The 2022/2023 BSD calendar has been approved by the Burlington Board of School Commissioners! Our first student day will be Wednesday, August 31st, in alignment with the other districts in our region. Barring changes from Snow Days, our anticipated final day will Wednesday, June 14, 2023.
BSD Announces BHS/BTC 2025 Design Options and Feedback Survey
Members of the BHS/BTC 2025 Design Team presented five conceptual design options to the Burlington Board of School Commissioners on April 5th before hosting a community forum on April 12.
Below you will find a recording of the community forum, more details on all of these options, and a feedback survey.
As you read through the options below, you may find our Options Evaluation Document helpful in pointing out some of the pros and cons of each design, and our recent presentation to the Design Steering Committee includes even more detail, like possible floor plans. It is also important to remember that the concept options all share the following potential benefits to the district:
- Include approximately 300,000 SF of space in alignment with the District program
- Include the same Educational Program elements as listed on the Space Needs Summary
- Include potential for a 3 station gym, larger cafeteria commons, and larger auditorium
- Have discrete vehicular circulation for bus drop-off, car drop-off, and service access to BTC
- Have dedicated building entrances for visitors, bus drop-off, car drop-off, Horizons / On-Top, and BTC
- High School entrances lead to a shared multi-level student commons for monitoring, access, and security
- Excellent opportunity for sustainable design, good solar orientation, and indoor/outdoor relationships
- Show a potential location for future district offices, but this building is not planned in this project
- Existing Bike parking at the old site is 40 Bikes, all of these designes plan for 243 Bikes.
- Overall the existing site has 350 parking spots. All of these designs have incorporated about 375 parking spots
- All will feature opportunities to make courtyard space usable
Once you review the options below, please take a few minutes to provide feedback through this short survey, or send an email to superintendent@bsdvt.org. Please let us know your thoughts!
Option A: $191.4 M
- Allows for continued use of existing Building A during the two years of construction
- Places BTC to north side of building
- Parking garage is optional, and would provide drop-off at main level and parking in close proximity to building
Option B: $182.3 M
- Compact scheme based on building over existing high school location
- BTC located behind BHS on north side, closely connected to BHS near the student commons
- Again a reminder that courtyards are inherent in all designs. So if we do pick this, its not like we are picking the ‘small courtyard’ option, that is something that will be discussed in more detail during the schematic design process.
Option C: $181.3 M
- Linear arrangement based on building over existing high school location parallel to Institute Road
- BTC facing Institute Road on west side, connected to BHS on multiple levels
Option C.1: $186.5 M
- Variation created by shifting Option C east in order to allow phased construction
- Allows for continued use of existing Building A during the construction of new gym, auditorium, and kitchen; BTC programs would continue in their temporary locations
- BTC would open 12-18 months after BHS
Option D: $196.9 M
- Replaces Institute Road with a new south route to create a consolidated campus
- Aligns new building facing North Avenue with BTC entry and bus entry to rear
- Compact, L-shaped footprint with BHS and BTC on separate wings around central core spaces
- City support to coordinate new road and likely longer project duration
Thank you for taking the time to look through these options. Ready to provide your feedback? Take the survey today!
Check out the board meeting presentation below, beginning at 22:38.
BSD Releases Conceptual Design Options for BHS/BTC 2025
On April 5th, members of the BHS/BTC 2025 Design Team presented five conceptual design options to the Burlington Board of School Commissioners. Below you will find these options with some additional information.
To learn more about these options or provide feedback, please join us for a Community Forum on Tuesday, April 12 at 6 PM. We will hold a hybrid meeting; attendees can join us on Zoom or in-person option at DtBHS. We will give a presentation similar to the one you can see below and take questions, and those who join us in person will have a chance to break into small groups to connect with members of the design team and provide feedback. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided!
We will also be accepting feedback through a survey (coming soon) and via email at superintendent@bsdvt.org. Please let us know your thoughts!
