“Whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go, just remember how far you have come. Remember everything you have faced, all the battles you have won, and all the fears you have overcome.” -Unknown

April 16, 2021

Spring is finally here, however Mother Nature is giving us a clear reminder today that we are in Vermont and snow showers are part of the spring season. It’s nice to see some teachers and students still willing to go outside for a quick class break and aren’t letting a few wet snowflakes slow them down.

This past week did also bring beautiful weather and we were so appreciative of the opportunity to host many classes, breaks, and athletic practices outside on our fields. We were certainly excited for those opportunities as many students needed breaks after different exams this week. On Tuesday, we had thirty 11th grade students taking the SAT and we had all 9th grade students complete the Math SBAC on Wednesday. It was wonderful to see all of the 9th grade students at once and they really enjoyed being together for breaks and lunch. We look forward to having them all back together on Wednesday, April 28 for the ELA SBAC. We will also host another thirty 11th grade students on the 28th for the ACT.

In addition to more assessments upon our return to school, we will also be welcoming back all 7th and 8th grade students. We are excited to see more students in the buildings and will be studying the process, successes and challenges. One change that will be present as we see more middle school students return to school is our process for health screenings in the mornings. We are asking that all families complete their health screening prior to arriving at school. You can use the QR Code below to access the screening questionnaire. If you do need assistance with completing the questions, our health screeners will still be present in the mornings to greet students and help them complete the screening if needed.

We do hope students and families have a relaxing and safe April break. Please note that if your do travel over the break, we are asking our school community that upon return from travel outside of Vermont, individuals that are not fully vaccinated should stay out of school until they receive a negative test result, which should be scheduled within 3 days of return.

Family Resources:

Department of Health number to book vaccinations who qualify as BIPOC call this number (855) 722-7878. There is an actual person who will book your appointment for you. BIPOC have to identify as BIPOC and eligible ages are 16 and up.

The United Way of Lamoille County maintains an uber-comprehensive list of all the resources around the area: food, mental health, housing, employment, substance misuse and recovery, domestic violence, and much more. If you have any questions about what is available locally and on a state level, head to the UWLC website first.

Youth Vaping Prevention

Lamoille Area Youth Council Kickoff Event

Live Your Why- Healthy Lamoille Valley

The Everyone Eats program offers free, delicious frozen meals at these locations in Lamoille County:

• Lamoille Community Food Share (197 Harrel St, Morristown): Monday-Saturday, 9-11:30

• Wolcott United Method Church (4023 VT Route 15): Fridays, 3:30-5:30

• Lamoille Health Family Medicine, Morrisville (formerly Morrisville Family Health Care): take from freezer in waiting room during open hours.

• Copley Hospital: Available for patients during appointments and on Tuesdays 3-5; call ahead 802-851-8894

No pre-registration needed, and all the food is made by local restaurants.

Questions: ereid@capstonevt.org

The Dads’ Group is a great place to connect with other Dads, share successes and challenges and have some fun.

• Every Tuesday 8-9PM on Zoom.

• Contact Rob Cary at rcary@LRCVT.org or (802) 730-3000 for the link to the Zoom meeting.

Please share this video with any father who may want to be part of this supportive group.

Vaccination, Quarantine & Testing

The state continues to increase vaccine access. Those 70 and up may make appointments for vaccination starting tomorrow:

• 20 Walgreens locations now are participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.

• Kinney Drugs, Home Health and Hospice, and Copley Hospital are among other vaccination providers, in addition to the Department of Health clinics.

• Sign up for appointments at all sites by clicking here or calling 855-722-7878. Do not call the Health Department or your doctor for an appointment.

• Seniors who need help can call Central Vermont Council on Aging 1-800-642-5119.

People who have been fully vaccinated and are exposed to someone with COVID-19 do not need to quarantine, as long as:

• They are fully vaccinated (have had two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine).

• More than two weeks and less than three months have passed since they received the second dose of the vaccine.

• They have not had any COVID-19 symptoms since the exposure.

Get tested to help keep track of the virus in the state. Click here if you have no symptoms to make an appointment. If you have symptoms, call your provider.

Take this survey to help researchers understand how Vermonters and visitors are understanding and responding to Vermont’s COVID-19 guidelines. Complete the online survey and be entered to win one of ten $25 gift cards.

