Cougar Chronicle

Next week, she will be at Calais on Tuesday, 9/2 and Thursday, 9/4.

If you haven't already, please complete these back to school forms ASAP!

Thank you all for working with us on our new electronic “Welcome Back” forms - we had just about 86% of you filling out the forms electronically and it has made life so much easier! However, there is one form that isn’t translating well electronically and that is the Student Health Form.

This form is the most important piece of information and we need it to be printed so it is readily available to Nurse Kathryn and other staff. While we have the information electronically it isn’t translating into a printable version as well as we would like, so we are going to ask a big favor - we need to have you complete the form on paper. Paper copies of forms will be sent home today and we ask that you complete them and send them back as soon as possible.

We’ve learned that electronic is the way to go…except for the Student Health Form. We tell our students to learn from things that don’t always go right and I guess that means we’ve learned something.

There have been a lot of questions about bus routes, stops, timing, etc. and we are sorry for the confusion. We know how the confusion can create unnecessary stress and anxiety.

Bussing is not something handled by us at the school level - it is handled by the District and the bus company the district contracts with. As a school we do not set routes, where stops are, what time buses arrive, etc. and the best thing we can do is to share what information we have and to advocate on your behalf.

All information about transportation goes through the MyRide app and if you have any questions or concerns you can contact Sue Verchereau at U32 - 802-229-0321, Ext. 5561 or sverchereau@u32.org.

2025-2026 Family Handbook

Links

9/3 - Community Learning Series @ U-32

9/4 - Open House and Community Conversation @ U-32

9/6 - First Robotics Open House

9/6 - The Flynn and WCUUSD Present: Playing Fields Community Theatre @ U-32

9/7 - Discover Black Bear Hockey

9/7 - Maple Corner Community Center Annual Potluck and Corn Roast

9/10 - Community Learning Series @ U-32

9/11 - Friends of Calais Meeting

9/13 - Worcester Arts Festival

9/17 - Community Learning Series @ U-32

9/18 - Open House @ Doty Elementary School

9/18 - Open House and Back to School BBQ @ Calais Elementary School

9/19 - Doggos and Kiddos, Part 1: Safety First!

9/19 - U-32 Homecoming

9/20 - U-32 Homecoming

9/24 - Community Learning Series @ U-32

9/25 - WCUUSD Community Meal @ U-32

10/8 - Open House at East Montpelier Elementary School

10/9 - Friends of Calais Meeting

10/11-10/12 - Rail City Fan Fest

11/13 - Friends of Calais Meeting

Sign Up Genius for this year's Back to School BBQ - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094BABAD23A2F8C43-58243947-welcome

Dear Calais Families,

We will be starting the Backpack program soon at Calais Elementary School. The Backpack

Program is designed to assist Calais families with food, clothing and necessary items

throughout the school year. Food and Gift Bags will be dispensed in a discreet and caring

manner. This program runs the full school year on a weekly basis with exception to student

breaks and summer. The Backpack Program also includes winter clothing and Holiday gifts in

addition.

There is no cost associated with this program. If you wish for your child to participate in the

program, please contact the Main Office or School Counselor for assistance.

Thank you and please let us know if you have any questions or any needs for your child at any

time.

Feel free to email me at rfrisenda@u32.org or call 802-454-7777 ext 105 at any time.

Sincerely,

Ruth Frisenda

School Counselor

Calais Elementary School

Giant giraffe puppets, outdoor theatre, a community circus, and YOU!

Come to U-32 on Tuesday, September 9th at 6:00PM for Playing Fields through the Flynn and WCUUSD. If you would like to ride the bus with the Calais community, just fill out this REQUEST FORM and we will sign you up! We want to fill a Calais bus and show out!

Buses will leave from each elementary school to alleviate congestion at the school. Hop on a bus at your closest elementary school, (schedule below), and bring a picnic, blanket or chairs, and your family and friends for an incredible opportunity to be together.

Departure schedule

(Leaving Elementary School at):

Berlin: 5:15 PM

Calais: 5:10 PM

Doty: 5:00 PM

East Montpelier Elementary School: 5:25 PM

Rumney: 5:15 PM

Return to elementary school at conclusion of event

You can still sign up for the Community Learning Series held at U-32! Classes are Wednesdays from 6-8 PM in September.

Sign up for: Photography, Wood Carving, Theatre-Script Reading, Bike Repair Cafe, Fiber Arts, Dance and Expression, Empowerment Self-Defense, Chainsaw Sharpening, Fruit Tree Pruning, and Volleyball!

Register here, or email Bec at RDezan@u32.org

Wednesdays in September, come together for free, multi-generational learning

opportunities at U-32. Open to anyone in the Washington Central Unified Union

School District, these classes showcase the talents and expertise of local

instructors.

About:

WCUUSD Community Learning Series* are free, multi-generational classes on

Wednesday evenings in September from 6:00-8:00 PM. All classes will be held at U-32

Middle & High School, 930 Gallison Hill Road, Montpelier, VT.

Make sure to check the age range, and attendance requirements before registering.

Some classes are single sessions, while others are held over multiple, consecutive

weeks.

Pre-Registration is required for class attendance. Confirmation of a space in a class

will be sent via email.

Registration:

Folks can register for classes online. All class enrollment will be

confirmed via email after you submit your request for registration.

Classes will be enrolled on a first come, first served basis, while also

allowing for the maximum number of residents to participate. To

ensure equitable access, you may be limited in the number of classes you can take.

Please reach out to Bec Dezan, Community Schools Coordinator, with any questions.

(RDezan@U32.org) or 802-229-0321 x 5116

* In partnership with the WCUUSD Community Schools Initiative and Washington Central Friends of Education, and made possible by funding from the Vermont Community Schools Foundation Grant, with continued opportunities and partnership from Catamount Community Schools Collaborative at the University of Vermont.

Check out the info below about Mini Raiders Flag Football. This is a great opportunity for all kids grade K-5 and so much fun! Click on the link to sign-up → Mini Raiders Flag Football Sign-ups

We’re excited to share that U-32 is offering 6th graders the opportunity to join the Middle School Field Hockey team this fall. Practices will be held at U-32 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 3:45–4:30 pm (which allows students to still participate in Monday/Wednesday rec soccer if they choose). Students would join games after completing the required number of practices. Families will need to arrange transportation to and from practices, though players may ride the bus for away games.

This option is being offered because there are currently no local youth field hockey programs, and U-32 hopes to grow and strengthen its middle school field hockey program.

If your child is interested, please reach out to the U-32 Athletic Department for details.

Derek Dunning

U-32 High School/Middle School

Athletic and Activities Director

VSADA Executive Committee Secretary

ddunning@u32.org / 802-229-0321 x5556

Click here to order!

Just Basics is partnering with Calais Elementary School along with The Humanity & Justice Calais Coalition to assist families in the Calais area with weekly food and household essentials.

Families who are interested may contact Caroline Munroe at Just Basics through her cell at: (802)917-8164 or by email at caroline@justbasicsvt.org or feel free to stop by Counselor’s Office or Main Office at Calais Elementary School or email Ruth Frisenda at rfrisenda@u32.org if you wish to complete intake form to receive items.

There are some incredible opportunities for our young people through mentoring and this is something we hope you explore if your child would be interested. We are happy to help connect you and help with the process if this is something you want to explore for your child. Check out this local organization at → https://youthfirstmentoring.org/

Type in your zip code or county to find different resources in your area!

https://www.navigateresources.net/211vermont/

https://resourcevt.org/essential-goods-program/#

https://www.amysarmoire.org/

Prevent Child Abuse - Vermont

5 Tips to Ease Back-to-School Anxiety