As you read through the options below, you may find our Options Evaluation Document helpful in pointing out some of the pros and cons of each design. It is also important to remember that the concept options all share the following potential benefits to the district:
- Include approximately 300,000 SF of space in alignment with the District program
- Include the same Educational Program elements as listed on the Space Needs Summary
- Include potential for a 3 station gym, larger cafeteria commons, and larger auditorium
- Have discrete vehicular circulation for bus drop-off, car drop-off, and service access to BTC
- Have dedicated building entrances for visitors, bus drop-off, car drop-off, Horizons / On-Top, and BTC
- High School entrances lead to a shared multi-level student commons for monitoring, access, and security
- Excellent opportunity for sustainable design, good solar orientation, and indoor/outdoor relationships
- Show a potential location for future district offices, but this building is not planned in this project
- Existing Bike parking at the old site is 40 Bikes, all of these designes plan for 243 Bikes.
- Overall the existing site has 350 parking spots. All of these designs have incorporated about 375 parking spots
- All will feature opportunities to make courtyard space usable
Option A: $191.4 M
- Allows for continued use of existing Building A during the two years of construction
- Places BTC to north side of building
- Parking garage is optional, and would provide drop-off at main level and parking in close proximity to building
Option B: $182.3 M
- Compact scheme based on building over existing high school location
- BTC located behind BHS on north side, closely connected to BHS near the student commons
- Again a reminder that courtyards are inherent in all designs. So if we do pick this, its not like we are picking the ‘small courtyard’ option, that will be
Option C: $181.3 M
- Linear arrangement based on building over existing high school location parallel to Institute Road
- BTC facing Institute Road on west side, connected to BHS on multiple levels
Option C.1: $186.5 M
- Variation created by shifting Option C east in order to allow phased construction
- Allows for continued use of existing Building A during the construction of new gym, auditorium, and kitchen; BTC programs would continue in their temporary locations
- BTC would open 12-18 months after BHS
Option D: $196.9 M
- Replaces Institute Road with a new south route to create a consolidated campus
- Aligns new building facing North Avenue with BTC entry and bus entry to rear
- Compact, L-shaped footprint with BHS and BTC on separate wings around central core spaces
- City support to coordinate new road and likely longer project duration
Thank you for taking the time to look through these options. Ready to provide your feedback? Take the survey today! (Coming Soon)
Check out the board meeting presentation below, beginning at 22:38.
Graffiti Artist Will Kasso Condry and BHS Students to Unveil “Inspiration and Creation” Paintings
Community art celebration will feature live art and student artists
Vermont graffiti Artist Will Kasso Condry and Burlington High School (BHS) students will be hosting a celebration to unveil a new work of art to hang in BHS. The event will take place on December 11, from 6 – 7:30 pm in the Event Space on the first floor of the Old North End community center located at 20 Allen Street in Burlington. The event will feature conversations about the artwork by students, a live art demonstration by Will Kasso Condry, and light refreshments. The event is free and open to the public.
During the event, four original paintings will be unveiled. Created collaboratively by Kasso and students enrolled in the Burlington City & Lake Semester program (BCL), these abstract portraits of Burlington youth represent four values that have been central to students’ experience learning about the city: fun, curiosity, inclusion, and community. The works are acrylic paintings on large canvases and will be installed at BHS later this month.
The project has been led by Middlebury artist Will Kasso Condry, who uses mural arts as a vehicle for community-building, activism, beautification, and healing. Condry honed his craft growing up in Trenton, New Jersey and at the College of New Jersey before founding and leading SAGE, a nonprofit arts organization that created dozens of outdoor murals on abandoned buildings in Trenton and elsewhere. Condry has spent the last four weeks working with students in BCL, a BHS program that offers students a chance to gather in downtown Burlington to study the people, places, possibilities, and problems of the city through real-world, hands-on experiences.
“Working with BCL students was a very intimate and informative experience,” Kasso said. “This helped me learn more about Burlington and the community as a whole. I usually instruct others but with this group, I mostly stood back, observed and listened.”
Jensen Daly, a BHS senior who worked on the project said, “It was interesting to get to work with a highly skilled artist who has a very strong belief in the power of art. His insights and leadership allowed all students to feel engaged and empowered.”
Galen Moore, a BHS senior added, “It was a great experience to work with Will. I have never worked on a mural or done any artwork outside of a class at BHS. Working with him helped us to make a stronger connection to our classroom values and learn about the purpose and power of art.”
Kofi Young, a BHS senior, also reflected on the experience. “I would say it was cool because I had never seen myself as an artistic person but Will made art more accessible to me. It was a good experience, especially since I’ve never taken an art class at BHS.”
