The FWSU Story

As of August 30th, 2023; The FWSU Story has moved to fwsu.org/news for closer integration with our SU and school district websites, ADA compliance, and consolidation of communications outlets for parents, families, and community members. While our blog's URL has changed, you'll still see social media updates as usual! Simply swing by our websites listed … Continue reading The FWSU Story Has Moved

Finding local, authentic field trips for a Spanish class is somewhat of a challenge.  However, the Georgia 7/8 Spanish classes were able to find two gems right in Barre, VT.

Spring time learning and teaching can certainly be a challenge for any student and teacher.  The end of the school can feel so close and yet so far away and the sunshine and warmth beckon us all to abandon classrooms head into the outdoors of summer time fun.  But while the 6th grade is off to New York City for the class trip this week, PreK through 5th at FES continue to engage with learning as if summer isn’t just right around the corner.

For 13 years, Senator Bernie Sanders has asked Vermont High School students to participate in his State of the Union Essay contest.  This contest challenges students to highlight issues effecting the United States and Vermont and propose solutions.  This year, almost 400 Vermont students wrote essays to Sanders.  Three BFA-Fairfax students were chosen as finalists.

What began as an idea two years ago has blossomed into an annual event. The 2nd annual GEMS Day of Service was held on May 17th.

Every year, we honor two Franklin West educators as our Educators of the Year. Last year, we implemented a new process for selecting our recipients. Educators are nominated by their peers for consideration.

The halls are alive with School Spirit at GEMS! When the weather begins to change and kids are anxious to get outside and enjoy the sun, what do you do when there are still 10 minutes left to lunch and everyone is done eating?

Monday, March 20th was more than just a normal Monday at BFA Fairfax.  Not only was it the official start of spring as a season, but more importantly, for multiple eager student-athletes at BFA Fairfax, it was the official start of the spring high school sports season in the State of Vermont.

The students in Mrs. Hurt’s first grade class have enjoyed participating in a special project this winter. They have been interacting with other first grade classes across the United States by sending and receiving mail.

This January and February, BFA Elementary 3rd and 4th graders participated in the Nordic Rocks Program in their Physical Education classes.

Each morning students across FWSU are greeted as they enter the buildings or classrooms to start their day. Sometimes it’s in rain gear with an umbrella, sometimes it’s in full winter gear with ski goggles, and sometimes it’s with silly costumes and music to just bring a smile to someone's face.

High School Spanish Novice students wrote simple children's stories about an animal in Spanish as their culminating presentational writing assessment for Semester 1.

Yesterday, we presented our second round of FWSU Educator Recognition certificates and awards. It’s great to pop into a classroom and surprise the educator (and their students) with some kind words from our community, a gift certificate from their school’s parent group (many thanks to BFA’s PTSA, FES’s FOFE and GEMS PTCO), and the highly … Continue reading November Educator Recognition

Since 2015, Vermont has participated in a state summative assessment known as the SBAC, Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium.  This year our students will sit for a new spring assessment, Cognia.  The spring of 2022 is the last hosting of SBAC in Vermont.  If you would like to know more about the State’s procurement process and … Continue reading Vermont & FWSU Welcome a New State Assessment this Spring

“As we express our gratitude we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”  - John F. Kennedy - At the November monthly assemblies, the Georgia Elementary and Middle School students and staff took time to express appreciation for our past and current Veterans.   The Middle … Continue reading A Time to Say “Thank You”

Last month, we shared a link with the Franklin West community that provided an opportunity to recognize our educators. We typically recognize two educators each year through the University of Vermont’s Outstanding Educator program and want to show our appreciation for more of our educators throughout the year. Over 90 nominations were received across all … Continue reading October Educator Recognition

Earlier this month, the seventh grade celebrated the beginning of their new, two-year loop at the picturesque Hosmer Point in Craftsbury, VT. The field trip to Hosmer Point is considered a right of passage for BFA middle schoolers as it is a day dedicated to focusing on coming together as a team, reflecting on our … Continue reading Enjoying Fall & Connecting as a Class

Women Can Do! This was the message heard and seen at the annual career exploration conference ‘Women Can Do’, organized by Vermont Works for Women. On October 6th, a group of 9th and 10th graders from BFA joined hundreds of other high school girls and gender-expansive youth from around the state to attend this event … Continue reading Women Can Do

Hannah has recently joined our office on October 10th and she graciously sat down for a quick interview.  We are excited to introduce Hannah Welburn, our new Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Director of Curriculum! What are some details about your role at FWSU? Right now I’m learning the ropes and everyone has been … Continue reading Welcome Hannah Welburn to FWSU’s Central Office!

Thomas WalshBFA Principal, PreK-4 Addresses all FWSU Action Plan Targets:1. Proficiency-Based, Personalized Learning2. Distributed Leadership and Student Agency3. Safe, Equitable, Healthy, Flexible Learning Environments4. Engaged Partners: Parents and Community We have experienced a positive start to our school year at BFA Fairfax. It has been wonderful to return back to school and re-engage with our … Continue reading Accepting A “Different” Normal

It has been a long standing tradition in Grades K-4 for students to be recognized by their teachers and Principal Emery.  On Tuesday, October 11th several students were recognized for their respectful behavior they demonstrated during the month of September. Awards are given out by Principal Emery (and Mrs. Fisher, Dean of Students) during their … Continue reading Proud Principal: A GEMS Tradition

"Keep putting one foot in front of the other and then one day you look back, and you've climbed a mountain."  – Tom Hiddleston Life can be like that. Grit, determination, persistence, dedication... and then, at some point, the mountain peak... with a thought-stopping view. The kids of Fletcher Elementary experienced that this September. Fourth, fifth, and … Continue reading Fletcher Students Hit the Trails

Students in the French World Languages classes are cooking up a storm! Under the direction of Madame Alana Torraca, students worked together to make a huge breakfast to celebrate the end of their first thematic unit on breakfasts around the world. Now that they have reviewed some familiar structures and vocabulary from last year, they … Continue reading Petit Déjeuner

Beginning last year, Principal Noonan and I, in partnership with Spiral International, began a grant application process to fund and bring a native-speaking Mandarin-Chinese Language instructor to Fairfax. You may remember our announcement that we had won the grant late in the spring of 2021.   After an extensive vetting process and working through logistics, we … Continue reading Mandarin in Fairfax!