EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM

Marcie Tierney, Director/Teacher

Points of Pride

• We are a licensed early childhood program with the State of Vermont.

• We hold 5 stars with the Step Ahead Recognition Program.

• We are a Vermont Prequalified Prekindergarten Program.

• We have 6.5 highly qualified educators who make a strong team for our young ANWSD students.

• We provide intensive support to students with special needs.

• We provide outreach among the District’s Early Education Community.

Updates on Program

• We are a district-wide program located at the Ferrisburgh Central School.

• Our preschool program runs four days a week; a morning and an afternoon program.

• On average, we serve 12 students in each preschool group.

• This year, we are piloting an extended day care program to create a fuller day option for students and families.

• On average, 16 students attend our extended day program.

• We serve 50/50, students with identified special needs and peer models.

Future Planning

• We plan to hold our annual Child Developmental Screening days in March 2022.

• Our Fall 2022 enrollment will follow the screening.

• We will submit our annual report for STARS in April 2022.

• We hope to continue to offer a more full-day preschool program with a possible 5-hour preschool day and an extended day care option in the coming year and years to follow.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Lynne Rapoport, Coordinator

Points of Pride

In February 2021, ANWSD was recognized by the Vermont Department of Health with the Governor’s Excellence in Worksite Wellness Gold Level Award. This was the third consecutive year ANWSD has ranked as a gold level award recipient for successful work in the areas of policy, programming, and environmental supports in place to promote the health and wellness of faculty and staff. Other award levels include Rising Star, Bronze, and Silver.

As a long-term recipient of the Healthy SU Grant Program, offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Vermont Education Health Initiative (VEHI), these funds are used towards employee wellness. Data collected during 2021 by the district-wide PATH to Wellness Team, narrowed the year’s focus towards increased movement, nutrition education, and better sleep. The PATH team used a full set of wellness activities and strategies throughout the school year to bring to life these targeted wellness visions.

Updates on Program

In January 2021, the Health and Wellness Leadership Team (HWLT) recommended Wellness Policy (C9) updates and amendments for consideration to the school board, which were adopted in March 2021. The HWLT then developed a Wellness Policy assessment tool and resource guidebook for action planning and implementation in 2022. The assessment tool will generate data to better determine district compliance with the wellness policy; how the wellness policy compares to model wellness policies; and progress made in attaining the goals of the wellness policy.

Future Planning

In September 2021, Vermont’s Agency of Education (AOE) awarded the Vergennes Union Elementary School as a recipient of a Community Schools grant. In addition to improving educational outcomes for our learners, this grant will further efforts to support our student’s social emotional health; increase access to health services; strengthen community-school partnerships; expand food security resources; increase family engagement through mentoring, and other youth/adult programming. Though VUES is the recipient of the grant award, all ANWSD schools will benefit through our existing district partnerships.

After School Programs

Tara Brooks, Director

Points of Pride

The summer of 2021 looked very different from the summer of 2020 for the ANWSD Summer Fusion and Childcare program. Delta and Omicron were not yet in our vocabulary and students and staff were able to enter the building without masks. It was refreshing to feel this sense of normal and to see the smiles on the faces of all our students. Families were also thankful for the sense of normalcy that summer provided. Our enrollment went from 118 in the summer of 2020 to 221 in the summer of 2021. The program served students in PreK – grade 9 and included both our Fusion program and our licensed childcare program.

The ANWSD was also recognized by the Agency of Education for holding the most in-person afterschool and summer programming days in the state in FY 21. The ANWSD ran programming a total of 219 days between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021.

