Celebrate the Arts Night
CVU Debate and Speech Teams Need Your Help
SPEECH TEAMS NEED YOUR HELP
Champlain Valley Union High School will host the largest debate/speech tournament of the year on Saturday, January 11, 2014. Over 150 students from across the state will compete in this event.
We are putting out an appeal for citizen judges. No experience required. We provide training and
nourishment. The time commitment is 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.. If you are interested in helping out, contact Chris O'Donnell at [email protected]
Thanks for your consideration of this request. It is a very rewarding experience for all!
Spring Drama
All those interested in participating on a Tech Crew for this Spring’s Student Directed One-Acts, there will be a Tech Crew Sign-up meeting on Friday, January 3 from 3:15 to 5:45 in the theatre. We’ll be looking for crew members to work on Sets, Props, Costumes, Lights, Sound, Scenic Design and Stage Management. Please plan to attend the Tech Crew Sign Up Meeting. |
Cafe For A Cause
The following people or businesses donated either money or items for a Raffle. Thank you for your generous support:
Fox Family Maple, Hill Top Honey, Distler's Pretzels, Garuka Bars, Ramunto's, Yolo Snacks, Koval's coffee, Vermont Coffee Company, Reinhart Food Service, Farrell's Distributing, g.housen Beverages,
Scuffer Steak & Ale, Green Mountain Gringo, Church Street Tavern, Bolton Valley Ski resort,
Green Mountain Farm to School (Specifically Harvest Hill Farm, Joe's Brook, & D&S Farm Direct).
Past Cafe for a Cause charity recipients (to date over $42,000 has been raised):
2004-2005 Unicef-South East Asia Tsunami family relief
2005-2006 American Red Cross-Hurricane Katrina relief
2006-2007 Santa Night-gifts for children in Burlington
2007-2008 Heifer International & Greece Orphanage
2008-2009 COTS-Shelters for the homeless in Burlington
2009-2010 Operation Tribute-gifts for children of military parents
2010-2011 VT Refugee Resettlement Program
2011-2012 Hurricane Irene VT Relief Agency
2012-2013 Vermont Food Bank
2013-2014 Our Community Cares Camp
CVU Engineering Teams Do Well
Against 45 other engineering teams from local schools, CVU hauled home TEN awards in seven categories. CVU earned Six 1st place trophies, three 3rd place trophies, and an honorable mention. One CVU team dominated, taking home the best overall team award in the competition, but
all three teams earned awards!
The students worked on this project from mid-September, repeating the trial and error process until they felt that they had a good working solution. Students used robots, RC cars and many other solutions to be able to navigate through multiple hazards and targets. Scores were based on the type of cargo used and what hazards and targets each game piece scored. Each team did a computational analysis on the scoring formula and determined a game strategy based on the easiest way to score the greatest amount of points. All three teams designed and built robots able to carry predominantly foam blocks through the course. One team created a mechanical launcher as a backup as well as to boost their score. The engineering students’ hard work paid off in the competition. They racked up an impressive amount of awards in every category consisting
of:
Best Overall: 1st place
Engineering Presentation: 1st, 3rd,
Honorable Mention Top Calculated Score: 1st
Most Game Pieces Scored: 3rd
Testing & Documentation: 1st, 3rd
Most cargo to farthest target: 1st
Playoff Award: 1st.
UVM Engineering Design TASC Competition has been running for the last 15 years. CVU has participated in this competition many times with lots of success. The Design TASC Engineering course gives the students an opportunity to compete in this competition and the chance to experience a real-world, hands-on engineering experience. Students are asked to use math and science to solve design solutions and to use the technology and skills learned in other Design &
Engineering Technology courses to construct a working prototype to solve a new problem each year.
Any students interested in Engineering should contact Olaf Verdonk and look to sign up for Design and Engineering Technology courses offered at CVU.
CVU students involved:
RedHawk Chili Peppers (RHCP): Charlie Maitland, Ben Langdon, Russell Fox, Thomas Stevens, Matt Beer, Steven Roberts;
RoboKnights: Noah Mintz-Roberts, Tyler VanDyk, Wesley McEntee, Jack Dilley, Dan Isreal-Meyers, Ben Ogle;
Error 404: Will Colomb, Noah Allen, Forrest Hamilton, Ben Fox, John Thrailkill, Ewan McNeil.
Scholar Bowl Shines
The 25-7 overall record gives CVU teams a 68-24 combined record so far this season.
Eighteen students took part in the event for CVU- Will Keve, Fiona Higgins, Bennett Cazayoux, Owen Hudson, Ian Campbell, Peter Roy, Brendan Murphy, Cameron Harris, Wes McEntee, Parker Dunn, Emily O'Brien, Brandon Tieso, Charlie Yarwood, Will Hodgson Walker, Sarah Nelson, Henry Mohn, Jacob Parker and Alex Merrill. The team will next be in action in a meet right here at CVU on January 10th.
