FHUHS Administration

As we are starting student class scheduling for 2009-10, the and Consumer Science Department thought it beneficial (as do I), to highlight some of the electives they offer. The 2009-10 Program of Studies will soon be online in order to make informed decisions while at home (or elsewhere, for that matter).

The Family and Consumer Science Department offers students an opportunity to build skills for everyday living. The food’s curriculum offers Food Sports and Fitness, where students explore the link between nutrition, exercise and fitness, Foods, where students learn basic cooking skills, and Ethnic/Advanced Foods, where students study food from other cultures. Students enrolled in Child Development study children ages one to six and run a short preschool. In Child Psychology class students explore brain development and behavior management. Students in this class work with the Child Development class to run the preschool. The Family Issues class topics include: apartment rental and money management and healthy relationships. Fashion Design I and II gives students an opportunity to sew projects of interest, including quilts. Peer Mediation trains students in communication skills useful in everyday life. The class explores peaceful conflict resolution. Students completing this class can become peer mediators at FHUHS. Peer Mediation has been extremely helpful at FHUHS with maintaining a positive school climate.

The FHUHS Break-A-Leg Society will be displaying their talent at eh One-Act Festival at U-32 in Montpelier on March 14th.

Last Thursday’s Science Fair was a big success with a display of hundreds of student projects that all followed lab guidelines using scientific inquiry. Students and teachers stayed until the late hours showcasing a variety of projects and interests. The following students have qualified for the Vermont State Science and Math Fair at Norwich University, to be held on Saturday March 28, 2009.:

• Katherine Pouliet
• Jeff Peltier
• Chelsea Montello
• Michelle Roguls
• Jordan Pedro
• Taylor Booska
• Sophia Michael
• Julia Dockum
• Emily McIntyre
• Adam Cecil
• Alex Thomas
• Molly Noble
• Jonathon Murry

Congratulations to all.

FHUHS has arranged for free SAT prep class for juniors–limited to 20 students max—starting this Saturday, February 28th. As space was rapidly filling up as of last week, please contact Guidance if interested.

A reminder to all FHUHS parents that report cards went home last week with your student(s), just in case the busy times caused some forgetfulness. Any questions, concerns or comments with this, please contact Guidance.

Julie Noel from VABIR will be presenting a six week For Hire/Winning at Work seminar during the fifth period Career Exploration class. Students will focus on writing, resume, interview, and phone skills. They also make regular visits into Rutland to familiarize themselves with THE BUS transportation options, Department of Labor opportunities, and Job tours.

Connecting students to “the world of work” after high school is the focus of Career Explorations and big thanks go to teachers Gina Himes and Chuck Connelly for working on this important program.

Our SADD/VTLSP has launched a Safe Driver/Passenger Pledge program this week. We have had 137 students sign the pledge which says that the students will make the commitment to themselves, family, friends, schoolmates and the community that they will be a safe and responsible driver to help limit the number of injuries caused by unsafe driving and passenger behaviors. If the student does not violate this pledge by the end of the year, they will attend an ice cream party.

On Friday, January 30th, second year students in Stafford Technical Center’s Digital Arts Program participated in the Statewide Graphic Design Competition held at Lyndon State College. They had the opportunity to collaborate with other graphic design students from around Vermont and one New Hampshire school. Stafford Digital Arts student Bonnie Schnabel’s (a FHU senior) team took the first place gold medal using her design. Congratulations Bonnie — we are very proud of your accomplishment!

The Vermont Youth Orchestra Association is accepting applications for Music Day Camp, held Monday-Friday, June 22 through 26, 2009. Camp sessions are held daily from 8:45 am — 4:00 pm at the Elley-Long Music Center at Saint Michael’s College. An annual event, Music Day Camp offers band, orchestra and small ensemble experience for string, wind, brass and percussion players in grades 4 – 10. Please contact Mr. Peter Roach if interested or for more information.

How about joining us after school from 4:00 — 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 28th, in the FHUHS Library for our Book Talk Session! Why not bring a friend! Check out the Library page Coming Soon on our FHUHS web site to learn more about this!

The Booster Club is holding a raffle for an FHU sports fleece blanket, created / donated by Debbie Eddy. It is such a nice blanket that even I purchased a ticket in hopes of winning. Tickets: 1 for $5 / 3 for $10. Drawing will be at the final Sports Spring Banquet – You do not have to be present to win! Thanks for your support. The blanket is on display in the FHU Lobby.

Congratulations to several of our Slaters for winning state titles during Saturday’s State Indoor Track and Field Championships. Morgan Childs earned first in the 600 meters while teammate Alyssa Dempsey won the 1000 meters. Overall the girls’ took second place in the state. Senior Todd Kitchin also ran a great race while earning second in the boys’ 3200 meters.

Twice last week fans in attendance at our basketball games were treated to one of the finer renditions of the National Anthem I have heard in person. Future Slater, and current Castleton 7th grader Grady McIntyre played his violin to start both the boys and girls games in grand style. Of course both teams emerged victorious.

Have a great week and winter break,

Brett C. Blanchard, Fair Haven Union High School Principal