Updates from U-32
October 24, 2025
Principal's Update
Dear students, families, and caregivers,
On Friday, we waved good-bye to our guests from Rostock, Germany. The week was packed with learning and opportunities. Our theme of community and connection was alive during this experience as we saw students sharing stories, commonalities, and connecting across boundaries. Similarly, on Friday, October 10th, 24 students volunteered at our first elementary field day. Again, our students connected across grades, schools, and towns to build one WCUUSD learning community. These acts of connection may seem small, but they are what help us become contributors in our local and global communities. Last week, students in 11th and 12th grade created ways to positively contribute to school culture at U-32 through their Psychology class. A gratitude wall, an 11th grade student lounge, and a tree of appreciations were among the new additions to the Atrium. Similarly, the Horticulture Class asked for soil samples to help staff members learn about the health of their garden soils.
In and out of classrooms, students are building ways to make learning relevant, contribute to their communities, and build connections in and beyond school. Learning like this is what helps students gain the tools they need to be global and democratic citizens.
This morning, during TA, students heard about the arrest of a WCUUSD Staff member. They had the chance to process through a circle and those who needed were able to return for a callback listening circle. In moments of challenge as a community, our commitment to restorative practices helps us return to our core beliefs as a district that community and connection can be built and restored through restorative practices. As always, should students need additional support, they should reach out to their TA, School Counselor, an Administrator or any trusted adult.
Best,
Becca
Half Day - Wednesday, October 29th
On Wednesday, October 29th - Students will be dismissed at 11:40am so that all U-32 faculty and staff can participated in professional learning designed to help us meet the needs of all learners.
Halloween
Next Friday is Halloween and at U-32 students are welcome to dress up (or not), but we do ask that costumes follow a few simple guidelines. Costumes should be school-appropriate and follow our regular dress code (see the student handbook for details). For safety reasons, please do not wear full face masks or anything that covers your identity, and costumes that include blood, gore, or weapons of any kind are not permitted.
We also ask everyone to be thoughtful and respectful when choosing costumes. Costumes that rely on racial, cultural, or identity-based stereotypes, or that could be seen as appropriating someone else’s culture, are not appropriate. Let’s keep the fun inclusive and respectful, and ensure we’re not unintentionally perpetuating harmful ideas. If you or your student are unsure if a costume would be appropriate for school, please reach out to a trusted adult at U-32 and we can help to offer positive ways to participate.
News from our Special Education Department
Hello U-32 community,
I wanted to offer an update from our special education department. I wrote to you all the last week of September letting our community know that we had been able to hire a .4 FTE special educator to support the high level of need for case management in our high school. This addition to our staff meant some initial reorganization to which case managers were assigned to work with students. Since late September, our high school special educators have continued to work with me to make adjustments on case management duties to ensure that case managers are consistently working within teams. This should result in a more wraparound approach for your student(s) when teams can meet regularly to discuss instruction and supports and have the right educator in the room.
The caseload for accessing speech and language services is also incredibly high and I'm happy to share that we have been able to contract with a virtual provider. Johanna Pino Grisales, SLP, will be positioned to support the work that our in-person SLP, Erica Smith, does so beautifully.
Johanna is a virtual service provider with experience in our district, particularly delivering tele-services to elementary students. Erica, the 1.0 FTE SLP, has carefully considered which students would benefit most from virtual SLP services, based on their individual goals, service needs, and intensity, as well as past experiences with virtual providers, including those who have accessed services through the Stern Center or who have previously worked with Johanna. Ongoing communication with the virtual provider regarding service progress throughout the semester is encouraged, just like with in-person providers, and should be maintained by case managers. Please note that all student schedules will be updated in January, and we will reassess and make any needed adjustments at that time.
I appreciate the support and patience from our community. Changes to providers can feel hard or even disruptive so please understand that we are only making adjustments that should lead to better outcomes for our students.
Please refer questions to me or your child(s)' case manager.
Cat Fair, U-32 Student Support Services
News from our Nurse
Nurses Office is looking for clothing donations. We are in need of:
Sweatpants
Tee Shirts
Athletic Shorts
In Adult sizes Small- Large
Can't Look Away: The Case Against Social Media
Film Screening of Can't Look Away: The Case Against Social Media
Thurs. Nov. 6, 2025
6:30-8:30pm
Montpelier High School Auditorium
A must-see for parents / caregivers, educators, older students (rated for 13 and up) and community members.
FILM DESCRIPTION
Can't Look Away: The Case Against Social Media is a gripping documentary that exposes the dark side of social media and its devastating impact on young users. Witness the high-stakes legal battle to hold tech companies accountable for the harm caused by their negligence and dangerous algorithms. The film follows the Social Media Victims Law Center fighting for justice for families whose children suffered tragic consequences linked to social media use. Can't Look Away underscores the urgent need for industry reform and serves as a wake-up call about the dangers of social media and a call to action to protect future generations.
