This article was written by the members of the U-32 Chronicle.

On Wednesday, February 11, U-32 principal Rebecca Tatistcheff sat down with the U-32 Chronicle Editors to answer questions about the most up-and-coming topics around U-32. This is the third article in an ongoing series called Principal’s Presser. 

Topics we will address: 

• Becca’s Initiatives 

• “Ring Ring Ring!”… Democracy Calls

• Slippery Slopes: What to do with the Snow?

Becca’s Initiatives by Samara Davis

Change is inevitable. For U-32, change has been a major aspect of the past two years. From a schedule change, to class cuts, to major budget changes, U-32 has faced many challenges. Principal Becca Tatistcheff had many reflections on her policy changes while at U-32, shedding light on the rationale behind some of the biggest changes. 

“I would say some of the initiatives have been successful, and some of them are really small. Like, there’s the ability for young people to make announcements, [and] whether you appreciate that or not, that wasn’t actually a thing that was allowed,” Becca said. Alongside the smaller changes, U-32 has increased food access and has plans to continue this. 

“There are two grants that are in the works. One will provide [paid] work-based learning opportunities after school for high schoolers,” Becca said. These changes have been made with the intention of “offsetting” some of the deficits that the school has experienced, such as the budget and class cuts. But are these changes enough to balance out the negative responses students and staff have had? 

The schedule change that was implemented this year faced the strongest backlash from the U-32 community. Students lost a class band, and teachers lost precious class-prep time. Becca articulated the main reason for the schedule change: school-wide stability, especially with a declining student population. 

More specifically, Becca believes creating smaller student groups will improve sustainability. “Moving to a great team structure likely will help create some programmatic stability,” Becca said. 

As Becca and U-32 move into the future, the question of how successful her policies have been begs to be asked. For Becca, there have been lots of improvements, but there are still changes she wants to see. “You should be able to know, and somebody should be able to track whether or not every student here is on track for graduation,” Becca said. 

Change is inevitable, and yet its implications for students and staff can be daunting. Becca believes that her changes have set U-32 up for increased sustainability and a stronger response to the changes in class sizes and budgets that will inevitably challenge the community. 

The Phone Bill: “Ring Ring Ring!”… Democracy Calls by Willoughby Mikus

As students in this day and age, we all rely on our phones to communicate with parents, friends, and loved ones. During the school day, we are loosely prohibited from using our phones. Most students view this rule as more of a suggestion, and phones can be seen laying out on tables. Although these rules are somewhat enforced by certain teachers, they are not mandated by law. But that all came to a halt when Vermont’s H.480 bill was introduced.

Signed by Governor Phil Scott on June 27, 2025,“the phone bill,” as it is commonly known, calls for the prohibition of cell phone use at schools in Vermont. This would extend to public, private, independent, career, and tech schools across the state, forcing students of those communities to relinquish their phones from the start of the day to the end.

One of the top concerns is how exactly this will go into effect; more specifically, what technology will be installed to keep the students of U-32 off of their phones throughout the day.

Principal Becca Tatistcheff remarks on this particular issue with her experiences at other schools, where she saw students with personal Yonder Pouches. Students were able to unlock their pouches at the front of the building when they exited, with a key mounted on the wall. When they entered the building, a staff member would verify that their Yonder Pouch was sealed properly. Tatistcheff thought that it was, “a new procedural piece that I looked at and was like, ‘oh, there’s a lot of trust for students.’” This process that Tatistcheff saw sparked an interest in including all of U-32’s students in the decision making process. 

On Friday, February 14, there was a meeting in callback for TA representatives and Student Council, and a follow-up a week later. Tatistcheff attended one of the two meetings, and noted that, “I think that the team has worked hard…to listen to the voices of both students and staff…it’s not easy.”

As students and staff alike at U-32 figure out what the phone bill will mean for them next year, it is ever-important to come together and collaborate over U-32’s latest challenge. Although it may feel like we as students have little control over what happens with our belongings, it is crucial that we recognise our opportunity to have our voices heard, and have a say in some of the changes made.

.

Slippery Slopes: What to do with the Snow? By Madison Atwood

Schools in Vermont during winter constantly battle weather related events, particularly heavy snow and ice, making travel to and from school difficult. How are weather-related school cancellations and delays called? 

For U-32 principal Becca Tatistcheff, it’s never an easy decision. “I don’t think there is ever a time when any superintendent has ever said, ‘Wow, I really hit it out of the park on that call,’” said Becca. When it comes to snow days, she lives in a state of wondering whether or not the right decision has been made.

Becca said, “I think you make the [best] call with the information you have at hand.” The school makes the decision based on what weather is currently happening, the future predictions, and most importantly, keeping students safe. 

People don’t always agree with the decisions made. On one particular afternoon, it was predicted to start heavily snowing at 6 p.m., so Becca decided to cancel all afterschool activities past 6. “I got feedback on that, as people were looking outside at 5:30 saying, ‘It’s not doing anything, you made the wrong call. By 6:15, I felt like I had changed my mind, like I felt pretty good,’” said Becca. 

Calling the weather-related school cancellations and delays is never an easy task; but schools must ride the wave of whatever weather is thrown their way, and respond accordingly. 

“The Phone Bill”

“Ring Ring Ring!”…Democracy Calls

As students in this day and age, we all rely on our phones to communicate with parents, friends, and loved ones. During the school day, we are loosely prohibited from using our phones. Most students view this rule as more of a suggestion, and phones can be seen laying out on tables. Although these rules are somewhat enforced by certain teachers, they are not mandated by law. But that all came to a halt when Vermont’s H.480 bill was introduced.

Signed by Governor Phil Scott on June 27, 2025,“the phone bill,” as it is commonly known, calls for the prohibition of cell phone use at schools in Vermont. This would extend to public, private, independent, career, and tech schools across the state, forcing students of those communities to relinquish their phones from the start of the day to the end.

One of the top concerns is how exactly this will go into effect; more specifically, what technology will be installed to keep the students of U-32 off of their phones throughout the day.

Principal Becca Tatistcheff remarks on this particular issue with her experiences at other schools, where she saw students with personal Yonder Pouches. Students were able to unlock their pouches at the front of the building when they exited, with a key mounted on the building. When they entered the building, a staff member would verify that their Yonder Pouch was sealed properly. Tatistcheff thought that it was, “a new procedural piece that I looked at and was like, ‘oh, there’s a lot of trust for students.’” This process that Tatistcheff saw sparked an interest in including all of U-32’s students in the decision making process. 

On Friday, February 14, there was a meeting in callback for TA representatives and Student Council, and a follow-up a week later. Tatistcheff attended one of the two meetings, and noted that, “I think that the team has worked hard…to listen to the voices of both students and staff…it’s not easy.”

As students and staff alike at U-32 figure out what the phone bill will mean for them next year, it is ever-important to come together and collaborate over U-32’s latest challenge. Although it may feel like we as students have little control over what happens with our belongings, it is crucial that we recognise our opportunity to have our voices heard, and have a say in some of the changes made.