A special advertising publication of the
Saturday, August 2, 2025
A Message from Superintendent Tim Payne
Whether your family is new to our schools or has been part of the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union for generations, welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! As the new Superintendent, this summer has been a whirlwind—full of settling into a new office, visiting summer programming sites, and enjoying time outdoors with friends and family.
At the SVSU, we are proud to support education in and out of the class-
room with engaging, communityoriented opportunities. Our schools are vibrant, dynamic places where learning extends far beyond the traditional classroom. From engaging unified arts classes to robust afterschool clubs, our schools serve as hubs of family engagement throughout Bennington County. We’re proud to offer programming that supports the interests and aspirations of all our learners.
The following pages are full of
helpful information to support your planning for the coming school year, including first day schedules, school hours, registration reminders, details about After School programming and athletics, and opportunities for family fun. I hope this information helps you feel prepared and excited for school to start in a couple of weeks!
Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. Our educators work across grade levels, subjects, and
schools to create rich, integrated learning experiences. Our partnerships with families, local organizations, and the broader community continue to strengthen the opportunities available to every child within the SVSU.
Here’s to a safe and successful start to the new school year.
Tim Payne Superintendent Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union
Life AcCorDinG to AusTin
Austin, an elementary student in Bennington, wanted to share some of his thoughts on summer, school, reading, and more.
ON HIS FAVORITE SUMMER ACTIVITY:
The reason why I like swimming is you can make new friends, the water feels nice and cold, and you can find cool stuff hidden under rocks and stuff. You can find rings, you can find jewelry, you can find basically anything. Watches even!
ON THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR:
I’m looking forward to next school year because then I can see my best friend and everybody else, and I can see my favorite teachers! They are kind, they’re respectful. I like this one bus driver because he’s really nice. He’s kind.
ON WHAT HE LIKES:
I like to play basketball too. It’s because if you have friends you can play competitive, non-competitive, you can play 1v1, or PIG.
ON HIS FAVORITE SUMMER FOODS:
My favorite summer food is watermelon and hot dogs and hamburgers. They’re all delicious. We have cookouts sometimes, well most of the time!
Reading! Because it’s fun. [He noted that his favorite book is the graphic novel Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland]. It’s the characters. Honestly, I like graphic novels better because they’re a little more cool to me. Every character has their own personality and it’s super cool what they can do and their abilities.
ON WHAT HE DOESN’T LIKE:
Off-brand Oreos. And oranges and blueberries, in general and in smoothies.
Registration Information
If you have a child who will be 3 years old by August 31 you are eligible for 10 hours of free public pre-kindergarten. Registering and enrolling is a multistep process. For more information, contact Tori Stevens at tori.stevens@ svsu.org or 802-447-8419.
If you have questions about registration, please reach out to the SVSU Registrar Amie Gosslein: amie.gosselin@svsu.org.
Foreign Language
“It’s really a precious thing,” said Michelle Emery, the French teacher at Arlington Memorial High School about learning language. “I always tell students: when you leave the country and go on a trip, you know you’re going to learn about that new country, but you also learn a lot about America. It’s the same with language! Learning a new language makes you learn a lot about English.”
That has been exactly the case for many Foreign Language students throughout the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union. Students at Mt. Anthony Union Middle School are able to learn Spanish; Mt. Anthony Union HIgh School offers Spanish and German; and Arlington Memorial High School has classes in Chinese and French.
For many students, in-class experiences are amplified through vibrant exchange programs where they are able to go to different countries to study and experience life outside of their comfort zone.
Dylan Wajda, the Spanish and German teacher at MAUHS, recently took a group of MAUHS to Konstanz, Germany. “The city we visit here is beautiful,” he said, noting that Lake Konstanz is the largest lake in Germany. “The student feedback is always super positive. [The experience] gives them confidence and lets them be more independent.”
Both Ms. Emery and Mr. Wajda stressed that the opportunity to ex-
perience new cultures opens so many doors for students.
“Language is all about empathy,” Ms. Emery said, noting that encouraging students to get outside of their comfort zone can help create a full and meaningful life.
The German exchange is really near and dear to M4. Wajda’s heart. The German language program was reintroduced at MAUHS in 2020. In 2024, Mr. Wajda and community members were able to host 16 German exchange students in Bennington.
While here, the students were able to see all that American life has to offer: they went to school, rode the bus, and engaged in regular family life.
