CVU BOYS HOCKEY FACES LIGHT HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Champlain Valley Union’s Max Hopper (right) battles a player from Lower Canada College during the Redhawks’ 3-1 loss on Dec. 16. (Courtesy photo by David Yandell)

After dropping their first game of the season, 3-1, Friday (Dec. 16) at Lower Canada College in their annual trip north, the Champlain Valley Union High boys hockey Redhawks (3-1) returned to Vermont competition Wednesday night (after Observer press deadline) when they hosted Middlebury at Cairns Arena.

The game schedule over the holidays is limited to this coming Wednesday (Dec. 28) when the ‘Hawks entertain Rice Memorial at Cairns (7:15 p.m.) and travel to Barre to face Spaulding on Jan. 4.

Coach Mike Murray’s Redhawks are 3-0 in Vermont, with their most recent triumph a 4-1 clocking of Rutland last Wednesday (Dec. 14) in Rutland.

Max Hopper, Patrick Pattison, Pat Keelan and Jeremy Lerner potted the goals. Netminder Jason O’Brien had 12 stops as CVU held an overwhelming 39-13 advantage in shots on goal.

CVU HOCKEY GIRLS HOME TO RUTLAND WEDNESDAY

Winless in three games this season, the Champlain Valley Union High girls hockey team was pursuing that elusive first victory in Northfield Wednesday night (after Observer press deadline) against the 1-1 Northfield Marauders.

The Redhawks return home to Cairns Arena this coming Wednesday (Dec. 28) when they will try to even the season series with Rutland. The Red Raiders nipped the ‘Hawks 4-3 in Rutland Saturday (Dec. 17).

The game went back and forth until the Raiders scored the winning goal with just one minute and eight seconds remaining in regulation time.

Molly Dunphy had two goals for CVU and Rowan Hayes potted a singleton. Goalie Nicole Sisk kicked out 20 Rutland shots.

On. Jan. 4, CVU will hit the road to Highgate and face Missisquoi Valley Union.

PROMISING START FOR CVU GYMNASTS

After a strong showing at South Burlington’s class-by-class competition Saturday (Dec. 17), the Champlain Valley Union gymnastics team was in Milton Wednesday (after Observer press deadline) for a session with the Yellow Jackets.

The schedule of weekly events will bring the Redhawks home on Dec. 29 to meet Harwood and the following Wednesday (Jan. 4) when St. Johnsbury Academy comes calling.

At South Burlington, CVU gymnasts won 2 of 4 all-around titles. Megan Nick was the sophomore victor with triumphs on the vault and in floor exercise, plus a third on the balance beam. Sarah Kinsley captured the all-around crown for the junior class following firsts on the bars and beam. Senior Ashley Bachand, recovering from Achilles tendon surgery, took first on the bars and beam. Sarah Gerry tied for first among juniors on the vault and Grace Carey finished third on the bars. Madison Tieso was third in the freshmen vault.

CVU GRAPPLERS HEADING TO MIDDLEBURY INVITATIONAL

CVU’s Clark Poston won two matches in the 182-pound division on Dec. 14. (Courtesy photo by Jennifer Olson)

Hoping to milk some victories, the Champlain Valley Union wrestling team was in one dairy county this week, and will visit another next week.

The Redhawks travelled to dairy-rich Franklin County Tuesday and defeated Enosburg 66-3.

On Wednesday (Dec. 28), coach Rahn Fleming and his grapplers will be in equally dairy-prominent Addison County for the first of the two-day annual Middlebury Union High Invitational.

Last Wednesday (Dec. 14), at their home mat, the Redhawks split with two visiting teams — defeating Vergennes 63-15 and being nudged, 42-38 by Mount Mansfield.

CVU’s double winners were Patrick Shea (145 pounds), Connor Brown (152), Sam Fortin (170) and Clark Poston (182).

—Mal Boright

CVU 2-0 after defeating Spaulding in tourney

Dec. 22, 2011

By Mal Boright

Observer correspondent

The Champlain Valley Union girls basketball team made it two wins in two starts for 2011-12 with a 44-39 victory over host Spaulding Tuesday in the Barre Auditorium Tournament.

