Friday Notes 5/27/22

 

SCHOOL INFO

May 27, 2022

Dear L&G Families:

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

We want to start by taking a moment to honor all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice - their lives - in defense of our country.  We at L&G appreciate the freedoms we have enjoyed as a result of that sacrifice.  

The tragedy this week in Texas has been incredibly hard on our students and staff - the senseless nature of murdering young children is hard to fathom, and I don’t necessarily have the words right now to make sense of this.  However, these events are not new.  There have been nearly 150 school shootings since 2018 - with 27 in 2022 alone.  Not all have casualties and not all make the national news.  Sadly, these things have become part of the childhood experience.  For us at L&G, this recent tragedy only strengthens our resolve that safety of our school community is our priority.  During COVID, we followed the guidance from the state to limit drills that put kids in close contact with each other - like lockdown drills - but we will be doing one next week.  We are hopeful for the best, but we plan for the worst.  If you have any questions about this, please let me know.

Upcoming Dates:

June 1 (Wed) - 6th grade Move Up Day

June 2 (Thur) - Senior Trip/Pops Concert/Art Show AND Elks Student of the Month Banquet

June 3 (Fri) - Field Day

June 5 (Sun) - Hats Off Performance

June 6 (Mon) - Underclass Awards (final assembly)

June 7 (Tue) - 8th Grade on Ropes Course (other culminating events too)

June 9 (Thu) - Last Day for Seniors (Make-up Day)

June 10 (Fri) - Grad Rehearsal/Senior Breakfast

June 11 (Sat) - Graduation 

June 15 (Wed) - Last day of actual underclass classes

June 16 (Thur) - Last Student Day - Summative Make up Day (11:30 dismissal)

Bob Thibault

Principal

Nurse Update:

Music Notes:

On June 2nd, Leland and Gray will host an evening of music and art to celebrate the culmination of the school year. Please join us for:

The Spring Art Tour on A Level from 5:00-6:00 and from 7:45-9:30

The Annual Pops Concert on the front lawn (please bring a lawn chair!)

This year the pops concert will include all of the district's performing ensembles including band, chorus, a capella and jazz band in grades 3-12.

Upcoming "Hats Off" Performance:

The Leland & Gray players present the 2022 Hats Off performance. There will be two shows both on Sunday, June 5th at 2 pm and then at 7 pm. Submissions include comedy sketches, skits, vocal or instrumental performances.

After School Programs:

After School Programs are done for the year, and the late bus will no longer be running.

WRED Future Planning:

Brilliant Pathways Opportunities for Students and Staff:

Summer Opportunities at SUNY Adirondack! (see attached flyer & forms)

Interested in a career in healthcare? Attend a MASH (Medical Academy of Science & Health) camp this summer for FREE at SUNY Adirondack on July 13th. Applications are available in Guidance! (WE WOULD HAVE TO ASK THE College for the needed forms) They are due on June 10th. Students must be in grades 9-12 in the 2022-2023 year.

Scholarship Information

Any students who are looking for scholarships can check out our Twitter page where we will be posting different scholarships throughout the month! 

L&G Co-Curricular Calendar:

http://lelandandgray.org/index.php/co-curricular-calendar

School Calendar:

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Camp Counselors Needed:

We've just received a grant from Vermont Afterschool to launch a summer day camp (ages 7-14) in 2022 & 2023 through our not-for-profit Patch of Diamonds in East Dummerston, VT!

We are hiring one more full-time staff (age 18 +) and seeking volunteers to work and mentor with us (age 16-20). Youth with interest in teaching, mentoring, horses, music, theater, cooking and/or gardening are all encouraged to apply.

The theme of camp is 'Project Peace' and includes work with horses, the creation of a Children's Peaceful Garden, together with fun social-emotional learning through music and theater activities and the beginning of a 'tech & video department' so that we can document and promote the program as it develops.

Registration will open soon! Here's a link to more info about the camp: https://www.patchofdiamonds.com/summer-camp

Other Opportunities:

There is a bulletin board in the C-Level lobby with summer job opportunities, as well as upcoming community service opportunities. Please see Terry in Room A-13 for more information about any of the listed postings!

COMMUNITY SERVICE

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Grace Cottage Tour de Grace

4 STRONG High School volunteers needed to help riders get their bicycles up the 82 stone steps at the Townshend Dam. The commitment is 3 hours, or a bit more, and the reward, in addition to community service hours, is pizza at the end!

Saturday, June 25th from 9am-Noon

Green Up Day Mentor Program:

BEEC Summer Camp 2022:

COMMUNITY

Stratton Foundation Head-to-Toe Program:

National Summer Camp Institute:

The Agency of Transportation, with the support of FHWA, in Partnership with Vermont Technical College, is running the National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI) this summer.  The program offers students (both high school and middle school) a chance to learn about transportation careers from an early age. 

