On Tuesday, the Mountain Views Supervisory Union (MVSU) hosted state senators from the Vermont Senate Education Committee — led by Sen. Seth Bongartz — in a day-long event meant to highlight the performance of the MVSU students and to show why the community needs a new school facility.
The day began with a focus on celebrating the academic success of the students within the MVSU school district, and to allow the senators to hear about the student experience from the kids who make up the community.
The morning commenced with a presentation of the “We Are MVSU” slide deck by the students and teachers of Woodstock Elementary School. This was followed by a “fishbowl” event, where high school students asked and answered questions about their experience within the school district, and then a dialogue with the senators.
The afternoon was spent in the classroom, as the Senate Education Committee shadowed students. The senators then received a tour of Woodstock Union High School and Middle School (WUHS/MS) conducted by the director of buildings and grounds, Joe Rigoli.
Finally, the event opened to the public, as parents and community residents gathered in the auditorium to address the senators directly during a public forum. Dozens spoke, highlighting the various concerns they have.
Bongartz opened the room up for discussion, addressing the audience by saying, “We are visiting five schools in the state, and are really taking time to sit and listen to the students, the families, the educators. We are honored to stop in Woodstock and see all the wonderful work this community is doing. We want to know these districts intimately, and in turn, understand what the needs of the community are, and understand better what we can do to create thriving school districts across the state.”
For more on this, please see our Nov. 20 edition of the Vermont Standard.
