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                                                     *Photo and Article courtesy of the St. Albans Messenger*

State average stagnant in yearly NECAP results

By MICHELLE MONROE
Messenger Staff Writer

 

SWANTON — Missisquoi Valley Union High School (MVU) has claimed its fifth straight year of improvement on the state’s standardized test – the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP).
The Vermont Dept. of Education released the most recent NECAP scores on Tuesday.

    Based on its test scores, MVU for about a decade has been identified as a school in need of improvement by the state education department. It still is, but officials at the school are encouraged by the test results.

   Statewide, Vermont schools have shown little improvement. Scores remain relatively stagnant with roughly three out of every four students performing at or above grade level in reading and 65 percent of students in grades 3 through 8 performing at or above grade level in math.

   However, there continues to be a precipitous drop off in math performance between middle school and high school, with only 36 percent of the state’s eleventh graders proficient or better in math.

   Here in Franklin County, Bellows Free Academy in Fairfax matched the statewide average with 36 percent of eleventh graders proficient in math, as did MVU with 35 percent.

  The county’s other three high schools – Richford, Enosburg and Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans – all lagged behind the state performance in math.

  In high school only eleventh grade students are tested, making comparisons difficult, as each group tested is relatively small and completely different from the previous years. High schools are generally not able to point to scores and show that students improved from one year to the next.

   However, MVU has shown improvement between its middle school and high school students in reading. This year, 53 percent of the middle school students were proficient in reading, while 70 percent of the school’s eleventh graders were proficient in reading. When MVU’s current crop of eleventh grade students was in middle school only 58 percent of the seventh and eighth graders that year were proficient or better in reading.

Read the rest of this entry »

 The Missisquoi Valley Union Middle/ High School Board has offered a budget that is 1.22 percent less than the current year’s. The Annual Informational Meeting will be held at the MVU Library on Tuesday, February 22, at 7:00 pm.

For complete details Click Here.

We would like to give a special Thank You from MVU to the Franklin, Highgate and Swanton community members for all of your support with the 2011/2012 budget.  It passed with 1,005 votes of yes to 616 votes of no.

The Winter Sports Awards Night will be held on Monday, March 12, 2012,  starting at 6:00 pm in the Commons.

Congratulations to the following students:

XStream Team – Chasity Bricker
Firebird Team – Renee Danyow
Dream Team – Sam Gilbeau
Voyager – Joey Bishop

How many times have you told your kids “Money doesn’t grow on trees.” True enough, but money can definitely grow in an investment. Teens need to know how to use saving and investing as two ways of accumulating money for doing the things they want from life that involve money.

It’s probably too early for young people to be in a position to invest, but in the not-too-distant future, your teens will be investing through their employee retirement savings plans (401k, 403b, 457). They will want to look at other short-term investing possibilities to increase what they have available for a down payment on a home or car.  The Business Education Department is instructing students on this very important topic.

Why not have an investment contest in your household with ‘funny money’. Each of you starts with $100,000 invested in the stock market. Choose investments from the Sunday stock listings and then track them for several weeks to see the prices rise and fall, and see where the investment choices that you and your kids made are doing.

On Tuesday, January 24th and Wednesday, January 25th the MVU Business Education Department hosted Mr. Jeff Raleigh as guest speaker in the Personal Finance classes.  Mr. Raleigh spoke about investment options, recognizing risks and rewards of investing and different types of insurance.  Mr. Raleigh is a Financial Planner and local community member who is a graduate of MVU.   He specializes in income planning for retirees and pre-retirees as well as accumulation and protection planning with young families.  He works with small businesses, offering all of the employee benefits including group health and Qualified Retirement Plans. Jeff also helps with business succession planning.  He enjoys educating senior citizens about the different Medicare  supplements plans and Long Term Care insurance which protects their assets against the high cost of needed care in the home or in an Assisted living/Nursing care facility.  Jeff also helps families with legacy planning to make sure that their heirs receive as much of the family estate as possible instead of paying unnecessary Estate Taxes.

Congratulations to the following students who were chosen as the High School Students of the Month for January from the Math Department.

Autumn Beyor: Committed to and excited about her education. She gives 100% every day and encourages others to do the same.

Brooke Bessette: Consistent hard work and excellence in Algebra.

Morgan Gilbeau: Completes every assignment carefully and attempts many extra credit assignments.

Damien Church: Great work ethic and always participates in class lessons and discussions.

Danielle Benway: Very conscientious about completeing assignments, seeks extra help when she doesn’t understand, attempts to answer every question posed by the teacher.

