The Lamoille Ledger
Superintendent's Monthly News - May 1st, 2026
Important Dates and Resources
May 25th - NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day)
June 11th - Peoples Academy Graduation
June 13th - Stowe High School Graduation
June 16th - Last Day of School (early dismissal)
Monthly Update
Dear Lamoille South Community,
It's hard to believe that in just six weeks, our seniors will be walking across the stage to receive their diplomas. May and June are always among my favorite times of year — filled with concerts, celebrations, and the kind of culminating projects that remind us why this work matters. I hope to see many of you at these events in the weeks ahead.
Today also happens to be National Principals' Day, and I want to take a moment to recognize the extraordinary work our principals do every day. Leading a school means showing up for students, families, and staff in ways that are rarely fully visible — and our principals do it with dedication and grace. I'm proud and grateful for each of them.
Students and teachers at our high school and middle school stepped outside today to give back by cleaning up school grounds and roadsides in preparation for Green Up Day tomorrow. If you'd like to join in tomorrow morning, green bags are available for pickup in Morrisville at the Oxbow and in Stowe at the Alchemist.
I also want to personally invite you to complete our annual family engagement survey. Your feedback directly shapes our strategic planning — helping us build on what's working and address where we can do better. This year we are especially interested in your experience with the grading changes we've implemented, as well as your thoughts on technology and artificial intelligence in our schools. A dedicated team of staff, families, and community members has been working hard on a new technology policy, and your survey responses will meaningfully inform that work. It takes just a few minutes, and every response makes a difference.
Thank you, as always, for your partnership in this work. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or thoughts — I'd love to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Ryan Heraty
Superintendent
Lamoille South Supervisory Union
802-888-4541
Educator Appreciation
The quality of the educator remains the most important school-based factor in student achievement — and in Lamoille South, we are fortunate and grateful that so many talented, dedicated people choose to bring their gifts to our schools every day.
The first week of May is Teacher Appreciation Week, and this year it feels more important than ever to pause and truly celebrate the educators and staff who pour themselves into this work for our children. Next week, each school has a full slate of activities planned, including appreciation events organized by parents and community members, and — a personal favorite — a taco truck making the rounds to each building. It's a small but delicious way of saying thank you to the people who deserve it most.
On behalf of the entire Lamoille South community, thank you to every educator and staff member for your commitment, your creativity, and your care. We see you, and we are grateful.
Capital Improvements
To avoid a large capital improvement bond, we have been slowly chipping away at many projects throughout our schools. We have also benefited from the generosity of local community members with the significant donations that led to a new gymnasium floor at Peoples Academy. Our latest project is a renovation of the Stowe Middle/High School auditorium, replacing seats that were original to the building's construction in the early 1970s.
Other improvements have included classroom updates, flooring replacements, new LED lighting throughout most schools/classrooms, new roofing at both middle/high schools, a major drainage project on both middle/high campuses, walls at Stowe High School, extensive painting, bathroom remodels, and more. This summer, we have a large project planned for Morristown Elementary School where a new divider wall will be installed in the library, increasing the functionality of the space. The playground at MES will also benefit from a new accessibility path and PAML will be receiving a new basketball court for recess. These are just a few of the items planned to keep our schools clean, safe, and focused on preventative maintenance to avoid major debt.
Below: Students are Stowe Middle School see the new auditorium renovations for the first time! Photo credit to former school board member Alan Ouellette.
Family Community Engagement Survey
Technology Policy
A group of parents, educators, board members, and students has been working on a new policy that will inform steps the district will take to navigate the swiftly changing landscape of technology. This webinar was one tool we used to inform our work, which includes the perspective of Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, a neuroscientist and educator that has been speaking up around the use of EdTech tools and artificial intelligence. We consider our schools forward thinking in this area as we work to prioritize the academic, social and emotional well being of our students in all areas. The new research on technology encourages all of us to step back and ensure that before we are introducing a new tech tool, website, or platform, we have taken the right steps to protect our children and ensure that these tools actually improve learning. We will keep you updated on the progress of this committee.
Farm to School
Lamoille Area Farm to School Gathering
May 28, 2026
3:30-5:30pm
Location: Peoples Academy
The Vermont Farm to School & Early Childhood Network and the Lamoille South Farm to School Team invite you to gather at People’s Academy to strengthen connections, celebrate successes, and grow a robust farm to school community around the Lamoille area.
Join us for an afternoon of shared learning and a showcase of farm to school programs. The gathering will include campus garden tours, a panel of our farm to school practitioners and partners, and delicious local food prepared in our woodfired oven!
We hope you’ll join us to build relationships and dream about future opportunities. All are welcome: school nutrition staff, teachers, community partners, school administrators, farmers, and families are all invited! Folks from neighboring communities are welcome, too!
Get event details and let us know you can join us!
Participating organizations include: Lamoille South Supervisory Union, Center for an Agricultural Economy, Salvation Farms.
This gathering is a program of the Vermont Farm to School & Early Childhood Network with funding from the Vermont Agency of Education.