Vermonters craft school reopening plans

The entryway to Woodstock Union High School & Middle School in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The wheels continue to turn on the various school reopening plans in districts throughout New England and beyond, as administrators, teachers and students eye an upcoming year like no other. 

At the same time, it's being viewed by some as a chance to innovate and welcome broad, community ideas into the wider educational umbrella, during this all-hands-on-deck moment in history.

In Vermont, districts released plans last week for reopening, in accordance with state guidelines aiming to move education forward this fall during the pandemic. This week, Gov. Phil Scott signed an executive order making Sept. 8 the official start date for all schools in Vermont, thereby giving districts more time to prepare. Masks will be required in accordance with a statewide mandate. Also, everyone entering school buildings will need a temperature check, as will all students getting on buses. Schools have also gauged how to accommodate the required social distancing.

As for the reopening plans, most Vermont districts are offering hybrid models of on-campus and distance learning, while providing options for those parents preferring to keep their children off-campus during the ongoing health crisis. A major reason education officials are moving forward is because of Vermont's very low caseload for COVID-19, though there still are concerns about controlling the coronavirus amid an increase in visitor traffic this fall.

The Windsor Central Supervisory Union recently presented its tentative plan for the school year in its district serving Woodstock, Barnard, Pomfret, Reading, Bridgwater and Killington. The WCSU is now hashing out the details of that framework, according to Superintendent Sherry Sousa. That proposed framework is based on the work of a local collaboration team, including representatives from Mount Ascutney Hospital, parents, students and Windsor Central Unified Union School District board members. The framework aims to be "as nimble as possible" given the pandemic, and the plan will evolve over time, Sousa explained.  

"We'll continue to build it; we have 11 different work groups" figuring out the details, she said. The details range from adapting the academic programming to implementing required state health measures. As for student numbers, Sousa estimated the district has a total of 75 new students enrolled this year. 

“Many are the result of people moving to Vermont for a healthier environment for their children,” she said. 

Sousa said the district’s hybrid plan aims to provide the best educational opportunities possible (on-campus and off-campus), while providing some flexibility for parents and also complying with state regulations. 

“We’re going to focus on literacy and math when students are in school,” Sousa said. “Off campus, we’ll be reinforcing those ideas using projects and other ideas.”

The plan has full remote-learning options for students whose parents who expressed in a district-wide survey they didn’t want them going back to in-person learning. As of Wednesday, with surveys collected from 75 percent of the district’s parents, Sousa said 8 to 9 percent chose full remote learning.

In the words of the proposed plan, it recommends: 

• An alternating day model where most students will have two days of in-person instruction in our schools and three days of remote learning. The in-school days will attend to that learning that is best provided with a teacher and student present, prepare for individual/remote work, and support the child/student emotionally. The three days of remote learning will encourage independent work, review of in-class materials, provide opportunities that are age appropriate, and reinforce in class concepts and ideas.  

• Teachers will have students four days a week, as each class will be divided in half. This will allow half of the group to receive in-class instruction on one day, and the other half will attend the following day allowing for social distancing and best health/safety practices.  

• Students in the primary grades, K - 2, require intensive literacy and mathematics instruction to provide the critical foundations for later learning. For those reasons, all elementary schools will provide in-school instruction for four days per week for grades kindergarten through second. At Barnard Academy and Reading Elementary, grades 2 and 3 are combined and will therefore offer in-school instruction for grades kindergarten through third grade.  

• Elementary students who participate in music, art and Spanish will be able to participate in these classes during remote learning days. Physical education will occur through activity-based scheduled recess breaks.

Amid the district’s ongoing communications efforts, Sousa said there will be more opportunities for parents and community members to offer feedback. Outdoor learning opportunities are being considered, as well as ways to use different spaces. To cite one idea: The high school gymnasium — which will not be in use — may become a space for one-on-one learning. 

Sousa noted district leaders have also been gathering a number of ideas from the community to help the schools, and the board plans to formalize a group to field and consider those ideas. Sousa said that group will be one of the items discussed at the board’s next meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday via Zoom.

— Gareth Henderson

Lewis to young Americans: Let power of love guide you

It's the easiest thing in the world, to revert to old routines that feel comfortable and familiar. But now the world demands we do better. It demands unconditional love and courage, allowing us to truly see each other with the heart and take bold action for unity and justice. 

The importance of such action rang out vehemently, as numerous speakers honored the life of civil rights leader, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, in recent days. His story speaks so strongly, of the need to protect democracy and stand up for civil rights, with love and humility as the foundation of that work. 

On Thursday, former President Barack Obama — the nation's first African American president — delivered the eulogy at Lewis's funeral at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. Obama spoke of Lewis' younger days, as the son of sharecroppers in Troy, Alabama, and how significant those roots are.

"What a revolutionary notion, this idea that any of us ordinary people, a young kid from Troy, can stand up to the powers and principalities and say, 'No, this isn't right, this isn't true, this isn't just — we can do better.'"

Obama noted Lewis's unceasing perseverance, even when surrounded by the violence and hate directed at him and other activists. At age 21, Lewis was one of the original Freedom Riders, and at age 25, he led 600 marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, where they were beaten by police. That was one of three Selma-to-Montgomery marches, which highlighted racial injustice and led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act. 

"He as much as anyone in our history brought this country a little bit closer to our highest ideals," Obama said of Lewis.