Last summer the exchange was reciprocated, with MAU students visiting Germany for the first time. “For a lot of kids, that was some of their first time out of the country, some of their first time on a plane,” Mr. Wajda said, noting that this summer’s adventure was the second iteration of the German exchange partnership. “It’s intended to be a long term relationship. We’re planning again already for next year. It really opens doors for students from Bennington, and gives them an opportunity to see the world and experience another language and culture.”
The German exchange is not the only trip supported by the SVSU foreign language teachers. MAUHS sent students on guided tours of Panama, Spain, Paris, and Madrid last year, allowing for additional opportunities
for students to see the world. Students from MAUMS and AMHS were also able to take a trip to Quebec last year, encouraging exploration in spaces
that are a little more close to home.
“These trips are really life changing for kids, and really open up doors to the world,” Mr. Wajda said.
Bennington 250
Through accessible curriculum materials and engaging student-centered activities, the news of the 250th anniversary of The Battle of Fort Ticonderoga, the United States, and The Battle of Bennington is ringing strong!
The Bennington 250 Education Task Force has been hard at work
helping to promote local, state, and national history for Benningtonarea students. One major outcome of their work was a field trip to the Bennington Museum, the Old First Church, and the Bennington Battle Monument for areas 4th graders. This trip was largely made possible by the community-minded team-
Bennington CountyHead StartandEarly Head Start Enrollmen t no w open!
work between Deana Mallory from the Bennington Museum and Jonah Spivak from the Town of Bennington.
“We really want people to know that all local school children are having these opportunities to be immersed in local history,” said Brooke Remington, a Social Studies teacher
from Mt. Anthony Union High School and a member of the Bennington 250 Education Task Force. Other members of the task force include MAUHS Social Studies teachers Katie Contrada and Jennifer Welles White, MAUHS Special Education teacher Cindy Murray, Mt. Anthony Union Middle School
TammyGosley,2023EarlyChildhood EducatoroftheYear
Ser vingALL families acrossBenningtonCounty,HeadStartoperates ve centers,o eringhigh-qualityearlychildhoodeducationforchildrenagessix weeksto veyears..Ourprogramso erservicesdesignedtomeeteachchild’sand family’sspeci cneedsinasafesetting. LocationsinBennington,North Bennington,Pownal,andManchester.
For the 8th year, the Bennington Banner is honored to produce the annual Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway, in collaboration with the Bennington Police Department’s National Night Out and more than 25 local partners.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to every volunteer, organization, and business that contributed time, supplies, and support.
Together, we’re helping hundreds of local students start the school year with confidence. Wishing all area students, teachers, and schools a fantastic 2025–2026 school year!
HeadStart®isaregisteredtrademarkofHHS.
Social Studies teacher Amy Moriarty, Monument Elementary School teachers Colleen Marcoux and Jordyn Upright, The School of Sacred Heart teacher Maria Gorry and principal Tiffany McKenna.
“It’s exciting,” said Ms. Contrada, noting that she is feeling a buzz in her classroom and around town about the years’ long historic celebration. “We want people to know that Bennington Vermont has a vibrant, rich, amazing history. We want to share all of the amazing things that happen in this town with the people who live here.”
This year, the Education Task Force executed a calendar contestant, which encouraged students to submit artwork that depicted various themes around the Bennington 250 Anniversary. The calendars will be available for purchase this fall.
LookYourBest!
Hairisourpassion,andourpassionshowsoneveryclient thatwalksoutofourdoors.Throughongoingeducation, ourstylistsstayuptodateonthelateststylesandareopen tofreestylebraidsaswell.
TheBenningtonMill
160BenmontAve
SuiteC3-96
802-379-9776
www.https://sheelahsmobilebraidingllc.com
Specials/Unified Arts Focus on Student Interest and Collaboration
When people think of going to the library in elementary school, they very well may imagine quiet time, listening to a story, and sitting crisscross-apple-sauce on a cozy rug. “It’s so much more than that,” said Allyson Hoffman, the library media specialist at Molly Stark Elementary School. “We celebrate reading in so many ways.”
Dr. Hoffman noted that library media specialists work hard to integrate what is happening in the classrooms into what is happening in the library.
