School news
"Bringing Gather to Life: A Day of Inspiration, Connection, and Community for Ninth Graders"
Last Friday, our 9th grade students participated in a series of meaningful activities pertaining to the book Gather by Ken Cadow. To kick off the afternoon, the author Ken Cadow visited and spoke to our students, sharing insights into his writing process and the inspiration behind Gather through a student-led panel discussion. After the discussion, students participated in two activities of their choice that centered around the themes of nature, connection, and giving back to the community that showed up in the book.
Activities included crafting and donating pet items, baking dog treats for shelter fundraising, organizing a pet food drive, volunteering in the school greenhouse, and enjoying nature hikes and basketball games to balance responsibilities with personal joy. Students also designed laser-printed ornaments and connected with a therapy dog, emphasizing themes of care and meaningful connection.
Students display blanket they made to donate to the Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society
Students made blankets and cushions to donate to the Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society
Two Students making dog treats to bake for shelter fundraising.
LIBRARY NEWS - Ken Cadow, Author of Gather, visits WUHSMS
On Friday, December 6, Ken Cadow, author of Gather, visited WUHSMS thanks to Vermont Humanities! In addition to being a National Book Award Finalist last year, Gather is the Vermont Reads books for 2024 and hundreds of our students have read it. Ken Cadow's author talk was for most the culminating activity of their study of Ian's life in Vermont with his dog named Gather. The themes in this coming of age story really resonated with our students and they had the opportunity to ask their questions of the author. Nine student panelists sat on stage with the author and they asked questions students in grades 9-12 wrote in their English classes.
To read more about the event and see photos, please click here for the From the Library newsletter.
Nine student panelists sat on stage with the author and they asked questions students in grades 9-12 wrote in their English classes.
Two students meet Baxter the therapy dog
The week before Thanksgiving break was an eventful one in the Music Department!
The High School Concert Choir was invited to perform at the conference for the Chief Justices and their Supreme Courts and the State Court Administrators of New England. WUHSMS Alumnus the Honorable Harold Eaton Jr. (Class of 1973) who serves on the Vermont Supreme Court invited the Concert Choir to open up the conference with the Star Spangled Banner.
Twelve students from WUHSMS were selected to participate in the Connecticut Valley District Music Festival which brings together the very best musicians from southeastern Vermont for a two day festival. Participants worked with some of New England’s finest conductors, rehearsing over 10 hours and then sharing a wonderful performance. This is the first time musicians from WUHSMS have attended the festival in over 13 years. Henry Butler, Grace Falk Davidson, Izzy Gieder, Jacquelyn Melendy, Bree Sarandrea, & Sierra Townsend participated in the Middle School Chorus. Bowie Appelfeller, Ava Byrne, Mari Maxham, Astrid McFarland, & Sadie Rowlee participated in the Middle School Jazz Band. Lia Gugliotta participated in the High School Concert Band. Bravo tutti!
Digital, Visual and Performing Arts News
Ian Coates, Alaythia Lockhart, and Graham Fox hone in their wheel skills during Pottery class. The wheel requires patience and practice, and a balance of experimentation and technique.
19th Century Social Reformers Socialize in AP U.S. History Class
AP U.S. History students conducted research on the Second Great Awakening and the mid-19th century Social Reform Movement.
Each student wrote an essay about one activist from the time period covering topics such as abolition, education, prison reform, temperance, and women’s rights. Students then interviewed each other from the first person perspective in our Social Reform Mixer.