Spaulding High School
Quarter II Newsletter
JROTC Commemorating Veteran's Day
Mrs. Lynn's Parenting & Psychology Class Visits BCEMS
ELL Students with Mrs. Benoit at the BOR
Greetings from Administration
The winter season is now truly upon us, and I wanted to update you all on how we will be handling school closing and delays for this year and the future. For the past several years, James Taffel has collaborated with Dr. Bacon to gather information, make a decision, and communicate that decision regarding a school closing or delay. James and I are in the process of transitioning that role over to me, as I live much closer to Barre than Dr. Bacon did. I would like to thank James for his role in the past and for the continued support he will provide me as I get up to speed in this critically important task. Safety is our primary concern; we consider the safety of the road conditions for our school buses, our student drivers, our parent drivers, and our staff in making a weather related decision.
I am providing an outline of how the process works to make a decision:
1. Prior to a “weather event” and early in the morning of an event, we gather information in the following manner:
· We look at forecasts from a variety of sources well in advance.
· We contract with Roger Hill to provide regular updates and consultation, both prior to and on the morning of events.
· We communicate with the road crews and/or police departments for both Barre Town and Barre City.
· We communicate with other school superintendents in the region to coordinate closing/delay decisions when it makes sense, realizing localized conditions and other factors may necessitate different decisions for different SUs and districts.
2. Our goal is to have a decision made by 5:30am.
· This is not always possible, as there are a lot of things happening quickly.
· Most often, Roger makes a recommendation and we follow it, as he gets automatic input from many sources and has expertise we do not. The models that Roger has access to are much more detailed and specific to localized areas than the websites that we have available. Roger considers what has happened, what is happening currently and what is most likely to happen as the day goes on. It is rare that our own information does not align with his recommendation.
· If Roger’s recommendation has not come out yet by 5:30am, we wait a little longer.
· If we feel like we have information and circumstances that requires a different decision than Roger recommends, we review everything again carefully before making that decision.
3. Once a decision is made to delay or close, we communicate in the following ways:
· We initiate a “Call Em All” through the phone system
· We contact the media
· We send out an email to each schools “-everyone” list
· We post on Facebook, web pages, and phone greetings
· We contact the police and road crews
· We contact the Food and Bus service companies
Once school is in session, we use a similar process of data-driven collaborative decision making to determine if an early release or cancellation of after school activities is necessary, always making safety our top consideration. For all of these cancellations, delays, and early releases our goal is to coordinate as much as makes sense among our schools. With that said, when circumstances dictate different decisions for our different schools we will absolutely make those decisions, again with safety as our top priority.
The decision to delay or cancel is extremely important for everyone’s safety. We take it very seriously. Given the nature of how unpredictable weather is, there is no guarantee that we can make the correct decision every time, but we do our absolute best. Please help us by being patient and understanding, and providing appropriate and constructive feedback.
Sincerely,
John PandolfoParent and Student Resources
Naviance - Parent & Student Portal for College & Career Readiness
Tide Pride - School Bulletin
Infinite Campus - Parent or Student Portal
SPOTLIGHT - OUR COMMUNITY MATTERS
National Honor Society Members
Community Members Enjoy a Festive Feast
Senior Elf, Mr. K with NHS Elves
Under the direction of Mrs. Carpenter & Mr. Liff, our National Honor Society Advisers, students have spent a majority of the semester giving back to the community through a variety of service projects. One in particular that is dear to our hearts is the annual Holiday Dinner. This annual event began through the spirit of Greg Pinard, a former educator of Spaulding who taught Math, Driver's Education, and served as an Administrator during Summer school sessions. He truly believed in not only giving back to the community, but helping individuals who were less fortunate.
As noted by Marilyn Gray, retiree of Spaulding and now employed part time as an assistant librarian, "this was who he was... generous, willing to help not only his colleagues, but also students who may often be lost among the crowd." These sentiments were also echoed in the voice of former Spaulding High School English teacher and coach, Dan Rapalje who was good friends with the 'wind', a term used fondly in describing his presence. According to Rap, Mr. Pinard helped a Chinese family and their sons establish their roots here in the 1980s while Rap was a member of the City Council. The 'wind' helped them with their food business and acclimating to Barre, but more importantly he 'continued to be a supportive force when the boys lost their entire family due to a tragic car accident.'
In turn, members of National Honor Society will continue to help their community willingly and honor Mr. Pinard who passed away in the Summer of 2015 through the holiday dinner. In the words of Kate Paterson, Class of 2016 'establishing relationships with people in our community are important and hearing their stories from that night was bitter sweet as the evening ended and we had to say goodbye... there is so much more we can do as a community.'
