Dear U-32 Families, Students, and Caregivers,

I hope that break brings some time to rest, relax, and GET WELL! for our students and families alike. If you have been attending Board Meetings, you're aware that this budget is one that was developed from the ground up to meet the needs as well as continue to work with the spending parameters outlined by the Board. This week, students were able to register to vote ahead of Town Meeting Day so that they can fully participate in the democratic process. Even if you (or your student) is not old enough to vote, I encourage you to attend Town Meeting and the School Board Information Session. And, if you are 18 years or older, I encourage you to VOTE!

On Wednesday, the School Board approved the hiring of a Community Schools Coordinator. We are thrilled to have been one of six recipients of a Foundational Community School Grant. This grant award positions WCUUSD among a cohort of 11 schools, districts, or supervisory unions in the state working to create a comprehensive and sustainable model of community schooling. We are excited to engage in this work collaboratively and you can find more information in the announcement below.

Finally, a huge shout out to Kerri Zurowski and Jamie Spector who are certified to teach teen Mental Health First Aid. Today we celebrated the accomplishment of our 10th graders with certificates, t-shirts and words from the 10th Grade Student Council Reps.

Enjoy the break and we look forward to seeing you in March.

Best,

Becca

On March 26th U-32 will administer the Youth Risk Behavior Survey in extended TA to students grade 7-12. Click here for more information.

U-32 will administer the Vermont Comprehensive Assessment Program VT CAP ELA & MATH to students in grades 7, 8 & 9 on April 3rd. This will be a non-attendance day for grades 10, 11, 12. CVCC students are expected at CVCC.

• 8th grade science test will be administered the following week in core classes

• 11th grade science test will be administered in US History classes

"We want to remind you that protections for LGBTQIA+ students are enshrined in Vermont law and have not been diminished in any way by federal action. Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Student Best Practices and laws for the Prevention of Hazing, Harassment, and Bullying are in effect, and the Agency will continue to provide guidance consistent with these state laws. Our commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students remains unwavering. All students, including transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming students, are entitled to an educational environment that is free of discrimination and harassment. It is the policy of the State of Vermont that all Vermont educational institutions provide safe, orderly, civil, and positive learning environments. Harassment, hazing, and bullying have no place and will not be tolerated in Vermont schools. No Vermont student should feel threatened or be discriminated against while enrolled in a Vermont school. 16 V.S.A. § 570. Additionally, school personnel should not disclose information that may reveal a student’s transgender or gender nonconforming status. Disclosing confidential student information to other employees, students, parents, or other third parties may violate privacy laws, including but not limited to FERPA. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), only those school employees with a legitimate educational need should have access to a student’s records or the information contained within those records (including age, gender, etc.). For information relating to student identity and school sports, please review Vermont Principal’s Association High School Athletics Policies. The Agency remains steadfast in its dedication to upholding both Vermont and federal laws, and we are deeply committed to the core Vermont values we all share. (full statement from 2/14/25)

On Friday, February 21, Michael Arnowitt performed a short piano recital for our school community during callback. Michael Arnowitt presented a variety of classical and jazz piano pieces by and about the African-American experience. A special feature of the program was music by the great Black classical musician George Walker, with selections from his Sonatas no. 1 and no. 2 including a theme and variations set on a Kentucky folk song, showcasing the dynamic, sparkling, and powerful music of this outstanding composer. Walker was the first African-American concert pianist to perform major piano concertos with the greatest American symphony orchestras in the period after World War II and the first Black composer to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize. Also performed will be Leslie Adams’ beautiful and expressive Etude in G minor, music by the African-American Cleveland native who just died in 2024 at the age of 91 that combines romantic melodies with jazz-tinged harmonies. Michael Arnowitt also played the Nigerian composer Joshua Uzoigwe’s “Ukom” from the composer’s set of piano pieces “Talking Drums,” music evoking the traditional drumming and singing of celebratory memorial music of southeastern Nigeria. A highlight of the program was excerpts from William Grant Still’s colorful “Lenox Avenue,” depicting street scenes in Harlem, originally performed in 1937 by the Los Angeles WPA Symphony Orchestra as part of President Roosevelt’s Federal Music Project during the Great Depression.

As in previous years, our school board has chosen to participate in the Winooski Valley Regional Public School Choice Collaborative for 2025-2026. Through this program and the state school choice program, students may apply to go to any public high school in Vermont at no cost. The Vermont Legislature passed a law in May 2012 (Act 129, Sec. 34. § 822d 2A) which allows high school students to apply through school choice to any public high school in Vermont. This law sets rules for school districts regarding the number of entering and exiting student slots allowed through school choice. Students are chosen by lottery from all the applicants for each school district based on the number of open slots. You may view school choice information at the Vermont Agency of Education website:

http://education.vermont.gov/vermont-schools/school-operations/public-schools/public-high-school-choice.

If your student is interested in attending a high school outside of your district next year, please contact U-32 Student Services to obtain a school choice application by calling 802-229-0322 or emailing tmartin@u32.org. Completed applications must be received in Student Services by Friday, February 21, 2025. You will be informed of the outcome of the lottery by April 1, 2025. You will need to confirm whether your student will accept or decline the placement by April 15, 2025. If you do not confirm placement by this date, your slot may be given to another student if the school has a waiting list. If you have any questions, please call Tracy Martin at 802-229-0322 or email tmartin@u32.org.

**Parents are responsible for providing their student's transportation if they are chosen.**

Celebrate Women’s History Month by attending Herstories, a community discussion of intersectional feminism.