Updates on Program

The 2020-21 school year saw a return to in-person Fusion activities that had all been remote at the end of the 2020 school year. With a focus on keeping students as safe as possible, however, all programming was offered outdoors, with the exception of high school learning labs and childcare. In total, 66 enrichment and academic support programs were held across all three schools with a total of 381 students participating in one of these programs. The 2021-22 school year has brought a return to indoor enrichment programming and an increase of interest from students and teachers. The Fusion Site Coordinators are excited to be once again offering a plethora of opportunities for our students. Programs that have been offered so far for the 2021-22 school year include:

Where am I? Mapping and Navigation for Beginners

HS Learning Labs

Baking

Mock Trial Team

Scholars Bowl

Hockey

Watercolor/Stories & Crafting

Random Acts of Kindness Club

Theater Games

Skating/ X-Country Skiing

Sledding

Photography

Food Fun

Zumba & Jazz/Rock Band

Book Group

Future Planning

Creative Cooking

Polymer Clay

Guitar/Ukulele

Vermont History Day

Games! Games! Games!

Knitting and Crochet Club

Free Friday

Fairy Tales and Puppets

Fairy Houses

Underwater Explorers

Create Your Own Graphic Novel

My Plate

Take Great Photos

Yoga & Journaling

Rowing

The 2021-22 school year marks the start of Year Three of our five-year Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant (21CCLC). This grant funds the Fusion Enrichment program at VUES. Enrichment programs at FCS and VUHS are funded through a combination of local funds and revenue generated from our childcare programs. For the first time, all our schools are 21CCLC eligible. To be eligible, schools must either meet or exceed 40% free and reduced lunch or the school community must be Title 1 eligible. The grant is due to the Agency of Education on February 4, 2022, and awards will be announced in late April. The ANWSD has the potential to receive an estimated $200,000 per year in additional grant funding.

Athletics

Peter Maneen, Director

While hopes were high that 2021 would be the year that made us forget how challenging 2020 was, things don’t always go as planned.

After forging through a shortened fall season in 2020 that was marked with temperature checks, social distance, attendance, and seating charts and gallon upon gallons of hand sanitizer, our winter athletes were looking forward to their season. While the basketball season was given the green light to start after a grueling six week wait, our wrestlers, cheerleader, and indoor track stars lost out. COVID had struck again.

Making the most of their shortened season, our boys’ basketball team broke into the win column late in the season. That initial win turned out to be the confidence booster the team needed as they went on a win streak to end the season, culminating in a win on the road at Mt. Abe to earn a home playoff game. After dispatching Randolph in the first round, the team traveled to undefeated Green Mountain where they eventually fell in overtime of to a game winning three pointer at the buzzer.

Although the boys’ team turned up the heat late in the season, our girls’ basketball team stole the show this past winter right from the start. The team earned a 9-1 record and the #3 seed in the state tournament. After pulling off a huge upset over Windsor in the state semifinals, the girls set their sights on top seeded Lake Region. While the return to Barre Auditorium was a special moment, it was a little surreal to see the place empty as no fans were allowed to attend the championship game. What fans would have seen in-person was a team that went toe-to-toe with the best team in the state and competed until the very end. Although the team fell just short in that title game, they played with a style and class that made our community proud.

As the snow melted and the grass turned green, our COVID numbers fell. With lower numbers across the state, our spring athletes returned to the field and track after losing all of 2020. Taking full advantage of the opportunity, our teams played with an appreciation of what they had lost, and their passion showed each game and meet.

Our cooperative girls’ lacrosse team with Mt. Abraham wasted little time returning to the form that led them to an undefeated state championship in 2019. The team dominated their season and earned the #2 seed in the state tournament. Although the team fell to eventual champion, Green Mountain Valley, that loss didn’t overshadow what an impressive run this group had.

Our softball team rebounded in numbers, fielded a JV team for the first time in a number of years. The increased numbers in the program will build a solid foundation for the future. The Varsity team battled through a tough regular season, earning a home playoff game for the first time in a long time. While earning that game was certainly a highlight, the program sees it as a steppingstone to a much more consistent and successful future. With many returning players and some very promising talent, Coach Travis Scribner has this program headed in the right direction.

The last time we had seen our baseball team play was in the 2019 State Championship at Centennial Field. After an entire year off and the graduation of many talented players, expectations were unknown. Well, the boys stepped up to the plate and delivered another impressive campaign. After two playoff victories, the boys fell in the semifinals to eventual champion Peoples Academy. Sometimes the bats go cold, and the ball just takes bad hops. While the team graduated three of the best pitchers in the state, the cupboards are far from bare and there is no reason not to expect good things on the diamond again this spring.

