School Newsletter
Quarter III - Spring 2019
Democracy in Action
For the Love of Poetry
Aladdin: Serving Up Healthy Treats
MESSAGE from ADMINISTRATION
Why So Many Votes?
During this time of transition, this is a question which is being frequently asked of our Town and City Clerks, Town and City Officers, School Board members, and me.
Under the forced merger process defined by Acts 46 and 49, there are two required votes and one optional vote:
OPTIONAL - To amend the Default Articles of Agreement. THIS VOTE OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 19.
REQUIRED - To elect a School Board for the New Union District. THIS VOTE IS WARNED FOR APRIL 9.
REQUIRED - To approve a budget for the next school year. THIS VOTE IS TENTATIVELY PLANNED FOR MAY 14.
Prior to the forced merger, Barre City and Barre Town each voted two times (in November 2016 and November 2018) whether to merge voluntarily, and Barre Town voters twice filed petitions forcing reconsideration votes (in January 2017 and January 2019).
Additionally, the current district boards of the Barre City School District, Barre Town School District, and Spaulding Union High School District need to continue operating our schools through June 30, 2019.
In turn, Elections will take place on Tuesday, April 9 in both Barre City and Barre Town. Petitions for school director seats were available from the Barre City and Barre Town clerks, as well as at the Barre Supervisory Union Office. Petitions were submitted by the end of business day on Monday, March 11th to the appropriate clerk’s office; at-large petitions can be submitted to either clerk.
If our initial budget vote passes this Spring, we will not need to have any additional school votes and we will hopefully have only have one school vote per year after that.
- John Pandolfo, Superintendent of Schools
SAVE the DATE: Voting
Tuesday, Apr 9, 2019, 07:00 AM
Barre, Vermont
STUDENT and PARENT RESOURCES
SAVE the DATE: In House Scholarships
Applications must be completed and returned to the Guidance Office by 3:00 p.m. on April 10, 2019. Applications will not be accepted after that time.
Wednesday, Apr 10, 2019, 03:00 PM
Spaulding High School, Ayers Street, Barre, VT, USA
SPOTLIGHT on STUDENTS
Many Parts at Play
Kai Morse is far more than the sum of her parts.
Some of Kai’s parts include Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother, a gangster, a long-tongued gossip, the Mysterious Man, and a slew of sidekicks in half-a-dozen plays put on by the Drama Club, under the direction of Spaulding alum, Alison Norcross.
Another theatrical part that Kai, a junior, especially enjoys playing is…herself. That happens when the Drama Club’s one-act play director, history teacher Katie Saint Raymond, convinces her actors to relax and be themselves.
“In lots of scenes,” Kai says, “she’ll tell us, ‘Do what feels right; be your characters.’ That has helped us get much deeper into our roles.”
The results are impressive. The school won a recent regional one-act play competition and a berth in the state tournament.
Kai, whose four siblings are all younger, possesses other “parts” that are not theatrical, but push her into a larger sum. These include president of her class, and participation in the Gender and Sexuality Alliance, Student Council, Rotary Youth Leadership, and the Trivia Club, which competes in the annual statewide Scholars’ Bowl.
We’re not done yet. A big part of Kai’s future plans include “getting lost.”
“I know why people want to stay close to home and what they know,” she says, “but I’ve lived in Vermont all my life and it’s very hard to get lost here. Eventually, usually quickly, you find your way. But there’s a much bigger world out there, and I want to go someplace I can get lost in, but not in a bad way.”
That place, for Kai, is the West Coast. On her present radar screen are Oregon State, Seattle University, and UCLA, all of which have excellent marine biology programs, her intended major.
Why marine biology?
“I grew up in a science-oriented home,” she says, “and ever since I was a child I’ve been drawn to the ocean and marine biology. Also, my uncle is into marine and freshwater biology, so that probably influenced me a bit.”
When asked what advice she would give her four younger sibs when they enter high school, she offered up words of wisdom that befit her perfectly: “If you never challenge yourself you won’t get anywhere.”-Jim Higgins
A Jump Ahead
Three inches.
Three inches plus one of those little lines on the ruler. That’s all Nick Norwood needs to break the Spaulding long-jump record of 19’-2”.
“That’s my best event,” he says. And he aims to set a new record before he graduates. To that end he’s focusing on workouts to strengthen his legs. “I’m also eating very healthy; it keeps me energized.”
