News & Announcements
October 1-27: 2 Sentence Horror Story Competition
Try your hand at crafting a 2-sentence horror story for this year's competition. All stories will be up for display, and the winners of the Middle School and High School divisions will each have a place in the 2023-2024 yearbook!
Stories must be original creations (Mrs. Kolk knows how to google, too!) and delivered to the library circulation desk by the author. Please have your name, grade, and homeroom teacher on the back. Voting will take place the week of Halloween and winners will be announced on November 6th.
Try your hand at crafting a 2-sentence horror story for this year's competition. All stories will be up for display, and the winners of the Middle School and High School divisions will each have a place in the 2023-2024 yearbook!
Stories must be original creations (Mrs. Kolk knows how to google, too!) and delivered to the library circulation desk by the author. Please have your name, grade, and homeroom teacher on the back. Voting will take place the week of Halloween and winners will be announced on November 6th.
June 7, 2019: Humanities in Action Personalized Learning Expo
Students from all four sections of the spring semester of Humanities in Action displayed the final projects from their semester-long research. The morning began with a Gallery Walk, allowing visitors to view the projects and talk to the students about their work. The rest of the morning allowed for a variety of student presentations to choose from, where they explained their projects more in-depth and took audience questions. The display of student effort and enthusiasm was truly impressive!
Students from all four sections of the spring semester of Humanities in Action displayed the final projects from their semester-long research. The morning began with a Gallery Walk, allowing visitors to view the projects and talk to the students about their work. The rest of the morning allowed for a variety of student presentations to choose from, where they explained their projects more in-depth and took audience questions. The display of student effort and enthusiasm was truly impressive!
April 10, 2019: 5th Annual Battle of the Books
Once again MVU hosted students from Swanton, Highgate, Sheldon, and Franklin Elementary schools to join some of our own Middle School students to a friendly game show-style competition to test their knowledge of this year's Dorothy's List books. Each team was made up of 4 students representing a different school. When the teams weren't busy putting their heads together to come up with an answer, the audience was given a chance to win prizes by answering their own set of questions. As we have seen in years past, it was a close competition right down until the two "Final Jeopardy" questions where teams could risk more points. Prior to the competition, five students from the district were recognized for reading all 30 books on the current list, an achievement they should all be proud of! Congratulations to all who qualified to participate in the event (on a team or in the audience) - we saw great teamwork and sportsmanship from all.
Once again MVU hosted students from Swanton, Highgate, Sheldon, and Franklin Elementary schools to join some of our own Middle School students to a friendly game show-style competition to test their knowledge of this year's Dorothy's List books. Each team was made up of 4 students representing a different school. When the teams weren't busy putting their heads together to come up with an answer, the audience was given a chance to win prizes by answering their own set of questions. As we have seen in years past, it was a close competition right down until the two "Final Jeopardy" questions where teams could risk more points. Prior to the competition, five students from the district were recognized for reading all 30 books on the current list, an achievement they should all be proud of! Congratulations to all who qualified to participate in the event (on a team or in the audience) - we saw great teamwork and sportsmanship from all.
April 8, 2019: March Madness
During the month of March, students voted weekly to try to put their favorite book through as the Favorite of MVU for 2018/2019. The bracket started with the 16 most popular books to date here at MVU, as determined by circulation. Each Monday the brackets were updated until we came down to the Final 2, both excellent choices: Refugee by Alan Gratz and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. The final winner, by a huge margin, was .... The Hate U Give! Great choice MVU!!
During the month of March, students voted weekly to try to put their favorite book through as the Favorite of MVU for 2018/2019. The bracket started with the 16 most popular books to date here at MVU, as determined by circulation. Each Monday the brackets were updated until we came down to the Final 2, both excellent choices: Refugee by Alan Gratz and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. The final winner, by a huge margin, was .... The Hate U Give! Great choice MVU!!
April 5, 2019: Teen Lit Mob
Five MVU students joined Mrs. Hamel on a field trip to Champlain Valley Union High School (CVU) in Hinesburg, for Teen Lit Mob. Students and librarians from around the state came to CVU to share their love of books. The day started with students receiving their own Teen Lit Mob bag with books that they were able to keep or trade with others so they could go home with ones that suited their tastes. We then headed to the auditorium to hear keynote speaker, author McKenzie Lee (The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue and The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy). The day continued with a choice of workshops led by various authors and/or cartoonists,where our group chose to learn more about writing in the horror genre. After lunch we received a sneak peak at the 2019/2020 Green Mountain Book Award list, followed by the author panel Q & A, and ended the day with a chance to get books and/or bags signed by the authors and artists.
