MUHS Community Newsletter
April 3, 2026
Dear MUHS Students and Families,
Communicating across differences is difficult. We see this in our world and in our school community. Students have been clear that they are affected by current events and want to talk about the difficult issues happening in our country and around the world. At MUHS, we value student voice. We want students to engage with new ideas, share their perspectives, and learn how to discuss disagreement productively.
As a public school, we are also responsible for balancing two important obligations: protecting students’ First Amendment rights and maintaining a safe, non-discriminatory learning environment that is free from substantial disruption.
In recent weeks, students have found various ways to express their views about immigration enforcement. These viewpoints are protected forms of speech. After a schoolwide event this winter, student expression of political views regarding immigration enforcement caused a substantial disruption to the learning environment at MUHS. As a result, in the weeks since, we have asked students not to display political messaging about immigration on signs or t-shirts while we work to support more productive conversations on this important topic.
This has not been simple work. However, thanks to thoughtful engagement by MUHS students representing a range of positions, we feel confident that the risk of substantial disruption we have been managing has subsided, and there is no longer a need to restrict student attire beyond the rules outlined in our school dress code (below).
Going forward, as we continue to navigate differences of opinion and support constructive conversation, what we can promise is this: We are committed to all students. We are committed to protecting students’ right to free expression. We will limit expression when it can reasonably be construed to create substantial disruption or is in violation of our Hazing, Harassment, and Bullying policy.
We appreciate our many students who engage thoughtfully, even when they disagree. We are grateful to be part of the MUHS community, and we will continue working in partnership with students and staff to build a school culture where all students feel heard and respected.
Sincerely,
Caitlin Steele, Principal
Ben Weir, Assistant Principal
Sean Farrell, Activities Director
Julie Pettis, Student Response Coordinator
UK Trip--April 2027
If your rising 10th, 11th or 12th grader would like to travel abroad next spring break, contact Cathy Stoddert (cstoddert@acsdvt.org), Lang. & Lit. teacher, for the details. We will tour with ACIS educational travel company to England and Scotland--and the more, the merrier!
Sam Lewis
Emily Schademan
