WSESD Board Meeting Minutes September 24, 2024

by Not Signed In | Education

Summary
● Policy Review and Accountability: The Board discussed the requests for self-reflection and accountability regarding response to comments from the Dummerston Leadership Council, but an amended motion to direct the Policy and Amendment Committee for review did not pass. Original motion tabled.
● Leadership Council Updates: Leadership Councils provided updates on community engagement efforts and the importance of tools and support for effective communication and collaboration, including recording meetings for accuracy.
● Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP): The Board adopted the district’s proposed CIP goals.
● Panorama Survey Process: The Panorama Task Force outlined a new approach to administering climate surveys in both Fall and Spring, emphasizing student input to enhance school safety and support.
● Budget Considerations: The board reviewed budget reduction strategies presented at the Annual Meeting and their implications for student support services

Unacceptable Health Care Reform?

by RDavis | Health

When I first read the report “Act 167 Community Engagement: Recommendations”, I almost laughed because I had a pretty good idea of how hospitals would react. The passage of Act 167 was a recognition that Vermont’s health care system needs serious change if it is to survive and this report was commissioned to find out what to do. It focused on the state’s hospitals.

Many of the recommendations make sense, but what I find difficult to understand is how all of the affected hospitals could possibly make the changes called for in the report. They talk about regional centers of excellence where only certain hospitals would do specific procedures. There could be fewer hospitals doing joint replacements and those who continue would become more expert at the procedures.

There is also a call for hospitals to share staff. That makes sense from an intellectual perspective, but how many nurses are going to want to travel an extra hour or more to work each day just to fulfill the aims of systemic restructuring?

Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas and San Miguel Fraser at Next Stage

by hahrenholz | Music

Next Stage Arts and Twilight Music present an evening of traditional and contemporary Scottish and fiddle music by duos Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas and San Miguel Fraser (Galen Fraser & Maria San Miguel) on Sunday, October 20 at 7:00 pm at Next Stage.

The musical partnership between consummate performer Alasdair Fraser, “the Michael Jordan of Scottish fiddling,” and brilliant Californian cellist, Natalie Haas, spans the full spectrum between intimate chamber music and ecstatic dance energy. Over the last 16 years of creating a buzz at festivals and concert halls across the world, they have truly set the standard for fiddle and cello in traditional music. This seemingly unlikely pairing of instruments is the fulfillment of a long-standing musical dream for Fraser. His search eventually led him to find a cellist who could help return the cello to its historical role at the rhythmic heart of Scottish dance music, where it stood for hundreds of years before being relegated to the orchestra. Alasdair and Natalie blend a profound understanding of the Scottish tradition with cutting-edge string explorations. In addition to performing, they both have motivated generations of string players through their teaching at fiddle camps across the globe.

Ize Trio Concert and Percussion Workshop at Next Stage Arts

by hahrenholz | Music

Next Stage Arts presents Ize Trio, performing music from their debut album, The Global Suites on Friday, October 25 at 7:30 pm at Next Stage. Members of the Trio will present a free workshop focused on Middle Eastern percussion and rhythmic cycles on Friday afternoon, from 3:00 to 4:30pm.

“Global sounds from Palestine, Cyprus, and the US, this trio has been here in various iterations – every single time commanding an all-star performance and inspiring our community to ask us to book them again,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “The trio is composed of three music professors who prioritize a global sound, mixing their jazz education with their cultural origins. This is the high water mark of performances, and we’re overjoyed to have them come to southern Vermont.”

“Family Matters: A Tour of Vermont Short Films” Will Screen at Next Stage Arts

by hahrenholz | Entertainment

Next Stage Arts screens “Family Matters: A Tour of Vermont Short Films” on Saturday, October 19 at 6:00 pm at Next Stage.

