Updates from U-32
January 17, 2025
Principal's Update
Dear U-32 Families, Students, and Caregivers,
Our first semester came to a close this week with students busily finishing work and engaging in summative assessment tasks to help demonstrate their proficiency on our content area student learning objectives (SLOs). Next week, we will take time to reconnect with each other and engage in learning that is driven by student interest and passion. The J-Term committee does an exceptional job of working to create a program of studies that is wide ranging. From cooking to Catan; from swimming to skiing, students have the opportunity to engage in learning. As we deepen J-Term we also have students taking the lead in some of our courses to co-facilitate with an adult counterpart. I am excited to participate in my first J-Term!
Please remember the weather will be cold next week; dress appropriately!
Best,
Becca
Hadestown: Teen Edition!
Don’t miss “Hadestown Teen Edition,” a collaborative musical theater experience between Montpelier High School and U-32.
“Hadestown” started as a DIY theater project in Central Vermont before heading all the way to Broadway and winning 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Now “Hadestown” is coming home to its roots and our cast and crew has worked in collaboration with the original creators to bring you a giant show with close to 100 students on stage and behind the scenes. It’s EPIC!
January 23-25
January 30-Feb 1
Don't delay - tickets are going quickly. Follow this link to claim yours today:
UVM Girls Who Code Club
It's time to start up the local coding club again for the spring semester!
What: Coding club for grades 5-12, gender inclusive
When: Saturdays 10am-12pm from January 25 to April 26, except UVM's holidays and breaks
Where: On UVM's campus (complete registration for more specific details)
Cost: Free of charge!
VSAC College & Career Pathways 2025 - Register now!
High school families, now is the time to start preparing for what comes next. Whether your student is planning on college, short-term training, an apprenticeship, military service, a gap year, or is still undecided, VSAC’s free College & Career Pathways event is for you.
Join us in-person at UVM or online over Zoom on Saturday, March 8th to take part in live workshops, discover free resources, and connect with local experts to help you prepare for education and training after high school.
Event Schedule:
- 1:00 - 2:00 pm: Registration & Resource Fair (in-person only)
- 2:00 - 2:15 pm: Welcome
- 2:25 - 3:10 pm: Workshop 1
- 3:20 - 4:05 pm: Workshop 2
- 4:15 - 5:00 pm: Workshop 3
Workshop Topics:
- Financial Aid & Managing College Costs
- Scholarships: Free Money!
- The College Search: Finding the Right Fit
- Strategies for the SAT & ACT
- Navigating the Admissions Process
- Writing the Admissions Essay
- MyFutureVT: Your Guide to Success After High School
- Supporting Your Teen's Career Search
- I Wish I Knew That! Programs to Pursue Before You Graduate
- Apprenticeship Opportunities
- Taking a Gap Year: Build an Intentional Path to Your Future
- Navigating the College Search for Students Who Learn Differently
Interested in attending more than three workshops? All workshops will be recorded and posted to our website following the event.
You can find additional event information, including workshop descriptions and a full list of organizations who will be at the Resource Fair at vsac.org/ccp.
College & Career Pathways is funded by VSAC; Vermont State GEAR UP, a federally funded program; and the J. Warren and Lois McClure Foundation.
Safeart January Workshops & Community Events
Coffee and Conversation with the Superintendent
Vermont Public: Student Podcast Challenge
Calling all Vermont podcast creators in grades 4-12!
Vermont Public and NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge has returned. The 2025 contest will close on May 2, 2025, giving students as much of the winter/spring academic term to make something they can feel proud of as possible.
The rules and resources explain that students can make a podcast about any topic they're interested in, as long as they keep it between three to eight minutes. Visit the Vermont Public Educators page for more recommendations for high-quality resources.
Contact: Emily Leute at emily.leute@vermont.gov
VPA Partners with Green Up Vermont for Inspiring Action
Green Up Vermont leads Green Up Day and other environmental initiatives year-round focused on stewardship, waste reduction, and empowerment for healthy practices.
Taking care of our planet is something every age and ability participates in, and Green Up wants to share the tools and ways to get involved.
Check out the fun contests with prizes and great learning opportunities for this year's May 3rd event.
Contact: greenup@greenupvermont.org with questions.
News from the Student Services Office
2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is Now Available!
Do you have students that need help filing their FAFSA for the 2025-26 school year? VSAC is offering 1:1 appointments, virtually and in person, now through February. Visit the VSAC calendar for a full listing.
STUDENT/PARENT Resources
IC PLP courses- all students have a course called PLP in the AS (After School) slot in their IC schedule. There is a lot of info so we hope you will check it out.
Naviance - Remember to frequent Naviance as this site helps U-32 students explore post high school planning options, build a resume, manage timelines and deadlines for making decisions about colleges and careers. This is also where all of the scholarship opportunities are housed. Each student will work with his/her TA and school counselor in Naviance to create his/her Personalized Learning Plans (PLPs).
If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it yourself. If you have misplaced your registration code, please notify Student Services.
Parents of juniors: In December, the school counselors will meet with the juniors to discuss post high school planning options. Every junior will receive a U-32 Post High School Planning Guide. To view a copy and for additional information check out the 11th gr U-32 PLP IC course or view the pdf on the U-32 website.
