Wildcats Weekly

"We are a joyful community that is inclusive and guides children toward curiosity, resilience, and compassion." ~Rumney Staff

I hope everyone had a fun filled break and is ready for 2026!

We have lots in store for you these next couple of months, so please take a peek!

Some of you may have been following the recent Board meetings and others may be getting this information for the first time. These are some highlights of our current budgeting process.

In December, the School Board voted to close Doty in Worcester and Calais Elementary in Calais. This means that now all voters in those towns will be asked if they support closing their local school. That vote will take place on February 10. If Worcester were to have more votes for closing Doty than not, then Worcester students would attend school at Rumney next year.

By combining two towns, our school would offer the following:

• Full time school nursing
• Full time school counselor
• Math and literacy intervention for grades K-6
• Band and chorus to 5th and 6th grade
• All other options that we currently offer

If Worcester were to have fewer votes for closing Doty, then Rumney would see the following at our school:

• Part-time school nursing
• Part-time school counselor
• Only math or literacy intervention for grades K-6 or math and literacy for only grades K-2
• General music with no band or chorus

This reduction is due to our need to stay below the "spending threshold." The spending threshold is an amount, set by the state, that districts need to operate under to avoid a penalty. The penalty for going over the spending threshold is that for every dollar over, one dollar goes to the school district and one dollar is given back to the state as a penalty tax. The fear of simply budgeting for more is that we may not be able to pass our school budget on Town Meeting Day, nor could our residents sustain the increased tax amount.

We want to do all that we can to support those that care deeply about their local school. They are faced with a difficult decision, given that neither option has an impact on taxes. The impact is on the student experience, which many voters are removed from. We hope to provide enough information that everyone can make an informed choice. We also hope to provide opportunities for the two towns to come together as one community, regardless of the vote.

January 16- PTNO Movie Night

January 30- Winter Wellness

February 6- Winter Wellness

February 10- Coffee House

February 13- Morning Mug

February 13- Winter Wellness

February 20- Winter Wellness

The PTNO is planning another dinner and a movie night on Friday, January 16th 5:30-8:00PM.

Thank you for casting your votes! We used your feedback and planned Tuesday, February 10th @6PM for our coffee house. Kenna will reach out in early January to see who may be interested in volunteering for this event.

PTNO will again be hosting the traditional Morning Mug. This is a wonderful time to gather as a community and converse over a mug of something that warms the soul. Morning Mug is scheduled for Friday, February 13th 8:15-9:00AM.

Winter Wellness is a free four-week (on Fridays) winter activity program for students in grades K-6. Winter Wellness will begin on January 30th and students will be going to The Ice Center in Waterbury, to practice and/or learn ice skating.

Key details of the program include:

• Dates: Every Friday, from January 30- February 20, 2026
• Time: 9:15 departure

• Instruction: Beginners will receive help from adults and experienced student volunteers. Ice walkers are available to assist new skater and they also will be given crates for balance.

• Equipment: Free rentals will be provided at The Ice Center. Please send your child with a helmet if they have one. We will be providing helmets for anyone that needs one.

A friendly reminder that all alerts and notifications are sent through the MyRide app in real time. It’s important for families to download the app and create an account. Once you add your child's name and student ID number, you should be able to accept notifications, so you can see updates. If you need your child's student ID number, please contact the RMS Office via:

phone: (802) 223-5429

email: tdebbssquire@u32.org

Sometimes the schools receive information about a bus delay and we are able to send a message through IC, however this is not as consistent and reliable as the app.

Berlin Elementary School and Doty Memorial School are served with Title I federal funds this school year. The purpose of Title I is “to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close the achievement gaps” (Vermont Agency of Education). Title I funds supplement local funds, and schools are eligible based on poverty rates. The measure that we use in Washington Central is eligibility for free or reduced meals.

We are required to hold a Title I meeting each year. This year we will host a virtual Title I meeting. We will explain the purpose of the funds and how we use them in Washington Central, and we will welcome your questions and thoughts. We will also share information about Title II and Title IV funds and seek input regarding our district's Title I school compact.

The meeting will be facilitated by Jen Miller-Arsenault, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. It will take place on Thursday, January 15 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. via Google Meet, and a recording will be posted on our district website.

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/xqy-mago-ebf
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 475-441-4834‬ PIN: ‪979 964 543‬#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/xqy-mago-ebf?pin=2637969762166

Please reach out to Jen Miller-Arsenault at jmillerarsenault@u32.org or (802) 229-0553 if you have any questions. We hope to see you there!

As we adjust into this early winter weather season I am seeing an uptick of "Frost Nip" on students' wrists, hands, and ankles. Frost Nip looks like redness, tingling, and numbness; uncomfortable, but quickly reversible with warm water or a heat pack.

We have winter supplies of gloves, high socks, etc if your child has grown out of the winter gear. Students are always welcome to borrow any gear they may have forgotten. We want to make sure their skin is covered as much as possible.