Homelessness

The Lamoille Area currently has 73 households on the Coordinated Entry list for housing. Of these:

• 67 are eligible for a housing voucher or subsidized. Only four of those households could afford a fair market unit without those forms of support.

• There are 6 households not eligible for any type of voucher or subsidy, which means they'll be homeless indefinitely until something else is created for them.

• 25 of the households require long-term case management/voucher sponsorship.

• There are 13 youth experiencing homelessness.

To end homelessness in Lamoille, we would need:

• 52 additional vouchers or subsidized units,

• Two additional case managers that can do long-term sponsorships,

• Two additional case managers that can provide short term case management and sponsorship,

• 58 single bedroom apartments,

• 9 two bedroom apartments,

• Three 3 bedroom apartments.

Parents and educators

Healthy Lamoille Valley needs community feedback around preventing and reducing youth substance misuse in the Lamoille Valley. Participants in the survey can win a gift card. Click here for the survey.

Practical Positive Co-Parenting:

• March 30th, 2021

• 6:00-7:30PM

• Register here.

• Led by Life/Parent Coach Dustin Bruley

• Strategies and tools to improve (and in some cases rescue) your relationship with your co-parent (whether or not that’s your current partner).

Parents of children with a disability or special health need are asked to share their experiences accessing childcare or early education. The information they share through this survey will be used to inform system improvement recommendations to the state of Vermont.

Connectivity

Notice from Lamoille FiberNet: Free community Wi-Fi installations are available "to connect students and families to the Internet, especially those living in rural and underserved communities," but the window of opportunity is short.

• If you know of any locations that need public Wi-Fi Hot Spots, please ask them to submit their information immediately here.

• Find hot spots nearest you on this Dept. of Public Service website.

• Questions: 1-800-622-4496.

Young people

Youth Sports Volunteer Coaches, Administrators and League Leadership from across the Lamoille Valley:

• Focus group/pilot of a new local Lamoille Valley coaches initiative, conversation and training: "Youth Sports Coaches Building Youth Protective Factors, especially in the time of COVID”

• Sunday, April 11, 2021, 3-4:00pm

• Learn more and register.

Click here for the Jr. Iron Chef VT Cooking Club’s April recipe challenge. Teen chefs should enter to be in the running to win one of this month’s five culinary prize packages.

Governor’s Institute of Vermont (GIV) is a unique opportunity for inquisitive Vermont high school students with sliding registration fees for all income levels. This summer, GIV is all virtual. Check out the offerings and refer a bright young person today.

Black Voices of Vermont: A collection of stories that represent the diversity of Black Vermonters. The purpose of this project is to hear directly from the young people who live here about their experiences and unique perspectives. Please click here to read what these young Vermonters have to say. You will be glad you did.

Upcoming & ongoing programs

Moms in Recovery Walking Group

• Children welcome

• Tuesdays at 4pm & Thursdays at 9am

• Meet at North Central Vermont Recovery Center (275 Brooklyn St., Morrisville)

• Call/text Crystal 802-635-0084 for more information or to sign up for a stroller

Stay tuned for added days, times, and locations.

K.E.E.P. (Knowledge, Equity, Empowerment, and Partnership) Financial Coaching: an innovative train-the-trainer program where client-facing workers are trained to address underlying financial issues faced by clients that the organization serves. Financial coaching helps clients learn to set and achieve their financial goals through learned behavior changes built on the trusted relationship between coach and client.

• 4-session training program

• April 27, May 4, 11, & 18, from 9:00 am-12:30 pm.

• Register here or contact Julia Davis at jdavis@gmunitedway.org.

The People’s Law School: practical information about a range of topics including the Fourth Amendment, representing yourself in small claims court, tenant rights, understanding eligibility for benefits, and family law.

• Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

• Begins this Wednesday, April 7th with: The Fourth Amendment: Understanding Your Rights When Stopped by the Police

Assistance

Funeral Costs for COVID-19-Related Deaths: In early April, FEMA will begin providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19). Click here to learn about the Funeral Assistance Program and click here to learn if you qualify.

Meals on Wheels of Lamoille County is seeking substitute volunteer delivery drivers this summer. Meal pick up is 10:40 Monday through Friday. Deliver one route a week or one route a month you choose. Call or email: meals@mowlc.org or 802-888-5011.

Technology News:

Schoology: The Parent View in Schoology presentation is designed to help families understand and navigate Schoology.