Five MVU students joined Mrs. Hamel on a field trip to Champlain Valley Union High School (CVU) in Hinesburg, for Teen Lit Mob. Students and librarians from around the state came to CVU to share their love of books. The day started with students receiving their own Teen Lit Mob bag with books that they were able to keep or trade with others so they could go home with ones that suited their tastes. We then headed to the auditorium to hear keynote speaker, author McKenzie Lee (The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue and The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy). The day continued with a choice of workshops led by various authors and/or cartoonists,where our group chose to learn more about writing in the horror genre. After lunch we received a sneak peak at the 2019/2020 Green Mountain Book Award list, followed by the author panel Q & A, and ended the day with a chance to get books and/or bags signed by the authors and artists.
February 14, 2019: Blind Date With a Book
We had 26 students fill out a Google Form about their experience with their Blind Date With a Book. These students took the chance to try something new: agree to try to read a book only knowing a little about it based on a brief description. They couldn't see the cover or know the title until after they agreed to give the book at least 20 - 30 minutes of reading time before deciding to love it or leave it. They did not have to love the book, or even finish it, in order to participate, but did need to talk about their experience. After collecting the names from their responses, one was drawn at random to win a heart-shaped box of chocolates on Valentine's Day. Congratulations to our winner, Mallory (who did end up loving her book)!
We had 26 students fill out a Google Form about their experience with their Blind Date With a Book. These students took the chance to try something new: agree to try to read a book only knowing a little about it based on a brief description. They couldn't see the cover or know the title until after they agreed to give the book at least 20 - 30 minutes of reading time before deciding to love it or leave it. They did not have to love the book, or even finish it, in order to participate, but did need to talk about their experience. After collecting the names from their responses, one was drawn at random to win a heart-shaped box of chocolates on Valentine's Day. Congratulations to our winner, Mallory (who did end up loving her book)!
Monday, April 16, 2018: Fourth Annual Battle of the Books
Once again, students from around the FNWSU district came to the MVU Library for a friendly competition in the Battle of the Books, to see how much they remembered from the books they read from the 2017/2018 Dorothy's List. The lead changed a few times before the last Final Jeopardy round led to a 2-way tie. Two students were recognized for being the only ones to read all 30 books on the list and had the opportunity to choose a new book to take home. Students who competed on teams, and those successfully answering audience participation questions, we able to pick a small prize from the prize table as well.
Once again, students from around the FNWSU district came to the MVU Library for a friendly competition in the Battle of the Books, to see how much they remembered from the books they read from the 2017/2018 Dorothy's List. The lead changed a few times before the last Final Jeopardy round led to a 2-way tie. Two students were recognized for being the only ones to read all 30 books on the list and had the opportunity to choose a new book to take home. Students who competed on teams, and those successfully answering audience participation questions, we able to pick a small prize from the prize table as well.
Thursday - Friday, Sept. 28 - 29, 2017: 9th Grade Culture Fair
Students in 9th grade Global Studies classes spent the first month of school learning about various aspects of culture. They were then asked to select a country and create a representation of some part of the country's culture. Many creative and/or delicious projects were shared as both Mr. Gildemeister's and Mr. Napolitano's classes joined together to present their final results.
Students in 9th grade Global Studies classes spent the first month of school learning about various aspects of culture. They were then asked to select a country and create a representation of some part of the country's culture. Many creative and/or delicious projects were shared as both Mr. Gildemeister's and Mr. Napolitano's classes joined together to present their final results.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017: Third Annual Battle of the Books
Students from Franklin, Sheldon and Highgate Elementary Schools joined some MVU 7th graders for a fun game-show type competition to test their knowledge of the books on the 2016/2017 Dorothy's List (Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award List). The teams were made up of a mix of grades and schools, so their first task was to meet each other and create team names. While they did that, students in the audience had a chance to answer questions to earn prizes as well. Between rounds, two elementary students were recognized for having read all 30 books on the list and each received a copy of Brown Girl Dreaming. Scores were close right until the end and only the Final Jeopardy questions determined the winning team.
Students from Franklin, Sheldon and Highgate Elementary Schools joined some MVU 7th graders for a fun game-show type competition to test their knowledge of the books on the 2016/2017 Dorothy's List (Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award List). The teams were made up of a mix of grades and schools, so their first task was to meet each other and create team names. While they did that, students in the audience had a chance to answer questions to earn prizes as well. Between rounds, two elementary students were recognized for having read all 30 books on the list and each received a copy of Brown Girl Dreaming. Scores were close right until the end and only the Final Jeopardy questions determined the winning team.