“Science and math are big ones,” she said, emphasizing the library’s involvement in various STEAM activities throughout the school. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
Library media specialists, art teachers, music teachers, and physical education teachers all work together to help support the interests of students. Dr. Hoffman noted a cave drawing project that started in the art classroom and spread throughout the school.
Tessa MacDonald, the Molly Stark Elementary School art teacher, had students create cave drawings on a large piece of brown paper that resembled a cave wall. The art was hung up along one of the hallways
in the school. From there, the project spread to the library, where students were able to read books and explore cave drawings even further. The school’s music teacher even got in on the fun, having the students learn about different ancient drumming techniques. Students were able to practice on the school’s set of African drums.
“We all work really closely together,” Dr. Hoffman added. She especially enjoys when students learn a new sport in physical education class and come into the library looking for a book about their new found interest.
Supporting those interests is a major part of the career exploration that is amplified through the library. At Molly Stark, Dr. Hoffman supports a Career Carnival every April. This even brings in family members of staff and students, as well as other community members, to talk to students about their jobs, how they got into different industries, and their experiences working in Bennington.
“It’s a big celebration,” she said. The event helps to bring together the subjects learned in grade-level and specials classrooms, promoting exploration and real-world learning in and out of school.
First Day of School
The first day of school will be here before we know it! It’s important to plan ahead for the first day of school. Kindergarten students at Bennington Elementary School, Molly Stark Elementary School, Monument Elementary School, Pownal Elementary School, Woodford Hollow Elementary School, and Shaftsbury Elementary School, as well as Pre Kindergarten students at Fisher Elementary School will have a half day on the first day, which is August 27. The first day of school (August 27) will be a full day for all other students at these schools, as well as all students at Arlington Memorial High School, Mt. Anthony Union Middle School, and the 9th graders at Mt. Anthony Union High School. Students in grades 10-12 will start school the fol-
lowing day on August 28. September 8 will be the first day of school for students in the SVSU Public Pre Kindergarten program.
An important part of the back to school process is making sure that families fill out and return the packet of information that is either mailed home prior to the school year starting or sent home on the first day of school. Please make sure that your child’s school has current contact information for you; being able to contact families is an essential step in emergency planning, teacher communication, and school community engagement. While filling out all of the forms can seem daunting, ensuring that the school has up-to-date and accurate information ensures a smooth school year for your student.
AfterSchool and Sports
Students in the SVSU will have the opportunity to participate in AfterSchool Experiences again next school year. Information about fall offerings will go out to families near the end of September.
Fall sports will be starting before we know it! Students in grades 7-8 at Mt. Anthony Union Middle School, 9-12 at Mt. Anthony Union High School, and 6-12 at Arlington Memorial High School are able to participate in athletics.
MAU INFORMATION
MAUMS offers cross country, soccer, football, and cheerleading. MAUHS students may participate in cross country, soccer, football, cheerleading, golf, and volleyball. For information about tryout dates, practice times, and coach information, go to athletics.svsu.org and click on “tryout information” under the “about us” tab. Online registration begins August 1. Student athletes
must also have an up-to-date physical on file in the Athletics Office. Proof of physical and/or doctor’s notes should be faxed to the Athletic Trainer at 802-442-1289 or uploaded into the online registration portal.
AMHS INFORMATION
There will be a mandatory informational meeting for all student athletes on Tuesday, August 12 at 6pm in the AMHS gymnasium. Most high school sports will begin on August 14, with tryouts taking place at the Arlington Rec Park: varsity cross country at 7am, varsity girls soccer at 5pm, and varsity boys soccer at 6:30pm. Varsity golf will begin on August 18 at 6pm at the Shaftsbury Driving Range. Middle school soccer, cross country, and golf will begin on August 25, with more information being shared at the August 12 mandatory meeting. Please ensure all necessary forms are submitted on time to be eligible to participate.
SouthwestTech:PreparingStudents, StrengtheningCommunity
AtSouthwestTech,educationgoesbeyondtheclassroom.AsBenningtonCounty’slocalcareerandtechnicaleducation(CTE)school,we aredeeplyintegratedinto thefabricofour community.CTEeducation ismore thanjustlearningskills—it’seducationthatworks.Our studentsdon’tjusttrainforfuturecareers;theyapplytheirlearninginreal-worldsettings,givingbacktothecommunityinmeaningfulways.
