FHUHS Administration

Fair Haven Union High School Principal?Äôs Newsletter

By the time this is read, our students will be back in the swing of school life. With summer being the way it is, and school news harder to come to by, I have been impressed with the stories and accomplishments that have come across my desk. I am excited to hear tales of student and staff happenings from the summer and look forward to mentioning some more next week. Some highlights from our Fair Haven Union High School community:

The money we received from the Microsoft settlement allowed our Technology Coordinator Eric Snay and the Addison-Rutland Supervisory Union (ARSU) Information Technology Coordinator Katie Duggan to purchase several Smart Boards, a mobile computer lab, and enable FHUHS to join the wireless world. With three large computer labs now available, FHUHS students will have consistent and ready access to the latest technology.

Chris Galvin, our attendance clerk and one of our main office staff, took a family trip of a lifetime this summer. Chris and her extended family traveled the narrow roads and byways of Ireland (avoiding ?Äúkissing the ditch?Äù as her sister Colleen Heibler told me) to visit her father?Äôs birthplace and his extended family. When you see Chris, ask her about this tremendous experience and her time at Durty Nellie?Äôs Pub.

Also traveling this summer was Claudia Stacey, our computer lab and librarian assistant. She clicked her heels and went to Kansas (Emmett, that is) to visit her grandchildren. She and her husband then went on to the Pacific Ocean and a trip to Pendleton, South Carolina, before returning to Vermont on August 7th, for a total of 9,704 miles. Her sentiments were ?Äúthere?Äôs no place like home.?Äù

Last month Castleton State College (CSC) announced the Class of 2007 Hall of Fame inductees. We are incredibly proud that FHUHS PE instructor Tom Blackbird earned induction. His sustained excellence in athletics and teaching have been well known in the area so it is especially nice to know he will have a place in this coveted hall. Mr. Blackbird was an outstanding baseball player at CSC, exemplary coach (including managing three state championship squads) and current umpire and referee. The Hall of Fame Induction is scheduled for September 22nd.

Lucy Stockwell, one of our outstanding seniors, was named the Vermont State 4H Champion. She will be heading to Wisconsin to continue her work as one the nation?Äôs best livestock handlers. Good luck Lucy and we will be looking forward to hearing the results from Wisconsin. Lucy is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Stockwell of Fair Haven.

FHUHS Athletic Trainer Mike Finnegan is almost done imputing all fall athletes into the ImPACT Baseline Testing, our concussion and head injury database. FHUHS is one of the few high schools following the National Football League?Äôs movement of using this modern medical technology for assessing injuries. Once an athlete has undergone the testing, Mike can access the database from any computer to more accurately diagnose the severity of the injury.

Eric Ramey, our Activities Coordinator discovered that FHUHS graduate Samantha Skeens is currently piloting F-14 fighter jets. Sam was a standout 3 sport athlete at FHU, graduating with the Class of 2001. She is the first woman in Vermont history to be admitted to the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Samantha is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. William Skeens of Hydeville, VT.

Alan Saltis, a junior at FHU, completed his summer European adventure with Travel for Teens. We look forward to hearing tales of his adventure. Alan is the son of Sonya Saltis of Castleton.

The District Awards for 2007 were announced during last Thursday?Äôs inservice. The Addison-Rutland Supervisory Union (ARSU) Executive Award went to the Moving with Vision and Purpose Team of Amanda Mason, Paul Eaton, Sarah Lefebvre, Susan Cornell and Jessica DeCarolis for their work on relationship and team building; the ARSU Teacher of the Year was Michael Lenox for his work with FHU Band students; our Cafeteria Staff of Cindy Seamans, Karen Rudnicki and Joan Briggs won the ARSU Special Service Award for their continued improvements with the varied school food program; Suzen Wood earned the Substitute of the Year for her ability to manage a vast array of duties and continuing her close work with students; the University of Vermont Outstanding Teacher Award was earned by our talented, dedicated and hard-working librarian Richard Luzer. Congratulations to all the recipients.

I look forward to hearing from our community on news that pertains to Fair Haven Union High School and getting out some of the accomplishments of our community.

Brett C. Blanchard, Principal