Dear U-32 students, families and caregivers,

We are still trying to have a full week without delays, cancellations, or other calamities, but Vermont weather just isn't cooperating. Despite the trickly weather, we were able to kick off the second semester at U-32 and students are getting back into the routine after our J-term. Please take a look through the newsletter to see what all is happening. I have included our first update about PCBs and we will continue to provide information in each newsletter.

I hope that you all have a great weekend. Stay safe, warm, and dry.

Steven

The US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association has named coach Andrew Tripp as the 2023 Boys' High School Cross Country Coach of the Year for the state of Vermont. This honor is based upon his leadership and the success of the Cross Country team throughout the season. It's also a reflection of his hard work and the dedication of the student-athletes, the coaching staff, as well as the administration of the school.

If you see Andrew, be sure to congratulate him for this accomplishment!

Since our last update we have been working with Stone Environmental to address remediation of the PCBs here on campus.

This week, the state approved our work plan. The next step in our timeline involves the collection of additional air samples inside the building and the collection of building materials, which will be sent to the lab for testing to identify the source of PCB's in our school.

The additional air sampling is expected to take 5 weeks and the collection of building materials is expected to take 2 weeks. Once the samples have been sent to the lab, we expect a 3-4 week turn around for those results.

As we learn more from this additional sampling and testing, we will inform the community through additional updates, which you will always find here in our weekly newsletter.

U-32 is excited to host the Winooski Valley District Jazz Festival next week! We will have 28 students representing our school in the Middle School Jazz Band, High School Jazz Ensemble, and High School Gospel Choir. The concert is Friday, February 2nd at 7pm in the U-32 auditorium and open to the public ($6 for adults, $4 students cash or check only).

Stage 16, the Middle School After School Theater Program is excited to present Matilda the Musical this spring.

Auditions are Thursday and Friday, February 22 and 23 during Callback (sign up with Erin Galligan-Baldwin to attend!) and Friday, February 23 from 3:00-4:30. All 7th and 8th graders are welcome to audition. Rehearsals will be from March 6 to April 11, 4-5 days a week with 1-2 Saturdays added. Public Performances are on Friday, April 12 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, April 13 at 10:00 am. Stay tuned for information about joining the Tech + Costume Crew.

Questions? Please email Erin GB at egalliganbaldwin@u32.org.

Check out this exciting opportunity for Vermont's teen poets. Sundog Poetry is launching a statewide chapter of the National Youth Poet Laureate program (remember Amanda Gorman reading poetry at the Biden inauguration in 2021? She was the NYPL at the time).

Complete info can be found at sundogpoetry.org/youth. Below is a one-sheet with some basic info.

An overview of the program:

• Any Vermonter age 13 - 19 can apply (there is no cost)
• Submissions are open FEB 1 - 29 at youthlaureate.org
• The online application will ask for an attachment that includes 3 original poems
• Finalists and winner announced in April
• Winner receives $500 cash prize, invitation to regional competition, broadside letterpress printing of original poem with Ruth Stone House, workshops with some of America's leading poets (Ada Limon taught a workshop last year), and performance opportunities in Vermont.

The 2024 Governor's Institutes dates and locations have been finalized, and applications are now open! Students can apply at GIV.org/apply with any internet device.

It is always a good idea, after focusing on looking for and applying to colleges, that a student and family begin looking for scholarships. Scholarships can range in amounts and duration, ranging from $100 to thousands of dollars over a four year period. The important thing is to take some time to compete for scholarships. Even the smallest can help. Did you know the cost of some college text books is $100? Be sure to frequent the scholarship site on your Naviance Account. Click on Colleges I Am Applying To, then Scholarships.

The VSAC Scholarship book is another great resource. It is important that along with scholarship applications, that seniors complete the FAFSA and VSAC Vermont Grant. Links to both of these can be found on your Naviance/ Family Connection account.

Remember…….. The only way to be considered for a scholarship is to apply for a scholarship. VSAC Scholarship Applications are due no later than February 14th, 2024.

