. Art students from several classes visited exhibits at the Hall Art Foundation in Reading.
Please remember the school will be closed on Friday, 11/10, in observance of Veteran’s Day, and on Monday, 11/13, for a teacher in-service day.
Sincerely,
Garon Smail
AP Gov Students Visit the Kennedy Institute for the Senate
“My esteemed colleague from Wisconsin is not representing the will of the people!” said Ada Mahood during a mock Senate activity at the Kennedy Institute for the Senate in Boston, Massachusetts on October 19. Mahood was one of 29 juniors in AP Government & Politics to immerse themselves in the role of our nation’s Senators in the experience sponsored by the Office of Senator Bernie Sanders.
The day included committee work, robust debate, and ultimately a vote on a practical law to address climate change. Students were assigned different political parties and regions of the country to represent.
Prior to the activity, students met with James Paradissis, outreach representative for Senator Sanders. Paradissis listened to student comments and questions about issues such as inflation, climate change, income inequality, abortion access, and the conflicts in Israel and Ukraine.
Art Trip to Hall Art Foundation
On Tuesday, three art classes visited the Hall Art Foundation in Reading, Vermont to see the exhibits Andy Warhol: small is beautiful and Susan Rothenberg: In New Mexico. Ms. Gravel’s AP Art History class, Ms. Jimerson’s AP Art class and Ms. Piana’s Drawing class toured the exhibits, saw the outdoor sculpture installations and participated in Visual Thinking Strategies with Ms. Piccoli when looking at Warhol’s Flowers. Charlotte Nunan, a senior in AP Art and a gallery attendant at the Hall Art Foundation gave a special presentation on Warhol’s The American Man (Portrait of Watson Powell), 1964. During her presentation, she explained the commission, the silkscreen painting process and how the paintings are hung in a grid. On working at the Hall Art Foundation, Charlotte said, “I’ve really enjoyed working at the Hall Art Foundation these last three years. I think it’s a great opportunity to be close to art and get a feel for the contemporary and business side of the art world. I always love seeing the new exhibits that come in each year, exposing me to new artists and artistic styles! As I’ve worked at the Hall Art Foundation, I’ve met lots of interesting people and connected with them about the art around us.”
Mackenzie Graham, a ninth grader in Drawing, said, “I was drawn to Pink Raven by Susan Rothenberg because of the bright pop of pink that drew my eye to it, and the unusual color
palette she used to depict a raven. I found it interesting how she used a salmony pink paint, it
lent the painting an almost dreamy feel.” Lylah Zeitlin, a ninth grader in AP Art History said, “I
was enchanted by the artworks that so clearly reflected Warhol’s love for celebrity and
yearning for fame. What seems simple and unconvoluted at first glance becomes so much
bigger when interlaced with his life’s contemporary events.” And, one student, Logan Knox, a
senior in AP Art, was so inspired by Warhol’s silkscreen paintings that she will be experimenting with the process herself.
Thanks so much to the Hall Art Foundation for making this trip possible and for the free
educational programming. The Hall Art Foundation is open on weekends and these exhibits are on view through the last weekend in November.
Vermont Teen Leadership Safety Program did a visual safety belt survey
The Hive
Middle School Journalism students wrapped up their work on The Hive this week, adding podcasts and videos to their robust collection of news and features from Quarter 1. Over the last two months, students have brought this school newspaper alive with profiles, opinions, news stories, features, and cartoons. Next month, our mentor from The Valley News will help us honor the best examples of our work in each of those categories with a homemade Pulitzer Prize. If you'd like to nominate a piece for our [modified] Pulitzer, please email the title of the piece you like best to erin.hanrahan@mtnviews.org.
Grade 7 Team Pathfinders Newsletter
8th Grade Team Horizon Biweekly Newsletter
8th Grade Team Horizon Biweekly Newsletter, Issue #4, October 27, 2023
Here is the newest 8th Grade Newsletter link
The Buzz
Turn Your Key, Be Idle Free!
