Welcome Back Students!
August 14, 2025
Greetings Falcon Nation!
It seems hard to believe that our “In-Tents” opening was only one year ago! It has been such a more relaxing summer, and our administrative team and several groups of teachers have been able to spend the summer planning for improvements and adjustments to systems, curriculum, instruction and assessment. We are all looking forward to a more normal opening that focuses on introducing new students to our school, and helping all of our students transition back to the school year. In the meantime, here are a couple updates and reminders.
Annual Update - If you haven’t already done so, PLEASE review and update any information in Powerschool. This is essential not only in the case of an emergency so that we have the most accurate contact information, but also so that you receive the most up to date information as soon as it is available. Here is the Link to NCSU Annual Update to help you get started.
ParentSquare - ParentSquare is the primary platform we will use to communicate with you regarding school events and information. The app is convenient and you can set your notifications to receive them when they are sent, or to wait until a set time to receive them all at once.
Bell Schedule - The 2025-2026 NCUHS Bell Schedule has some slight changes to it, but remains largely the same as last year. The biggest change is that POD and AIE will both be at the end of the day, with POD happening on Mondays and Fridays, and AIE happening on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays.
Schoology & Securly - There will be a parent meeting on Wednesday, August 27th at 5:30 to review the capabilities and ways to access our primary technology platforms. After that meeting, we will also make resources available to help parents and students access these platforms to support student learning.
Cell Phones - The biggest change this year will be how we implement Act 72 - which is the law that the Vermont Legislature passed that requires schools to implement a “Bell to Bell” device-free environment. This legislation was created as a way for schools to address the negative impacts that 24/7 access to social media can have on student learning. For NCUHS students, this means that cell phones (and other personal devices such as earbuds, smartwatches, etc.) are not allowed between the time that a bell rings to start class and the time the bell rings to end class. All teachers will have a storage system in their classrooms and all students are expected to put their phones in the storage system when they enter the class. The phones will remain in the storage space until class ends. At this time, students are allowed to use their phones (and other devices) during passing periods and lunch. However, if a student is misusing their personal device during the school day, such as by cyberbullying, it will be confiscated. This policy will be monitored throughout the year, and may be adjusted based on student behavior. More information will be shared at the start of school and updated on our website.
We are very much looking forward to welcoming students back to school, especially since we have spent the summer focused on improvements to the facility and in the classrooms. Please be aware of the following important dates:
- August 27th - First Day for 9th Graders
- August 28th - First Day for 10th - 12th Graders
You will get more information from Ms. Mayhew and Mr. Pixley in the coming week, so make sure you are monitoring your ParentSquare, and please let us know with any questions.
Have a great end of the summer!
Sincerely,
Chris Young
Principal, NCUHS
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