Lamoille Union High School

"Building a community prepared for the choices and challenges of life."

I am reaching out a day early with this week's newsletter to give our school community extra time to review important updates ahead of the weekend. In particular, we want to ensure everyone has ample opportunity to check out the details for our Fall Musical, Mary Poppins, as well as information regarding the upcoming Core Measure Survey.

Each school year brings incredible opportunities for academic growth, alongside essential conversations about personal safety, healthy habits, and positive decision making. High school is a time of growing independence, and as a school community, part of our work is helping our Lancers navigate choices surrounding personal safety and risk taking behaviors.

Recently, our campus celebrated Red Ribbon Week, a national movement dedicated to empowering youth to make positive, healthy choices. Throughout the week, our school community engaged in activities highlighting overall wellness and positive decision making. Red Ribbon Week is not just a single event, but a starting point for ongoing discussions about personal well-being and looking out for one another.

To help us continue tailoring our support systems for our youth, our 9th through 12th grade students will soon have the opportunity to participate in the Core Measure Survey. The data collected from this survey is invaluable. It allows both Lamoille Union and our dedicated local community partners to understand student needs, identify trends, and design effective prevention and support programs right here in our community. Specific details regarding survey administration is shared below.

With Red Ribbon Week behind us and the Core Measure Survey right around the corner, I want to reshare some vital information on substance prevention and important information that was provided to families last year. At Lamoille, we believe that education and open dialogue are the most powerful tools we have to keep our students safe.

Wishing our entire school community a wonderful weekend, and we hope many of you get a chance to experience the magic of our fall musical!

The Current Reality - The landscape of substance use has shifted. There has been a dangerous increase in chemically engineered products. Illicit, synthetic drugs are being found in vapes and counterfeit pills at an alarming rate, often without the user's knowledge. According to the DEA, traffickers use Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok to market products that look legitimate but are chemically engineered and potentially deadly. Parents and caregivers can watch for unusual purchases and transactions on Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle.

Counterfeit pills, vapes, and “dab pens” - Illegal labs are mass-producing fake prescription pills that look identical to Adderall, Xanax, or Percocet. According to the DEA, 7 out of 10 fake pills seized contain a potentially lethal dose of Fentanyl. You cannot tell the difference between a lab-grade pill and a counterfeit one by sight, smell, or taste. More information can be found on the DEA site and by searching "One Pill Can Kill" Campaign (dea.gov).

Vapes and “Dab Pens” - "Street" or "Plug" cartridges (THC or Nicotine) are often "cut" with dangerous additives to increase profit. Illicit vapes have been found to contain Vitamin E Acetate (linked to lung injury) and heavy metals like lead and nickel. Recently, traces of fentanyl and synthetic cannabinoids (K2/Spice) have been found in illegal cartridges, causing unpredictable and dangerous neurological reactions. More information can be found by searching CDC - EVALI Outbreak Records (cdc.gov)

Local Support - If you find suspicious pills or vape hardware, your local police department can assist with safe disposal. They are focused on community safety and are committed to finding and stopping the source of these illicit items. If you have questions, or would like more information, Healthy Lamoille Valley is a vital community partner in prevention. They provide resources for families on how to talk to youth and stay informed on local trends. Website: healthylamoillevalley.org

Each year, our district takes part in a youth behavior survey. High school students will have the opportunity to engage in this survey on Monday, November 9th during afternoon TA. The survey covers topics of substance use and youth assets, and is for students in grades 7 through 12. This survey provides a look at how our youth perceive substance use, the risks they encounter, and the support systems available to them.The survey is designed and supported by our community partner Healthy Lamoille Valley, a substance prevention coalition serving the Lamoille Valley region. Healthy Lamoille Valley is a program of the Lamoille Family Center.

This survey is administered via school-issued tablets or laptops. Please make sure your student has their charged device at school. This survey is anonymous, and survey procedures are designed to protect student privacy. Some students may find some questions to be sensitive. School counselors will be available to any student who would like to make an appointment. Student login information and IP addresses are not recorded or tracked.

