MARCH 27, 2026
Embedded Files
CAMELS HUMP MIDDLE SCHOOL MOUNTAINEERS
NEWSLETTER
To conquer frustration, one must remain intensely focused on the outcome, not the obstacles.” - T.F. Hodge
Message From the PrincipalGretchen Muller | Principal
Exploratory Classes include Health & Nutrition, Design & Tech Education, and Art
Springing Into Trimester 3
Springing Into Trimester 3
The last full week of March has come to a close, and a new month is just around the corner! Trimester 2 report cards are heading home with students today, so be sure to take a look and celebrate all of their hard work and progress.
As we transition into Trimester 3, we’re excited to see students diving into their new Exploratory classes and continuing their learning journey across all subjects. It’s hard to believe the end of the school year is approaching so quickly!
Looking Ahead:
Spring Sports: Our season kicks off the week of April 6, bringing fresh energy and teamwork to our campus. We are thrilled to announce that Baseball, Softball, and Track & Field will have full rosters—the level of engagement is awesome!
Club Sessions: The next round of clubs begins the week of April 13. Students are already buzzing about our spring offerings. In addition to fan favorites like Minecraft and Mural Art, we’re excited to introduce new options like Crafting Club and Softball Club.
It’s shaping up to be a fun, active season for everyone. We hope you all enjoy a wonderful weekend!
Gretchen Muller
Important Dates
Important Dates
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Report Cards
Report Cards
Fri., MAR. 27
Sent Home
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Early Release for Students
Early Release for Students
Wed., APR. 8
12:45 pm
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Equinox Shakespeare Festival
Thu., APR. 9
2:45 – 8:00pm
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Field Trip - Mosaic
(Batstone, Fary,
Keblin, Shusterman)
Field Trip - Mosaic
(Batstone, Fary,
Keblin, Shusterman)
Thu., APR. 17
9:15 am-11:45 am
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School Recess
School Recess
Mon., APR. 20 - Fri., 24
No School
Spring Clubs Start Next Month (April)
Spring Clubs Start Next Month (April)
Begin the Week of April 13 and Run Through June 1
Begin the Week of April 13 and Run Through June 1
Mondays
Mondays
Drama*
Crafting
Anime
Softball
Tuesdays
Tuesdays
Young Birders
Artistic Inc.
Dungeons & Dragons
Games Unplugged
Minecraft
Empower
7th/8th Grade Ultimate Frisbee
Wednesdays
Wednesdays
Drama*
Reading
Minecraft
Yearbook
Softball
Thursdays
Thursdays
Mural Art
GLOW*
Lawn Games
7th/8th Grade Ultimate Frisbee
Anime Club
Anime Club
Open to 5th-8th graders. Explore important themes such as friendship, teamwork, and standing up for what’s right through Anime films. Analyze the challenges that characters face which require them to work together and solve problems creatively. Students will also engage in interactive activities, such as art, games, and puzzles related to Anime. Students will be encouraged to think critically and collaborate. Students will also learn of different cultures and philosophies within the Anime world, making it a great way to discuss diversity and respect for others. Overall, the goal of the club is to promote the growth of valuable social and emotional skills that are essential not just in school but throughout their lives.
Drama Club*
Drama Club*
Already in Drama Club? No further action required! Interested in joining Drama Club? Reach out to the CHMS Main Office. Do you love to act, dance, sing, or work behind the scenes? Then CHMS Drama Club is for YOU! In Drama Club, you’ll learn the basics of performance through fun games and activities, get comfortable on stage, and build your confidence. We’ll warm up for auditions (coming the week before Thanksgiving), and when we return in December, full rehearsals begin! The year will end with a final production in late April/early May. Whether you want to be in the spotlight, dance, help with costumes, or run the tech crew, there’s a place for EVERYONE in Drama Club. So what are you waiting for? Come find your spotlight at CHMS Drama Club!
Crafting Club
Crafting Club
Crafting Club is a wonderful opportunity to connect with friends while working on a craft project. Materials will be provided, and students can choose to bring in projects from home to work on in club (must be able to fit in a backpack). From crochet to beading and much more, Crafting Club is a great opportunity to let your creativity shine!
