Richmond Elementary School Principal Search Committee

Chittenden East is pleased to announce our Richmond Elementary School Search Committee members. Thank you to all the volunteers. We created a balance of members representing parents, the school board, and various grade levels. 

Committee Members:

Jeanne Adams, RES Administrative Assistant; PK/K: Marion Mumford; 1/2: Kristin Darling; 3/4: Katie LeFrancois ; Unified Arts: Beth Redford; Sp Education: Wendy Touchette; School Board member: Jon Milazzo; Parents: Amanda Repp, Allison Ross; CESU administrator: Barbara Nason, principal at Underhill Central School

Any school district member is welcome to reach out to a committee member so he or she can know your thoughts.  Everyone is also welcome to participate in the second round candidate visits on May 31st at Richmond Elementary School from  7:00 am - 8:00 am and 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm.

Here is the draft timeline and process

Please do not hesitate contact jennifer.botzojorns@cesuvt.org at CESU if you have any ideas, thoughts or questions.

Intergenerational Wellness Walk

Richmond Principal Search Committee Request

April 26, 2016

Dear Teachers, Parents, Families, Students and Community Members,

Mike Berry, Principal at Richmond Elementary School has been selected to serve as the school district Director of Curriculum, Communication and Innovation.  We offer him our congratulations, and appreciate the time he has invested in at Richmond Elementary School.  We are forming a search committee which includes parents, board members, teachers and support staff to find a replacement for his Richmond principal position.  We are looking for individuals who are interested in serving on the search committee.  If you are interested in playing this role, please email Jennifer.Botzojorns@cesuvt.org.  Below please find a tentative timeline for our hiring process.  

April 26: Advertisement posted on schoolspring.com

April 29: Initial meeting with interview committee to review process (2:30-4 pm- if people are

unable to attend this meeting, there can be individual meetings)

April 29 - May 19: Committee reviews applications (candidates names kept confidential)

May 19: Committee meets to select candidates for first interview (3:30-6 pm)

May 26: First round of interviews by committee, select finalists (12:30-5:00 pm). Committee

recommends finalists to the superintendent

May 31: Second round: full day visit by candidates w/performance task (all day). Final candidates 

visit and all stakeholders provide feedback for superintendent

Here is a link to a draft of our hiring process, once finalized, we will share a link on our website. Once we reach the second round of the process we will make the finalist candidate’s names and resumes public.  Please mark your calendar:  

May 31, 2016

7 am - 8:00 am & 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm.  

Richmond Principal Candidate Meet and Greet

On the 31st of May, finalists for the principal position will visit Richmond Elementary and all parents, families and community members will have the opportunity to meet, ask questions and then provide input.  We will provide detailed information including resumes for each candidate when we are closer to the actual date.

We have always been appreciative of the interest and support from the school and community in Richmond. During times of transition, one always feels uncertainty, however, we are confident we will find an excellent individual to lead the school community for the years to come.

Please do not hesitate to email (jennifer.botzojorns@cesuvt.org) or call 434-2128 if you have any ideas, thoughts or questions.

Looking forward to your participation in this process, I am

Sincerely yours,

Jennifer Botzojorns

Assistant Superintendent

Chittenden East Supervisory Union

MMMUSD/CESU Press Release

Chittenden East Supervisory Union would like to announce the appointment of Mr. Michael Berry to serve as our Director of Curriculum, Communication and Innovation commencing July 1, 2016.  We began the search process in January with 28 initial applicants.  The search committee interviewed five candidates and selected two finalists.  The finalists engaged in a lengthy interview and reference check process including several performance tasks and full day visits to seven schools.  We received feedback from multiple stakeholders including parents, board members, teachers, administrators and students.

Mr. Berry received his bachelor's degree in Children's Literature and Education from Castleton State College.  He served as a classroom teacher for seven years in East Montpelier, then as school principal first at Underhill Central, then Richmond -- for the last nine years.  He received his masters degree from Union Institute and University/Vermont College.  His passions include supporting teachers and children to explore all learning styles, and to use technology to expand the realm of education. He believes that students are natural learners, curious about the world around them.  He lives with his wife and two daughters in Barre, Vermont.

Mr Berry can be followed on twitter @PrincipalBerry or his blog https://principalberry.wordpress.com

Superintendent John Alberghini, “I welcome Mike to his new role on our leadership team.  He brings a breadth and depth of knowledge to our school district.  We look forward to his ability to communicate and integrate technology, and his passion for learning for all including children, scholars, teachers and administrators.” School board chair, Jon Milazzo, “We are extremely excited to welcome Michael Berry as the new Director of Curriculum, Communication and Innovation in CESU.   His educational experience, quality leadership and effective communication background will be an asset to CESU.   The school board looks forward to working with Mike as we serve together to ensure every student receives consistently the same high-quality education in CESU through the implementation of effective systems around curriculum, assessments and instruction.”

Mr Berry shared, “As a member of the MMMUSD-CESU learning community for the past nine years I’m more than grateful and humbled to have the opportunity to continue to work with and learn from our amazing scholars, educators, families and communities.  As the Director of Curriculum, Communication and Innovation my goals will align with helping our learners achieve their dreams.  I will continue the important work of promoting, supporting, and increasing the implementation of innovative approaches in teaching, learning, and leadership throughout our schools.  Finding ways to recognize, celebrate and connect innovative approaches will help to create opportunities for growth and experience for all learners in our schools and beyond.   I am sincerely thankful for the opportunity and look forward to learning together.  Thank you and please feel free to contact me with ideas, celebrations or questions anytime.”

Whole School, Whole Child, Whole Community Team Meeting

******      Letter of Introduction      ******      Meeting Agenda      ******

No Kindergarten Class on Friday April 15

Reminder to Kindergarten Parents

There will be no Kindergarten classes on 

Friday, April 15th 

so that we can welcome the incoming class.

If you have any questions, please call the office at 899-2272.  Thank you.

Reminder Delayed Start

The next two hour delayed start of school is 

**Wednesday April 13, 2016**

School will start exactly two hours later than the normal start time.  Morning busses will run exactly two hours later than the normal run time. 

For parents who have signed up for limited childcare at the school during the two hour late start, there is a modified bus schedule that only picks up at central locations.  Please contact the school if you have any questions.

PAWS Celebration

Arts Night Celebration

Library Guest

Illustrator Bethany Farrell

Illustrator Bethany Farrell will be visiting our school on Monday, April 4  from 9:00am - 11:00am to read her award nominated children's book Oberst & Valentine Find Their Human - a delightful tale based on the true story of how cats Oberst and Valentine were rescued from a shelter and given a new family.

She will be signing books which will be available to purchase at a special discount of $8 per book.  Checks should be made out to 1st Ride Enterprises.

April Delayed Start

The next two hour delayed start of school is 

**Wednesday April 13, 2016**


School will start exactly two hours later than the normal start time.  Morning busses will run exactly two hours later than the normal run time. 

For parents who have signed up for limited childcare at the school during the two hour late start, there is a modified bus schedule that only picks up at central locations.  Please contact the school if you have any questions.