PA Students viewing the new banners in town (made by PA students)
Last Friday was our annual Service Day and Spring Fling Day. The weather and fantastic school spirit made for an awesome day. Our NHS students planned a morning full of service, which involved working with numerous area partners and completing various types of clean up, planting, mentoring, delivering meals, and more. The afternoon was all about fun with friends and peers. We had a surprise visit from the Ben & Jerry’s truck and a highlight was the dunk tank.
PE & Health teacher Jon Vandernat prepares for a swim.
Be sure to check out the new Banner Project (pictured above) . This was a collaboration among PA English and Art students (In Moira Donovan and Averill McDowell’s classes) and numerous community organizations. To see and learn more about the amazing project and the banners themselves click on the QR code below. The project covers Morrisville, Hyde Park, and Elmore architectural gems.
Speaking of PA Art students, many of the chairs around town were created by PA students. They were given the theme of ‘The beauty in Natural Disasters’ this year and they put some amazing creativity into it. Students were challenged to find the beauty in natural disasters, because they can make for some gorgeous and spectacular moments. They can become scary when humans and animals are involved. Thus, one of the requirements was to exclude humans and animals, and simply show the stunning events that occur naturally on our planet Earth.
Prom 2023: This Saturday students will be headed to Jay Peak for PA Prom 2023: A Great Gatsby. This is an exciting time for students. With this event it is important to discuss safety and responsibilities with your students. Please help in ensuring that your student’s parties, prom, graduation and other end of the year festivities are memorable and safe. Please join us in making every effort to prevent alcohol or other drug use. Alcohol and other drugs, such as marijuana, over-the-counter, and prescription drugs, impair judgment, perception and motor coordination skills.
Youth often underestimate the impact that drugs have. In order to provide a safe environment for your children during year-end events, but also year-round, consider the following strategies:
Talk with your teen about prom night: Ask them how they are feeling about the prom? What are they most excited about? What are they most nervous about? Clearly communicate your expectations. Talk to them about the dangers of drinking and driving and getting in the car with a drunk driver. Research shows that parents who help build their teen’s knowledge about what to do in a situation, increase the chances of their teen’s safe decision-making.
Be aware: Know where your teen is going to be, how long they will be there, when they will be leaving, who else will be there, and if there is an appropriate adult supervising the event. If you don’t know the parents of your teen’s date and prom group, be sure to get to know them before the big event. Set a curfew and be up when they come home.
No social hosting: Providing alcohol or cannabis to minors is illegal in Vermont. It’s dangerous for youth and there are legal consequences for adults who provide.
Learn more about these strategies and how to take action from ParentUp (http://parentupvt.org/), an initiative of the Vermont Department of Health.
The truth is no matter how much we support or shelter our children, they will face situations and stresses that can open the door to substance abuse and other serious issues. While students may complain about our concern and vigilance, studies show that the key reason kids give for not drinking is that they don’t want to disappoint their parents. The truth is that children care deeply about their parents’ opinions—even if they don’t show it directly. Thank you for your anticipated assistance and cooperation.
Congratulations to the newest Members of NHS (National Honor Society). Last Thursday the senior members of NHS handed over the baton to the newest members. The induction ceremony is a special occasion to honor NHS students and their accomplishments in front of their friends and family.
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“The focus oftentimes is on the worst day when it comes to speaking about addiction. We need to understand how this begins rather than how it ends. Prevention starts on the first day.” – Chris Herren
We have invited Chris Herren to speak to 8-12th graders tomorrow. His message is powerful and potent. This presentation is part of a larger theme we’ve been focusing on all year – wellness. We’ve done numerous activities and had many conversations this year about student health and wellbeing (wellness). We’ve discussed how things like stress, social media, cell phones, vaping, school safety, harassment and many other topics impact our individual and overall community wellness. We’ve talked about various strategies to stay or get well and to live balanced lives. This presentation comes toward the end of this year’s journey on wellness and thoughtful decision making. The program description is below:
CHRIS HERREN: THE FIRST DAY: This 75-minute assembly will start with a film presentation highlighting Herren’s basketball career and journey to sobriety. Upon conclusion of the film, Chris will take the microphone and share experiences that have impacted his life as a teenager, athlete and speaker, empowering the audience to rethink how we look at the disease of addiction, from the last day to the first. He will touch on such topics as drinking, smoking marijuana and vaping, pill use, peer pressure, bullying and cutting. To conclude the event, he will field questions from the audience. (Parent Resources) (Link to short video @ Herren)
We understand the sensitive nature of the topic. The material in Chris’s presentation may be upsetting or triggering for some students. The presentation will be followed by Teacher Advisory (TA) discussions and counselors will be available to help process any feelings that may come up for students as a result of this presentation. If there are any questions, please contact your student’s guidance counselor.