Center Remi Donnelly paced the Redhawks with 11 points and seven rebounds.

CVU returns to Barre Thursday to take on Colchester, which fell to St. Johnsbury Tuesday, 30-28.

As opening nights go, for the new edition of the CVU Redhawks, last Thursday (Dec. 15) was not bad.

The Redhawks took command in the second half to produce a 33-21 win over visiting South Burlington for new head coach Ute Otley, up from last season’s junior varsity squad.

“We did a good job with our defense,” she said after the triumph.

A variety of defenses including presses and traps limited the Rebels to 21 percent (8-for-37) shooting.

On Otley’s mind was the absence of veteran inside players, seniors Lazrin Schenck and Caroline Limanek — vital contributors in last season’s appearance in the Division I championship game. She said she hopes to have both back in January. Schenck has a foot injury while an ailing shoulder sidelines Limanek.

“Without them we have some players out of position,” the coach said.

Thursday’s first half was typical of opening nights with shooting woes, turnovers, physical contact and determined play. CVU held the Rebels to one hoop in the first quarter but led only 6-5 at the buzzer. Sophomore Kaelyn Kohlasch had three cord snappers while her mates went 0-for-7.

South Burlington held CVU to one hit in seven tries in the second quarter, due in part to seven Redhawk turnovers. The Rebs got three baskets in 10 tries and grabbed a 13-10 lead by intermission.

The second half was roundball redemption for the Redhawks as they outscored the visitors 23-8 and out rebounded them 21-8 to put away the contest.

Donnelly got to the wicket for nine of her 10 points. Elena Bayer-Pacht, though scoreless from the floor, turned in four rebounds, two assists, a steal and solid ball handling over the closing 10 minutes.

Kohlasch led the CVU scorers with 12 points to go with five rebounds and a pair of steals. Emily Kinneston had seven rebounds, five points and some assists.

BOX SCORE

CVU 33, South Burlington 21

South Burlington (0-1)

Simoneau, 0 3-4 3; Flynn, 1 0-0 2; Manazir, 0 0-0 0; Moody, 0 0-0 0; A. Flaherty, 3 0-0 6; Chappell, 0 0-0 0; S. Flaherty, 3 0-0 6; Gloyd, 0 0-2 0; Messer, 0 0-0 0; Barton, 1 2-2 4, Shiman, 0 0-0 0; Barrett, 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 8 5-8 21

CVU (1-0)

Lozon, 0 0-0 0; Bayer-Pacht, 0 2-7 2; Donnelly, 3 4-6 10; Kohlasch, 5 2-3 12; Kinneston, 2 1-2 5; Beatty, 0 0-2 0; Grasso, 0 0-0 0; Whiteside, 0 0-0 0, Krupp, 1 0-0 2; Leach, 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 11* 9-20 33

* South Burlington made CVU basket

SB        5   8   2   6  -  21

CVU          6   4   9  14 -  33

Redhawks face BFA Friday

Dec. 22, 2011

By Mal Boright

Observer correspondent

In high school basketball, there is little time to rejoice in a victory.

Just after his Redhawks put away visiting Burlington 53-45, at Bremner Gymnasium Tuesday night, Champlain Valley Union High boys basketball coach Scott Bliss was thinking about coming attractions.

“It’s going to be tough,” he said of Friday’s trip to St. Albans and Bellows Free Academy.

CVU returns home this Tuesday to tangle with South Burlington, which is off to an 0-3 start.

Then, on Friday (Dec. 30), the Mount Mansfield Union Cougars invade the ‘Hawks Hinesburg nest. At 3-0, the veteran Mount Mansfield team may very well be the elephant in this season’s Division I room.

The victory over Burlington had plenty of significance for Bliss, starting his fifth campaign at the Redhawks helm.

It was CVU’s first win over the Seahorses in at least five seasons and, according to the coach, his 50th triumph at the varsity post.

The Redhawks used accuracy at the free throw line in the closing minutes to put away Burlington, which sank eight three-pointers to stay with the ‘Hawks until late in the final reel.