During this entire week, no stronger was the importance of action expressed, than in Lewis's own words. He wrote an op-ed days before his July 17 passing, and it was published on Thursday in the New York Times. 

In his final writing, Lewis described how inspired he was to see millions, from all different walks of life, unite in protests following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. 

"You filled me with hope about the next chapter of the great American story when you used your power to make a difference in our society."  

He urged people to continue that movement, remembering the philosophy of nonviolence taught by civil rights champion Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"When you see something that is not right, you must say something. You must do something," Lewis said. "Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we called the Beloved Community, a nation and world society at peace with itself."

It's incumbent upon all of us to remember that democracy is indeed an act, and it's calling upon us all, right now. We're asked to examine old routines of thought, ask whether they are just, and find ways to better understand each other. With that, we lay the foundation for greater justice and peace. We make "opponents" into friends.

As we move forward together, no one path toward change will look the same. Small steps lead to larger action, and greater change. 

In his op-ed, Rep. John Lewis spoke to the new generation of protesters that gave him and numerous others so much hope:

"When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression and war. So I say to you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide." 

— Gareth Henderson

Broadband access gets a boost

The lack of high-speed broadband connections in many rural communities came sharply into focus when the pandemic ramped up in March. 

But now, the issue is coming back around with school reopenings on the horizon, and with many still accessing remote health care and teleworking. 

On Wednesday, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott announced $2 million in grants to help consumers extend telecommunications lines to their homes. The Line Extension Customer Assistance Program (LECAP) provides up to $3,000 to each qualifying applicant to cover the customer cost portion of a line extension. Lawmakers approved the program in June in response to the pandemic.

Hundreds of Vermonters live just out of reach of existing high-speed networks and can't afford to extend a line, the governor's announcement noted. The LECAP program seeks to bridge some of those gaps.

“For the teacher or student living at the end of the dirt road with no internet access, the LECAP could be a lifeline,” said June Tierney, Vermont's commissioner of Public Service. “This is a great opportunity for qualifying Vermonters who need broadband service but have not been able to afford the full cost of a line extension.”  

With Congress debating relief packages in the trillions of dollars, $2 million doesn't sound like a lot. But now more than ever, every dollar counts. That's especially true with high-speed broadband access, which is one of today's biggest education access issues.

At the end of March, more than 12 million of the 55 million U.S. students who were sent home for remote learning did not have home broadband access, according to the Brookings Institution. In the same article, the public policy group makes the case for more funding in the next federal relief bill. 

"Congress should appropriate funding to local communities to fill in the 'blind spots' of broadband connectivity for schools," writes Nicol Turner Lee of the Brookings Institution.

Whether or not that happens, virtual learning is a need that will only increase in the future, and at the present moment, it's an urgent need. We can't afford to lose sight of it, with at least partial remote learning being the new reality for many students. The LECAP funding is a step in the right direction, and now is the time for the nation to build on it. 

For details about how to qualify for the LECAP, Vermonters should call the department at 800-622-4496 or visit the LECAP webpage. All line extensions funded through this program must be completed on or before Dec. 30, 2020. Find additional information through the Department of Public Service. 

— Gareth Henderson

Relief bill draws critics, including states

The debate is churning in Washington following the Senate GOP’s proposed $1 trillion pandemic relief bill announced on Monday.

The plan offers a second round of $1,200 direct stimulus payments to taxpayers, as well as funding for school reopenings, the Paycheck Protection Program, national vaccine efforts and COVID-19 testing. 

But Senate Democrats heavily criticized the bill, saying the funding was insufficient and should be far greater, noting the $3 trillion stimulus package the House passed in May. Another hotly debated topic this week is enhanced federal unemployment insurance, which the new Senate bill drops from $600 to $200 per week. In October, 70-percent wage replacement would go in its stead.

U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, of Vermont, said the Senate bill offers a “paltry sum” compared to the vast health and economic needs caused by the pandemic nationwide. He also criticized the absence of funding for state and local governments.

“Their budgets are stretched to the breaking point as revenues plummet and they struggle to support their people and the public servants on the front lines of this crisis,” Leahy said in a statement. “Without federal support, state and local governments have been forced to lay off 1.5 million of the very public servants countless Americans are relying on right now.” 

Those sentiments have echoed throughout New York, New Jersey and numerous other states trying to keep funding flowing to households, businesses and key community services. In many cases, prior federal relief funding has acted as the last line of defense against closures and bankruptcies. Now, with all states face daunting budget shortfalls, many continue to demand urgent assistance. Vermont’s budget gap is over $300 million; New York’s is more than $13 billion.

Leadership in the Senate and House hope to reach an agreement on the size of this relief package later this week, according to Vermont Public Radio. Many hopes ride on those negotiations, and the urgency is palpable. In this moment, in this pandemic, constructive progress has never been more important, and there remains time for bi-partisan work to take place. It's our hope that this can be accomplished, so that states, businesses and individuals get the help they greatly need, in a way that benefits our local, regional and national communities.

— Gareth Henderson

Pandemic relief bill introduced

Negotiations are underway in the U.S. Senate after a new pandemic relief package was introduced by Republican leadership Monday.

The Senate GOP's bill proposes a new round of $1,200 stimulus checks to taxpayers and $105 billion to help schools and childcare centers reopen, among other provisions, according to CNBC. In a contentious move, it reduces the weekly $600 in extra federal unemployment benefits to $200 per week. For Vermonters, that $600 benefit expired on Saturday. In October, the enhanced unemployment insurance would be set at 70 percent of a worker's wages, at a maximum of up to $500 per week. 