 

Our high school camp is being hosted by Vermont Technical College in Randolph.  This is a residential opportunity where the students live in the dorms, eat in the cafeteria, and work with professors and industry professionals from July 10-July 15.

 

Our middle school students will be hosted by Vermont Technical College in Williston.  This day camp experience begins to introduce students to workplace and college atmospheres through exciting hands-on experiences from July 25-July 29.

 

Students this year can expect to learn through hands-on activities about Civil Engineering, Aviation, Environmental Engineering, Auto/Diesel Mechanics, Heavy Equipment, Construction, GIS technology, and Traffic Safety, as well as (for HS) the college admission process and preparation for the workplace. 

 

This is a FREE camp – these amazing experiences are open to all middle and high school students at no cost to them or their families. 

 

Video from past students about their experience: https://bit.ly/NSTIvideo

 

Registration is available online at: https://www.vtc.edu/academics/high_school_students/youth-camps/national-summer-transportation-institute/

 

Questions can be sent to    CEWD@vtc.edu or And.Morse@vermont.gov

West River Valley Thrives Letter to Parents:

Student Opportunities:

Entrepreneurship Institute “Creativity & Innovation”- GIV (Governor’s Institutes of VT) Students ready to spark your entrepreneurial spirit? June 26 – July 1 - residential @ Vermont Tech College - Randolph Campus  - Rising 10^th – 12^th grade students bring their passion and curiosity to this program where they’ll spend a week diving deep into the creativity and innovation that goes into developing new products and services. With the guidance of proven entrepreneurs and experts, plus a network of peers, students leverage their own unique business ideas to propel them to future success. They’ll learn to develop an “entrepreneurial mindset” and what it takes to create a business or be more successful in any career pathway, college and the workforce.  Option for 3 college credits. https://giv.org/institutes/entrepreneurship/

Laurel

Laurel Butler

Start up Business Advisor & Student/Educator Entrepreneur Specialist

Vermont Small Business Development Center (www.vtsbdc.org)

https://www.vtsbdc.org/specialty-services/youth-entrepreneurship/

lbutler@vtsbdc.org  - 802-922-3692

Prepare Today’s Students for Tomorrow’s Workforce

Friday Notes 5/13/22

 

SCHOOL INFO

Upcoming Dates:

• May 16-26 - SBAC Days (more details to come next week!!!)

• May 19 (Thur) - Spring Pep Rally (1 hr at end of day)

• May 21 (Sat) - Prom at River Ledge Farm (Grafton)

• May 27 (Fri) - Music Trip to 6 Flags (Mostly HS, some MS)

• June 1 (Wed) - 6th grade Move Up Day

• June 2 (Thur) - Pops Concert, Student Art Show AND Elks Student of the Month Banquet

• June 3 (Fri) - Underclass Awards/Field Day

• June 7 (Tue) - 8th Grade on Ropes Course (other culminating events too)

• June 9 (Thu) - Last Day for Seniors (Make-up Day)

• June 10 (Fri) - Grad Rehearsal/Senior Breakfast

• June 11 (Sat) - Graduation 

• June 14 (Tue) - Last day of actual underclass classes

• June 15 (Wed) - Last day of actual underclass classes

• June 16 (Thur) - Last Student Day - Summative Make up Day

May is the time of year that we complete our federally required accountability (read: standardized testing) of several grades for different subjects. Vermont uses the Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium (SBAC) tests in English Language Arts (ELA), Math, and Science for various grades. These assessments are very important for us to gather a snapshot of student learning at this time. Please do your best to encourage persistence during these assessments.

All students will need to have a fully CHARGED chromebook and HEADPHONES. We will have limited chargers, loaner computers, and headphones available. PLEASE help ensure your student is prepared for these tests by checking that their computer is charged and they have headphones if possible. 

Here’s the list of assessments, followed by the schedule of days:

• 6th Grade - ELA and Math

• 7th Grade - ELA and Math

• 8th Grade - ELA, Math, and Science

• 9th Grade - ELA and Math

• 11th Grade - Science

Week 1

Grade	May 16 (Mon)	May 17 (Tues)	May 18 (Wed - PBL)	May 19 (Thurs)	May 20 (Fri)
6th	ELA	ELA		ELA	ELA
7th	ELA	ELA		ELA	ELA
8th	ELA	ELA	Science 1	ELA	ELA
9th	ELA -	ELA		ELA	ELA
11th	Science	Science

