FHUHS Administration

Mid-term and final exams are scheduled this week, which will mean slower student and school news for the next newsletter. I will use this opportunity to describe some of the larger initiatives we are currently working on at Fair Haven Union High School. In previous letters I have indicated some of the data we have been collecting, as well as some of our broader plans for improving student performance. Although there is nowhere near enough space to effectively describe our work, I will be sure to at least speak on some of it. The focus will be largely twofold: to explain our plans for addressing the federal mandate of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and to describe ways we are working on substance abuse issues. For this week, it will be onto some other news.

For those looking for some local outdoor activity, the Fair Haven Recreational Department has built an ice skating rink in the park. It is located on the end of the green near the fire station. With colder weather hitting this week, the ice rink should be in good shape.

Many of our other clubs and extracurricular activities have received some press but one that has not, but has been up and active this winter is the Ice & Snow Club. On Friday they took a trip to watch a hockey game featuring the Middlebury Panthers vs. the Castleton State College Spartans at the Rutland Regional Fieldhouse.
 On Wednesday, January 16th from 6:30-8:00 pm, a representative from VSAC will be available to assist parents with completing financial aid forms for college. Parents should call Doreen Anderson at 265-3636 for more information or to arrange a meeting with one of our excellent counselors for further assistance.

On January 31st, representatives from Stafford Technical Center will be at FHUHS for their “road show”. All sophomore students will be attending this program, which introduces students to the programs available at Stafford Technical Center.

The VSAC scholarship booklet is now available for seniors in the Guidance office. This booklet is a comprehensive list of scholarships and grants which are offered through VSAC.

The Guidance department has completed the Program of Studies for the 2008-2009 school year. The Program of Studies contains items such as: a description of each course that may be offered at FHUHS; graduation requirements; a four year educational plan map; class standing determination and additional information. This book is an essential tool that students/parents can use to discuss future plans and begin to map out courses that will support their plans. Each student is encouraged to use this book as a resource as they meet with their counselor to discuss current and future goals and develop a sound educational plan. The book is expected to return from the printer by early February, which is when course registration for the 08-09 school year begins. We are pleased to have the Program of Studies completed in such a timely fashion, and I have appreciated all the hard work each department has put in to see the courses have been updated to reflect student needs for the 2008-09 school year. Mr. Bombard, Director of Guidance, and I will be visiting this spring all our sending schools to introduce our future students to their possible schedules and some of the offerings at FHU.

Students in the Fashion Design I first semester course (in the Family and Consumer Science Department) are putting the finishing touches on various projects. They have transformed pieces of material into the most unique, beautiful creations–quilts, clothing and pillows. These items will be on display in the Fair Haven High School lobby very soon for your viewing pleasure through the month of January. Having little sewing and fabric skills, it was interesting and impressive to watch these students last week work on completing their projects.

Have an enjoyable weekend, especially those of you able to have Monday off in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Brett Blanchard,
Fair Haven Union High School Principal