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Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) Policy and Amendment Committee Meeting Minutes Oct 22, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

Summary: The committee reviewed three policies during the meeting (Gender Freedom in Schools, D15 Travel Reimbursement, and C7 Board Relations with Administrators). Gender Freedom and D15 will be sent for a first reading at the next full Board meeting on November 4. C7 remains on hold. Rebecca Olmstead was not able to attend the meeting, so Asthma Friendly Schools and E11 Federal Child Nutrition Act Wellness Policy were not reviewed; these policies will be put on the agenda for November 12.

WSESU, WSESD, VTSD Boards Summit Meeting Agenda October 28, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

The Windham Southeast Supervisory Union, Windham Southeast School District, and Vernon Town School District  Boards will meet at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at the Cusick Conference Room, 80 Atwood Street, Brattleboro, and remotely via Zoom.  The boards will convene at 5pm for dinner, during which time no business will be conducted. The agenda begins at 6pm, at which time the Zoom link will open to the public.  

I Love You, So

by annikee | Creative

Change
Always comes on time.
Its own time, not when we say;
We love the Spring.

O, I too will change
But why do you push me to?
I thought you loved me.

NXT Gallery: Life in Vermont and Mexico – Paintings by Carol Keiser

by hahrenholz | Arts

Next Stage Arts presents a vibrant new exhibition by Carol Keiser, showcasing her colorful and evocative paintings inspired by life in Putney, Vermont, and her time in Mexico. The opening reception is Sunday, Nov. 16, from 4–6 PM at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill, Putney. RSVP at nextstagearts.org.

Keiser’s work is a visual diary, capturing the places she’s been, the experiences she’s had, and the emotions she encounters. Her focus on color—its energy, magic, and contrasts—drives each piece, whether a still life, landscape, or figure study. She often draws inspiration from memory, sketches, or her hand-painted tile designs, blending ceramics and painting in a joyful exploration of hue and composition.

WSESD Board Meeting Minutes October 14, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

Summary
● Committed support for the Student Representatives to the Board on their initiative to explore the process of transitioning from elementary to middle to high school.
● The WSESD Board has been awarded the BCTV Government/Education Partner Award. All are invited to a celebration at the Producer Party on 11/14/25 at 6 pm at the Stone Church.
● Linda Alvarez was recognized by the Board for being awarded the Vermont Teacher of the Year Award.

Community Survey for Vermont’s Commission on the Future of Public Education

by Not Signed In | Education

In 2024, the Vermont legislature created the Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont, with the intent to study and make recommendations for the vision, structure and funding of education in Vermont with input from the public and other stakeholders. The Commission is reaching out for feedback on Act 73, a law which was enacted in response to residents’ concerns about high and rising property taxes and a desire to increase quality educational opportunities for students. The intent of the law is to strengthen the public education system, mitigate costs, and improve educational opportunities for students.

Brattleboro No Kings in the Guardian

by cgrotke | Media

Brattleboro’s No Kings Day protest got some additional exposure. A photo by Kristopher Radder got picked up by the AP and the Guardian has decided to use it:

Brattleboro photo in the Guardian.

Their full caption reads “People attend the national “No Kings” protest against president Donald Trump at the Brattleboro Common park in Brattleboro, Vt., on Saturday, Oct 18, 2025. Photograph: Kristopher Radder/AP”

Mandolin Masters Matt Flinner & Joe K. Walsh Bring an Intimate Evening of Acoustic Brilliance

by hahrenholz | Music

Two of the finest mandolinists in the modern acoustic world are coming together for a special evening of music that promises to delight fans of bluegrass, roots, and contemporary string band sounds.

Matt Flinner, a National Banjo and Mandolin Champion, has spent decades pushing the boundaries of acoustic music. From performing at bluegrass festivals before his teens to touring and recording with artists ranging from Steve Martin to the Modern Mandolin Quartet, Flinner’s artistry is widely celebrated for its musicality, innovation, and versatility.

Jen Karpin on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Creative

Great Vintage! Walk into MORNING GLORIOUS, one of downtown’s coolest, most colorful stores, and say hello to JEN KARPIN – she’s created a warm and friendly place filled with ever-changing inventory sure to raise your dopamine levels! Jen also talks about growing up amidst antiques and auctions, sustainable textiles, the Vintage Fashion Guild, and the “joyful wardrobe”. Tune in !

WSESD Policy and Amendment Committee Minutes Oct 8, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

Policies

Note: The committee did not review two policies that were at the top of the agenda (the proposed Asthma Friendly Schools policy and D15 Travel Reimbursement) as the invited guests were unable to attend the meeting.

Gender Freedom in Schools

The committee reviewed and discussed the final section of the policy, School Activities.

WSESD Policies for Adoption

by Not Signed In | Education

The following policies of the Windham Southeast School District Board of Directors are hereby warned for adoption at their November 04, 2025 meeting:
D12 Prevention of Harassment of Employees
E19 Behavioral Threat Assessment Teams
F37 District Equity Policy
G13 Responsible Computer, Network & Internet Use

Come See Marlboro Morris and Sword This Weekend!

by bmorrison | Entertainment

Marlboro Morris and Sword will perform our annual sword dances and mummers’ play Saturday and Sunday, October 11 and 12. English Longsword Sword dancing is a mid-winter street performance celebrating the cycle of the seasons. The dance is often accompanied by a comic play with a death and resurrection involved, signifying the continuation of life after the winter. All performances are free.

This is What Democracy Looks Like – Call to Artists

by katherynallaway | Arts

We invite artists working in any medium — visual, literary, or performance — to submit works that respond to the central question:​

What does democracy look like?

This isn’t a literal question. It could be as much about what democracy feels like or sounds like. It’s as much about community as politics. We welcome works that celebrate, question, grieve, protest, or reimagine.

Nolan Edgar on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Media

You’ve seen him filming around town – at Gallery Walk, Town meetings, graduations, Perseverance Park….As BCTV’s Production Manager NOLAN EDGAR multi-tasks between filming, editing, teaching, wrangling equipment, and helping local producers create unique shows that enrich our community and beyond. And he’s created a cache of skateboarding videos. Tune in for some great stories, both personal and professional.

WSESD Board Meeting Minutes Sept 23, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

Summary
● The Board engaged in a presentation about the district’s professional development and equity work.
● Suzy’s Little Peanuts Day School was approved as a universal PreK partner.
● The hiring of Elizabeth Rosenberg, WRCC Culinary Instructor & BUHS Family and Consumer Science Teacher was approved.
● Action is being taken towards community engagement as related to the newly adopted Board Goals.

Brattleboro Area Middle School’s Anne Koplinka-Loehr Awarded 2025 Rowland Fellowship

by Not Signed In | Education

Brattleboro, VT — September 15, 2025 — Brattleboro Area Middle School (BAMS) proudly announces that Anne Koplinka-Loehr, a 7th & 8th grade social studies teacher, has been awarded a 2025 Rowland Fellowship. This prestigious fellowship, granted by The Rowland Foundation, supports visionary Vermont educators in implementing transformative initiatives to enhance school culture and climate. Koplinka-Loehr is the first Rowland Fellow from both BAMS and the Windham Southeast School District, and she has worked closely with Principal Keith Lyman to develop this initiative.

With this fellowship, Koplinka-Loehr has stepped into a Teacher on Special Assignment role for the 2025-2026 academic year. She will be facilitating a group of staff and students to integrate restorative practices throughout the middle school.