Week 2

Grade	May 23 (Monday)	May 24 (Tuesday)	May 25 (Wed - PBL)	May 26 (Thurs)	May 27 (Fri)
6th	Math	Math		Math
7th	Math	Math		Math
8th	Math	Math	Science 2	Math
9th	Math	Math		Math

On these days, we ask that students get a good night sleep and a solid breakfast prior to taking the assessments.  The testing for Middle Schoolers will happen first thing in the morning on each day, and therefore, it is of vital importance that students are on time for school. The testing for 9th graders will primarily be before lunch. Thank you for your support with this.  Also, please note the schedules for each day:

Monday, May 16th - 7:45 start for MS, 9th and 11th grades; 9:15 classes start for all HS

Tuesday, May 17th - 7:45 start for MS, 9th and 11th grades; 9:15 classes start for all HS

Wednesday, May 18th - 7:45 start for MS; PBL Wednesday Schedule 9:15 start for HS

Wednesday, May 25th - 7:45 start for MS; PBL Wednesday Schedule 9:15 start for HS

All other days are a regular 7:45 start for MS and HS

We apologize for these differences, but we are trying to minimize the time missed from each course, especially down the stretch run towards June, and the end of school.  And speaking of the end of school, please be aware that the last student day will be Thursday, June 16th (a make up day) and our graduation for the class of 2022 will be Saturday, June 11th at 10am.  Please call us if you have any questions!

Bob Thibault

Principal

Nurse Update:

May 13, 2022

Dear Leland and Gray families,

I wanted to update you on our current situation.  Leland and Gray is still experiencing students and staff with COVID-19, influenza, upper respiratory illnesses, strep throat, and stomach issues. We are employing mitigation efforts to help reduce the spread of illnesses, which include:

* having masks available for anyone who wants to wear one,

* hand sanitizer, 

*windows are open in classrooms and on busses

*HVAC 

*sanitation and cleaning have been addressed

*students working outside as much as possible

*sending students and staff home when they are ill

We are doing what we can to help prevent the spread of illnesses. We need our community partners to continue mitigation efforts when not in school. Vermont Department of Health says “The COVID-19 virus will be with us for a long time. We have the tools needed to protect ourselves and others from getting or spreading the virus.”  Please follow the information below:

*If you or your child is ill STAY HOME.

*Students need to stay home if they have a temperature of 100.4 F or higher and must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of Tylenol or Advil.

*Use a facial covering (N95 is recommended) when you are in situations where you cannot maintain safe distance from others not in your home, or you are in an indoor event with people not living with you. 

*If you are exposed to COVID-19 positive person, be vigilant in monitoring for symptoms

         Fever

         Cough

         Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

         Chills

         Fatigue

         Headache

         Muscle or body aches

         Sore throat

         Loss of taste or smell

         Nasal congestion

         Nausea or vomiting

         Diarrhea

These symptoms may start 2-14 days after exposure.  People with COVID-19 may have a wide range of symptoms ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

If you have symptoms, even if mild, you are encouraged to:

*Wear a mask

*Stay away from others

*get tested when possible, even if you are vaccinated or if you had COVID-19 in the past

If you need Rapid Antigen Test Kits, please let me know.

Please be vigilant and stay healthy!

Sincerely,

Jorda Daigneault, APRN, MSN, MS, FNP-BC

Leland and Gray Union Middle and High School Nurse

WCSU COVID Coordinator

JDaigneault@windhamcentral.org

Music Notes:

On May 5-7 two members of the Leland and Gray community were hard at work in Colchester, Vermont. Avery Hiner participated in her first All-State Music Festival, representing Leland and Gray as a  soprano in the chorus. Avery earned this honor by receiving a high enough score on her audition which she performed virtually in January. 

Avery spent all three days in rehearsals with over 120 other top vocalists from Vermont, and Dr. Chris Shepard, their conductor, preparing to perform a concert on Saturday afternoon. Under the direction of Dr. Shepard, the chorus and Avery developed a beautiful and professional level choir in a few short days. 

Leland and Gray's chorus teacher, Elyse Wadsworth, was also hard at work at the festival, coordinating all aspects of the All-State Choir. Over the past year, Elyse had invited the conductor, worked with the conductor to select a challenging repertoire of music for the chorus, organized rehearsal spaces and created rehearsal schedules, ensuring that the festival would run smoothly. While Avery and others were working to build their vocal technique and musicianship skills, Elyse was working behind the scenes to make sure all members of the chorus had what they needed. 

The hard work from Avery and Elyse culminated in a Saturday concert, marking the first All-State Music Festival concert in two years! Congratulations to our L&G Music crew for representing our school so well at the All-State Music Festival!!

