Monday, December 17, 2018

Moretown School News December 14, 2018





5th/6th graders working on their playground projects











A Moretown student is collecting pet supplies.  The box is located near the entrance if you would like to help her in her amazing initiative.

School News:




  • Sugarbush came and presented this week at an all school assembly.  They stressed the importance of safety and following the rules of the mountain #knowthecode.  Students did an amazing job Whole Body Listening; eyes looking, ears listening, hearts caring, brains thinking, bodies calm, mouths quiet and hands & feet still.


We started our assembly with a greeting, like we always do. Joy in being with each other.







  • I Heart Art:
    • A study in white by preschoolers
    • Art bags went home last week with wonderful pieces students created tucked inside.  

PTO

Community News

  • Calling all artists!  Camp For Me is organizing the 2nd Annual 6x6 Art Show and Sale.  Click here for details.
    • Camp For Me is a day camp for adopted children and teens ages 7 – 17.  It is held in two one-week sessions in July on the campus of Crossett Brook Middle School in Duxbury, Vermont. Camp For Me offers traditional summer activities: games, sports, arts & crafts, theater, field trips, swimming, nature studies, hiking and more.Most importantly, Camp For Me is a unique opportunity for children to be with other kids who share the adoptive experience.

School Board


Dear members of our six town community,

Below please find the votes and key agenda items from the HUUSD board meeting on December 12, 2018.

1. Approved the following items as part of the consent agenda for December 12, 2018:  Approve past meeting minutes; Accept board warrants totaling $449, 865.56; approve recommendation directing Superintendent.

2. Approved motion to accept RHR Smith firm for auditing work.

3. Approved motion to direct the Administrative team to research and bring back to the board FY2020 budget options, including a budget containing a 3 cent reduction ($600,000) on the homestead tax rate, for discussion.

In addition to the robust budget discussion, we reviewed 10-year enrollment projections from the New England School Development Council (available in the school board packet from this meeting).

Our next HUUSD board meeting is scheduled for 7:00 pm on Wednesday, December 19 at the HUHS library, with committees scheduled to meet prior to this, starting at 6 pm.

Please visit wwsu.org for board packets, agendas, and minutes - and to find the link to watch board meetings. The direct link to watch this and past meetings is: https://mrvtv.com/category/school-board-meetings/

Thank you for your continued support and engagement.

Respectfully,
The HUUSD Board
Christine Sullivan (Waitsfield)  *Chair
Caitlin Hollister (Waterbury)  *Vice Chair
Alycia Biondo (Warren)
Jill Ellis (Fayston)
Gabe Gilman (Moretown)
Linda Hazard (Moretown)
Garett MacCurtain (Duxbury)   
Maureen McCracken (Waterbury)
Theresa Membrino (Fayston)
Melissa Phillips (Waterbury)
Torrey Smith (Duxbury)   
Alexandra Thomsen  (Waterbury)
Rosemarie White (Warren)
Rob Williams (Waitsfield)

Friday, December 7, 2018

Dec 7

School News:

  • Hour of Code was a big hit this week!

Showing me how it's done.








PTO

Join us at the Moretown Artisan Fair Saturday December 8th!  The PTO will have decorated wreaths ($25) and flatbread pizza for sale (while supplies last!).  Additionally, our favorite Lularoe fashion consultant will be on hand with wonderful fashions, sales of which will also benefit the PTO.  Come support incredible programs AND get Christmas shopping done!!! 

Other ways you can support the work of the Moretown PTO this season include:
  1. Choosing the PTO as your charity of choice on Amazon smile. Use this link when making your amazon holiday purchase and 5% of each purchase will come back to the Moretown PTO.  https://smile.amazon.com/ch/82-5308952
  2. Provide gently used winter sports clothing and helmets in the bin located in the lobby of the school (huge shout out to the family that thought of helmets and put them in the bin!).
  3. Cut those box tops!  We have a box top collection box right in the lobby at the school.

The Moretown PTO is a volunteer-run organization that sponsors programs and events to provide additional opportunities outside of the classroom for students, teachers, and families to learn, socialize, communicate, and grow. Programs include: the Moretown Elementary School winter sports program, a community Halloween Party; hosting Troy Wonderlee's Big Top circus, a week-long circus workshop, a day at The Waterbury Ice Rink, a pig roast…and much more!

