District Communications

In order to address the inequities experienced by historically disadvantaged students in school, Winooski School District is joining three other districts in the Chittenden County region, Champlain Valley School District, Colchester School District, and South Burlington School District, to engage in a collaborative opportunity to improve equity for all children. The collective focus for this grant is on equity literacy with the goal of moving from an understanding of inequity to sustainable action and a culture of equity. While our districts have different levels of readiness and needs, we share a commitment to address inequities together. We will work collaboratively to build capacity for staff to have a common understanding of equity literacy by sending district-based teams to Courageous Conversations: Beyond Diversity training series, bringing information back to inform school-based trainings, and attending a regional stakeholder meeting. Teams will assess equity literacy growth and understanding using a common pre-post assessment tool. The districts propose a common purpose, focus, and set of goals and measurements that will improve understanding and actions for staff and lead to improved outcomes for students. Read more about the Equity Literacy grant here.

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High School to Transcend School Walls to Help all Learners
Achieve 21st-Century Definition of Student Success

Winooski, VT, July 24, 2019 – Winooski School District (WSD) has been awarded a $500,000 grant, spread out over three years, from the Barr Foundation for the implementation of a redesigned school model for Winooski Middle High School aimed at creating a Wider Learning Ecosystem (WLE). 

Through the WLE grant, Winooski School District leaders will put into action a flexible, student-centered school model that blends the lines between school, college, career, and community. 

What does that mean for Winooski students? Kate Grodin, Co-Principal of Winooski Middle High School, explains: “The Barr grant is going to allow us to deepen our transformational efforts to make our school supportive and engaging for all learners. We will continue to explore community partnerships at a variety of different levels – bringing the community into the school, such as guest speakers and visitors to share their work, and bringing students out into the community to do fieldwork and internships. We are hoping to respond to the students’ desire for a well-balanced “variety pack” of experiences with this grant work.” 

WSD has already been incorporating student-driven, field study experiences into different programs, and the students’ responses speak volumes. On a recent trip to Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory, incoming 9th grader, Aden Jelle, shares his excitement about the day’s project: fish dissection. “It was so interesting seeing all the parts of the fish, I’ve never done that, never looked inside a body,” he said of the experience. “I was interested in this because I would like to be a cardiologist and want to learn how bodies work so I can help people.”

WSD student Aden Jelle, 14, at Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory (7/19)

Barr Foundation has a strong interest in supporting high school students with individualized, student-centered, flexible pathways to post-secondary success. “We are excited to continue our partnership with Winooski School District through the Wider Learning Ecosystem cohort,” said Jenny Curtin, the Barr Foundation’s Senior Program Officer for Education. “Winooski’s educators and students have committed to launching a redesigned high school experience that leverages community assets as part of the core experience for all students.”

A portion of the funds will be used to hire a Community-Based Learning Coach, as well as a Coordinator to manage the logistics of the fieldwork opportunities and internships for students. The funds will also support professional development, and an Innovation Fund, which will be available to teachers and students through a proposal process. 

Sean McMannon, WSD Superintendent, is enthusiastic about the possibilities the grant opens up, “We can start with a student’s passion, and then look for ways to help them develop that passion by utilizing the tremendous expertise in our community, the organizations and businesses that are already doing the things that the students are interested in learning about. 

Learning and student growth work best when the whole community is involved, not just within a traditional classroom setting.” 

Superintendent McMannon also believes not only Winooski students will benefit from this new model focusing on out of the classroom experiences, stating, “We might be able to help solve problems for some of our local businesses and nonprofits – getting students’ perspectives can bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions.”

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Winooski School Board Takes Next Step on Capital Project
Tom Barden of Hinesburg has been selected to manage the $57.8 M project

Winooski, VT, July 24, 2019 – On Wednesday evening, the Winooski School Board approved the Executive Capital Project Committee’s recommendation to hire Tom Barden of Barden Inspection and Consulting Services, Inc., as Owner Project Manager (OPM). The OPM will oversee the construction management team handling the Winooski School District (WSD) Capital Project. The main components of the project include 66,000 square feet of additions and 142,000 square feet of renovations including new windows and doors, new roofing, new interior finishes, a new HVAC system, renovations of electrical power system, new flooring, a new sprinkler system, new plumbing fixtures, restoration of exterior masonry, and site improvements. 

The project is currently in the Schematic Design Phase. The shovels in the ground construction is expected to start on or before July 1, 2020 and should be completed January 2022. 

Tom Barden has previously worked as Clerk-of-the-Works and Owner’s Representative for similar projects at Champlain Valley Union High School, Charlotte Central School, Rice Memorial High School, Shelburne Community School, and Williston Central School. 

WSD Board President, Michael Decarreau, explains why he’s confident Barden is the right fit for the position, “Tom’s extensive experience with school renovation projects in Vermont is unmatched. His experience, coupled with his deep understanding of our community and students, makes him a natural leader as we embark upon this important and significant investment in Winooski families.”

Tom Barden is thrilled to take on this new role as OPM for the district. Originally from Ireland, he’s lived in Vermont with his wife since 1975, and has been an American citizen since 1984. Barden has worked on school construction projects for the past 20 years, and thought his most recent project in Williston would be his last school job. But when he heard about the WSD Capital Project he had a change of heart. Barden explains, “I have a lot of respect for what the Winooski community has been doing for immigrants, and I decided to offer my talents and services to help a school that’s given immigrants a leg up. That’s what drove me to apply for the position and I was lucky enough to get it.”  ###