ACSD Newsletter

In this issue: Outdoor learning, paleontology, and harvest celebrations across our schools; XC and Volleyball state champs; professional development helps math come alive in classrooms; get your tix for MUHS's Newsies 11/13-15; Next Chapter for Ripton School; grade configuration discussions for Bridport & Shoreham; State redistricting task force updates, and more!

Dear ACSD Families,

Thank you for all of the ways you've worked with our teachers and staff to give our students a strong start to the year. This fall, you have filled the stands and sidelines to cheer for our student athletes, you've picked apples, made scarecrows, and celebrated the harvest with students across our school buildings. You have also made time to attend community meetings, tune into board meetings, and offer feedback on surveys. As Vermont’s public education landscape considers changes, your engagement makes our community stronger and helps us support every student’s learning, wellbeing, and sense of belonging.

As schools across Vermont adapt to the shifting demographics, policies, and funding, our shared commitment to our students will guide ACSD forward. In the weeks ahead, the ACSD Board will make important decisions about the Ripton school building and the possibility of Bridport and Shoreham K–5 students learning together in one building. These conversations reflect our shared goal of ensuring strong educational opportunities for all students. I’m proud to be part of an educational community that engages with care and civility, even in difficult moments.

Each time I visit a classroom, whether I'm learning from a third grader explaining Math Menus, or joining an MUHS Theory of Knowledge discussion, I’m reminded that our strength lies in curiosity, connection, and shared purpose.

Thank you for helping make ACSD a place where learning thrives,

Wendy

Wendy Baker, Superintendent

Congratulations to our MUHS Women's volleyball team for their incredible win this week! And to their coaches This was the very first Division 2 Volleyball championship in Vermont state History!

MUHS Theater Department Presents Newsies

November 13th, 7pm

November 14th, 7pm

November 15th, 2pm

Purchase Tickets

Our K-5 teachers, curriculum coordinators, instructional specialists, and elementary principals began the year learning together with a focus on grade-specific embedded math. This workshop was facilitated by the Teachers Development Group (TDG), a nonprofit organization out of Oregon. One participant wrote, “This is high-quality PD - you model and then have us do (practice) exactly what you would like us to do with students.” Another teacher commented, “This is a really approachable way to start to think about how to make my math classroom come alive and help all my students feel like and act like mathematicians.”

• November 10th at 5pm at Middlebury Union High School
• November 13th at 7:30 at Ripton Elementary School
• November 19th at Middlebury Union High School.

Last spring, we began conversations with Shoreham and Bridport staff, families, and communities about how to support greater academic success for their students. As a result of that work, a working group of parents and district staff met over several months to design an option where students could learn within single-grade classrooms at a single school for 2026-27. A design of this potential option and all community feedback will be shared with the ACSD Board for consideration at the November 10th Board meeting.
If you haven't yet offered feedback on the survey, please do so by tonight at mightnight.

Last week’s meeting focused on three map concepts that will likely drive the remainder of the discussion. The CTE map, Regional Educational Service Area map, and Regional Comprehensive High School map. There are ideas within each of these proposals that have merit. At this moment, there is very little understanding of the model of governance (SU/SD) that will be recommended across any of these maps. Two of the three maps focus explicitly on strategic mergers that might be more guided than Act 46 but similar in nature. The committee has two meetings left prior to its final report, which is due December 1st.

We are so grateful to our family and community volunteers! If you plan to volunteer for an event or activity this year, now is a great time to apply or make sure your paperwork is up-to-date!

• Learn more about the volunteer process here.
• Check in with your front office if you've volunteered in the past to make your paperwork is up to date.
• Fill out this form if you've never volunteered before and plan to this year.

There are so many ways to support our schools!

VOLUNTEER: If you think you might want to volunteer at your child's school, please fill out the Volunteer Application to begin the process to ensure you've had your background check before you hope to volunteer:

SUBSTITUTE: Substitutes are crucial members of our school community! If you are looking for a job, have flexibility with your schedule, or are home from college for a break, we always need subs. Plus, we just raised the rate to $160/day ($200 for licensed). Apply here to substitute!

OPEN JOBS: We also have several positions at our school and the district. A fully staffed school, helps our students thrive. Find the jobs here. We hope you'll consider applying or sharing ACSD's open positions.

Join the ACSD Board at one of their new Town Hall meetings. Share what is important to you and help shape budget priorities. The next meeting is at Mary Hogan School on November 20th at 6pm.

Support our amazing staff! Housing can be hard to find for new (and current) staff. We have a new internal ACSD Community Bulletin Board where you can post available housing (and other resources) for ACSD staff to see. Click here to post.

Your principal will send school newsletters by email most weeks to help you stay informed about school specific news. ACSD will send a seasonal newsletter by email to remind you of district information. If you miss the emails, you can find the district newsletters here and the school newsletters are under the "Our School" tab of your school's website or with direct links here:

• Bridport

• Cornwall

• Mary Hogan

• Salisbury & Ripton

• Shoreham

• Weybridge

• MUMS

• MUHS

We use our newsletter and social media to stay connected and give you a peek into our classrooms. For more regular connection and lots of photos, follow us: Insta: @acsdvtschools FB: @acsdvt