Thursday, February 2, 2017: Skype with Denmark
Mr. Sturtevant brought his Core 1 class to the Library so they could Skype with their pen pals from Denmark. The class has been writing to and Skyping with these students during the school year. Today they broke into pairs and groups of three for conversations with other small groups in Denmark. After talking about school, vacation, and Groundhog Day, several groups took a walking tour of the Library and surrounding area to show their pen pals a bit more of MVU.
Tuesday, December 6, 2016: Author/Illustrator Gareth Hinds
Our 9th graders had a chance to meet the author and illustrator of the graphic novel The Odyssey that they have been using in class this quarter. He talked about his interest in cartooning from a young age, showing some of his earliest work, and about really getting his first audience when publishing his work in his high school's newspaper - right here in Vermont at U32! He talked about the multiple artistic jobs he did while working in the video game field and his move to becoming a full time graphic novelist. His adaptation of Romeo and Juliet is likely to be seen in the 9th grade English classes next quarter. We also were given a sneak peek at his upcoming release of a collection of graphic adaptations of Edgar Allen Poe's famous stories.
Later in the day he joined Mrs. Benoit's Art I class to talk about the process of developing and creating a cartoon story. Students brainstormed ideas of types of characters and settings they could use in a story as well as talking about perspective and point of view in their drawings. The students then spent the rest of the class creating their own short cartoon stories.
Our 9th graders had a chance to meet the author and illustrator of the graphic novel The Odyssey that they have been using in class this quarter. He talked about his interest in cartooning from a young age, showing some of his earliest work, and about really getting his first audience when publishing his work in his high school's newspaper - right here in Vermont at U32! He talked about the multiple artistic jobs he did while working in the video game field and his move to becoming a full time graphic novelist. His adaptation of Romeo and Juliet is likely to be seen in the 9th grade English classes next quarter. We also were given a sneak peek at his upcoming release of a collection of graphic adaptations of Edgar Allen Poe's famous stories.
Later in the day he joined Mrs. Benoit's Art I class to talk about the process of developing and creating a cartoon story. Students brainstormed ideas of types of characters and settings they could use in a story as well as talking about perspective and point of view in their drawings. The students then spent the rest of the class creating their own short cartoon stories.
Thursday, October 13, 2016: Culture Fair
We had 9th grade Global Studies students in today holding their Culture Fair. After learning about what makes up "culture," selecting a country of their choice and researching its culture, they brought in items to represent their country's culture. It was fun to see the different items they brought in and to sample some delicious homemade treats that some chose to bring in!
We had 9th grade Global Studies students in today holding their Culture Fair. After learning about what makes up "culture," selecting a country of their choice and researching its culture, they brought in items to represent their country's culture. It was fun to see the different items they brought in and to sample some delicious homemade treats that some chose to bring in!
Thursday, April , 2016: 2nd Annual Battle of the Books
On Thursday, April 7, MVU Library hosted the 2nd Annual Battle of the Books. Several students in grades 5 and 6 from Swanton, Highgate, Sheldon, and Franklin joined some MVU Middle School students for this fun game show-type competition focused on this year's Dorothy Canfield Fisher (DCF) Book Award list. We had 16 students divided into 4 teams competing and all of them were really good! The teams were created by mixing students from different schools and grades to work together. It took "Final Jeopardy" questions to create a come-from-behind win for the blue team, "The Turtles of O-Man!" The other 3 teams were all within one point of each other at the end. In addition to the 16 team members, we had 17 other students vying for prizes with our audience participation questions. We only managed to stump the group a few times - these students knew their books! We want to thank all of the students who participated and the librarians from our other district schools (Lyn Lauffer, Carrie Speranza, Nancy Wilson, Kelly Enterline and her maternity leave sub Sally Kaufmann), for making this a success. The way the students quickly formed cooperative teams with others they didn't know was very impressive. Congratulations to them all!
January 27, 2016: Author Visit
On Wednesday, January 27th, Terry Lynn Johnson, author of "Ice Dogs" (on this year's DCF list) and "Dogsled Dreams" met with all of our 7th and 8th graders in the theater. She talked about favorite books, writing and dog sledding, and had a few surprises in store!
