Catamount Update
The Weekly Newsletter for St. Johnsbury School Families
November 17, 2023
From the Principals
Greetings St. Johnsbury School Families,
As we near the Thanksgiving holiday and the upcoming break from school, this is again a time where we want to express our gratitude for all that we have here at the St. Johnsbury School. We are so thankful for our incredible students, our dedicated and talented staff and all of the support we receive from our families and school community. It is a privilege to be an educator at the St. Johnsbury School and to be able to provide meaningful, exciting and positive learning experiences.
Next week is a short week of school. Students will be here on Monday and then will be dismissed for the Thanksgiving break at 12:30 on Tuesday.
We hope that you are able to come see our Middle School Theater Departments' production of Harriett the Spy this weekend! Shows are Friday and Saturday night at 6:30 and Sunday at 2:00.
We wish everyone a great weekend and a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,
Lydia Cochrane and Jeremy Ross
Upcoming Events
November 17- 6:30 Harriet the Spy
November 18- 6:30 Harriet the Spy
November 19- 2:00 Harriet the Spy
November 21- Early Release
November 22- November 24- Thanksgiving Break
Update from CatCH
This past week was the last week of CatCH's Fall session of afterschool programs. There will be no programs the week of Thanksgiving.
If you registered for the Winter session of afterschool programs, you will receive your student's schedule by email (from hfagans) by Nov. 20, end of day. If you don't see it in your inbox, please check spam before calling or emailing us (745-2817, hfagans@stjsd.org).
St. Johnsbury School Basketball
Basketball season for grades 5-8 will begin on Monday November 27th. Please visit our athletics page for necessary paperwork and practice schedules.
Our Personal Best
Veterans’ Day
Thanks to everyone who came out or participated in the 2023 Veterans’ Day Ceremonies and our Veterans’ Tea. Click here is the Veterans’ Video! There are so many people, especially here at St. Johnsbury School, to thank for this incredible day, but we are extra grateful for our Secretary of State, Sarah Copeland-Hanzas and Scout Troop 007 who helped us post the Colors! Secretary Copeland-Hanzas, a former Middle School Science teacher, spoke to the students about how our Veterans represent our R.O.C.K.S. and how her experiences in life led her to her current vocation as Secretary of State!
The event was even more special because two of St. Johnsbury School’s 8th graders found out that they will be serving as legislative pages this year! Congratulations to Burke Donovan and Brody Dussault. We are looking forward to hearing about your new experiences and excited to see how they influence your future goals and vocation!
Any questions? Please reach out to me, Pam Fallon, Personalized Learning Teacher at 802-745-2775.
Upcoming Opportunities for Middle School Students
Curricular (See Below)
Spelling Bee: We will once again be participating in the Scripps Spelling Bee for all students in grades 1 - 8. Scripps Spelling Bee
Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest: Online Application Form. DEADLINE was 10/31.
Extracurricular
Speech and Debate Team: The Vermont Principals’ Association will be implementing a system for Middle School students to participate in Speech and Debate competitions this year! Here is a list of Speech categories for competing students in grades 5 - 8. Speech Categories. Attached is a tentative schedule for the Speech and Debate season. Schedule. If you missed the CATCH registration deadline, please reach out to me at pamela.fallon@stjsd.org.
Vermont History Day: VT History Day
VCTM MATH Fair: Vermont Math Fair
Vermont State STEM Fair: VT STEM Fair
Bridge Building Competition at Lyndon Institute: Bridges due on Friday, March 22 between noon and 5:00PM. Competition will be on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Vermont State Middle School Chess Tournament: TBD usually mid April. Vermont State Chess