The legislation also has more funding for national vaccine development, the Paycheck Protection Program and state aid for COVID-19 testing. However, it doesn't include a provision state leaders had pushed hard for: direct aid to state governments, at a time when revenue gaps loom very large. 

When Vermont lawmakers return to the State House on Aug. 25 to complete the fiscal-year 2021 budget, they face a revenue gap of over $300 million. In a recent interview, Vermont Senate President Pro Tem Tim Ashe said federal assistance was essential. 

"It’s a huge difference-maker," Ashe said. "At the beginning of the COVID crisis, I was publicly saying, 'This is why we have a federal government to step up and support states in times like this.'"

Ashe noted the state has reserves which help position it well, but the state would still face revenue gaps even with tapping those funds. Currently, those reserves stand at $230.2 million, according to the Legislative Joint Fiscal Office.

Ashe, who is currently running for lieutenant governor, said schools reopening safely, monitoring cross-state travel and economic impact on employers are among Vermonters' main concerns.

"This has been excruciating for employers," Ashe said. "There’s a lot of that wait-and-see anxiety about how safe it’s going to be from a business point of view to kind of resume some semblance of normal."

Clearly, the new round of direct payments to individuals and new funding for the Paycheck Protection Program for employers will be welcome news. But states will face some very challenging decisions if Congress is unable to agree on a way to provide emergency aid to state and local governments, which provide many important services to their communities. Hopefully, negotiations in Washington will help make that funding a reality as lawmakers look to lead their states forward.

— Gareth Henderson

The home we all share

We've been blessed by the beauty of our natural surroundings, especially over the past four months. Indeed, the scenic quality of nature, even if viewed for a moment, has been a constant comfort during these times. It's dependable; spring and summer always arrive.

As we all remember, the first signs of spring were uniquely magical this year. That first robin on the tree by the window, that first flower sprouting, made one pause to see and hear nature saying, "This one thing is still the same." Those powerful moments helped us carry hope forward into one more day, and into the next.

Those signs assured us of something else: Summer was on its way. With nature welcoming us outside after these long weeks, it's no surprise to see so many people getting outside in Vermont and throughout the wider region. Sometimes, it seems like every other car passing by carries a few kayaks or bicycles. Local trails are popular now, and any body of water is a chance for folks to get relief from the strong summer heat. Of course, the local region's natural beauty is a draw in any warm season, and that's still true now, though tourism is down overall amid travel restrictions. That said, the visitors who are able to come up are very much out and about enjoying the mountains and valleys that make up this outdoor haven we call home. 

Having all these beautiful surroundings right in our backyard is truly special, and this year is reminding us how important nature is, wherever we are. It’s important because it connects us all —we live within it, not separate from it. And so, it’s up to us all to be good stewards of the environment, because it really is our home, that collective, beating heart of the world we all share. 

— Gareth Henderson

Onward, with grace

As daunting challenges grip the country, Vermont has aimed to protect its progress during the pandemic and maintain an emphasis on working together. 

On Friday, as he announced a statewide mask mandate effective Aug. 1, Gov. Phil Scott said he wanted to protect Vermont’s gains as cases surge elsewhere in the country. Those gains included having the lowest number of COVID-19 cases in the nation as of this week. That happened because most people in the Green Mountains followed the guidance from health experts, the governor noted. 

“Our numbers show Vermonters have stepped up to keep each other safe, which has become known as the Vermont way,” he said.

Though nearby New England states have mainly kept improving in the past month, recent increases in COVID-19 metrics in the wider Northeast region have concerned state officials and other experts. David Rubin, director of the PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, told Vermont Public Radio on Saturday that case growth in recent weeks has occurred in Delaware and New Jersey. He noted the recent small outbreak in Cape Cod as well. This week, Massachusetts issued a new travel order, effective Aug. 1. One of its requirements is that incoming travelers must quarantine for 14 days, or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72 hours prior to their arrival in Massachusetts. Failure to comply carries a possible fine of $500 per day. Vermont is one of the lower-risk states exempt from the order.

As more summer traffic heads north, Vermont has continued to watch incoming numbers. This week, officials said Vermont saw a total of 7.1 million visitors as of Friday morning — an increase of 200,000 over the prior week. The state’s color-coded map, with the color green indicating low-risk counties from which travelers can visit Vermont quarantine-free, has seen a reduction recently in the number of green counties. That’s “reflective of the case growth across the country,” according to Michael Pieciak, commissioner of financial regulation, who has headed up Vermont’s data modeling efforts. 

Naturally, Vermont officials have spent a great deal of time looking at data. That vigilance led to Friday’s announcement, which the governor said was meant to be proactive. But it’s worth noting the governor placed just as much emphasis on our treatment of each other as we continue onward as a state under the mask mandate. Scott urged “kindness” and “meeting people where they are.” 

"Let's do things the Vermont way by being role models and leading by example," he said.

That’s an important place to start, because we all want our state to stay healthy and succeed, with Vermonters being supportive of one another and those who visit us. The current adversity, of course, is unprecedented, constant and merits great caution every day. But as we continue on with our lives, we have the option to do so with a unified grace and compassion, while following all official guidance and regulation. We can do all those things, while maintaining the good, inclusive approach that makes Vermont special — and so very needed — in this country.

