Vergennes Union High School

Vergennes Union High School is a high school/junior high school of about 700 students in Vergennes, Vermont, United States. The school serves the city of Vergennes, as well as the towns of Addison, Ferrisburgh, Panton, and Waltham. This group of towns is part of the Addison Northwest School District.

Vergennes Unified High School District 5
VUHS Campus
Location
50 Monkton Road
Vergennes, VT 05491

Northeast Kingdom

Vergennes
,
Addison
,
Vermont
05491

United States
Coordinates44.172062°N 73.244112°W / 44.172062; -73.244112
Information
School typePublic 7-12
Established1959[1]
School boardVergennes Union High School Board of Directors[2]
School district5
PrincipalStephanie Taylor(15-present) Edwin Webbley (10-12)
Peter Reynolds (7-9)[2]
Faculty51.0 (on FTE basis)[3]
Grades7-12
Enrollment465
Student to teacher ratio14 to 1[3]
LanguageEnglish
Hours in school day7 hours
Colour(s)Blue and White
SportsSoccer, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field, Cross Country, Boys and Girls Lacrosse, Cheerleading, Golf, Rowing and Wrestling
MascotCommodore
NicknameVUHS
Team nameCommodores
RivalMount Abraham Union High School
NewspaperThe Commodore Chronicle
Websitewww.vuhs.org

Campus

Aside from over 31 rooms, the school's main structural features are a cafeteria, library, auditorium (renovated 2014), two gymnasiums, four computer centers, a Senior Circle Lounge, a chorus room, and an acoustic music rehearsal chamber.

Student life

Each student meets in an advisor led daily group called a Morning Meeting with 10-12 other students. Students have the same advisor for the two years spent in middle school and a different advisor for the four years spent in high school. In order for students to graduate, they must create and maintain a Graduation Portfolio that reflects their knowledge, skills, and understanding of particular topics. This is called a Performance Based Graduation Requirement (PBGR). Students who have taken German II or above have the opportunity to participate in a German exchange program that has been going on since 1990. German students from Bochum, Germany visit and stay in student host families in the fall semester, and Vergennes students take a trip to Germany during the spring semester. Students have the opportunity to visit historical landmarks such as the Berlin wall in Berlin, Germany before they reach Bochum, Germany where they are hosted by the same German students who visited in the fall. Spanish students also have the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica as a school trip.

The school day runs from 8am-2:45pm.

Performance Based Graduation Requirements: Personal Learning (PBGR 1) I understand personal wellness and my own strengths and weaknesses and use this knowledge in identifying goals, setting priorities, managing progress, and planning for my future.

Community Member (PBGR 2) I am an active and contributing member of my local, state, national, and global communities, in which I am working to develop a multi-faceted understanding of myself, of others, and of the natural world.

Research & Inquiry (PBGR 3) I use research and inquiry to acquire, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information and ideas from diverse contexts. I use these skills to explore a variety of issues, justify conclusions, and make decisions.

Problem Solving (PBGR 4) I solve problems and/or conduct investigations using appropriate math and science methodologies.

Reading (PBGR 5) I read, comprehend, and can respond to a variety of texts, and I am an active member of a literate community.

Fine Arts (PBGR 6) I create or perform in, and respond with understanding to, the Fine Arts through purpose, process, product, and growth.

Writing (PBGR 7) I use written communication and appropriate technical language for a variety of audiences and purposes.

Oral Communication (PBGR 8) I use oral communication for a variety of audiences and purposes.

Technology (PBGR 9) I use technology effectively to find, organize, and communicate information for a variety of purposes.

5 Guidelines of VUHS: 1. We are here; we are on time 2. We believe in personal integrity 3. We are respectful 4. We are kind 5. We challenge ourselves

Extracurricular activities include sports, jazz band, pep band, the Commodore singers choral group, an annual musical production, German club and the FFA. The Vergennes Union High school band is led by director Sue O'Daniel, who has often had students attend music festivals such as Districts, All States, New Englands, and even the all Eastern music festival. An alternative learning program called the Walden Project takes place in Monkton and is run through the Willowell Foundation.

Athletics

The school competes in Division II, except where noted. Sports include cheerleading, lacrosse, indoor and outdoor track and field, soccer, basketball, baseball, wrestling, golf, rowing, and cross country running.

Recognition

Athletic teams from Vergennes Union High School have won multiple state championships over the years:

  • Cross Country Running (5): 1952-53, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1962–63, 1968-69 (Division I)[4]
  • Boys' Soccer (1): 1982-83 (Division II)[5]
  • Girls' Soccer (4): 1983-84, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2006-07 (Division ll)[5]
  • Boys' Basketball (4): 1968-69, 1984–85, 2000–01, 2012-13 (Division II)[6]
  • Girls' Basketball (2): 2004-05, 2005-06 (Division II)[6][7]
  • Cheerleading (6); 1987–88, 1988–89, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2016-17 (Division II)[8][9][10]
  • Wrestling (2): 1970-71 (Division I); 1974–75 (Division II)[11]
  • Baseball (2): 2006-07, 2011-12 (Division II)[12]
  • Softball (1): 1975-76 (Division II)[13]

Bicknell v. Vergennes Union High School

In 1979, the Vergennes Union High School Board of Directors ordered the removal of two books, The Wanderers and Dog Day Afternoon, from the school library's collection. The school librarian Elizabeth Phillips and others challenged the removal in the federal court case Bicknell v. Vergennes Union High School. A U.S. District Court judge dismissed the case holding that school boards had the final authority to determine the inclusion or removal of works from school library collections. In 1980, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld the dismissal. [14] [15]

Notable alumni

References
  1. Ann Sullivan. "Vergennes Union High School History". Vergennes Union High School. Archived from the original on 2007-12-12. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  2. "Parent / Student Handbook 2007-2008" (PDF). Vergennes Union High School. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  3. "Vergennes Union High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  4. Cross Country Running Champions Archived July 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Vermont Principals Association. Accessed December 25, 2007.
  5. Soccer Champions Archived November 5, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Vermont Principals' Association. Accessed December 25, 2007.
  6. Basketball Champions Archived December 21, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Vermont Principals Association. Accessed December 25, 2007.
  7. "Keeping off floor dulls celebration", Barre Montpelier Times Argus, March 23, 2005. Accessed December 25, 2007. "Last Saturday night I had the pleasure of watching the Vergennes Union High School girls basketball team win its first state championship."
  8. Cheerleading Champions Archived July 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Vermont Principals Association. Accessed December 25, 2007.
  9. "Legislative Document - Act of the General Assembly 2005-2006". Vermont General Assembly. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  10. "Legislative Documents - Concurrent Resolution Addendum". Vermont General Assembly. March 29, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  11. Wrestling Champions Archived August 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Vermont Principals Association. Accessed December 25, 2007.
  12. Baseball Champions Archived May 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Vermont Principals Association. Accessed December 25, 2007.
  13. Softball Champions Archived May 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Vermont Principals Association. Accessed December 25, 2007.
  14. Reichman, Henry (2001). Censorship and Selection: Issues and Answers for Schools. ALA Editions. p. 182. ISBN 0-8389-0798-9.
  15. Foerstel, Herbert N. (2002). Banned in the U.S.A. : a reference guide to book censorship in schools and public libraries. Greenwood Press. p. 87. ISBN 1-59311-374-9.
  16. "Vermont General Assembly Members, 2005". Vermont Secretary of State. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
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