The Schools' Scoop

This past week’s weather was such a gift! It gave both schools an opportunity to practice fire drills in pleasant weather. Classes also spent a little extra time enjoying outdoor activities and learning while soaking up as much of that precious Vitamin D as we could!

On Friday, Doty students pressed cider in the sunshine. We believe Doty’s small apples are perfect for cider pressing, and it was a wonderful way to close out the week.

Throughout October, I’ve been visiting math classes across our schools. I had the most fun in sixth grade, where students began the month finding the surface area of various shapes and, last week, moved on to using standard algorithms to multiply multi-digit numbers. I say “the most fun” because these lessons reminded me that I can do math, although some of the problems certainly put my brain to the test!

At the same time, I have to admit that watching kindergarten students sort numbers while their teacher introduces additional concepts, such as odd and even numbers, is equally fascinating. Their minds absorb information so quickly, and they’re already eager to put their new learning into action.

Speaking of kindergarten, one of our students will be moving overseas next week, and the class is planning a goodbye celebration on Monday. With this departure, our kindergarten class, which we initially estimated would have 16 students, will have 10.

Why is this significant? It means we’ll have two small classes on either side of our large first-grade classroom, which has 27 students. Enrollment numbers fluctuate in schools of all sizes, and larger schools face similar challenges. I’m sharing this because navigating these changes will require creative problem-solving, thoughtful planning, and teamwork among our staff.

We’ve already begun preliminary discussions about how best to support our students and teachers. Should we consider different grade-level combinations for multi-age classrooms? What can we do now to prepare teachers who may be working with students across a wider range of abilities and developmental levels?

Children experience natural developmental milestones, or “touchpoints,” when growth and learning can accelerate. This is one reason we generally prefer multi-age classrooms that pair first and second grades, third and fourth grades, and fifth and sixth grades. While we have seen, at times, classes with combined fourth and fifth grades or kindergarten and first grade, be successful, we believe planning ahead while set us up for success. The goal is to give educators the time, support, and resources they need to create the best possible learning experiences for every student. By starting these conversations early and working together, we can be thoughtful and intentional about how we respond to changing enrollment and ensure that all of our students continue to thrive.

Doty Memorial School students will travel to Rumney Memorial School for the annual costume parade. We plan to complete dismissal for both schools from Rumney at 3:30.

If you are bringing your child home from the parade, please make sure it's reflected in PickUp Patrol.

If you have a 6th grader returning to Doty for Haunted Hallway decoration, please use the U13 drop down, and write "Doty" in the notes section.

If your child will ride the bus, please note they will arrive up to 25 minutes earlier due to the adjusted route.

Picture retake day for both schools is Monday, November 16th

Don't wait until the first snow!

Download the MyRide app today so you stay informed all season long!

If your student uses school transportation, please make sure you have downloaded the “MyRide” app. We use this app to send out messages, notifications, and alerts for buses running late, late starts, route changes, etc. MyRide is currently our only means of communication around all things bus related. With winter just around the corner, we want to make sure our caregivers are receiving bus notifications in real time.

INSTRUCTIONS: MyRide: View the MyRide flyer website app.pdf to get started.

ENABLE PHONE NOTIFICATIONS: Turn on pop-up or lock-screen notifications in your phone's settings so real-time updates appear right on your screen!

By the end of September, all class newsletters will be linked here.

Pre-K

Kindergarten

1st/2nd grade

3rd/4th grade Doty

3rd/4th grade Rumney

5th grade Weiss

5th grade Fayle

6th grade

While we say goodbye to our Student Teacher, Mr. Will, we would love to show our community support for him this weekend as he competes for the Norwich University football team in the "little army-navy game" against USCGA. Mr. Will has worked tremendously hard over the past years at NU to balance family, being a student athlete, and a Marine reservist out of New Jersey. Many of our elementary students have had the chance to build a bond with him this fall, so it would mean a lot to show up for #40 on this Friends and Family Weekend. Let's send him off with another meaningful memory before he starts his next practicum experience with the U32 physical education program next week!