Presented by The Vermont Production Collective, a group of four award-winning filmmakers explore what it means to be a family in Vermont. The program features four short fiction films that offer a uniquely Vermont perspective on the pains and joys of being a family. The film screening will be followed by a filmmakers mixer in the Next Stage community room. All are welcome to join and build the Southern Vermont creative community.“Bloodroot” is a tender relationship portrait of two brothers, told over the course of their lives. In

“Bad Mother,” a mother copes with her husband’s confession of infidelity on the eve of a funeral. “I Guess It Might Be Selfish” is a poetic reflection on the clash between individual and family needs. “The Thaw” is a beautifully rendered 19th century Vermont horror story.

Arun Ramamurthy Trio To Perform at Next Stage in Support of Their Newly Released Album, “New Moon”

by hahrenholz | Music

Next Stage Arts presents an evening of South Indian classical Carnatic music and contemporary American jazz by Brooklyn-based Arun Ramamurthy Trio (ART) on Friday, October 18 at 7:30 pm at Next Stage. ART is touring in support of their latest album, “New Moon,” released on September 20th.

Arun Ramamurthy Trio (ART) brings together South Indian classical Carnatic music and contemporary American jazz. Boundaries are blurred in this organic and seamless integration of styles as the group expands on traditional forms in explosive, improvisational flights of fancy. ART explores the kindred spirit of raga music and jazz, resulting in a deeply invigorating and spiritual experience. Their sound is driven by the dynamic rhythm section of drummer Sameer Gupta & and electric bassist Damon Banks. ART released their latest album “New Moon” on Greenleaf Music this September 20, 2024. New Moon reflects on the inspiration of ancestors, family and tradition, while embracing a spirit of creation and freedom.

The similarities between American Jazz and Indian Classical music can often be found within the spirit of the musicians themselves. The shared artistic pursuit of carefully crafting a fluent, spontaneous voice, and the deep reverence for artists who came before are just two common threads between the kindred traditions.

Community Workshops on Nuclear Waste Management in the U.S.

by jaspergilardi | Town News

Good Energy Collective, the organization I work for, would like to invite Brattleboro residents to a series of paid workshops we’re hosting for residents of the towns neighboring the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant site. The workshops are part of a two-year Department of Energy (DOE) project to define a consent-based siting process for spent nuclear fuel in the U.S.—a process that DOE hopes to use to site one or more interim facilities that will store all of the nation’s commercial spent nuclear fuel until a permanent storage solution becomes available. 

We are looking for 50 interested community members to participate in the workshops, which will be held on:

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda & Notes – October 2024

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will continue their attempts to legislate downtown safety by discussing and implementing a campaign for “Acceptable Community Conduct” at their first meeting of October 2024. 

They will be discussing swimming pool renovations at Living Memorial Park and how much the project is expected to cost. Staff are suggesting that this project possibly be put off to future budget years.  The Planning Department will also give the board an update out housing permits and projects. You can bring up other items not already on the agenda during public participation.

Noticed Around Brattleboro – Fall 2024

by cgrotke | Town News

Your regular space for things you notice as you walk, bike, skate, or even drive around Brattleboro that are worth noting. Add things in the comments all season long, such as:

The “Marketplace” sign on the River Garden has been taken down.
Construction vehicles are pretty much gone from the Humane Society lot now.  

Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) Policy and Amendment Committee Meeting Minutes Sept 25, 2024

by Not Signed In | Education

The committee decided to incorporate the following changes:
● Add to section 3: “The use of prone or supine restraint is strictly prohibited.”
o The definitions for prone and supine restraint were already in the policy, but there was no statement that their use was prohibited. The district does not use prone or supine restraint, and this edit will highlight that fact, stating it clearly in the policy.

Brattleboro Subaru Supports Windham County Humane Society with Grant, Pet Adoption, and Food Drive Event

by Not Signed In | Pets

Brattleboro, VT – Windham County Humane Society (WCHS) is excited to announce a special Pet Adoption and Food Drive Event in collaboration with Brattleboro Subaru, located at 1234 Putney Road, Brattleboro, VT 05301. The event will run from October 1, 2024, through November 1, 2024, as part of Subaru’s nationwide Subaru Loves Pets® initiative.

This month-long event aims to raise awareness of the importance of adopting shelter pets and support local animals in need. According to the ASPCA®, nearly 6.5 million companion animals have entered shelters nationwide last year, underscoring the critical need for adoption. WCHS is committed to finding loving homes for as many shelter pets as possible, and this partnership with Brattleboro Subaru will help drive that mission forward.