— Gareth Henderson

Summer rolls on

Traffic heads through downtown Woodstock, Vermont, crossing the bridge over Kedron Brook. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As this unusual summer continues, Vermont is seeing some visitor traffic from tourists eager to head to the Green Mountains, and Woodstock is no different.  

In this regional tourism hub, visitors from familiar states are in town, including New York, Massachusetts and other New England neighbors, as well as Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. They’ve come amid a changed environment, under Woodstock’s local requirement to wear face-coverings, and current state-imposed quarantine restrictions for travelers from high-risk areas (see this state map). Though the crowds are smaller, they keep coming in, looking for that respite in the countryside. 

Beth Finlayson, executive director of the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce, said the flow of business is not like last year, but certainly better than March and April. With the Woodstock Inn open at a 50-percent capacity limit and some B&Bs open, Finlayson said, she sees more people visiting the area, notably families. Some are visiting just for a day. She noted Billings Farm is open, and Pentangle is starting its Music by the River summer concerts on Friday. The Market on the Green on Wednesdays has been popular, and the Welcome Center on Mechanic Street is seeing more traffic, as well. 

“We'll have 30 to 50 people every day, and a good portion are visitors,” Finlayson said of the center’s influx. “Every day, we get someone who wants to rent kayaks, go hiking. There are definitely people coming in.”  

At the Woodstock Inn, the numbers haven’t always hit the 50-percent capacity, but a couple of days did sell out, according to Courtney Lowe, the inn’s vice president of marketing and business development. 

“We’re doing okay with it, but obviously we need the ability to get more occupancy in there,” Lowe said. “For our industry, you definitely need to be above that 60- to 62-percent on an annual basis. At least this helps for now.” 

He added, “We’re seeing our guests really enjoy themselves. They’re sure taking full advantage of the outdoors.”

The inn has seen some cancellations due to the state-imposed restrictions, but Lowe said the inn’s marketing team is working hard to keep their brand prominently before the eyes of potential customers. 

“You’re working a little harder to get that small occupancy here for sure, but it’s necessary, too, for the long run,” he said.   

While much of the local economy is operating at some level, several smaller hospitality establishments have remained closed for now. Charlotte Hollingsworth, co-owner of The Ardmore Inn in the village, said her four-room bed and breakfast aims to open on Aug. 1. She notes she is 73 and her husband, Cary, is 76, and so during the pandemic they are not rushing to reopen. 

“We’d rather stay on the side of caution,” she said. Hollingsworth plans to reopen slowly starting Aug. 1, beginning with just a couple of guests staying and then a couple more coming in once they leave. 

Hollingsworth, who is on the board of the Woodstock chamber, has enjoyed seeing more downtown activity. 

“It’s really nice to see the village kind of alive again,” she said, noting the impact the Woodstock Inn’s July 1 reopening had, especially on Fourth of July weekend. “We could see a total difference." 

Earlier this week, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said the state’s reopening efforts were in a “holding pattern,” due to the surging COVID-19 caseloads in other regions of the country. The governor’s next press briefing is on Friday at 11 a.m.

— Gareth Henderson

The Vermont I know

Fair, reasonable and kind: Throughout my 18 years as a journalist in this state, I’ve learned Vermonters have all three of those qualities, and they’re often expressed to others. Most of the time I’ve covered a public discussion, even a debate, they were on display. They’ve made me proud to be here, and I still am.

But today, on the national level, these values are facing headwinds, and you see this most clearly through our politics. Sad to say, it doesn’t seem there’s much that can’t be politicized today. Our better angels seem very much under siege, and one can find fresh examples of this overwhelming trend every hour, broadcasted far and wide by the 24-hour news cycle. 

While those situations continue on, however, so does our strength as Vermonters, because to express loving qualities as a community over a long period of time takes strength. And all of those qualities are worth defending. They are especially important now, given the major issues we now face together. 

It is certainly a point of pride to look at Vermont’s coronavirus numbers, which include the lowest caseload in the country. To me, that is the result of Vermonters banding together to do the right thing and support one another during this crisis. So far, the state has also managed to control several small outbreaks, but remains firm on travel restrictions, noting the surges in cases around the country. 

Clearly, points of progress, though significant, are just one part of the picture. The economic challenges loom large, as a partially-opened statewide economy struggles greatly. That said, the qualities that sustained us as we pitched in to help one another in the early days of this pandemic, are still within us. Since they remain, let’s reflect on them and draw on the strength they impart. With that, we will get to tomorrow, meet our challenges and be truly better, together. 

— Gareth Henderson

The need for relief

When it comes to pandemic relief dollars, all eyes are on Congress which is taking steps toward a new federal bill to help with the financial impact of the crisis.

Businesses are certainly among those watching. Though many Vermont business owners have partially reopened their operations, many companies face a rough summer amid revenue declines and often with a smaller workforce. 

“We definitely need a new stimulus package,” said PJ Skehan, executive director of the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce. “We need another lift here to get us through.”

Chambers have been busy keeping businesses informed of relief opportunities. For example, the application process opened Monday for a new economic relief grant program to help sole proprietors, which comprise a large portion of the business community in Vermont. Skehan said Tuesday he was encouraging people to apply for the funds if they haven’t already. 

“Don’t leave any money on the table,” he said. 

The federally funded Vermont Sole Proprietor Stabilization Program will provide grants of $5,000, $7,500 or $10,000 to qualifying sole proprietors through a lottery draw. The grants will be awarded through a lottery system on Aug. 14. Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) and Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) will be administering funds. More details are available at the program portal.