One might say due to the warm weather around Christmas time, the 'wind' was present through the halls of Spaulding...
SPREADING TIDE PRIDE
Josselyn Blakely: On a Mission
Her missions take her to cities up and down the eastern seaboard to help people in need.
During Josselyne’s four years at Spaulding she has participated in four such Barre Congregational Church-sponsored missions, including Atlanta, Providence, Boston, and Miami.
Last year’s eight-day mission to Atlanta was especially memorable for the Barre participants. “Every day was different for us,” she reports, “every day a different church to stay at and a different organization to help.”
One such organization was an African aid group that, among many other projects, gathered used soap from hotels throughout Atlanta. “We collected the soap and molded it into huge blocks,” she said, “which we then cut up into smaller packages for shipment to countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya where thousands die every year from simple diseases that can be prevented with regular use of anti-bacterial soap.”
Another day in Atlanta the group visited numerous churches in the morning to pass out sandwiches to homeless people who were just leaving their evening shelters.
This coming summer the bilingual Josselyne is hoping to travel to El Salvador with a group from the Bethany Church in Montpelier, and next year while at college (in a heath services program at UVM or Emmanuel College) she expects to help out a few missions in a supervisory role.
A three-sport athlete in soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse, Josselyne also serves as treasurer for the Student Council, and -- surprise, surprise --also serves on the council’s Community Service Committee. - Jim Higgins
Jeff Gagne: Trees, Javelins, and Pickled Veggies
The theme is first seen in Jeff’s long time seasonal job. Every summer he and his father grow vegetables on their land in Graniteville, which they pickle and sell at the Randolph farmer’s market.
The theme is more recently seen in Jeff’s role as senior class treasurer.
Among other duties he’s coordinating the class gift, and this one may outlive all of us. It’s going to be a maple tree planted near the student parking lot.
“I’m working with the Natural Resources and Sustainability class,” he said, “to help locate a suitable tree – either a red or sugar maple – and then transplant it with their assistance.”
Jeff says the tree is a replacement for a maple tree that was killed several years ago when an unknown driver bashed into it. “The new placement of the tree,” he says, “will definitely be out of reach of any careless drivers.”
Meanwhile, like many seniors, he’s mulling over his college plans.
Heading the short list is Norwich University, “the civilian side,” he adds.
This spring, at about the time hoeing and planting begins for all those later-to-be pickled vegetables, Jeff can also be seen behind the school digging up another kind of dirt. He’ll be with the track and field team enjoying his favorite sport, the javelin throw. - Jim Higgins
Shelby Jewett: From fast horses to fast lanes
Athletically, she’s also a tennis player and will co-captain the Spaulding team again this year, along with fellow senior Emily Boisvert.
Scholastically, she’s an honors student who may go to Colby-Sawyer College, but is still waiting to hear from two universities in Washington, D.C. - American and George Washington.
“I’m passionate about politics,” she says, “so I’ll major in political science, and then eventually head to to law school.”
But getting back to those fabulous horses.
At a young age, Shelby began riding at her grandparent’s farm in East Barre. “My family grew up around horses and I grew to love them and wanted to do more so I competed in a few shows here and there and I was really hooked and kept going with it.”
Has she ever fallen off a horse? “Just once when very young,” she says,
“but it wasn’t a bad fall.” Then she chuckles and adds, “They say, if you don’t fall off a horse, then you don’t ride enough.”
Here’s how barrel racing it goes: the rider races into the arena at top speed and proceeds to dash in and around three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern.
The better the horse and rider “hug the barrels” the faster the time.
To perform this intense race well under the extreme pressure of a ticking clock demands strength, guts, and exquisite teamwork between horse and rider.
It’s hard to imagine Shelby can find a better preparation for life in the fast line of politics. - Jim Higgins
FRIENDLY REMINDERS from ADMINISTRATION
Update Your Contact Information for Weather Announcements
To ensure that we have accurate information on file, please send your contact number, along with your name (first and last name) and son's/daughter's name (first and last name) in the form of an email to Mrs. Cross at ccrosshs@u61.net, so you can be on the automated call system. Please indicate in this correspondence that your number is either a cellphone or home number.
If adverse weather conditions cause the school to be closed or delayed, an announcement will be made by the superintendent by 6:30am through our automated notification system. Additionally, you may check local radio stations (WSNO, WORK, WSKI, WNCS, or WDEV), television stations (WCAX or WPTZ) or our website at www.shsbtc.org.
