Superintendent's Scoop

Dear Central Vermont SU Families and Community:

As we reflect on the past few weeks, I want to take a moment to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who engaged with our recent community outreach initiatives.

I am especially thankful for the incredible response we received on our recent district surveys. I know how busy your schedules are, and taking the time to share your detailed written feedback provides us with invaluable insight. Your thoughtful responses regarding the future direction of our schools give us the clear, actionable data we need to shape the upcoming goals and priorities for our districts.

I also want to express my appreciation to those who were able to join us in person for the community forums. Whether you filled out a survey, attended a forum, or did both, your active participation is a true testament to the dedication you have for our students’ success.

As we transition into the colder months, I also want to take a brief moment to remind families to prepare for winter weather. Please ensure your contact information is up to date in our district messaging system so you receive timely alerts regarding any school closings or delays. Additionally, you can always check WCAX for the latest broadcasts and updates on our school operating status.

Hearing directly from you ensures that our schools continue to grow in a way that reflects the needs, hopes, and values of our communities. Thank you for your continued partnership, insight, and support.

Warm regards,

Matthew Fedders

We are excited to share that the Central Vermont Supervisory Union is joining thousands of districts across the country in a first-of-its-kind nationwide study. Led by AASA and ThoughtExchange, this project focuses on benchmarking public confidence in K-12 education. We know that strong schools build strong communities, which is why we want to hear directly from you about what is working well, what could strengthen your confidence in our schools, and what our students need most to be ready for adult life.

We would love for you to take just 5 to 8 minutes to share your thoughts in our community survey. Whether you are a parent, staff member, employer, retiree, or neighbor, your voice is incredibly valuable to us, you do not even need to have a child in the district to participate.

The feedback you provide comes straight back to our district to help us drive local goals, and it will even help share our story on the national stage at the February 2027 AASA Conference in Atlanta. Please know that the process is fully FERPA compliant and 100% anonymous. No identifying information is ever collected, and individual answers are never shared—only aggregated community-wide themes.

You can share your voice by taking the survey here: Link to Survey

We love having your student at school! Their curiosity and joy bring life to our school community. Being at school every day helps students stay connected, confident and on track in their learning.

As we head into the winter months, we know snow, rain, and seasonal illnesses like colds, flu, fevers and earaches can sometimes make it harder to get to school.

While some absences are unavoidable, every missed day, including excused absences, interrupts the routine of learning and makes it harder for students to feel engaged and connected.

Here are some ways to keep your child healthy and in school this winter:

Develop back up plans for getting your student to school. If you can’t take them to school, see who else can give them a ride, or form a “walking school bus” to walk to school or the school bus stop with other families.
If your student gets sick or you are not sure whether to keep them home or send them to school, talk to your child’s medical provider or the school nurse for advice.
Look for signs of stress or anxiety. If you feel that anxiety or stress is playing a role, talk to your student’s teacher, the school nurse or counselor, or your medical provider about how best to support your child.
Promote healthy habits. Encourage handwashing, good sleep, healthy meals, daily exercise and plenty of fluids.
Prevent the spread of germs. Remind children not to share cups or utensils with others.
Dress your student for the cold weather. If you need help with coats, hats, or gloves, please let you student's the school know.
Stay connected if your student must be home. If illness keeps your child out for more than a day or two, contact your child’s teacher for learning materials so they don’t fall behind.

We know winter can be tough, but showing up matters

Let us know how we can help you. If you’re having trouble or need resources, please call your students' school or click on the photo below.

We want every student to know where to turn when something interferes with their learning or participation. Following revised Vermont Agency of Education guidance, CVSU is presenting an updated policy to the board that explicitly protects citizenship and immigration status and clarifies how schools address off-campus and online conduct affecting educational access. You can review CVSU’s draft policy on the Prevention of Harassment, Hazing, and Bullying of Students.

Students and families do not need to determine if behavior meets a legal definition before reporting something they experienced or witnessed. Please contact your principal, a designated HHB employee, or any trusted school adult. Staff will review the concern, explain next steps, and offer supports—addressing harmful behavior even when it does not meet the formal definition of harassment, hazing, or bullying. Retaliation for reporting or participating in a review is prohibited.

To learn more about the process, read the Vermont Agency of Education’s What Happens When Harassment, Hazing, and Bullying Is Reported? A Family and Caregiver Guide. Thank you for partnering with us to help students feel supported and encouraging your child to speak up—and speak up again if a problem continues.

Central Vermont SU Board-

Good Afternoon!

In 2026, the CVSU Board has been busy with 3 main areas of focus: union negotiations, budget development, and policy review.