Bringing a "gang" line, she first taught the 7th, and then the 8th, graders the responsibilities of each dog's position on the line. Then, with the teams their teachers selected, the students lined up along the gang line and grabbed a "tug" line. With a "musher" on a saucer sled holding the gang line and yelling a firm "Hike!", the two teams were off, racing against each other along the F-pod corridor! Several different teams were able to give it a try, including one brave faculty "musher" - Mrs. Lund. As with a real dog sled team, great fun was had by all!
After resettling in the theater, Terry shared a few more stories and answered student questions. She finished by announcing that she has two new books that will be published next year and gave a quick preview of what they will be about.
On Wednesday, January 27th, Terry Lynn Johnson, author of "Ice Dogs" (on this year's DCF list) and "Dogsled Dreams" met with all of our 7th and 8th graders in the theater. She talked about favorite books, writing and dog sledding, and had a few surprises in store!
Bringing a "gang" line, she first taught the 7th, and then the 8th, graders the responsibilities of each dog's position on the line. Then, with the teams their teachers selected, the students lined up along the gang line and grabbed a "tug" line. With a "musher" on a saucer sled holding the gang line and yelling a firm "Hike!", the two teams were off, racing against each other along the F-pod corridor! Several different teams were able to give it a try, including one brave faculty "musher" - Mrs. Lund. As with a real dog sled team, great fun was had by all!
After resettling in the theater, Terry shared a few more stories and answered student questions. She finished by announcing that she has two new books that will be published next year and gave a quick preview of what they will be about.
4/10/15: 1st Annual Battle of the Books
MVU welcomed 5th and 6th grade students from Swanton, Highgate, and Sheldon Elementary Schools to participate in the Battle of the Books. All year these students have been reading books from the current DCF (Dorothy Canfield Fisher) Award list. They joined teams made up of a mixture of the three schools to work together to answer questions about the 30 books as many parents cheered them on. Their preparation and teamwork skills showed, when 3 teams tied for first place with the 4th team only a few points behind. We are already looking forward to next year's Battle, hopefully with some MVU Middle School students participating as well.
MVU welcomed 5th and 6th grade students from Swanton, Highgate, and Sheldon Elementary Schools to participate in the Battle of the Books. All year these students have been reading books from the current DCF (Dorothy Canfield Fisher) Award list. They joined teams made up of a mixture of the three schools to work together to answer questions about the 30 books as many parents cheered them on. Their preparation and teamwork skills showed, when 3 teams tied for first place with the 4th team only a few points behind. We are already looking forward to next year's Battle, hopefully with some MVU Middle School students participating as well.
4/15/15: French Music Concert
The Library hosted an excellent music concert for the Foreign Language Department. Here are some pictures of the event.
The Library hosted an excellent music concert for the Foreign Language Department. Here are some pictures of the event.
4/16/14: Guest Author Visit
On Tuesday, April 15, Vermont author Tanya Lee Stone visited the MVU Library. She met with several English 10 classes to discuss her book "A Bad Boy Can Be Good For a Girl" which they had all read excerpts from. Discussions centered on the writing process, choosing the style of writing (prose vs. poetry), finding a character's voice, and censorship/book challenges and banning. A large group of Middle School students was also able to meet with Ms. Stone, to discuss her non-fiction works. This included how she selects topics for her books, researching them, and the process of writing, then editing. She talked about her book, "Courage Has No Color," which was recently named to the Dorothy Canfield Fisher (DCF) Award List for 2014 - 2015.
4/2/14: Book Award Voting Now Open
Stop by the library to vote for your favorite DCF Award list (grades 7-8) or Green Mountain Book Award list (grades 9 - 12) books. Students who vote for the DCF Award will qualify to go to this year's award ceremony, and hopefully meet the winning author. Voting for DCF closes on April 15, and for Green Mountain Book Award on May 28.
6/4/13: DCF Ceremony
Once again we had the opportunity to take students to hear authors discuss their books at the annual DCF (Dorothy Canfield Fisher) Award ceremony. This year's winner, Wendelin Van Draanen was unable to attend, but 4 Vermont authors (2 of whom have books on next year's DCF list) were present to read excerpts from their books and answer student questions.
1/2/13: New Touch Screen for Book Catalog
We now have a new touch screen computer to make it easier for you to find a book you are looking for. It is located near the circulation desk and
is only for use for looking in our book catalog. Now if you want to know if we own a book, if there is a copy available, and where you can find it, just head right there and do a quick search. We have a pen and paper by the screen so you can write down the information and go get the books. If you need a reminder about how to do a search or how to find a book once you've got the information, we would be more than glad to help!
is only for use for looking in our book catalog. Now if you want to know if we own a book, if there is a copy available, and where you can find it, just head right there and do a quick search. We have a pen and paper by the screen so you can write down the information and go get the books. If you need a reminder about how to do a search or how to find a book once you've got the information, we would be more than glad to help!
