**  PLEASE NOTE:  SCHOOL WILL BE IN SESSION ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9TH, HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 12TH.  FOR THE MOST RECENT UPDATES, PLEASE REFER TO THE DISTRICT CALENDAR ON THE MRUSD WEBSITE.

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE: There is NO ordering of food from local restaurants for lunch.  Additionally, going off campus is not allowed. 

Locker Contents:  If you did not pick up your locker contents between March and July please retrieve your items from the Cafeteria.  If they are NOT in the Cafeteria they may still be in your lockers.  If that is the case, please come to the front office for assistance in getting your belongings as lockers have been locked.

If your items are not retrieved by October 30th they will be discarded.

2020-2021 YEARBOOK ORDERS:  You can order your 2020-2021 yearbook for $40 now through December 31st online at:  http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A08772600  or the order form in your email.  The price will increase to $50 from January 1st - March 5th.

ATTENTION SENIORS:

  • Please check your email for your Senior meeting with your school counselor.  Every senior has or will be receiving an invite via Google Meet.  If you are in the building, please come to the Guidance Office for your meeting.  Otherwise, please attend via Google Meet.

 ·      It’s time to order your caps and gowns online as well as complete the Google form sent to you on how you want your name printed on your diploma.  Please complete by the end of October.  If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Callan at tcallan@maplerun.org or 527-6400.

Cap and Gown ordering instructions (Note:  No payment is required until June):

o   Go to balfourvt.com

o   Click on Caps/Gowns

o   Click on High School Cap/Gown Order Form

o   Fill out all required information and hit the submit button 

Good luck to the following sports teams as they compete today:

  • JV Football at Mt. Abraham @ 4:00 p.m. (Dismiss @ 1:30)
  • Boys Volleyball host VT Commons @ 4:00 p.m.
  • JV & Varsity Boys Soccer host CVU @ 4:00 p.m.
  • JVB Boys Soccer at SBHS @ 4:00 p.m. (Dismiss @ 2:15)
  • JVB Girls Soccer at Fairfax @ 4:00 p.m. (Dismiss @ 2:25)

Mrs. Rico’s Book Club will be meeting in the Library today (10/8) at 3:00 p.m. to pick this month’s book.  Once the book is picked, it will be posted in the announcements.  Feel free to read it and join the book club whenever your schedule allows.  Again, blue, and green groups are welcome at this time.

Students interested in playing sports in college:  Attend this NCAA webinar.  The Eligibility Center plans to hold a webinar on October 10 for college-bound student-athletes and their families. Please share this link with your student-athletes.  The webinar will include a live chat function, so please come prepared with questions for the Eligibility Center staff presenters.  Space will be limited; however, the webinar will be recorded and emailed to all registrants if you are unable to join us live.

National ART Honor Society will be accepting applications next week.  In order to become inducted you have to have a “3” in your 2 art courses (need 2 credit it art before applying), be in good standing in other classes, and have a strong commitment to making art.  Email Ms. Christie at deechristie@maplerun.org if you have more questions, but applications will be ready online Monday (10/12).

We also have an ART CLUB if you are interested in participating in after school activities but are unsure about the commitment.  See/email Ms. Christie for details and look for first meeting next week.  Students can be in either or both NAHS/ART CLUB.

The PSAT for Juniors will be held at BFA on 10/14/20.  Forms to sign up are available in your email or in the Guidance Office.

THE BFA Journalism Club, which produces The Mercury school paper, is still looking for members.  We meet virtually Wednesday mornings 7:30-8:00 a.m.  IF you are interested in joining, please email Mrs. Hebert (lhebert@maplerun.org).

Interested in video game design and developmentVicarious Visions video game development panel will occur via Zoom on October 15th from 3:00-5:00 p.m.  This is an opportunity for students and young adults (generally ages 14-24) to meet professionals currently working in the field of video game design and development.  There is no pre-registration required for this event.  Please see Mr. Mahabir

Use this link to access the Panel on Zoom:

Meeting ID:  927 5493 4558

Passcode:  522800

BFA STUDENTS:  GIVE A PINT AND GET A SLICE BFA Interact is hosting a blood drive at City Hall on October 28th.  BFA has been a big part of a county-wide effort to help with depleting blood supplies.  Students that donate will be given a voucher for a slice of pizza at Mimmo’s at their appointment.  Masks and appointments are required.  To schedule an appointment, go to the following address and type in BFA under sponsor in the right-hand corner.  https://www.redcrossblood.org/

Mrs. Hebert, the new advisor for BFA's student newspaper, The Mercury, is pleased to introduce the 2020-2021 Mercury student staff members

They have been working hard, interviewing our new BFA faculty and staff.  Here are their articles, with more hitting the presses soon!

