“The overarching practice of letting go is also one of gaining resilience and insight.” -Sharon Salzberg

April 30, 2021

The last day of April is here and we are certainly hoping that all of these April showers will bring May flowers. This week was a great first week back from a much needed break. Students were engaged, excited to back with their peers, and continued to demonstrate resilience and flexibility as they transitioned back to learning. We also welcomed all our in-person 9th grade students to school on Wednesday to complete the English/Literacy portion of the SBAC state assessment. We are so proud of our students taking the test seriously, coming prepared, and keeping an open mind. Next week we will have 11th grade students here on Wednesday for the science state test as well as all of our 9th and 11th grade virtual academy students for SBAC assessments.

This week we also held in-person advisory meetings to learn more about Earth Day and Green Up Day. All lessons and activities were developed by our student Environmental Club. We do hope students will join our Environmental Club tomorrow, Saturday, May 1 for Green Up Day. This is a great opportunity for students to give back to their community by cleaning up our surroundings. Our SHS team will be meeting at the Mayo Fields at 9:00am tomorrow morning.

As we enter into the last full month of the 2020-2021 school year, we are looking forward to more opportunities bringing students together outside for classes, small group work, and end-of-year celebrations. Although new guidance has come out from the CDC, LSUU schools have not changed their mask policy. All students, adults, and visitors are still required to wear masks in schools and outside. Students may take their masks off for breaks when they are outside and at least 6 feet away from others.

Lastly, as a reminder, please be sure your student completes the Health Screening Form before arriving at school. Our health screening greeters will continue to meet students outside and check in with them to ensure the screening questionnaire has been completed and they are feeling well. We can complete the form with your students if they forget or need assistance.

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.

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

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.