MARCH 6, 2026
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CAMELS HUMP MIDDLE SCHOOL MOUNTAINEERS
NEWSLETTER
If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary. - Jim Rohn
Message From the PrincipalGretchen Muller | Principal
Remember to turn your clocks ahead on Saturday night for daylight savings time!
More Daylight and More to Celebrate!
More Daylight and More to Celebrate!
Happy March! It was wonderful welcoming our Mountaineers back from the long winter recess. We are also incredibly grateful for the community support that led to the approval of our district budget! There is plenty to celebrate across all our schools and towns as we head into spring!
While it was a short week, it was full of energy and enthusiasm. Students loved reconnecting with their peers and teachers as they jumped back into their learning schedules and after-school activities. On Thursday afternoon we had a special all-school assembly. Executive Director Mark Redmond from Spectrum Youth and Family Services joined us at CHMS to share their inspiring mission. During the assembly, Mark shared how Spectrum provides support in many communities. In addition, information regarding the Annual Spectrum Sleep Out was shared with students and staff. CHMS will be participating in the Sleep Out and all students are invited to take part. Our wonderful school library media specialist, Sarah Adelman, is organizing the Sleep Out which will be on Thursday, April 9, 2026. More information will be sent to students and families about the Sleep Out, how to register and how to participate - and can also be found in this week's newsletter.
Next week is a full week and the start of our spring family/teacher conference window. Teachers will be reaching out to families with whom they would like to connect with regarding student progress. Conferences are scheduled during this time as the second trimester ends next Friday, March 13th. Report cards will be sent home on Friday, March 27th.
Our second session of after school clubs, volleyball practices, and the Bolton Ski and Ride program all continue next week! It’s wonderful to see so many students taking advantage of these opportunities available at CHMS. If you're looking ahead to warmer weather, spring sports registration is now live for baseball, softball, and track and field. We’ll also have a third session of clubs starting soon—more details to come!
We wish everyone a great weekend and remember to turn your clocks ahead for daylight savings time!
Gretchen Muller
Important Dates
Important Dates
Two-week
Conference Window
Two-week
Conference Window
Mon., MAR. 9-Fri., MAR. 20
Parent/Teacher Conferences
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P.I.E Meeting
P.I.E Meeting
Tue., MAR. 10
CHMS Partners in Education
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District III Middle School
Jazz Fest & Concert
District III Middle School
Jazz Fest & Concert
Thu., MAR. 12
Williston Central School
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Trimester Ends
Trimester Ends
Fri., MAR. 13
2nd Trimester
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Session 2 Clubs
Session 2 Clubs
Thu., MAR. 19
Last Day
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Student Half Day
Student Half Day
Fri., MAR. 20
11:30 Dismissal
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Report Cards
Report Cards
Fri., MAR. 27
Sent Home
Spring Club Registration Now Open
Spring Club Registration Now Open
Registration Deadline is Thursday, March 26
Registration Deadline is Thursday, March 26
Spring Clubs will begin the week of April 13 and go through the week of June 1. To register your student for after school clubs on the Arbiter online platform, please click HERE. If you are new to the Arbiter online platform and need to create an account, please follow directions outlined HERE.
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!
MONDAY/WEDNESDAY - Softball Club
Apr 27, 2026 to Jun 01, 2026
Minimum grade 5; Maximum grade 8
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.
TUESDAY/THURSDAY 7th & 8th Grade Ultimate Frisbee Club
Apr 28, 2026 to Jun 02, 2026
Minimum grade 7; Maximum grade 8
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.
TUESDAY- Dungeons & Dragons Club
Apr 14, 2026 to Jun 02, 2026
Minimum grade 5; Maximum grade 8
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.
Sports NewsJoe O'Brien | Vice Principal and Athletic Director
Spring Sports Registration Now Open
Spring Sports Registration Now Open
Registration Deadline is Sunday, March 22
Registration Deadline is Sunday, March 22
Our Spring athletic offerings include Track & Field (grades 6-8), Softball (grades 7 & 8 and 6th graders if room allows), and Baseball (grades 7 & 8). Please note that Ultimate Frisbee is an Intramural club at CHMS, and is not included in the registration for spring athletics. Those interested in registering for Ultimate Frisbee Club can do so in the coming weeks when registration for Spring Clubs is sent home.
CHMS prides itself on being a welcoming and inclusive community. We acknowledge and respect that not all people identify with the gender that they were assigned at birth. Student-athletes at CHMS are welcome to register for the team that aligns with their gender identity.
Athletics at CHMS are prioritized for 7th and 8th graders with some exceptions. 6th graders will be allowed to participate in Track & Field. In other cases, 6th graders can participate if there are available spaces once 7th and 8th graders have been placed on rosters.
Track & Field
Track & Field
Apr 6 - May 30
Registration open to 6-8 graders. The schedule for Track & Field will be a 4 to 5 day a week commitment. After returning from April Vacation, there will be one Meet per week. The team will also meet several times throughout the season at MMU in order to use their facilities and train alongside our high school Track & Field athletes. On these days, transportation will be provided to MMU, and families will need to pickup their student athlete at MMU at 4:30. Practices will be 2:45-4:30 unless otherwise specified.
There will be an informational team meeting for student athletes from 2:45-3:30 on Monday, April 6. There will be one day of practice that week on Thursday, April 9 followed by a full week of practice the following week.
Softball
Softball
Mar 31 - May 29
Registration open to 6-8 graders. Softball will meet 4-5 days per week. A typical week will include 2 games and 2-3 practices. Practices will run from 2:45-4:30. Based on numbers, we anticipate that there will be space for 6th grade student athletes, but it is unclear what that will look like until we know how many 7th and 8th graders sign up. 6th grade student athletes are encouraged to register now.
The season will begin with an informational team meeting for students on Tuesday, March 31 from 2:45-3:30. The rest of that week will be optional practices for pitchers and catchers from 2:45-4:00. There will then be two weeks of full practice from 2:45-4:30 leading up to the April Vacation.
Baseball
Baseball
Mar 31 - May 29
Registration open to 7-8 graders. Baseball will meet 4-5 days per week. A typical week will include 2 games and 2-3 practices. Practices will run from 2:45-4:30. Numbers are anticipated to be very high for Baseball and we anticipate having a full A team and a full B team of 7th and 8th graders alone. 6th graders will not be able to register for Baseball at this time.
The season will begin with an informational team meeting for students on Tuesday, March 31 from 2:45-3:30. The rest of that week will be optional practices for pitchers and catchers from 2:45-4:00. There will then be two weeks of full practice from 2:45-4:30 leading up to the April Vacation.
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!
Spectrum Sleep Out Fundraiser NewsSarah Adelman | Library Media Specialist, Spectrum Sleep Out Captain
CAMELS HUMP MIDDLE SCHOOL
We're Sleeping Out for youth in need!
Thursday, April 9
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
P.I.E. (Partners in Education) News
Be Part of the P.I.E.
Be Part of the 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 Now
Reserve Your Yearbook Now
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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