Moretown School Update, June 9, 2017

What a great BBQ and Music Concert!  

Thanks to everyone who made this a 

huge success!  

Our wonderful sponsors - 

McKenzie Country Classics 

Mehuron's Supermarket 

Village Market of Waterbury 

Shaw's Supermarkets 

Ben & Jerry's 

Playground, parking lot and rec areas update

As summer approaches many of us spend our time enjoying the amazing weather and opportunities our area has to offer (especially after this perfect weekend) We encourage families to take advantage of some of the activities we have around the school. Here are some Moretown recreation updates for your review:

1. Our new upper playground is getting close to completion after a series of delays due to weather. The upper play structures next to the tennis courts are ready for use, the lower swings will hopefully be ready for the summer season. A local family has donated an addition to our lower playground directly behind the school which will be installed early this summer. The mulch mountain that is still behind the school will be used for its installation. Thanks for your continued patience as we complete and maintain our playground projects.
2. The Moretown School and Town parking lot and driveway project is underway. We (town and school) are slowly proceeding forward with a design model that will vastly improve all surfaces (the pavement) and subsurfaces (moving our storm water) within the next couple of years. The town is actively seeking grants to cover as much of the project without an overburdening of our local tax base. Updates to the project can be found on the town's select board agenda minutes.
3. The Moretown Rec Committee (made up of volunteers from our community) has been active in maintaining, promoting our improving our recreation space surrounding and near the school. Over the next few weeks you will see improvement to the area that include:

a. an activity kiosk located near the new gate and baseball field. The kiosk wil include a use calendar, contact information, expectations for using playground and rec spaces, contact information and agenda and minutes from this committee.

b. the baseball infield and dugouts will be cleaned up, and readied for use.

c. the baseball fence will be repaired and a outfield gate will be constructed for access to the fields for activities that occur on the field.

d. The nature trails on our 160 acres of land will be cleared, marked and maintained for ease of access and use.

e. No motorized vehicles signed will be posted on all entrances to the Moretown Forest.

We hope our continued work and commitment to our recreation opportunities will entice our families to enjoy our amazing outdoor spaces. Minutes are posted at the Town office for more information. If you would like to help please contact the school or the town office staff for more information.

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

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

June 13	Annual Field Day Celebration
June 13	Placement Letters Sent Home
June 15	Moretown Step Up Day Moretown Graduation
June 16	Final Day of school for students - Half Day - Bus Departure Times: Moretown Busses Depart the School at 12:15

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.

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.