Union negotiations concluded in August as the CVSU board and both school districts approved the newly negotiated 3-year contracts - the board approved the contracts unanimously, and the union membership vote was nearly unanimous. We are immensely grateful for the hard work, long hours, and good faith effort put into the negotiations by all parties.

This fall, we begin our budget work anew as Superintendent Fedders presents the initial plans for the CVSU 2027-2028 budgets. As always, the goal is to develop a budget that is as lean as possible, while still supporting our students as well as possible. The CVSU budget is primarily composed of costs related to the SU administration, special education, food services, and transportation across the SU and both member districts. We hope you will consider attending, reading the minutes, or watching meeting recordings as we move through the budget process! Superintendent Fedders consistently does an exceptional job of making the budget clear and easy to understand, and it is very helpful for the board to hear community input before the budget comes to a vote on Town Meeting Day in March.

Last, but certainly not least, a primary duty of the CVSU board is to approve policies that are then voted on by the member districts. While policy development and approval might not be the most glamorous job, it is critical to the mission of the board, and the success of our schools. Policy sets the expectation, which is then turned over to the Superintendent and his staff to develop and implement procedures that will meet those expectations. CVSU policies can range from vitally important and state-mandated topics such as the Hazing, Harassment, and Bullying policy we revised in October, to more mundane topics such as guidance regarding community use of school facilities. Between Aug 2025 and Aug 2026, we reviewed and adopted 28 policies, and the effort is ongoing, with plenty more to work through this year.

We hope you will join us for our next meeting, in person or remotely - dates, times, and locations are posted on the CVSU website and the agenda is published before each meeting.. If the meeting time doesn’t work for you, video recordings and minutes are posted on the CVSU website.

Echo Valley Community SD Board-

It’s been a busy fall for the Echo Valley Community School District Board of Directors as they’ve tackled everything from regional school partnerships to local building plans and next year's budget.

A big focus has been responding to Vermont’s Act 170, which asks school districts to explore regional partnerships to expand student opportunities, improve efficiency, and keep costs sustainable. Echo Valley initially started down that path by appointing Don Mountford to represent the district on the Group 9 Merger Study Committee alongside neighboring districts. That committee held its first meeting on October 13, kicking off a timeline that includes a final report due September 1, 2027, State Board of Education findings by December 15, 2027, and—if a merger is ultimately recommended—a public vote on March 7, 2028. However, the Board changed direction on Wednesday, November 11, voting to join the Group 20 merger study group instead of staying with Group 9.

Closer to home, the Board has been weighing how best to use Echo Valley's school buildings, comparing the current two-school setup—PK–4 at Washington Village School and 5–8 at Orange Center School—against the possibility of moving to a single-campus model. Wanting to make sure local perspectives guide those choices, the district sent out a community-wide survey and followed it up with a Community Forum on October 14, where Superintendent Matthew Fedders shared what residents had to say and led an open discussion on the facility options.

Meanwhile, the Board also wrapped up several major operational items. They ratified new three-year contracts (2026–2029) with the Central Vermont Educators Association for both teachers and support staff, locking in predictable pay structures through FY29. They also formally adopted their 2026–2027 governance priorities, centering their work on student academic progress, healthy school environments, and sustainable management systems. Looking ahead to the FY28 budget, Superintendent Fedders gave an early look at some financial pressures on the horizon—including energy inflation and an estimated 10% jump in healthcare premiums—as the district plans around its October 2026 enrollment of 172 students.

Paine Mountain SD Board-

The Paine Mountain School District Board of Directors has enjoyed a positive start to the 2026-27 school year so far. We have been glad to hear about strong work in our buildings in the first weeks of school, with teachers, principals, and staff fostering a collegial and focused culture of academic excellence. We have been thrilled to hear about upcoming field trips, including Northfield High School's 2028 trip to Costa Rica and Williamstown High School's senior trip in the spring of 2027 to New York and Philadelphia.

There is, of course, uncertainty with regard to the long term future of our schools. The board voted 7-1 in September to change our Articles of Agreement, which would make Paine Mountain a pre-K through 8 district, instead of a pre-K through 12 district. We are committed to transparency and full dialogue around that decision, and we are waiting to hear what the state and our communities say about it when it's their turn to weigh in. We will also participate in good faith in the Redistricting Committee work required by Act 170.

In the midst of that uncertainty, we remain dedicated to supporting our teachers, administrators, and staff as they provide the best education possible for our kids. We continue to approve facility repairs, update policies, track student outcomes, and listen to the concerns of our communities. Most encouraging of all is the steady guidance that our teachers give to the students day in and day out. The Paine Mountain Board of Directors extends its deepest thanks for that work, and we look forward to supporting teachers and students, one day at a time.