Our Track & Field program once again showed that while running on an actual track certainly helps, it doesn’t break the season. At the State Championship meet in Windsor, our track team put on quite the show winning five state championships. Gabe Praamsma won the 800M, Ben Huston won both the 1500M & 3000M, the team of Gabe Prammsma, Ryder Messinger, Aidan Gebo, and Ben Huston won the 4x400M and winning the 4x800M was Gabe Praamsma, Aidan Gebo, Jarret Muzzy, and Ben Huston.

This fall brought the return to “almost” normal. The season started on time, all games were played and most importantly for the players, no masks were required on the fields. While COVID may still have been on people's minds, it did not steal the show for the first time in a long time.

However, stealing the show was the boys’ soccer team. After an impressive season, the boys’ earned the #4 seed in the state tournament. In the second round, the team avenged last season's heartbreaking last second loss to Peoples Academy by breaking some hearts themselves. In the second overtime, senior Jonah Mahe scored the game winning goal in front of a spirited crowd to send the team back to the semifinals. While the team may have lost to eventual champions Green Mountain in that game, they showed what a beautiful game soccer can be when played the right way.

The girls’ soccer team has had an impressive run of last, earning three straight trips to the State Championship game. Many players from those teams had graduated, leaving a young team this fall. Although another trip to the finals wasn’t in the cards, the team played well and displayed promise for future years. With good numbers and a solid foundation, the future is promising for this proud program.

Graduation losses are tough on many schools and Vergennes is not immune. After many years of dominance on the water and cross-country trails, our rowing and cross-country teams focused on rebuilding this fall. While the lack of outof-state travel really hampered our rowing team, it is very promising to see such a great turn-out of younger students looking to start the sport. Coach West always does a wonderful job with this group, and we will see our rowing team continue to thrive. First year coach Mary Neffinger may have had a small group of high school runners, she had a small army in middle school. If there’s one program to keep an eye on over the next few years, the cross-country team is it!

While Vergennes might not be the biggest school, we have a very active student body. Our students are always looking for new challenges and sometimes just want to bring old challenges back. This fall, the Athletic Department expanded to welcome back a golf team for the first time in twelve years. With the help of Coach Socinski and Basin Harbor, our students once again had the opportunity to play the great game of golf.

When you have one of the best lakes in the country for bass, it only makes sense you add the state's newest sport- Bass Fishing. This fall was the first year of the bass fishing team coached by Jack McGuire. With sixteen anglers learning new baits and casting techniques, I’m really looking forward to seeing this program continue to develop.

With the return of high school sports, we also welcomed back our future athletes in the elementary school. Maybe it was the year off that led to our massive surge in numbers or maybe it was the focus on community within our programs as our high school coaches and athletes continue to devote their time with clinics, cheering and refereeing. Whatever the reason, it is something to see so many young students take part in athletics.

Here is a breakdown of our elementary numbers this fall and winter:

Fall soccer: 14 teams and 209 players

Winter Basketball: 13 team and 140 players

Our elementary program is also expanding to capture the interest and build our upper-level programs. This winter we are offering elementary wrestling and cheerleading, both great sports and exciting opportunities.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our coaches at all our levels. Without the support of our outstanding coaching staff, our students would lose out on valuable life lessons learned while in the athletic venues. When you pass your child's coach on the field, court, mat, or grocery store, please thank them.

OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE

Ken Sullivan, Director

VERGENNES UNION HIGH SCHOOL - Work Completed

• With the help of our 2018 Bond Contractor EEI, we managed IRC roofing and approximately $25,000 worth of warranty repairs on the Johns Manville roofing over the MS gym and chorus/band room areas. This work was completed with no exceptions.

• Hired and managed a duct cleaning contractor to clean all HVAC ventilation equipment.

• Replaced six old windows in the counselor offices in the front of the building.

• We repaired as many as 60 existing windows back to working function including 18 new window screens.