Participation is voluntary, but it is important that all students are given the opportunity to participate in the survey so we can be sure the results are accurate. Students may opt out or skip any questions they wish. As a caregiver, you have the right to decide if your child participates. If you have any questions or concerns, would like to see a copy of the questions in advance, or would like your student to opt out of this survey, please contact Mrs. Little, mlittle@lnsd.org, by Monday afternoon.

If your student is interested in participating in a winter sport, please note the following key dates and details:

• Winter Sport Orientation: Tuesday, November 10th from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the High School Auditorium. Essential athletic policy and program information will be shared.

• Sign Up Deadline: Email Athletic Director Tim Messier with your student name, grade, and sport of interest by Tuesday, November 10th at 12:00 pm noon.

Lamoille Union Winter Sports Offered: Alpine Skiing, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Dance, Indoor Track, and Nordic Skiing.

Cooperative Program Opportunities: Boys Ice Hockey (Stowe), Girls Ice Hockey (Stowe), and Boys or Girls Wrestling (MMU). Please note that these cooperative programs require independent family transportation and planning.

For any questions, please contact Athletic Director Tim Messier. Go Lancers!

Fall Musical Show Dates: Thursday, November 5th at 7:00 pm, Friday, November 6th at 7:00 pm, Saturday, November 7th at 2:00 pm

Thursday, November 5th - Math Team to CVU

Thursday, November 5th - VSAC Field Trip to UVM

Tuesday, November 10th - Winter Sports Orientation (6:00 - 7:00 pm)

Wednesday, November 11th - No School

Saturday, November 14th - Band and Chorus Auditions at North Country Union High School

Tuesday, November 17th - 10th Grade Tours at GMTCC

Tuesday, November 17th - Fall Music Concert (6 pm)

Wednesday, November 18th - National Honor Society Induction Ceremony (7:00 pm)

Saturday, November 21st - VT State Dance Festival

Saturday, November 21st - Prom Fundraiser - Ice Skating at the Stowe Arena (6:00 - 7:00 pm)

Monday, November 23rd through November 27th - No School

Thursday, December 10th - Winter NWEA Map Assessments Blocks 1 and 2

Friday, December 11th - Winter Carnival Afternoon

Friday, December 11th - Winter Dance Recital

Saturday, December 19th - Winter Ball (7:00 - 9:00 pm)

Wednesday, December 23rd - Early Dismissal (11:00 am)

Thursday, December 24th through Friday, January 1st - No School

Below: Spreading the message of wellness! Take a look at some of the awesome Red Ribbon Week displays around campus and the dedicated staff members helping guide our students toward positive choices.

Below: We would like to thank Weston Manosh, one of our 11th graders, for harvesting cornstalks from his family garden to help decorate campus for fall!

Below: Bringing our high school together for a whole school assembly is always a highlight, and seeing the incredible creativity on display made this event extra special. Thank you to all of the students and staff members who dressed up and brought the fun!

Below: We loved seeing one of our 9th graders, Shay Baronette, brighten the day for our educators by filling staff mailboxes with a little bit of chocolate!

Below: Two of our Lancers having fun hanging flyers at school to promote the upcoming prom fundraiser at the Stowe Skating Arena!

Below: A beautiful rainbow over Lamoille Union captured by Assistant Principal Ashley Creighton!

Below: Celebrating senior Mason Pastor at the final BFA/Lamoille football game of the season! Thank you, Mason, for your hard work, dedication, and leadership on and off the field!

Below: Beautifully in progress! Huge thanks to Kathi Cummings' TA for putting so much effort into decorating their door and sharing such a wonderful message with our school community.

Below: Our Performing Arts Club did an amazing job hosting Haunted High this year!

Below: Talent on display everywhere you look! Here is just one piece out of many currently featured throughout our hallways.