With his team leading by a shaky 43-40 with just over one minute and 50 seconds left, junior Brad Bissonette unerringly nailed six straight pressure free throws while Tucker Kohlasch and John Keen each sank a pair to keep CVU in the van.

Bissonette and Joe Chevalier led a vital 11-8 fourth period edge on the boards, which were also crucial to the victory. Chevalier unloaded a big trey plus a deuce hoop early in the closing stanza to boost the Redhawks into the lead.

Bliss was pleased with his team’s work down the stretch, noting that the Redhawks had trouble holding onto late leads in two earlier contests — a home win over Missisquoi Valley Union and a narrow defeat at Vergennes.

Bissonette had a solid all around performance that included a game-high 22 points. The slim junior was 9-for-10 at the line. He tore down seven rebounds, added at least one assist blocked two shots.

Keen, wearing a noseguard to protect a recently broken nose, contributed a nifty six points, five rebounds and an assist. Inside musclemen Ryan Beaudry and Lucas Aube each got four points, with Beaudry grabbing seven rebounds and Aube six.

Scott Bissonette had the shot of the night when he picked up a contested loose ball just over mid court and unleashed a long bomb that banked off the glass and into the basket as the horn sounded at halftime. The shot gave the Hawks a 20-17 lead.

Burlington was paced by lanky center Sean Radan with 17 points and seven rebounds. Sniper Alex Carrier had 12 points and Ho Nguyan added 10 points.

CVU 53, Burlington 45

Burlington (0-2)

Grady, 2 0-0 4; Carrier, 4 0-2 12; Radan, 5 5-7 17; Nguyen, 2 4-9 10; Rodgers, 0 0-0 0; Boera, 0 0-0 0; Montgomery, 0 0-0 0; Hale, 1 0-0 2; Wright, 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 14 9-18 45

CVU (2-1)

B. Bissonette, 6 9-10 22; Keen, 2 2-2 6; Beaudry, 2 0-2 4; Whitbeck, 0 0-0 0; Kohlasch, 0 7-8 7; Aube, 2 0-2 4; Gilstedt, 0 0-0 0; Chevalier, 3 0-0 7; S. Bissonette, 1 0-0 3; Lynn, 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 16 18-24 53

BHS           9   8  16  12  -  45

CVU         12   8  16  17  -  53

Dec. 22, 2011

Multiple charges

Police, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration, conducted a search warrant at 3173 St. George Road on Dec. 20 and subsequently cited Donald Bevins, 75, of Williston with felony possession and cultivation of marijuana, and three felony counts of sale, possession and control of prescription drugs, according to police reports. Bevins was being held at Chittenden County Correctional Center as of press time.

Driving under the influence

•   Jamie L. Cahill, 28, (town unavailable) was cited on a charge of driving under the influence-third offense on Dec. 15, according to police reports.
•   Caitlin M. Quinn, 28, of Hinesburg was cited on a charge of driving under the influence on Dec. 18, according to police reports. Her blood alcohol concentration was .167, the report notes. The legal limit for driving in Vermont is .08. She was cited to appear in court.

Suspicious person

Police received a report on Dec. 18 regarding an approximately 18-year-old man with “brown hair to his ears” who got out of a vehicle at the Taft Corners intersection and kicked the Ramunto’s Pizza mascot, aka Mungo. No charges were filed and no other information was released.

Domestic assault

Muhammad Ahmad Chaudhry, 51, of Williston was cited on charges of two counts of domestic assault on Dec. 15 after police were called to his home, according to a police affidavit. Chaudhry hit his wife after she tried to protect another family member from being hit, according to the affidavit. He was taken to Chittenden County Correctional Center, and cited to appear in court.