Fromculinarystudentspreparingmealsforcharityeventstoforestrystudentsmaintaininglocaltrails,SouthwestTechstudentsare makingadi erence.Thecombinationofhands-ontrainingandcommunityinvolvementensuresourstudentsgraduatewithcon dence, experience,andasenseofcivicduty.
AutomotiveTechnology:Keeping theCommunityonthe Road
Building Trades: Constructing aBetter Future
Business &Accounting:AddressingCommunityNeeds
Cosmetology:AHelping HandwithStyle
CulinaryArts:Fighting Hunger ThroughService Forestry&HeavyEquipment:Preserving OurNaturalSpaces
GraphicArts:Designing fortheCommunity Human Services: CompassioninAction
MedicalProfessions:Giving BackinHealthcare
Video&TVProduction:Telling LocalStories ASchoolThatServes
SouthwestTechstudentsdon’tjustlearn—theylead,build,create,andgiveback.Throughservice-basedlearning,theygraduatewith experience,con dence,andastrongconnectiontotheircommunity.CTEeducationisnotonlypreparingstudentsforsuccessfulcareersbutalsostrengtheningBenningtonCountyintheprocess.
PlaygroundsAfter Hours!
Did you know that all school playgrounds in the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union are open to the public? As long as school programming is done for the day and all of the gates are open, families are welcome to enjoy the safe, inclusive, and public play equipment! It is asked, however, that adults join young children to ensure safety, dogs stay at home, and a curfew of dusk is respected. A number of the elementary playgrounds have recently been updat-
ed, including the equipment at Bennington Elementary School, Molly Stark Elementary School, Woodford Hollow Elementary School, Monument Elementary School, and Fisher Elementary School. Many of these updates are thanks to Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds, which was the federal money our schools received following the COVID-19 pandemic. These updates helped to provide safe and developmentally appropriate play spaces for our schools and
communities. In addition to the public playgrounds, many of the fields at our schools are open to the public. This includes the track at Mt. Anthony Union High School. When using any of the fields, please be aware that school sports and activities take priority. School buildings and grounds are able to be rented and used for organized events, as well; for more information on this process, please visit the SVSU website at www.svsu.org.
Back to school supplies checklist
As summer draws to a close, millions of students are preparing to return to school. Some may be excited to return so they can see their friends again each day, while others may lament the loss of carefree days under the warm summer sun. Regardless of which category students fall into, all will need the right supplies to begin the new school year on the right foot.
Some teachers now contact students’ parents prior to the start of a new school year to let them know which supplies kids will need during the year. But the following gradebased rundown of supplies can help families get a head-start on back to school shopping.
KINDERGARTEN
Kindergarten marks most students’ initial introduction to formal schooling, and this exciting year of school is filled with lots of fun and new experiences. Some of the more common supplies kids need for kindergarten include:
• Pencils
• Colored pencils and crayons
• Washable markers
• Erasers
• Pencil case
• Pencil sharpener
• Glue sticks
• Children’s scissors with a blunt tip
• Tissues
• Backpack
• Lunchbox/bag
• Headphones
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Elementary school students typically need different supplies based on which grade they’re in. Children between first and third grade may be asked to bring many of the same supplies as students in kindergarten, including pencils, washable mark ers, colored pencils, glue sticks, and
children’s scissors. But first, second and third grade students also may be asked to bring some additional supplies, including:
• Ruler
• Pencil grips
• Index cards
• Wide-ruled notebooks
• A box for supplies, including pencils
Fourth and fifth graders will likely be asked to bring supplies that align more with academics than arts and crafts. Such supplies may include:
• Calculator
• Pens
• Plastic folders
• Highlighters
• Book covers
MIDDLE
SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL
By the time children reach middle school and high school, parents are well-versed in back-to-school shopping and likely know what is required. But some of the more unique items parents may be asked to provide for students in these grades include:
• Graphic calculator
• Graph paper
• Permanent markers
• Combination lock
• Protractor
• White-out
• Three-ring binders
Teachers are a great resource that can help students and their parents as they begin back-to-school shop
Calm first-day-of-school jitters
Starting school for the first time or simply returning to campus after another summer break can lead to mixed feelings. Kids may be excited to see their friends every day, but that comes at the price of the end of lazy summer days.