As state officials have many times acknowledged, the relief funding already offered is not enough during such a widespread pandemic. But hopefully it will at least be of some help as businesses look to stabilize their operations, in anticipation of additional assistance. 

Naturally there is trepidation about the new relief plan Congress hopes to hammer out. On Tuesday, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott understandably said Vermont was in a “holding pattern” on reopening more sectors, with the recent surges in COVID-19 cases elsewhere in the country. If that continues, and restrictions cannot be further lifted, business relief will be all the more critical as this challenging summer wares on into the fall. 

Still, Vermont’s pandemic data continues to provide a good basis for progress. As the governor noted in his Tuesday remarks, Vermont now has the lowest number of COVID-19 cases in the nation. While many still struggle amid the financial impact, it’s still important to forge ahead and work together to hold that progress, and build on it. If the past few months are any indication, we’ve proven we can do so. 

— Gareth Henderson

Helping the states

As state budgets face enormous shortfalls, one of the greatest needs in the country is federal aid for states. 

That’s one of the main sticking points of the new coronavirus relief package as Congress resumes work this week after a summer recess, according to National Public Radio. In Vermont, the projected shortfall for fiscal year 2021 is over $400 million — that’s what the Legislature must contend with when it reconvenes in August.  

In Congress on Monday, the clash of opposing sides was almost immediate, when it came to the new pandemic relief bill. A point of contention is whether to allow states to use relief funds for plugging revenue gaps, which are certainly on the increase. One of the biggest concerns is sustaining annual funding for important state-funded services, many of which impact the most vulnerable among us. In related news: Discussions are underway about how to sustain the $600-per-week federal direct payments to individuals on unemployment benefits, NPR reported. Those payments are set to expire on July 31. The U.S. House has passed a bill extending the benefits.

That work comes amid a backdrop of national challenges, making it more important than ever to maintain a united, collaborative approach to major issues here in Vermont. And we have a good basis for doing so. For the most part, Vermonters appear to be open to the safety precautions given by the state amid the pandemic. Part of the reason for that is the measured approach in delivering those guidelines to the public, with regular updates on the state’s progress. As of Monday, Vermont’s COVID-19 data continued to show good trends; the state had no coronavirus-related deaths in the last 30 days.

Despite the often troubling national rhetoric, we can have confidence in the progress Vermont has already made, and join together in taking more forward steps as a statewide community. These start with simple steps, even beyond safety measures. They include making sure we stay connected with our neighbors, make sure they have what they need, and, sometimes, talk through some challenges. What’s been true, remains true: We’re in this together.

— Gareth Henderson

Building unity

The nation is mightily struggling to find a path forward through many difficulties, but unity remains a worthy goal for the country, and one we cannot abandon. 

Here in Vermont, we have a good starting point for that unity the country needs. In the past four months, I've appreciated — more than ever — the calm and measured overall approach of our Vermont leaders, locally, regionally and statewide. Although there are tense moments, that approach is innate to our community life. Here, oftentimes we can still talk to one another after a good debate, and people frequently say, "We're so lucky to be in Vermont.” I heartily agree. But for me, that goes beyond the relative calm the state offers. We have to use what we’ve got. That sense of steadiness and poise gives us a strong starting point for change, if we start from a place where we can all be heard. 

That starting point begins with listening. When I look at this state, neighbors have enough respect for one another that they can at least talk about differences of opinion. When people can at least talk, they can hear different points of view, and that’s a crucial ingredient for progress today. It’s how you start to break through the extremes, and get to the center. 

That last part is paramount to progress. I believe it’s important to find that center, starting with places of agreement on key issues, and moving forward from there. It is hard, and it requires humble thinking and tough conversations, but nothing can replace an honest discussion that opens the way to understanding each other better. It’s the only way to move the nation forward, and Vermont has a special opportunity to light that path. 

— Gareth Henderson

Life outside

Many parts of our lives happen inside four walls. But outside, the natural world keeps on ticking, and it’s always waiting to dazzle us. 

Indeed, the natural beauty that surrounds us and adds so richly to our lives, keeps many of us here in Vermont. In the Green Mountains, we’re blessed with numerous ways to enjoy the outdoors. Chief among them: the 272-mile Long Trail, the Appalachian Trail, and countless mountains to explore. I’ve seen some hikers making their way through the region already — another sign of increasing summer activity. (The Green Mountain Club, which oversees the Long Trail, regularly recommends hikes ranging from easy to difficult.) Swimming, biking, kayaking have all been on the rise as well, as more people get outside and more visitors drop in. 

There’s also a certain calm-amid-the-storm factor when it comes to being outside these days. We’ve all experienced it to some degree. With the turbulence out in the world, we need the re-centering effect nature can provide; its calming, focused presence gives us peace. And the more we embrace it, the stronger we’ll be, when we take that calmness back to the rest of our lives. 

I was reminded of this recently, when I took my first bike ride in months (yep, I was way overdue). Riding through Woodstock Village, with that refreshing air hitting my face, the beautiful scenes around the downtown re-charged me and I realized how much I’d missed enjoying the grandeur that surrounds us every day. Sometimes, we realize a little more what we have here. 

That ride reminded me that those opportunities to get outside are ones to cherish, and not ones to take for granted. Seeking those moments more often is a good goal to take with us. Life is better when we do.

— Gareth Henderson

Is loon history in the making?

