School news
Interact Club returns after multi-year hiatus
By Kaitlyn Burres
Interact Club President
This year the Interact Club run by Lori Adams and Kim Carey was able to re-form after a multi-year hiatus. Interact has been a club dedicated to giving to our community and our world. We are a club made up of freshmen through seniors with a strong connection to the Rotary. After a quick start up at the beginning of the year Interact jumped quickly into how we could give back to our community. We have been fortunate enough to be supported by the Rotary throughout this year as well as connect with an Interact Club in Thailand. As Interact gains more funds and strength we hope to give to those in need in Thailand and organize trips there as well. Interact is committed to selfless acts of kindness to all those who need it and will continue to carry this commitment out.
Interact Club chose to kick off our first year back by organizing a canned food drive for those affected by the removal of snap benefits. Interact did a one day drive and gained over $100 worth of donations as well as multiple bags full of canned goods.
Above is a photo of Kaitlyn Burres Speaking at the Rotarian’s Night of Giving as well as the letter sent from the Rotary Club inviting students to accept their generous donation
Although Interact has not been running for long Interact was able to accept a generous donation from Max Comins. Interact was invited to speak at the Rotarian’s Night of Giving and Kaitlyn Burres and Mimi Kanda-Olmstead said words to give their immense thanks to the Rotarians.
Interact members also went to the Reading Elementary School to decorate food donation boxes with the 1st through 4th graders. A large aspect of Interact is building up the community and ensuring kindness and selflessness throughout the younger generations. This was executed perfectly throughout a two hour window organized by Kim Carey. Both Interact members and the Reading Elementary school enjoyed this special event.
Currently, Interact is running a winter clothing drive. In the main lobby every day Interact members collect old winter items that students donate. Many people in the community are not able to afford the necessary items to keep warm this chilly winter. Interact plans to hand these articles of clothing out to those who need them the most.
Hunting for parabolas at Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Park
Algebra 2 students recently visited Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Park on snowshoes to look for parabolas in nature.
A parabola is the U-shaped curve that shows up when you graph a quadratic equation. Parabolas come up a lot in the real world: the path a ball takes when you throw it, the shape of a satellite dish, the curve of a suspension bridge cable. They're a useful tool for modeling how things move and behave.
The question students are exploring is whether parabolas actually appear in nature on their own. They hiked through the forest, took pictures of curves they found in branches, roots, and other natural shapes, and will bring those photos back to class to write equations and see how well the math holds up.
Thank you to Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Park and to Kat Robbins for supporting the trip.
Ms. Vonada recognized with national teaching award
Woodstock Union high school math teacher Heather Vonada was honored at the NEA Foundation's Salute to Excellence in Education Gala in Washington, D.C. on February 13.
Ms. Vonada is one of just 48 educators nationwide selected by the NEA to receive the 2026 Travelers Award for Teaching Excellence—a prestigious recognition honoring outstanding classroom practice, commitment to equity, and community engagement.
We are lucky to have her. Congratulations, Ms. Vonada!
Birds of a Feather Flock together in Eco-Art Class
In Mrs. Jimerson's Eco Art class, students enjoyed researching resident winter birds in Vermont for a recent project. To create their birds, students made homemade inks from black walnuts and berries, and created real quills using traditional methods.
Students used steel wool, sandpaper, and exacto knives to create their quills from turkey feathers, and worked together to boil and mash black walnuts into ink. Students also practiced their calligraphy writing skills in preparation for the next phase of the project. The students will be painting scientific illustrations that include written descriptions of their birds.
WUHSMS musicians participate in Connecticut Valley Honors Music Festival
Twelve musicians from WUHSMS were accepted and participated in the Connecticut Valley Honors Music Festival last weekend. This festival brings together the very best middle and high school musicians from throughout the state for a two day festival, this year hosted at Bellows Falls Union High School. The festival includes over 10 hours of rehearsal followed by a featured performance. Lia Gugliotta performed with the high school jazz ensemble and all other musicians performed with the middle school concert band. Bravo tutti!
Pictured from left to right: Josiah DeWerth, Mina Gugliotta, Izzy Gieder, Josie Flaster, Lia Gugliotta, Ava Byrne, Genevieve Williams, Norah Wolfe, Sadie Rowlee, Mari Maxham, Malina Siciliano and Anabelle Park