Principal Sharon Gonyaw to Resign
Dear Lake Region Union High School Families,
I am writing to share some important news and to clarify recent reporting about my resignation. After much reflection, I have made the difficult decision to resign as Principal of Lake Region Union High School at the conclusion of the 2025–2026 school year. This was a very personal decision and is not connected in any way to district governance matters or the proposed unification study, despite how a recent news article portrayed the situation.
Serving the Lake Region Union community for the past ten years, nine as Assistant Principal and this year as Principal, has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Building strong relationships, fostering connections, and supporting students as whole people has always been at the heart of my work. My time here has been deeply meaningful, and I am grateful for the trust, support, and partnership of our families, faculty, and staff.
I want to reassure you that OCSU is in a strong and stable position. Thoughtful, systematic steps have been taken in response to the Governor’s request to address rising education costs, and the district has worked carefully to share information with the community and prioritize spending that provides our students with the education they deserve. There is no turbulence in our schools, and I am confident in the continued leadership of the district.
My decision to step down is rooted in my personal life. Becoming a grandmother has been a profoundly meaningful experience, and reflecting on the close bond I shared with my own grandmother has reminded me how powerful presence, time, and connection can be. I want to bring that same presence into my granddaughter’s life while still ensuring that Lake Region Union High School has a stable, thoughtful transition in leadership.
The OCSU Board and Superintendent will meet in early January to begin planning the next steps for leadership at Lake Region. They will communicate with our school community following that meeting to share the process for identifying my replacement.
It has been a privilege to serve this community. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and remain fully committed to supporting our students and staff throughout this transition. Thank you for your trust, partnership, and care over these past ten years, it has meant more than words can express.
Warm regards,
Sharon Gonyaw
Principal, Lake Region Union High School
I hope this email finds you all well.
We wanted to give you a heads up that Progress Reports are on their way home. They went out in the mail Tuesday afternoon and should reach your mailboxes soon. These are not final grades. We think of them as checkpoints–as indicators of how students are doing in their classes–and respond to these grades to the extent that we can in school by changing students’ study hall assignments when necessary or providing additional support in the classroom. In many instances, student absences and missing assignments are driving poor grades. Students can do some of the work of cleaning up poor grades at home during this vacation. If you need more information about how to support your student in catching up on missed work, please get in touch with your student’s teachers directly via their email, or reach out to a staff member in the office who can help you follow up with your student’s teachers:
Tim Chamberlin, Guidance Director (extension 315)
Chastity Urie, Guidance (extension 314)
Amy Kelley, MTSS Coordinator (extension 317)
Note: You can also check your student’s grades at any time in PowerSchool. Please call Mrs. King in the School Counseling Office if you have any questions about how to login to PowerSchool to review your student’s grades.
On another note, we also wanted to remind you that expectations around community service have changed. Until January 5th (the Monday we return from vacation), students can earn extra credit for completing community service and documenting their hours served. This is a special one-time offer designed to inspire students to get their paperwork completed ahead of schedule. I have attached a chart that should explain this offer more clearly. Please contact Ms. Powers at extension 109 with any questions about this shift.
Finally, we wanted to let you know that the deadline to register for Summer Drivers Ed at Lake Region is January 23rd, 2026. Students sign up for this opportunity in the School Counseling Office. They must have their permits in hand in order to register. Seats are limited, and first priority is given to our oldest students who have not yet had this opportunity. See Mrs. King or Mrs. Urie in the School Counseling Office with any questions.
As always, if there is anything we can do for you or your family, please feel free to contact us at Lake Region: 754-6521 or 754-2500. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have or to point you in the right directions.
Best wishes to you and your family. Have a wonderful vacation!
Amy Kelley
Mental Health Support: Northeast Kingdom Human Services has provided contact information for individuals and families requiring mental health support. Please reach out for help. Local service providers can connect you and your loved ones with skilled care and/or a safe place to seek assistance.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IV1_qx8ecmWyQWyh4W_SfU1TH1RIk0M-kOkyLLCBkpY/edit?tab=t.0
Tuesday, November 11, 2025, 6:30 pm, at Lake Region UHS.
A virtual option is also available:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/hjd-fhff-wme
Or dial: (US) +1 563-277-0713 PIN: 623 518 285#
All families, community members, and staff are welcome.
The Committee seeks input on the concept of a regional Elementary and Middle School, to be constructed adjacent to the Lake Region High School. The Committee will present an overview of this plan and alternatives, offer an opportunity for questions, and listen to feedback from attendees.