Computer Club Busy
CVU Environmental Club
CVU has been named one of Vermont’s first ENERGY STAR® schools. This achievement places the school in the top 25% of energy efficient schools in the country and signifies that it meets stringent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for healthy ventilation, year-round comfort, and lighting quality.
CVU was recognized at an award ceremony on November 7th at Camel’s Hump Middle School in Richmond, along with 10 other Vermont schools that achieved ENERGY STAR designation. The ceremony also marked the launch of Project Green School, an initiative that aims to put all Vermont schools on the path toward ENERGY STAR designation by 2020.
“We are working hard to make CVU more sustainable, and a large part of this effort is emphasizing the importance of energy conservation. Students are leading this work with our Whole School Energy Challenge project, and this award reflects the commitment of everyone—students, faculty, staff, and administrators – working together to reduce our energy use,” said Jeff Evans, CVU Principal.
Among those in attendance at the award ceremony were Congressman Peter Welch, Vermont
Secretary of Education Armando Vilaseca, and representatives of the EPA, the Vermont Superintendents Association’s School Energy Management Program (VSA-SEMP), and Efficiency Vermont. Three CVU students, members of CVU’s EnACT Leadership Team, spoke at the event: Cameron Harris (Shelburne), Cally Braun (Charlotte) and Miranda Selinger (Hinesburg). EnACT Adviser Katie Antos-Ketcham. Sophomore EnACT member Carmen Fisher-Olvera (Williston) and facilities staff member Tom Mongeon attended the event as well.
“The 11 schools we are honoring today have done great work,” said Jim Merriam, Director of Efficiency Vermont. “But the steps they have taken are within reach of any school in our state. With focused effort and enhanced support through Project Green School, we are looking forward to helping every community in Vermont provide a healthier and more energy efficient environment for their students.”
Trash on the Lawn Day
Environmental Action Club (EnACT) members led by junior Rachel Slimovitch hosted its annual “Trash Audit” in late October. EnACT members sorted the “trash” from the cafeteria and throughout the school in order to determine what is “true trash” versus what should have been composted or
recycled.
Here's news to celebrate:
*We reduced what we send to the landfill by 21% in just one year. On Oct. 23, 2012 (last year) we produced a daily, school-wide total of 333 pounds of trash (not including bathroom waste) that we sorted on the 24th. On Oct. 24, 2013 (this year) we produced a daily, school-wide total of 262 pounds of trash (not including bathroom waste) that we sorted on the 25th. That's 71 fewer pounds from one year to the next. The new sorting stations in the cafeteria plus the educational assemblies led by EnACT have certainly helped make a positive difference.
There were no bowls or trays or plates in this year's trash. Two years ago we found 31 bowls, 8 plates, and 3 food trays in the trash. Last year we found 5 bowls and 2 plates. This year, there were none.
We are realizing financial savings, too. We pay Casella for our landfill-bound waste by the ton ($106.39/ton). Using a projected daily savings of 71 lbs. and multiplying this by 180 school days, we can reasonably assume we will divert 12,780 lbs. of waste from the landfill this school year and save the school $680 this year alone.
The trash audit also helped us see what work we need to focus on next, like promoting proper sorting in the classrooms where the recycling option exists.
Family & Consumer Science News
Students in Clothing Construction are in the process of making garments which they will wear for a showcase at Celebrate the Arts Night, January 7th. The Cooking and Eating Well class will also make refreshments for guests to enjoy that evening.
Before Clothing Construction students started working on their garments, they made a bag out of a feed bag. We are lucky enough to be taking these reusable animal feed bags out of the waste stream. Students cut and sew the bags into shopping/grocery bags. We are selling the bags for $5 each. The money that the class makes will be donated to our area food shelves. If you are interested in purchasing a bag or making a donation to the class to donate to the food shelf, please contact Eleanor Marsh at [email protected]
Half-Day Inservices for 2013-2014There are half-day in-services throughout the school year with students dismissed at 12:30 p.m. Below are the remaining dates for in-services for the 2013-2014 school year: Tue Feb 11, 2014 – Curriculum work Wed March 12, 2014 – Curriculum work Tue Mar 25, 2014 – MAPS 10 Advisor/Advisee/Parent meeting Tue Apr 8, 2014 -Grad Challenge Reading Days Wed Apr 9, 2014 -Grad Challenge Reading Days Wed May 21, 2014 – Curriculum work | CVU Calendar for 2013-2014Please check out the CVU School Year Calendar on our homepage. This calendar has the Red and White day schedule, early dismissals, vacation days, sporting events, etc. Please check it on a regular basis. We will update it as needed. You can also access it by clicking the following link: http://www.cvuhs.org/school-calendar.html |
Direction Center
found on our website, including:
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR SPRING CLASSES!
