Culture story sections
1. Greetings/Introductions.
2. Summary of the functions of an Advisory Board.
3. Program Goals and Objectives.
4. Review of topics/action items from the last meeting
a. Connection with Young Eagles program in Rutland
Agenda
1. Call meeting to order
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Legislative Updates on Fiscal Matters
I’ve been reading about Genghis Khan and the Mongols recently, for no particular reason, and learning about the years of the Mongol invasions. This was the period during the 13th century when the Mongols were suddenly possessed with something akin to the Messianic spirit, and decided to take over the world. You may think this an exaggeration, but it really was their intention to take over and rule the entire planet, and they believed, according to the author of the book I’m reading, that their god wanted them to do it. Moreover, they were so completely full of themselves that they actually thought they could. Little things like determined opposition, overreach, and tribal infighting never occurred to them.
This summer, the Bandwagon Summer Series continues its electrifying run with a performance that promises to defy musical gravity. On Sunday, June 8 at 6:00 pm, Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber lands at West River Park (333 West River Road, Brattleboro) for an unforgettable night of cosmic sound and genre-bending improvisation.
Founded by the late cultural critic and sonic visionary Greg Tate, Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber (BSAC) is a sprawling collective of NYC-based musicians known for pushing boundaries and fusing styles with raw energy and technical brilliance. The ensemble draws deep inspiration from the Conduction method pioneered by Butch Morris, creating orchestrated improvisations that are never played the same way twice.
The Windham Southeast Supervisory Union Board will meet at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 in the Windham Regional Career Center, Cusick Conference Room, 80 Atwood St, Brattleboro VT, and remotely via Zoom.
Composer KEANE SOUTHARD creates unique musical experiences in a wide range of styles and topical issues. His most recent composition “Requiem for Animals” pays homage to the animal beings of the earth and premieres May 17 & 18 at Persons Auditorium at Potash Hill, performed by the Brattleboro Concert Choir. Tune in to hear Keane’s unique perspectives on music’s power to evoke positive change.
The Windham Southeast School District Board will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at the
WRCC Cusick Conference Room and remotely via Zoom.
Summary
● Board voted to sign open letter to AOE
● Board voted to draft a letter to AOE regarding Hazing Harassment and Bullying Advisory council membership
The Board of Directors of the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union sent the attached letter dated April 22, 2025 to Vermont Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders, CMP Assistant Director Tracy Watterson and Rebecca McBroom, Chair of the Harassment, Hazing and Bullying Prevention Advisory Council Vermont-NEA as an urgent call for inclusive representation on the HHB Prevention Advisory Council.
PUTNEY — One of Canada’s most celebrated folk trios, Genticorum, is set to bring their internationally renowned blend of traditional Québécois music to Next Stage Arts in Putney on Friday, June 6 at 7:30 pm.
With a sound that’s both deeply rooted and refreshingly contemporary, Genticorum has been captivating audiences for over 20 years. Known for their infectious energy, intricate arrangements, and joyful performances, the trio has graced stages from Scotland’s Celtic Connections to Australia’s National Folk Festival, and even the Rainforest World Music Festival in Malaysia. Now, they’ll share their music with southern Vermont audiences in the intimate setting of Next Stage.
Join acclaimed local author Tim Weed for the launch of his highly anticipated novel, The Afterlife Project, with a reading and celebration on Tuesday, June 3 at 6:00 pm at Next Stage Arts in Putney.
A finalist for the 2023 Prism Prize for Climate Literature, The Afterlife Project is a gripping and poetic work of literary speculative fiction. The story follows microbiologist Nicholas Hindman, who is launched 10,000 years into Earth’s future using experimental time-travel technology originally designed for deep-space exploration. In a haunting, uninhabited wilderness, Hindman searches desperately for evidence of the human race. Meanwhile, in the year 2068, the scientists who sent him on this mission are on a perilous journey of their own—a voyage by sailboat to a volcanic island off Sicily in search of another test subject, and perhaps, a future for humanity.
Putney, VT – Next Stage Arts and Twilight Music continue their 2025 concert season with a double bill of heartfelt folk-pop and boundary-pushing acoustic traditions on Friday, May 30 at 7:30 pm at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill in Putney. The evening features acclaimed Québec singer-songwriter Geneviève Racette, joined by genre-blending folk duo Hilary & G. Tickets are $22 in advance, $25 at the door, or $10 for a livestream, available at nextstagearts.org.