• Installed two doors - boys & girls locker room.

• Flotec flooring installation in the HS lobby entry

• Purchased the Sapling Master Clock System as well as clocks.

• Managed and coordinated the installation of the stone facade for the front entry sign.

• Enrolled in the Greenprint Partners program to be ahead of the funding and design timeline and compliancy for the upcoming ADNR stormwater runoff rules.

• Identified that water buildup inside the tunnel under the Auditorium is ground water and not a roofing leak.

• Monthly energy reports showed a bigger increase in power usage. Discovered a bad transformer that controlled the solar power panel controls and facilitated repairs.

• AHU 3 Air handler for the MS gym had a speed drive failure, resulting in needing to be replaced.

• Major repairs to AHU 4E to include new motor and replacement of both main blower bearings in HS gym

• Removal of the underground 10,000-gallon oil tank.

• Hired and managed the air testing for proper air exchange in the Auditorium, band room, and chorus room.

• New Zoom area completed in the library.

• Maintenance and refinishing of both gymnasium floors.

• Diagnosed and repaired propane leak in B Wing.

• Facilitated wiring of new scoreboard

• Diagnosed and repaired broken sewer line outside the band room vestibule.

• Installed high limit cutoff switches for boilers per state regulations.

• Installed iMonnet wireless sensors for water leak detection and temperatures per VSBIT’s recommendation

• Final connection and commissioning of multi split Daikin Heat pump system for the faculty and server room.

VERGENNES UNION HIGH SCHOOL - Work in Progress

• Developing a strategy to remove and replace building facade and window trim frame deterioration on all windows and siding installed during the 2001 construction project

• Further troubleshooting the water in the tunnel under the Auditorium is necessary. For now, we are pumping it and keeping it dry when it occurs.

• Further air testing and balancing to be completed.

• Installing more baseboard heating elements on the outside wall of room C9. Reconfigure ventilation to be more advantageous.

• Review of the upcoming stormwater rules and required systems for ANR permits.

• Installing a propane heater in the garage to use when making repairs to equipment during the winter seasons.

• Estimate for broken underground sewer line behind kitchen.

• Estimate for trenching up the bad drain line under the kitchen serving line.

• Estimate the installation of permanent bollards in front of the walk-in freezer.

• Ventilation project for PHCC workshop.

• Sapling Masterclock needs commissioning and to be put online.

• Door security audit to verify door alarms are working properly.

VERGENNES UNION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - Work Completed

• Installed a new dishwasher.

• Renovated the prep room to better accommodate the freezer and refer door access. This included the removal of old cabinets and sink and replaced with new but more suitable for a commercial kitchen.

• Replaced the walk-in refrigerator and freezer condensing units and evaporators.

• New protective freezer floor covering

• Worked with a contractor to relocate the natural gas line in the failing concrete vault adjacent to the boiler room.

• Playground - new safety fiber added.

• Sound attenuation devices needed to solve the echo problems in the B-wing.

• New Flotec flooring installed in the main entry.

• Adding heat to the kitchen supervisor’s office.

• Moving the main office copier to the teacher’s common area after the phone line is installed by the IT contractors

• Air balancing and testing of basement AHU, exiting ERU and Library AHU

VERGENNES UNION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - Work in Progress

• Diagnosis and summary of structural findings for main entry.

• Identified a failing foundation near the boiler room vault.

• Worked with contractors to establish a plan to have biddable drawings and engineering specifications for a new vault and access to boiler room.

• Worked with contractors to establish biddable drawings for two new bathroom upgrades above the existing boiler room space.

• Estimate obtained to replace walk-in freezer door

• Need estimate to replace basement AHU, Library AHU, existing ERU.

FERRISBURGH CENTRAL SCHOOL - Work Completed

• Completed infill project by EF Wall.

• The scope of this project was to fill in the existing mechanical tunnels beneath the school. The heating, plumbing, and electrical were all removed and replaced new in the appropriate ceilings of the building. The tunnels were filled and capped upon completion.

• Removal of asbestos floor tile in six rooms of the old wing.

