School news
AP Art History starts year in a prehistoric cave
Dr. Gravel’s AP Art History students didn’t just learn about prehistoric art on their first day of class—they lived it. To kick off Unit 1, Dr. Gravel transformed her classroom into a prehistoric cave. The room was dimly lit with lanterns and candles, and students used charcoal to sketch animals and human figures on simulated “cave walls.”
The immersive activity wasn’t just for fun—it illustrated the way early artwork reveals what mattered most to cultures without a written language. Students discussed why animals were depicted with intricate detail while people were drawn as simple stick figures: animals were vital to survival, as they provided food in a world where the next meal was never guaranteed.
Using charcoal connected students to history in another way—it’s an organic material that archaeologists and historians rely on for radiocarbon dating, stratigraphic dating, and contextual evidence to understand when and why buried art was made.
Students left with a deeper appreciation for the idea that art is more than images on a wall—it is a record of survival, culture, and human experience. As one student shared, “It felt like we were really in a cave making history.” Another commented, “How cool it was… this is where it all started.”
By stepping into the past, students began to see how art tells the story of humanity when words are not available.
Using charcoal connected students to history in another way—it’s an organic material that archaeologists and historians rely on for radiocarbon dating, stratigraphic dating, and contextual evidence to understand when and why buried art was made.
Students left with a deeper appreciation for the idea that art is more than images on a wall—it is a record of survival, culture, and human experience. As one student shared, “It felt like we were really in a cave making history.” Another commented, “How cool it was… this is where it all started.”
By stepping into the past, students began to see how art tells the story of humanity when words are not available.
Middle School recognized as a School of Distinction
We're thrilled to share that Woodstock Union Middle School has been named a 2025 AMLE School of Distinction, an honor that recognizes outstanding middle schools worldwide. Only 24 schools across the globe received this recognition from the Association for Middle Level Education this year!
Our school’s AMLE profile, included below, highlights some of what makes WUMS special.
Key Practices
Place-based Education
Outdoor Community Building
Advisory
SEL
Teaming
Shared MS/HS resources
Wide Variety of Extracurricular Opportunities
Integrated Units of Study
Highlights of Exemplary Practices
Essential Attribute: An Education for Young Adolescents Should Be Responsive
At Woodstock Union Middle School, we weave a narrative of responsiveness, where student voice is the heartbeat of our community, driving meaningful change. Students shape their learning environment by influencing clubs, classroom topics, and vibrant events like the Winter and Spring Carnivals. Our diverse electives—ranging from computer programming and robotics to cooking and performing and visual arts—empower students to explore new passions and skills. When students voiced a need for more downtime, we reinstated recess after lunch, supporting their mental and physical well-being. A full-time social-emotional learning (SEL) specialist provides tailored support, while our advisory program, strengthened through professional development led by the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE), ensures we listen and adapt to meet student needs. This deep commitment to responsiveness creates a school where every voice matters and every student thrives.
Essential Attribute: An Education for Young Adolescents Should Be Engaging
Woodstock Union Middle School tells a story of engagement, fostering a dynamic, hands-on, and inquiry-driven environment where students grow through real-world experiences and meaningful connections. Annual camping trips and student-led carnivals build community and nurture independence, while regular celebrations strengthen our sense of togetherness. In the classroom, students dive into exploration—experimenting with dry ice, constructing Rube Goldberg machines, or studying biodiversity in partnership with a local National Park. Our Innovation Lab, a unique collaboration with NuVu School, empowers students to tackle real-world challenges using cutting-edge tools like 3D printers and CAD software. Integrated projects invite students to explore profound questions about identity, community, and their future, creating a learning environment that sparks curiosity and inspires growth.
Essential Attribute: An Education for Young Adolescents Should Be Empowering
At Woodstock Union Middle School, empowerment is at the core of our mission, enabling students to take charge of their learning and growth as individuals and community members. Through student-led conferences, a wide array of elective choices in arts, technology, and environmental studies, and personalized inquiry-based learning, students actively shape their educational journeys. Goal-setting is woven into core Student's classes, supported by guidance in developing executive functioning skills. We encourage self-advocacy, with counselors readily available to provide support. Leadership opportunities abound, from designing the yearbook to organizing school-wide initiatives like Empathy Week. Clubs such as the Queer-Straight Alliance and Leadership Club foster inclusivity and community, while our unique theatre program and competitive mountain biking bike team celebrate creative expression and athletic excellence. At Woodstock Union, we empower every student to leave their mark, building a vibrant, inclusive community where they are both challenged and supported to soar.
Welcome to our new staff members
We’re excited to introduce the newest members of the WUHSMS family! Please join us in welcoming:
Cristin Berry - HS Guidance Counselor
Brenna Bridwell - MS Special Educator
Joseph Cianciola -HS Mathematics Educator
Bryan Duff- C3/Online Learning Educator
Mark Ericson- Innovation Lab Educator (NuVu)
Shelley Gebhardt- Literacy Intervention
Mark Harwood- MVSU Systems and Network Administrator
Brad Henry- MS Paraeducator
Emily Hudson- C3/Online Learning Educator
Angela Keller- Spanish Language Educator
Chris Lanzalotto- Assistant Principal
Kevin Lynds- Custodian
Richard Mosenthal- French Language Educator
Dylan Moye- Custodian
Noelle Nunes- Guidance Office Administrative Coordinator
Karen Odell- Special Education Case Manager
Chitra Siddharthan- Computer Sciences Educator
Christina Stibely- Special Educator in Community Classroom
Yoh theatre 2025-2026 season starts Aug. 29
Our new season begins Friday, August 29th. Current members, parents, and anyone interested in joining are invited to our season launch event.
Schedule
5:00 PM - Opening Meeting
We'll reveal the 2025-2026 season shows and share important details for the year.
6:00 PM - Potluck Dinner
Bring a dish to share. This is a good chance for families to meet and new members to get acquainted.
7:00-8:00 PM - Preview Performance
Students will perform scenes and songs from the upcoming season.
Fall Play Sign-ups
Interested in our October show? Sign up here. All experience levels welcome.
We look forward to seeing you Friday, August 29th!
Marie Anderson is WUHSMS 2025 Teacher of the Year!
In June, Marie Anderson was recognized by her colleagues as the 2024-25 Teacher of the Year for her colleagueship, professional knowledge in her subject area of French and her dedication to her students in the classroom, as leader of numerous educational exchanges to France and as co-advisor of Student Council. The entire Modern and Classical Languages Department sang a song in her honor with the refrain, “Sacré bleu! She’s très magnifique! She’s got that je ne sais quoi, sounique! Congratulations Madame Anderson and best wishes for your retirement!
“Marie is all heart. And that heart overflows with love for her family, her friends, her students, her colleagues, well just about anyone who enters her orb. Marie doesn’t wear her heart on her sleeve; you see it on her face each time she smiles at you and gives you her full attention. Her full and beautiful heart is the engine that drives her.”
“I am so excited that we get to recognize Marie for her dedication to so many aspects of our school for many years. While she’s been at WUHSMS for 14 years, many of you may not know that she’s actually been in the district for 25 years, having taught at both Killington and Reading Elementary schools. In her time here Marie has been an incredibly supportive colleague, enormously organized department head, passionate teacher, and dear friend of mine.””