Driving with suspended license

•   Danny L. Francis, 49, of Colchester was cited on a charge of driving with a suspended license on Dec. 13, according to police reports. He was cited to appear in court.
•  Joshua M. Goyet, 30, of Milton was cited on a charge of driving with a suspended license on Dec. 14, according to police reports. He was cited to appear in court.
•  Francis W. Stevens, 55, of Shelburne was cited on a charge of driving with a suspended license-criminal on Dec. 14, according to police reports. Laurie Smith, 54, of Shelburne was ticketed for “permitting illegal operation,” the report notes. Stevens was cited to appear in court on Feb. 6.
•  Dustin Larrabee, 25, of Burlington was cited on a charge of driving with a suspended license on Dec. 15, according to police reports. He was cited to appear in court.
•  Amanda Bellew, 29, of Burlington was cited on a charge of driving with a suspended license on Dec. 16, according to police reports. She was cited to appear in court on Feb. 14.

Police notes are written based on information provided by the Williston Police Department and the Vermont State Police. Please note that all parties are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

WCS hosts ‘Bring Your Parent to Math Class Day’

Dec. 22, 2011

By Steven Frank

Observer staff

Williston Central School math teacher Jared Bailey facilitates a conversation about geometric shapes with his fifth grade class on ‘Bring Your Parent to Math Class Day,’ held Dec. 15. Several parents sat in on Bailey’s class and approximately 80 attended overall. The day was designed to enlighten parents of fifth- to eighth-graders on a new style of mathematics instruction in Williston schools called ‘Best Practices in Teaching Mathematics,’ which focuses more on discussions about mathematical concepts instead of procedures. (Observer photo by Steven Frank)

To provide a solution for parents not educated on how mathematics is now taught to fifth to eighth grade students at Williston Central School, second-year district math coordinator Caitlin Bianchi developed a formula: invite mothers and fathers to attend their children’s classes so they can see the instruction first hand.

Approximately 80 parents factored into the equation on Dec. 15 when WCS hosted its first “Bring Your Parent to Math Class Day.”

“We were talking as a middle school faculty about how to better inform parents about math, and what math looks like now compared to when they were kids,” said Bianchi, who began teaching in 1993.

The new WCS curriculum, called “Best Practices in Teaching Mathematics,” promotes discussions about mathematical concepts in small and large groups, and encourages students to explain their mathematical thinking.

“In the past, there was a procedure that you did without necessarily understanding the concepts behind that. Now math is a lot more conceptually based,” Bianchi said. “The other thing is there is a lot more focus on discourse between students. It’s not just the teacher telling the kids what to do. There is more collaboration and focus on justifying your thinking.”

Technology is another factor in today’s math classrooms. Gone are the days of blackboards and chalks. Several of WCS’s math classrooms feature SMART Boards, an interactive computerized whiteboard that allows teachers to record images and easily resume from where they left off the previous day.

“Unlike just having a projector, you can move stuff around and bring in all kinds of graphics,” Bianchi said.

Julie Longchamp has been a teacher for 29 years — when students in Williston and throughout the country were taught a different style of math — but has embraced the new model. She was also pleased with how “Bring Your Parent to Math Class Day” worked out.

“We learned formulas and students now derive them, so they internalize,” she said. “(Parents) saw that today. It’s exciting.”

Karen Cutler enjoyed the opportunity to attend her son’s class and described the difference in math instruction from the time she was a student as “night and day.”

“It was great,” said Cutler, whose son’s class was working on the angle sum of a polygon using two different approaches. “The students were having fun. They were learning and they taught me so much.”

Jason Hibbeler, whose son, Peter, is in eighth grade, believes the day could help parents help their children.

“I think it can only benefit the parent and the student. When you’re not in the classroom, you don’t get the full picture,” he said.

One parent who wished to remain anonymous, however, walked away with a negative experience.

“I call it worst practices,” she said, “because there is no real instruction. It’s all questions with the same kids participating… They keep changing the math program and it’s not fair. They are using the kids as guinea pigs.”

Bianchi, who said the feedback she received was positive, added that there would likely be another “Bring Your Parent to Math Class Day” later this winter or early spring — this time for parents of children between kindergarten and fourth grade.

She called it a “pilot” program and wasn’t sure if there would be similar events for other school subjects.

“From what I hear, I think parents would like (to attend other classes),” Bianchi said. This is new to us this year and I think math is something parents seem to be concerned about as much or more than other subject areas because it is taught so differently now.”