BSD Superintendent Obeng shared his enthusiasm for the innovative high school program and the community event. “This is yet another example of the great work happening at BHS and in the Burlington City and Lake Semester program. We continue to see BCL and similar programs connect students with members of our local community to work on projects that have real-world impact. Kudos to our students and staff and thank you Mr. Kasso Condry!”
BHS Junior Receives Recognition Letter from Senator Sanders
Kawther Hashim, a junior at BHS and leader in the BHS International Club, has become a force of nature for activism. On September 2oth, Hashim addressed a crowd during a Climate Strike at City Hall, pictured right. She also recently addressed Burlington’s City Council, presenting on the US Involvement in the war in Yemen and the humanitarian crisis there.
This message to City Council was noted by Senator Sanders, who recently sent Hashim a letter commending this recent advocacy work. “Young people are quite literally the future of our country, and after seeing the video of you speaking to the Budington City Council, I can see that our future is in good hands,” Sanders wrote.
As part of this work, she has created an informational brochure about the issue and shared it widely to educate peers and the community in general about her concerns. She was also interviewed by City Councilor Ali Dieng on his CCTV show.
“Kawther is a shining example of the engaged student we hope to develop and support here at BHS!” said BHS Librarian Shannon Walters.
Keep up the great work Kawther!
Abdul Abdulrazak Wins Congressional Art Award
On May 3rd, Vermont Representative Peter Welch announced the winners of the 38th Annual Congressional Art Competition at the Vermont College of Fine Arts in Montpelier. Graduating Senior Abdul Abdulrazak from Horizons was among the winners, receiving a Judges Choice Award for his photograph, “Untitled (Bus Ride)”. Awardees were selected by judges from a field of 157 entries from students representing 36 high schools across Vermont. There were nine total awards given, Abdulrazak’s piece was one of only three “Judges Choice”.
The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide high school visual art competition initiated in 1981 by then-Rep. Jim Jeffords to celebrate and encourage the artistic talent of young people from across the country. High school students from across the country submit entries to their Representatives. Panels of local artists in each congressional district select the winners. Winning pieces are displayed for a year in the tunnel between the U.S. Capitol and House office buildings—a route traveled daily by Members of Congress, their staffs, and visitors from around the world. Additionally, all Vermont students that participated in the Congressional Art Competition have been offered automatic admission to the Vermont Governor’s Institute on the Arts, a two-week intensive arts program for Vermont high school students.
Judges for the art competition are recommended by the Vermont Arts Council to be judges for the event. Judges this year were: Daniel Gottsegen, Alice Dodge, and Wylie Garcia.
Congratulations Abdul!
“Untitled (Bus Ride)” by Abdul Abdulrazak
BHS Senior Jackson Elder Named 2019 Presidential Scholar
Elder one of 161 recipients of the distinction, out of 5,200 eligible candidates
For the third year in a row and fifth time in 9 years, Burlington High School is home to a US Presidental Scholar! Please join us in congratulating BHS Senior Jackson Elder!
“I am honored to receive such a prestigious award,” said Elder. “I am very excited to represent both Burlington and Vermont on the national stage and I am very grateful for the teachers, friends and family who have helped me get to where I am today.”
“On behalf of the BHS staff, I have to say that we could not be prouder of Jackson Elder,” said Principal Noel Green. “Jackson embodies the work ethic and spirit of this award and we are thrilled to see him honored in such a deserving way.”
Elder is one of 161 outstanding American high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, technical expertise, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community. The U.S. Presidential Scholars will be honored for their accomplishments in Washington D.C., from June 23-25.
“I want to congratulate this year’s class of Presidential Scholars on their achievement both inside of the classroom and out,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. “Their hard work and commitment to excellence, no matter what challenge they are tackling, will serve them well throughout their lifelong learning journeys. I have no doubt that many of tomorrow’s leaders are among this year’s class of Scholars.”
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects honored scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals. Of the 3.6 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,200 candidates qualified for the 2019 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams, and through nominations made by Chief State School Officers, other partner recognition organizations or the National YoungArts Foundation’s nationwide YoungArtsTM program.
The 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, and 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education.
Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 7,500 of the nation’s top-performing students with the prestigious award given to honorees during the annual ceremony in D.C.
