Schools
Below are short descriptions about the two schools that educate Middlesex children. We are especially proud of our schools. More information can be found from the links at the left or go directly to the schools websites.
Rumney Memorial Elementary School
Middlesex children who are in Kindergarten through Grade 6 are served by the Rumney Memorial Elementary School, located at 433 Shady Rill Road. Parents of the approximately 150 children who attend Rumney are provided with a “Family Handbook” with details on staff, procedures and policies. More information is available on the Rumney Memorial School page of the Washington Central Unified Union School District website.
Rumney’s facilities, including rooms for meetings and athletic and other facilities, are available for use by Middlesex residents. Use of the indoor facilities is based on availability and the principal’s approval. There may be a fee charged if the activity will result in work for the custodial staff. To request the use of indoor facilities, fill out a building use form, available from the Rumney office. (See also: Recreation in Middlesex)
PART I: Harold Domanski submitted a transcript of an interview (Rumney History 1970s) with Barbara Buckley and Tim Hayward regarding the Rumney School in the 1970’s. According to Harold, “The interview plays out as a wonderful story, about and for our town, flowing well, and full of first-hand information and some humorous anecdotes from 40+ years ago. The people of Middlesex will surely enjoy and appreciate Tim and Barbara’s look-back through time, as encouraged by the interview talents and lively efforts of Leah Erlbaum, regarding one of the town’s more critical and controversial historical periods.”
PART II: Harold continues to share his accounts of education in Middlesex. He states, “I recently contacted Peter Smith, the missing committee member at our October 5, 2013, interview with Barbara Buckley and Tim Hayward, when we discussed the tumultuous years of educational change of 40 years ago, and the vision and hard work of our forbears that helped lead us to the Rumney School of today. Peter is now living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he continues his work to study and improve public education. I am happy to present thoughts expressed by Peter – on the interview, and on the educational turnaround that began in Middlesex in 1971. Click on this link to Peter’s contribution to the interview, which is followed by a photo gallery of the subjects and a link to the interview itself.” RumneyInterview20131005Conclusion
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U-32 High School
Union District 32 Junior-Senior High School (“U-32”) is a public school for students in grades 7-12 serving the towns of Berlin, Calais, East Montpelier, Middlesex and Worcester, with an enrollment of about 850 students. Unique features of U-32 include: the use of the Teacher Advisor system, in which each staff member acts as an advocate for approximately 15 students, allowing a student to experience an ongoing, in-depth relationship with one staff member throughout the student’s school career; the belief that sports and drama are co-curricular learning experiences rather than extracurricular, and thus are awarded grades and credit. U-32 is widely known for its outstanding theater arts and fine arts programs. School representatives remind Middlesex residents that U-32 was built by and for the communities it serves, and both its in-school and outside facilities should be seen as a resource. More information is available on the U-32 webpage. Phone: 802-229-0321.
Libraries
Rumney School Library
The library at the Rumney Memorial School (433 Shady Rill) is open to all Middlesex residents. Visitors must check in at the school office. The library is open from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. weekdays during the school year. The library offers books for ages 6 months to 12 years; a reference area with encyclopedias, maps, and more; parenting books and magazines; and books for educators that can be used by all. The library has a special Conservation Bookshelf (supported in part by the Middlesex Conservation Commission) with guidebooks, nature activity books, and local trail and river guides. Check with the library about its pre-school story hour. Phone 802-223-5429.
U-32 Library
The U-32 High School library is a valuable community resource, open to the public Mon, Tues. and Thurs. (7:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.), and Wed. and Fri.(7:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m). Closed in the summer. Phone 802-229-0321.
Kellogg-Hubbard Library
The Kellogg-Hubbard Library (135 Main Street, Montpelier) has support from surrounding towns (Middlesex votes on funding at Town Meeting) and is free to all Washington County residents. Kellogg-Hubbard offers adult and children’s books, audio tapes, magazines, videos, newspapers and Internet access. Free programs for adults and children are featured regularly. Books can also be obtained by inter-library loan. Pre-school story time is offered weekly.
Library hours: Check the Kellogg-Hubbard Library website for up-to-date operating hours as they change throughout the year.