Kraig McFadden: Diligent in his work effort in Geometry, Kraig also seeks to stretch his understanding by exploring topics further and meeting with the teacher to ensure accuracy in findings.

Eamon Murphy: Diligent in his work effort in Geometry, Eamon also seeks to stretch his understanding by exploring topics further and meeting with the teacher to ensure accuracy in findings.

Mollie Parah: Goes the extra step in Algebra 2, takes initiative, asks good questions and is a self advocate for her learning.

From left to right:Damien Church, Morgan Gilbeau, Autumn Beyor, Brooke Bessette, Danielle Benway, Kraig McFadden and Eamon Murphy

         Mollie Parah

On February 15 and 16th students in the Business Education Department’s Personal Finance classes received an interactive lesson on how to balance a check book along with budgeting credit and debits. Other topics covered included: Identity theft/phishing scams, line of credit, credit cards, and credit scores.

Megan Santy and Mike Neary
Customer Service Representatives
TDBank America’s Most Convenient Bank
175 Rte 7 South P.O. Box 35
Milton, VT 05468

The Business Education Department’s Personal Finance students have been learning about income and growth investments. This week they are fortunate to listen to Mrs. Kristine Stell, REALTOR®/Managing Broker of REMAX Destinations.

Mrs. Stell’s presentation topics include:

• Credit Score and its affect on purchasing power  - things to do and not to do when looking to buy
• Debt to Income ratios
•  Down payment
• Principal mortgage insurance  Better buying power  First position in competing offers Programs currently for 100% down with low interest
• Closing costs
• Benefits to purchasing a home
• Home value
• Return of money in this type of investment
• Income property Tax rate better for primary residence

A little history on Mrs. Stell’s background in her own words:

“I have been practicing real estate since 2003.  I earned my Broker’s license in 2006 and purchased RE/MAX Destinations in 2008.  I have assisted many people in transactions over the years including upgrading to a bigger home, building a new home, downsizing to a retirement home, selling due to divorce, job loss, short sales and foreclosures.  I enjoy helping buyers and sellers with one of the biggest decisions and investments of their lives and making it a smooth transaction for them. I am an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), & Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE).  I sit on several Boards including NNEREN (Northern New England Real Estate Network (our MLS)), VAR (Vermont Association of REALTORS®), Franklin County Chapter of Northern Vermont Board of REALTORS® (President), and I am a member of various real estate organizations and St. Albans Rotary.”

                               *Photo and Article courtesy of the St. Albans Messenger*

Personal finance class getting good grades

By MICHELLE MONROE
Messenger Staff Writer

 

SWANTON — Students in Jacob Hartman’s personal finance class at Missisquoi Valley Union (MVU) spent a recent class period exploring the pros and cons of various forms of savings.

   The school offers two semesters of personal finance as electives; students are free to take one semester or both. However, beginning with the Class of 2014, MVU will be requiring all students take a semester of personal finance. Asked by the Messenger if this was a good idea, the students in class this day answered unanimously, “yes.”

   The students worked in groups to research savings accounts, U.S. savings bonds, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit.

   Savings accounts, according to students Nathan Plouff and Taylor Robtoy, have the benefit of being low risk and easy to access. There are no penalties for taking money from a savings account, they explained. Unfortunately, the interest rates are low, currently less than one percent.

   U.S. Savings Bonds generally have a higher rate of return than savings accounts, said students Nathan Derosia and Alex Deuso, but there are penalties for early withdrawal.

   The level of risk varies according to the type of bond purchased. EE bonds are guaranteed to double in value over 20 years, according to Derosia and Deuso, while the interest rate on I bonds will always match or exceed the rate of inflation.

   The other advantage of savings bonds is that the interest earned is tax free when used for college education costs.
With a certificate of deposit (CD) the customer is essentially loaning money to a financial institution. Chyanne Mitchell and Corey Brown, as part of their presentation, explained that the longer the term on the certificate, the higher the rate of interest would be. Cashing in a CD early will result in lost interest. The interest rate on CDs is typically 4.11 percent, according to Mitchell and Brown.

   Like savings accounts, money market accounts are insured, making them safe investments, explained Isaac Evans and Emmanuel Greeno. The interest rate varies with the amount of money in the account and the accounts typically carry a high minimum balance, according to the students. Funds in money market accounts can be accessed with checks and sometimes debit cards. However, some banks limit the number of withdrawals that can be made from the accounts.

   After their presentations the students were asked what form of savings they would begin using. Everyone answered savings accounts, with some students saying they already had them.

