| | Dear MUHS Community,
It's hard to believe we are already through the second week of school. It was a fun week, but a hot one. We are grateful for this break in temps.
This newsletter is packed with information. Please be sure to scan below for important details about the add/drop deadline for fall semester courses, the Panorama social-emotional learning surveys we will be implementing in the weeks ahead, and much more.
We look forward to seeing many of you at our Open House on Tuesday.
Warmly,
Caitlin Steele, Principal
Ben Weir, Assistant Principal Sean Farrell, Activities Director | | | If you were at last night's football game, you know that we had a long delay for weather. Once the game started, we allowed it to continue even though we could see lightning in the distance. Is that safe?
It's important to know that throughout the evening, officials were using the Thor Guard Lightning Prediction and Warning System to assess risk and inform decisions. While the system reported a "Red Alert," we required athletes and spectators to wait in buildings or cars for safety. When the alert changed to "All Clear," we told the teams they could suit up. In the last few minutes of the third quarter, the alert changed to "Caution," and that is when we made the decision to call the game at the end of the quarter.
If the system had returned to "Red Alert" at any time, we would have called the game immediately. If we didn't have that technology, we would not have even started. | | | The MUHS Open House will be held on Tuesday, September 12th from 5:30-8:00pm. Family members will have a chance to visit odd day classes (blocks 1, 3, 5, and 7) followed by even day classes (blocks 2, 4, 6, and 8), with some breakout and table sessions in between.
5:30 - 8:00pm Pick up Student Schedules and Maps in Cafeteria
5:30pm Start of Block 1
6:35-7:00pm Various Sessions:
- Grade 10 Personal Project - Grade 12 Senior Year - Table Sessions (DP, VSAC, etc.)
7:05pm Start of Block 2
We hope to see you there! | | | Next Wednesday, 9/13, marks the last day of the Add/ Drop period for semester 1 courses. If students wish to make changes to a first semester class, they must contact their school counselor to discuss these changes by the end of the day on Wednesday. The school counselor caseloads are listed below.
For full-year courses, students officially have until October 2nd to make changes. However, additions within the first four weeks of a course are dependent on space availability and whether the addition is academically feasible. Students may be expected to make up all missed work in added courses. Please reach out to your school counselor with any questions!
| | | | | Panorama SurveyAs parents, teachers, and caregivers, we know that social emotional learning (SEL) is crucial for our students’ success in school and in life. To support this learning, we first need to understand how students are doing. Last year, a group of teachers and administrators identified research-backed SEL measurement tools and selected the Panorama surveys. This year, we will again be using Panorama as a tool. The survey will be given a total of three times (fall, winter, spring), and it takes students about 10-15 minutes to complete. We will use the data we collect to reflect on student learning and strengthen our programs and instruction to help all students succeed.
In the next month, district-wide we will provide a survey to our K-12 students. Students in 3rd-12th grades will self-reflect on skills related to self-management, self-awareness, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness. For grades K-2, teachers will complete a much shorter survey on the same topics about each student in their class. We ask that all students participate, because their feedback will provide valuable insights to help us improve and adapt our district to support all students.
Please notify us if you wish to opt your child out of taking the survey by emailing Emaly Bessette (ebessette@acsdvt.org) with your child’s name, grade, and class by September 15, 2023.
Thank you in advance for supporting this important work. If you have any questions please contact your school principal or Courtney Krahn, Director of Teaching and Learning (ckrahn@acsdvt.org; 820-382-1276). | | | Upperclassmen Privileges in Free BlocksGrade 11 and 12 students may arrive at school prior to their first class and leave school grounds only after their last class of the day. During unscheduled blocks, grade 11-12 students may use the Library, Commons, Cafeteria, and Courtyard. Parents/guardians who want to restrict their student from these privileges should notify the School Counseling Department so that grade 11-12 students are scheduled into guided studies. | Grade 11/12 Diploma Program NewsAll students enrolled in Year 2 of a DP course have been surveyed to find out if they plan to earn an IB course certificate. The Diploma Program Coordinator must have this information by the end of next week. If your child is in a Year 2 class, please remind them to check their school email and fill out this survey. | Executive Functioning Series for Juniors and SeniorsWe will be hosting a three part series on executive functioning topics over the next three weeks. Grade 11 and 12 full diploma candidates are required to attend. All other grade 11 and 12 students are welcome to attend if they are interested in learning more about these topics. The topics include time management (Sept. 14th), study skills (Sept. 21st) and anti-procrastination (Sept. 28th). See more information below. |  | | | April Break Adventures in New York CityThis April break, the Language and Literature Department will sponsor a “Visual Arts Analysis” tour of New York City. The trip will follow a 3-night, 4-day itinerary that will include two Broadway shows, several museums, a ferry ride to and tour of Ellis Island, a walking architectural tour, among other exciting activities.
If your student is interested, please contact Ben Krahn for more details: bkrahn@acsdvt.org.
