Happy New Year! As the second semester begins in this wonderful new year of 2010, we have heartwarming news! We are elated because for the third consecutive year, Hazen Union was reported by U.S. News and World Report as one of America’s Best High Schools for 2010! Out of 18, 743 high schools that were rated nation-wide, Hazen Union was honored with a Bronze Medal rating, which means that it was among the top  1,750 schools that outperformed state standards.  We are one of 8 high schools, out of 63, in Vermont to share in this honor.  We are within the top 9% of the schools in the nation! Of the 48 states on the list, Vermont ranked 7th in the nation as having the highest percentage of schools being ranked as America’s best!  In order to be eligible for the Silver Medal rating, a school must meet a statistical benchmark analyzing both the amount of Advanced Placement tests taken and the scores earned on those tests to demonstrate college readiness. Improvement in this area has been a goal since the 2008-2009 school year. This past year (May 2009), three students were honored with being Academic Scholars based on the amount of tests they took and the scores that they received. We are very proud of this distinction and it confirms that everyone’s hard work is being duly noted at the national level! Hazen Union School continues to strive for excellence and is, indeed, a School of Excellence and a Model Rural School! Heartfelt appreciation and thanks go out to the families and community members for their continued support of educating our students, our future!

Hazen is a dynamic organization that has high standards and outstanding professionals supporting those standards. One of the necessities of maintaining a strong educational system is a budget that is fiscally sound and responsible and we are in the process of creating the FY’11 budget keeping those principles in mind.

I would like to thank everyone for submitting their Vision 2020 survey results. Two of the major recommendations for curriculum were that of offering a traditional sequence for mathematics as well as including more rigor.  I am pleased to announce that we began offering Algebra I this past fall and will continue with the sequence of Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry, etc. We will also offer a course of study in which Algebra I is taught over two years for those who are more challenged with mathematics. We are confident that the new curriculum will provide flexibility, rigor, and success for all of our students!

Results from the Vision 2020 Shared Vision forums will be shared with everyone in the near future but one area for improvement is to include more student voice in decisions at Hazen Union.  Students offered many ideas at their class meetings addressing Vision 2020.  We will begin with one of the major recommendations that has no budget implications, changing the bell schedule.  Students recommended more time between classes and shorter lunch lines.  The Principal’s Advisory Council, which includes a student representative, will address these areas at the next meeting in February.  We anticipate piloting a different bell schedule third quarter.  Additionally, other recommendations addressed increased graduation requirements, requiring both an online class and one year of foreign language before graduation. The new Action Plan will address a variety of other Vision 2020 areas.

If you are interested in serving on the Action Planning Committee, work will begin in February and end in May. The meetings will take place during the school day. If you (or your student) are interested, please contact me at the number below.
 
 We have a talented group of teachers and students planning the Winter Carnival for February 19.  Winter break begins on February 23 and students return on March 3.

Stay warm by the fire and be safe!

Sincerely,

Elaine F. Laine, Ph.D.
Principal