Dear U-32 Families, Students, and Caregivers,

What a great weekend of contribution, passion and creativity alongside humanity and justice, inclusion and community. On Saturday, I had the privilege of volunteering at the Pie for Breakfast Community event in Middlesex. Our young people (and future students) showed up in collaboration with family and community members to enjoy a snowy Saturday together. As I think about the work of community schools, I hope that U-32 can be a space where traditions that cross boundaries are built, rekindled, and continued.

In the afternoon, I heard the founders of HERVermont (five U-32 students) and elder supporters speak about the importance of Reproductive Justice and unveil their mural that synthesized their learning over the past few years. Joined by Governor Madeleine Kunin who sent a clear message: "Engage in the world, it's much more fun." It was a great way to end Women's History Month and I encourage you to watch the video of the event here.

Best,

Becca

Hello!

My name is Stella Stoufer and I am a junior here at U-32. I am working alongside my mentor Meg Allison, in the library on a Branching Out Project called Out Run The Floods! My idea surrounds fundraising for flood relief. Please consider joining me on Saturday, May 31st to raise money for flood relief.

Thank you!

In our diverse nation, there are so many different versions of what it means to be an American.

As an interdisciplinary unit in their Social Studies and ELA classes, 8th graders chose an identity group from a particular period in history to research. Students proposed their own topics; some related to their own family identities and history, others about groups of people they don’t personally identify with, but wanted to learn more about.

Students researched using our library’s print and online resources, wrote a detailed research report with a complete bibliography, created an illustrated timeline, and presented to an audience of their peers and teachers as well as a few special guests. These presentations were a moment of celebration and a great example of peer-to-peer learning.

Please enjoy the photos from the Maple Core presentations this past week.

To purchase tickets, please visit this link: https://theaterengine.com/productions/2849

On March 26, the entire middle school met with Nick Strance from the American Heart Association and we learned a little bit about sudden cardiac arrest and the importance of knowing how to administer Hands-Only CPR in a cardiac emergency. Nick shared several recent personal stories from Vermont citizens who have recently experienced life-threatening incidents who were saved by fellow Vermonters (including young people) who had been trained in Hands-Only CPR. As a middle school, we are joining the ‘Nation of Heartsavers’ and providing this training so that our U-32 students are better equipped and feel prepared to respond in an emergency.

Nick will be coming back and hosting workshops on April 9th (8th grade) and April 16 (7th grade) and every student will have the opportunity to learn and practice the steps that make up the Hands-Only CPR technique.

If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to check out the American Heart Association’s Hands-Only CPR website at https://cpr.heart.org/en/cpr-courses-and-kits/hands-only-cpr.

Hello WCSUUD Community!

According to The Huffington Post, the total cost of having a period over a lifetime is $18,171. To address this, S/HEZAMM—U-32’s feminist club and affinity group for people of marginalized gender identities—Is hosting a period product drive from now until April 30th. There is a donation box located in student services at U-32. We are taking pads, tampons, menstrual cups, menstrual discs and period underwear! We are hoping to donate these to non-profits around the state and people in need, so please spread the word and stock up!

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 Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Quarter 4 HS/MS Report Cards - Available TBA mailed pending snow days

COURSE SELECTION for 2025-2026

Current students in grades 7-11 will receive 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.

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)

May 3rd (April 18th)

June 7th (May 22nd)

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

Test Date (Deadline to Register)

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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$20,000 (1 Award)

Gus Archie Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: April 15, 2025

For Eligibility: Click Here

$8,000 (30 Awards)

Army Scholarship Foundation Scholarships

Deadline: April 15, 2025

For Eligibility: Click Here

$2,500 (10 Awards)

NDTA Scholarship Program

Deadline: April 15, 2025

For Eligibility: Click Here

$3,500 (4 Awards)

NLHA Education Fund

Deadline: April 14, 2025

For Eligibility: Click Here

$2,000 (12 Awards)

Sallie Mae Scholarship

Deadline: March 31, 2025

For Eligibility: Click Here

$25,000 (1 Award)

Be Bold Scholarship

Deadline: April 1, 2025

For Eligibility: Click Here

$50,000 (50 Awards)

ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship

Deadline: March 29, 2025

For Eligibility: Click Here

$25,000 (1 Award)

Niche Scholarships

Deadline: March 31, 2025

For Eligibility: Click Here

$2,000 (1 Award)

Faith Based College Scholarship

Deadline: May 31, 2025

For Eligibility: Click Here

March

• ACT information
• SAT information

• 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.