

Superintendent's Message
Violet Nichols
April 20, 2023
Dear Parents/Guardians and Staff,
Apple watches for kids, anyone? This was just one idea from a persuasive essay that a student in Stephanie Hockenbury’s second grade class at Rick Marcotte Central School (RMCS) introduced to me on Wednesday. Other students shared that they had intended to write me a persuasive essay. With April Break right around the corner, I can’t help but wonder if extended school vacations will be floated? Hearing about these students’ writing process has caused me to reminisce about when I taught second grade and had similarly joyful conversations throughout the five years that I taught second grade, crafting persuasive essays annually with my students. Thank you, Ms. Hockenbury and students, for the lovely mid-week look into the joy of learning.
As with my visit to second grade, I am reminded daily of the incredible teaching and learning within our schools. To share more about the joy of learning and teaching happening, I’ve decided to launch Student and Staff Spotlights. Student Spotlights will be a fixture in my report at Board meetings, where students will share their exciting learning with the Board, community, and I. I’ll also recap their presentations here. Each week my newsletter will feature a Staff Spotlight, highlighting an outstanding staff member. If you would like to tell me about what you have been working on or highlight the work of a colleague or a student, please fill out the form here. And now for the very first Spotlights, please read on!
Student Spotlight
South Burlington High School (SBHS) 9th graders Oli Roy and Lucy Stadtmauer spoke at the School Board meeting this week during a new agenda item, Student Spotlight, which will highlight students’ achievements. Oli and Lucy were winners of Vermont History Day and will travel to the University of Maryland in June to compete in National History Day. I am so thrilled to see these students succeed and know personally how exciting the competition is. When I was in high school, I portrayed Philomene Austin Daniels, the first American woman to be licensed as a pilot and master for steamboat navigation here in Vermont. I can’t wait to see how Oli and Lucy do in Maryland.
Staff Spotlight
Karine Poulin, a French teacher at FHTMS shined a spotlight on Fiona Connors, also a French Teacher at FHTMS. Karine said “Fiona spearheads the Wolf Cub Wednesdays where community members - including students - of various cultural backgrounds share their experiences. It is an important space to celebrate cultural diversity and solidify community connections. Through the Wold Pack, students who are multilingual can also work on obtaining official State recognition of their linguistic abilities.”
Thank you Fiona for your dedication to our students and to our community!
Earth Week
In honor of Earth Week, I’d like to share some sustainability initiatives underway throughout the District that are aiming to reduce our emissions. Below are some initial steps that we are putting into place to lessen our environmental impact that are part of a larger, and currently-under-development, Climate Action Plan.
Based on the carbon emissions our electric buses are projected to reduce, their use is the equivalent of taking 905 gas-powered cars off the road. Since they have been on the road, there has been a $3 million reduction in energy costs.
Zero Energy Modular (ZEM) units are net zero energy ready. Over the course of a year, they will generate energy on-site, using clean renewable resources in an amount that is equal to or greater than the total amount of energy consumed on-site.
Variable Frequency Drives (VFD), which control the speed of AC motors, will be installed at schools and will save approximately $9,403 (at current energy rates), an estimated 47,722 kWh of electricity, and 47,346 pounds of carbon emissions
Other projects include:
working with Efficiency Vermont on getting lighting rebates to upgrade the lighting in the gyms, cafeterias, and libraries across the schools
Retrofit Maintenance on HVAC and windows
Print Reduction
The District uses Papercut, print management software that provides cost-saving tools and reduces waste
The number of pages printed this year is 23.05% lower than in previous years
The Board went Green! We stopped sending Board packets via snail mail (lots of paper) and now we email them!
There is a lot of work to be done, but we are proud of the progress made this year. More to come.
Donuts and Discussion
The first Donuts and Discussion will be tomorrow at 9 am at the Central Offices (577 Dorset Street). This is an opportunity for community members that are not able to come to the school board meeting or those that would like an opportunity to talk to board members in a less formal setting. Coffee and donuts will be provided and I hope to see you there!
Around the District
Autism Acceptance Week has started off strong with lots of education and celebrations! Across the district, students and staff have helped to celebrate this week by rocking some great Autism Acceptance Week Spirit apparel and accessories. If in the school buildings, you might have seen students and staff wearing fun hats or accessories, tie-dye or rainbow colors, supporting #wearredinstead, and showcasing their passions, interest, and talents.
High school students worked to plaster the halls with Autism Acceptance and Celebrate Neurodiversity Posters. Some teachers showed their support by rocking hair accessories for Magnificent Mind Mondays.
Elementary school students participated in a neurodiversity lesson led by their school Speech Language Pathologist and Occupational Therapist. Classes support the #wearredinstead by rocking red clothing and accessories.
Middle school nurse Zoe Pion has created a Hygiene Closet thanks to generous contributions from the PTO, guidance counselors, and school clinicians. Now students that forgot to brush their teeth or need a little extra product for their morning routine, will have the resources available at school. Products include deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes, floss, face wash, combs and hair brushes, hair ties, chapstick, shampoo and conditioner, body wash, razors, bath products, and many sizes of tampons and pads. Thank you Nurse Pion for putting this together!
