This issue is dedicated to the simple, powerful act of coming together. Whether to work, create, celebrate, learn, imagine, etc., togetherness is some of the most fertile soil for hope, change and care.
Connecting across age and district, Wolcott Elementary students visited Hazen Union to explore the school, meet staff and students, and share some music-making with the Hazen chorus and band.
Through a special program called StoryKeepers in our Schools, the entire Hardwick Elementary School took part in a series of workshops with local children’s author Natalie Kinsey-Warnock. Students learned the tools for researching their own family stories, picked a family member and artifact to study in depth, and presented their family stories in a school wide event. Here are reflections from teachers and students:
“This project builds a strong connection between the students and the community in which they live. As a class, we dove into Hardwick’s history. They will now walk downtown Hardwick with a different perspective.” – HES teacher
“I liked it because Natalie showed us an airplane that crashed near her house. We got to hold pieces of it.” – HES student
“I heard lots of student telling family stories and the excitement showing artifacts to each other was heartfelt. Each class had a different way to share and present their work and for the final event all were proud to discuss their work.” – HES teacher
“We could go to anyone’s classroom and look at their artifacts.” – HES student
“It was really amazing hearing that students were going home after school to talk to family members and work on their project. They seemed to really enjoy learning about their family member and getting the chance to talk to them and ask them questions about their experiences growing up. During the event I saw a student present his project to his grandmother and she started crying. It was a very sweet moment to witness. Another parent shared how excited their daughter was to call her grandfather and talk on the phone with him for over an hour.” – HES teacher
“I had my Grandpa, Grandma, Mom and Dad and two sisters come.” – HES student
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Each week at Hazen, the Recipe for Human Connection class makes a family-style meal together where everyone contributes something and everyone sits down to eat around the table. To share this practice with the wider community, the class plans and cooks a free community meal at the Hardwick United Church each month on the third Thursday at noon – and you are invited!
Hazen Union 7th graders tried something a little different recently. In order to plan and share ideas for a global citizenship research project they are undertaking, the students made tea, trying varieties from around the world, and sat down together for good conversation over a steaming cup. (If you are wondering why there is a jar of Nutella among the tea, it’s because there were scones, too!)
Craftsbury K-2 students chose a trip to the Woodlot as their celebration for achieving a group goal. Students and teachers enjoyed a morning of winter hiking, nature games, animal tracking, tree ID, a cozy campfire, and the special opportunity to see older students from the Green Mountain Technology and Career Center (GMTCC) Forestry and Land Management Program harvesting trees for lumber. It is wonderful to see the strong, joyful connections students are making to this land and to each other as they explore it.
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Shared recently by the OSUESD School Board, this public appreciation shines a light on the skilled, collaborative facilities staff who come together in big (but often behind-the-scenes) ways to manage crises and keep our schools safe:
“On behalf of the OSUESD School Board, Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union would like to publicly thank the exceptional members of our facilities team for a job well done! On early Saturday morning, February 4, after a brutally cold night, the Orleans Southwest Union Elementary School District (OSUESD) facilities staff discovered a burst pipe at Lakeview Elementary School. Upon discovery, Darald Bartlett, Lakeview custodian, reported the issue, and a team was quickly assembled. Mr. Bartlett, along with Larry Eldred, OSUESD facilities manager, Dave Brochu, OSUESD assistant facilities manager, and Tod Delaricheliere, Hazen Union facilities manager, worked throughout the day to ensure that the water was removed from the building. On Sunday Joe Houston, OSSU director of facilities, and Mr. Eldred supported Principal Lisa McCarthy in developing a plan for reopening the building on Monday and to support teachers and staff. It’s just another shining example of how our team-oriented OSSU facilities staff pitch in across the SU whenever needed. Hats off to this group of dedicated and hardworking staff who support the education of our children each and every day.“
OSSU - We See You! 