Cougar Chronicle
September 25, 2026
Paws and Claws
Important Dates
9/27 - Happy Good Day Youth Market
10/3 - Fall Foliage Festival Brunch
10/3 - Chili & Cornbread Cook Off + Contra Dance
10/15 - Basketball Registration Deadline
11/7 - U-32 Fall Craft Fair
Important Links
Celebrating Our Amazing Students! 🎉
Our students are working hard and will be earning a well-deserved PBIS celebration in a few weeks! To help make this event extra special, we’re looking for a few simple craft items.
If you have any empty toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls lying around, we would love to take them off your hands! Feel free to send them in with your child anytime over the next few weeks.
Thank you so much for your support!
Fall Spirit Week
New Name, Same Idea: Introducing SEL Classes!
You might hear your child saying that they have SEL Classes starting this week: our traditional “Guidance” classes are transitioning to SEL (Social Emotional Learning)
lessons.
While we remain just as dedicated as ever, this update better reflects the proactive, practical skills our students build in class every week. Think of SEL as a gym class for the brain and heart, a dedicated time to practice essential life tools alongside academic learning.
Why the name change?
Proactive Skill-Building: While "guidance" often implies reacting to a problem, SEL actively teaches every student key skills like managing big emotions, showing empathy, setting goals, and resolving conflicts peacefully.
A Modern, Research-Backed Approach: Educational research shows that when children understand their emotions and know how to build healthy relationships, they feel safer and perform better in all academic areas.
The Same Caring Support: Don't worry, our counselor is still here for one-on-one check-ins, small support groups, and quiet moments when a student needs extra care.
I am excited to help our young learners grow into resilient, empathetic, and confident individuals both inside and outside the classroom!
- Ms. Jasmine
Other Upcoming Calais Community Events
Fall Foliage Festival Brunch - 10/3
Chili & Cornbread Cook Off + Contra Dance - 10/3
U-32 Craft Fair - 11/7
Join Happy Good Day and WCUUSD for a Youth Market!
Time: 2:00 - 5:00pm
Location: East Montpelier Rec fields
Support the talented and entrepreneurial students from around our district who will be selling their creations at the market.
Athletics and Extracurriculars
Basketball Sign Ups - Deadline Oct 15th
Mini Metro Basketball
Raider Community,
Summer is coming to an end, school is in full swing, and the excitement of Mini Metro Basketball is in the air!
The purpose of this email is to provide information and to sign up for the Mini Metro Basketball this season.
Mini Metro can be a tremendous opportunity for kids—not only to play basketball with their friends and learn the game, but also to begin building social connections with kids they will eventually attend U32 with. We have five feeder schools, and many of these students may not know one another very well, if at all. Creating these connections early can help develop teammates, friendships, and a sense of community that can carry through middle school and high school.
From a basketball perspective, Mini Metro can also serve as an important building block for player development. Establishing a strong foundation at a young age can help develop skills, foster relationships, and create a positive basketball culture that continues as players progress through the U32 community. If you are new to Mini Metro- practices are held at the end of fall season. Once school ball starts practices for mini metro end and the commitment is on Sundays through February. Games are within an hour of U32. There is a fee to play and a Raiders jersey will need to be purchased.
It is important to note that Mini Metro is not affiliated with U32 School and operates as a separate organization. However, establishing a committee to ensure that all young hoopers across the towns in the district have an opportunity to participate, along with having input and direction from the U32 coaching staff on player development, could help strengthen and build a strong, unified basketball culture. The committee would ideally have representation from each school and U32 basketball staff.
The goal would be that a board will be established from that committee within the year. With representation from each town so that every community has a voice and we can work together toward a common set of goals.
Please take a moment to fill out the intake form for your player (s) and let us know if you have an interest in being part of the committee to help shape the future of Mini Metro Basketball.
Due to last years numbers we are looking at having seven teams:
7th/8th grade boys
7th grade boys
7/8th grade girls
5/6th grade boys and 5/6 grade girls
3/4 grade boys and 3/4 grade girls
*If a group has a large number of players, tryouts will be held by the U32 coaching staff and Mini Metro Coaches to determine best placement.
Once the responses have been collected and tallied, the hope is to hold an in-person meeting at U32
to discuss the results, potential next steps, and how we can work together to build something positive for our kids.
Thank you for your interest and support. We look forward to hearing from you! Go Raiders!
John Medose (U32 Varsity Head Coach)
Julie Brown (EMES and U32 Parent)
Amber Perry ( Girls Basketball Coach and EMES Parent)
--
Coach Medose
U32 Boys Varsity Basketball Coach
802 279 3512
Pictures
🎂September Birthdays! 🎂