• New carpeting, tile, paint, and egress doors were also installed in various areas throughout the building.

• Major upgrades were made to classroom cubbies and closets throughout the building.

• Constructed a new shed for the lawn and snow removal equipment.

• Relocated a shed from Addison to the back of the school for the PreK program.

• The elimination of the old piping will contribute to the school drinking water being lead free

• Installed new dishwasher in kitchen

• Installed washer and dryer in janitor closet.

FERRISBURGH CENTRAL SCHOOL - Work in Progress

• Walk-in freezer replacement proposals.

• Tree removal along the east property line and adjacent to the playground.

• Inspection of windmill condition and cost necessary future repairs and maintenance.

ADDISON WAYFINDER EXPERIENCE - Work Completed

• Replaced the hot water heating system circulation pump & had the failed pump rebuilt to have for a spare.

• Installed new BoilerMate indirect domestic hot water tank

• Re-keyed and reconfigured classrooms

• Fixed windows and screens.

• Cleaned out and reorganized doublewide

• Main HVAC exhaust fan repairs.

ADDISON WAYFINDER EXPERIENCE - Work in Progress

• Actuation damper, valve survey, repairs, and troubleshooting on unit ventilators throughout building.

• Tree cutting and ditching work.

• Windmill services.

• Mailbox pole

• Procurement of new cafeteria tables.

ANWSD ALL SCHOOL BUILDINGS - Work Completed

• Scheduled and managed the annual planned maintenance of all grease traps and septic systems.

• Established updated annual roof maintenance plan.

• Established and managed pest control service contract to help reduce stinging insect and small rodents’ complaints and infestations.

• Established an updated planned maintenance schedule and control log for all HVAC and Plumbing equipment.

WORK INCLUDED:

- Hydronic system water chemistry testing and maintenance

- Boiler and rooftop burner services

- More frequent air filter and belt changes due to more run time of ventilation systems

- System controls alarm monitoring sequencing

• Established an updated planned maintenance schedule and control logs for all fire suppression equipment.

• Established an updated Planned Maintenance schedule and control logs for emergency lighting.

• Safety training and facility management certification training for supervisors.

WORK INCLUDED:

- VSBIT spring conference workshops (building management)

- Asbestos awareness training

- OSHA Hazard communication regulation (SDS) sheets and interpretation

• Custodial staff training.

WORK INCLUDED:

- Bloodborne pathogen

- Lockout tagout system

- Lead awareness

- Floor maintenance for tile, carpet, and gymnasium flooring

- Confined space training

• Relocated the Director of Learning, Director of Finance and Operations and business staff offices within the District Office spaces.

• Complete safety inspection of all gymnasium bleachers and basketball backboards.

• Prepared District ID Badge and distributed

• Established a map and schedule of all stormwaters catch basins and had them cleaned at all schools.

• Vermont State Act 66 - responding immediately to the actions required by the Agency of Natural Resources with regards to lead testing. Currently we are in full compliance with the Agency of Natural Resources with regards to lead testing.

• Updated the ANWSD confined space program.

• Continued documenting a prioritized list for facilities needs with the Director of Operations and School Board facilities members. This information, as well as a survey of all buildings, has been conveyed to the State through the Bureau of Veritas survey program. In addition to this reporting, the data will continue to be compiled to project further changes and Capital planning.

ANWSD ALL SCHOOL BUILDINGS - Work in Progress

• Continued key index, door locks audits, key control log updates.

• Continued to establish a section in the Facilities Management plan for all Life cycle of mechanical equipment including kitchen equipment.

• Continued to develop District Facilities Management plan with all short- and long-term information.

• Interior and exterior condition and configuration door audit to ensure safety for fire and other crisis events requiring egress and or lock down.

• Continued review and development of the District Emergency Operating Plan with District Administration

• Managing the continuing process of enhancing District procedures regarding access doors and camera coverage.

• Applying for a $7,500 safety grant from VSBIT (Vermont School Board Trust) insurance company. Grant funds will go towards speed signage & other safety signage installations.

