The Barre Unified Union School District Board is pleased to announce that Superintendent JoAn Canning has been reappointed for the 2025-2026 school year, with an option for contract renewal in January 2026. Please join us in celebrating this continued partnership!

Click here for the full press release.

Yesterday, Encore Renewable Energy, a leading renewable energy developer and operator, delivered a $10,000 donation to Barre Unified Union School District, in particular, to Spaulding Educational Alternatives, which is located adjacent to Encore’s I Love Cows Solar array. Construction and energizing of the project will be completed later this year.

Encore’s generous donation was gratefully received. “Our plan is to utilize these funds to provide our students with technical, hands-on experiences that will allow them to enter the workforce or the next phase of their life with a strong foundation and a strong direction from which they can contribute to the community and benefit themselves,” said Jesse Schattin, SEA Director.

Check out the full story here: http://wcax.com/.../renewable-energy-company-makes-10k.../

This donation is the first of Encore’s recently-established program to empower community initiatives with every project they build, and is part of the company’s broader mission to be a trusted partner for all stakeholders in the projects they develop and deliver.

For more information, visit: encorerenewableenergy.com

Please join us in celebrating Jen Carbonneau’s nomination for 2025 Remarkable Woman of the Year. Jen serves as the Youth Employment Specialist at Spaulding Educational Alternatives. Jen was recently interviewed by Lily Sakaniwa with ABC 22/FOX 44 News.

5 regional finalists will receive a $5,000 donation to a charitable organization of their choosing, and for the Remarkable Woman of the Year, Nexstar Charitable Foundation will contribute $25,000 to her choice of non-profit.

Read about Jen’s interview here:

http://www.mychamplainvalley.com/.../remarkable-women.../

The CW Network will air their one-hour “Remarkable Women” special on Sunday, April 20, at 9pm.

Good luck, Jen!

Barre Town Middle School 5th and 6th graders performed a Winter Concert on January 16, 2025.

Barre Town Middle School 7th and 8th graders performed a Winter Concert on December 19, 2024.

On December 18, 2024, Barre City Middle School performed their Winter Concert.

On November 15, BTMES Middle School Drama Club put on a Skit Night to raise funds for their spring show. What a splendid evening!

BCEMS students performed in a talent show on Thursday, October 24, 2024.

BCEMS 1st graders learn how composting works with John Jose from Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District (CVSWMD).

By Frances Hodgson Burnett
Adapted and directed by Mr. Adam Jacobs

We have had a wonderful Teacher/Staff Appreciation week! Our school board has supported and sponsored Appreciation Breakfasts all week at each of our schools, and it was a terrific opportunity for many of our board members to connect with the people who work with our students every day. These breakfasts were well attended and greatly appreciated by all!

As I was enjoying breakfast on Wednesday morning at BTMES with a group of teachers, I got to join a wonderful conversation with 7th grade teacher Darby Heibert and some of her colleagues about Edgar Allen Poe and how she is introducing his works to her students.  BUUSD Director of Curriculum Karen Fredericks joined Darby and her students yesterday to see what's going on, and you can see here how incredibly engaging and fun this work has been after hearing from her and her students!

This work is typical of what is happening in all of our schools. We have much to be proud of!

With this pride in mind, I want to remind the community that our FY25 Budget Revote is next Tuesday, May 14. Everything you need to know about the budget, from the basics to deep details, can be found on our website here: BUUSD Budget Page

We think the link to Frequently Asked Questions is particularly helpful! Please remember to cast your ballot and spread the word to your friends and neighbors to remind them to do the same!

Have a great weekend, and Happy Spring!

We wanted to share a fun visit that Zero the Hero had with BCEMS kindergarteners this past Monday, the 100th day of school!  BCEMS Principal Brenda Waterhouse, BC Kindergarten teacher Allyson Healey, and the whole K team celebrated the 100th day with all of the students by working on their numeracy skills with a real superhero!  Check out the celebration.

This annual event is a fun and engaging way to make math connections for our students that the whole community looks forward to every year.  The kids absolutely loved it!

We also wanted to share this update:

Plans for April 8 Total Solar Eclipse

As most people are aware, central Vermont is going to be a popular part of the earth on April 8.  There will be a very rare total solar eclipse that day, and our part of the world will be a perfect place to see it!

Here is an excellent description of the event from UVM's Space Grant Consortium: 

Total Solar Eclipse

The timing for the event is not good for our school day unfortunately, with the prime time for viewing taking place right at dismissal.  Due to this timing, we will be joining most other districts in the region in holding an Early Release day for all students and staff on Monday, April 8.  A few other details for the BTMES and BCEMS communities:

* March 27 was a scheduled Early Release Day, but it will now be a regular day for all.

* April 11 will remain on the calendar for Parent/Teacher conferences.

Let's hope for a clear day for Vermont in early April so we can all experience this once in a lifetime event!

This short video helps explain how education taxes are calculated.