TA News

Dear TA Families,

We have a few invitations for students and families as we move into week three of the school year, as well as a few housekeeping items to share. Thanks, in advance, for reading my weekly email and staying connected to school happenings!

For Parents: Back to School Night

We look forward to hosting parents and caregivers on campus for the annual Back to School Night on Thursday evening. Meet teachers, visit classrooms, and learn more about your student’s classes and curriculum. Parents are welcome to arrive at 5:45 p.m. to check in, visit informational tables, and meet school staff. The formal schedule will start at 6:00 p.m. with parents attending advisory and then following an abbreviated school-day schedule to their student’s classes. 

For Students: Clubs & Office Hours Begin Next Week

The first ‘Sign-Up Days’ of the school year begin next week September 9 and 10 during Power Hour, our activity/lunch block in the middle of each day. The weekly routine includes dedicated time for clubs and office hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays. There are lots of great club options – and they all welcome newcomers, need participants to thrive, and provide opportunities to learn, play, create, connect, explore, and lead. Chess, STEM club, student council, pickleball, upcycle crafting, book club, debate team, tabletop games, disc golf … and more!

Sign-Up Days give students the opportunity (and the responsibility) to make choices regarding how they use their time during Power Hour. Which clubs or activities do they want to participate in? Which teachers do they want to see during office hours? Did a teacher assign them to office hours? When do they want to (or need to) each lunch based on the other commitments they make? 

This past week we had a club fair on Wednesday to showcase opportunities and a tutorial on how to sign up for activities through Alma on Thursday. Please check in with your student about how they plan to spend their time on Sign-Up Days this fall. Sometimes it’s the case that teachers will assign office hours, so students should be ready for that possibility as well. Here is a link to the daily bell schedule (see page 1) to better understand the flow of the school day and where Power Hour fits in.

For Everyone: Half Day on Friday, Sept. 11

Just a reminder that the Friday after Back to School Night is a half day. School will be in session from 8:10am-12:10pm. Regular bus routes will run and meal service provided. (Here is the link to our daily bell schedules again – see page 3 for the half-day class schedule.)

For the Class of 2030: 9th Grade Retreat

The 9th graders will have a special activity schedule on Friday’s half day. Much of the morning will be dedicated to team-building activities as a class and in advisory, taking place outdoors on our south campus and low ropes course. Students should dress for comfort. Fingers crossed the forecast will stay steady with a lovely autumn day – so far, it’s looking good!

Housekeeping Items

• In compliance with Vermont regulations, we want to share the results of our most recent water sampling which tested for lead and copper; please see attached. All is good there
• Just a reminder that we created a new attendance email address this year – [email protected] – which is a handy way to let us know about an upcoming or day-of absence if your student needs to miss school.
• The Welcome Dance, hosted by the Class of 2027, will take place next Friday, September 11. All grades are welcome. Note this is a new date (a week earlier than originally scheduled).
• School is closed for the Labor Day holiday on Monday, Sept. 7. 

Photos this week feature a few of the many clubs highlighted during the club fair on Wednesday.

Wishing everyone a good Labor Day weekend and sharing gratitude for all whose labor keeps our society and economy humming – working on farms, in hospitals and colleges, in stores and schools, for our towns and road crews, and so much more!

Thank you,

Carrie Brennan