   Mitchell said the portion of the class where students examined their spending had made her aware of how much money she spent in small amounts. “It adds up,” she added.

   In an article that appeared on last Monday’s Messenger Financial Wellness Page, MVU Principal Bob Pequignot said he was easily convinced about the benefits of making the course required. “They have to know how the be able their life and dollars,” said Pequignot of the students. “Managing money has become extremely important.”
By rearranging teaching responsibilities within the math and business departments the school was able to arrange the additional sessions of personal finance that will be needed to accommodate all of the students, said the school principal.

   Derosia said he took the class so he would better prepared when he leaves school and to learn “how to be safe with money.”

                               *Photo and Article courtesy of the St. Albans Messenger*

‘If you can’t pay yourself first, you have to sacrifice some of your wants.’ Stephen Sheeler, MVU teacher

Personal finance class to be mandatory in ’14

By MICHELLE MONROE
Messenger Staff Writer

 

SWANTON — Starting with the Class of 2014, junior and senior students at Missisquoi Valley Union High School (MVU), will be required to taken at least one semester of personal finance in order to graduate.

    The change originated with the business department, which currently offers two semesters of personal finance as electives; students are free to take one semester or both.

    ”This is education that we need to be giving to everyone,” said Mary Hartman, head of the business department who also teaches the course. The business education teachers pitched the idea of a required course to the administration and the school board.

   Principal Bob Pequignot said he was easily convinced about the benefits of making the course required. “They have to know how the be able their life and dollars,” said Pequignot of the students. “Managing money has become extremely important.”

MVU is also increasing the length of the school day starting next year.

   Students in the course begin with learning how to create a budget. “We start with the difference between wants and needs,” said Hartman.

   The students also keep a spending log. “People piddle away money because they don’t know where it’s going,” said Hartman, explaining that a few dollars spent here or there adds up.

    Students are also taught about the importance of saving for emergencies.

   Teacher Stephen Sheeler said the students look at what expenses they’ll pay every month and are taught to “pay themselves first” by putting money into savings. “If you can’t pay yourself first, you have to sacrifice some of your wants,” said Sheeler.

  The workings of credit cards are a major topic as well. In their first year of college, students are bombarded with credit offers, according to MVU teacher Sheeler.

   Jacob Hartman, who also teaches the course, said he uses television advertisements to help students understand what is and is a good interest rate. The teachers also talk about establishing a good credit rating and what it means.

   It’s also helped the courses may help students get to college. “I personally have talked to more than a handful of students who were accepted to college but are not attending because of finances,” said Pequignot. The students are going to work and saving for college, said Pequignot.

    By rearranging teaching responsibilities within the math and business departments the school was able to arrange the additional sessions of personal finance that will be needed to accommodate all of the students, said Pequignot.

    ”We’ve always taught it,” Pequignot said of personal finance, “but we’ve only taught it to students who chose to learn it… Now we’re going to expose all kids to it because we feel it’s that important.”

–  –  –

   This is the first of a two-part installment about the MVU personal finances class. More about the students and how they have reacted will appear in next Monday’s edition.

February 13, 2012

Dear Parent/Guardian:

There is a suspected case of clinical Pertussis (whooping cough) in a student who attends Missisquoi Valley Union High School. Pertussis is a contagious disease that is spread through the air when infected people cough. While immunization protects most children during the elementary school years, protection from the vaccine lessens over time. Pertussis can occur in fully immunized individuals.

Pertussis begins with cold symptoms and an irritating cough, which usually becomes increasingly severe over 1-2 weeks. Symptoms often include a long series of coughs, sometimes followed by a whooping noise. However, older children, adults and very young infants may not develop the whoop. Vomiting may occur after a coughing episode. There is generally no fever.

Antibiotic treatment early in the disease may decrease the severity of symptoms and reduce the infectiousness of the ill person. Antibiotics are also recommended for close contacts of pertussis cases in order to prevent them from contracting and/or transmitting the disease.

These are the recommendations from the Vermont Department of Health:

1. Close contacts, including household members, of persons diagnosed with pertussis should receive a protective course of antibiotics to prevent additional infections. Usual classroom contact of school aged children is not considered close contact unless additional activities, such as participation on the same sports team, have occurred. A Public Health Nurse will investigate to identify close contacts and refer them to their health care providers.

2. If your child has any of the above symptoms or a cough lasting more than a week, contact your health care provider to have your child evaluated for pertussis.

3. Children or staff with confirmed or suspected pertussis should be excluded from school until they have completed 5 days of the antibiotic treatment for pertussis.