Geneviève Racette has been turning heads across Canada and beyond with her emotive songwriting and ethereal voice. Since her 2014 debut, she’s built a bilingual following in both French- and English-speaking communities, earning acclaim from Rolling Stone, CBC, Exclaim!, and the Americana Music Association. Her 2022 album Satellite—highlighted by a duet with City and Colour’s Dallas Green—explores love, reflection, and resilience with rare emotional depth. Racette’s music has earned her a Canadian Folk Music Award, performances at top festivals, and radio play across North America.
PUTNEY, VT — The Bandwagon Summer Series returns with a powerful opening night on Saturday, May 24 at 6:00pm at the scenic Putney Inn Field (57 Putney Landing Road), featuring two powerhouse bands that promise to get audiences dancing, connecting, and celebrating: Shokazoba and Zikina.
Presented by Next Stage Arts, the Bandwagon Series brings music and community together all summer long at outdoor venues across southern Vermont. This year’s season launches with a global, groove-rich evening that blends afrobeat, funk, East African rhythms, and soul-lifting dance music.
The NXT Gallery at Next Stage Arts welcomes a new exhibition, Art Array, featuring the evocative work of Vermont-based artist Ricky McEachern. The show opens with a public reception on Thursday, May 29, from 6 to 8pm, and will remain on view through August 11.
A recent transplant from Boston, McEachern is no stranger to the visual richness of New England. His oil paintings, many based on his own photographs, reflect a deep connection to the region’s layered history and striking diversity—ranging from gritty urban centers to tranquil shorelines, forgotten mills to majestic mountains.
Gender Freedom in Schools
At the last meeting, the committee reviewed Pietro’s remarks on the draft policy. After that session, SK and AH met with stakeholders to further discuss legal’s response. Today, SK and AH when through Pietro’s comments point by point and shared potential revisions
Page 1, Philosophy, second paragraph. Remove reference to Title IX and strike through footnotes 1 and 2.
Summary
● A statement was read into the minutes shared by the Dummerston LC related to their commitment to DEI.
● The Finance Committee updated the Board about their regular meeting time: second Monday of the month at 5 pm. Location to be determined.
● The Board moved to approve a reimbursement of up to $100.00 per annum per Board Member to purchase publications for professional development as deemed pertinent to their work on the Board.
● A draft was approved regarding the composition of the Harassment, Hazing and Bullying Advisory Committee that will be sent to Secretary Saunders, Ms. Watterson, and Chair McBroom.
● A presentation was made related to the Education Quality Standards (EQS) and District Quality Standards (DQS) which will go into effect on 7/1/25.
● Two hires and three resignations were approved
● The Board entered an Executive Session resulting in an action.
Voices from our high school ! A senior at BUHS, LEO MOUSSEAU keeps busy as a teacher’s assistant, acting in local productions and serving on the student-led Restorative Justice panel. Tune in for an inside look…..
Next Stage Arts invites the public to a special screening of Bills Lumber, a deeply moving 45-minute documentary that captures the final chapter of an iconic Vermont family business. The screening takes place at 4:00 PM on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
Bills Lumber tells the story of the Bills family’s 86-year-old sawmill in Wardsboro, Vermont, through the eyes of octogenarian brothers Alan and Everett Bills and their niece, Debbie Bills Bauer. Following the sale of the mill and its 433 acres of forest, the documentary chronicles the dismantling of the mill their father, Melbourne Bills, founded in 1936.
On Saturday, May 3, 2025, acclaimed Inuit music and dance group Pamyua will take the stage at Next Stage Arts for a special performance at 7:30pm. The quartet, known for blending traditional Inuit melodies with contemporary R&B vocals, promises an unforgettable evening of cultural celebration and music that transcends boundaries.
Founded in 1995 by brothers Phillip and Stephen Blanchett, Pamyua has grown into a world-renowned ensemble that seamlessly blends the soulful rhythms of Inuit drum and dance with modern vocal arrangements. Over the years, the group has traveled the world, sharing their unique sound and Indigenous knowledge through music, song, and dance. With a commitment to cultural preservation and celebration, Pamyua’s performances honor their Alaskan roots while embracing modern influences.
The agenda was amended to discuss recent events with directives given by VT Agency of Education, Zoie Saunders regarding a Trump Administration Executive Order. There was much energy and activation in our community regarding the directives. More to come as it is a developing situation.