Thank you to all who completed last week's survey. Next week I will compile the data and create a list of areas that still require some problem solving.

In late November, I will be reaching out to families that have students in 2nd grade, as I want to be sure their voices are heard. For those who may not know, the 2nd grade students were together in kindergarten, separated in 1st grade, and back together for 2nd. The current configuration model was stated as a 2-3 plan. That means those students will be separated for 3rd grade. I want to be sure that meets the needs of those students and families.

Friday, October 30 Costume Parade at Rumney at 3PM- Students from both schools will be in the parade. Families are invited to the viewing.

Friday, October 30: Haunted Hallway at 6:30 at Doty- warning... it will be scary this year!

Friday, November 6: Conference Day- no school for students

The one link that matters

Your registration link

Students can't sell until they register. Registering creates their own online store — that's what turns purchases into money for your group. This is the link that goes to your students' families.

https://portal.meadowfarms.com/?page=authSignup&groupid=1227233

Not a shopping link — it's how students sign up to sell.

Who: Hosted by WCSUUD Athletics

What: Craft Fair

When: 11/14/2026 from 10AM to 3PM

Where: Rumney Memorial School Gym

You are invited to a Community Craft Fair event to Support Youth Sports for Rumney Doty and Calais. Please join us to help continue to provide sports enrichment opportunities for our local youth.

There will be Snack/beverage and meal options available throughout the day, and we will be selling Calcutta Raffle tickets. All proceeds will benefit Youth Sports for Rumney Doty and Calais Athletes. The Drawing for the Calcutta will Take place in March at our Annual Pie Breakfast and tickets are available for purchase now.

Cost Per Table is $30.00 Please email Sara Howard as showard@u32.org to claim your spot RSVP as soon as possible so we have a strong sense of interest and attendance.

To secure a Craft table please send payment to:

WCUUSD Youth Athletics | @Sara-Howard-85285 https://venmo.com/u/Sara-Howard-85285

Greetings Sports Community.

With Soccer just ramping up it is hard to believe it is time to think about basketball!!

Registration Deadline is October 15th

~Sara

Elementary School Athletic Director Rumney/Doty/Calais

802-224-6718

Click here 🔽

The link is also for students that attend Doty. The sugarbush program only allows 1 dropdown choice, and Rumney has long been an established dropdown. It's okay to select Rumney for either school. If anyone feels strongly that there should be a Doty dropdown, then please reach out to Sugarbush and become a program facilitator.

Runmey + Sugarbush Youth Program Sign up Link

On five Sunday dates, Sugarbush is offering skiing and/or snowboarding for member schools and recreation departments. The goal of this Program is to encourage and/or introduce children to the sport of skiing and/or snowboarding at a reasonable rate. All Sunday youth programs will take place at Mount Ellen.

Program Dates

This program will run Sunday January 24 and 31, February 7 and 28, March 7, 2027. Cancellation make-up date will be Sunday, March 14, 2027 (only if cancelled by Sugarbush).

Eligible Participants

Children and youth ages from 5 to 18 and their immediate family members, guardians or chaperones are eligible for our five-day program.

Girls Who Code is completely free and open to anyone between 8-15 years old. It is an established organization dedicated to encouraging previously underrepresented groups to pursue STEM. Our club will be run through the organization, using their practiced lesson plans centered around giving kids an introduction to coding. It will be led by U-32 high school mentors.

It will be held on Wednesday evenings from 4-5:30 at Greenway Institute in Montpelier starting October 14th-November 10th

Green Mountain Community Fitness is offering Winter Camp February 22–26 for kids ages 5–11.

Registration opens October 1st, and spots are available until camp fills.

Families can reach out to paige@gmcf.life with questions or to inquire about scholarship support.