We have completed our J-term and it was a wonderful opportunity for our students and teachers to engage in some very different courses. I visited many of our courses over the last three days and I saw kids learning how to sew, knit, crochet, play Magic the Gathering, cook some really yummy food, climb on the climbing wall, and on and on. There were so many options and so many great experiences. We will be sharing pictures and more information soon about all the great things we did. Now that J-term is over, it is time for us to hit the books again as we begin Semester 2. We look forward to another semester of growth in our academic and executive functioning skills.

Teachers kicked off this week with training and we spent some time looking at our instructional strategies and supports for students. Teachers set goals to try some new supports or strategies to help students learn and practice some new skills. We continue to grow as a school community to better teach kids.

I was asked for an update about PCBs at U-32 recently and I will be putting a regular section in the newsletter about our progress. We have contracted with Stone Environmental to identify sources of PCBs and plan for remediation. They are currently waiting for the State to approve their plan and then we will begin testing. Look for a separate section in future newsletters.

I hope everyone has a great weekend,

Steven

We continue to have problems with getting our buses on to campus at the end of the day because both the parking lot entrance and Gallison Hill Rd are being blocked by cars picking up students.

When you arrive on campus, please do not block the entrance or driving lanes into the parking lot.

If you cannot pull up beside the curb (marked in green on the map), we ask that you pull into the parking lot to pick up.

The yellow areas AND Gallison Hill cannot be blocked and we asked that there is no stopping or standing in these areas.

Please pull into the parking lot and find a parking spot.

The health office is seeing a rise in colds, flu, Covid-19, and the norovirus. We would like to remind and encourage students and faculty to stay home when sick. We are most contagious during the first two to three days of an illness or when symptoms are at peak. You may return to school once you are without fever for greater than 24 hours and are feeling well enough to learn. If you struggle with hand hygiene or coughing into your chicken wing, we strongly encourage you to wear a mask. Our school is working hard to keep surfaces disinfected and providing ventilation in our classrooms - please do your part in keeping all of us healthy.

Stage 16, the Middle School After School Theater Program is excited to present Matilda the Musical this spring.

Auditions are Thursday and Friday, February 22 and 23 during Callback (sign up with Erin Galligan-Baldwin to attend!) and Friday, February 23 from 3:00-4:30. All 7th and 8th graders are welcome to audition. Rehearsals will be from March 6 to April 11, 4-5 days a week with 1-2 Saturdays added. Public Performances are on Friday, April 12 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, April 13 at 10:00 am. Stay tuned for information about joining the Tech + Costume Crew.

Questions? Please email Erin GB at egalliganbaldwin@u32.org.

The 37TH Annual Vermont State Scholastic Chess Championships will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Craftsbury Academy.

The tournament is open to Vermont students in grades K through 12. Participants must be Vermont residents or be enrolled in a Vermont public or private school. No prior tournament experience is necessary. High School and 8th Grade sections will be USCF rated, and current USCF membership is required for participation in those sections. K-7th Grade sections will be unrated, and USCF membership is not required in those sections.

In addition, Craftsbury Academy will be hosting a 6th - 12th Grade Winter Scholastic Chess Tournament on Sunday, January 28th for anyone who would like to compete before the State Tournament.

Individual and team prizes will be awarded. The registration page for both events can be found at https://vermontchess.org/.

Check out this exciting opportunity for Vermont's teen poets. Sundog Poetry is launching a statewide chapter of the National Youth Poet Laureate program (remember Amanda Gorman reading poetry at the Biden inauguration in 2021? She was the NYPL at the time).

Complete info can be found at sundogpoetry.org/youth. Below is a one-sheet with some basic info.

An overview of the program:

• Any Vermonter age 13 - 19 can apply (there is no cost)
• Submissions are open FEB 1 - 29 at youthlaureate.org
• The online application will ask for an attachment that includes 3 original poems
• Finalists and winner announced in April
• Winner receives $500 cash prize, invitation to regional competition, broadside letterpress printing of original poem with Ruth Stone House, workshops with some of America's leading poets (Ada Limon taught a workshop last year), and performance opportunities in Vermont.