IMPORTANT GRADING INFORMATION
Report Card Dates for 2024-2025
Semester 1
Quarter 2 HS/MS Report Cards - Available Thursday, January 30, 2025
Semester 2
Quarter 3 HS/MS Progress Report - Available Monday, April 7, 2025
Quarter 4 HS/MS Report Cards - Available TBA mailed pending snow days
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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/
To create an account and apply for a dual enrollment voucher, go to:
https://dualenrollment.vermont.gov/vtde
Community College of Vermont (CCV) Spring Schedule
Community College of Vermont (CCV) Summer Schedule
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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
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Looking for an alternative to college?
VSAC is a fantastic resource for college and non college bound students www.vsac.org
VT DOL Apprenticeship Site - This Web site features detailed information on Vermont Registered Apprenticeships, employer-sponsored training programs that offer both supervised work experience and related instruction.
https://labor.vermont.gov/workforce-development/job-training-education-and-apprenticeship/apprenticeship or https://www.apprenticeship.gov/
Real Talk with ADHD Expert Ryan Wexelblatt: Anxiety, ADHD and the Mess We're In
Real Talk with ADHD Expert Ryan Wexelblatt: Anxiety, ADHD and the Mess We're In
By Lynn Lyons LICSW, Robin Hutson on Jan 17, 2025 05:00 am
In this episode we are joined by Ryan Wexelblatt, an ADHD expert known for his concrete and skill-based approach to helping parents via his ADHD Dude content on YouTube. Individual therapy for kids with ADHD is not recommended, he tells us. What is? Teaching parents what they probably don’t know about ADHD, and how to support their family with skills.
Check out the latest episode!
Scholarship Opportunities!
The U-32 Student Services Office strongly urges all students and parents to frequent the scholarship section on the Naviance Family Connection site. Scholarships are updated weekly.
$5,000 (100 Awards)
Deadline: February 15, 2025
$2,000 (500 Awards)
Scholarships for Military Children
Deadline: February 12, 2025
$8,000 (25 Awards)
John & Tamara Lundgren Scholars Program
Deadline: February 6, 2025
$5,000 (6 Awards)
Deadline: February 2, 2025
$25,000 (1 Award)
Deadline: February 1, 2025
$25,000 (1 Award)
Deadline: March 31, 2025
$2,000 (1 Award)
Faith Based College Scholarship
Deadline: May 31, 2025
$2,000 (12 Awards)
Deadline: January 31, 2025
$50,000 (50 Awards)
ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship
Deadline: January 29, 2025
Student Services Calendar and Checklist for Seniors
January
- ACT information
- January 17: Start of Quarter 3.
- Students admitted by Early Decision must withdraw applications to other schools. Deferred students should consider sending in additional letters of recommendation and other supplementary materials.
- Where possible, set up interviews with admissions officers or alumni interviewers.
- Check in with your Counselor.
- January 30: CVCC Shadow Day
- ACT information
- SAT information
- February 4: 9th Grade Information Night for 8th Grade Parents & Students @ U-32 at 6:30pm in auditorium (in person) - More information below.
- February 11: 7th Grade Parent/Guardian Information Night for Rising 7th grade families at 6:30pm in auditorium (in person)
- February 15: Recommended FAFSA deadline.
- Contact colleges to confirm they’ve received all your application materials.
- February 21: CVCC Preview Day
- Continue the scholarship search. Check out fastweb.com and finaid.org for ideas.
- Use February/March break to visit colleges.
- Check in with your Counselor.
March
- Use February/March break to visit colleges.
- Some states have FAFSA deadlines as early as March 1.
- March 12: Program of Studies and Course Selection Sheets to students grades 7-11 during Callback
- March 14: CVCC Acceptance Letters sent out
- March 12-21: TA Advising Conferences begin - all grades
- March 12-21: Scheduling conferences with 8th & 10th grade TAs, parents and students
- March 21: Last day to make changes to course requests with TAs
- April 10: Start of Quarter 4
- Keep your grades up. Study hard for exams. Colleges take senior grades seriously. Colleges will want a final transcript and expect to see a strong senior year. Any serious drop in grades or level of difficulty could result in your acceptance being rescinded.
- Early May: Next year schedules to students
- May: Schedule adjustments
June
- June 10: Move Up Day
9th Grade Transition Night – for 8th Grade Parent/Guardians & Students
February 4th @ 6:30 PM – U-32 Auditorium
This is an evening for 8th graders and parents to learn about course selection for 9th grade, and the transition to high school. This program gives an overview of the transition to high school and provides opportunities for questions. The program is conducted by Rebecca Tatistcheff, Principal, Ellen Cooke, Counselor, & Lisa LaPlante, Director of Student Services
In the weeks following this program individual meetings will be scheduled with 8th grade TAs to select courses for 9th grade. Watch for more information on these meetings.
Yearbook Info!
Here is the link to purchase your yearbook!
You can also purchase your yearbook from Sara Wolf in the technology office. Please bring cash or a check made payable to U-32. Yearbooks will be distributed in June.
If you have any questions please email yearbook@u32.org or call Sara Wolf at 802-229-0321 ext. 5107.
U-32 Boosters Club Needs Your Help!
The U32 Boosters are looking for a couple of volunteers to help with the concession stand at the JV/V girls and boys basketball games. Even if it is just for an hour or so. Super easy and fun!
If you can lend a hand please see the attached schedule and add your name and phone number. If you have any questions please reach out to u32boosterclub@gmail.com
2024-2025 Concession Schedule:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eFnWCsoOq68ee8Rp6Q0fsLr0uZ2AxeyGNYJbdmaxQ30/edit?usp=sharing
GO RAIDERS!!!