• Applying for an additional $2,500 safety grant from VSBIT. This additional grant required a District security audit to be performed by the VSBIT security consultant.

• Beginning the process and continuing to collect data for a standard Facilities Management Planning guide that includes current status compliance with new laws such as VT ACT 72 and 74. These have a range of rules that include lead in the drinking water, air quality testing, PCB testing and a 5-year Facilities planning template.

School Nutrition Services

Kathy Alexander, Director

In FY21, School Nutrition was “on the move” in every possible way. With the pandemic still a challenge for families, educators, and students, our program staff made every accommodation that could be made to feed and nourish students safely, efficiently, comfortably, and well in school. Our entire vocabulary in the ANWSD school kitchens changed to include the words “kiosks”, “remote”, “hand truck”, “walkie talkie”, “take-out”, “distribution”, “delivery”, “contactless pick up”, “heat & serve”, “deli pack”, and “meal kit”. School nutrition staff found every way to meet students where they were with breakfast and lunch during the school day, on weekends, and even over breaks. All this was possible for two reasons. The first is the USDA waivers to our School Nutrition program rules and regulations that allowed for multiple and varied serving options to be developed and for all meals to be served free of charge and outside of the regular school day. The second was the tenacity, creativity, and bravery of our school nutrition professionals who tried everything they could think of to get the job done. Many staff worked long hours to make sure that daily meals and vacation/holiday meal kits were ready for distribution. The creativity and organization that went into the different delivery models was really remarkable. They are the real heroes of our story in FY21

MANY MEALS SERVED FOR ALL! Since March 2020 and through FY21, School Meals, (breakfast &lunch) have been served to students at no cost (Universal Meals). This means that more meals are prepared, served, and consumed by students than ever before and that no student ever worries about being able to pay for food at school. An analysis of meals served in FY20 compared to FY21 shows the effect of adding Universal Meals, delivered to homes for three and a half months of the year (March-June 2020). In FY21, meals were not delivered to homes, but all meals were free at school and served in classrooms or kiosks in hallways at the high school. Weekly pick up of meals for remote learners and student meals over vacations and holidays was also made available to families.

COVID Grant Opportunities

One silver lining to the difficulties of the COVID-19 Pandemic was an influx of funds from USDA for School Meals through an increase in per-meal reimbursement of about 12% and grant funding for equipment specific to the new needs of serving meals to students in classrooms, hallways, and remotely. The ANWSD School Nutrition Program was able to purchase a new van for transporting food, a new outdoor walk-in freezer for increased food storage, meal sealing machines, and many carts, dollies, insulated bags, coolers, and more equipment needed for all the various service models used throughout the year. These items will all have great use in future years. Overall, ANWSD School Nutrition spent approximately $150,000 in grant funds on badly needed equipment.

Andy Kepes, Principal

Student Learning & Points of Pride

I really hoped that when I looked back on this past year, I would be able to say, “We finally have COVID in our rear-view mirror!” Instead, we are still wearing masks at school, doing weekly testing, and using the phrase “close contact” much too frequently. But the classroom experience has become more “normal” - no more plexiglass, students are working in small groups, and there are fewer distancing requirements. I would not say that the never-ending pandemic is not having negative impacts on students and staff, but we are doing our best to move forward.

I’m not sure what happened six years ago but we have a bumper crop of kindergarten students at FCS. We started the year with 31 students in two classes. Kaci Pierce returned to school after leaving in January of 2021 and is helping make sure that we have an extra-large kindergarten class in the fall of 2026.

The Unified Arts classes continue to be an important part of the learning experience for FCS students. Every week students have a library, health, art, music, and two PE classes. Students are taking music lessons again and I don’t mind tripping over a trumpet case in the hall and it is nice to hear some singing. This fall, student art was hung in the “Hollow”. The library collection has been expanded and a great effort has been made to make the collection more diverse. PE and Health classes both help students learn about how to take care of their bodies and make healthy decisions. I am so glad that we have not had to return to virtual UA classes. (I hope I’m not jinxing us.)