Learn about the complicated divides of racism within the women’s suffrage movement, and discuss how the long fight for voting rights continues today. For teens and adults. At Kellogg Hubbard Library on Wednesday, March 19, from 6:30 - 7:30 pm.

This special event will be presented by Mayla Landis-Marinello, an 11th grade student in the Pilot program.

BETA HIGH SCHOOL JOB SHADOW EXPERIENCE

OVERVIEW

BETA is a Burlington, Vermont-based aerospace manufacturer developing fully electric aircraft and related charging networks. During BETA’s 2025 High School Job Shadow Experience, students explore STEM careers like Flight Simulation, 3-D Printing, Fleet Maintenance, Batteries, Carpentry, Composites, Software, Manufacturing, Motors, and Electronics. During the 4-day summer immersion program, students shadow professionals in the field and culminate their experience with a professional development workshop and presentation. This program is hosted at various BETA locations in South Burlington, VT, and offers a firsthand look into the world of electric aviation.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be enrolled in high school and be at least 16 years old. A total of 14-16 students will be accepted. Ideal candidates display a positive attitude, willingness to learn, enthusiasm, and curiosity! Applicants will be required to submit a resume and cover letter, upon receipt, they will be invited to a Video Interview.

IMPORTANT INFO

• The application is open until APRIL 1, 2025 and will be available on our website: www.beta.team/careers
• Selected students will be notified by JUNE 1, 2025
• The program will run on Wednesdays: JULY 9, JULY 16, JULY 23, and JULY 30, 2025
• Availability on these dates is required for acceptance.

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.

IMPORTANT GRADING INFORMATION

Report Card Dates for 2024-2025

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

COURSE SELECTION for 2025-2026

Current students in grades 7-11 received a U-32 Program of Studies on March 12th during TA/Callback. Students should work with their TAs and parents/guardians to finalize their course requests by March 26th. Scheduling conferences will be held for students in grade 8 and 10. Parents/guardians of 8th & 10th grade students, please contact your student’s TA if you have yet to schedule a meeting.

Current 6th grade students received a U-32 Program of Studies, a course selection sheet and health forms on February 1st. 6th graders need to return their course selection sheets and health forms to their elementary school no later than Feb 21st.

Incoming high school students will receive their schedules in May. Times will be allotted in May for students to make any changes to their schedules.

Move Up Day (for incoming 7-12 graders) is scheduled for June 10th and additional information will follow.

Finalized schedules will be mailed home in June with Quarter 4 report cards.

SAT TESTING DATES (register online at www.collegeboard.com)

Test Date Deadline to Register

March 8th February 21st

May 3rd April 18th

June 7th May 22nd

ACT TESTING DATES (register online at www.actstudent.org)

Test Date Deadline to Register

April 5th February 28th

June 14th May 9th

July 12th June 6th

UVM Summer Academy

Designed for motivated high school students who have completed 10th, 11th, or 12th grade, the University of Vermont’s Summer Academy is an outstanding, academically challenging 4-week program (2 weeks on-campus, 2 weeks online) that provides students with the opportunity to earn credits, explore a specific area of career interest, experience college life and showcase their talent and ambition to college recruiters.

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

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

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/

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.

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The Middlesex Community Fund is a resource to Middlesex families and the broader community. They support grants to meet basic needs, education scholarships, camp scholarships, community projects and disaster responses.

Education Scholarships are for tuition, fees, room and board, course-required books, travel, equipment, and more. The typical amount is for $300 though any reasonable amount will be considered. They must be applied for by May 1 of each year. For an application, click here. MCF scholarships are limited to students residing in Middlesex (part time or full time). For more information, please email : amy.rose.vt@gmail.com

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$5,000 (350 Awards)

American Chemical Society Scholars Program

Deadline: March 1, 2025

For Eligibility: Click Here

$10,000 (150 Awards)

SEG Scholarships

Deadline: March 1, 2025

For Eligibility: Click Here

$7,000 (130 Awards)

American Welding Society National Scholarships

Deadline: March 1, 2025

For Eligibility: Click Here

$10,000 (4 Awards)

Eagle Scout of the Year Scholarship

Deadline: March 1, 2025

For Eligibility: Click Here

$25,000 (1 Award)

Be Bold Scholarship

Deadline: March 1, 2025

For Eligibility: Click Here

$25,000 (1 Award)

Niche Scholarships

Deadline: March 31, 2025

For Eligibility: Click Here

$50,000 (50 Awards)

ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship

Deadline: February 28, 2025

For Eligibility: Click Here

$2,000 (1 Award)

Faith Based College Scholarship

Deadline: May 31, 2025

For Eligibility: Click Here

$2,000 (12 Awards)

SM Scholarship

Deadline: February 28, 2025

For Eligibility: Click Here

February

• ACT information
• SAT information
• 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.

• Regular Decision admissions letters begin to arrive.

• Discuss the financial aid package provided by each school with your family. If you haven’t received financial aid packages by early April call to make sure all necessary materials arrived.

• Attend admitted students’ weekends at college campuses.

• Use April break for any additional campus visits.

• If you are on a wait list set up a meeting with your counselor to discuss options.

• Celebrate with family and friends!

• Send in the acceptance notice to your chosen school. Make sure to send in your deposit.

• Decline offers of admission from remaining colleges.

• Early May: Next year schedules to students
• May: Schedule adjustments

June

• June 10: Move Up Day

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.