2025 Principal's Report
January 2026
As I reflect on this past year, I remain proud of the incredible accomplishments and growth achieved by our students and school community. Each and every day, I see evidence of this work as I observe and work with our talented students and collaborate with our exceptional staff and community members. The pride and admiration that I feel toward this community is immense; held in my heart and the roots that I have grown here over time. This year’s report for the community will focus on a snapshot of our accomplishments, ongoing goals for improvement, and a message of farewell and gratitude.
Educating our students to become successful and productive members of society is at the forefront of all we do. This is in fact what you, the Cambridge taxpayer are investing in. I spend a fair amount of time observing in classrooms and each time I do, I see our students reaping the benefits of our highly skilled teachers and staff members and rigorous curriculum. We monitor our student’s academic growth in a variety of ways including classroom, local, and state assessments. Three years ago, our students began taking a new state assessment known as the “VTCAP” or Vermont Comprehensive Assessment Program. It has been challenging to report these results to the community in time for this report as the state has chosen not to officially release the results until after the town report publishing date. This year, we are able to report all three years of data to you. As you can see, in most instances our students have performed well as compared to the LNSU and state of Vermont.
In response to a downward trajectory in reading for some of our students which is also linked to a national trend, the LNSU which includes CES has adopted a new literacy program for kindergarten through fourth grade. The American Reading Company or “ARC” is designed to drive strong student outcomes by embedding proven instructional practices into every lesson, unit, and year. ARC Core ensures students learn to read while building knowledge of the world, expanding vocabulary, developing writing and speaking skills, and gaining a deep understanding of complex texts. We are in the early adoption stage, but our teachers are working hard alongside our ARC consultant to implement the program with fidelity.
For many years, our science scores remained high thanks in part to a school wide effort to design and implement engaging science experiences for our students. We worked closely with a renowned expert in the field and we are once again returning our focus to this work to regain our momentum! Our students are participating in units of study through the OpenSciEd program. OpenSciEd elementary units are centered around real-world phenomena that children encounter every day. Our students are thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to be scientists and explore topics that are meaningful to them such as how climate change affects their playground.
While providing a high-quality academic program to all of our students is first and foremost, I also feel that it is important to recognize the many ways that we support our students in their development toward becoming thoughtful, caring, and creative citizens. Our goal is for our students to develop compassion and to grow up understanding the importance and value of giving back to their community. We are so fortunate to have so many generous individuals in our midst who model stewardship to our students every day through their volunteer efforts. As always, I send out a heartfelt thank you to the countless individuals who volunteer at our school through their participation in the CES PTA, Cambridge Rotary group, classroom volunteers, the winter wellness program, the third grade Cambridge History unit, and our canine friends (and their owners) who listen to students read. Fifth and sixth grade students are offered numerous opportunities to serve their school and the larger community through participation in volunteer opportunities at NCAL and the Cambridge community lunches, our tech ambassador program, and most recently through our student council and “P2 C 2” initiative. Personal Power and Community Connections or “P2 C 2” guides and empowers youth and adults to create positive change in their communities. Using an asset-based approach, our team is identifying strengths and opportunities in their learning environment using school climate data, celebrating their strengths, and brainstorming actions to take to improve their areas of concern. As a school, we continue to demonstrate that CES Wildcats care through food drives for the local food shelf, Green-up Day, student visits to the Manor Nursing Home and many other activities. Our drama club has grown to almost all of the fifth and sixth graders who can elect to perform or work “behind the scenes”. Last year, they performed “Annie JR” which was by far our strongest production. This year, “Newsies JR.” will be performed in April. I invite you to attend one of our shows. Like me, you will be so impressed with our talented students and staff! The work that our students and staff do every day on behalf of others brings me the most joy in my work and reminds me of the quote, “You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." MLK Jr.
We recognize that the fragile education finance and policy landscape continues as the reality; receiving a great deal of attention from our Governor’s office and legislature. The budget proposal that we present to you for your consideration was developed with this reality in mind. Our student numbers are ever changing and in the absence of a crystal ball, it can be challenging to predict a census for the following year. In response to the graduation of our sixth grade which is made up of three classes, we have once again elected to decrease one full time teaching position from next year’s budget leaving two classrooms each for grades Kindergarten through six. As a reminder, last year we reduced a total of 3.5 teaching positions from the budget. CES will continue to analyze the census, the needs of our students, and state mandates to spend only what is necessary.
Lastly, after 25 meaningful and unforgettable years serving as principal of Cambridge Elementary School, the time has come for me to begin a new chapter in my life. With a full heart, I share with you that I will be retiring from the field of education at the end of this school year.
This decision is bittersweet. It is hard to put into words what this school, this community, and all of you have meant to me. Through my work in this community, I have learned a great deal about myself, including my love for service and the importance of taking time to do the things I love, the things that nurture my soul and keep me balanced and prepared to handle adverse situations. I’ve had the deep privilege of walking alongside students, staff, and families through every imaginable season- times of celebration, and times of hardship. Together, we weathered historic challenges: a global pandemic that changed everything about how we teach and connect, devastating flooding that touched so many of our lives, and the heartbreaking loss of beloved colleagues and students who left us far too soon. We’ve also shared in joyful milestones—watching class after class of students grow, learn, and walk with a mixture of excitement and nerves through the doors to middle school, ready for the next step in their journeys.
Through it all, I have tried to be a steady presence- someone who could be counted on, someone who would listen, someone who cared deeply about every child, every teacher, every parent, and every corner of this school.
It has been the greatest honor of my career to serve this community. The halls of this school echo with laughter, learning, and love. They hold memories of holiday concerts, assemblies, performances, and quiet moments of encouragement. I will carry those with me, always. What a privilege it has been to work with the children of this community and watch them grow into adults and sometimes parents of children who attend our school! The brilliant staff that I have worked with over these years is second to none; sharing my deep commitment to nurture our students into thoughtful, productive members of society.
As I step away from education, I am looking forward to some new adventures, including further development of my small berry and vegetable farm and the products that I produce with the things that I grow; spending more time with my parents, volunteering in my local community including Meals on Wheels and a continued partnership with NCAL; fulfilling a huge service dream to travel to Malawi, Africa and volunteer at the Lilongwe wildlife rehabilitation center ( lilongwewildlife.org/volunteer/ ); and finally, working or volunteering with local senior citizens - again this is something that I have discovered during my time at CES volunteering with sixth graders at the senior community lunch. I know that this next season will bring its own kind of beauty, but a part of my heart will always be here at Cambridge Elementary School.
To the students- past and present- thank you for bringing so much light and joy into my life. To the teachers and staff- you are the heart of this school, and I am forever grateful for your dedication and partnership. To the families- it has been an honor to work with you in nurturing the lives of your children. And to this community- you welcomed me, supported me, and allowed me to be part of something truly special. I am so proud and grateful to have worked for this community for so long - I am a better person today than I was when I started because of my work at CES. My experiences here will continue to contribute to my evolution and development into an "older adult" who is not interested in slowing down, just pivoting slightly with a continued mission to help others.
The tremendous spirit of this place will ensure that this school remains a magical place for our children, staff, and community.
With deepest gratitude and love,
Mary Anderson