Principal Newsletter

What a great first few days at Albany Community School! It has been wonderful to have our hallways and classrooms filled with students again. This week, we have intentionally spent time building relationships, learning routines, practicing our PACK agreements, and helping students settle into the rhythm of a new school year.

There is already a lot to celebrate. As we move into our first full weeks together, our focus is on creating a school where every student feels known, supported, challenged, and inspired. Thank you to our families for helping us start the year strong; we are excited for what is ahead!

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Ms. Phun, who has been recognized as the UVM Outstanding Teacher of the Year for OCSU! Ms. Phun holds high expectations for every student while providing the support, encouragement, and challenge they need to learn at high levels. Her dedication to our students, strong instruction, and belief in what every learner can achieve make her so deserving of this recognition.

Congratulations, Ms. Phun! We are lucky to have you as part of our PACK! 🐺

During our first week of school, students spent time learning and practicing our PACK Agreements: Persevere, Accountability, Courage, and Knowledge. We made a slight update to our agreements this year, simplifying each one to a single word while keeping the same values and expectations students helped create.

One way we brought our PACK Agreements to life was through extra-long recess each day! Teachers and paraprofessionals joined students outside to explicitly teach and practice different games and activities. The goal was about more than learning how to play—it was about practicing how to include others, work through disagreements, play fairly, solve problems, and have fun together.

By intentionally teaching these skills at the start of the year, we are building a shared toolbox students can use all year long and creating a safe recess environment where everyone has opportunities to participate, connect, and belong.

Albany Wolves persevere, take accountability, show courage, and seek knowledge. Run Together, Rise Together!

We’ve tightened up transitions between classes this year, and students have done a great job responding! Transitions were explicitly taught and practiced, and students now have two minutes to get to their next class. During the final 30 seconds, music plays as a reminder that it’s time to get where they need to be. This small change has made a huge difference—students are consistently arriving to class on time and ready to learn. When tardies do become a pattern, we use a tiered response that gradually increases support and accountability, with a fresh start each month. Our goal isn’t simply to respond to tardiness, but to help students build the independence and time-management skills they’ll need as they grow.

As we settle into the school year, here are a few reminders to help our mornings and afternoons run smoothly:

• Drop-Off: 7:30–7:50 AM. Students may grab breakfast and visit with friends in the gym.
• School Begins: 7:50 AM. Students arriving after 7:50 should check in at the office.
• Dismissal: Begins at 2:50 PM, with buses dismissed first and parent pick-up immediately following.
• Going-Home Changes: Please communicate any changes to your child's afternoon plans to Ms. Wendy as early as possible, preferably in the morning. This gives us plenty of time to make sure the message reaches your child before dismissal.

Thank you for helping us create smooth, predictable routines for our students!

Every day matters! Regular attendance helps students stay connected to their learning, their teachers, and their school community. Under Vermont's updated attendance guidance, students are considered chronically absent when they miss 10% or more of the school days that have occurred so far, including both excused and unexcused absences. If something is making it difficult for your child to attend regularly, please reach out early so we can partner with you to problem-solve, remove barriers, and help your child be successful.

Middle schoolers are growing in independence—and they often want adults to know it! At the same time, they still need predictable routines, boundaries, encouragement, and connection from the adults around them. You may notice your child wanting more privacy, relying more on friends, or giving you a very detailed answer of “fine” when you ask about their day. All of that can be a normal part of growing up.

Try this: Instead of “How was school?” try something more specific: “What made you laugh today?” “What was the easiest part of your day?” or “What was one awkward or hard moment?” Specific questions can make it easier for middle schoolers to open up.

PE classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays. Please help students remember to bring or wear securely fastened sneakers, as required by the OCSU Middle School Handbook.

Crocs, sandals, boots, heels, and other footwear not appropriate for physical activity cannot be worn for PE. If a student forgets sneakers, we will do our best to provide a pair to borrow.

Need sneakers? Please reach out! We will do our best to help as we want to make sure footwear is never a barrier to participating in PE.

We have a bottle drive to benefit our 8th grade class trip and our student activities fund. Please drop off donations in a bag and place it in the big red bin towards the far side of the parking lot, by the building. Thank you!

📣 Previously from the Pack...

Jessica Thomas, Principal
Albany Community School
802-755-6168 | jthomas@ocsu.org