Moretown Updates for the last week in September!

Our Invigorated PTN team met for the first time last evening...

Anyone can access our PTN minutes and agenda items 

click here to view information about the PTN

HERE ARE SOME OF SUPPORTED ACTIVITIES: 

Autumn Decorations

Annual Halloween Party - Oct 31 (4pm - 6pm)

Pancake Breakfast - November 14 (8am - 11am)

Artisan Fair - December 12-13 (all day) 

Wreath Sale

Movie Nights

A proposed  Ski program for the entire school!  All Tuesdays in the month of January and February

Come out and be a part of this amazing group of dedicated people!  Do what you can to help!  

Our next meeting is October 19 - either at 7:30am or 6:30 pm at the school!  

TOWN OFFICE CLEARING IS UNDERWAY!  

The play dismantling has begun.... the area around the work area will be off limits to our school community until further notice.   We are excited that this stage of construction also marks the very beginning of our new playground areas!  

What is happening at Moretown?

Hello Moretown School Families, 

Here is some news from around the school...

Our Pre-School ECO program in action

The Moretown School has partnered with the North Branch Nature Center to offer an educational experiential program  for our pre-school students on Wednesdays.  The outdoors offers the perfect classroom where student can and practice skills about working together and learning about science through hands on experiences.  This program is a great foundation for our students as they transition to our ECO program for grades K - 3.  Keep an eye out for a video about their experiences with ECO.  

Reminder:  PTN meeting on Monday, September 28 at 6:30pm at the school.  Much to discuss and be a part of!  Come and join our expanding team.  

Reminder:  We only have just about everyone's school data forms for this school year.  If you still have not completed them for this year - please do so as soon as possible.  

Link for reading about Mindset:  Here is a link regarding our SU theme of Mindset this school year.   An easy read with some  important use of words to encourage, not discourage, our students and your children towards the path of growth and learning.  Let us know if you have any questions. 

Mindset link here!

Town Office and Playground Update:   Work will begin on the new town office site on Monday morning, 9/28/15.    Our students will be able to use the soccer fields adjacent to the work site,  but only after the work perimeter is marked and set up with a safety fence.    Grade 4 - 6 will use the playground behind the school or areas up on the hill this is complete.  

At the same time we will begin ground work on the new playground space.  We will be working with the Town of Moretown, Friends of the Mad River, Vermont Rural Partnership, Yestermorrow and community members in the building of our new space.  A design drawing of the new area is posted on the wall as you enter the school.  

It is very exciting!  Let us know if you have any questions. 

Moretown Student as Designers in Action!

Hello Moretown School Families,

Below is a video clip from our 5th grade STE@M program.  Our 5th grade STE@M designers are busy creating new board games for our younger students to use.  As part of the design process they are interviewing students, examining how they play games and learning about their likes and dislikes so that they can design and create new game for them to play.  The video highlights the beginning of their design project.  We will capture their finished products on our next video clip as well as they will be on display during our open house on October 8th.

The Moretown School is seeking Autumn decoration for our Main Entrance.  

Pumpkins, corn stalks, hay bales etc. 

Just drop items off on the Main Entrance Porch.

  

Calendar Reminder: 

1.  September 28, 2015.  PTN meeting at 6:30pm at the school.  Lots of great opportunities to get involved with the school.  

2.  October 8, 2015.  Moretown Open House.  Our open house will begin with a pasta dinner beginning at 5:00pm.  Open house will begin at 6:00 and end at 7:00.  Hope to see you there!  

Sunny in September

Hello Moretown School Families,

Although autumn temperatures tried to make an appearance, it seems summer is here to stay for a bit. We have posted some pics of students enjoying the sunny days outside.

Here are some reminders:

- Please return all school information packets to the main office as soon as possible. We are very close to having everyone's information for this school year.

- Moretown's open house is scheduled for October 8th beginning at 6:00pm.    This year our 6th grade class will host a pasta dinner before the open house begins.  Cost for the dinner will go towards funding the 6th grade trip at the end of the year.   More information will be provided about this event over the next couple of weeks.

- The Moretown School Board will meet on September 21st at 6:00 in the school's library.  The agenda is posted below as well as on our website for your review.

- The Moretown School's PTN will meet on Monday, September 28, at 6:30pm.

- We are sending home a media release form for all students and a Tarrant Institute Release research study release form for students in grades 5 and 6 over the next couple of days.  Please read these forms and return them to the main office.  Please let us know if you have any questions.