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Charter Revision Commission will meet on Monday, September 30, 2024 at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room (230 Main Street, room 212).

The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 4:15pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room (230 Main Street, room 211).

Donate to the Amazing Hospice Hunt!

by giddyitup | Culture

The Hospice Amazing Hunt is happening again this Saturday, September 28 to support Brattleboro Area Hospice. This is the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year and we could use more donations! Teams of four will be racing around downtown Brattleboro, searching for clues in unexpected places around town.

If you are able, please donate to the team of your choice here! All proceeds go to Brattleboro Area Hospice’s multitude of free programs supporting those who are dealing with serious illnesses, at the end of their life, and grieving loved ones. For more information about their programs, visit: https://brattleborohospice.org/

Last Brattleboro Walking History Tours of the Season!

by giddyitup | History

Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary continues their walking history tour of Brattleboro, Vermont, leading participants on a journey through time while supporting a worthy cause. The final dates for this unique fundraiser are on Saturdays, September 28, and October 26 at 11 am.

Led by knowledgeable local Rotarian guides, attendees will spend 90 minutes walking up Brattleboro’s Main Street, delving into its fascinating history from its early beginnings to its present-day charm. 

Tours walk from one end of Main Street to the other (approximately 7/10 of a mile) with about 10 stops explaining Brattleboro’s history and culture. The tour will last approximately 1.5 hours and will go from Plaza Park (across from the Co-op) to the Brattleboro Common. Older kids are welcome, but the tour is designed for adults.

Dummerston Leadership Council Meeting Minutes September 19, 2024

by Not Signed In | Dummerston, Education

1. Were appropriate reporting channels followed? Complaints bypassed process and went directly to the boardroom.

2. Was the need to maintain a distinction between the administrative role of the administrators and the policy making role of the board adhered? Board members inserted their personal stance and directly requested change at a school level.

Construction Update Brattleboro-Hinsdale Bridge Update September 26, 2024

by Not Signed In | Hinsdale

Construction traffic can get onto the bridge from the Vermont end so motorists need to be aware of an increase in construction vehicles on VT 142, especially as they slow to turn onto the bridge.

This week, concrete was placed for the New Hampshire expansion joint as well as the adjoining deck end and overhangs, so the moment slabs adjacent to VT 142 are the last structures of the project in need of concrete. That placement of concrete for the moment slabs is set to be done Monday, September 30th. The proximity of the concrete trucks to VT 142 may require alternating one lane traffic controlled by flaggers.

Jacob Estey and Estey Organ Company Achievements Featured on Brattleboro Words Trail Podcast

by Lissa Weinman | Media
esteyfest esteypodcast poster

Brattleboro, Vermont; 24 September 2024: The September episode of the Brattleboro Words Trail Podcast tells the story of how Jacob Estey and the Estey Organ Company put Brattleboro on the map and helped shape American popular culture in the second half of the 19th Century. Jon Potter of Latchis Arts narrates the podcast with  a variety of organ and pipe music featured throughout. The Podcast is available for free on all podcast platforms at: https://brattleboro-words-trail-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/jacob-estey-the-estey-organ-companys-reverberations

The Estey podcast informs the September 26-30 EsteyFest 24 in Brattleboro. This national reed organ conference attracts hundreds to Brattleboro, site of the longest-lived and largest reed organ company in the world. The Estey Organ Company and the Estey family who ran it produced more than half a million musical instruments that traveled the globe with their prominent ‘Made in Brattleboro, Vermont’ stamp. 

Elliot Street Closure For Sewer Repairs

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Utilities Division will be making an emergency repair to the sewer line on Elliot Street, near #50 Elliot Street on Wednesday, September 25.  Beginning at 7:00, Elliot Street will have ONE-WAY traffic eastbound from Church Place toward Main Street.  Traffic will not be allowed to enter Elliot Street from Main Street.  Parking will be inaccessible in that area. This work is expected to take several hours.