If the opening of school is delayed, the school will follow the late start bell schedule. The building will open at 9:30am and Block 1 will begin at 9:40am. If it is determined that road conditions will not be improving, an announcement cancelling school for the day will be made by 8:30am.
SAVE THE DATE - Public Forum for Act 46
Tuesday, Jan 12, 2016, 06:00 PM
155 Ayers Street, Barre, VT, United States
Start Thinking About the 2016-2017 Academic Year
In the coming weeks, students will be meeting with their counselors to review a program of study that meets their educational or career goals. Parents/guardians are welcome to join their son or daughter for that discussion.
Prior to that meeting, students are strongly encouraged to discuss course options with their current teachers. Course selections will be based upon student and parental requests, teacher recommendations, and students’ aptitude and interests. You may schedule a meeting by contacting the guidance department at 476-6411. Appointment windows are outlined below.
Class of 2017 – February 15th – March 4th
Class of 2018 - March 7th – March 11th
Class of 2019 - March 14th – March 18th
Class 0f 2020 – March 21st – March 22nd @ Barre Town
March 23rd – March 24th @ Barre City
Here is the link to the 2015-2016 Program of Studies that can help you begin with your planning:
http://shsbtc.org/joomla/images/pdfs/guidance/1415%20POS.pdf
but please note the 2016-2017 Program of Studies will be coming out shortly and an updated link will be on the Spaulding High School Website for you to access.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Senior Mid-Year Grade Release Forms Due Date - Wednesday, Jan. 13th to Mrs. Cross from Guidance
VSAC Financial Aids Form Night - Thursday, Jan. 14th at 5:30pm in the Computer Lab
R U Ready 4 Make a Wish Hockey - Saturday, Jan. 16th starting at 3:30 at the BOR
No School for Students - Monday, Jan. 18th due to an In Service Day
CVCC Presentation for Exploratory Tech Program for Potential 9th Graders - Friday, Jan. 29th at the beginning of Block 2
Think Pink: Cancer Awareness Games - Wednesday, Feb. 3rd - Friday, Feb. 5th at the Boys Hockey Game and the Varsity Girls & Boys Basketball Games
Mid Winter Break: No School for Students - Saturday, Feb. 20th to Tuesday, Mar. 1st
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test - Tuesday, Feb. 12th at 1:30pm
Project Graduation Meeting - Thursday, Mar. 3rd in the Chorus Room
Scholar's Bowl - Friday, Mar. 4th at Spaulding High School
SAVE THE DATE - SEMESTER 1 FINAL EXAMS
Wednesday, January 13
Block 1: 9:30-11:00 am (Break 11:00-11:30)
Block 2: 11:30 am-1:00 pm
Morning Block: 1:15pm - 2:45pm
Thursday, January 14
Block 3/3B: 9:30-11:00 am (Break 11:00-11:30)
Block 4: 11:30 am-1:00 pm
Friday, January 15
Exam Make-Up Day Times to be arranged between student and teacher
Wednesday, Jan 13, 2016, 09:30 AM
155 Ayers Street, Barre, VT, United States
SPOTLIGHT - MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Future Flyin' Ryans
For the past few years, students have embraced Ryan's Core Principles For Living by passing it on. Recently, members, such as Natasha Chase, Olivia Tosi, Caitlin Mahoney, Makayla Hough, Nicole Rea, Erika Felch, Sierra Metcalf and Zoe MacDonald spent time with residents at Rowan Court by singing a few holiday carols and giving them homemade holiday cards that added a smile on everyone's faces.
In addition, they have spent an enormous amount of time raising awareness on what it means to be kind to others within the school community and demonstrating what that means in either a community banner, by sending cards to local veterans, and even spending the time to cheer up a 10 year old girl, named Sa’fyre Terry by sending get well cards, a t shirt , and wrist band because she had sustained severe burns from a house fire in 2013.
Flyin' Ryan would be honored to know that our students are trying to be the best friend that they can be and are looking out for others, which reflect two of his core principles.
Warriors Walk Amongst Us
During the Summer of 2015, three young ladies from Spaulding High School, Chloe Anderson, Autumn Wheeler, and Brittany Wood attended the National SADD Conference in Nashville, TN. This particular conference enabled them and their peers across the nation to develop strategies that empower them and enable them to make healthy decisions in life.
