PA Family Communication

Feb1-28 Black History Month

Feb 4 - Parent Advisory Council Meeting, 8:00am, Conference Room

Feb 6 - No School, Professional Development

Feb 11 - PA NORDIC HOME CROSS COUNTRY SKI MEET 3pm Varsity Start

Feb 20 - Winter Carnival, more details soon

Feb 23-Mar 3 - Winter Break, No School

Mar 26 - Noon Dismissal

Mar 27 - No School, Conferences

June 11 - Graduation

Starting this week, Black History Month is an annual celebration of African Americans' important achievements and contributions to American History. At Peoples Academy, we consider and explore Black American contributions, achievements and important roles in American history and culture throughout the school year. We explore a wide range of cultures, race, ethnicity and ideas throughout the entire year in many of our courses.

You can celebrate the start of the Black History Month by attending the 100 Years of Black History Month celebration at the Barre Social Club (space is limited) or later in the month, The Black Experience 2026 at the Flynn Theatre in Burlington.

Below are links to opportunities locally and digitally to engage in inspirational and educational events with your students.

• Smithsonian

• Clemmons Family Farm

• Vermont Historical Society

On Wednesday, February 11th PA will host our annual home Nordic race after school. We would love to see lot's of spectators. LET'S MAKE SOME NOISE, the cowbells will be in full force!!!! Students are planning on having pizza from the bread oven and some sweet treats for purchase.

Where math and Trigonometry come together.

If your student has not yet reserved a copy, they should do so now by making a down payment or paying in full with Michele in the Main Office. Please note that only the number of yearbooks reserved will be ordered, so it is essential to reserve your copy by April 1st. The total cost of the yearbook is $62.

"School Counselors Amplify Student Success" is the theme of this year’s National School Counseling Week (NSCW), which is held the first full week of February. The week honors school counselors for their vital role in student success, academic development, mental health wellness, and college/career readiness. Please reach out to your counselor and share your appreciation for the important work they do for your students.

Click the link below for the guidance department resource page. Inside you will find easy links to information about current courses, student opportunities, and preparing for college. Let us know what you think and if there are other resources we can provide for you!

Students and their parents/guardians are also invited to attend the free event for families on Saturday, March 14. Families can participate in-person at UVM or online over Zoom. Attend live workshops on how to choose, apply to, and pay for education after high school; get test prep tips from a professional tutor; discover free local resources to support your teen’s career search; learn about short-term training opportunities for in-demand jobs; and connect with experts on postsecondary options for students who learn differently. All sessions will also be recorded for future viewing. Find out more and register at vsac.org/ccp.

As in previous years, our school board has chosen to participate in the Winooski Valley Regional Public School Choice Collaborative for 2026-2027. Through this program and the state school choice program, students may apply to go to any public high school in Vermont at no cost.

The Vermont Legislature passed a law in May 2012 (Act 129, Sec. 34. § 822d 2A) which allows high school students to apply through school choice to any public high school in Vermont. This law sets rules for school districts regarding the number of entering and exiting student slots allowed through school choice. Students are chosen by lottery from all the applicants for each school district based on the number of open slots. You may view school choice information at the Vermont Agency of Education website,

http://education.vermont.gov/vermont-schools/school-operations/public-schools/public-high-school-choice.

If your student is interested in attending a high school outside of your district next year, please contact Tracie Locke to obtain a school choice application form and return it to Tracie Locke, 202 Copley Ave, Morrisville, VT 05661 by February 27, 2026.

You will be informed of the outcome of the lottery by April 1, 2026. You will need to confirm whether your student will accept or decline the placement by April 15, 2026. If you do not confirm placement by this date your slot may be given to another student if the school has a waiting list.

*Parents are responsible for providing their student’s transportation if they are chosen.*

If you have any questions, please call Tracie Locke - 802-888-7551 or tracie.locke@lamoillesouth.org.

Report Cards were mailed out today. But, you don't have to wait for the snail mail. If you haven't already done this, it is highly recommended....it's never been this easy to see your student's progress!

• Mobile App: Open the relevant app store on your device, search for "PowerSchool," and then download the free "PowerSchool App." Use the code LNMT to link to the LSSU database, and enter the login credentials you were provided with by the district. Navigate between different views from a menu on the bottom of the screen. If you have more than one child, switch between their information by clicking on another name in the top right corner.

PA Alumni Hannah Drieissigacker at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

We are excited for all the Vermont school and community connections with the upcoming Olympics. Thank you to VT-Digger and the VPA's Dr. Lauren Young for getting the full list of connections out there to cheer on. Check it out! While PA doesn't have any alumni in the events this year, several of the nordic skiers train at Craftsbury under the tutelage of former PA Champions and Olympic Skiers.

Indoor track Feb 12th (during halftime of boys basketball)
Girls hoops (Feb 13th 7:00 PM)

Nordic (Feb 13th during girls basketball halftime)

Girls Hockey (Feb 7th - 6:45 PM)

Boys Hockey (Feb 18th - 7:15 PM)

Basketball season is in full swing, and our Booster concession stand cannot operate without your help.

If you enjoy having concessions at games, please consider giving just one night to volunteer.
It’s simple, it’s fun, and it directly supports our cocurricular students.

Sign up today — we can’t do this without you!
Thank you for being part of the team!

If you haven't already, check out the options on gear. Something for the entire family.

If you know an outdoors-minded teen looking for some summer plans or a new adventure, check out Lake Champlain Maritime Museum’s 2026 summer expeditions for teens!

Their trips this year include: a 7-day kayaking trip, a rowing expedition to the Canadian Border, an overnight sailing skills program, and a canoeing expedition. They also offer a 3-week kayak building course. All summer programs at the Maritime Museum are on Lake Champlain and follow a pay-what-you-can (including $0) tuition model for all participants. These programs are available to all regardless of ability to pay – no questions asked. Registration is now open and is filled first-come, first served. You can learn more about their trips and pay-what-you-can model on their website at www.lcmm.org/expeditions or email any questions to Laura at laurac@lcmm.org”

Check out the monthly offerings!

It's an original resource and REFERRAL tool for basic needs like housing, food, utilities, and transportation. The emphasis is on referrals, because not only can you find information about hundreds of organizations on the side, you can also refer yourself or others and make a direct connection with those organizations.

The site is free to use and has information about local (e.g. neighborhood food shelf), state (e.g. Department of Health), and ational (e.g. Veterans Affairs) resources. It can also be translated into over 100 different languages.