Nick, a junior who’s participated in track all three years, hopes to land a track scholarship; both Plymouth State and Castleton are on his current radar. “That’s become a strong motivator,” he says.
But he’s no one-trick pony.
Nick also competed in the high jump, the 55-meter dash, the 200-meter indoor relay and the 100-meter outdoor relay, coming tantalizingly close to setting several school records. Additionally he earned the highest number of points on a stellar team that came in third in D-2. “I might try the decathlon next year,” he says. “It sounds fun.”
Nick also played football this year for the first time. He was a middle linebacker on the JV team with hopes to become a wide receiver next year on varsity.
“I want to demonstrate to colleges that I’m very athletic,” he says. To complement that package he had a training session with a professional coach from West Point this past season. “He helped me out,” said Nick, “with techniques and fundamentals.”
College coaches might also like the fact that Nick is not idle between athletic seasons. He’s presently running sugar lines at Templeton Farm in East Calais, with more farm work possible this summer.
Academically, Nick is also running up his stats. He’s earned honor roll for three straight quarters this year, plus he’s already laser focused on a college major and career goal – athletic training.
His advice to students coming up sounds much like what he’ll likely say to his upcoming athletic training clients: “Listen to your teachers, do your work, and make friends, because they’ll help motivate you and support you when things get tough.”-JH
Game, Set, Match
She began playing tennis in ninth grade, about the time when coach Kelly Cleveland began resurrecting the squad into a formidable competitor on the circuit.
Megan played No. 2 doubles her freshman year. The following year she was promoted to No. 1 doubles. Last year she alternated between 1st dubs and 5th singles. This year, as co-captain, she’s hoping to land a spot on singles, either 3 or 4.
“I definitely want to step up in singles,” she says, “it’s more challenging. I’m ready for it.”
Megan has put in the time. “I’ve worked all four years with Scott Barker, (the teaching pro at First in Fitness), both one-on-one and clinics. I know I can still do better.”
She even admits to “mostly” learning how to control her competitive temper under Barker’s tutelage. “I only get mad at myself now, “she laughs, “and only in tennis.”
Megan has also been a stalwart community-oriented student, logging four years with the Key Club, Student Council, Drama Club, and Math Club.
A big part of the Student Council, for example, is helping with the church-run community breakfasts.
“I just enjoy getting out there to help,” she says. “I learn a lot from the folks who attend the breakfasts, and in turn, I think they learn from us that the younger generation still wants to be of service and help them succeed.”
Although Megan will enter college next year with an “undeclared” major she leans strongly toward the sciences and math.
“Those subjects intrigue me,” she says, crediting her teachers with sparking that interest, especially in biology.
She narrowed the possible schools down to two, Castleton University and SUNY-Plattsburgh. Castleton, though, appears to be the frontrunner. “I love how Castleton is its own little place, but still connected to everything. And the town is so welcoming.”
Wherever she lands, she’s got a Plan A. “First, of course, is focusing on school work, getting it down,” she says, “but I also want to have a balance of hanging out with friends and doing stuff I want to do. Also, it’s important I stay in touch with family. I don’t want to get too far away from them.”
Well, she’ll have four years to nail that plan, but unlike with her high school tennis career where she’s launched at No. 2 doubles, she’s now launching her college career from the high end of the singles line-up. -JH
ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHTS
Cultivating a College & Career Ready Culture
Our mission at Spaulding High School is to prepare students for success in an ever changing world.
Through our partnership with Vermont State Assistance Corporation's (VSAC) Aspirations Project, we will examine our "college and career culture" and prepare students to be college and career ready post graduation.
In its 5th year, the VSAC’s Aspirations Project works to "increase post secondary aspiration and continuation rates." Spaulding High School was selected in 2018 and we are among five other schools to be a part of this project. Other Aspirations Project schools are Bellows Falls Union High School, Hazen Union High School, Twinfield Union High School, and Central Vermont Career Center.
According to Tiffany Tillman, VSAC’s Aspirations Project Coordinator, "the goal of this project is to support SHS in cultivating a career and college going culture and to ensure all students have the opportunities and information needed to make the best decision for them about their future."
The Steering Committee is compromised of Laurie Berryman, Olga Benoit, Jayson Capobianco, Jim Ferland, Ry Hoffman, Michelle LaFrancis, & Ben Merril who is working with Tiffany Tillman to assess Spaulding's culture and create an action plan that can help the school.