Upcoming "Hats Off" Performance:

The Leland & Gray players are looking for submissions for the 2022 Hats Off performance. There will be two shows both on Sunday, June 5th at 2 pm and then at 7 pm. The submissions can include comedy sketches, skits, vocal or instrumental performances, and/or if you have something else. Submissions ideas can be given/emailed to Mr. Chapin. There is no guarantee your submission will be chosen, but we welcome anyone and everyone to submit ideas.

If you don't have ideas but want to be a performer or tech you should also go talk to Mr. Chapin. He can be found in B3. Middle schoolers can talk to Ms. Litchfield.

UPDATE- Join us May 19:

WRED Future Planning:

Brilliant Pathways Opportunities for Students and Staff:

CFES School Teams!

Upcoming (https://brilliantpathways.org/members/events/):

May 12 at 1pm ET: Virtual College Tour: UTEP

May 17 at 12pm ET: Leadership Summit with Sharon Kinsman Salmon 

May 19 at 2pm ET: College & Career Readiness Advisor Training - final one of the 2021-22 school year!

May 26 at 12pm ET: Career Hour: Sports Reporter

Summer Opportunities at SUNY Adirondack! (see attached flyer & forms)

Interested in a career in healthcare? Attend a MASH (Medical Academy of Science & Health) camp this summer for FREE at SUNY Adirondack on July 13th. Applications are available in Guidance! (WE WOULD HAVE TO ASK THE College for the needed forms) They are due on June 10th. Students must be in grades 9-12 in the 2022-2023 year.

Scholarship Information

Any students who are looking for scholarships can check out our Twitter page where we will be posting different scholarships throughout the month! 

L&G Co-Curricular Calendar:

http://lelandandgray.org/index.php/co-curricular-calendar

School Calendar:

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

WRVT Community Outreach Intern:

Are you looking for some extra money before summer? Are you someone who is outgoing and likes to connect with the community? Are you organized and open to do some data entry? If you said yes to all of these questions then we have a great opportunity for you. West River Valley Thrives is looking to hire a Community Outreach Intern $15.00 an hour for 40 total hours starting May 1 to the end of the school year. To apply please send a resume and statement of interest to wrvtdirector@gmail.com. If you do not have a resume, please submit a statement of interest and include any relevant experience(s) or skills.

Camp Counselors Needed:

We've just received a grant from Vermont Afterschool to launch a summer day camp (ages 7-14) in 2022 & 2023 through our not-for-profit Patch of Diamonds in East Dummerston, VT!

We are hiring one more full-time staff (age 18 +) and seeking volunteers to work and mentor with us (age 16-20). Youth with interest in teaching, mentoring, horses, music, theater, cooking and/or gardening are all encouraged to apply.

The theme of camp is 'Project Peace' and includes work with horses, the creation of a Children's Peaceful Garden, together with fun social-emotional learning through music and theater activities and the beginning of a 'tech & video department' so that we can document and promote the program as it develops.

Registration will open soon! Here's a link to more info about the camp: https://www.patchofdiamonds.com/summer-camp

Other Opportunities:

There is a bulletin board in the C-Level lobby with summer job opportunities, as well as upcoming community service opportunities. Please see Terry in Room A-13 for more information about any of the listed postings!

COMMUNITY SERVICE

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Grace Cottage Tour de Grace

4 STRONG High School volunteers needed to help riders get their bicycles up the 82 stone steps at the Townshend Dam. The commitment is 3 hours, or a bit more, and the reward, in addition to community service hours, is pizza at the end!

Saturday, June 25th from 9am-Noon

Green Up Day Mentor Program:

BEEC Summer Camp 2022:

COMMUNITY

West River Valley Thrives Letter to Parents:

Student Opportunities:

Entrepreneurship Institute “Creativity & Innovation”- GIV (Governor’s Institutes of VT) Students ready to spark your entrepreneurial spirit? June 26 – July 1 - residential @ Vermont Tech College - Randolph Campus  - Rising 10^th – 12^th grade students bring their passion and curiosity to this program where they’ll spend a week diving deep into the creativity and innovation that goes into developing new products and services. With the guidance of proven entrepreneurs and experts, plus a network of peers, students leverage their own unique business ideas to propel them to future success. They’ll learn to develop an “entrepreneurial mindset” and what it takes to create a business or be more successful in any career pathway, college and the workforce.  Option for 3 college credits. https://giv.org/institutes/entrepreneurship/

Laurel

Laurel Butler

Start up Business Advisor & Student/Educator Entrepreneur Specialist

Vermont Small Business Development Center (www.vtsbdc.org)

https://www.vtsbdc.org/specialty-services/youth-entrepreneurship/

lbutler@vtsbdc.org  - 802-922-3692

Prepare Today’s Students for Tomorrow’s Workforce