The 2024 Governor's Institutes dates and locations have been finalized, and applications are now open! Students can apply at GIV.org/apply with any internet device.

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.

1) Union Plus Scholarship - $4,000 - 199 Awards (Deadline: January 31, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be a current or retired member of a participating union, their spouse or a dependent child.

B) Have at least one year of continuous union membership by the applicant, applicant's spouse or parent.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/11904/union-plus-scholarships-program

2) Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship - $20,000 - 3 Awards (Deadline: January 31, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be a graduating high school senior.

B) Have a relative that is employed in the roofing industry.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/12217/melvin-kruger-endowed-scholarship

3) Sallie Mae Scholarship - $2,000 - 12 Awards (Deadline: January 31, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be enrolled as a high school senior or a student enrolled at an accredited college or university located within the United States and carry a GPA of at least 2.5.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/17688/sallie-mae-scholarship

4) Society of Manufacturing Engineers Scholarship - $20,000 - 60 Awards (Deadline: Feb 1, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be a graduating high school senior, current undergraduate or graduate student who will be enrolling as part-time or full-time undergraduate or graduate student in the Fall of 2024.

B) Have a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or 70 on a 100 point scale.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/15382/society-of-manufacturing-engineers-scholarship

5) Davidson Fellows Scholarships - $50,000 – 20 Awards (Deadline: February 14, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be 18 or younger as of the application deadline.

B) Have completed a significant piece of work in one of the submission categories.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/8804/davidson-fellows-scholarships

6) Nick Lindblad Memorial Scholarship - $3,500 - 1 Award (Deadline: February 16, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be a graduating high school senior.

B) Have been involved in music throughout their high school career.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/28357/nick-lindblad-memorial-scholarship

7) HBCU Week X NFL Scholarship - $10,000 - 7 Awards (Deadline: February 16, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States.

B) Plan on attending a Historically Black College or University for the entirety of their college education.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/26492/hbcu-week-x-nfl-scholarship

8) Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarships - $10,000 – 5 Awards (Deadline: February 20, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be a senior in high school in the United States.

B) Have promoted vegetarianism in their schools and/or communities.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/9544/vegetarian-resource-group-scholarships

9) Coast Guard Exchange Scholarship Program - $2,000 - 20 Awards (Deadline: February 28, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be in the last year of high school and scheduled to attend college full-time during the subsequent year.

B) Be a dependent of a Coast Guard active duty, reserve, current civilian NAF and APF employees, or current Coast Guard Auxiliarists.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/20641/coast-guard-exchange-scholarship-program

10) Eagle Scout of the Year Scholarship - $10,000 - 4 Awards (Deadline: March 1, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Have reached their 15th birthday and be enrolled in high school.

B) Be a registered active member of a Boy Scouts of America unit that is chartered to an American Legion post, American Legion Auxiliary unit or Sons of The American Legion squadron.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/9944/eagle-scout-of-the-year-scholarship

11) 9/11 Promise Scholarship - $15,000 - 5 Awards (Deadline: March 15, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be a child of a fallen first responder or military service member, OR a child of a first responder or military service member certified as not being able to work.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/26495/911-promise-scholarship

12) American Nuclear Society Scholarship - $5,000 – 96 Awards (Deadline: April 1, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be a high school senior who has enrolled full-time in college courses pursuing science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) with an interest in working in nuclear science and technology.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/9785/american-nuclear-society-scholarship

13) Global Lift Equipment Scholarship - $500 - 1 Award (Deadline: April 15, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be currently attending or planning on attending a post-secondary institution in the United States or Canada no later than the Fall of 2024.

B) Have a GPA of 2.5 or greater.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/10502/global-lift-equipment-scholarship

14) Boomer Esiason Foundation Scholarships - $10,000 – 20 Awards (Deadline: April 26, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Have been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis.

