AI Minute: September: What Is AI?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is computer software trained to spot patterns and complete tasks and make decisions that typically require human reasoning. 

Everyday AI (Working in the Background) A lot of AI runs invisibly in the background. You don't have to turn it on or give it orders—it works automatically to make daily tech smoother and safer.

• Smart Filters: Catches spam before it reaches your inbox and flags fake transactions to protect credit cards.

• Personal Recommendations: Learn what you watch or listen to on apps like YouTube, Spotify, or Netflix to suggest videos and songs you’ll enjoy.

• Daily Helpers: Powers smartphone autocorrect, improves camera photos automatically, and predicts traffic to find the fastest drive home.

Interactive AI (Waiting for Your Direction) Other AI tools act like digital assistants. They sit quietly until you give them specific instructions or questions (often called "prompts").

• Writing Assistants: Summarizes long articles, helps draft emails, or explains tricky homework topics based on what you ask.

• Creative Tools: Turns your written descriptions into brand-new pictures, artwork, or music tracks.

• Research Helpers: Answers detailed questions about specific documents, books, or spreadsheets you upload.

MTSD Merger Preference - Survey

As part of ACT 170, the Education Transformation law, that went into effect this past June, the MTSD will soon be joining other SUs and SDs around the State to participate in Merger Study Committees. Each committee will include Board representation and be facilitated by a neutral, trained facilitator. 

The task of each committee is to 

• Conduct a feasibility analysis for the members to merge into a larger, single School District. 

• Create a report to include a recommendation and By-laws for a proposed merger.

If it is recommended that a merger is beneficial to the involved participants then it will go to the voters of each community in March of 2028. 

The MTSD Board of Trustees would like your input for a merger preference. Once our final merger group has been identified, then the Board will continue to engage the community on identifying the values to guide our merger trajectory. 

Currently, we are grouped with Colchester School District and Grand Isle Supervisory Union. However, we can request to belong to one of the other groups listed. Please indicate your preference within the survey

MTSD Merger Preference Survey

Milton Elementary kicked off our Year of the Book celebration today! 🎉
Children’s Literacy Foundation founder and storyteller Duncan McDougall joined us to share his love of reading. After an inspiring story time, every student got to choose a brand-new book to take home! 📚✨
Reading definitely sparked some serious joy at MES today!
#YearoftheBook #CLiF

Reminder: Today is our first early release day! Milton Elementary students will be dismissed at 2:25 p.m. Please make any changes to Pick Up Patrol by 1:45 p.m.

Click below to see the school calendar and the upcoming early release Wednesdays.

https://www.mtsd-vt.org/o/mtsd/page/calendar

This year, the Milton Town School District will be conducting an AI Safety and Awareness Campaign for caregivers and families. This will consist of monthly "bite-sized" information about AI (AI Monthly Minutes), and corresponding resources so that you can dig deeper if you wish. Our goal is to equip families with accurate information and strategies for safety and learning.

Monthly Topics:
September: Awareness, MTSD Principles and Academic Integrity
October: Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
November: Algorithms, Social Feeds & Screen Time
December: Creative AI & Copyright Ethics
January: Fact-Checking, Hallucinations & Deepfakes
February: AI and Balanced Perspectives
March: AI in Careers & Skill-Building
April: Environmental Impact
May: Summer Digital Boundaries & Year-End Wrap-Up

Join Us for Milton's Activities Fair & Community Dinner!

We’re excited to welcome students, families, and community members to this special evening in Milton!

🍽️ Community Dinner

Sponsored by: Milton Town School District

5:00–7:00 PM
Milton High School Cafeteria

Menu:

• Marinated chicken breast

• Fresh garlic-roasted green beans

• Scalloped potatoes

• Apple Crisp

• Lemonade & water

🎉 Activities Fair

5:30–7:30 PM
Milton High School Gymnasium

Discover local programs, clubs, organizations, businesses, and services for all ages!

📍 Location

• Dinner: Milton High School Cafeteria

• Activities Fair: Milton High School Gymnasium

Everyone is welcome!❤️

This special evening is proudly sponsored by Milton PTA and Milton Recreation & Parks.