$4,000 (300 Awards)

Elks National Foundation Legacy Awards

Deadline: February 5, 2024

For Eligibility: Click Here

$5,000 (8 Awards)

Morton Gould Young Composer Awards

Deadline: February 9, 2024

For Eligibility: Click Here

$1,000 (1 Award)

Texting and Driving Prevention Scholarship

Deadline: February 9, 2024

For Eligibility: Click Here

$4,000 (16 Awards)

IAM Scholarships

Deadline: February 10, 2024

For Eligibility: Click Here

$25,000 (1 Award)

Be Bold Scholarship

Deadline: February 1, 2024

For Eligibility: Click Here

$2,000 (12 Awards)

SM Scholarship

Deadline: January 31, 2024

For Eligibility: Click Here

$25,000 (1 Award)

Niche Scholarships

Deadline: February 29, 2024

For Eligibility: Click Here

$1,000 (12 Awards)

Appily Scholarship

Deadline: January 31, 2024

For Eligibility: Click Here

$1,000 (50 Awards)

No Essay Smart Owl Scholarship

Deadline: January 29, 2024

For Eligibility: Click Here

$2,500 (12 Awards)

SP Scholarships

Deadline: January 31, 2024

For Eligibility: Click Here

To qualify you must be a high school senior qualifying to graduate in June 2024 AND a son or daughter of a Knight of Columbus member (paternal or legally adopted) in good standing in a subordinate Council within the Vermont jurisdiction. Sons or daughters of deceased members are also eligible if their father was in good standing at the time of his death. An applicant may be a member of the Knights of Columbus or a member of a Columbian Squires Circle, in the jurisdiction of Vermont and a high school senior qualifying to graduate in June 2024.

Five $1,000.00 scholarships will be given by the Vermont Knights of Columbus to assist recipients with their education at an accredited school or college of their choice.

Applications must be returned to the Chairman, at the address above, by March 10, 2024 to qualify for an award.

The application is in two parts with the major portion of Part II being completed by your school personnel. Therefore, we strongly suggest Part II be given to your school personnel immediately to allow the maximum time to prepare their part of the application.

The filing date should be brought to the attention of the guidance personnel of your school, since delinquent applications may disqualify an applicant from consideration for an award.

Failure to submit your essay may also result in the application being invalidated.

Scholarships not claimed by February 15, 2025 will be forfeited and the prize will be given to the next alternate on the list.

If you wish to apply, please complete the PDF application below:

As a current Vermont high school junior or seniors, you are eligible for two Vermont Dual Enrollment Vouchers, allowing you to take one free college course in your junior year of high school and one in your senior year of high school.

It’s called Dual Enrollment because your free college courses will also earn you credit towards graduation from high school.

Dual enrollment is offered through all VT public colleges/universities and some private colleges too. Go to https://education.vermont.gov/student-learning/flexible-pathways/dual-enrollment for a list of participating colleges, to create an account and to request a dual enrollment voucher. Spring & summer courses are available now to enroll.

High School Seniors are also eligible for Early College- got to http://education.vermont.gov/student-learning/flexible-pathways/early-college for more information

Registration for spring pre-college courses at UVM is now open!Students in grade 10-12 are eligible.

Choose from more than 100 courses, both on-campus and online, designed to allow you to earn credits, study a subject that isn't offered at your high school, showcase your talent and ambition to college recruiters, and learn from distinguished UVM faculty. Cost or use a dual enrollment voucher.

Classes fill quickly! Enroll today to save your place!

If you have any questions about spring courses or the enrollment process, please feel free to contact 800-639-3210.

Parents of juniors: In December, the school counselors will meet with the juniors to discuss post high school planning options. Every junior will receive a U-32 Post High School Planning Guide. To view a copy and for additional information check out the 11th gr U-32 PLP IC course or view the pdf on the U-32 website.