“To the kids who don’t need it, I applaud you. To the kids who struggle, I understand you. Help one another. Reach out to one another. We need to work on this together.’ -Chris Herren
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Yearbooks: WE RECEIVED A SMALL AMOUNT OF EXTRAS!!! Purchase yours now with Michele. These will move quickly. A yearbook costs $58. Contact Michele in the office, 888-4600, to order or ask questions. We plan on handing yearbooks out during Spring Fling this Friday afternoon.
Guidance
Senior Families: If you are interested in purchasing seniors announcements please use the below link to place your order. Peoples Academy Senior Announcements
The Trace Santos-Barder Scholarship is now available in the guidance office. This annual scholarship offers the opportunity for middle level and high school students of Peoples Academy to receive financial support to attend their choice of an educational, athletic, or recreational activity taking place this summer. A completed application and letter of interest is due to the PA guidance office by May 26th. Please see Carrie, Lindsey or Sheila with any questions.
Summer Opportunity – The Vermont Film and Music Festival: SATURDAY, JUNE 3 • 12PM – 1PM EST • STOWE THEATRE GUILD Nationally-recognized American roots & soul band Dwight + Nicole (Dwight Ritcher & Nicole Nelson, will lead a workshop for local youth artists on pursuing and sustaining a career as independent artists. Though the program will be music focused, the lessons apply to being an artist in any field. The workshop is run in partnership with Stowe Story Labs / The Vermont Film and Music Festival. The team at Stowe Story Labs will work with local high school educators to enroll interested students. Youth Musician Workshop Overview
The UVM Extension 4-H Teen & Leadership program is pleased to offer the following programs this summer.
Bookmark the 4-H Announcements page as more opportunities get added all the time!
Summer of Science
Workshops are FREE but registration is required. (Flyer, PDF) Registration deadlines begin June 1.
Most workshops are open to youth entering grades 7-12 in the Fall but there are a few exceptions as noted.
June 23: Learn About Lake Champlain on a Floating Classroom
June 27: Flow Cytometry
June 28: Plant and Fungi Ecology and Evolution
July 6: Build a Rocket (Part 1 of 2) entering grades 9-12
July 10: Biomimicry
July 12: Learn About Forest Ecology
July 14-16: Natural Resources Management Academy entering grades 7-10
July 17: Special Conference/Youth Day: Stem Cells, Cell Therapy and Bioengineering in Lung Biology and Disease entering grades 8-12
July 18: Learn About Brain Connections with Neuronify
July 21: Microbe Detectives
July 27: Build a Rocket (Part 2 of 2) entering grades 9-12
July 31- August 4: Morning Cup of Code entering grades 5-12
August 4: Brain Lab
August 6: Nature Awareness and Ecological Restoration
Co-Curricular Activities
Senior Games!!! Baseball and Softball today at 4:30 vs. Blue Mountain. Let’s support our seniors.
All of our spring sports are doing amazing. Make sure to check out the official schedule on our website to catch a game or meet.
Relay anyone?
Peoples Academy Stage Company: This show will be a collection of scenes. It is possible that these scenes will be classical in nature. This show will be performed June 9th and 10th. Be on the lookout for additional details as we get closer.
Follow us on Instagram @PeoplesWolves!
IMPORTANT DATES
May 26 Memorial Day Observance, 10:00 am, Bandshell – Community Welcome
May 27 Prom at Jay Peak Resort
May 28-29 Senior Class Trip, Montreal
May 29 No School, Memorial Day
June 9 Last Day of Regular Classes
June 9 Senior Breakfast, 8:00 am
June 9 & 10 Spring Play: Scenes
June 14th Senior Last Chapel, class picture directly afterwards
June 12-14 Assessments
June 15 Graduation
2022-2023 LSUU School Calendar
2023-2024 LSSU School Calendar
Community
Lamoille Working Communities Challenge Sharing Priority
Addressing Poverty in Lamoille: An Interfaith Teach In + Fundraiser: Saturday, June 3rd, 6-8 PM, In Person: Blessed Sacrament Church (728 Mountain Road, Stowe), Virtual option
Community
Anxiety therapy group: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a proven way to treat anxiety by helping us get out of our heads and into our lives. For adults 18+ who experience anxiety as their primary issue or mental health challenge. 8-week, in-person-only group, Mondays at noon (starting June 12) at Lamoille Health Partners, Morrisville, 802-888-8320
Virtual roundtable conversation on supporting youth vaping cessation: talk about local strategies, challenges, and successes related to youth vaping cessation.5/23 3:30-4:30 PM on Zoom. Video of February meeting
BBQ, Ribs and Shrimp + Tacos to raise funds for Heifer Project International and a gift of a Farm animal plus Garden Seeds for a Johnson area resident. United Church of Johnson, 6/3, 3-7 pm. Piñata, bingo, yard games