MTSD IS SEEKING SUBSTITUTES 🍎

Flexible work. Meaningful impact.

Looking for a flexible job where you can make a difference in students’ lives? Join our substitute team!

Why Substitute?

• Flexible scheduling - work the days that fit your schedule

• Indicate your preferred location or position: Elementary, Middle, or High School; Teaching and Learning; Van Drivers; Food Services or Buildings and Grounds

• Opportunities for consecutive-day assignments

• Make a difference in your local school community

Competitive Pay

Non-Instructional Staff
$21/hour

Instructional Support Staff
$23/hour
$26/hour with a Bachelor's degree

Substitute Teachers — Daily Rates
$160/day — High School Diploma or Associate Degree
$180/day — Bachelor's Degree
$240/day — Licensed Teacher

Whether you're looking for occasional work or want to work a few days each week, there's flexibility to make substituting work for you.

Apply today: https://www.schoolspring.com/

🚌 Pre-K Bus Routes Are Now Available!

Dear Pre-K Families,

Pre-K bus routes are now available on our website.

View the bus routes: https://www.mtsd-vt.org/page/bus-routes.

Thank you, and we look forward to a wonderful school year! 📚

MES Car Lane Dismissal Notice

If you pick up your child in the car lane behind the building, please keep your yellow name tag clearly visible on your dashboard.

If you need a new name tag (distributed in classrooms and at the Back-to-School BBQ), please contact the front office to request a replacement at 802-893-5631 or 802-893-5631.

Thank you for helping us keep dismissal safe and orderly!

It takes a village, and the MES community showed up in full force! 💙✨
From our amazing PTA “Chalking the Walk” to our incredible custodial and maintenance crews making every hallway shine, school is officially back in session!
We welcomed our students back this week with endless smiles and big energy. Here’s to a terrific school year ahead! 🎒🍎 Photo credit to Beltrami Studios

MTSD Families,

The Apptegy Rooms invite has arrived!

Please check you inbox for an email from accounts@thrillshare.com. The email was sent around 9:30 this morning.

We've also attached a Next Steps Guide to help support logging in and getting started.

Important Bus 12 MMS and MHS ONLY Schedule Update

We have been alerted by the bus company that the Bus 12 times for Middle and High School were incorrect.

We have now updated the bus times on our website.

Please note:

• This ONLY affects Bus 12.

• This ONLY affects riders from the Middle and High School.

• No other buses were affected.

Please visit our website or refer to the attached document for the updated Bus 12 times.

Website Link: https://www.mtsd-vt.org/page/bus-routes

Dear Families,

The school bus pickup and drop-off times will be posted on the school websites by 5 pm on Friday, August 21st. These times are estimated based on the most current information we have regarding ridership. 

During the first few weeks of school, actual bus pick up and drop off times may vary from the scheduled time by up to 15 minutes due to several daily factors:

• Changing Ridership: 

  • At the start of the school year, families are still making decisions regarding school transportation.

  • We still have families moving in and out of the District 

As a result, on some days we have fewer students which speeds up the route, while on other days we have more students which takes longer. 

• Traffic & Construction: 

  • Bus drivers are still learning the patterns of local roadwork and daily commuter traffic which could cause them to be either early or late

Schedules will become much more consistent after these initial weeks. 

We truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we kick off the school year!

We’re So Excited to Welcome You Back!

A quick update about tomorrow’s Back-to-School BBQ!

Due to the bathroom renovation project not being quite completed, we are moving the BBQ location to the back of the school building, between Milton Elementary School and Milton Middle School. This change will allow us to better accommodate seating and bathroom needs. We will have plenty of people to help navigate and sign so that you know where to go.

You can still enter the elementary school through the main entrance and visit classrooms as planned. We are simply shifting the dinner location.

We hope to see you tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. for a fun afternoon of reconnecting, visiting classrooms, and kicking off a wonderful new school year together!

We can’t wait to see you!

LAST CHANCE for Trimester 1. It's time to sign up for Milton Minds in Motion for Trimester 1! This free afterschool program for students in grades 3-8 is open after school until 4:30, and bus transportation is available! Find all information and signups here: MMM Afterschool Program Signup Trimester 1.