Join us for College & Career Pathways 2024 at Saint Michael's College on Thursday March 14th!

more details in the flyer below-

Sign up in U-32 Student Services by Feb 22nd. First come first serve! (44 students)

January

• January 22: Rising 9th Grade Information Session

• January 23: CVCC Shadow Day

February

• February 7: Program of Studies and Course Selection Sheets to students grades 7-11 during Callback

• February 8-23: TA Advising Conferences begin - all grades

• February 8-14: Scheduling conferences with 8th & 10th grade TAs, parents and students

• February 23: Last day to make changes to course recommendations with TAs

• February 23: CVCC Preview Day

March

• March 15: CVCC Acceptance Letters sent out

May

• Early May: Next year schedules to students

• May: Schedule adjustments

June

• June 11: Move Up Day

January

• ACT information

• Students admitted by Early Decision must withdraw applications to other schools. Deferred students should consider sending in additional letters of recommendation and other supplementary materials.

• Talk to friends home from college on break.

• Where possible, set up interviews with admissions officers or alumni interviewers.

• Check in with your Counselor.

February

• ACT information

• SAT information

• February 15: Recommended FAFSA deadline.

• Contact colleges to confirm they’ve received all your application materials.

• Keep your grades up.

• Continue the scholarship search. Check out fastweb.com and finaid.org for ideas.

• Use February/March break to visit colleges.

• Check in with your Counselor.

March

• Use February/March break to visit colleges.

• Some states have FAFSA deadlines as early as March 1.

• SAT Reasoning & SAT Subject Tests.

• Keep your grades up. Study hard for exams. Colleges take senior grades seriously. Colleges will want a final transcript and expect to see a strong senior year. Any serious drop in grades or level of difficulty could result in your acceptance being rescinded.

• March 29: Start of Quarter 4

FREE ON-LINE ACT Test through ACT ACADEMY at https://academy.act.org/

Our 2024 Annual Conference “Change Begins with You - Using Your Voice to Make a Difference” will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at the UVM Dudley H. Davis Center from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

This year our event will begin with a welcome from VFN’s Executive Director, Jacqui Kelleher and former South Burlington State Representative to the VT House, Maida Townsend, will kick off our day with opening remarks.

We will then welcome our featured presenter, Amy Shollenberger, from Action Circles. Amy will provide a full day, in-depth, interactive training on advocacy. Amy has more than 20 years of experience developing political strategy, grassroots organizing, influencing policy, and running political issue campaigns. She has worked on a variety of campaigns, ranging in scope from local community issues to state and national issues. She started Action Circles in 2010 and along with the Action Circles Team has served clients and offered training ever since. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to visit exhibit tables, network, and chat over breakfast and lunch.

The VFN Conference Parent/Guardian/Individual with a disability registration fee is $45.00 and the Professional registration fee is $55.00. This fee will cover costs for the full day of training including breakfast, lunch and parking. We will also offer a livestream option for $15.00 and a link will be sent prior to the conference. Livestream attendees will be able to view the presentation via a Zoom Webinar format. Please note that this conference will not be recorded.

• The conference programming runs between 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., with registration, breakfast and exhibits opening at 8:00 a.m. Continental breakfast with coffee and tea will be available in the morning and lunch will be served during the 12:30-1:30 p.m. break.

• Participants can visit with exhibitors between 8:00 a.m. and until lunch finishes at 1:30 p.m.

• Parking will be available for VFN conference attendees on campus, and vouchers and parking lot location information will be sent closer to the date of the event.

• Refund policy: Full ticket refunds are available through March 15, 2024. After this date, we are not able to provide a refund. Substitution of attendees is encouraged.

• Limited partial scholarships are available for parents/guardians on a first-come, first-served basis. Send an email to martha.frank@vtfn.org to make a request.

• While not required, the University of Vermont expects that all visitors be fully vaccinated before coming to campus. We request that conference attendees, if not vaccinated, wear masks as the use of masks helps fight the spread of COVID-19, and other airborne illnesses. Please remain at home if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness.

• Registration will close March 15, 2024.

For the most up to date information,

please visit our VFN Annual Conference page.

INFO FOR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS:

SENIOR RECOGNITION / YEARBOOK ADS

YEARBOOK AD (FAMILY DEDICATION)

Due by January 31, 2024. This is a hard deadline so please submit on time. You will create your own ad through Jostens. In order to create a senior recognition, click on the link below and follow the instructions. LINK TO SUBMIT SENIOR RECOGNITION