More information is available here:
https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3488/OCSU/6120697/OCSU_long_term_planning_forum_notice_November_2025.pdf
A link to the calendar posting for this event is here:
https://www.ocsu.org/events?id=49099065
More information on the committee and its work is here:
https://www.ocsu.org/o/ocsu/page/long-term-planning
Hello, Westmore families. Per Julie at Butler's Bus Service, there will not be a driver to cover the morning bus route through Westmore this coming Monday, 11/3.. The driver will return, however, to cover the afternoon bus route through Westmore. We apologize for this inconvenience. Please call Julie at Butler's Bus Service with any questions.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TEffl-2XA7-LC_m-Ki2uVyB7kSft67XcT6igmd5OI8o/edit?tab=t.0
We hope to see people there!
The Bounce House is up, tables are decorated, games are ready to play, and we look forward to having some real fun with you today! Trick or Treating, Games a family friendly version of the Haunted House and a Bounce House from 12-2. This event is sponsored by the OCSU PTCA and the Lake Region Student Council with help from Country Boys Rentals.
We are looking forward to seeing you tonight!
The Spaghetti Supper will be available at 5:30 and is FREE.
Art students and their talented teacher have organized an Art Show. Please come check out their work. And the Modern Band concert begins at 7:00.
The school is busy with preparations for the fun. Please come join us tonight!
Modern Band Concert at LR October 24th
Barton - The Lake Region UHS presents our annual Modern Band concert on Friday, October 24th at 7:00 PM in the LR Gymnasium. The LR Jazz Band, Modern band and solo vocalists will present music by Tower of Power, John Coltrane, Rodgers & Hart, Charles Mingus, Black Sabbath, Johnny Cash, CCR, Robert Johnson, Goodbye June, Couch, Evanescence, Tracy Chapman, Cranberries, and originals. Artwork by the LR visual arts students will be on display. Our Community Spaghetti supper starts at 5:30 PM, free to all concert goers. Admission is free but donations will be accepted to benefit the Music Activities and Scholarship Fund. This show is supervised by Dr. Sara Doncaster, LR Music Director at LR; and Chris Doncaster, bassist and LR Modern Band Instructor. For further information, please call Dr. Doncaster at (802) 754-2500 x219, or email sdoncaster@ocsu.org
the person showing unsafe behavior
students and staff impacted by the unsafe behavior
the school building and related property
Threat assessment is not an adversarial process; many threats are a cry for help. Having a team approach with a clear process allows for the safety of everyone involved. The process is designed to address, evaluate, and manage threatening behavior and troubling situations that may impact school safety. OCSU’s guide is based on best practices created by the U.S. Secret Service & U.S. Department of Education, and the need to follow these best practices are mandated by the Senate and House.
To learn more about behavioral threat assessment in OCSU, please visit this website. To report a potential incident please do one of the following:
Contact your school principal or the superintendent of schools (1-802-525-1204)
Email the team at: crisis@ocsu.org
Use our dedicated crisis form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAD01ohaIZa9tcu8F9KWYNK6KaPejqZFjt9ZgRgLoNrNAzSw/viewform
The Lake Region UHS presents our annual Modern Band concert on Friday, October 24th at 7:00 PM in the LR Gymnasium. There will be a Community Spaghetti Supper in the Cafeteria starting at 5:30 PM, free to concert goers. Artwork by the LR visual arts students will be on display. The LR Jazz Band, Modern band and solo vocalists will present music by Tower of Power, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Black Sabbath, Johnny Cash, CCR, Robert Johnson, Goodbye June, Couch, Evanescence, Tracy Chapman and originals. Admission is free but donations will be accepted to benefit the Music Activities and Scholarship Fund. This show is supervised by Dr. Sara Doncaster, LR Music Director at LR; and Chris Doncaster, bassist and LR Modern Band Instructor. For further information, please call Dr. Doncaster at (802) 754-2500 x219, or email sdoncaster@ocsu.org
For more information about events and activities at Lake Region, please join us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579378178392
You can also connect with Lake Region's Athletic Program
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092390649937
or learn more about Community Service at Lake Region:
https://www.facebook.com/LRUHSCommunityService
Some departments share information via Facebook, too like Lake Region's Music Department:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079730214783
and its Art Department:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564267911495
Please find us on Facebook and keep in touch!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TaHfPmDYW45VC887u1Lvtf0IfbUDBYGbkawSmia2Hds/edit?tab=t.0
We hope to see folks there!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdyq7m1qoQ2zAih4zfa9M_JzihWrxS7XnBHmHRH3sM8UHXFlA/viewform?usp=dialog