4. The Vermont Department of Health recommends that all adolescents, ages 11-18 years, receive a single (booster) dose of Tdap vaccine. Adults, especially those who have, or anticipate having, close contact with an infant should receive a single dose of Tdap vaccine. Please consult your child’s/your health care provider.

5. Children less than 1 year old, particularly infants under 6 months of age, are most likely to experience severe illness if they develop pertussis. When possible, young infants should be kept away from people with a cough. Babies with any coughing illness or choking episodes should be promptly evaluated by their physician.

Please notify the school nurse at 868-7311 x 124 or health department personnel if anyone in your

household is diagnosed with confirmed or possible pertussis. If you have any questions, please call the

Vermont Department of Health at 802-5275585

Congratulations to all of MVU’s Honor Roll Students for Quarter 2. Great Job!
To view a list of Honor Roll students click on the grade of you choice.

MVU Honor Levels:

Highest=GPA of 4.0 or higher

High=GPA of 3.5-3.9

Honors=GPA of 3.0-3.49

Grade 12
Grade 11
Grade 10
Grade 9
Grade 8
Grade 7

Vermont Reads is “a stateside, one-book community reading discussion.”  This year, Vermont Reads is focusing on the 150^th anniversary of the American Civil War by selecting the books, Bull Run by Paul Fleischman and The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane.  The Franklin-Grand Isle Bookmobile was awarded a grant of free copies of these books to share with the community to promote Vermont Reads 2012, and generously donated one of each to the MVU Library.

In support of Vermont Reads 2012, the MVU Library currently has a display of both fiction and non-fiction titles related to the Civil War, including the two titles mentioned above, all available to be signed out.  A secondary theme that has been identified to go with this topic is “Courage” and many books along this theme are also on display.  In addition, a multi-week reading and discussion of Bull Run is being planned for the Crossroads program.  The Swanton Public Library will be holding a community book discussion for The Red Badge of Courage in March.

On February 16, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.   “Young at Art – Courage:  A Vermont Reads 2012 Event” will be held at MVU’s Trahan Theatre.   It is “an evening of art, music, and dance by local young artists and musicians from Franklin and Grand Isle Counties,”   giving an opportunity for local youth to express artistically the theme of “courage,” which resonates throughout in the Vermont Reads books.  Admission will be $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children, with all proceeds helping to support the FGI Bookmobile.

Congratulations to the following students:

Dream Team – Riley Machia
Outstanding Academics in all Areas

Voyager Team – Veronica Cook-Vilbrin
Highest Exams & Great Attitude

Firebirds Team – Carter Bredin
Hard Worker and Positive Attitude

XStream Team – Miguel Pena
XStreamly Motivated

Left to right:Miguel Pena, Carter Bredin, Dan Palmer, Riley Machia, Veronica Cook-Vilbrin

Thursday, Feb 23rd

6:30-8:30pm @ BFA Library

Gear up for this introductory level course aimed to help familiarize you with the bare bones of filming and digital editing. Great for beginners.

To view and/or print the Flyer click  Here.

Employment Opportunities are starting to become available. Please see Mrs. Hartman in the Business Education Department for details.

To: School Choice Program Applicants

From: Bob Pequignot, Principal

Date: February 1, 2012

Re: Application Process

Below is the application for school choice for the 2012-2013 school year. MVU has agreements with four area schools: Milton, Enosburg, Colchester and BFA St. Albans. Each school accepts a certain amount of students, according to their agreement with us. If there are more applications than spaces available, a lottery will be held.

To be considered for the Choice Program:
1. Fill out completely the attached application
2. Mail or hand-deliver the application to the MVU Principal’s office, attn: Lorelei Tougas, 100 Thunderbird Dr., Swanton VT 05488
3. All applications must be received by the deadline, 3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 20, 2012.

All applicants will be notified by mail if their student is accepted into the choice program. Once accepted, it is the responsibility of the parent to initiate the enrollment process for the choice school, and instructions on how to do this will be given.

School Choice Application

WEEK OF 1/27/2012

XStream Team – Matt Boomhower
Firebird Team – Tanner Clippinger
Dream Team – Dakota Guttilla
Voyager – Cody Beaulieu

Franklin County Internships is presenting at:
Cold Hollow Career Center
February 1, 2012
8:30 – 10:15 am
For view and/or print complete details click on the Brochure.

Click on the link below to obtain:

1. program information
2. health careers resources
3. applications—both online and paper

Brochure
A Typical Day
Programs
Program Grid