Echo Valley Campus Spotlight: Discovery, Creativity and Growth

Across our district, this season has been filled with engaging learning experiences that stretch beyond traditional classrooms—connecting core academics with outdoor exploration, the arts, and real-world leadership.

At Orange Center School (OCS), students have taken full advantage of both the campus grounds and the broader community. Taking math and science into the open air, seventh and eighth graders used the outdoor classroom to measure the circumference of campus White Pines, turning a fall afternoon into an active lesson in data collection and analysis. Nearby, fifth graders embraced “Music in Nature” by holding their ukulele practice outside in the autumn air. Inside the building, students are utilizing targeted WIN! (What I Need) time to master writing mechanics to strengthen their communication across all subjects. Expanding their horizons even further, the middle school class recently traveled to Norwich University to hear guest speaker Chris Herren share a powerful, meaningful message about substance abuse prevention, vaping, and leading with kindness.

That same spirit of curiosity and connection is thriving at Washington Village School (WVS). Kindergarteners celebrated the season with hands-on "Apple Day" printmaking, while fourth graders gathered with Ms. Green for read-aloud sessions that build strong classroom bonds and nurture a lasting love of reading. In the art studio, students are exploring color theory experimenting with warm and cool palettes and stylized shading on name lettering in preparation for an upcoming schoolwide Art Show. The excitement carried into the afternoon through the Onward afterschool program, where students enjoyed an interactive presentation by Steve from Reverie Productions, exploring animal biology up close through real bone specimens.

From tree-canopy data collection and biology specimens to inspiring guest speakers and studio art, our students at both OCS and WVS continue to demonstrate remarkable curiosity, creativity, and community pride.

Paine Mountain Fall District Roundup: Student Projects, Field Trips and Future Plans

Fall has been a whirlwind across all four of our schools! From braving the rain for live TV to harvesting peppers and planning for life after graduation, our students and staff have been busy learning both inside and outside the classroom. Here’s a quick look at what’s been happening around the district.

Williamstown Elementary (WES) students hit the ground running this fall. The whole school kicked off the season exploring Vermont’s farming roots at the Tunbridge World’s Fair for Agriculture Education Day. Back on campus, Raina Carfaro from Drift Farmstead’s Farm to School program taught fifth graders all about composting—wrapping up with a lively round of "Compost Rock-Paper-Scissors." Meanwhile, fourth graders have been modeling the "Blue Devil Way" as reading buddies for our kindergarteners, and third graders took a trip to the Shelburne Museum, where the 220-foot Ticonderoga steamboat and the carousel stole the show.

At Northfield Elementary (NES), curiosity is in full swing. Our Pre-K through second graders are diving into creative writing, sharks, and the phases of the moon. Fourth graders turned a Farm to School taste test into inspiration for "posey poems," while third and fifth graders are busy sculpting clay art and practicing music for the upcoming Winter Arts Night.

Our students have been out in the community, too. Fifth-grade artists built a creative construction scene for Habitat for Humanity’s “Carving for a Cause” pumpkin contest and the school enjoyed a festive Halloween walk to the Commons thanks to the Northfield Police Department, Mrs. Bushey, and our Early Act crew. Plus, a huge thank-you to art teacher Julie, the Channel 5 crew, and all the families who woke up early and braved the rain for our live "Weather at Your School" broadcast!

At Northfield Middle High School (NMHS) and Williamstown Middle High School (WMHS) Homecoming week started on a high note as crowds from both Northfield and Williamstown cheered our Varsity Girls soccer team to a hard-fought 1–1 tie against Caledonia United.

Around campus, student-led projects are thriving. In Farm to Table, Chris Collins and Riley Vaughan teamed up with teacher Ian Adler to pickle homegrown peppers—adding to the dozens of pounds of fresh produce already donated to our local food shelf and community farm stand. Down the hall, Mr. Adler’s Animal Science and AP Environmental Science students are growing brine shrimp and algae to watch food webs in action. Outside, Ms. Abigail Stacy’s sixth-grade Outdoor Education class drew up blueprints, cleared out broken seating, and built brand-new fire-pit benches using lumber generously donated by RK Miles—with even more seating on the way.

Thirty students from Northfield and Williamstown Middle High Schools recently teamed up for a trip to Essex for the Workforce in Motion expo. With more than 50 local businesses, colleges, and military branches on hand, our upperclassmen got to try hands-on demos, explore apprenticeships, and chat one-on-one with pros in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and the local trades—giving them real-world connections as they map out their next steps.

