Friday, March 3, 2023

Friday Notes 3/3/23

 

SCHOOL INFO

March 3, 2023


Dear L&G Families:


You may have seen L&G mentioned in a news story recently, where the NAACP has asked that the Vermont Agency of Education remove a variety of school mascots from use throughout Vermont, including our Rebel.  This request came based on the passage of a new law in January that requires school boards to adopt a policy which in turn requires schools to consider their mascots and branding through a variety of equity lenses.  When the WRED board adopted this policy, we at L&G kicked off a review process, through an 8th grade social studies project-based learning experience, lead by Ms. Keighan Eaker.  To date, the students have been exploring the history of our Rebel and trying to determine whether it may violate the policy.  Mr. Anton has invited the NAACP group (based in Rutland) to join our board meeting to make the complaint formal (following the policy) and at some point in the near future you may hear about this occurring.  It is our hope that the student PBL will also result in a presentation to the board.  This issue is a very important one for us to think deeply about, and ensure that our branding isn’t discriminatory or exclusionary in any way.  Here at Leland & Gray we strive for a culture where every single student feels a real sense of belonging.  If you have any questions about this, please let me know, or if you have any information to contribute to the students’ work, please contact Keighan at keaker@windhamcentral.org.


If you didn’t get the opportunity prior to break, please spend a few minutes reading this letter about the Vaping epidemic.



Bob Thibault

Principal


Coming Events:


  • Monday, March 6 - NO SCHOOL - Teacher In-service

  • Tuesday, March 7 - NO SCHOOL - Town Meeting Day

  • Wednesday, March 8 - Late Start PBL Wednesday

  • Thursday, March 30 - Early Release Day/Parent Conferences 2-7pm

  • Friday, March 31 - Early Release Day/Parent Conferences (online)

  • April 17-21 - Spring Vacation Week


Please check our calendar for more events and information.


Vision & Hearing Screening:

Annual vision and hearing screening will take place the week of March 13th for 7th, 9th, and 12th graders.

High School Course Selection 2023-24:

Over the last few days, your students have been considering their options for courses next year. They were shown a course selection slideshow about course offerings, have reviewed their transcripts and have been meeting with their advisor and/or Sarah to submit requests for classes for next year. You, as families, are always welcome to be a part of discussions around course choices. Please reach out to Sarah if you have any questions or would like to talk further. 

Journey Away:

In March, a group of students from Leland & Gray will travel by train to New York City and then to New Orleans to explore the impact of climate disasters. Students will see how communities are adapting & will collect oral histories and vox pop style interviews with folks they meet along the way.


School Calendar:


Spring Sports:

It's time to sign up for spring sports:  Baseball, Softball, Track & Field, and Ultimate Disc.  The sooner you sign up the easier it is to find the coaching staff to cover it all.
www.formRELeaf.com  Any questions please reach out to Tammy Claussen.  tclaussen@windhamcentral.org  or (802)221-2128


Booster's Club Spring REBELS Spirit Gear:

Booster's Club Spring REBELS Spirit Gear.  Available for purchase until March 8th.  Here is the link to order online:

March Lunch Menu:






COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY


NewBrook Fire Department:

Student volunteers needed:  

The NewBrook Fire Department will be celebrating their  75th anniversary on  Sunday February 26.

Their winter celebration  will be a chili contest voted on by members of the community who stop by.  The event will run from 12 to 3.

Volunteers wanted  to help make snowmen &/or color, help with serving food / hot chocolate / touch a truck event etc.   etc while visiting the open house.  Volunteer hours are 11:30 to 3:30 or any part thereof.  

Looking for at least 6 students to help.  Please see Terry in Room B8 for more info!

COMMUNITY


Opportunities for Students:


Announcing BUSINESS/ENTREPRENEURSHIP COMPETITIONS – open to all secondary students in any discipline - All VT secondary students are eligible to enter the 15th annual Business Plan/Business Model Canvas or Business Video Pitch contests now through May 19. Students have an opportunity to work as a team or individually to demonstrate creativity, innovation, leadership, problem solving, communication skills and more to take a business idea from inception to a business model plan or business video pitch. The experience of competing in these challenges can be awe-inspiring on a student’s resume, application for employment or post-secondary education. It can easily set a student head and shoulders above their peers, plus the top entries earn cash prizes! Details can be found at:  www.vtsbdc.org/specialty-services/youth-entrepreneurship/ or contact Laurel Butler – lbutler@vtsbdc.org – 802-922-3692

 
Entrepreneurship: CREATIVITY & INNOVATION - Governor’s Institutes of VT (GIV) - This summer, June 25th – June 30th, secondary students have an opportunity to expand their entrepreneurial spirit and workforce skills during GIV’s Entrepreneurship: Creativity & Innovation one-week residential immersion at Vermont State University’s – Randolph, VT Tech Campus. Students will have the guidance of proven entrepreneurial experts, a chance to interact with VT Small Business Development Center
Business Advisors, community leaders, plus a network of peers to propel them forward in brainstorming, evaluating, and acting on their ideas, planting the seeds for their own network for future success - and having fun all the while! Plus 11th/12th graders can choose to earn 3 college credits using their VT Dual Enrollment Vouchers! Check out   https://giv.org/institutes/entrepreneurship/ for more info, and to apply today! Or Contact: Laurel Butler at lbutler@vtsbdc.org or (802) 922-3692.

Stratton Foundation:

The 11th annual 24 Hours of Stratton is on March 18-19, 2023 at Stratton - and this is the biggest event for the Stratton Community Foundation.  



SUMMER  JOB OPPORTUNITY:


Seeking a Sitter:

We are looking for a sitter a few days a week for our two awesome kiddos, age 7 and 5. We live in Windham on 3 acres of garden so there is lots to do outside! Both parents work from home. Ideally we are looking for someone who drives so they can get the girls out and about a bit, but are flexible with this. Must like pets (dog, cat and hamster). During the summer this might be a few days a week, 9am to 4pm or so (this is also a little flexible). Please email Kate at kate.quarella@gmail if you’re interested. Please include days available, and desired hourly rate as well as a bit about yourself!

Honeypie Restaurant:

Honeypie Restaurant, located at the intersection of Routes 30 and 100 in (Rawsonville) Jamaica is looking for KITCHEN and COUNTER Help for the Summer/Fall Season.  We're looking for people to join our team who can work in a fast past, team-oriented environment - where honesty and a positive attitude is the most important quality.  We will train the right people, loads of experience is not necessary.  We're offering a great steady job with a big focus on quality local food and products presented in a very approachable and fun way.  Work for a company that cares and supports their employees, get paid a high hourly wage plus tips and extra perks with growth within the company.  (Starting at $15+ per hour PLUS tips). We take good care of our people!  Close to Stratton Mountain and surrounding communities. Please stop by for an application or call 802.824.6327 and ask for Chloe!


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