Please note that some of our newsletters are on a live link and others have changing links that are emailed to families from the teacher.

Kindergarten

1st/2nd Grade

3rd/4th Grade (sent by teacher)

5th Grade

6th Grade

Are you a podcast fan? Here are a few of my favorites about child rearing and child development. These are all from folks with expertise in their field, practical, and engaging!

• Dealing with worries and/or anxiety = Flusterclux by the very funny and experienced Lynn Lyons, anxiety expert from Manchester, NH. Her approach is straightforward, and geared towards building flexibility and courage while discouraging avoidance. Check out her other resources for anxiety; her website https://www.lynnlyons.com/ has a lot of resources for families, including some short videos. Her books include, "Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents" (by Reid Wilson, PhD and Lynn Lyons, LICSW).

• Neurodiversity, kids and school = Stance of Curiosity - Podcast. Psychologists Joelle vanLent (who consults with our district!) and Gillian Boudreau explore diverse topics related to kids and education. While some are more directed towards educators, many are directed towards parents as well.

• Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens - Podcast. Clinical Psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and former journalist (and parent) Reena Ninan explore and offer guidance on current parenting issues. Her best-selling books, “Untangled”, “Under Pressure”, and “the Emotional Lives of Teenagers” are all really worthwhile reads.

-Sharon Spector, K-6 School Counselor

Winter 2025 and Spring 2026 School Vacation Art Camps for K-5th grade are now open for registration. 8:30am-3pm. Drop in days are available.

Jan. 19th and 20th: Herbal Potions Camp (Martin Luther King Day)

Feb. 23rd-27th: Art is Rocket Science (February Break)

March 20th: Mythical Creatures Camp (Conferences)

April 20th- 24th: Mask Making Camp (Spring Break)

Register at: https://www.oneartsstudio.org/camps

Spring 2026 After School Art sessions are posted and you can register at: https://www.oneartsstudio.org/afterschoolart. We are offering K-4th grade after school art Tuesday through Thursday with bus drop off available from Rumney, Moretown and Brookside Elementary School! Drop ins welcome.

Kids Night Out: Third Friday of the Month. K-5th grade.

ONE Arts Studio is offering kids night out from 4pm-8pm on the third Friday of the month during the 2026 school year! Drop the kids off and enjoy an evening to yourself! We will have pizza, veggies, watch a movie and of course offer open studio art time!

Dates offered:

Jan 16th, Feb. 20th, March 20th, April 17th, May 15th, June 19th.

Register at: https://www.oneartsstudio.org/kidsnight

Cyanotype Photography/ Make Photographs with the Sun’s Light with Evie Lovett

Sunday February 1st. 11:00am-1:00pm

$40

Cyanotype Photography: Make Photographs With the Sun’s Light!

In this mixed ages workshop for adults, teens, or children over seven accompanied by an adult, learn how to make photographs with everyday objects, the light of the sun, and water! With cyanotype photography, you’ll make photographs by placing objects you choose on specially coated light-sensitive paper, exposing to the light of the sun, and developing the image in water. The resulting image is a deep blue where sunlight fell and white where the object was.

This in person learning opportunity emphasizes community-building and artistic skill-building in a relaxed and fun setting. Evie Lovett, the Teaching Artist, will provide participants with clear instruction, demonstrations and supplies. No experience necessary. All invited.

Dear Rumney Families & Staff,

The Rumney PTNO is excited to announce that Rumney throw blankets will be arriving just in time for the holidays! These cozy 50" x 60" blankets make perfect gifts for students, families, and supporters of our school community.

Price: $25 each
How to Order: Please preorder by clicking photo , or scan the QR code on the flyer.

Thank you for supporting the Rumney PTNO. We appreciate your continued involvement and look forward to sharing these wonderful blankets with you soon!

Warmly,
Kent Lowden
The Rumney PTNO

Bring your kids aged 5-11 to Green Mountain Community Fitness for an adventure filled Winter Break! Five full days (February 23-27th from 8:00am-3:30pm) of exciting activities: swimming, obstacle courses, snow forts and snowmen, and even a field trip to Sunrise Gymnastics! Check out our website https://gmcf.life/camp/#winter-camp for more information and to register, or email camp@gmcf.life to request more information. We look forward to having your child(ren) join us at Green Mountain Community Fitness for an awesome week!

I’ve also attached a flyer that you’re welcome to include or share as needed.

Thank you so much for your support! We truly appreciate your help in spreading the word to families who may benefit. Please let me know if you need any additional information.

Warm regards,

Maddy Cooley (she/her)

Kids Program Coordinator
Community Partnership Specialist
Green Mountain Community Fitness
maddy@gmcf.life

www.gmcf.life
802-223-6161

2025-26 Student/Family Handbook

Behavior Rubric

Staff contact information

Do you have information you want to go out in the Wildcats Weekly? Great! Send it to RMSOffice@u32.org by Wednesday at noon.

Have feedback? Please email me at kmay@u32.org.

Best,

Karoline