There will be an official informational and sign-up meeting on Google Meet on Thursday, September 14th, at 6:00PM. Sign up for the meeting here. | Apply to be a YES Ambassador!The Youth Environmental Summit brings together middle and high school students and environmental professionals from across Vermont about environmental issues. The organizers are looking for students in grades 8-12 who want to help with YES! Ambassadors will do the following:
Attend a virtual meeting on 9/26 at 7:00 pm Promote the event in our Middlebury community and encourage students in grades 6-12 to attend the summit (to be held on October 27 in Barre). The summit will be begin at 8:00 am in Barre on 10/27
Apply by September 21. You will receive an email by September 23 if you have been accepted. Apply online here. | | | Varsity VolleyballOn Thursday, our first-ever Varsity Volleyball team made their home debut. The Tigers won against visiting team Rice Memorial, making them 3-0 so far this season. The Tiger team designated their first home match as their Mental Health Awareness game. They collaborated with the Middlebury College Women’s Volleyball Team to create warm up t-shirts and spread their message of “One Midd” united together to remind everyone that It is OKAY to Not Be OKAY. Members of the MUHS chapter of Hope Happens Here handed out You Are Loved bracelets and lollipops to fans.
We wish all of our student athletes the best of luck this fall season. |  | BRAVE ChallengeBRAVE Challenge is an obstacle course race designed for people with cognitive, developmental, physical and emotional disabilities. Obstacles will be modified to fit the needs of all individuals. Athletes will have the ability to choose their own challenge as BRAVE will provide different levels of difficulty at each obstacle. Brave Challenge will give people with disabilities the opportunity to step out of their comfort zone and compete against others in a one of a kind setting.
The BRAVE Challenge event is on September 24. Interested students are encouraged to attend an information session on September 13 at 3:15 in the Learning Lab. | | | Women Can Do - Vermont Works for WomenWomen Can Do is an annual career exploration conference that gives high school girls hands-on exposure to STEM and trades career opportunities and pathways. This event is organized by Vermont Works for Women and will be held on the Randolph campus of Vermont State University in early October. We will be sponsoring a field trip to encourage girls, and those who identify as female, to register. Meet with industry professionals, try new things, and explore options available to you! Permission slips are available in the School Counseling Office and must be returned by Monday, September 11. See your school counselor or Sarah Soule with any questions.
| College FairThe school counseling team will sponsor a field trip for interested juniors and seniors to attend the College Fair being held at St. Michael’s College in Colchester on Thursday, September 21. Approximately 250 colleges and universities will be in attendance and students will have the opportunity to meet personally with admission representatives. We will also have lunch in the St. Michael’s dining hall and tour their campus. Please stop in the School Counseling Office for a permission slip, see your school counselor or Sarah Soule, for more information. The cost to participate is $5 to cover the cost of lunch. Fee waivers are available for those who are eligible. Permission slips must be returned by Friday, September 15. | College Information NightSave the date - Monday, September 25 at 6:00 pm! The school counseling team will host Sam Prouty, Director of Admissions at Middlebury College, for an informational program highlighting the process of searching for colleges, creating a college list, a discussion of essays, and more. This is NOT a focus on admission to Middlebury but an overall review of college admissions. This is geared specifically for our juniors, seniors, and their parents and guardians, but is open to all members of the MUHS community. Please see your school counselor or Sarah Soule with any questions. | Virtual College FairJuniors and Seniors who would like to learn more about a wide range of institutions are invited to attend a virtual event on either September 10 or September 17. Join senior level admission officers from Claremont McKenna College, Colorado College, Connecticut College, Grinnell College, Haverford College, Kenyon College, Macalester College and Sarah Lawrence College to learn more. Hear directly about the admission process, financial aid, essays, college life and academic offerings. Students, parents and guardians are invited to participate, to register: https://8ofthebestcolleges.org/student-programs/ | College and University Visits to MUHSVisits are open to juniors and seniors and are held in the School Counseling Office’s Conference Room. Students must have a pass in order to attend. One can be obtained by stopping by the School Counseling Office in advance. Please note, if a specific institution is listed in a student’s Naviance account, a pass will be automatically generated. If a visit occurs during a student’s class time, students must get permission from their teacher in order to attend the college visit.
The following colleges will visit the week of September 11:
Monday, 9/11 8:20 am Kenyon College, OH https://www.kenyon.edu/
Tuesday, 9/12 9:45 am Vermont State University https://vermontstate.edu/
Wednesday, 9/13 11:45 am University of Southern Maine https://usm.maine.edu/ 1:45 pm United States Naval Academy, MD https://www.usna.edu/homepage.php | | | Attn MUHS Families: Purchase your 2024 Yearbook before September 30th for only $50.00. Receive four free icons if you add personalization Go to: Jostens Middlebury website to order online. Starting October 1st, the yearbook will be $55.00.
If you have any questions please reach out to ssherman@acsdvt.org or stop by the library to talk with Mrs. Sherman!
| | | September 12 - Open House (5:30-8:00)
September 20 - Activities Fair (during lunch blocks) September 21 - College Fair September 25 - College Information Night September 26 - Grade 9 Day at Bread Loaf (Rain Date: 9/27) September 30 - Success Saturday October 4 - Early Release Day October 18 - Picture Retake Day
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | Follow MUHS on Instagram! | |
 | Follow ACSD on Instagram | |
 | Follow MUHS on Facebook | |
|  | Middlebury Union High School |
| 73 Charles Ave
Middlebury, VT 05753 TELEPHONE: 802-382-1500
FAX: 802-382-1101 |
|
|
|
|