The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.
Since 1983, each U.S. Presidential Scholar has been offered the opportunity to name his or her most influential teacher. Each distinguished teacher is honored with a personal letter from the Secretary of Education.
The teacher chosen for recognition by Elder was Dan Hagan of BHS. Said Hagan, “It is an exceptional honor that the federal government has recognized what members of this community have long known: Jackson is an eager learning partner who engenders intellectual curiosity in others. He has made the entire city of Burlington extremely proud.”
BTC Student Wins Golden Wrench Award
Congratulations to Burlington Technical Center (BTC) student Colton Poulin, a recipient of the 2019 Vermont Automobile Enthusiasts Golden Wrench Award! Each year, the Vermont Automobile Enthusiast award is presented to sixteen high school juniors for their hard work, dedication, and knowledge in the field. In addition to academic achievements at BTC and Burlington High School, Poulin also had to compose and enter an essay to be considered for the award.
The honored students received…
- Top of the line Mac Tools (valued around $600)
- A letter of commendation
- A marble trophy in the student’s name
- 2 copies of the book by Diandra Leslie-Pelecky “The Physics of NASCAR, The Science Behind the Speed” (One copy for the student and one for the instructor)
Four free-admission Stowe Show tickets for the student and Ten for the instructor- One-year membership to the Vermont Automobile Enthusiasts
Congratulations again, Colton, keep up the great work!
BHS wins Scholars’ Bowl State Championship
Team to Head to National Tournament!
The BHS Scholars’ Bowl Team are state academic champions after winning the Vermont-NEA Scholars’ Bowl at the State House in Montpelier on Saturday, March 30th. Burlington has now won the state tournament six times, with the most recent title coming in 2016. The Scholars’ Bowl Team will now look to head to a national-level tournament later this spring.
The competing team for Burlington included Seniors: Zoe Koeninger, Anna Halladay, Vilena Lee and Simon Kissam; Juniors: Isidora Bailly-Hall and Isabella Farkas; and Sophomore Wyatt Harte. The team is coached by Kevin Commo who highlighted that the winning finals team of Zoe, Isidora, Anna and Vilena, was a primary lineup of all women in a competition where around 75% of participants are male.
Scholars’ Bowl is a question-and-answer quiz competition, similar to Jeopardy! but featuring teams of high school students and with a heavy focus on academic curriculum. BHS defeated Champlain Valley Union High School in the championship match, 450-390, after building a big lead in the first of three rounds of competition and holding off a couple of late CVU comebacks. The match capped an exciting day of competition that featured teams from 11 schools around the state.
Burlington advanced to the finals by nipping defending champion Essex 350-315 in the quarterfinals and surging past South Burlington, 400-300, in the semifinals.
All of Saturday’s scores:
Medlar Cup First Round
Burr and Burton 365, Cabot 270
St. Johnsbury 375, Woodstock 255
Essex 370, Windsor 170
Medlar Cup Semifinals
Essex 460, Burr and Burton 255
Middlebury 515, St. Johnsbury 295
Medlar Cup Final
Middlebury 455, Essex 295
Overall Quarterfinals
Middlebury 475, Hanover 345
Burlington 350, Essex 315
Overall Semifinals
Burlington 400, South Burlington 300
CVU 460, Middlebury 340
State Championship
Burlington 450, CVU 390
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Burlington School District (BSD) is a pre-k-12 public school system of about 4,000 students in Burlington, VT. BSD’s mission is to graduate students who: value different cultures, engage with the community, communicate effectively, think creatively, skillfully solve problems, and achieve at their highest academic, intellectual, and personal potential.
BHS Junior Named One of Three Student Finalists in National Film Competition
BHS Junior Maia Vota was recently named one of three finalists in the Youth Filmmakers Awards category of the AT&T Film Awards. Her winning submission is a powerful look at distracted driving in our community and we hope everyone spends a few minutes to watch the film and to congratulate Maia on this impressive award. As a finalist, Vota has won an all-expenses-paid trip to the opening weekend of the Tribeca Film Festival where she will work with Fresh Films to receive training to develop as storytellers and create a video about the experience. Travel expenses for a parent/guardian chaperone are also included.
Congrats again, Maia. See the winning submission below.