In particular, these three were moved by the opening speaker, Calvin Terrell from the Social Centric Institute. His mission is to help educators, students which he refers as scholars, law enforcement, and families build better relationships, especially for individuals who live in the same community. For almost twenty years, he has spent time working with communities across the nation in order to raise awareness not only about diversity, but more importantly how meaningful relationships can be built or rebuilt within a community.
Clearly his presentation at the National SADD Conference had profound affect on Chloe, Autumn, and Brittany because they strongly believed our community needed him. They wanted Calvin to come and "open" up the eyes of our student body, along with reminding the school community that “one’s actions and words can hurt and change someone’s lives forever.” They hoped the school would welcome Calvin and listen to his words carefully, which in fact was evident by the number of individuals who remained seated after the bell rang at the end of the day. In the words of Chloe Lamphere, “Impressive that no one got up and left,” along the warm reception he received from several scholars who met with him during the school day.
These actions demonstrated by our own scholars and educators shows we are moving forward and one of the goals that the ladies hoped for is happening. In the words of Calvin, we need more warriors like them who are willing to lead and do something as simple as say “hello.”
Music Makers
Under the guidance of former alum, Bobby Booth, Class of 2000 who returned to his alma mater to be the Band Director and newbie, Rebecca Elgood, our students enjoy a mix of traditional musical instruction, but also gain exposure to new forms of music and different cultures.
This particular aspect is greatly appreciated by Luke Krupa, Class of 2017 who was enrolled in Ms. Elgood's African Drumming Course. According to Luke who had limited musical training and knowledge, he was surprised by how much he liked his experience and attributes it to Ms. Elgood's love for music, her patience and determination to teach him something new, but also her open and honest approach to learning. This sentiment was also echoed by Freshman, Makalya Boisvert, Class of 2019 who is currently a year long student in Chorus with Ms. Elgood. "It's such a good way to start my morning and just having her to lead us is great."
Even second year musician Grayson Glosser, Class of 2016 wishes he had started years before like his other peers who started in 5th Grade. He too found his experience rewarding and cites an experience from the recent Winter Concert when learning the piece entitled Tricycle by Andrew Boysen.
Encouraging others to join, Grayson states, 'Bobby is very enthusiastic about particular pieces... he has high expectations and he sees the potential talent in everyone.' He recommends fellow classmates to give Bobby a chance and realize that it is not too late to learn how to play an instrument.
CONGRATULATIONS
The Sugarbush Student Achievement Program rewards current students who achieved high honors at least 3 out of 4 terms for the 2014-2015 academic year. This program rewards hard working students while also giving other students an incentive to achieve more. Their hope is to foster a stronger relationship between schools and communities. This year 29 Spaulding students were presented with a Sugarbush ski pass!
Juniors: William Bigglestone, Cody Gosselin, Isaac Hilton-VanOsdall, Dom Lacasse, Kaylee Martin, Savanna Ouellette, Gianna Somarriba, Christopher Toborg, & Adam Tosi
Sophomores: Alison Ahearn, Katelyn Alger, Anna Beach, Lauryn Bedard, Jesse Bryans, Connor Coache, Kayla Crowningshield, Logan Kennedy, Megan MacIver, Rachel Maurice, Joshua Morrill, Stella Otis, Whitney Renaud, Sarah Rouleau, Logan Taylor, & Cassidy Whitley
Congratulations and happy skiing and riding!
Spaulding High School Unified Bowling Earns Several Medals
Bronze Medal Recipients: Noah Driscoll, Tyler Greenslit, MaKayla Hough, & Valery Weston
Congratulations to our athletes and keep the competitive spirit alive!
Thank You Community Sponsors and Local Supporters
Food Preparation and Ingredients: Mrs. Brennan from English, CVCC Students & Chef McSheffrey, Fitz Vogt, Ms. Jessica Kulis from Learning Services, Ms. Jankowski from Learning Services, & Mrs. Saldi from English
Holiday Gifts: Andrea Bixler, Mr. Eaton and his Mom from Fine Arts, Ms. Cloutier and her brother from Learning Services, Maddy Cooley, Marilyn Gray & Joan Shedd from the Library, Mr. LaPoint from Science, Mr. Lewis from History & Social Sciences, Allison Morrow, & Ms. Wigren from English
Preparation, Clean Up, & Transportation: Miss Haley & Nancy LeBlanc from Transportation and Spaulding High School Members of JROTC
We are very fortunate to have a community that cares and is willing to help out.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Carpenter, Mr. Liff, & the Spaulding High School National Honor Society