This film deals with difficult subject matter. Viewer discretion advised.
(NR = Not Rated, but generally considered appropriate for ages 13+)
Free. Light refreshments and childcare provided.
RSVP HERE (helpful but not required):
https://forms.gle/ZVFgfusfomNkgDps6
The film is 1 hr. 15 mins. followed by a 45 min. discussion with local community leaders:
Jason Gingold (MHS Principal)
Favor Ellis (Elevate Youth Services, Exec. Director)
Rep. Angela Arsenault (Williston)
Brought to you by:
-Montpelier High School
-Main St. Middle School Support Group for Parenting in the Digital Age
-Elevate Youth Services
-VT Coalition for Phone and Social Media-Free Schools
-Smartphone Free Childhood, US
Can't make it? Stream the film at home at Jolt.film
John Lewis Youth Leadership Award
We are currently open for nominations for the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award. This award was established in 2021 by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS). The award honors the extraordinary accomplishments of Congressman John Lewis. The national award recognizes those 25 years or younger who have demonstrated leadership abilities, have a passion for social justice, and are motivated to improve the quality of life in their community. If you’d like to nominate someone, please click here! The deadline for nominations is November 14, 2025.
Coffee and Conversations
Lifetouch Class Photos
Don't Forget to Order This Year's School Pictures
ENJOY 10% OFF
your order!
CODE: F2510OFF
EXPIRES: July 31, 2026
Don’t forget to order your FREE Digital SmileSafe card!
More about the Smilesafe program here.
Yearbook Information for Seniors
Senior Families!
Recognize your student with a Recognition Ad. Celebrate your student for their accomplishments and achievements this year! Purchase today! OFFER ENDS 2/6/2026
Open this LINK to see all the information you need for your yearbook submissions.
2026 SENIORS WILL RECEIVE A FREE YEARBOOK!
News from the Student Service Office
DUAL ENROLLMENT: Vermont high school juniors and seniors can take one FREE college class during their junior and senior year. Dual enrollment gives students the opportunity to experience college while still in high school, and they can earn credit toward a college degree (saving hundreds of dollars in tuition fees).
Learn more about dual enrollment at http://www.vtdualenrollment.org/
Scholarship Opportunities
Check out Naviance Student weekly …. Not Just for Seniors
Not All Colleges and Universities Require SATs/ACTs
Not all admissions processes are created equal. One major point of difference among colleges these days is how admissions officers consider your SAT scores. More schools are de-emphasizing SAT scores as part of your application with “test optional” and “test flexible” policies. One college has even eliminated SAT scores completely!
There are now over 800 accredited, bachelor-degree granting institutions that have changed their approach to standardized test scores. (Keep in mind that the majority of colleges, especially the more prestigious schools, do still require and strongly consider your SAT scores.) Let’s take a look at the different policies and which schools no longer require applicants to submit their scores for admission. Go to www.fairtest.org for more info
SAT / ACT Test preparation FREE
SAT test prep is offered free through Khan Academy by matching your PSAT scores. Students will learn about how to match their accounts at the December callback when they learn how to interpret their scores. ACT also offers free online ACT test prep.
Senior Calendar (see the 12th Gr PLP Course in IC for future months)N
November
November 8th - SAT
Meet with college representatives virtually.
Check with your teachers, coaches, and/or TA to ensure that letters of recommendation are sent on time.
Mail applications for colleges with “rolling” deadlines as soon as possible.
Keep polishing your essay.
Continue to attend meetings with college representations.
Check in with your counselor.
Remember; Colleges take senior grades seriously.
December
Put the finishing touches on your essay. Be sure to proofread!
Try to wrap up applications before winter break. Photocopy all application materials before sending them in.
Send standardized test scores to your colleges. It can be done electronically at collegeboard.com or by phone at 800-SAT-SCORE.
Early Decision and Early Action letters start arriving this month. Check with individual schools to confirm dates. Good luck!
Regular applicants: call admissions offices to set up interviews if needed.
Complete CSS Profile if you haven’t already done so
Check in with your Counselor.
Scholarships
The scholarships below are accepting applications between September 4th, 2025, and December 5th, 2025. For more details about each scholarship and the eligibility requirements, read the details below carefully.
Scholarships Available
$38,000 (10 Awards)
Deadline: December 5, 2025
$3,000 (6 Awards)
Barbara Lotze Scholarships for Future Teachers
Deadline: December 1, 2025
$1,000 (1 Award)
Duckett Local Conservation Scholarship
Deadline: October 31, 2025