SCHOOL BOARD AGENDA

Moretown Board of School Directors

School Board Meeting

Monday Sept 21, 2015

6:00 pm School Library

Agenda

I.   (6:00) Call to Order

II.  (6:05) Approval of August 9th Meeting Minutes

III.  (6:10) Public Comment

IV.  (6:15) Principal Report

A.  Communication

MECA update

Board Work Calendar - “draft”

B.  Curriculum

Tarrant Partnership for grades 5 and 6

Proficiency Based Learning Updates

C.  Climate

Driveway and Parking Lot proposal

D.  Employment

V.  (6:50) Superintendent Report

VI. (7:15) Financial Update/Board Orders/Decision Items

 VII. (7:20) Washington West Exec. Committee

 VIII. (7:30) Other items that may require action

A.   OLD

B.  NEW

• Combined Board Meeting with the Select Board

• Act 46 discussion

• Act 46 study grant vote

• Determining the October meeting date since regular meeting will fall on Columbus day

• Initial FY 17 budget discussion

IX.  (7:50) Executive Session

X. (8:00) Adjournment

Volunteers add much to our school day - thanks Mr. Bermester!  

Moretown School Update, September 11, 2015

Moretown School

September 11, 2015

Principally Speaking - Our Administrative Newsletter

Hello Moretown School Families;

We hope the beginning of the school year has been smooth and energizing for your children.  As with any transition there will inevitably be some bumps and changes to the daily routine - let us know if there is any way we can help with this transition.    

Our Principally Speaking newsletter will be sent out in a different format this year.  As you may be aware we are attempting to keep you more informed about the happenings and goings on here at the school by utilizing a regularly updated blog.  Here is the link to the Moretown School Blog - Moretown Blog.  

We will continue to send Principally Speaking newsletters twice a month to provide updates regarding important dates, events and messages that may be important for our families to know.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  

Important Announcements:

1. Please return school forms and paperwork to the Pam Washburn in the main office as soon as possible. If you need assistance please contact us at 496-3742.   

2. The Moretown School takes its civil role within the community very seriously.  We educate our school community about the importance of civic duty, citizenship and service within our curriculum.   We honored Patriots Day, September 11, 2015, within individual classrooms when appropriate using age appropriate materials and curriculum.  

3. Red Cross Babysitter Course offered - Saturday, October 3rd from 8:30 - 3 PM.  The cost is $65 which includes a book, CD, and certification card.  People must send a check payable to Harwood Union to the attention of Mary Holden, 458 VT RTE 100; S. Duxbury, VT 05660 in order to hold their slot.  Students must be 11 years old to attend and class is limited to 12 students. can also reach her by email at mholden@wwsu.org.  

4. 4. The Moretown School is looking for donations of pumpkins, straw bales, corn stalks, and any gourds that we can use to decorate our front entrance of the school for the fall.

(I know it still seems a bit like summer - but not for long).  Please drop off any items on our porch over the next couple of weeks.   

5. The next school board meeting will be held on September 21, 2015, at 6:00pm.  Please note that this is a change from our regular board meetings.  The agenda will be posted early next week.

6. The first PTN meeting will held on September 28th at 6:30pm at the school.  All are welcome!!   We have much to discuss and plan for this school year!  

7. Our annual open house for the 15-16 school year will be held on October 8th.  This year our school is preparing to offer a pasta dinner for all families to help with the busy evening.  We are working on offering this dinner as a fundraiser for our 6th graders class trip at the end of the school year.  (6th grade families should be getting an email soon regarding how they can help with this important event)  

Welcome  from our School Board Chair, Kate O’Neill

The Moretown school board wishes to welcome all faculty, staff, parents, students and the community as a whole into the 2015-2016 school year. This school year is underway with great success and positive energy. Your school board has much to work on this year, not least of which is ensuring fiscal responsibility, quality programs and services, and a vision for our school in changing times. All of this leads to the work we and the entire Washington West Supervisory Union will embark upon which is navigating the new legislation Act 46 (the governance structure act). We will work carefully to understand the details, the pros and cons, the programmatic impacts on our school, fiscal impacts for our town, and the perspectives of our constituents. All potential changes that Moretown and the supervisory union-wide board consider, and the timing of those changes, must take into account these factors. We will try our best as members of Moretown school board to maintain good communications as we embark on this uncharted journey. Thank you all for all that you do to support Moretown school ensuring that it is safe, healthy, engaging, challenging, supportive and... awesome.

Important Dates:

September 21 School Board Meeting - 6:00 in the school library

September 28   PTN meeting 6:30 at the school

October 12 School Holiday

October 13 No school for students - Inservice for staff

October 15 Picture Day at Moretown

Essential Moretown Staff introductions

Hello Moretown School Families,

As you may be aware it takes a team of hard working and valued people to keep the Moretown School running smoothly. Over the next few days we will take some time to recognize these as both valued school community members as well as unique and talented individuals.

