Week 30
Thank you so much for all you've done to support your student's attendance during this testing week! We've had high attendance rates all week and seen students taking the VTCAP test very seriously.
While the testing hasn't been the most exciting this week, we did have some fun! We had an incredibly fun assembly on Wednesday that showcased a rap performed by an 8th grader and Team 3 Science Teacher Larry Montague. Additionally, we had many students share a preview of their talent show performance for next Thursday night at Town Hall Theatre. If you are able, please come show your support for our students and help raise money for our 8th grade trip!
We have one more all school testing day today and then Science for our 8th graders next week.
We are looking forward to a more typical week before April break for most students next week!
Thank you for your continued partnership and have a great weekend.
Best,
Michaela
If you have questions generally, please reach out to us at mwisell@acsdvt.org (Michaela)
or zjerome@acsdvt.org (Zach) or dhunt@acsdvt.org (Dustin) or by calling the MUMS office at 802-382-1600 or by visiting the MUMS website for more information.
Michaela Wisell, Principal
Zach Jerome, Assistant Principal
Dustin Hunt, Activities Director
From The MYP Coordinators
MUMS and MUHS math teachers spent two and a half days with an IB trainer to enhance their understanding of the components of IB and to apply that new knowledge to their units. They were modeling the Learner Profile attributes of being Open-Minded, Thinkers, Communicators, and Reflective. Thanks to our math department for being so invested in the workshop!
Eileen Sears, MYP Coordinator
& ACSD Curriculum Leader
802-382-1753
Pam Quinn, MYP Coordinator
802-382-1243
Welcome to MUMS
Fieh Chan 2025-2026 Assistant Principal
I’m thrilled to be joining Middlebury Union Middle School (MUMS) as the new Assistant Principal. With over 20 years in education, I bring a diverse background as a classroom teacher, STEM coordinator, and administrator across K-12 settings. I’ve held several leadership roles at the secondary level, where I’ve worked closely with teachers and staff to implement schoolwide systems - such as Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) - that support student success, expand access to project-based learning, foster inclusion, and promote restorative practices.
I was drawn to MUMS because of its strong sense of community and its values of belonging, empowerment, and empathy - principles that deeply align with my own. While I currently live in South Burlington, I lived in Forestdale for over 10 years and am excited to reconnect with the area and be part of a community that means so much to me. I look forward to getting to know the students, families, and staff and supporting the incredible work already happening at MUMS.
Erin Jipner, Student Response Coordinator
Hello!
I am truly excited about joining your learning community starting in July! I hope to meet some of you as I come to visit between now and the end of the school year. My passion for working within local schools stems from a strong desire to be a positive force for change in our education system, and advocating for the well-being of every student and educator. Born and raised in New Haven, I now live in Bristol with my husband and two children, where we enjoy being part of a vibrant community.
For my PhD, I developed a reflective practice to assist educators in observing and reframing their understanding of adverse behavior. The basis of the reflection was to utilize a collaborative holistic wellness approach to unpacking observable behavior. Incorporating information from the physical, emotional, social, sensory, and cultural lenses of both the student and the educator allows for greater collaborative problem solving.
I have worked in mental health in different capacities for my whole professional career. Currently, I serve as the Clinical Director for a private, non-profit behavioral health organization, leading a team dedicated to supporting a diverse population of individuals with complex mental health, developmental, and intellectual disorders. I specialize in mental health and developmental disorders as well as having many specialties in trauma, regulation, and even some niche specialties such as mental health in Dementia care. In addition to my current education and experience, I am pursuing a certification in traumatic stress studies to deepen my understanding of how trauma impacts individuals over the lifespan.
Outside of my professional life, I dedicate time to volunteering with local youth, chairing the MAUSD school board, immersing myself in a great book, and staying active through various sports.
I look forward to meeting all of you very soon.
Respectfully,
Erin H. Jipner, PhD
Student Attendance (absences/dismissals) and Bus Notes
- To report your child absent from school or notify us of an early dismissal please leave us a message on our attendance line by calling 382-1297 before 8:30 AM.
- If you send a student to school with an early dismissal note or bus note they should bring them the office before TA.
- All students taking a bus to another place other than home need a bus note from their caregiver. This note needs to be stamped/signed by one of our Administrative Assistant's in the front office. Students will not be allowed to ride a bus to another location without a note from home that is stamped/signed by the office.
Help Improve our Volunteer Program!
Do you volunteer in our schools? Join Superintendent Wendy Baker for a discussion about how to streamline, strengthen, and improve our volunteer program at ACSD schools. We will schedule a time to meet this fall to gather your feedback. Interested?
Button or link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1H6laR0CJwNAVk9RKvXDYd2kvHeiw0vzwBb_9qcRNwg4/edit