Some things are still missing at FCS. We don’t have students mixing from other classes and this continues to be something that impacts the culture in the building. I continue to be impressed with the resilience of our students and staff. These crazy past few years will impact us for years to come, but the school community has done a great job minimizing the impact.

Culture & Staff

In June, we moved from a drive-in graduation to an outdoor ceremony. It went so well that we are considering making it a tradition for the sixth graders. We also saw the return of the Monster Mash (also outside) and a new artist in residence. We have also seen the return of visitors and volunteers in the building. We are still not taking full advantage of volunteers, but it is so nice to have them back in the building.

In October, Thea Alvin came to FCS for a week as our stonemason artist in residence. In one week, Thea and the students transformed nine pallets of stone into a beautiful stone sculpture in the front of the school. The arch and wall were dedicated to Loretta Lawrence who retired in June. Seeing Loretta was the highlight of the dedication ceremony. If you haven’t seen the sculpture yet, please come by and see this amazing creation.

This year we welcomed three new staff members. Alyssa Saunders, a VUHS graduate, is our new Kindergarten teacher. Jess Kruper has moved to Vermont to teach the FCS third graders. Kaitie Flynn, another VUHS graduate, is the new FCS administrative assistant. Annie Wilson surprised us with her retirement in June and Kathie Pudvar moved from the classroom to take over the PE classes.

Physical and mental health is always on our radar and even more so these past few years. Once again, I want to thank Sue Brileya, our School Counselor; Brianne Wells, our District Psychologist; Gina Normand, our CSAC school-based clinician; and Kathy Pominville, our school nurse for keeping an eye on student and staff mental health this year. We have also added a home to school coordinator, Davina Desmarais, who supports students and families in and out of school. Several interns have also helped us increase student support: A big thank you to Bri Ettori, Nicole Beeso, and Ciara Herman-Dunphy.

The FCS Culture relies heavily on those who keep the building running. Brian Gero keeps the building clean and is always willing to help out wherever and whenever needed. Sarah Anderson and Lorri Blais provide delicious and nutritious breakfast, lunch, and after school snacks. Kathy Pominville has had a busy year keeping up with testing and contact tracing as well as her regular duties as the school nurse. Kaitie Flynn wears many hats: first contact for parents and visitors, crowd control, record keeper, and of course, principal wrangler.

Building & Grounds

This was the summer of the FCS “Big Dig”, a project designed to remove the mold found below the school. A very complicated process of moving water and electrical services out of the tunnels under the north wing. These tunnels were then insulated and filled with concrete. The work started in the spring and continued well into the summer. The crew did a great job sticking to the timetable and the building was ready to go for the start of the school year.

One silver lining of the construction project was the library redesign. The carpet in the library was removed and all the shelves had to come out as part of the work. This allowed the school librarian, Erin Ackerman, to design a library space that is more conducive to instruction and group work. Several classrooms also received new carpets. Ken Sullivan and his crew worked in the west wing painting and putting together the new childcare space.

The school garden continues to be a point of pride for the FCS community. The students help prepare beds in the spring, plant the garden, and make sure we have plenty of compost. Over the summer a cadre of volunteers weeded and watered the garden. In the fall, students take over again and harvest and put the garden to bed for the winter. The garden produces an incredible amount of food for the FCS community and teaches the students valuable lessons about where our food comes from.

Community

The FCS PTO has continued to meet and raise money to support the school. They funded the artist in residence program, hosted the Monster Mash, and offered mini grants to staff. It is great having such a strong and positive parent group.

As I mentioned above, we have started to have volunteers return to the building. The Four Winds program is back with parents teaching classes outdoors. Volunteers joined us for our “Crafternoon” at the end of December. Last spring, we combined our maple sugaring day with time to learn about the Ferrisburgh Union Hall. Sports are up and running with all volunteer coaches.

Our FCS community motto continues to be “Maximum Flexibility”. I am hoping that at some point we can change it to “We beat COVID!” But until that point, we will continue to do everything we can to keep the students at FCS happy, healthy, and learning.

Matthew DeBlois, Principal