Orange East Supervisory Union

Dear OESU Community,

We are so excited to welcome students back to school on Monday, August 25! At Blue Mountain Union School, Bradford Elementary School, Newbury Elementary School , Oxbow Middle High School, River Bend Technical Career Center, Thetford Elementary School, and Waits River Valley School; there has been a buzz of excitement in all our schools all week. All of our amazing teachers and staff came together to reconnect, collaborate, and prepare classrooms for students. It’s been a busy and joyful week, and we’re ready to launch a wonderful new school year.

Thank you for being part of our OESU community. We can’t wait to see those first-day smiles on Monday!

Warmly,

Heather Lawler

Superintendent of Schools

Orange East Supervisory Union

PS - That's Leslie Lamoureux from Blue Mountain in our fist-day-back-for-teachers selfie!

On Thursday, August 22, OESU schools welcomed back students and families to BBQ's, Brick Oven Pizza, and Ice Cream social events. Each school had their own theme and set of activities. However, the joy and the enthusiasm was shared by all. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to make these events welcoming and memorable. It was great to see all the beautiful smiling faces back in our schools and classrooms.

OESU's Elementary Teacher of the year is Lynnette Knapp. It’s not easy to make math exciting for students but Lynnette Knapp has done that for our students at Newbury Elementary School. Currently, our math interventionist, she has worked tirelessly to help students understand math concepts and gain self confidence in this area. In addition, she has supported and coached her colleagues to become better instructors of mathematics. Lynnette has been a teacher for more than twenty years. Seventeen of those years she has been employed in OUUSD schools. Congratulations to Lynnette Knapp OESU elementary teacher of the year.

- Loretta Cruz, Principal of Newbury Elementary School

OESU Middle/High School Teacher of the year is Meagan Leddy-Cecere. Meagan has been with Oxbow for five years and teaches 8th grade English. She is a passionate educator who values middle school students as whole people, centering their voices in every aspect of learning. She creates inclusive, respectful spaces where students share perspectives, ask questions, and lead inquiry. By fostering belonging and agency, Meagan empowers young people to think critically, engage deeply, and shape their own educational journey. Congratulations to Meagan Leddy-Cecere!

- Tim Boyle, Principal Oxbow Middle School

Oxbow High School began its second year of our four-year partnership with VSAC’s Aspirations Program. Oxbow’s stated goal is that 100% of our students have a plan for Post High School Education & Training (PHSE&T) when they receive their diploma. To this end, the Aspirations Steering Committee conducted a field trip to get teachers, administrators, and many support staff out of the building to familiarize everyone with the communities our students come from and return to every day. Staff visited all three of our sending elementary schools: Waits River Valley, Newbury, and Bradford Elementary. We also visited community cornerstones such as the Northeast Slopes ski hill, the Bradford Fire Department, and the East Corinth General Store. On the tour were also local businesses such as Farm Way, Red Kite Candy, and Pierson Farmstand in Bradford, Housewright Construction in Newbury, and The Gathering Place in West Topsham. The most important questions we asked: What is the thing you love the most about this community? And, what can Oxbow do to help you?

Ken Cadow, Principal Oxbow High School

Thank you all who have already filled out this survey from a few weeks ago. I used the responses I had to inform my welcome back address to all staff. I am sharing the one more time before I compile the responses and create a board report. Here is another chance to share your input and priorities.

What are we doing well? What needs to improve? What advice do you have for me? Please fill out this survey. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!

August 25 - First Day of School

August 29 - 1/2 Day for students

September 1 - School Closed for Labor Day

September 3 - Blue Mountain Union School Board Meeting

September 9 - Thetford Town School District Board Meeting

September 10 - Orange Unified Union School District Board Meeting

September 11 - Waits River Valley School District Board Meeting

September 16 - OESU Board Meeting

Full Calendars are available on the OESU website at https://www.oesu.org/calendars.

Orange East Supervisory Union (OESU) is located in the beautiful Upper Valley of the Connecticut River in Bradford, Vermont. The SU includes Blue Mountain Union School, Bradford Elementary School, Newbury Elementary School, Oxbow Middle High School, Riverbend Career and Technical Center, Thetford Elementary School, and Waits River Valley School. We proudly serve the towns of Bradford, Newbury, Corinth, Groton, Ryegate, Thetford, Topsham, Wells River and local tuition towns. We all work together to support student learning and improve educational outcomes for our students.

Orange East Supervisory Union

64 Main Street

Bradford, Vermont

(802) 222-5216