June 2, 2021

Solon Salutes: June 2, 2021

                                               SOLON SALUTES

Congratulations to our Class of 2021 valedictory group! 

Daniel Burns, Gregory Golonka, Neil Rohan, Evan Rohan, Althea Torrens-Martin, Saskia Cousins-Joyce, Maple Perchlik, Mae Browning, Mary Margaret Page, Ruby Bryant, Erin Kelley, Eliana Moorhead, Megan Krussman, Sadie Chase-Tatko, Irene Diaz-Perez, Luna Pompei, Claire Veneziano, Quinn Mills, and Lucia McCallum, and Eve Taylor



A civic minded Solon Salute to the students who have applied for and have been nominated this year by Montpelier City Council to serve on a municipal committee.  These students  are making important civic contributions to these municipal committees through the MHS/City of Montpelier Solons on Boards partnership. Way to go....and thank you for your citizen service.

                                        Athea Torrens-Martin Conservation Commission

                                        Sophia Flora                    Conservation commission

                                        Lorenza Fechter             Public Art Commission

                                        Neah Clammer                Homelessness Task Force

                                        Greta Sabo                        Energy Advisory Committee

                                        Eva Stumpff                     Energy Advisory Committee

                                        Merrick Modun              Complete Streets Committee

                                       Alara Kohn                        Social and Economic Justice Committee



MHS NEWS and EVENTS
  • BIPOC Affinity Space: We are excited to inform you that there will be a BIPOC Affinity Space within our school to finish our school year.  The space has been requested by our students and will be open Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM.  Student activist and MHS alumnus Noel Riby-Williams will hold the space on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM to support and create programming for BIPOC students during those days and times.  The BIPOC Affinity Space is for sole use by MHS BIPOC students to connect with each other. Students, faculty and school leadership are looking ahead to next school year and are considering spaces that will be available for affinity use by our BIPOC student population. The BIPOC Affinity Space (for this year) will be located in room 221 in the science wing on the second floor of MHS.
  • We welcomed students to Prom this year at Capitol Plaza with 'Starry Night' as the theme.  It was incredible to see our students together, safe, and having fun! 
  • Summer Program Opportunity at MHS: There are still a few available spaces in the MHS-based summer program "Food, Farm, and Society."  This unique four week program offers student academic credit and pay for the learning and work associated with maintaining the MHS greenhouses, gardens, chickens and beehives. You can apply and/or find more information here.  Direct further questions to Tom Sabo (toms@mpsvt.org).

  • Check out the MRPS Summer Camp Offerings for all students! Farming, mountain biking, lacrosse, and many more opportunities available for our students. Sign up soon!


SENIOR NEWS
  • Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal this Thursday, June 3rd 10:45-12:45 Caps/gowns and tickets will be distributed at this time, in addition to rehearsal. 
  • Graduation Rehearsal Dates/Times:
    It is mandatory that every senior attend the rehearsal dates scheduled for June 3rd and June 11th from 10:45-12;45.  CVCC will be notified of these dates, and we will ask that seniors be released from these days to attend the rehearsals. If any student is unable to attend either of these rehearsals for any reason, please reach out to me, Renee DeVore, at reneed@mpsvt.org directly. 

    Senior Awards Brunch and Banquet: 
    We invite all seniors to attend a Class of 2021 brunch in the MHS gym on June 8th from 11-12:30. Unfortunately, we will not be able to invite families to attend the awards ceremony; however, ORCA will be streaming the event and it will be made available to all families either live or recorded. 

    Graduation
    Graduation will be held on Friday, June 11th at 5 pm on the field. Each senior will be provided four lawn seats and two bleacher seats at their first rehearsal. Although the guidelines have shifted as a state, we have been planning since late April and have designated 6 seats for each senior as a safe way for all to attend graduation and enough room for all graduate family and friends seating.  ORCA will also be live streaming this event. Additionally, there will be plenty of space outside of the lawn/bleacher seating should someone want to bring their own chair and sit outside of the designated, ticketed areas. 

    Should there be inclement weather on June 11th, we will graduate seniors the following morning of June 12th at 11:00 a.m. 

    All seniors should be at MHS, in attendance, 45 minutes prior to the ceremony time. 
  • For those who applied to college this year, please update your Naviance account to show the college admissions outcomes for each school you applied to (ex, admitted, denied, waitlisted, etc). Set the college you have decided to attend. Without this important piece of information, we don't know where to send your final transcript and your college will be asking for that. This anonymously recorded data also is really helpful in helping younger students figure out the general grades and scores they need to get into the colleges they are considering. 

    On Tuesday, 6/1, seniors will be receiving an email from Wanda Arce at Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC). The email contains a link to a survey. It is a survey given to all Vermont seniors. It is important that you take a few minutes and fill out the survey. Please contact Nancy Fitpatrick if you have any questions about this. 
  • Update as of 5/3/21: Please read the Senior Letter that was sent by mail to all Class of 2021 families.

GUIDANCE CORNER
  • VSAC  (Vermont State Association of Colleges) Opportunity:

    The Legislature, the Vermont State Colleges and VSAC have teamed to offer a gift to Green Mountain Grads: one tuition-free course at any of the 4 Vermont State Colleges – Castleton, CCV, NVU Johnson or Lyndon, or Vermont Tech.

    You choose what, where, and when for courses beginning July 1, 2021 through Spring 2022.

    Now is the perfect time to take the next steps in your education future.  All you need to do is enroll. 

    How it works:

    1. Explore classes online at each of the State Colleges’ websites

    2. Apply for admission to the school of your choice

    3. Register for your one course via the school’s website or admissions office.  

      1. Choose from in-person, hybrid or online courses.  

      2. If you’ve already enrolled in a program at one of the 4 Vermont State Colleges, one of our courses will now be tuition free!

    4. That’s it! VSAC will work with your school to pay the tuition for your course.

    Questions?  Get details at vsac.org/grad
  • Are you interested in learning more about career possibilities? Check out this Career Lab Series. Upcoming explorations include Cybersecurity, Mechanics and Road Maintenance, and Health Care. Gain insights into a variety of careers through group conversations with professionals. Email Sarah Loveless at sarahl@mpsvt.org or Heather McLane at heathermc@mpsvt.org if you’re interested in registering or learning more.

DISTRICT NEWS
  • Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) cards for March, 2021 - June, 2021 in addition to new Summer P-EBT cards are being issued to eligible MRPS families in July. These cards can be used to purchase food and other essentials. Please read this important update letter for information regarding these benefits, eligibility criteria, how to apply for free and reduced price meals if you have not already done so, and who to contact should you have questions. 

COMMUNITY NEWS 
  • Please join us Weds, May 26, from 6-7:30pm for an engaging virtual book talk with the authors of Parenting 4 Social Justice: Tips, Tools, and Inspiration for Conversation and Action with Kids. REGISTER HERE.

VTVLC COMMUNICATION (CVCC):

 https://mrpsvirtualacademy.blogspot.com/


MHS Student and Staff Awards 2020-2021

 SOLON SALUTES 2020-2021 MHS Awards MHS Yearbook Dedication: Dan Miller-Arsenault Valedictory Group: (cumulative 3.9 or higher)  Mae Brown...