The Howler: March 23, 2025

Hello, OQS Families!

Congratulations to all of our students who led a conference last week! It was wonderful to hear students share their progress and their Wolf Way reflections. Many of them also presented recent original work, such as second grader Henrik sharing his biography project (right).

We also had the chance to celebrate our developing artists' skills at the Art Show last Wednesday (see photos below). Over 80 students attended with their families -- thank you for joining us! The best part was seeing students' generosity as they wrote Compliment Cards to siblings, friends and even students they don't know but whose work they admired. What kindness!

Finally, report cards were posted digitally on Infinite Campus on Friday, and paper copies will be sent home at the end of the day on Monday 3/24 in students' backpacks. Please contact your child's teacher with any questions.

Have a wonderful week,

Amelia Donahey

Principal

3/26: SPARK! Community Science Night, 5:30-6:30 (pizza at 5:00)

4/4: Weather At Your School (WCAX Broadcasts from OQS 4:00-8:00am); Screenagers Film Screening family-friendly event at Dothan Brook School, 6pm

4/14 - 4/18: No School (Spring Break)

4/30: SPARK! Community Science Night, 5:30-6:30 (pizza at 5:00)

5/2: Better World Day

5/28: SPARK! Community Science Night, 5:30-6:30 (pizza at 5:00)

5/29: Spring Concert 5:30-6:30pm

Please join our staff in welcoming two new hires who will join the OQS team in August 2025!

Holly Beckert, Kindergarten: "I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the warm and welcoming community at Ottauquechee School as a kindergarten teacher next year! For the past six years, I’ve had the joy of teaching kindergarten in Burlington, and before that, I spent 12 amazing years teaching preschool. I share my home with my wonderful husband, our three amazing kids, a playful dog, two cuddly cats, and a leopard gecko named Ziggy Hopscotch! Teaching kindergarten is truly magical, and I am so passionate about creating a classroom full of curiosity, joy, and a love of learning! Thank you so much for including me in your incredible school!"

Morgan Fisk, Second Grade: "Hi, my name is Morgan Fisk. I am thrilled to return and teach at OQS! I recently taught first grade at Newton School for three years. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, along with my K-6 teaching certification, from Plymouth State University. When I’m not teaching, you can find me baking, coaching the Hartford Field Hockey team, and spending time with my family."

We are partnering with Hartford Community Coalition and the other HSD Elementary Schools to show Screenagers: Elementary Edition at Dothan Brook School on Friday, April 4.

6:00--Dinner in the DBS cafeteria

6:30--Start kids' movie in DBS gym (Moana 2) and Screenagers movie in DBS Cafeteria

7:30--Popcorn intermission (sponsored by DBS PTO)

Community partners from the Vermont Health Department and Hartford Police Department will be in attendance to answer questions.

In order to plan ahead for dinner, we are asking families to please RVSP using this form.

Week 23: Breaking Stereotypes about Women

A stereotype is a widely held and simplified belief about a specific group. Groups are often stereotyped on the basis of sex, gender identity, race and ethnicity, nationality, age, socioeconomic status, language, and so forth. They are deeply embedded within social institutions and wider culture. Stereotypes and bias prevent us from seeing people as unique individuals with a range of characteristics that make them who they are. Instead, we end up putting people in boxes and feel uncomfortable when they don’t seem to fit in those boxes.

Too often we hear adjectives that describe women as nurturing, emotional, polite, weak, bossy, gossipy, ditzy, and organized. By contrast, men are stereotypically described as confident, arrogant, logical, practical, a leader, dependable, charming, and strong. Stereotypically masculine characteristics are frequently valued more highly than stereotypically feminine characteristics. Gender stereotypes can shape beliefs that women have about themselves, causing them to question their own abilities and possibly deterring them from male-dominated careers.

Besides gender, there are other identities that every individual has. When you have multiple identities that do not fit the conventional stereotypes, there will be pushback for you to fit in. For example, Mona Haydar is a Muslim woman who raps. Those identities don’t seem to fit together because it is not what we envision a woman, a Muslim, nor a rapper to be. She is all those things (and more!) and we can only understand that if we keep our minds curious and be open to thinking outside the box.

Check out this 4 minute interview where Mona Haydar talks about how she is offended by people’s shock when she tells people she is a poet turned MC rapper.

Want to hear more? Watch Mona Haydar’s music video called Wrapping my Hijab, where she addresses the stereotypes and microaggressions she faces as a Muslim woman rapper.

Resources:

How Gender Stereotypes Kill a Woman’s Self Confidence (Harvard Business School)

Gender Stereotypes and Their Effect on Young People (Improving Gender Balance Project)

The Agency of Education created this Federal Updates page as resource for Vermonters. The website will be routinely updated as additional information becomes available. The Agency aims to be disciplined, thoughtful, and factual when evaluating and responding to changes in federal policy.

Looking for quality programming for your child this summer? You can find a directory of summer camps in the area, with registration information, here: https://norwichvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30011