Superintendent's Corner

Our Vision:

Engaging hearts and minds for a limitless future

WSESU - where students want to learn, staff want to work, and families want to live

Our Mission:

WSESU is a diverse community of learners where:

Every learner has the potential to be a leader
Students have a strong voice in shaping their school experiences
Learning is personal, connected, and relevant
High expectations exist in caring, nurturing environments
Individuals grow into larger communities, while also broadening a sense of self
Positive relationships define the interactions between school and the community
Students get better at making decisions by making decisions
Everyone is able to bring their full selves to the learning experience

Windsor Elem. Librarian Highlighted in School and Library Spotlight!

We are pleased to recognize Roxanne Sherwin as Student of the Month for February. Roxie is a Senior who has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic throughout her high school career. Roxie is thoughtful of others and exceedingly kind. Recently, she stepped up to help a friend by literally putting herself on stage with little preparation to make a meaningful opportunity possible for that friend. In the performing arts, Roxie is active in both theater and band. She has played significant roles in several plays, masterfully: Ursula in The Little Mermaid, Janice in Mean Girls, and more recently, Donna in Mama Mia. Subtle and unassuming, Roxie cinches these roles with energy and commitment. Roxie also plays the trumpet with the high school band, is the Tri-M National Music Honors Society President, and has helped to organize all of the events and fundraisers they’ve put on as a music department this year. She is a staunch advocate for the arts and is always coming up with new ideas that can bring recognition to Windsor's music and theater programs. It is with pride and appreciation that we recognize Roxanne Sherwin as Windsor High School’s Student of the Month.

We are proud to recognize Mr. Bryan Stammelman as our February Teacher of the Month! Mr. Stammelman’s dedication to his students goes far beyond the classroom curriculum — he creates an environment where students feel safe, valued, and supported every single day. Students consistently share how much they appreciate his care and commitment. One student shared, “Bryan cares about his students and provides a safe and comfortable space for all.” Another added, “He always makes time for his students. Band is one of my favorite classes because of him.” Mr. Stammelman’s passion for teaching and genuine investment in his students’ growth make a lasting impact. Whether he’s leading rehearsals, offering encouragement, or simply taking the time to listen, he ensures that every student feels seen and supported. His classroom is more than a place to learn music — it’s a place where students build confidence, creativity, and community. Congratulations, Mr. Stammelman! The students of Windsor are lucky to have you.

Congratulations to the Lady Jacks! They are headed to the championship game this Saturday!

Old School Communication Tool

Dear WSESU Community,

Following the results of Tuesday’s Town Meeting Day, I want to share my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible engagement shown across our four towns. Seeing our neighbors come together to discuss the future of our schools is a powerful reminder of the strength of our region.

To the residents of Hartland, Weathersfield, West Windsor, and Windsor: Thank you for showing up to make your voices heard. Whether through a "yes" vote or by sharing your concerns, your participation is what ensures our schools remain a true reflection of our community’s values.

In Hartland and Mount Ascutney, voters have approved the proposed school budgets. We are deeply appreciative of this vote of confidence; your commitment provides the foundation our students and staff need to thrive.

In Weathersfield, the initial budget proposal did not pass. To our Weathersfield neighbors: We hear you. We understand that a school budget is more than just a set of numbers, it is a conversation about our shared priorities and the sustainability of our community.

For the Weathersfield community, we are moving forward with a spirit of collaboration and care:

Administration is already hard at work preparing a revised budget to present to the board. Our goal is to find a path that honors the feedback we’ve received while ensuring our students continue to have the resources they need for a high-quality education.
We will soon share the dates for a public informational meeting and a revised vote. We want to ensure every resident feels informed, has their questions answered, and feels heard before returning to the polls.

Our schools are at their best when we act as one community, dedicated to the success of every child from every town. We look forward to continuing this conversation and ensuring a bright, stable future for all our students.

With gratitude and hope,

Christine Bourne

Radon Testing At Our Schools - March 16th

Dear Parents/Caregivers and Staff:

In 2021, the Vermont legislature passed a law requiring all schools to test for radon (see Section 12 of Act 72 (2021)). Our school is beginning that testing process now. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about radon testing.

Why is our school being tested for radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in rocks, soil and water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 21,000 people die each year in the United States from lung cancer due to radon exposure. Radon is also the leading cause of lung cancer among people who don’t smoke. Because it has no color, smell or taste, testing is the only way to know if radon is in a building. This is why the Health Department and the EPA recommend that all homes and schools be tested for radon.

Homes and schools are the places where people are typically exposed to the most radon. Because students and staff spend a lot of time at school, it’s important to make sure we don’t have high levels of radon in our school building. Other schools in Vermont have tested for and found high levels of radon. Once they did, they were able to easily fix the problem.

How does radon enter a school building?

Many factors contribute to radon entering a school building. Schools in nearby areas can have significantly different radon levels from one another. Here are some reasons why some schools have elevated radon levels and others do not:

Concentration of radon in the soil and permeability of the soil under the school building
Structure and construction of the school building
Type, operation and maintenance of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system

Why is the testing taking place while school is in session?

Because radon levels can fluctuate throughout the year, radon testing is done during the heating season. Radon levels tend to be the highest during this time since the windows and doors are closed up. The testing period needs to include the time when the school is occupied and operating under normal heating conditions. If we tested when the building is not occupied, we may not be able to determine the actual amount of radon students and staff are exposed to.

Which rooms will be tested?

Every classroom, office, and other commonly used room that is in contact with the ground or above a crawl space or basement will be tested. A small portion of upper floors will also be tested. Storage rooms, locker rooms, kitchens and bathrooms will not be tested. Most rooms will have only one radon detector. Some rooms will have more than one.

Is the radon detector hazardous in any way?

There is nothing hazardous or toxic inside a radon detector. Detectors should not be moved, touched, or otherwise tampered with while the testing is taking place.

When will we know the results?

Once the test is complete, all radon detectors will be collected. Results will be available once the detectors are analyzed. This may take a few weeks. After the results come back, we will send a letter with a summary of the results and any next steps that we will need to take.

What will happen if radon is found in the building?

We will find radon in the building. Radon is everywhere because it is naturally occurring. If we find radon levels of concern, we will create a plan for fixing the problem. For example, confirmation testing might be conducted, or a mitigation system may be installed.

Learn more about radon at www.HealthVermont.gov/Radon.

If you have any questions, please contact Jim Taft (jtaft@wsesu.net)