August  2010

Dear Parents and Students:

As I begin my 5th year as Principal, I welcome all the new families to our community as well those returning to Hazen Union! We are embarking upon a new school year full of innovative ideas, rigor, challenges, and support as we continue to provide the best education possible for our students. Our goal is to prepare our students to be ready for college or for other post secondary education or workplace opportunities. Thank you for choosing to be part of our award-winning school and community!

I am very pleased to welcome the following new faculty and staff: We have three new faculty members that I would like to introduce to you at this time. Mariana Lara Albert will be teaching Spanish;  Eric King, Learning Consultant, will be shared between Hazen and OSSU and Matt Pietryka will be teaching Grade 7 Mathematics. Please stop by to say hello and welcome them to their new positions.

We are proud that Hazen Union School met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in all subgroup areas for Fall 2009! Additionally, we were honored with a Bronze Medal by US News and World Report.  For the third consecutive year, Hazen Union has been honored as one of the best high schools in the nation for 2010! Hazen is on the move and we are “going for gold!”

Hazen Union is known for its emphasis on excellence and high standards. We embrace the 21st century skills by implementing an instructional focus that is student-centered. Students need to be engaged as active participants in a learning process that addresses real world application and connects with their world. It is incumbent upon us to ensure that we prepare our students for jobs that do not yet exist. I am pleased to announce that our English Department has applied for a grant from The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 within the “Educate to Innovate Grant Program” under the direction of Kyle Cushman. The goal of the program is to assist us to integrate technology into our instructional program using a Web2.0 tool called edu2.0 .  This tool would support technology integration activities such as blogs, wikis, discussions, and online lessons and research.   We also hope that this tool will assist with creating blended face-to-face/online classrooms that function with consistency across the English Department in an online environment. Recently, we have found that this type of integration supports student-centered instruction in an environment in which discussions are more in-depth and focused when conducted online, albeit in a face to face classroom.

Organization is key to a successful academic experience at Hazen.  Again, this year, student planners will be distributed to all students. Please take some time to read the information contained in it. Student attendance is a crucial factor in the learning process. Punctuality and daily attendance are imperative to be a successful student at Hazen Union. Please understand that absences are either excused or unexcused. All excused absences need to be confirmed with a signed note from a parent/guardian or phone call to
 Mrs. Brochu by the next day prior to the student’s attending his/her first period class and must comply with the categories listed in the student planner.

Enclosed, please find your student’s schedule for 2010-2011. Please review the schedule and if changes need to be made, please contact the Guidance Office at 802-472-6511 ext. 105, no later than Monday, August 23, 2010.

As I mentioned above, we are an award-winning school and community. This past year, once again, Hazen won numerous accolades and awards that are showcased on our Wall of Excellence, located next to the Guidance Office. I am honored to present them in chronological order on the next page.


Hazen Union Awards, Accolades, and Scholarships: Spring 2009 - Spring 2010

1.    Honored as of one of America’s Best High School for the 3rd consecutive year and within the top 9% of United States High Schools, by US News and World Report.  2008 - Silver , 2009 - Silver,  2010 - Bronze
2.    Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009
3.    State Division III Boys’ Basketball Championship 2006, 2008, and 2009
4.    The Governor’s Award for Outstanding Community Service by the Hazen Key Club (2009)
5.    State Drama Champions (2009)
6.    The Governor’s Vermont School Carbon Challenge ($5,000.00) (2009)
7.    Johnson State College Green Summit Award ($500.00)  awarded to Michelle Mallo and Casey Gates for sensor lighting in the lobby and restrooms (2009)
8.    The Outstanding 1st Year Vermont Teen Leadership and Safety Program/Students Against Destructive Decisions (VTLSP/SADD) (2009)
9.    The Leonore Anneberg Scholarship awarded to Lydia Ducharme:  One of six scholarships awarded in the entire United States. The only scholarship that was awarded in the “Rural” category in the entire United States. (2009)
10.    The “Big E” Eastern States Exposition: Hazen was the only high school marching band selected from Vermont to attend this prestigious exposition in West Springfield, MA in September 2009.
11.    All-State Music Festival Award: The Evelyn Springstead Scholarship for 2009: Awarded to Andy Gagnon. This scholarship is granted to only “one” graduating senior in Vermont planning to major in music in college.
12.    AP Scholar with Honor Award: Jonathan Besett, earned an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken. Earned scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. (2009)
13.    AP Scholar with Honor Award: Billy Vasiliadis earned an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken. Earned scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. (2009)
14.    AP Scholar Award: Evan Donovan completed three or more AP Exams with scores of 3 or higher. (2009)
15.    Recipient of a $50,000 – Solar in Schools Grant (Jan. 2010) Hazen Union was 1 of 10 recipients from 23 proposals submitted statewide. (2010)
16.    The Vermont Allstate Composition Scholarship Awarded to Mavis MacNeil. This scholarship is awarded to only one Vermont student. Mavis wrote a composition for the flute. (2010)
17.    Alan Therrien –Grade 11 Scientist/Researcher: Vermont Streams Project (by Vermont EPSCoR) Presented his 2009-2010 research entitled: “The Relationship between Land Use and Phosphorus Loading” at the Project Symposium in April 2010 by the University of Vermont and St. Michael’s College.
18.    Hazen Union School: Outstanding Service in Legislation as a School. Presented by: Vermont Teen Leadership and Safety Program Students Against Destructive Decisions (VTLSP/SADD) (2010)
19.    Hayley LeCours-Grade 10: National Representative for VTLSP: Elected to represent Vermont  (2010)

Indeed, Hazen is a Model Rural School that is on the move! The above awards and accolades are indicative of the talent, hard work, and pride that are demonstrated each day by the teachers, students, and parents!

Our fantastic and tireless team of custodians, under the direction of Jeff LeCours, is known for taking on the arduous tasks that are part of the summer cleaning regimen. Congratulations to Jeff, our Director of Buildings and Grounds and his team, David, Molly, Raymond, Robert, and Rusty who worked tirelessly throughout the “sticky and steamy” summer.  Please thank them for a job well done! They are the reason why Hazen always shines!

We are off to another great start and I am looking forward to another exciting year! If I can be of assistance to you, please feel free to contact me at 802-472-6511 extension 104.

Very truly yours,

Elaine F. Laine, Ph.D.Principal