CVU juniors and seniors now have access to virtual seats in the VHS Consortium. This non-profit, global network includes over 500 high schools and enables students to consider 200 online courses. Now that CVU is a member school, students can pursue specific areas of interest with other students from around the globe.
We have 25 spaces available each semester to supplement our CVU course offerings. Sound interesting? Students can check out the catalog at www.govhs.org. Spring registration has now begun. Encourage your student to consider a January course. Classes begin on January 29th. Call Jane Krasnow in the Direction Center for more information.
Dual Enrollment Opportunities
Attention Juniors and Seniors!
Don’t miss the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school! Juniors and Seniors can
enroll in college courses (online or on campus) during the academic year or during the summer. Study in core areas such as Math, Science, English, Languages, and the Arts. The programs available are:
- Dual Enrollment Program, which is through the State of Vermont and allows juniors and seniors to take one tuition- free college course a year. CCV, Champlain, UVM, and Burlington
College all have Dual enrollment programs.
- The Academically Talented program through the University of Vermont offers Vermont high school students to take courses at 50% reduced tuition until they graduate. Some restrictions apply, and you do need to be approved by your guidance counselor
Community College of Vermont – Introduction to College Studies
Wednesdays, starting in January from 4-6 PM.
The class focuses on all the skills that are needed to be successful at college: study/test taking skills, organization, financial aid, and communication skills. Although this does not offer college
credit, students who complete the course can earn ½ English credit and ½ elective credit at CVU. This is a great class for sophomores, and it is FREE! See Jane Krasnow, call 482-7137, or email: [email protected] in the Direction Center to get more information or to sign up today!
Juniors
Although it seems that college is far away, we have already scheduled our popular Junior College Night. This program, open to both parents and students, offers valuable information from a
panel of college admissions counselors. Mark your calendar for Wednesday, January 8 at 6:00 PM.
After this initial kickoff meeting, we would like to encourage students to come in for an individual counselor conference. Parents are always welcome.
PSATs are in!
We’re sending a copy home and we’re going to U.S. & the World classes the week of December 16th to present a brief overview to students. We’ll take a few minutes to meet individually with
students to see if they have questions or concerns. We encourage all juniors to take the SAT and the ACT in the spring and use the information they receive from the PSATs to help them prepare. In addition, a few schools may require the SAT Subject Tests. Please check college requirements carefully and give us a call if you have any questions at all.
Sophomores
Counselors completed their visits to the 10th grade English 10/Making of the Modern World classes to meet individually with students to review PLAN results. Earlier this month, counselors facilitated a Sophomore Parent Coffee to review the purpose of the PLAN test.
Vermont Student Assistance Corporation
The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation was created by the Vermont Legislature to help students and parents obtain information about colleges, financial aid, as well as to help with the distribution of grants and loans. On Thursday, January 23rd at 6:00 P.M., we will facilitate a forms night for all senior parents who would like assistance completing the FAFSA (Federal Financial Aid) Form. Please email Julie Dimmock at [email protected] for more information.
Seniors
Please note that VSAC scholarship booklets are now available in the Direction Center. This booklet lists over 100 scholarships for students who will be attending college in 2014-2015.
Advanced Placement Course Roundtable
“Can I get into college without an AP course?“ How many AP’s are too many?”
Each year parents and students work together on planning a course schedule that balances academic rigor with all the other activities high school students love. The challenge is often in wrestling with conflicting information and advice. Join us for a roundtable discussion on Wednesday evening, January 22nd, at 7:00PM. We’ll meet to discuss AP courses and student schedules. Come hear our panel of AP teachers, a college admissions professional, and a student who has
successfully weathered the process.
Please RSVP to Jane at [email protected] or call 482-7137.
Technical Center Visit Days
We're already thinking about 2014 - 2015 and bringing information to students who will benefit from the great extended learning opportunities offered by the Technical Centers. Representatives from
Burlington Technical Center and the Center for Technology Essex will present their programs to all sophomores on Tuesday, January 7th during the first 45 minutes of each Eng 10/MMW class.
We're also organizing two days on which students can visit the tech centers. Students
need to sign up in advance for two programs they would like to visit and bring in a parent permission slip. A visit is required for all students who would like to enroll in a technical program next year. If your daughter/son is interested, please have the student stop by the Direction Center to sign up and get a permission slip.
The Pre-tech application process for interested 9th grade students will start a bit later in the spring. Feel free to talk with Jane Krasnow in the Direction center if you have a son/daughter who may be interested. 482- 7128 or email [email protected].