Over the next few years, information and programming should be readily available for our community that includes the following:
- parent informational events
- college and career newsletters for families
- college field trips & college and career readiness workshops during Advisory
- PLP workshops
- professional development for staff, so they can assist students as they navigate with their planning for post-secondary aspirations and more.
As Tiffany stated, ‘Our hope is that when we leave the schools in the next 2-3 years, the work that we do together will stay.’
To learn more about Tiffany's work, feel free to contact her at Tiffany at tillman@vsac.org or shs-project@u61.net.
Email: Tillman@vsac.org
Website: https://www.vsac.org/about/how-we-create-opportunities
Location: 155 Ayers Street, Barre, VT, USA
Phone: 802-476-4811
SPREADING TIDE PRIDE
Advanced Choir
New Engalnd Music Festival Participants
A Night of Celebration
Performing Like a Pro
Advanced Choir requires students to be able to read music and have some musicality because it further challenges them around the fundamentals of singing, sight-reading, and music notation.
Although in recent months, their focus has been within the building, which has heightened school climate. These performances have allowed students to serenade and learn about a variety of styles and genres of music including classical, pop, Broadway, folk, and world music. As noted by Mrs. Cross and Mrs. Portelance who requisitioned Advanced Choir to perform for Mr. Hoffman's birthday, "we were so captivated that we just did not think about taking a picture. The performance was great, beautiful harmonies!"
And students like Brandon Brunner is in agreement. He too enjoys the opportunity to practice and perform in the morning with not only with his peers, but for others.
This is clearly evident because like Brandon, Jack Dodd and David Toborg radiate positive energy about the program. Like Brandon, they were selected to represent Spaulding High School this past March at the New England Music Festival, which is in its 92nd year and continues to be an inspirational experience for all.
According to Jack Dodd, the experience was 'amazing' and to be among so many talented people who actually enjoyed singing. He noted, in particular, how wonderful the people were and cited how a group bursted with a rendition of Happy Birthday to him because it was his birthday during the festival.
In turn, it is evident in every note, every song, and performance, the impact upon others is great.
SAVE the DATE: Spring Vacation
Friday, Apr 12, 2019, 03:15 PM
Spaulding High School, Ayers Street, Barre, VT, USA
ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHTS
Champion Carter Dickinson
Never Pinned Down
Coach of the Year, Darren O'Meara
Not Giving Up Without a Fight
With Darren O'Meara as the lead coach, a wave of crimson and navy have hit the mats within the state, thus causing concern among the wrestling community.
Individuals like Carter Dickinson, Hunter Quero, and Hunter Chase, along with newbie, Nick Pierce, have been fierce contenders in their respective weight class. Their pride has proved to be an unwavering force to be reckoned with and others are taking notice.
As a result of their efforts, five Spaulding wrestlers: Carter Dickinson, Matt Durgin, Hunter Quero, Colton Perkins, & Nick Pierce went to the New England Championships.
And they were just thrilled about this, especially knowing that many of them would be returning next year; more determined and powerful. According to Hunter Chase, "we had a great season and we are geared up to return even stronger, especially against Mt. Anthony."
Indeed one can say, support among their families, coaches, and teammates did not falter because the continuous cheering and chanting kept their heads in the game.
SAVE the DATE: Senior Class Meeting - Caps & Gowns
If you have Band C for lunch, please go to Band B.
Friday, May 17, 2019, 12:00 PM
Spaulding High School, Ayers Street, Barre, VT, USA
CONGRATULATIONS
Changemakers within Our Community
SAVE the DATE: Advanced Placement Exams
The following is a list of dates & times for Advanced Placement Exams. Testing locations within the school will be announced. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Hoffman at rhoffshs@u61.net.
Monday, May 6th
8:00 am - US Government and Politics
Tuesday, May 7th
8:00 am - Spanish Language and Culture
Noon - Physics 1: Algebra-Based
Wednesday, May 8th
8:00 am - English Literature and Composition
Thursday, May 9th
Noon - Psychology
Friday, May 10th
8:00 am - US History
Monday, May 13th
8:00 am - Biology
Tuesday, May 14th
8:00 am - Calculus AB
Wednesday, May 15th
8:00 am - English Language and Composition
Noon - Macroeconomics
Thursday, May 16th
Noon - Statistics
Friday, May 17th
8:00 am - Microeconomics