A loon calls out from its nest at Green River Reservoir in Hyde Park, Vermont. In Barnard, Silver Lake may have its first long-term loon pair, though no evidence has been found to that effect. (Jennifer Lucas / Vermont Center for Ecostudies)

A couple of loons on Silver Lake in Barnard have caught the attention of swimmers, kayakers and others enjoying the summer weather. 

The question is, are they actually a couple? Possible, but not confirmed, says Eric Hanson, loon biologist with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE). The lake has never had a confirmed long-term pair of loons. Hanson would need evidence of a nest or nesting activity to reach that conclusion. One sure sign would be sightings of loons rushing in and out of shoreline locations, which they do to gather nest materials, while cooing at each other — part of mating behavior. 

Then there’s that operative word, long-term. The pair would need to be sighted four to five times over six to eight weeks to fit the bill. Also important: Two loons spending time together on the lake doesn’t by itself show a long-term bond, because these birds are very social, Hanson said. So yes, they could just be hanging out.

The most recent activity reported to VCE is one preening on the water last week. But if more than one sticks around, they could make loon history for Silver Lake.

“If they're still there, and they've been there fairly constantly, we definitely want to keep an eye out next May or early June," said Hanson, adding that’s when most nesting activity takes place. If that’s happening at a certain lake, signage is placed to protect nesting sites from water craft. 

In Barnard, there’s still a sliver of a chance two loons could create a site on Silver Lake this month. At other Vermont locations, there have been five or six late nesting spots this July — all first-time nests for those birds. 

“They may try to sneak one in, it’s not unheard of,” Hanson said. 

On Saturday morning, over 200 volunteers will help VCE with their annual loon count which covers more than 160 lakes. Loons continue to be a favorite animal for people to watch, with their grace and almost constant activity this time of year. While the following is not always the case, some are so used to canoes and kayaks that they’ll swim alongside them, even with chicks. 

“It's one of those species you can just watch continuously without interrupting them,” Hanson said. 

— Gareth Henderson

First week under mask ordinance

A number of shops in Woodstock, Vermont, are posting this sign which notes a local face-covering requirement. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Most people are complying with the face-covering ordinance enacted in Woodstock, Vermont, on July 9 — and many have been grateful it's in place. That's the feedback from business owners, speaking on Wednesday about the emergency ordinance Village Trustees approved last week. The town Select Board approved a resolution for areas outside the village. 

The ordinance requires that face-coverings be worn in all municipal buildings and establishments in the village, and also at village-owned public outdoor spaces including sidewalks and public parks. Exceptions are spelled out for some situations, several of which include toddlers age 2 and younger, people with breathing issues, strenuous outdoor work, or athletic activity such as running or bicycle riding. 

Parking attendants, police, or the health inspector are tasked with enforcing the regulation, and will also have extra masks to offer to those who don’t have one. The Woodstock Welcome Center on Mechanic Street has a supply as well. The face-covering requirement will remain in place until Vermont’s state of emergency order ends, or the trustees vote to remove their ordinance, whichever happens first.

Village Trustees Chair Jeff Kahn said people have been appreciative of the new rule and, so far, enforcement has gone smoothly. Individuals without masks are usually fine with accepting one to wear, he said. Some businesses have free masks available, and the Welcome Center has given out a number of them. Small signs about the ordinance and resolution have been handed out to local businesses, and Kahn said larger metal signage is in the works for several locations around the village.

He emphasized the new measure is for everyone’s safety. 

“We certainly want people to know we're not just doing this for ourselves,” Kahn said. “We want the visitors to be safe, also.”

Most local businesses have required masks since reopening to in-person retail, and Kahn’s shop, Unicorn, is one of them. In keeping with the overall trend, he said most shoppers have been open to wearing masks, and honoring the store’s request to sanitize hands, with no issues. He recalled only one couple who “left in a huff” after refusing both. 

“We’re pretty sure they were trying to make a political statement,” Kahn said. 

Kim Smith, co-owner of 37 Central Clothiers and Red Wagon Toy Company, reported the same positive response to the mask requirement, a rule that she, too has had in place since reopening. Free masks are at her stores if people need them. Smith said not one person has refused to comply, and visitors have praised the new rule. 

“I think they're happy that we're on it for them, too, not just for us," Smith said. 

That’s also been her experience at 37 Central’s location in Hanover, New Hampshire, where many of her customers are students from the local high school and Dartmouth College.

“They've all been great about wearing masks," said Smith, who also has them for sale. "We sell kids masks like crazy, too."  

— Gareth Henderson

Vermont’s progress gets national spotlight

Vermont’s steady progress against the coronavirus has grabbed the national spotlight. 

On Wednesday, CNN Health highlighted Vermont along with New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut as states that have “tamed the coronavirus, even after reopening.” 

The article emphasizes Vermont’s contact-tracing program which has helped contain the virus as well as several outbreaks.

“Vermont has the lowest test positivity rate in the nation - 0.78% as of Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins University,” the CNN article states “It also has the 3rd lowest number of coronavirus cases per capita and the 10th lowest Covid-19 death rate of any state.”

Gov. Phil Scott officially extended Vermont’s state of emergency on Wednesday to help the state manage the crisis and respond to outbreaks. The state is currently responding to a possible outbreak in Manchester. 