The next PTO and Advisory Committee meetings will be held on Tuesday December 18th (Advisory Committee at 5:30 and PTO meeting at 6:00 p.m.).  We are currently looking into remote meeting participation, if that’s something that is of interest to you please email us moretownpto@gmail.com

As always, if you have any thoughts but cannot make the meetings please feel free to reach out to any of the PTO Leadership- bios and contact can be found on the PTO Board or moretownpto@gmail.com.  We are happy to discuss any and all ideas!

Community News

Greetings.  Here is the latest information on the next offering for Fencing Instruction to be held in Moretown.  This opportunity is open to all community and students grade 5 and up.  I would love to see if we could get this out to High and Middle School Students and families.  Below is information about this class, attached is the Registration Form as well as here is a link to the website: https://sites.google.com/site/midvtfencing/

What: Fencing instruction.
Who: Adults and Students grade 5 and up. Students have priority and reduced cost. All non-students and adults are welcomed as well! Beginners and experienced Fencers. No experience is necessary.
When: 6:30-8:00 PM with open Fencing and individual instruction 8:00-9:00 PM. Mondays and Wednesdays Dec 10 - Jan 21, 6:30 PM-8:00 PM (no class Dec 24, 26, 31)
Where: Moretown Elementary School Gym
Why: Learn basic Fencing or refine your current skills.
Cost: $50 for Students grades 5-12. $125 for all others.

School Board

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Moretown School Update November 30, 2018

We found deer tracks on the playground!


School News:

Hello from Rudolf the one armed snowman (constructed and named by second graders)


First and second graders sledding!
  • Speaking of sledding, the fifth and sixth graders are hoping to sled as well... turns out they have a hill on their side too! We will be chatting about this as we continue our playground voice/choice project, as we currently need more sleds and some type of storage.  Stay tuned!
  • Our November assembly was reschedule to Friday November 30, and went really well.  The Assembly Team , made up of 5th and 6th graders meet weekly to problem solve and plan these assemblies.  The team had expressed concern about audience expectations, and so we spent some time today reviewing Whole Body Listening.



Hello Moretown School Families,

We would like to make you aware of two supports available to families during the holidays.

The Mad River Valley Interfaith Council is providing Joys of the Season coupon booklets. Each booklet consist of eight $5 coupons redeemable at a variety of local stores, including The Collection, Kenyon's and the Stowe Street Emporium. Families can receive one booklet for every child in their household. If you are interested in participating, or would like more information, please let us know. The coupon booklets will be available for pickup at the main office. They can also be mailed to you or sent home with students in a nondescript envelope.

A local business is sponsoring a gift drive for families in the valley. Gifts can be picked up at the Mad River Valley Food Shelf at Evergreen Place on the following dates: December 11th (9:00 AM - Noon), December 18th (9:00 AM - Noon) and December 20th (10:00 AM - Noon). Due to financial constraints, only a limited supply of items are available this year. Interested families are strongly encouraged to stop by the food shelf on one of the earlier dates. 
Please feel free to reach out to me by phone or email with questions regarding either of these supports. 
Warm regards,
Jason Stevenson
School Counselor


Notes from the Health Office:



Bus Route Changes for Moretown Buses 19 and 20

Effective Monday, 12/3, the afternoon routes for Buses 19 and 20 will have some changes. Students who live on River Road and Jones Brook Road will now ride Bus 19 home in the afternoon. 

See more details about the routes here: https://wwsu.org/bus-routes.

Call First Student at 244-6422 with specific route questions. 



PTO


Announcements:

  • The Winter Clothing Drive has been going fantastic and we thank all that have donated to the bin in the front lobby!!
  • The next PTO and Advisory Committee meeting will be Thursday Dec 6 (rescheduled due to snow day).
  • As always, if you have any thoughts but can not make the meetings please feel free to reach out to either myself, Elizabeth, Pam, Amy, Jason or moretownpto@gmail.com.  We are happy to discuss any and all ideas!
  • BOXTOPS:  We are still collecting BOX TOPS for education outside the main office.  We received over $100 from our last batch.  Thank you for your continued support with this



Community News

  • Open Gym:
    • My name is Rachael Potts and I am starting a basketball open gym at Waitsfield Elementary School on Thursdays from 5:45 - 6:45 for girls in 3rd and 4th grade.  This is a great opportunity to learn basketball basics or improve on their existing skills.  The cost will be $20 and we will practice every week (minus the school breaks) into mid February.  If your daughter is interested, please email me at rpotts@wwsu.org.
  • Moretown Artisan Fair-
    • Moretown School will be hosting the Artisan Fair again this year on Saturday Dec 8- Sunday Dec 9.  There will be many vendors and some yummy eats.  Our own PTO will also participate in the fair by fundraising.