Gunderson Pressure; Getting to Know Lisa Gunderson by Brooke Holland  

Plis's New Plis to Be, BFA by Aima Rashid

A Man of Many Trades and Talents (Matt Samuels) by Helen Simmons

The it Man (Martin Kattam) by Bella Bonesara 

In a Storm of Uncertainty Blanchard Brings New Light by Owen Biniecki

Honolulu to Winooski, What Brought Nicole Schubert Up North? by Adelyne Collin

A New Face in the Guidance Department by Olivia Belrose

Jaunty Justin by J'Ayonna Watkins 

COLLEGE & SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION:

 College Application Event – The Guidance Office wanted to let you know that there will be a College Application Event the week of October 19th in the Library.  This first event will take place for only seniors that are applying for Early Action (deadline November 1st).  PLEASE BRING YOUR CHROMEBOOKS.

  • When:  October 19th & 20th for Blue Cohort / October 22nd & 23rd for Green Cohort
  • Who:  Seniors applying for Early Action to Colleges/Universities
  • How to Sign Up:  Contact Desiree in the Guidance Office

We look forward to seeing you!

University of Vermont: Wednesday, October 21 - Save the date!  UVM Admissions will be presenting a special program for Vermont high school juniors and seniors. This program will include a UVM overview, UVM faculty speaker and a student panel. Watch this space for additional details as they become available.

Virtual Open House:  Due to COVID-19, we have reimagined our Open House events for the fall to a virtual format.  Please save the dates of October 13, 15, and November 9, as each event will include a UVM overview, academic offerings, and a student panel.  Just as a reminder, UVM waives the $55 application fee for Vermont students if they apply Early Action, which has an 11/1 deadline.

Attention Juniors & Seniors:  Starting in October, BFA is hosting virtual meetings with Admissions Counselors from local and out of state colleges and universities.  The meetings will take place on Wednesdays from 8:30-9:15 a.m.  Here is the October schedule with the links to join:

Oct

21

St. Joseph's of Maine

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82315194330

Oct

28

University of New Haven

https://unewhaven.zoom.us/j/98003542702

Most Valuable Student (MVS) Contest:

The 2021 MVS application is now open. Applications can be found online at enf.elks.org/MVS. The application deadline is November 15th

The Elks National Foundation (ENF) awards 500 four-year scholarships based on academics, leadership, and financial need. National awards range from $1,000 per year to $12,500 per year. The national awards will be announced in April 2021.

MVS scholarships are for students pursuing a four-year degree on a full-time basis (minimum of 12 semester hours), at a U.S. college or university next school year. Some important applicant details include:

·  Current high school seniors (or equivalent) who are citizens of the United States are eligible to apply.

·  Applicants do not have to be related to a member of the Elks.

·  Male and female students compete separately. 

Applicants select from a list of the Lodges closest to their home address zip code. Please have your students choose St. Albans Lodge #1566 as their sponsoring Lodge. Complete details can be found at enf.elks.org/MVS.

Legacy Awards – The Legacy Awards program begins on September 1st.  Legacy Awards provide $4,000 scholarships for children and grandchildren of dues-paying Elk members. The ENF offers a total of 350 national awards. The application deadline is February 5, 2021 at 11:59 a.m., Central Time.  Please visit enf.elks.org/Leg for more details and the application link.

For any questions, please contact me at (802) 370-2267 or sptslt@comcast.net

Check out these opportunities from VSAC:

·         Managing College Costs (MCC) Presentations: Worried about the cost of postsecondary education?  Learn about how to pay for college and training programs by attending one of 8 virtual workshops hosted by VSAC Outreach Counselors from throughout the state. 

o   Any family can watch this pre-recorded version of this presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q5N9jrYyyI&feature=youtu.be

o   Each of the events are listed on VSAC’s Calendar of Events: https://www.vsac.org/events/list

o   Students and families may look for the event ‘hosted’ by the VSAC counselor that serves their specific high school (Counselor names are listed on the event, as well as counties they serve), or can attend any MCC event of their choosing.

·         FAFSA 1:1 Support:  Would you like 1:1 help completing your FAFSA or Vermont Grant Application?

o   Sign up for a 1:1 FAFSA help session with a VSAC Outreach Counselor here: https://calendly.com/chrisbarryvsac/financialaidhelp?month=2020-10

    • VSAC will let you know exactly what documents you need to bring to this meeting.
    • These meetings can be held by Zoom or by phone. If possible, we recommend using Zoom as it allows for screen sharing.
    • Students and families can also schedule a 1:1 FAFSA help session by phone by calling 877-961-4369.
    • Of course, Vermonters can always call VSAC’s toll-free FAFSA helpline at 833-802-8722 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm
  • Vermont Career Connect: A Statewide Career Exploration Event for Middle School Students
    • https://www.vsac.org/vermont-career-connect
    • Students can take career interest surveys, review a repository of curated videos of different career fields, and participate in a ‘live’ virtual event on October 28th.

·         Mark your calendar!  Vermont Virtual College Fair will be held on December 2nd.  More info to come.

The Clarkson Ignite Presidential Fellowship program is a merit-based scholarship covering all tuition costs for 10 first-time students entering Clarkson in Fall 2021 for four years (eight semesters) of undergraduate study. 

To apply for this award, you must:

·  First, you must apply to Clarkson University for Early Decision OR Regular Decision.

·  Second, you must apply for the Clarkson Ignite Presidential Fellows program by December 15, 2020 (Early Decision) OR January 15, 2021 (Regular Decision)