B) Be able to demonstrate scholastic ability, character, leadership potential, service to the community and need for financial assistance.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/9464/boomer-esiason-foundation-academic-scholarships

15) Review It Scholarship - $1,000 - 1 Award (Deadline: May 15, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be attending college or university no later than September of 2024.

B) Have a GPA of 2.5 or greater and plan on attending a school in the United States.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/13677/review_it_scholarship

To qualify you must be a high school senior qualifying to graduate in June 2024 AND a son or daughter of a Knight of Columbus member (paternal or legally adopted) in good standing in a subordinate Council within the Vermont jurisdiction. Sons or daughters of deceased members are also eligible if their father was in good standing at the time of his death. An applicant may be a member of the Knights of Columbus or a member of a Columbian Squires Circle, in the jurisdiction of Vermont and a high school senior qualifying to graduate in June 2024.

Five $1,000.00 scholarships will be given by the Vermont Knights of Columbus to assist recipients with their education at an accredited school or college of their choice.

Applications must be returned to the Chairman, at the address above, by March 10, 2024 to qualify for an award.

The application is in two parts with the major portion of Part II being completed by your school personnel. Therefore, we strongly suggest Part II be given to your school personnel immediately to allow the maximum time to prepare their part of the application.

The filing date should be brought to the attention of the guidance personnel of your school, since delinquent applications may disqualify an applicant from consideration for an award.

Failure to submit your essay may also result in the application being invalidated.

Scholarships not claimed by February 15, 2025 will be forfeited and the prize will be given to the next alternate on the list.

If you wish to apply, please complete the PDF application below:

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

• January 22: Rising 9th Grade Information Session

• January 23: CVCC Shadow Day

February

• February 7: Program of Studies and Course Selection Sheets to students grades 7-11 during Callback

• February 8-23: TA Advising Conferences begin - all grades

• February 8-14: Scheduling conferences with 8th & 10th grade TAs, parents and students

• February 23: Last day to make changes to course recommendations with TAs

• February 23: CVCC Preview Day

March

• March 15: CVCC Acceptance Letters sent out

May

• Early May: Next year schedules to students

• May: Schedule adjustments

June

• June 11: Move Up Day

January

• ACT information

• 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.

March

• Use February/March break to visit colleges.

• Some states have FAFSA deadlines as early as March 1.

• SAT Reasoning & SAT Subject Tests.

• Keep your grades up. Study hard for exams. Colleges take senior grades seriously. Colleges will want a final transcript and expect to see a strong senior year. Any serious drop in grades or level of difficulty could result in your acceptance being rescinded.

• March 29: Start of Quarter 4

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

This year our event will begin with a welcome from VFN’s Executive Director, Jacqui Kelleher and former South Burlington State Representative to the VT House, Maida Townsend, will kick off our day with opening remarks.

We will then welcome our featured presenter, Amy Shollenberger, from Action Circles. Amy will provide a full day, in-depth, interactive training on advocacy. Amy has more than 20 years of experience developing political strategy, grassroots organizing, influencing policy, and running political issue campaigns. She has worked on a variety of campaigns, ranging in scope from local community issues to state and national issues. She started Action Circles in 2010 and along with the Action Circles Team has served clients and offered training ever since. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to visit exhibit tables, network, and chat over breakfast and lunch.

The VFN Conference Parent/Guardian/Individual with a disability registration fee is $45.00 and the Professional registration fee is $55.00. This fee will cover costs for the full day of training including breakfast, lunch and parking. We will also offer a livestream option for $15.00 and a link will be sent prior to the conference. Livestream attendees will be able to view the presentation via a Zoom Webinar format. Please note that this conference will not be recorded.

INFO FOR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS:

SENIOR RECOGNITION / YEARBOOK ADS

YEARBOOK AD (FAMILY DEDICATION)

Due by January 31, 2024. This is a hard deadline so please submit on time. You will create your own ad through Jostens. In order to create a senior recognition, click on the link below and follow the instructions. LINK TO SUBMIT SENIOR RECOGNITION