11/30/12: Divergent Book Discussion
On Friday, November 30 during Thunderblock we held the second marking period book discussion, with the book Divergent. Although we had a small group, we had a great conversation about the book, the "factions" in the book, and which one we might have chosen for ourselves if were in that position. We also talked about the trend of trilogies or series for so many new books, and the new trend of writing "prequels."
Before we had to leave at the end of the Block we also talked about the potential of meeting monthly next year, to discuss any books we're currently reading, not necessarily just one specific title. If you'd like to give some feedback on this idea, please click on the "Book Talk" tab above and choose the MVU Readers' Blog to join the discussion and share your opinion.
Before we had to leave at the end of the Block we also talked about the potential of meeting monthly next year, to discuss any books we're currently reading, not necessarily just one specific title. If you'd like to give some feedback on this idea, please click on the "Book Talk" tab above and choose the MVU Readers' Blog to join the discussion and share your opinion.
9/12/12: Travis Roy
MVU was privileged to welcome Mr. Travis Roy to the school on September 12, 2012. In 1995, Travis was eleven seconds into his first Division I college hockey game with Boston University when a freak accident left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. He spoke to all six grades of students and their teachers, talking about his dreams and goals from before the accident, and how things have, and haven't, changed for him since. His motivational and inspirational story about setting goals, love, and respect seemed to really touch the audience, and students had an opportunity to ask questions of him after his presentation, many of which impressed him greatly with the quality of those questions. Several students took advantage of a few spare minutes after his presentation for brief 1:1 conversations, photo opportunities, and even a few hugs!
Travis Roy's book about his experiences, Eleven Seconds is available in the library in paper and e-book formats (on our new Kindles). The first quarter book discussion on Oct. 16 will focus on this book (see our Home page for more details). For more information you can also visit www.travisroy.com or http://www.travisroyfoundation.org/
Travis Roy's book about his experiences, Eleven Seconds is available in the library in paper and e-book formats (on our new Kindles). The first quarter book discussion on Oct. 16 will focus on this book (see our Home page for more details). For more information you can also visit www.travisroy.com or http://www.travisroyfoundation.org/
9/4/12: The Kindles are here!
Our new Kindles are ready for checkout in the Library. We have several titles currently available, including Eleven Seconds by Travis Roy (our next book discussion title). Print out a permission slip on the "Home" page of this website (by clicking on the button just above the calendar) or pick up a copy in the Library. Once you have a signed form on file with us, you can check out Kindles throughout the rest of the year. Do you have a request or suggestion for books you would like to see on the Kindle? Let us know; we can probably add it quite quickly.
6/4/12: DCF Award Ceremony
Mrs. Hamel was able to take three 7th grade students to U-32 High School to meet author Raina Telgemeier. Her autobiographical graphic "novel" Smile won the 2012 Dorothy Canfield Fisher (DCF) Award. Students in grade 4 - 8 througout Vermont read from a new list of 30 books each year, and in April vote for their favorite. Smile was the selected book and Ms. Telgemeier was invited to Vermont to receive her award and speak with students who participated in the program. She talked about her early interest in cartoons, drawing, and storytelling, explaining the steps she took to becoming a published author, as well as giving a sneak peak at her new book being published in September, Drama. Ms. Telgemeier finished the session with a question and answer session and then by posing for pictures.
Pictured above are: Mrs. Hamel, Emilie Rasmussen, Raina Tegelmeier, Taylor Hall and Kohle Feeley.
Pictured above are: Mrs. Hamel, Emilie Rasmussen, Raina Tegelmeier, Taylor Hall and Kohle Feeley.
5/1/12: New Database resource
We have a new database: Teen Health and Wellness. Don't be fooled by the name - there is so much more in this site than just health, nutrition, etc. There are resources for job and college searches, research tools, articles that can help in many classes as well as with personal problems or questions, etc. There are also polls, videos created by other teens and teen questions answered by professionals. Take a few minutes
and check it out at teenhealthandwellness.com. If you access the site through this website (click on the "Reearch Tools" tab above) no password is needed!
and check it out at teenhealthandwellness.com. If you access the site through this website (click on the "Reearch Tools" tab above) no password is needed!