Dear Academy community,

I’m happy to be writing this message in our first Caller of 2021!  This changing of the calendar brings with it more emotion that others.  While 2020 has challenged so many of us in a myriad of ways, our school community and our community as a whole has risen to the occasion by supporting each other in pursuit of the greater good. I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of it.

The past two weeks have been busy in preparation for the start of 2nd semester on January 28th.  By now, you should have received an email containing information about your students’ classroom teacher - either in-person or online - for the second semester.  While we do not typically change class placement midway through a school year, this year is the exception as our school structure is changing with students coming to school 4 days a week for the second semester and our student body changing with many students transitioning back to in-person learning.  While we strive to keep things as consistent as possible, we appreciate your understanding that change is necessary at times.

The coming weeks brings many things to take note of.  First is some calendar events:
Jan. 18 - No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

Jan. 25 - 26 No School (Teacher in-service)

Jan. 27 (Remote learning day - this is the frist day of Semester 2, but will largely be used to conclude semester 1)

Jan. 28 - Beginning of Semester 2 classes, and first day of 4 days per week of in-person learning

In addition, information will be coming home soon about our Winter Sports program for this winter.  We have sent a survey to families in grades 4-6 to sign students up for skiing and snowboarding at the T-bar at Memorial Park.  We look forward to getting students, in all grades, outside enjoying a variety of winter activities in the coming weeks!  Please be mindful of sending students every day with appropriate winter gear.  If you and your family are in need of equipment, please reach out to Jody Mattulke (jmattulke@wsesdvt.org).

Thank you as always for sharing the young people in your lives with us,

Jon

REMINDER: As there is no school Monday, remote meals will be available for pick up on Tuesday.

Check out Ms.Walior's first grade class enjoying a fire and s'mores outside in January! Doesn't that sound like the best!!!!!

Happy New Year! Welcome to our 2021 Pop-up Sale for Academy School Spirit Wear

Academy Community Together (ACT)  is proud to bring back the Academy School spirit wear designed by a current 6th grader!  This event is a fundraiser for ACT. ACT strives to support our students in participating in a wide variety of experiences both in the classroom and beyond.  Funds raised by ACT are used to assist in keeping field trip costs low, providing busing to and from field trips, paying for food and the bounce house at family fun night and supporting the winter sports activities - to name a few.  Thank you for supporting our school!

This store is set to close on Sunday, January 31.

The sixth grade is eagerly awaiting their trout from Trout in the Classroom. This year, our trout will be coming from a Maine hatchery. Each class will have about 50 trout eggs to raise until May. Trout need cold water, so we have a chiller (the metal coils in the bottom left) to keep the tank in the low 40s.

Hello 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Families!

NEYT’s Town Schools Theatre Program is offering a tuition-FREE

afterschool theater program this winter!

·      Bring to life stories that are a cross between the Twilight Zone and Stranger Things.

·      Create in a fully produced radio drama podcast with theme music and sound effects!

·      Each participant will receive a podcast microphone to use

·      No acting experience required!

·      All rehearsals will take place on Zoom

·      Runs February 1 – March 12. Application deadline January 20

To learn more, watch this video “What is a Radio Drama Podcast?”

https://youtu.be/UD-_Ko1Kq_A

Visit the NEYT website to apply online!:

https://www.neyt.org/town-schools

Or contact NEYT’s Education Director, Putnam Smith:

putnamsmith@gmail.com

Like to sew? Looking for a winter project? Have some extra fleece laying around? 

We are looking for people to make neck warmers for our Academy Stars! Spending 

time outside in the winter is great, and staying warm is important! These neck warmers

will help our students stay warm and cover their faces for COVID requirements. 

If you think you can help out by donating your time and materials to make some neck warmers (or know someone else who may help) please email Liz at lcasarella@wsesdvt.org

 Any colors would be welcome, here are some examples:

Sparky led Emily Marker's Kindergarten's in making ice medallions. Didn't they do such a beautiful job?! We are so lucky to have someone like Sparky who comes and volunteers at our school.

Yesterday we made mac and cheese with Miss Kathy!  She had them sample 3 kinds of cheese (cheddar, swiss and gouda) and worked with them to make their own individual mac and cheese which we cooked over the fire in the woods. It was so much fun and so YUMMY! She also had delicious berry smoothies for all to sample. it was a delicious dairy taste test! Thank you so much Miss Kathy for working with us! 

CHECK OUT THE LATEST EPISODE OF NEBULA NEWS. YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS IT! Click on the picture below to check it out.