School Board

Saturday, November 24, 2018

November 21, 2018







School News:


Buddies
  • As part of ECO, the first and second graders have chosen an animal that lives in Vermont to represent themselves while in the forest each week. They call these their "Nature Names". Last week the children spent time researching their chosen animal, made their animal out of clay and created a miniature habitat.  Each child had the opportunity to spend time with a third, fourth, fifth or sixth grader researching their animal using books and online resources (se below).  Due to the plentiful white fluffy stuff, they also were able to get outside and build a snow version of their animal! 





  • So Many amazing pictures to share from the last two weeks:


Kindergarten and 3/4 buddies roasting apples at base camp.

Celebrating being thankful in kindergarten with 3/4 Buddy guests.
Quite a spread for the kindergarten Thankful Feast









SNOW!












Monster Mash:

  • Thank you to everyone who helped our Scholastic Book Fair to be a success!
Bonjour:

  • Bon appétit!
  • By now, families of students in grades 1 through 6 should have received an invitation from Sign up Genius to bring in a French food to your child’s French class. This is completely optional. It allows those who wish to bring in a French food (or food from a French speaking country or region) on one of the designated days (the second Monday of each month). The food can be store bought or homemade.  I’ve limited it to 2 foods per class each month. In the past, we had one Fête de la Cuisine Française (or French Food Celebration). With so much food I found students either ate too much and felt sick (not the point of the day!) or didn’t have a chance to try everything. If you have not received an email please let me know (elindberg@wwsu.org). I am happy to sign you up. Merci et joyeuse Action de Grâce!
Number corner in Ms. Hopper's room




PTO

Community News

  • MrsClaus at the LibraryThursday, December 13th, 6pm
    Join MrsClaus at the Moretown Library for a special evening of Christmas stories, songs and snacks. Wear your PJ's and bring your letters for Santa, all ages are welcome!
  • Harwood Youth Basketball Association Announcement:
    • There is still room available on both 3rd and 4th grade boys and girls in-house basketball teams. Registration will stay open until Friday, Nov. 30th. This is a great place for less competitive players, with limited experience, to learn to play. Follow this link for on line registration:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeB1LWDjtIIDBK0MwRm348xfPRO99YYU8ZNK-3kt2t9fDkwVg/viewform

School Board

SUBJECT: HUUSD School Board Meeting Updates - Nov 7, 2018
__________________________________________
Dear members of our six town community,

Below please find the votes and key agenda items from the HUUSD board meeting on November 7.

1. Approved the following items as part of the consent agenda for November 7, 2018:  Approve Minutes of 10/24/18, Accept Director of Finance Report, Accept pre-approved Board warrants (1101 for $116,224.61 and 1102 for $$97,536.69 Total = $213,761.30), Approve use of Moretown Maintenance Reserve funds for DDC upgrade of HVAC system at Moretown Elementary School, Confirm 2nd December HUUSD Board Meeting for Dec. 19, 2018

2. After discussion, approved telephone lease.

3. After discussion, approved final HUUSD BOD asset management goal.

4. After discussion, accepted the board leadership report and HUHS principal letter with the caveat that we will have board discussion before any more action is taken.

6. As part of budget work, the BOD reviewed enrollment data and projections for preK - 12 students at all seven HUUSD campuses and expects to review further projection reports at its next meeting on Nov. 28.

Our next HUUSD board meeting is scheduled for 6:00 pm on Wednesday, November 28th at the HUHS library.

On Monday, November 12, the board participated in legal training/Q&A with Attorney Pietro Lynn. On Tuesday November 13, the board hosted a community engagement workshop at HUHS library.
    
For more information, please visit wwsu.org for board agendas and minutes and to find the link to watch board meetings. The direct link to watch this and past meetings is: https://mrvtv.com/category/school-board-meetings/

Thank you for your continued support and engagement.

Respectfully,

The HUUSD Board

Christine Sullivan (Waitsfield)  *Chair
Caitlin Hollister (Waterbury)  *Vice Chair
Alycia Biondo (Warren)
Jill Ellis (Fayston)
Gabe Gilman (Moretown)
Linda Hazard (Moretown)
Garett MacCurtain (Duxbury)   
Maureen McCracken (Waterbury)
Theresa Membrino (Fayston)
Melissa Phillips (Waterbury)
Torrey Smith (Duxbury)   
Alexandra Thomsen  (Waterbury)
Rosemarie White (Warren)
Rob Williams (Waitsfield)