Happy Holidays U-32,

On this first full day of winter, I want to wish you all a safe and restful holiday break. Remember that in our small community we celebrate this season in a variety of ways, so whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus, the Solstice, or some other holiday, we all can celebrate together. Students celebrated with their TAs today and it was fun to see how much our students care for and support each other.

One of the traditions at U-32 is our Giving Tree. This year we helped 19 U-32 students (15 families). Each family got presents and at least a $100 gift card to Shaws or Price Chopper - more if they had two students here. We received $2,100 in cash donations from staff and community members. $440.00 went to the Senior Class to sponsor students for their class trip in June. $1,660.00 went toward grocery cards and presents for U-32 students. Some of the presents given to students by staff included winter jackets, sneakers, boots, gloves, sweatshirts, sweatpants, shirts, pants, sports items, outdoor items, gift certificates, room decorations, arts and crafts, Legos and books. This show of generosity is appreciated by all of us.

Please take some time this break for yourself and if possible take a moment to do something nice for someone else. Safe Travels.

Steven Dellinger-Pate

U-32 INC (short for Incorporated) is our project based learning class with an entrepreneurial theme! For the third year in a row, our final project is working with Paul Dayton and Big Gear Coffee Roasters. This semester you have the opportunity to purchase four of our unique coffees that we have teamed up with Paul on. Each of our bags is 12 ounces of whole beans, at $15 per bag. The coffee will arrive upon our return from Winter Break and you can pick it up (or your student can pick it up) here at school. To view our order form, please visit

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScF98YKNVDcs9dpvCzoUNdrvmwbRlkrfo8Mxl_IhiGPASuSwg/viewform

From all of us at U-32 INC, we thank you for your support!

We know that the middle school age is a time where adolescents start to pull away from their parents and begin to assert their independence including relying on their friends for guidance. If you are interested in reading more about this age and developmentally-appropriate behavior, there are many good articles on the web including Why Teens Push Away.

• This article shares some great ideas about how to talk to your teen about school without asking them "How was school today?"
• This article has a few well-balanced ideas to help families stay connected during this period of growth that can feel like your teen is pushing you out.

Make sure to check out the U-32 Chronicle, our student newspaper. New articles include a write-up of our most recent press conference with Steven Dellinger-Page, J-Term, seasonal depression, class variety at U-32, a reflection on this year's football season, an exploration of the music we enjoy, and more!

It is always a good idea, after focusing on looking for and applying to colleges, that a student and family begin looking for scholarships. Scholarships can range in amounts and duration, ranging from $100 to thousands of dollars over a four year period. The important thing is to take some time to compete for scholarships. Even the smallest can help. Did you know the cost of some college text books is $100? Be sure to frequent the scholarship site on your Naviance Account. Click on Colleges I Am Applying To, then Scholarships.

The VSAC Scholarship book is another great resource. It is important that along with scholarship applications, that seniors complete the FAFSA and VSAC Vermont Grant. Links to both of these can be found on your Naviance/ Family Connection account.

Remember…….. The only way to be considered for a scholarship is to apply for a scholarship. VSAC Scholarship Applications are due no later than February 14th, 2024.

$5,000 (13 Awards)

Writers of the Future Scholarship

Deadline: December 31, 2023

For Eligibility: Click Here

$1,000 (2 Awards)

Advocates Law Scholarship

Deadline: January 31, 2024

For Eligibility: Click Here

$1,000 (1 Award)

Community Leaders Scholarship

Deadline: February 6, 2024

For Eligibility: Click Here

$20,000 (500 Awards)

Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Program

Deadline: January 9, 2024

For Eligibility: Click Here

$10,000 (106 Awards)

Penguin Random House Scholarship

Deadline: January 16, 2024

For Eligibility: Click Here

$1,000 (8 Awards)

Blue Ocean High School Entrepreneurship Competition

Deadline: February 18, 2024

For Eligibility: Click Here

$1,000 (1 Award)

Murray Rossen Criminal Justice Scholarship

Deadline: February 29, 2024

For Eligibility: Click Here

$2,000 (12 Awards)

SM Scholarship

Deadline: December 31, 2023

For Eligibility: Click Here

$40,000 (24 Awards)

Big Future Scholarship

Deadline: December 31, 2023

For Eligibility: Click Here

$25,000 (1 Award)

Be Bold Scholarship

Deadline: January 1, 2024

For Eligibility: Click Here

$2,500 (12 Awards)

SP Scholarships

Deadline: December 31, 2023

For Eligibility: Click Here

$1,000 (50 Awards)

No Essay Smart Owl Scholarship

Deadline: December 29, 2023

For Eligibility: Click Here

As a current Vermont high school junior or seniors, you are eligible for two Vermont Dual Enrollment Vouchers, allowing you to take one free college course in your junior year of high school and one in your senior year of high school.

It’s called Dual Enrollment because your free college courses will also earn you credit towards graduation from high school.

Dual enrollment is offered through all VT public colleges/universities and some private colleges too. Go to https://education.vermont.gov/student-learning/flexible-pathways/dual-enrollment for a list of participating colleges, to create an account and to request a dual enrollment voucher. Spring & summer courses are available now to enroll.

High School Seniors are also eligible for Early College- got to http://education.vermont.gov/student-learning/flexible-pathways/early-college for more information

Registration for spring pre-college courses at UVM is now open!Students in grade 10-12 are eligible.

Choose from more than 100 courses, both on-campus and online, designed to allow you to earn credits, study a subject that isn't offered at your high school, showcase your talent and ambition to college recruiters, and learn from distinguished UVM faculty. Cost or use a dual enrollment voucher.

Classes fill quickly! Enroll today to save your place!

If you have any questions about spring courses or the enrollment process, please feel free to contact 800-639-3210.

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.

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.

• Talk to friends home from college on break.

• Where possible, set up interviews with admissions officers or alumni interviewers.

• Check in with your Counselor.

February

• ACT information

• SAT information

• February 15: Recommended FAFSA deadline.

• Contact colleges to confirm they’ve received all your application materials.

• Keep your grades up.

• 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.

FREE ON-LINE ACT Test through ACT ACADEMY at https://academy.act.org/

U-32 Middle and High School is looking for people to join our team of educators!

If you are interested in working with students to provide academic support as a paraeducator please apply here!

https://www.schoolspring.com/jobdetail?jobId=4432534

If you are interested in supporting students socially, emotionally, or behaviorally we are also looking for Behavior Interventionists and hope you apply here!

https://www.schoolspring.com/jobdetail?jobId=4432186

Please email jpritchard@u32.org with any questions! We hope to hear from you!