On the Horizon
VUHS October 20th, 2023
Principal Message
The last week of the quarter is here already. The year is going so fast. If you have not been on JumpRope it is one of the ways that we communicate about how your students are doing in class. If you notice that your student is struggling then Family Teacher Conferences is a great way to have a deeper conversation. To sign up for your student's conference please use the following link. From there you can choose the time that works best for you. https://ptcfast.com/schools/Vergennes_Union_High_School
Some events that are coming up in the next few weeks are:
- Family Teacher Conferences - 11/1-11/2
- No School - 11/3
- Early Release Day - 11/8
- Makeup Picture Day - 11/17
- Fall Break - 11/20-11/24
Have a great weekend Commodores!
Jody Chamberlin JChamberlin@anwsd.org
Messages from the District
Bus Update
For Families of Ferrisburgh Students
Thank you for your patience while we await an update from our transportation company. They are currently working to fill all vacant positions and training someone to take over the Ferrisburgh Route, provided everything proceeds according to plan. It's important to note that becoming a bus driver involves a training period and a mandatory test, so it might be a few more weeks before we can resume our regular operations. Rest assured, we will inform you as soon as we receive further information.
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Panorama Survey
From No November 1st and 2nd, we are asking our students to participate in the Panorama Social Emotional Learning surveys. These surveys are given twice a year in an effort to help us build the best learning environment possible for our students.
These 10-20 minute surveys will help inform us on a district and individual school level of how to best support students socially and emotionally. The social/emotional learning data for our K-2 students will be gathered by their teachers through a teacher perception of student survey. Students in grades 3-12 will be taking two short surveys in their homerooms/morning meetings. One is anonymous and will help us to better understand the broad impact of our work in the school as it relates to school safety, sense of belonging, engagement, and school climate. The other confidential survey will give us feedback on individual students to help us directly support social/emotional learning needs.
If you have any questions related to this survey, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
School Spotlights
The Class of 2024 raised over $5,000 for their Senior Walk-A-Thon. The walk this year was in memory of Derek Benoit. The class had a wonderful day with a lot of advisor support. Three of them jumped in the lake and many memories were made!
School Counseling News
School Counseling Office Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, 10/25, Colby-Sawyer College rep in the cafeteria blocks 4&5
Wednesday, 10/25, 6:30 pm, Free online Financial Aid and Managing College Costs presentation
Friday, 10/27 University of Vermont (UVM) rep in the cafeteria block 4 with a Q&A session compass 5&6 in the School Counseling Conference Room. Any student interested in attending UVM is encouraged to attend this session. (This is the rescheduled date, postponed from 10/12)
Check the College & Military visits 23-24 document often for additional visits at VUHS and elsewhere
West Point Admissions Event: There will be a West Point admissions information meeting at Norwich University on Sunday, October 22nd. More information and how to register can be found here
Attention high school seniors and families - Free virtual Financial Aid & Managing College Costs presentation: Attend an online, free Financial Aid and Managing College Costs presentation. At this presentation, Carrie Harlow from VSAC will provide an overview of how families pay for college costs and the different types of financial aid, as well as the application process and timelines specifically for the 2024-2025 financial aid award year. We will share some resources that can help you research the true cost of colleges and get ready to file financial aid forms. If you would like to stay a bit longer – after the end of the regular presentation – we will share in-depth information about how to create an FSA ID, and you can attempt to create at least one ID for later FAFSA filing with VSAC’s help. This event is on October 25th at 6:30pm.
Register here: https://vsac-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAofu2rqzMjH92ycPpS2hs0KRZRgW6ilzpQ
Senior Parent Information Night Presentation Slides: If you were unable to attend the senior parent information presentation last night (10/16), you can view the presentation slides below. During the presentation counselors discussed the college application process and they can support your student during their grade 12 year. If you have any questions, please reach out to your student's school counselor, Rebecca Edelman, redelman@anwsd.org or Susan Oliveira, soliveira@anwsd.org
The Governor’s Institutes of Vermont (GIV) One Day Adventures 2023: This November, the Governor’s Institutes of Vermont is hosting two incredible experiences for Vermont high schoolers - including seniors! These adventures are FREE! Led by experts in the field, the One Day Adventures offer a meaningful and educational experience, sharing the same values as our Summer Institutes.