It’s worth noting that local communities have been a big part of keeping the state’s overall pandemic numbers low. Woodstock last week became the latest Vermont town to enact a face-covering ordinance. The emergency ordinance passed by Woodstock Village Trustees requires that face-coverings be worn in all municipal buildings and establishments in the village, and also at village-owned public outdoor spaces including sidewalks and public parks. Some exceptions are included in the new requirement, which the town Select Board passed as a resolution. The ordinance and resolution will be in effect until the state of emergency ends, or the trustees lift the requirement, whichever happens first.

So far, businesses in Woodstock Village report most shoppers have been compliant with the new rule, and appreciate that it’s there (more on this Thursday). That shows the best response to the pandemic, is a community response, and it seems to be having a statewide impact in Vermont, and in other states which have shown the greatest progress in combating the virus. One of the most important points: More progress means more reopening, while of course monitoring what’s happening elsewhere.

As Gov. Phil Scott said Tuesday: "As long as the data stays consistent, we will stick with our effort to incrementally lift restrictions and get closer to a point where this (emergency) order is no longer necessary."

— Gareth Henderson

Grants unveiled for health, dairy sectors

Vermont’s health care and dairy sectors are next in line to see pandemic-related relief grants become available this week. Two new programs for housing aid launched on Monday. 

Applications open Friday with about $275 million for the health care sector and $25 million for dairy operations. This funding, backed by federal aid dollars, was approved by the Legislature in a series of relief bills last month.

While state officials on Tuesday acknowledged there’s much more to do to help these essential sectors, they hoped this funding would help ease the towering financial pressures of the pandemic. 

Mike Smith, Vermont’s health and human services secretary, said, though the state provided some early assistance to this sector, much more is needed to ensure health providers and service organizations stay afloat during and after the crisis. He also noted the health sector’s vast economic impact. 

“Health care spending in Vermont constitutes roughly 20 percent of Vermont’s gross state product,” Smith said at Tuesday’s press briefing with Gov. Phil Scott. 

Smith also noted his team worked hard to make the grants program inclusive. 

“We intentionally designed the application process to support providers and organizations of every size and type to ensure equity in the process and to encourage all eligible providers to seek funding,” he said. 

Once it opens Friday, applicants will have four weeks to complete the process, and grants will be awarded only after all applications have been reviewed. Applications to this needs-based program will be accepted until Aug. 15, for grants covering pandemic-related expenses incurred between March 1 and June 15. Health providers and organizations are encouraged to sign up to receive an email notification once the process begins and to receive updates. 

“If providers are not certain they are eligible, we want them to apply anyway,” Smith said. A webinar about the grant process is set for Monday at 6 p.m. 

Smith said a second round of applications will begin in October, for pandemic-related expenses incurred between June 16 and Sept. 30. 

Tuesday’s briefing also focused on dairy, another essential sector hit hard by the pandemic. Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts described the impact on dairy farmers, cheesemakers and value-added businesses.

“When the country shut down, those small businesses that rely on restaurants, colleges, schools and institutions for a paycheck, they were lost,” Tebbetts said. “Income dropped, expenses increased for many.” 

Of the $25 million package, $21.2 is available for family farms, and $3.8 million is allocated for dairy processors, including those who make cheese, yogurt and ice cream, and bottle milk. The online application process launches at noon Friday, and all application forms must be received by Oct. 1. To be eligible, the applying business must have been in operation as of March 1, and all losses and costs must have occurred since March 1 and be pandemic-related. 

Grants will be sent out two to three weeks after an application’s approval, Tebbetts said. The application form is at agriculture.vermont.gov, or applicants may email agrcovidresponse@vermont.gov or call 802-828-2430. 

Tebbetts also said a $5 million relief program for non-dairy farmers is in the works, and producers, farmers markets and slaughterhouses will be included. Grants from working lands programs and assistance for fairs and field days groups will be announced in the coming days.

“Farmers are essential to Vermont's future,” Tebbetts said. “They provide Vermont, New England, New York and the nation fresh, wholesome food that is needed now more than ever.”

— Gareth Henderson

Goodness still strong, not defeated

The great weight of all that has happened in the U.S. since the pandemic first intensified in March is undeniable, and often overwhelming.

Also undeniable, is the kindness, love and compassion that have together been our rudder through these stormy waves. Indeed, our better attributes have been tough to recognize amid the divisions in the country that seem to deepen each time we turn on the news. This turns me back to a question many asked weeks ago about the acts of kindness that multiplied among neighbors: Will that love last? Will that sense of unity make a long-term difference, leading to more loving, more profound ways of relating to each other?

With so much struggle and political strife, the answer “no” might be plain for many. But I believe there is sufficient momentum for the good, and enough need for progress, that the best in each of us can hold sway over the future. There remains hope for the “yes” column, in spite of the stark difficulties we face as a people. That innate goodness still lives among us.

The fact is, we each have a decision with each step we take. We can choose the direction of progress, starting with learning and understanding more about how we got to this place, and what we can do in our own lives to better society. Every step forward, is a step closer to change, though the steps may feel small at first.

We all have an opportunity to be part of the solutions that move the nation forward. History has urged us to build something stronger together, to seek a new dawn. The lasting hope I feel tells me we will seize the opportunity to be better, though the road is long with obstacles. We’re strong enough, courageous enough to travel it.

— Gareth Henderson

Housing aid programs launch this week

Money for housing has been one of the greatest needs during the pandemic, and starting this week, $30 million in funding will become available to help Vermonters in need. 

