“Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.” -Japanese Proverb

May 7, 2021

The first full week of May has come to an end. Although the weather wasn’t very exciting, we certainly had an exciting and celebratory week in the school. This entire week was Teacher Appreciation Week and so we celebrated faculty and staff every day. This has been a year for the books and I can’t think of another time when teachers needed to hear and see appreciation for all of their work. They have been presented with so many changes, challenging situations, and were pushed to do some many new things. Without hesitation, every educator stepped up to ensure students could take their classes, keep the school and classrooms safe, and achieve their goals. I cannot express how grateful I am for each and every one of our teachers. The Stowe school community is very lucky and thankful for their work, dedication, and patience. Thank You teachers!!! (thank you to all the families that also helped with celebrating our teachers- they ate well this week!)

As we celebrated teachers, we also have been working diligently to conduct multiple interviews for positions in Science, Chinese, French, Health/PE, and Athletic Director. Our teacher interviews have included mini-lessons that SHS students have engaged in to provide feedback to help us make informed decisions. We are excited about our applicant pool and hope to have additional updates soon. Our schedule for next year will include a range of course offerings in French, Spanish and Chinese along with new science electives and AP courses.

In addition to celebrating teachers, conducting interviews, and scheduling work, we also continued with SBAC tests and will finish with state assessments next Wednesday. If your 9th or 11th grade student missed one of their assessments please contact the school so we can prepare for them to make-up their tests on Wednesday, May 12.

Lastly, we are continuing with our planning for end-of-year celebrations. Our student prom committee has been working to host prom at SHS for 11th and 12th grade students. We are excited for this opportunity to see students come together and enjoy an evening filled with dancing, games, music, and photo opportunities. Graduation planning is also underway and we have finalized dates and times. Graduation will be on Saturday, June 12 at 11am on the main athletic field in front of the bleachers. More information and details about tickets, seating, and process will be coming out soon. If we are expecting inclement weather on the 12th, the graduation ceremony will be held on Friday, June 11th at 4pm.

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.