School Update October 14, 2016

1st Grade Engineer Designing with Light and Sound..

Important Information Regarding Upcoming School Conferences

Dear Moretown School Families,

We are excited about a shift this year to engage you, as parents and families, in setting goals for your child during the November family/teacher conferences.  Instead of three times per school year, we will now send report cards home only twice: in January and June. There are several reasons for this change. Foremost, by eliminating a reporting period in November, we have more time to focus on student learning and instruction. Together we will build a culture more focused on the excitement of learning rather than traditional grading.  A strong emphasis on grades may actually reduce student interest in learning and may create situations where students are less likely to take risks or to explore creative solutions to tasks. We believe we will set the right tone by starting the year with an emphasis on student learning goals, strengths and interests.

So, the upcoming November Parent Conferences will  focus on students’ goal and interests. Our goal is to empower our students to take a  role (this will look different for dependent on grades)  in reflecting upon and communicating about their learning. This practice helps to build dispositions and skills that will be vital to students’ education now and in their future years here in our school. To prepare for the November conference, we will ask that you spend some time with your child developing a goal for them to work on this year.  A specific goal setting guide will be sent home with your children to all families next Friday, October 21st.  Teachers will also work on a similar goal setting guide as well here at school, which will look different for different grade students.   We will use the “online” family conference scheduler this year as we have in the past, the link for this  will be sent to families once the dates and times are set.   Conferences will be scheduled in early November this year.

The March Parent Conference will provide an opportunity to reflect on growth and new goals that have emerged.

We look forward to getting to know your children better and receiving your feedback about these changes. To get your feedback, please look for a survey in the lobby or via email following your conference in November.

Sincerely,

Duane Pierson

dpierson@wwsu.og

Sign up to help out at our Halloween Party on October 31st!
Here is the link to sign up:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4ba9a722a4fd0-moretown4

Non- scary costume time - 4:30 - 5:00pm
All costumes - 5:00 - 6:00pm
At the Town Hall  

Important Note to Families

On Monday, October 17, many of our staff members will be attending the services for one of our alumni students Mary Harris. Thatcher Brook educators will fill in for the time period that we are out of the building. Jean Berthiaume, principal from the Fayston school, will act as the building principal for this time period. Please let me know if you have any questions.

CALENDAR UPDATE

2016

October 27	Picture Make - Up Date
October 31 Monday!	Halloween in Moretown Moretown Town Hall 4:30 - 5:00 - non scary costume time 5:00 - 6:00 - open time for all costumes
November 4-5	5th Grade Science Museum Trip
November 7 - 11	School Conferences
November 14 - 18	Book Fair at the school
November 19	Annual Pancake Breakfast - 8 - 11 (at the school)
November 23-25	Thanksgiving Break

Community Announcements

Please note that the opportunities/events listed below are not specifically endorsed or screened by school staff; as always, families should use their own standards and review processes to determine appropriate activities.
 

What You Say - What You Do...Makes a Difference!    A workshop focusing on Parent/Child Interactions & Self Esteem.  Wednesday, October 26th 5:30-7:00 pm,  Fayston Elementary School. Featuring renowned speaker and educator Scott Noyes.   This lively workshop addresses many hot topics:-How we are talking with children; The difference between praise and encouragement; How to avoid self-defeating patterns; Time to consider responsibility and independence; Discipline approaches; Looking into a day in the life of a child; Humor and fast paced stories make this a workshop you'll be talking about.

This workshop is free and open to the public. We recommend that anyone who interacts with children attend.  Childcare and light snacks provided. To pre-register for childcare contact Amy Yavitz @ 496-3636. For more information e-mailbarbara@hannahshousevt.org       Event sponsored by Hannah’s House, Fayston PTO, The Waitsfield Children’s Center, and Spring Hill School.
 