Rick Marcotte had a new principal for the day! First grader Simon took his role very seriously, making announcements, meeting with teachers and even establishing a new rule. I’m glad Principal McDonald had an extra hand for a few hours. Our principals are busy!
Last night was the 41st Annual South Burlington School District Arts Festival. Art education teachers across the district displayed the artwork of their students. It was an impressive display! Look at some of these amazing pieces:
English/language arts teachers Elisabeth Siddle and librarian Amy Blauvelt are hosting an FHTMS community read and book discussion. The book, One Last Shot by John David Anderson, is about a middle school boy struggling to find his place in his family and his passion until he discovers miniature golf. Everyone across South Burlington is invited to read along with the students and then join a student-led discussion that will take place on May 24th from 2:15-3:45 in the library at the middle school.
SBHS Coach Matt Powers ran the Boston Marathon on Monday and finished third in the new non-binary division with a time of 2:53:54! Congratulations Coach Matt! I’d also like to recognize Michelle Baker in our business office who ran on Monday, and all SBSD community members who participated in the marathon!
Coach Kevin Downey and students Emma, Molly, and Sage were interviewed on the show Just a Couple of Old Guys to talk about the SBHS snowboarding team and competing in Vermont.
Professional Development Opportunity
OWL (Organic World Language) is hosting their annual Boot Camp at SBHS this summer, from July 31- August 5. The program focuses on the whole teacher through Social and Emotional Learning practices, experiential learning of OWL, methods, and strategies, and implementation of target language, multiliteracies, and community in the classroom. Find more details and sign up here.
The memorial bench dedication for Karsten Schlenter, principal at FHTMS from 2011-2021, will be on Monday, May 1st at 4 pm at the middle school. Everyone is invited to attend.
Hiring Updates
The district is on LinkedIn! Please follow us here for updates on jobs, district news and more!
K-8 Special Education Coordinator
In collaboration with school leadership, coordinates Special Education programming within multi-tiered systems of support and ensures procedural adherence, regulatory and legal compliance.
Promotes student learning and personal growth and works with community members to enhance learning opportunities.
Serves as a Special Education resource for compliance and with intervention models within an MTSS framework
Literacy Coordinator
Supports instruction by providing resources and support for instructional strategies aligned with District initiatives
Leads development and implementation of District-stated shared practices and priorities of PreK-12 literacy curriculum
Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism, and Social Emotional Learning
Serves as an educational leader, in collaboration with staff and administrators, designs learning environments, curriculum, policy, and practices that are equitable and inclusive.
Develop practices that foster community, prevent harm, and address harm through practices of accountability centering on the needs of those harmed. Implement data-driven systems to identify barriers to access and disproportionality in the District. Develop strategies, frameworks, and plans to address inequities. Collaborates with administrators, coaches, and consultants to implement preventative and responsive restorative practices for students.
In collaboration with administrators and leadership teams, design and implement an equitable, trauma-informed, anti-racist, and inclusive behavior system with the inclusion of a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) model for the district.
Bus Drivers & Bus Aides
Transports students over established routes and special trips
Full and part-time positions available
Regular driver’s license for Van Drivers. Commercial Drivers license (CDL) class B, Senior Vermont Operator's license with Vermont School Bus Endorsement needed for Bus Drivers. Training provided to qualifying candidates for special licensure. Substitute positions are also available.
Bus Aides assist in providing safe transportation for assigned students and facilitates good student conduct while in transit.
High School or GED required
Full job descriptions are available on School Spring. If you have questions on hiring processes or on employment, please contact Elissa Galvez, Employment Specialist, egalvez@sbschools.net (802) 652-7247.
Notable Items
- Last fall, VT Secretary of Education Dan French and the AOE announced a new state assessment called Vermont Comprehensive Assessment Program (VTCAP), which includes the English Language Arts (ELA), Math, and Science assessments. ELA and Math will be in grades 3-9 and Science will be in grades 5, 8, and 11. Our district will start assessing students after April Break.
- For families new to School’s Out, registration is open until May 5th. At that time, there will be a lottery (if necessary) to fill the openings at each school. You will then be notified of the status by May 15th. (New families include those on the 2022-2023 waitlist.)
- For School Out’s Summer Camp, registration is open now for all SBSD and non-SBSD families. Use this form to register and please complete all sections. Many weeks already have waitlists, so please take note as you register.
- We are in the process of hiring our Summer School Coordinators and teachers for summer school for grades K-8. Information about summer school registration will be coming shortly. Summer school will start on Monday, July 3rd and end on Thursday, August 3rd.
Notable Dates
April 24-28: Spring Break
May 26: MS/HS Late Start at 10:35 am
Elementary early release at 12:30 pm
May 29: Memorial Day, No School
As a reminder, there will be no newsletter next week due to Spring Vacation. I hope everyone enjoys their break!
Thank you for reading and enjoy the break!
Violet
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