The news is hard to miss these days - but small schools are closing around Vermont, and each story is as unique as the school itself. In Marlboro's case, the town is facing dramatic enrollment drops, and projections for the future aren't much rosier. Combine that with a state-wide funding formula which is built on a per student cost, with tax penalty implications for districts that exceed a state set threshold, and it's easy to see why Marlboro is wrestling with this momentous decision. Their story isn't all that unique, but what is unique is the way in which the school board (and the town itself) has these conversations in their public community meetings.

Marlboro is a town that values community transparency, civil social discourse, and kindness. With a topic as tough as a school closing, one might think that raised voices and challenging arguments would be the norm. But not at a Marlboro Community Meeting - not a raised voice has been heard. The residents have conducted themselves with grace and dignity as they grapple with what to do next. Sometimes the best story isn't about what we do, but how we do it.

Marlboro - The board has been working with two budget drafts - one for an operating school (grades 2-8) and one for a non-operational district. The decision will be made in March at their town meeting.

River Valleys - This district has the latest budget vote (late April) and so is still in the very early phases of budgeting.

Stratton - Stratton will most likely be adopting their budget early in January, with an eye on voting at town meeting.

West River - The WR budget committee has met several times and will meet once more before their January meeting. Their budget vote will be in early April this year.

Windham - They have already adopted a budget which will go to vote at town meeting in early March.

This month many of our elementary classrooms are presenting and celebrating their end of unit EL performance tasks. In several of our schools, parents, community, and school staff have been invited to see their children present the culmination of their Module 1 learning. It has been remarkable to see how students have risen to the challenge of the very daunting task of public speaking! Starting in Kindergarten, they start learning and practicing these skills and I look forward to seeing these students perfect these skills as they continue these performance tasks throughout the years. A big shout out to TES 1st grade teacher Honour Solari, NB 5th grade teacher Joyce VanPamelen, and Dover 4th grade teacher Carla Aquadro, for opening their doors to the whole community for their performance tasks, sharing their students work with us, and making it a true celebration of learning! 

Featured below: 5th grade at Newbrook school. Students presented their monologues from Esperanza Rising, shared their avocado brownies made in Farm to School, and displayed their yarn dolls and fruits and veggies prints made in art class, which connected to the Mexican culture within the novel. Way to go Amy Duffy and Suzanne Paugh for integrating these connections to the novel within your unified arts curriculum!

January 1 &2 - New Year's Day, No School

January 19 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day, No School

January 20 - Teacher Report Card Day, No School