Softball Club
Softball Club
NOTE- this club will not begin until after the April vacation. Open to 5th-8th graders interested in Softball. Club Softball is a great alternative to playing on the school Softball team! The club will meet on Mondays and Wednesday from 2:45-3:45. Students can plan to leave early if needed to ride their 3:30 activity bus. Students are welcome to join Mondays, Wednesdays, or both! The focus of this club is on Softball skills and fitness, in a non competitive atmosphere.
7th & 8th Grade Ultimate Frisbee Club
7th & 8th Grade Ultimate Frisbee Club
This club will not begin to meet until the week we return from Spring break. It's first meeting will be on Tuesday 4/28/26. Open to 7th and 8th graders on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:45-4:30. Come out and enjoy playing and learning Ultimate! You can join for both Tuesday and Thursday, or one or the other. There will be a couple of informal matches scheduled against local schools with similar club teams. On these occasions, the club will have an adjusted schedule, likely with matches beginning at 4:00.
Dungeons & Dragons Club
Dungeons & Dragons Club
Come play and learn alongside others with an interest in D&D! This club is offered for those with a wide range of experience with the game-- from beginners to experts.
*This club runs all year
Sports NewsJoe O'Brien | Vice Principal and Athletic Director
Start Dates for Spring Sports
Start Dates for Spring Sports
Track & Field
Track & Field
Apr 6 - May 30
Those registered for CHMS Track & Field will begin their season with an informational team meeting on Monday, April 6, 2:45-3:30. This is for students and coaches only. There will then be one day of practice that week on Thursday, April 9. Regular daily practices will then begin on Monday, April 13.
Softball
Softball
Mar 31 - May 29
Those registered for CHMS Softball will begin their seasons on Tuesday, March 31 with an informational team meeting from 2:45-3:30. This is for students and coaches only. Students who are also on the Volleyball team are able to arrive at Volleyball practice at 3:30 after attending this meeting. There will then be optional practices for Softball pitchers and catchers only on Wednesday, April 1, Thursday, April 2, and Friday, April 3, 3:00-4:30. Students should not miss scheduled Volleyball matches on these days to attend the optional practices.
Required full team practices will begin the following week on Monday, April 6, 3:00-4:30.
Baseball
Baseball
Mar 31 - May 29
Those registered for CHMS Baseball will begin their seasons on Tuesday, March 31 with an informational team meeting from 2:45-3:30. This is for students and coaches only. Students who are also on the Volleyball team are able to arrive at Volleyball practice at 3:30 after attending this meeting. There will then be optional practices for pitchers and catchers only on Wednesday, April 1, Thursday, April 2, and Friday, April 3, 3:00-4:30. Students should not miss scheduled Volleyball matches on these days to attend the optional practices.
Required full team practices will begin the following week on Monday, April 6, 3:00-4:30.
Participation Expectations
Participation Expectations
Being a student-athlete at CHMS is a privilege. We expect all involved in sports to understand that they are students first, and athletes second. As a student athlete, you are representing our school and the greater community. Considering this, we expect all our student-athletes to give their best effort academically, behaviorally, and in terms of sportsmanship. Failure to do so can result in time away from their team as determined by the school Administration and coaching staff.
Families also play a pivotal role in our athletics community. We expect that families conduct themselves in a way that sets a positive example for our student-athletes. This includes respecting our coaches, opponents, and officials. Please remember to let the players play, the coaches coach, and the officials officiate.
The goal of athletics at CHMS is to foster a passion for teamwork, sportsmanship, hard work, and joy. Another goal is to offer everyone meaningful playing time, however this is not guaranteed. Please respect that many decisions go into determining playing time, many of which are not apparent to spectators. Please keep this in mind when supporting our athletic competitions. Thank you in advance for your support of athletics at CHMS.
Arbiter Sports
Arbiter Sports
CHMS Athletics uses the Arbiter Sports platform to communicate on a regular basis with families. Parents/guardians will only receive these communications if their email addresses are listed under "Parent 1" or "Parent 2" during the registration process. If you only want one parent/guardian to receive email correspondence, then only fill in "Parent 1." If you want a second parent/guardian to also receive email correspondence, you will need to additionally add an email address under "Parent 2."
NOTE - Many families have reported emails that are sent by CHMS athletics via Arbiter are ending up in SPAM folders. Please be aware of this and, as needed, mark these emails as "not spam.