The first day of school is on the horizon, and parents may discover their children seem a bit despondent that vacation is ending. Such feelings may stem from more than the end of summer vacation. Some students may be nervous about going to school. New faces, new experiences and new teachers can lead to a little anxiety. Here are some ways to tame the nerves.
DO A TRIAL RUN
Before school starts, do a test run to the drop-off location, bus stop or pick up whomever will be carpooling together. Getting into that routine can help reduce nervousness.
PARTICIPATE IN MEET-AND-GREETS
Some schools offer certain events designed to introduce students even before classes begin. Schools may host ice cream socials or picnic lunches on school grounds, particularly for younger grades. These events give children an opportunity to get to know their classmates before the first school bell rings.
TAKE A SCHOOL TOUR
If a student is about to start in a new school or will be attending school for the first time, families will want to see if they can get tours of the school and facilities. Just one glance inside can be enough to familiarize students with the lay of the land, which might make things less scary on the first day.
CHECK THE CLASS LIST
Some schools do not provide a list of all students in particular classes, but increasingly those that rely on programs like Google Classroom or Canvas may enable students to see who will be in their class. Children also can use social apps like Instagram and Snapchat to locate school-associated groups
to find other students. Parents and their children can brainstorm how to deal with other students who may have been difficult in the past, while also perusing lists for friendly faces.
PRACTICE CONVERSATION SKILLS
Many modern kids have their eyes locked on devices. They may be a little rusty with ice breakers and initiating conversation. Role playing at home can give kids some ideas of how to forge new relationships in the classroom.
RECOGNIZE AND TAKE CONCERNS SERIOUSLY
Parents and other caregivers can be receptive to conversation with children regarding their concerns about starting school. Talking about feelings can help kids tame their nervousness, especially when adults take them seriously. Children may be nervous about starting school. Parents, caregivers and teachers can work together to help students overcome these jitters quickly.
Strategies to encourage kids to read more
Many adults feel there’s no better way to relax than curling up with a good book. Though a relaxing afternoon of reading may appeal to adults, kids could prove a little more reluctant to crack a book.
Children have much to gain from reading and being read to. According to the Children’s Bureau of Southern California, a nonprofit organization devoted to strengthening vulnerable children, their families and the communities where they live, reading aloud to children supports their cognitive development; improves their language skills; prepares them for academic success; increases their discipline and ability to concentrate; and improves their imagination and creativity. Many of those same benefits apply to kids who read on their own, which may be more appealing as kids advance through elementary school and aspire to become more independent.
Since children have so much to gain from cuddling up with a good book, parents can try these strategies to encourage kids to read more.
ALLOW KIDS TO READ THE SAME BOOK
Parents of young readers or children learning to read undoubtedly know how much children like to read the same book over and over again. Though that might not engage moms and dads, experts note that allowing kids to read the same books again and again is an effective way to foster a love of reading in children. Researchers have linked reading the same books again and again to greater vocabulary acquisition and improved reading comprehension, among other benefits. Kids are more likely to enjoy reading if they recognize more words and can better understand the stories, so parents can encourage kids to read the same books again and again.
TAKE A BOOK ALONG WHEN RUNNING ERRANDS OR TRAVELING
The Children’s Book Review notes that books can be just as handy in cars as tablets and other devices kids use to watch movies while on the go. Though some children may get car sick when reading while a car is in motion, those who don’t have plenty of time to read while in the backseat. On long road trips, promise a
movie after kids have read for an hour. When running errands with the kids in tow, encourage them to read by keeping a couple of books or magazines in the backseat at all times.
PRACTICE POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT WITH EMERGING READERS
Another way to encourage young readers to pick up a book more often is to praise their efforts even if they struggle with words. Patience can go a long way toward instilling a love of reading in children. If kids are struggling with a word or words, read the sentence aloud with them. Reading also tends to pique readers’ curiosity, so parents can encourage kids to ask questions about the books they read and help them find answers to those questions if necessary.
ENROLL KIDS IN LIBRARY READING PROGRAMS
Summer reading programs sponsored by local libraries have been found to be conducive to promoting reading in young children. In its report titled “The Role of Public Libraries in Children’s Literacy Development,” the Pennsylvania Library Association indicated that preschool and summer reading programs encourage children to spend significant amounts of time with
books and also encourage parents to play a greater role in their children’s literacy development. Participation in such programs is typically free of charge, so there’s no reason why families cannot take advantage of these highly effective programs.
METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION
