Moretown School Update, May 29, 2017

Moretown' s sixth grade class trip

A great adventure it was...  

BBQ and Music Concert 

Dear Families,

This is a link to the sign up genius for our school BBQ on

 Wednesday, June 7th.  

Any donations or help with the BBQ are appreciated. 

Check out the sign up genius link below: 

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0b44a9a923a1f49-moretown2 

Dear Mad River Neighbors

The kids at Moretown Elementary School need our support, and we are hoping we can count on you!  

Students sitting on the “concrete patch” at recess

looking forward the new playground

Chain Reaction

Nearly six years ago, Tropical Storm Irene wiped out our Town Clerk’s Office.  We now have a beautiful and functional new one, but the site that was chosen was the former “Big Kids’ Playground” at the Moretown School.  

Design Process

The playground was torn down and a team of students spent a year working with professionals and teachers to design their ideal playground.  With funding from a Vermont Rural Partnership Grant, they surveyed fellow students, did site visits to other schools, drew maps, researched structures, and calculated budgets.   They created a model and presented this to the Selectboard and the Secretary of Education.

Funding

$25,000 from the Deeryard Fund is designated for the playground and it is currently under construction.  It is now located up by the tennis courts behind the school (out of the flood zone).  However, there is a gap between what the children envisioned and what the funding can cover.  Will you help make this playground what the children have hoped for?  

The “Heart of the Playground” initial

drawing by Sarah Zschau

Heart of the Playground

Specifically, one element not currently funded is the “heart of the playground”, a seating area where kids can gather on black locust stumps with landscaping and shade trees.  We would like to have additional money for children to choose at least one more structure from their wish list.  We have a goal of $5,000 to raise by July 1 so it can be finished by the fall.  

Please send checks to:

MRNA (Mad River Neighborhood Association)

℅ Tom Allen

2444 Route 100B

Moretown, VT  05660

Memo line: Playground

Thank you!

Mad River Neighborhood Association Board

Lee Anne Martin , Jeb Bouchard, Tom Allen, Rick Hungerford

Scott Sainsbury, Karen Sharpwolf

CALENDAR UPDATE

May - June  2017

June 1	Art Show  6pm
June 2	Step-Up for 6th grade
June 7	Moretown BBQ and Annual Music Concert
June 13	Annual Field Day Celebration
June 15	Moretown Graduation
June 16	Final Day of school for students - Half Day - bus schedule will be out in early June.

Mark your calendars:  A town/school/community committee is planning our next Morefest Celebration for August 26, 2017.  Family fun, activities, music and perhaps Fireworks are in the line-up.  More on this event will be posted on Front Porch Forum on on future newsletters.  

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.

Mad River Rippers    The Mad River Riders are sponsoring a mountain bike program for kids this summer.  It starts May 30 and runs through September 26. Rides are every Tuesday from 5 to 7 PM at the Blueberry Lake trail network in Warren.  It’s recommended for kids from ages 6 to 13.  The cost is minimal - $50 for the season and free to Vermont Mountain Bike Association members.  Scholarships are available.  Attendance at 8 or more sessions earns a free Rippers t-shirt.  In addition to the Blueberry Lake rides, we’re offering 7 advanced rides around the Valley for older kids.  Go to http://www.madriverriders.com/press-release or email bob@madriverriders.com for more information.   


“Change Your Weather" Workshop”with guest Lou Bevacqui, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7th, 4-5:30, Joslin Memorial Library, for children grades K-4 and their parents/caretakers. Join local author, father, coach, acupuncturist Lou Bevacqui as he introduces his newly published book, “Changing Your Weather,” and previews a series of free summer programs for children based on the book’s concepts. How can children identify and use the information that their emotions provide when making decisions, instead of emotions consuming all their energy and mental resources allowing those emotions to make their decisions (and reactions) for them? How can they build their self-awareness and develop internal tools that make it possible for them to choose the way they want to feel? In this introductory workshop, Lou will share his new book and introduce the ideas that will be explored more fully in free weekly workshops in July. July workshops will feature interactive art activities, outdoor activities, discussion, and exploration of the senses, with take-home tools and artwork.

PH International (www.ph-int.org ) is seeking host families for university students from Russia ages 18-20 interested in environmental sustainability.  These students will be visiting Vermont through PH International’s Russian Youth Environmental (RYEP) Program. Youth participants will be placed in homestays during their time in Vermont to learn about American culture and family life.  Host families are asked to provide a comfortable and clean place to sleep, breakfast and dinner, minimal transportation to centralized pick-up and drop-off locations and some weekend activities. We are currently recruiting interested host families for July 6-17^th and/or August 15-25^th or a portion of the participant’s stay during these dates.
 To find out more about hosting opportunities in July or August, please contact Renee Berrian or Ivan Tabanin at (802) 496-4545 or email at renee.berrian@ph-int.org / ivan.tabanin@ph-int.org.

Stowe and Mad River Dance Academy present Mary Poppins and an evening of dance, June 2 and 3(many valley students in this show), 6:00pm, and June 4, at 1:00pm, at Dibden Center, Johnson State College. Admission is $20 adults and $16 Children. Tickets are available at Stowe Dance Academy,177 South Main Street in Stowe, or by calling 802-253-5151.

USA LUGE Slider Search:  Try out for the USA Luge Team, Burlington, June 17 & 18, 9am-12pm and 2pm-5pm each day.  Choose the one clinic you would like to attend at the Champlain Valley Exposition, in Essex Junction. For boys and girls ages 9-13. No experience is necessary and it is free.  To register or for more information: visit www.teamusa.org/usa-luge/slider-search.

Moretown School Update May 19, 2017

Moretown student scootering to school.
Way to go!! 

Playground Under Construction

The Moretown School is happy to report that the new playground (located near the town tennis courts) is under construction after years of planning and approval vetting. Due to our recent wet weather, construction was delayed this spring, but now things have dried out enough to allow the work to be done. We hope to have the playground ready for students in early June. This project was started three years ago as part of a Vermont Rurall Partnership grant that support students and adults working together on genuine community projects. The playground construction is being funded by the town's deer yard fund, established by the select board to benefit the youth of our community.

School Choice

Dear WWSU Parents:

I am writing to make you aware of a new policy that our HUUSD Board adopted on 3/9/17.  F33-L Intra-District Choice, K-8, will allow students in grades K-8 to attend any of the schools in the Harwood Unified Union School District (Crossett Brook Middle School, Fayston Elementary School, Harwood Union Middle School, Moretown Elementary School, Thatcher Brook Primary School, Waitsfield Elementary School, Warren Elementary School) beginning in the Fall of 2017, regardless of your town of residence within the supervisory union.

Our merger under Act 46, where we operate all of our schools under one budget, makes intra-district choice possible without financial penalty to the taxpayers, unlike the previous laws around residency.  We hope the flexibility that we are now able to provide in these years of ongoing declining enrollment state-wide will attract and retain as many families as possible PK-12 to our communities.

Our earlier survey clearly indicates most families intend to continue having their students attend their resident school.  Please review the policyabout Intra-District School Choice here. If you plan to make a change for your child for Fall 2017 from your resident school to another HUUSD school, you need to do two things:

1. Contact the building principal in the school you want your child to attend in the fall as soon as possible, but not later than June 21, 2017, so we can adequately prepare.  Phone numbers for the principals can be found here.  (Scroll down to the bottom of page for school contacts)

2.  Complete this form and submit it to the Principal at the school you want your child to attend in 2017-18.  (You can also find the form on our Home page at www.wwsu.org.)

Bus transportation shall be made available where possible but is not guaranteed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call - 802-496-2272, ext. 114.

Best Regards,

Brigid Nease, Superintendent

Message from the Health Office

Ticks and Lyme Disease

Warm weather is arriving, which means that tick season is starting.  Lyme disease is spread by deer ticks, which are found in our area. Deer ticks live in grassy, wooded, brushy areas and can be very small (see picture below). Ticks typically must be attached for 36 hours or longer to spread lyme disease; promptly removing ticks can prevent infection.  Lyme disease can affect your skin, heart, nerves, and joints.  Lyme disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics.  However, not all tick bites require antibiotics.  The American Academy of Pediatrics issues guidelines as to when treat tick bites so that children are not exposed to unnecessary antibiotics.     

After a tick has been attached and removed, a person often experiences redness where the tick was attached.  This is from the tick's saliva while it was attached and is a normal reaction.  It can be compared to when a person gets bitten by a deer fly and has a large red area where the fly bite occurred.  

Read below for tips, from the Vermont Department of Health, that can help you deal with ticks:

While outdoors

• As much as possible, avoid high grass and bushy areas; stay on hiking trails.
• Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to minimize skin exposure to ticks.
• Tuck your pants into your socks to form a barrier to tick attachment.
• Wear light-colored clothing to help see ticks on your clothing.
• Check for ticks, looking particularly for what may look like nothing more than a new freckle or speck of dirt, and remove ticks promptly (see reverse page).

After you come inside

• Check your or your child’s body for ticks, and remove them promptly. Pay special attention to the head, armpits, and groin area.
• Showering within a few hours of being outside may also be helpful.

The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to prevent tick bites.

It is okay if the tick's head is not removed.  Lyme disease is contained in the tick's stomach. As long as the body is removed from the head, lyme disease cannot be transmitted.  If the head is not removed, a person's body will expel the head in a few days.

The rash associated with Lyme Disease has a bullseye appearance.  If you notice this type of rash, it should be evaluated right away.

For more information on Lyme Disease and how to prevent it, please visit the

Vermont Department of Health and the AAP Healthy Children website

MORETOWN APPARELL AVAILABLE

Moretown T-Shirts and Sweatshirts are now available to purchase on line.

We want to thank Deerfield Designs for their help in creating our link that is now open 24/7 with delivery options.   Proceeds will support the 6th grade class trip fund.

Add Moretown Store Link:  https://cart.deerfielddesigns.com/moretown_elementary_school

MUSIC Concert ANNOUNCEMENT

5th and 6th Grade Band Parents!

We are gearing up for our Spring Concert, scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday evening, June 7th.

Students will be playing the following selections from their book:

#42, #44, #48, #49, and #50.  

With SBACs and end of year activities, lessons and rehearsals can be interrupted. It would help greatly for students to be practicing these selections regularly at home.

4th grade band parents!

We are gearing up for our Spring Concert, scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday evening, June 7th.

Students will be playing the following selections from their book:

#14, #22, #23, #24, #26, and #27.

With testing and end of year activities, lessons and rehearsals can be interrupted. It would help greatly for students to be practicing these selections regularly at home.

I'm looking forward to a fun evening of music!

Please be in touch with any questions.

Jhill@wwsu.org

Thank you!

CALENDAR UPDATE

May  2017

May 24	HUUSD Board Meeting Harwood Union Library 6:00pm Agenda is located at wwsu.org
May 25-26	6th Grade Class Trip
June 1	Art Show  6pm
June 2	Step-Up for 6th grade
June 7	Moretown BBQ and Annual Music Concert
June 13	Annual Field Day Celebration
June 15	Moretown Graduation
June 16	Final Day of school for students - Half Day - bus schedule will be out in early June.

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.

Blood Drive, Harwood Union Middle School Multipurpose Room, May 30, 10:30-4:00, sponsored by Harwood Union High School Student Council.  Please call the Red Cross at 800-733-2767 to schedule an appointment.

Circus Smirkus is looking for homestay families for the nights of July 4th, 5th and 6th. Families who host will earn one free ticket to the Circus per night of hosting (so they can earn 3 free tickets this way)! It's a fun way for families to connect with the performers (the Circus performers are ages 11-18). Homestay families help drive the performers who are staying in their home to Kenyon's in the morning and pick them up in the evenings, and provide breakfast and dinner meals when the performers are at their home. Families who are interested in finding out more should contact Grace Emelett at grace.emelett@yahoo.com.

Bike Repair Cafe, Sunday, May 21st, 1-3pm(note this time change from original announcement), Moretown Rec Field. Bring your bike along with any tools you have to the pavilion at the rec. field, and receive some hands-on training from the Mad River Riders just in time for the season. Learn how to make simple repairs and some basic maintenance how-tos. Come early with gloves if you would also like to help spruce up the Town Forest trails so they are ready for your summer use, trail work will begin at 10am.

Birding by Ear, A Two Part Workshop from Moretown Memorial Library and the Mad Birders, Saturday, June 3rd, 4pm at the Moretown School, Sunday, June 4th, 7:30-9:30am at Pony Farm, 182 Pony Farm Rd. in Moretown. Have you ever wondered which bird is making what sound in the overwhelming chorus of song we hear this time of year? Then join us as we delve into the exciting world of birding using our ears. During the first interactive session indoors learn some tips and tricks for listening to and identifying our feathered friends, then head out in the early morning for our second session to practice and discover. Both sessions are free, and all ages are welcome. For more information or to register, please contact 496-9728 ormoretownlibrary@gmail.com.

Moretown School Update, May 12, 2017

Moretown Goes Skating

Thank you Moretown PTN for making this happen!

Message from the Health Office

Ticks and Lyme Disease

Warm weather is arriving, which means that tick season is starting.  Lyme disease is spread by deer ticks, which are found in our area. Deer ticks live in grassy, wooded, brushy areas and can be very small (see picture below). Ticks typically must be attached for 36 hours or longer to spread lyme disease; promptly removing ticks can prevent infection.  Lyme disease can affect your skin, heart, nerves, and joints.  Lyme disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics.  However, not all tick bites require antibiotics.  The American Academy of Pediatrics issues guidelines as to when treat tick bites so that children are not exposed to unnecessary antibiotics.     

After a tick has been attached and removed, a person often experiences redness where the tick was attached.  This is from the tick's saliva while it was attached and is a normal reaction.  It can be compared to when a person gets bitten by a deer fly and has a large red area where the fly bite occurred.  

Read below for tips, from the Vermont Department of Health, that can help you deal with ticks:

While outdoors

• As much as possible, avoid high grass and bushy areas; stay on hiking trails.
• Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to minimize skin exposure to ticks.
• Tuck your pants into your socks to form a barrier to tick attachment.
• Wear light-colored clothing to help see ticks on your clothing.
• Check for ticks, looking particularly for what may look like nothing more than a new freckle or speck of dirt, and remove ticks promptly (see reverse page).

After you come inside

• Check your or your child’s body for ticks, and remove them promptly. Pay special attention to the head, armpits, and groin area.
• Showering within a few hours of being outside may also be helpful.

The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to prevent tick bites.

It is okay if the tick's head is not removed.  Lyme disease is contained in the tick's stomach. As long as the body is removed from the head, lyme disease cannot be transmitted.  If the head is not removed, a person's body will expel the head in a few days.

The rash associated with Lyme Disease has a bullseye appearance.  If you notice this type of rash, it should be evaluated right away.

For more information on Lyme Disease and how to prevent it, please visit the

Vermont Department of Health and the AAP Healthy Children website

MORETOWN APPARELL AVAILABLE

Moretown T-Shirts and Sweatshirts are now available to purchase on line.

We want to thank Deerfield Designs for their help in creating our link that is now open 24/7 with delivery options.   Proceeds will support the 6th grade class trip fund.

Moretown Store Link:  https://cart.deerfielddesigns.com/moretown_elementary_school

CALENDAR UPDATE

May  2017

May 24	HUUSD Board Meeting Harwood Union Library 6:00pm Agenda is located at wwsu.org
May 25-26	6th Grade Class Trip
June 1	Art Show  6pm
June 2	Step-Up for 6th grade

Upcoming events:  

1.  Our annual Music Concert will be held on June 7th.  

Please note:  The ECO fundraising committee will host their annual BBQ on this day as well.

Watch for the sign-up genius coming soon.  

2.  The last day of student day for the 16-17 school is June 16th - this is a half day for students.   

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.

Blood Drive, Harwood Union Middle School Multipurpose Room, May 30, 10:30-4:00, sponsored by Harwood Union High School Student Council.  Please call the Red Cross at 800-733-2767 to schedule an appointment.

Circus Smirkus is looking for homestay families for the nights of July 4th, 5th and 6th. Families who host will earn one free ticket to the Circus per night of hosting (so they can earn 3 free tickets this way)! It's a fun way for families to connect with the performers (the Circus performers are ages 11-18). Homestay families help drive the performers who are staying in their home to Kenyon's in the morning and pick them up in the evenings, and provide breakfast and dinner meals when the performers are at their home. Families who are interested in finding out more should contact Grace Emelett at grace.emelett@yahoo.com.

College Admissions Panel Presentation: Join us to develop an understanding of the college admission process, THURSDAY, MAY 11TH, 6-7:30PM , HARWOOD UNION SCHOOL. Please RSVP so we can arrange suitable seating. If you have questions, submit them along with your RSVP. The Panel will do their best to address submitted questions. Admissions representatives from the following institutions will be in attendance: Champlain College, Middlebury College, Saint Michael's College, and The University of Vermont. The information presented will cover: Admission Process, Application Review, Supporting Documents including: transcripts, school profile, letters of recommendation, portfolios, and test scores as well as submitted questions and answers. You may RSVP by sending an email to wgilbert@wwsu.org or calling 802-882-1101.

Moretown Open Mic Night, Fridays, May 12 and June 9th, 7-10pm, doors open at 6:30. Come together for this series of open mic music and performances at Moretown Town Hall the second Friday of each month through June. Free. All ages and levels of accomplishment welcome, audience members needed too!

Bike Repair Cafe, Sunday, May 21st, 3-5pm, Moretown Rec Field. Bring your bike along with any tools you have to the pavilion at the rec. field, and receive some hands-on training from the Mad River Riders just in time for the season. Learn how to make simple repairs and some basic maintenance how-tos. Come early with gloves if you would also like to help spruce up the Town Forest trails so they are ready for your summer use, trail work will begin at 10am.

Birding by Ear, A Two Part Workshop from Moretown Memorial Library and the Mad Birders, Saturday, June 3rd, 4pm at the Moretown School, Sunday, June 4th,7:30-9:30am at Pony Farm, 182 Pony Farm Rd. in Moretown. Have you ever wondered which bird is making what sound in the overwhelming chorus of song we hear this time of year? Then join us as we delve into the exciting world of birding using our ears. During the first interactive session indoors learn some tips and tricks for listening to and identifying our feathered friends, then head out in the early morning for our second session to practice and discover. Both sessions are free, and all ages are welcome. For more information or to register, please contact 496-9728 ormoretownlibrary@gmail.com.