Beyond the Bell: Connecting Learning, and Growing and CVSU Afterschool

When the final bell rings, the learning and the fun doesn’t stop! CVSU Afterschool gives students a welcoming space to try new things, build friendships, and feel like they belong.

Recently, we asked a few of our middle schoolers why they keep coming back. Their honest answers capture what afterschool is all about—both for our kids' growth and for families' peace of mind:

"The after school program is the best thing that ever happened to me. It's fun, educational, and gives me more time to see my friends and hang out with them." — Bennett

"I love Bridges! One of my favorite things of Bridges is just being here, making friends, and having fun! I'd be sad if it stopped. So please keep it going." — Arwen

“I am glad my mom can stay at work to make money for us, while I am doing something else so she doesn't have to worry about me, and I like the provided activities." — Isla

“I love going to Bridges (like genuinely it isn’t forced).” — Elly

We run six programs across the district—Bridges Afterschool (at NES and NMHS) and Onward Afterschool (at WES, WMHS, WVS, and OCS)—serving K–8 students. Families can count on consistent care five days a week, two hours a day, across 165 school days, along with 25 full days of summer fun.

All of this is made possible largely thanks to the federal Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21C) grant. As the only federal funding dedicated solely to local afterschool and summer programs, it helps us pack our afternoons with hands-on learning in literacy, STEM, the arts, career and tech ed, and staying active.

From sports and cooking to outdoor adventures and project-based learning, there is always something going on across our six sites. Right now, two big projects have us especially excited:

Bridges Fall/Winter Theater Production: Over 60 students from NES, NMHS, and Roxbury Village School’s Bridges program are busy onstage and behind the scenes rehearsing Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical. A dedicated crew of high schoolers and community volunteers are also pitching in to help bring the show to life!
Farm to School Partnership: Thanks to a great partnership with the Vermont Farm and Forest School, students at NES and WMHS have been getting their hands dirty with extra hours of outdoor, agricultural learning. Starting in November, the program rotates to NMHS and WVS so even more kids can jump in.

Thank you to our families, staff, and community volunteers for making CVSU Afterschool a place where our kids truly thrive!

Your Hub for District Information: A Resource Guide

We believe that an informed community is an engaged community. Our Central Vermont SU website is designed to be the center hub for all of the essential information you need to stay connected and up-to-date, whether you are a parent, a student, or community member.
To make it easier to find the documents and dates that matter most, we have compiled a quick guide to our most frequently requested online resources.

District Calendar and Events
(Key Dates, school holidays, early dismissal, and parent teacher conference)
Student/Family Handbooks
(The Family-Student Handbook, Code of Conduct and school specific information)
School Board Information
(Meeting schedules, agendas, minutes, and conduct information for your School Board members and a searchable list of school board policies)
District Finance & Budget
(Annual budget documents, financial reports, and information on upcoming budget work sessions. Community input is encouraged!)
Afterschool & Extracurriculars
(Schedules, registration forms, and activity calendar for all afterschool programs)

While the links above cover the district-wide information, we know you also need day-to-day details for your specific school. For the most current and specific events happening at your child's school, please use the links below to access the individual school website and calendar.

We encourage you to bookmark our main page and use these links to stay informed throughout the school year. Your involvement and partnership are crucial to the success of our students.

NEED A PAPER COPY?

If you prefer a paper copy of any of the items linked above, please reach out to the CVSU Central Office at 802-433-5818 or by emailing asickles@cvsu.org. We are happy to provide physical copies upon request.

We are committed to keeping families and the community informed and engaged with the wonderful work happening across the Central Vermont SU (CVSU).

School Spotlight in the Times Argus
Look for our Echo Valley CSD and Paine Mountain SD school spotlights, published regularly in the Times Argus newspaper! We are excited to feature the amazing students, innovative programs, and dedicated staff from each of our district schools. Features will appear during a designated week in the following months:

EVCSD-November 25-27, 2026
PMSD-December 9-11, 2026
EVCSD-January 27-29, 2027
PMSD-February 10-12, 2027
EVCSD-March 31-April 2, 2027
PMSD-April 14-16, 2027

Be sure to pick up a copy or check the paper's website during that week to read about the highlights from our school community.

Follow us Online: Stay-up-to-date with all things Central Vermont SU by following us on our Facebook Pages and check out our website regularly: (www.cvsu.org)

Contact Us: Have questions or need more information? Don't hesitate to reach out to us at (802) 433-5818 or stop by: 113 Brush Hill Road, Williamstown, VT 05679

Superintendent's Scoop