District Communications

WMHS students will take the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) on Wednesday, March 15th. This survey was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is sponsored by the Vermont Department of Health and the Agency of Education. The YRBS has been administered every other year in Vermont since 1993. Topics include personal safety and injury prevention, mental health, nutrition, physical activity, sexual health, substance use, and protective factors.

The results help public health officials, educators, and community organizations to develop and evaluate health-related programs and secure future funding.

Should you decide to opt your child out of taking the survey, please complete the following form and return it to the WMHS main office by Tuesday, March 14th.

https://www.wsdvt.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/YRBS-2023-Vermont-Parental-Notification.pdf

What is a school, if not a community? A high-quality education goes beyond the classroom and extends into all aspects of a student’s life. What we know is that the security of basic resources is incredibly important to a student’s success. So why not bring these resources to campus?

As part of a school project, students Bhumika Magar and Santu Kaldan, alongside the WSD Wellness Coordinator, and other school officials took initiative during the first days of the Capital Project to make their vision of having a hub for resources at WSD a reality. Magar and Kaldan toured schools with similar concepts, conducted research, and surveyed fellow students before solidifying their proposal; they called it the Necessity Store. 

With plans for the Necessity Store included in the Capital Project, and a variety of grants from organizations such as The Vermont Foodbank and The Vermont Community Foundation, intended to stock and replenish the shelves, Magar and Kaldan’s vision became a reality. 

During the fall of 2022, as work on the building came to a close, WSD Wellness Coordinator, Patrice Lumumba, dedicated much of his time to getting the Necessity Store up and running. With the help of student volunteers, he ordered supplies such as a refrigerator, shelving, and clothing racks. He stocked the shelves with food, hygiene products, clothing, and winter gear, both purchased and donated. And he turned the once-blank canvas of a room into a welcoming and inclusive space for students and the community. 

Throughout the process, which was not without its hiccups, Lumumba made sure resources were still available to students in need. He connected over 200 students with winter items before the Necessity Store doors even officially opened. 

When students and staff returned from winter break in January of 2023, the Necessity Store officially opened its doors with regular hours. Since then the store has served over 20 students a day.

During a visit to the Necessity Store in early January, I had the opportunity to speak with a group of high school students who regularly visit the Necessity Store. Their insight helped me grasp just how important the Necessity Store is to the community. 

9th Grader, Mapenzi Selemani, talked about how important the Necessity Store is for students whose families are not always able to buy items like winter clothing and food stating that “Parents are really thankful.”

In addition to providing items that students can take home, the store also has a variety of snacks students can choose from throughout the day “When you are hungry and it is not time for lunch yet or after lunch, you can just come here and grab snacks” said 10th grader Mamy Kyungu.

11th grader Nadine Ikizakubuntu, sang praise for the Necessity Store exclaiming that “It makes me want to come to school every day.” Ikizakubuntu hopes that the store will continue for years to come so that “students like my siblings who are in like elementary have the same experience that I have.”

Staff and students involved with the Necessity Store hope to see it continue to grow and transform to best fit the needs of the unique Winooski community. One thing at the top of the list is a wider variety of foods from different cultures.

For more information about the Necessity Store, including its store hours and donation procedures, please contact WSD Wellness Coordinator, Patrice Lumumba at 802-383-6130 or [email protected]

These are a selection of photos from the WHS Semester 1 Digital Photography class that were on display for the January Expo. They include various learned techniques and compositional strategies learned in class.

On December 5th 2022, the Winooski School District (WSD) began offering bus transportation to students residing three-quarters of a mile or further from the WSD campus. Since then, WSD has added additional busses and drivers, now offering 5 routes. WSD now serves all students who live along the routes/near stops.

Please utilize the linked WSD Bus Maps for information about specific stop locations and times. Note that the bus only stops at the marked locations.

Preschool Skills Screening Survey & Pre-registration 

On March 24, 2023

If your child is or will be 3 by September 1st, 2023 please complete a Preschool Skills Screening & Pre-registration Form for ACT 166 Publicly Funded Pre-K or to inquire about a Winooski Preschool Program and attend our preschool skills screening day. If you have concerns about your child’s development, our Winooski Early Childhood team will screen your child’s development. This screening is play-based and free for 3 and 4-year-old children living in Winooski.

When: Friday, March 24, 2023.

Where: In the preschool classroom at JFK Elementary School, room E121.

How: Please contact our Early Childhood Special Educator, Ada Wetmore at [email protected] or 802-383-6061 to schedule an appointment for you and your child to come into the program on March 24, 2023.

*Teachers will also be filling out applications for all preschool slots at this time.

For more information about preschool, opportunities visit our WSD website under  Pre-Kindergarten.

Winooski Preschool Programs

Preschool Skills Screening & Pre-registration Form

Winooski Early Childhood Program (at JFK)

The Winooski Early Childhood Program (WECP) is located at JFK Elementary school and collaborates with Head Start. There are two-morning sessions from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and two-afternoon sessions from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Children attend 2, 3, or 4 days per week. Families participating in the Head Start program attend all 4 days you must also complete the Head Start Application. If you have any questions about the Head Start program please call 802-651-4180.

Head Start Early Learning Center (at the Family Center)

The Early Learning Center (ELC) is a Head Start program that collaborates with the Winooski School District. The program is located at 87 Elm Street from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. where children attend Monday – Friday. To participate in the Head Start program you must also complete the Head Start Application If you have any questions about the Head Start program please call 802-651-4180. Champlain Valley Head Start is a federally funded program that is required to follow eligibility guidelines as determined by the U.S. Administration for Children and Families. Check Eligibility Criteria HERE

ACT 166 Publicly Funded Prekindergarten for children between the ages of 3 and 5 who reside in the town of Winooski, Vermont

Preschool Skills Screening & ACT 166 Pre-registration Form

*New and returning families must complete a new pre-registration form EACH year to participate.

What is publicly funded prekindergarten education?

Publicly funded prekindergarten education is defined as: Ten hours per week for 35 weeks in a community private early care and education programs. These pre-approved programs meet specific quality standards and provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences that are based on Vermont’s Early Learning Standards. Children who reside in Winooski and are between the ages of three-five are eligible. Prekindergarten education is limited to the academic year (September 2023 – June 2024).

Are these 10 hours/week pre-kindergarten programs tuition-free?

The pre-kindergarten program offered in public school is tuition-free. The pre-kindergarten program offered through a partner program will charge families for the care and education program the child needs beyond the 10 hours/week during the academic year. Your child’s preschool must deduct these public funds from your annual tuition bill.

Is my child eligible for publicly funded prekindergarten?

If your child is 3 years old by September 1, 2023, and resides in Winooski, then your child is eligible to participate.

How much will Winooski School District pay?

The statewide rate of $3,764.00 per child was established by the Agency of Education for the 2023/2024 school year. This covers 10 hours per week of high-quality prekindergarten education for 35 weeks.

How do I apply?

Winooski residents must first be enrolled at a pre-qualified preschool program in order to receive Act 166 funding. You need to contact the program directly to enroll your child. To search pre-qualified preschool programs visit: Bright Futures Information System. Once enrolled in a pre-qualified preschool program, then complete the Winooski ACT 166 Pre-registration Form to let WSD know what program your child will be attending for the 2022-2023 school year. *A new pre-registration form must be completed EACH year.