First Aid Field Day
Saturday, November 18th, 2023
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
South Burlington High School
Have you ever wanted to learn how to save a life? Interested in pursuing medicine? This is for you! Join NVTAHEC and GIV for the First Aid Field Day where you can learn CPR, Stop the Bleed, Patient Assessment, and participate in a Mass Casualty Incident simulation.
Register for First Aid Field Day here.
A Day in Vermont's Capital
Sunday, November 19th, 2023
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Montpelier, VT
Want to learn how change is made in Vermont? Want to meet other students making an impact? This is for you! Join us for “A Day at the Capital,” a free event hosted by local legislators! Tour the capital, engage in a debate simulation and learn about mobilizing change. Register for A Day in VT Capital here.
Boosters, CPTG, Friends of Music
CPTG - Commodore Parent Teacher Group Sign up. Let's work together to ensure that our children have access to a stimulating and nurturing educational environment. Your partnership with VUHS Commodore Parent Teacher Group will help shape the minds of future leaders, innovators, and lifelong learners.
Friends of Music - Consider joining the Commodore Friends of Music for our children, our music educators and our community. Meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm via the Zoom link. For more information please visit our website https://sites.google.com/view/commodore-friends-of-music/home
School Wide Information
Food Services
Nurse Announcements
As cold and flu season arrives, please remember that students must be fever, vomit & diarrhea free for 24 hours without the aid of medication before they return to school after an illness. COVID-19 is still among us, so please continue to test if you have symptoms. We do have a limited supply of tests. If your student is symptomatic and you would like a test, please contact your school nurse. Our nurses will use their clinical judgment and discretion to determine if a student is well enough to remain in school or be sent home. If a student or staff member is not well enough to learn or participate, regardless of whether they are tested for COVID-19, they will be sent home from school. If your student does test positive, contact your school nurse for return to school information. Please refer to the Student and Family Handbook for more details.
TIPS FOR KEEPING HEALTHY
-Keep up to date on all vaccinations
-Washing hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
-Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing-preferably into the inside of the elbow or with a tissue followed by hand washing
-Avoiding sharing drinks, water bottles, utensils and phones
-Avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth
-Stay home when you are sick
-Get the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep a night
Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to discuss your child's illness. Jaime Wells at jwells@anwsd.org or 471-2298
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We have put together a new Community Health and Wellness site that can be accessed from the ANWSD website. The site is updated as new info becomes available.
Athletics and Pete Maneen
Wednesday, October 25th
- Varsity Girls Soccer Playoff Home vs. Green Mountain, 3:00pm. The team is dismissed at 1:45pm.
- Varsity Boys Soccer Playoff @ Fair Haven, 6:00pm. The bus departs at 4:00pm.
Saturday, October 28th
Varsity Cross Country State Championships @ Thetford Academy, TBA.
Sunday, October 29th
Middle School Cross Country State Championships @ Hard’ack in St. Albans, TBA.
Upcoming Winter Sports Dates:
Monday, November 27th- High School winter practices begin
Monday, December 4th- Middle School & Elementary (3/4 & 5/6 teams) practices begin
Saturday, January 6th- K-2nd grade basketball starts
As high school & middle school game schedules are released, they are posted on the athletic calendar, here is a direct link.
Fusion
Session 1 has started but you can still join!
Make sure you sign up! Some of the opportunities this session are:
- Commodores Got Talent
- Magic: The Gathering
- Math Labs
- Whiz Kids
- Chess
- Choice Activities in On Deck
- VT History Day
Sign up with this link: https://forms.gle/fWSVcNCoYBrL5A7eA
Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center News (interested and current students)
Check out the most current newsletter for PHCC.
Important Documents
Contact Information
Vergennes Union High School
Email: JChamberlin@anwsd.org
Website: https://vumhs.org/
Location: 50 Monkton Road, Vergennes, VT, USA
Phone: (802) 877-2938