The Earth Beat Club at Woodstock Union Middle High School is supporting a vehicle idling reduction effort at our school. All persons operating vehicles at the school should adhere to the following guidelines:
When waiting for students to be picked up, all engines should be shut off.
All drivers should turn off engines when they arrive at school and when they expect to be parked for more than 30 seconds.
When in a line of vehicles back from the school entrance at dismissal, we encourage drivers to stay in their positions with engines shut off and have the student come to them. If drivers must slowly move toward the school entrance, please turn off engines and restart. Note that restarting an engine uses only 10 seconds worth of fuel. Also note that, according to the U.S. DOE, starters are overbuilt and can be started up to 10 times a day with no additional wear: https://anl.app.box.com/s/sfwulyouom8cllqwzqhg07ecc99y5m7z
If idling is necessary for temperature control, for any defrosting issues or more than 75 degrees with frail elderly, infant or pet passengers in the vehicle, please restrict it to no more than a few minutes.
We are implementing this policy to reduce the students’ exposure to air toxics emitted in the exhaust of idling vehicles. Idling vehicles contribute to air pollution and emit air toxins
which are pollutants known or suspected to cause respiratory illnesses, cancer, or other serious health effects over time. Additionally, idling wastes energy and contributes to climate change.
We encourage you to eliminate unnecessary idling not only at our school but anywhere you are waiting for more than 30 seconds. This simple change will improve the air we breathe, as well reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and fossil fuel use that contribute to climate change.
Thank you for your support!
FSA ID and FAFSA Help from Vermont Student Assistance Corporation
- VSAC is offering 30-minute appointments through January 2024 with virtual and in-person options available. Visit our Calendly page to sign up for an individual meeting.
- FAFSA filing appointments will be offered after the FAFSA becomes available later this year. For more information, visit the VSAC calendar of events in December.
Sofia Bertocci and Sarah Smith are available to work with families throughout the college application process. Here is a link to our New Counseling Website and college information can be found under the "High School" tab. In addition, please click on the link for a slide show regarding the application process : College Application Process
Thank you,
Sofia Bertocci and Sarah Smith
Upcoming Day's Off and 2 Hour Delay Start
Friday, November 10, 2023 – Veterans Day – (School Closed)
Monday, November 13, 2023 – In-Service Day – No Classes
November 22 - 24, 2023 – Thanksgiving Recess (School Closed)
Interested in being a Student Mentor?
Annual Forms Must be Completed Prior to Fieldtrip Participation
Before your student can participate in a school fieldtrip, their annual forms need to be complete. Annual registration forms must be done for each student enrolled in the district. To make it quicker, forms can be completed online in Alma.
To start the process, log in to Alma at wuhsms.getalma.com and click on Alma Start forms and tasks under your student's name. If you have never logged into Alma, check your email -including spam- for an activation email with the subject:
Welcome to Woodstock Union High School's school and classroom management system, Alma!
Questions can be directed to Sarah Cook.
If you need paper version of the annual forms, please contact the main office at 802-457-1317.
WUHSMS Online Spirit Store - click on the flyer to visit the store
Follow WUHS Athletics on Instagram
Follow WUHS Athletics on Instagram @wuhsstudentsection
Interested in staying up to date on upcoming athletic events, as well as their outcomes? If you are an Instagram user, you can follow WUHS’s StudentSection account. This account was set up by Kendall Taylor (Class of 2022) 2 years ago, was maintained by Zach Martsolf-Tan in the 22-23 school year, and is currently being maintained by Lilly Macri as an independent study in social media through the Center of Community Connections (C3). Know when the games and matches are happening--and come out and cheer on our student-athletes!
School Resource Links
About us
Email: gsmail@wcsu.net
Website: wuhsms.org
Location: 100 Amsden Way, Woodstock, VT, USA
Phone: 8024571317
Facebook: facebook.com/WUHSMS/
Twitter: @wearewoodstock