SPRING SOCCER SKILLS ASSESSMENT    MRVSA will be hosting a skills assessment for those that wish to play soccer in the spring of 2017 on Sunday October 16th at Mad River Park. This assessment will be run by Don Haddox (HUHS soccer coach).
Skills Assessment by age group times as follows (please arrive a few minutes early to check in and receive a bib for your player):
-U10 Girls (Birth year 2007 & 2008) 9:00-10:00am
- U12 Girls (Birth year 2005 & 2006) 10:00-11:00am
- U10 Boys (Birth year 2007 & 2008) 11:00-12:00pm
- U12 Boys (Birth year 2005 & 2006) 12:15-1:15pm
- U14 Girls (Birth year 2003 & 2004) 1:15-2:15pm
- U14 Boys (Birth year 2003 & 2004) 2:15-3:15pm
If you have a player who wishes to be placed on a team for the spring season, PLEASE EMAIL US in advance of Oct 16th at  registrar.mrvsa@gmail.com with your child’s name, town and date of birth indicating whether or not your child will be able to attend the skills assessment. For those who are unable to attend the assessment it is still important for you to indicate your child’s interest in playing in the spring now so we know to place them on a team- this will be the only way we will know your child would like to play.  We will then send out requests for formal registration in November and will comprise teams accordingly based on these registered players.Players should bring a #4 ball (#5 for 2003/2004 birth year) and a water bottle. Shin guards required.
PLEASE NOTE: There will be soccer in the spring for players born before 2008, but there will not be skills assessment for these ages. Information on the registration of these age groups will be distributed in March of 2017.


Spring soccer: In the spring the Mad River Valley Soccer Association provides a competitive soccer experience for boys and girls from the Mad River Valley and Waterbury areas. The Spring Travel program participates in the Vermont Soccer League and is for players who have demonstrated a higher level of skill and commitment to the sport of soccer.  The first game is held in the first weekend in May, the last game is typically in mid-June.
MRVSA will use results from the October 16th skill assessment, as well as fall coach skills assessments to select our spring teams.  Our goal is to assemble teams that will be competitive in the spring divisions we play in.  All players registered beforeDecember 30, 2016 will be guaranteed a spot on a team. Late registrants will be given a spot if space is available.  Practice: Twice a week (general schedule, may be altered according to needs of coach and team schedule)
U10 Girls– Mad River Park on Tu/Th
U10 Boys– Mad River Park on Mo/We
U12 Girls– Mad River Park on Mo/We
U12 Boys– Mad River Park on Tu/Th
U14 Girls– Mad River Park on Tu/Th
U14 Boys– Mad River Park on Mo/We
Games: MRVSA spring travel teams play games all over central Vermont and occasionally in more distant locations such as Rutland and Derby. Most games are within an hour’s travel. Games begin the first weekend in May and end in mid-June. Games are generally on Sunday afternoons, but there may also be a couple of Fridayevening games and a Saturday game. During some weekends there will be two games.
Equipment: The club provides uniform shirts, shorts and socks. Each player is required to wear shin guards under their soccer socks. The socks must entirely cover the shin guards. Each player must have a #4 ball (#5 for birth years 2003 & 2004) and a water bottle.

Cost: $125 Early registration fee until Dec 1, 2016. After Dec 1, 2016 there is an additional $20. No multi-child discount. Registration closes completely December 30, 2016. Scholarships considered upon request. Further details on registration will be sent out after the skills assessment.
Tournaments: All tournaments are optional. In the past we have had teams participate in the Essex Tournament (June), the Rutland Tournament (May), and the Weston Tournament (June). If coaches are interested in participating they will provide information on the tournaments and any additional cost of participating to their teams.

Attention: Girl Soccer Players in Grades K-6   Harwood Girls Varsity Soccer Coach Mike Vasseur would like to invite all girl soccer players in grades K-6 to the annual training with the Harwood Girls Varsity team on Friday Oct. 21 from 4:00 to 5:15 p.m. at Harwood Union High School. The varsity players coach this fun session for dozens of young players from across our school district. The big girls have games, drills and scrimmages planned. It’s a highlight of the season for everyone, and is a great way to show support for the Harwood Girls Soccer program. Players should come dressed for soccer, including shin guards and layers if it's cold. Bring a water bottle and a soccer ball if you’d like (with your name on them). Hope to see you there!