Physical Examination Requirements
Physical Examination Requirements
Families are required to upload to Arbiter a copy of a physical examination that is no more than two years old. If your student’s last physical is set to reach the two-year point during the season in which they are registering, there will need to be a new examination conducted before the two-year mark. Failure to have an up-to-date physical on file will result in your student not being able to participate in practices or games. You will be prompted to upload a copy of a physical into Arbiter during the registration process. Alternatively a Camels Hump Middle School Athletic Participation Form can be completed by your child's primary care provider and submitted. Using this specific form ensures all the required medical language is included for a smooth registration process.
NOTE - The sports physical on file has to clearly state that your student is "cleared for sports."
Thank you again for your support of athletics at CHMS!
Volleyball Spectators
Volleyball Spectators
Family Only Dates
Family Only Dates
Often when hosting Volleyball matches at CHMS, we have two courts setup in a way that leaves very little space for spectators. In these situations, we only have room for families to spectate the matches in the gym.
Open to All Dates
Open to All Dates
There are a few dates, however, that we will only have one court setup and we are able to pull the bleachers out to accommodate significantly more spectators. In these situations, we are excited to encourage students to remain at CHMS to cheer on their friends during Volleyball matches.
CHMS students are encouraged to spectate CHMS home Volleyball matches on the following dates from 4:00-5:30:
Tue., March 24,
Wed., March 25,
Mon., March 30
Wed., April 1.
Permission Requirements
Permission Requirements
If a student wishes to remain after school from dismissal until a 4:00 match, they need written permission from their family to do so, and they will be in a supervised study hall after school until the match begins.
To give permission for your student to remain after school to spectate any or all of these matches, please send an email with approved dates to chmscontact@mmuusd.org.
If a student leaves school after dismissal and wishes to return to CHMS to spectate the matches, they must do so under the supervision of their family and the school does not need written permission.
Spectrum Sleep Out Fundraiser NewsSarah Adelman | Library Media Specialist, Spectrum Sleep Out Captain
Spectrum Sleep Out to Help Out
Spectrum Sleep Out to Help Out
Join the CHMS team Thursday, April 9, as we sleep outside to support youth in need.
Join the CHMS team Thursday, April 9, as we sleep outside to support youth in need.
We are excited to share that we will have a CHMS Team for Spectrum Sleep Out this year. CHMS participated in the Sleep Out in 2023 and 2025 and it was a huge success. Spectrum Sleep Out is a fundraiser for Spectrum Youth and Family Services, an organization that provides housing and other support to youth experiencing homelessness.
Participants sleep out for one night. For this year, CHMS students will sleep out on Thursday, April 9. Students can choose where to sleep out (yard, deck, porch, etc.)
Money is raised through the Spectrum Sleep Out fundraising platform by asking for donations from friends, family, neighbors, etc. Last year, we raised just shy of $10,000.
When you are ready to register your student, you can go directly to the Spectrum Sleep Out site and click the red "register" button. Please make sure to join the Camels Hump Middle School team. I will provide more details about fundraising and logistics as we get closer to the date. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please let me know.
Best,
Sarah Adelman
CAMELS HUMP MIDDLE SCHOOL
We're Sleeping Out for youth in need!
Thursday, April 9
P.I.E. (Partners in Education) News
Be Part of P.I.E.
Be Part of P.I.E.
Join CHMS P.I.E.
Join CHMS P.I.E.
Camels Hump Middle School’s parent group welcomes you to get involved and stay connected. Watch the CHMS Mountaineer Newsletter for upcoming events and announcements.
Meeting Time
Meeting Time
(Second Tuesday of each month)
7:00–8:00 pm
Join us virtually
Join us virtually
Here is the link to join our virtual meeting!
Nutrition NewsKaryl Kent | MMUUSD Nutrition DirectorEli Fortney | CHMS Nutrition Chef/Manager
Local Food & VT Milk Highlight Lunch Program
Local Food & VT Milk Highlight Lunch Program
Bringing More VT-Grown Foods to Student Lunches
Bringing More VT-Grown Foods to Student Lunches
We are now partnering with many local producers to bring fresh Vermont food to our lunch trays including: Maple Meadow Eggs, VT Beef from Ferrisburgh, Misty Knoll Farms Chicken, Cabot Creamery Cheese and Yogurt, produce from Burnt Rock Farm, The Farm Upstream and Jericho Settlers Farm, Cold Hollow Cider, Chapin Orchard apples, and more...
Grant-Funded Upgrade to School Milk
Grant-Funded Upgrade to School Milk
CHMS recently received a generous grant from Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Evan Deckers, who has ties to Huntington, Vermont, through the NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats program. Thanks to this grant, we added a bulk milk dispenser at the start of the school year.
