OSSD Safe and Healthy Schools

Dear OSSD Community,

What a wonderful time of year. Students are celebrating the harvest across the district in our Farm to School programs. On October 27 Braintree Elementary School celebrated the grand opening of the Braintree Blossoms Farm Stand. The opening was an amazing success. There is so much math embedded in this project.

Groups of students from across the district enjoyed a live music culture event today at the Chandler Center for the Arts. The learned a little bit of the history of the Garifuna people and enjoyed live music with dancing. Check out the short video below.

Sarah Natvig is leading exciting changes in our school nutrition program. Students across the district have access to breakfast and lunch every day at no cost to families. And students are raving about the delicious and healthy new items being offered.

We offered Flu and Covid Booster Clinics across the district and are grateful for our amazing nursing team. Lots of students and staff accessed these clinics and we hope to have a mild cold and flu season. Student can (and should) continue to wear masks as they and their families prefer.

Randolph Technical Career Center was closed today, Friday, November 4, due to a burst water pipe. The break was caught quickly and our building and grounds team did an outstanding job containing the water to a small area. The spaces look good and will be ready for class on Monday.

We are excited to announce that the OSSD was selected as one of 6 recipients of a $5,000 equity-mini grant. This mini-grant program is a collaboration between the Vermont School Boards Association, the Vermont Superintendents Association, and the Vermont Principals’ Association. The funding was made possible by the BARR Foundation and the Vermont Community Foundation as a part of their efforts to ensure welcoming, equitable, and antiracist communities. OSSD looks forward to using these funds to bring the community together to discuss important topics including the creation of a Portrait of a Graduate.

Our next Community Forum is coming soon. We are planning a work session focused on brainstorming ideas the district may be able to implement that can help bring the school community together.

As we address Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment across the district, we have an important change to announce. Vermont will no longer be participating in SBAC for mandatory state testing, Starting this year, Vermont students will use Cognia for state assessments in English, Mathematics, and Science. You can access the full press release here.

Wishing you a safe and healthy weekend,

Heather Lawler

Assistant Superintendent

Groups of students from Braintree Elementary, Brookfield Elementary, Randolph Elementary, and Randolph Union High School attended a live music performance today at Chandler Center for the Arts. The Garifuna Collective is on tour and gave students a little bit of history of the Garifuna people followed by a lively dance session. We are grateful we had the opportunity to experience a piece of the Garifuna culture right here in Vermont.

The band just wrapped up a residency at Brandeis University, and are currently here in Vermont doing a series of school performances for BarnArts expanded Global Music Residency Program. The Chandler show will be the culmination of their Fall New England tour.

Students across the district have engaged in fire drills and egress drills to practice exiting our school buildings safely in the case of an emergency. In addition to our safety drills, students at Randolph Elementary School enjoyed a visit from the Randolph Village Fire Department last week. Students learned about preventing fires and how to respond in case of an emergency. They also got to meet some Firefighters, aske questions about the equipment, and tour a firetruck.

Students and staff are saying great things about the new and improved food service at our schools! We recently hired a new Head Cook, Patrick O'Meara, for Braintree Elementary. Welcome Patrick!

November Elementary Menu

November RUHS/RTCC Menu

Sarah Natvig,
Director, OSSD Food Service
Orange Southwest School District

Mr. Andrew Scott and Mr. Jeff Green are collaborating on a hands-on Introduction to Electrical Engineering workshop at Randolph Union High School . Here is a picture of them with the morning class.

Students from Randolph Elementary School took a walking field trip to visit Randolph Technical Career Center on Monday. Students got to see some of the technical learning spaces and enjoy some hands on activities. They also got to collect some candy since it was October 31.

We have lots more STEM activities planned across the district for next week in honor of National STEM Day on November 8.

November 8 - National STEM Day

November 9 - RTCC Board Meeting @ RUHS 5- PM

November 9 - OSSD Board Meeting @ RUHS 6 PM

November 10 - 1/2 day for students with Professional Development for teachers & faculty

November 11- Veteran's Day - no school

November 17 - Tentative date for community forum, more details soon

November 23-25 - Thanksgiving Holiday - no school

Here are some national months, weeks, and days:

• Native American Heritage Month - November
• Family Stories Month - November
• National Gratitude Month - November
• World Kindness Day - November 13
• International Stand Up to Bullying Day, November 18

OSSD is comprised of Braintree Elementary School, Brookfield Elementary School, Randolph Elementary School, Randolph Union Middle High School, and Randolph Career and Technical Center. We are committed to providing safe and healthy schools where students have the opportunity to learn and grow.

2022-2023 District School Calendar

Location: 24 Center Street, Randolph, VT 05060
Phone: 802-728-5052