FHUHS Administration

I would like to extend hearty congratulations to the Vermont Cite Team from Fair Haven Union High School. Teachers Kim Ransom, Beth Carini, and Linda McCuen have been accepted as one of the 13 from 34 applicant teams to participate in Creating 21st Century Classrooms. They will each be receiving a free ipod touch and a free flip video camera for use in their classrooms. The program is grant funded and presents no cost to the district. While earning graduate credits, these outstanding teachers will be preparing our students for one of the most important connections in education today: applying today’s technology to the world of tomorrow.

Mr. Hier’s Civics class recently wrote emails to local legislators on current topics, such as Jessica’s Law, Vermont Yankee, and the use of cell phones while driving. Students were allowed to send their email if they activated and accessed their accounts on their own time. Freshman Lindsey Ball activated her account, sent a very thoughtful and persuasive note to Senator Mullin, who wrote a very nice reply.

The Fair Haven Recreation Department has, by the time you read this, assembled their community skating rink beside the Marble Mansion. With temperatures back to normal, bring the family by for some healthy outdoor activity.

As most sports are adequately covered by our local papers, I try not to duplicate their content in my newsletter. However, some athletic accomplishments do not make the papers but deserve recognition. One such accomplishment is from last weekend’s Dartmouth Relays. This gigantic indoor track meet includes over 60 high schools from every state in the northeast. Although I was only able to visit briefly, I found the environment electric and energetic, as did many of the track athletes to whom I spoke. Overall the girls’ team placed 33rd with freshman Chelsea Montello earning an amazing 3rd place finish (out of 75 participants!) in the 55m dash. The fastest freshman in the field, her time of 7.54 was most impressive.

One reason FHUHS is able to do such a terrific job hosting all our extracurricular events is our Booster Club. They do many of the tasks that we simply take for granted but would sorely miss if not available. The club helps arrange fundraising, food service, crowd management, cleanup, etc. However, in order for the Booster Club to continue, volunteers must be expanded. Booster Club President, Mr. Jack Adams told me, “We are looking for people to help to work in the concession stand or to cover the doors during games for both boys and girls basketball. We have three people in the cafeteria between games and at halftime. People can watch most of the game if they are helping out. People working at the doors are asked to monitor that spectators are not bringing food into the gym and checking that the floor doesn’t get wet from people coming into the gym”. People interested in volunteering can stop in at the cafeteria during any game, or can contact Jack Adams @ jadams50@verizon.net. The schedule for both boys’ and girls’ can be seen through the FHUHS website. There is a meeting of the club this Wednesday, January 21st at 7:00 at FHU. I highly encourage all who are interested to attend.

Not all who stay long after the academic school day is over participate in a club or sport. In the past few months 128 of our students elected to go to the library after school to take part in the Homework Success Program. Mrs. Phyllis Burlette’s highly successful program runs until 5:00 and has seen 676 total participants this marking period. Our coaches have also worked closely with Mrs. Burlette to make sure their athletes have the opportunity to attend while still remaining part of the team.

Mrs. Chris Sheldon’s Fashion & Design classes invite you to view and enjoy the sewing projects that they have made this past semester. A collection of quilts, cathedral window pillows, and other projects are on display in the lobby.

Good luck and skill to all our students during exam week.

Brett C. Blanchard, Fair Haven Union High School Principal