We’re excited to now partner with Monument Farms Dairy in Weybridge, VT, to offer 100% Vermont milk to our students. With schools now allowed to serve whole milk at lunch, we will begin a pilot of Monument Farms whole milk in our dispenser starting February 10. Hood 1% and skim milk will continue to be available in cartons at both lunch and breakfast.
We continue to respond to the feedback from our students and families and are grateful for the support of our community.
Reserve Your Yearbook
Reserve Your Yearbook
Starting at 25$
Starting at 25$
There's nothing else like your school yearbook. Get your hands on the limited edition collection of our stories from the year. Share it with your friends today and hang on to it for years to come!
Shipping Information
Spring delivery to Camels Hump Middle School.
Online Safety Alert: Rage Baiting Explained
Online Safety Alert: Rage Baiting Explained
Over the past few weeks, a concerning behavior known as “Rage Baiting” has been gaining traction both online and in person, particularly in student and fan culture. I want to take a moment to define what it is, why it’s harmful, and what we as adults can do when we notice the signs.
What Is Rage Baiting?
What Is Rage Baiting?
Rage baiting is the intentional act of provoking or antagonizing others to elicit an emotional response: most commonly anger, outrage, or humiliation. It can occur through social media posts, group chats, or even during athletic events (chants, signs, or taunts aimed at opponents, officials, or fans). The goal is not genuine dialogue or competition, but rather to “get a reaction” and often to record or publicize it.
Is It a Trend?
Is It a Trend?
Unfortunately, yes. This behavior has grown in visibility with the rise of short-form content and viral moments. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram often reward engagement of any kind—meaning posts that spark outrage can spread faster than those that model good behavior. This “attention economy” has trickled into in-person environments, including student group chats, our stands and sidelines, where students may seek attention by provoking reactions from peers, adults, coaches, or opposing fans.
The Goal of Rage Baiting
The intent is simple but dangerous: to create chaos and control the narrative. Those engaging in rage baiting are often trying to film or witness an emotional overreaction that can be shared, mocked, or used as “proof” that their target was in the wrong. It feeds off escalation and thrives when adults or authority figures or even peers take the bait.
What Adults Can Do
What Adults Can Do
Recognize the Signs: Look for behaviors designed to provoke—mocking, filming others, instigating verbal exchanges, or exaggerated reactions.
Avoid Immediate Confrontation: Stay calm and avoid engaging emotionally. Responding in anger only validates the bait.
Redirect and Document: Use calm, clear directives (“That’s not appropriate. Let’s step outside and talk.”) and, if needed, document the behavior for follow-up.
Model Regulation: When students see adults remain steady and composed, it removes the power from the provocation.
Educate Early: Incorporate discussions about digital citizenship, sportsmanship, and emotional regulation into home conversations, advisory periods, team meetings, and pre-season assemblies.
Set Clear Expectations: Make sure your student, fan, athlete, and coach codes of conduct explicitly reference online and in-person behavior that targets others for reaction or humiliation.
In Short
In Short
Rage baiting only works when people engage. Our best defense is composure, consistency, and community expectations that center respect and safety. When adults recognize the tactic, refuse to feed into it, and address it calmly, we disrupt the very cycle that gives it power. If your student is the receiver of messages, pictures, etc that appear to be used as rage Bait, please interrupt the behavior, help your student by ensuring they do not respond, report the behavior.
Thank you for continuing to lead by example and for helping our students learn that true strength is shown not through reaction but through restraint.
Health News from Nurse's Office
When to Keep Your Child Home Sick
When to Keep Your Child Home Sick
District guidelines remain in place. If you are sick, please stay home. If your child requires cold medicine, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen for an illness, they are not well enough to attend school. Please keep them at home and then call the attendance line (802-434-2188) to update the school. Please read this link District Illness Guidelines
Please also take a few minutes to review these guidelines for
The Management and Treatment of Head Lice.
Annual Student Health Forms
Annual Student Health Forms
If you still have to review and submit your student's 2025-2026 Annual Health Update Form in the PowerSchool parent portal, please do so as soon as possible.
If you need support accessing the powerschool parent portal, Wendy Garrapy is MMUUSD powerschool parent portal resource person, and Wendy can be reached at wendy.garrapy@mmuusd.org
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