On Monday, the Vermont State Housing Authority (VSHA) and Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) will start accepting applications for two new assistance programs announced by Gov. Phil Scott on Friday. The money is part of relief funding approved by lawmakers and backed by federal aid.

The $30 million total includes $25 million for rental assistance and $5 million for mortgage assistance to lower-income households, to be administered by VSHA and VHFA, respectively. 

In his Friday remarks, Gov. Phil Scott acknowledged these grants won’t address all of the needs impacted groups are facing in the pandemic. 

“But we’ll continue to look for ways to support them, so they can survive this once-in-a-century crisis,” Scott said. 

Richard Williams, VSHA’s executive director, outlined the financial hardships involved for renters, which have been a long-standing struggle.

“Even prior to COVID-19, over half of the renters in Vermont — about 36,000 households — have housing costs that consume more than 30 percent of their income,” he said Friday, adding, “One quarter of Vermont renters spend more than half of their income on housing.” The new funding is designed to help keep Vermont renters in their homes and avoid homelessness during the crisis, Williams added.

Grants through this new rental housing stabilization program are available to renters, landlords and families experiencing homelessness, he noted. As well as past-due rent, the funding can also cover first and last month rent payments and security deposits. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis.  

Maura Collins, executive director of VHFA, spoke about the mortgage assistance program. She emphasized that it’s available to anyone who meets the criteria, not just VHFA clients. This funding will pay for up to three months of mortgage payments for low-income households. Applications will be taken from July 13 through Aug. 31, but that period may shorten if funds run out. 

The program is limited to Vermont households with incomes in the last 90 days of $15,000. For homes in Chittenden County, that limit is $18,000. Other requirements include that the applicant must have missed at least two monthly mortgage payments; the loan must have been in force before March 1; and the home must be the applicant’s primary residence. 

The governor also pointed out that this funding is just a portion of the housing-related assistance approved by the Legislature, which totals $85 million. Other funding will be highlighted at future press conferences. 

“It’s critical we keep moving forward, so we can recover as a state and nation, and recovery starts with everyone having a safe and secure place to call home,” Scott said. 

More information on these programs is available at accd.vermont.gov through the Agency of Commerce and Community Development.

— Gareth Henderson

Gray: Time to resolve inequities in Vt.

Molly Gray, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, speaks at a car rally in Woodstock, Vermont, on Saturday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed food insecurity and lack of broadband access like never before. But for lasting solutions on these issues, Vermont needs new leaders, said Molly Gray, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor who visited Woodstock on Saturday. 

“We have massive inequity right here in our Vermont,” she said at the campaign rally on the high school grounds, organized by Women For A Change. “We have to transform our future. We have left a lot of Vermonters behind.” 

Gray faces three opponents in the Aug. 11 Democratic primary, including two Chittenden County senators, Senate President Tim Ashe and Sen. Debbie Ingram; and candidate Brenda Siegel of Newfane. Incumbent Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman is running for governor.

At Saturday’s rally, Gray spoke of major issues facing society, including racial injustice and the pandemic. She emphasized the importance of being united as we take on these problems, including everyone in the Vermont community. 

“Whether you’ve been in Vermont four years, four decades or four generations, we’re all Vermonters,” Gray said. “That’s the message we need to be sending. We need to come together.” 

Gray, an assistant attorney general in Vermont, has deep roots in the Green Mountains. Her family has been in the state since the 1800s, and she was born and raised in Newbury, Vermont, where her family owns Four Corners Farm. She went on to attend the University of Vermont, becoming a Division-I cross-country skier. After college, she helped elect U.S. Rep. Peter Welch to Congress and worked for him as a Congressional aide in Washington, D.C. Gray would later spend three years working for the Red Cross engaging the U.S. on humanitarian issues. 

Her strong interest in human rights followed Gray back to her home state, where she attended Vermont Law School (VLS). She later helped launch the International Code of Conduct Association, the first global initiative mandated to oversee the human rights compliance of private security contractors. Gray, currently on leave from her state job while campaigning, also teaches night classes in international human rights at VLS. 

When Gray looks at her state now, she sees myriad unresolved issues, including access to child care, paid family leave and climate change. As lieutenant governor, she wants to bring state agencies and groups together to resolve these important problems and invest in solutions. 

“I’m going to fight for Vermonters every single day,” Gray said at the rally. 

On schools, she pointed out that 41 percent of Vermont high school graduates don’t go on to further education. Gray said that underscores the importance of maintaining the state college system. The Vermont Colleges System came under intense scrutiny this spring, when a controversial plan to close three of its campuses was withdrawn after widespread public outcry. Now with a new chancellor at the helm, pressure remains to resolve chronic financial issues to make the colleges viable for the long term. 

In an interview after Saturday’s gathering, Gray said the inequities she spoke of can only be resolved with new leaders. 

“Same people, same outcomes,” she said. “It’s our responsibility to ask who’s at the table when we’re talking about economic injustice, social injustice, racial injustice, environmental injustice.” 

Gray was frustrated to see lawmakers scramble for broadband funding this spring when she said the issue had been building for so long.

“It shouldn’t take a global pandemic to take care of basic economic injustices,” she said. 

So far, Gray said Vermonters are responding to her message, noting the campaign has gained over 600 supporters and raised over $200,000. She emphasized the importance of resolving the inequities that exist right here in Vermont. 

“I feel like we’re having a 1968 moment in 2020, and we need the same kind of transformative change.” 

— Gareth Henderson