PAM WASHBURN

Mrs. Washburn

Mrs. Washburn, our front office administrative assistant, has worked at the Moretown School for 13 years.    Prior to the Moretown School she owned and operated a day care center and served as an administrative assistant in another local school.  Mrs. Washburn was born and raised in Waterbury and attended Harwood Union High School.  She is a true Vermonter who loves everything our rural lifestyle has to offer.   She is the first person who families, students and community members meet as they enter our school.  Her welcoming, helpful and honest presence is a perfect fit for this front line position.  Mrs. Washburn acts not only as an administrative assistant, but also as our impromptu school nurse, our emergency drill coordinator, safety team member,  bus coordinator, fiscal officer, our holiday resource distributor, an on the sport emergency counselor and advisor, and keeper of all answers to questions that are the most hard to find answers for.   She is an essential and valuable member of our staff.  In reply question why she comes to work everyday she stated, "It the great kids and my colleagues that keeps me coming to work everyday, it's always an adventure and its fun".    On the weekends she love to ride her harley, travel to far away places, and most importantly spends time with her family - did we mention she has 7 kids!  Thanks Mrs. Washburn for your continued presence and commitment to our school community.  


IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATE!

PTN meeting planned!  

The first PTN meeting for our school will be hold on September 28, 2015, at 6:30pm at the school.  We have a lot to discuss, plan and provide engaging opportunities for our school community.  Everyone is welcome.  

Moretown's STE@M Class in action

Hello Moretown School Families,

We hope everyone enjoyed the final summer holiday weekend.  We have posted some pictures of our 5th grade STE@M class in action building wooden, engine propelled airplanes as the final portion of our unit on understanding the engineering design cycle.  Students will utilize the design cycle as the foundation for our experiences this year.

For the 2015-2016 school year, the Moretown School will offer our STE@M program for students in grades 4 - 6.  This 12 week, collaboratively-taught program introduces foundational engineering, design and communication concepts and tools.  Our curriculum is informed with local and national STEM curriculum, and aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core learning outcomes.   This year we will partner with the Vermont Energy Education Program and other various local organizations to support connections our students have with professional designers and builders who work and reside in our extended community .

 DATE REMINDERS:

TONIGHT! Tuesday, Sept. 8th at 6:00 at HUHS in the auditorium we will have our first presentation on the law, along with some cost models for Washington West based on what we know to date. Nicole Mace, attorney and Executive Director of the Vermont School Boards Association, and Brad James, an accountant for the Agency of Education, will present with Michelle Baker and I. This event will be widely publicized. We are encouraging all community members, faculty, and media to join the boards and administration as we begin to fully understand the law and begin our very important work.


Wednesday, Sept. 9th, the WWSU Executive Committee will debrief the presentation, set a rigorous working schedule (additional meetings), change the bylaws to expand the membership for this work to include an additional representative from each school board, and begin serious work on the primary guiding question; should the WWSU go for the accelerated merger option: why or why not?

Monday, Sept 21st - Moretown School Board Meeting - The Board agenda will be found on the link above. 


Have a great week!  

Have a great Labor Day Weekend.

Hello Moretown School Community,

We hope that you and your family and friends have a great Labor Day Weekend!

***Reminder that there is no school tomorrow, September 4th, for WWSU inservice.

Here are some recess pictures - we love the new mulch!!

Wednesday at Moretown

Hello Moretown School Community,

Wednesday Happenings....

 The Third Grade Experience 

just a bit of their day... 

Mrs. Riccardi's class at morning meeting - this is a vital part of building a community within a classroom and the greater school community.  Students start with a greeting, then a share,  finally a game or activity to help them get ready for the day.  

Mrs. Riccardi's class working on their Netbooks.  This is their first day with the devices provided to the school by the Digital Wish Foundation.  

The Library in Action

Mrs. Wood, our new librarian, exploring  digital citizenship with our upper unit.  

Our Cafeteria  .. who is in charge

Mrs. Cameron

(our wonderful food service lady) 

Mrs. Cameron works at the Moretown School - but is a member of the award winning Harwood Union Food Service Team.  At Harwood 90% of their food is made in their kitchen.  They incorporate as much local ingredients as possible.  We are glad we have them as our food providers,  For more information please go to our website and click on the lunch menu icon.  

What's happening at Moretown Today - just a glimpse..

Hello Moretown School Community,

What's happening at Moretown

STUDENT LEADERSHIP HELP MAKE THE RULES

As the new school year starts we are working on incorporating student voice  into the process of how our school's expectations are to be created.   A student leadership team (every class represented) met yesterday with members of our staff to begin the process of developing/adjusting/improving our school rules.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS - what are they?  

The upper unit students started their year by focusing on three important themes, community building, learning about"transferable skills" (basic skills that apply to many areas of their life) and setting up their classroom systems and routines.  Today students are working on posters regarding transferable skills and their importance for many parts of everyone's life.   These posters will be placed on the walls near the cafeteria over the next couple of weeks.  Hear what our upper unit students had to say about transferable skills....  

The Moretown Pre-School Students - already hard at work!  

It is such an honor to have your children for the day...  

Thank You