Moretown School Update, Feb 9, 2018

A great way to start the morning
school grown tea for grades 1 and 2

Speaking of mornings....

We hope everyone is having a great start to 2018.   As we enter the middle of February, we have noticed that our "late to school"(Tardy) list seems to be increasing and has been for a few weeks.  I am very aware of the challenges families face to get everyone up and going each day.  This is no easy task, however with some simple night before preparations and consistent morning routines this can be achieved with less pain that one would expect.  Our school works hard to make sure our classroom teachers are ready to greet and get ready for our learning the moment our students arrive.  When our students come to school late it causes some of the following issues;

Your Child's Learning

When a child is late to school, she misses out on important instruction. Every minute that a child is in school is important to her learning. When she is tardy, she faces the challenge of trying to settle in and catch up with what other students are doing. She is behind and has to struggle to understand material the teacher has already explained. Being late is detrimental to her learning, especially if it occurs on a consistent basis.

Other Children's Learning

Other students also suffer when a child is late to school. They have to wait to proceed with a lesson because the teacher is busy trying to catch the late child up. The interruption of a door opening into a classroom and the teacher having to address who is coming in is distracting and can cause students to lose their concentration as well. It wastes time to deal with and then recover from an interruption caused by someone coming in late to class.

Preparation for Real Life

Being on time to school is preparation for the world outside of school. When parents focus on punctuality, students learn that not coming to a meeting or event on time is disrespectful of other people’s time and that they miss out on important information.

Ways to Prevent Tardiness

Have your child set out her clothes for the next day the night before. Her backpack should contain all her books, supplies and homework she will need for the next day. Get all of the supplies and equipment needed for after school practices and activities ready. Have your son/daughter make their lunch if they bring it, and ensure he/she is in bed at a reasonable hour. Set the alarm 10 or 15 minutes earlier than absolutely necessary to ensure your child has enough time to get to school before the school day begins.  

We know with some extra attention, effort and planning the "Tardy" list will disappear and the issues associated with being late to school will no longer be a concern.  Thanks for your time and attention to this important issue as we enter 2017.    Our school day begins at 7:30 with the opportunity for students to be dropped off at the school beginning at 7:15.

Ski, Ride, SnowShoe updates  

-If you plan to stay with your child at the mountain please write your child’s teacher a note notifying her that your child will not be returning to school after program that day.  This is in addition to the transportation release and something that needs to be done each week.

-We are still hoping to hold 2 make-up dates in March (13^th , 20^th ) but have not heard back from enough  folks yet to be able to determine the feasibility of this, so if you haven’t had a chance to let us know whether or not you can help out on any or all or none of those dates PLEASE let us 

MORETOWN TO GO SKATING on  Feb 23, 2018 

The Moretown School's PTN will sponsor a school Ice Skating opportunity for grades K - 6,  at the Waterbury Ice Center on Friday, February 23 2018.  Students will arrive at the ice center around 11:30 and will be back in time for dismissal.   Here are the details:

1.  The PTN will provide pizza, snacks and drinks for lunch at no cost to the students.

  

2.  Students must wear helmets to skate on the ice.  Bike, ski and skate helmets are acceptable.

 

3.  Student may bring in their own skates.  The PTN will rent skates for those students who do not have them.  If you have extra skates and are willing to loan them please send them in to the office prior to the 23rd.

 

4.  Warm clothes are recommended.  

5.  Parents can join us at the ice center.  If you plan on taking your child(ren) home from the ice center, please let your classroom teacher know by sending a note with your child(ren) when they arrive at school.  

5.  Safety First!   We are sure that all Moretown students will follow reasonable safety rules, respect the ice center and its equipment and respect each other as well enjoy our ice time together.  

Please let us know if you have any questions.  

CALENDAR UPDATE

February 2018  

February 2018
February 13	Winter Sports Day #6
February 14	HUUSD Board Meeting at Harwood Union 6pm
February 19	PTN seed distribution meeting 6pm.
February 23	ICE SKATING !!  PTN sponsored event at the ice center - from 11:00 - 2:00.  Grades K - 6.   Lunch will provided the PTN
Feb 26 - Mar 6	Winter Break

Moretown Brook Trout
Hatched!
Working on keeping the water clean and
ready for their next stage of life.    

Pre-School Screening 

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.

Bottle Drive  The Harwood Union Rotary Interact Club is holding a bottle drive on Saturday, February 10th, to benefit the Good Neighbor Fund and the Mad River Community Fund. Drop off-points for the returnable items will be at Hannon Home Center in Waterbury, and at the Mad River Garden Center in Waitsfield. The best hours to drop off bottles are 9 to noon.

Move it and READ! Thursday, February 22nd, 3pm, at Moretown Memorial Library. An out-of-the-ordinary after school book club with Assistant Librarian Meredith Whitney. Let's face it, we all get a little antsy from time to time. In this book club, we will explore the many ways that reading and movement can help guide us through the ups and downs of life. Our second book will be "It Ain't so Awful, Falafel" by Firoozeh Dumas, which is suggested for grades 5 and up and is on the 2017 Dorothy's List. Please read the book in advance of the program, and contact moretownlibrary@gmail.com or 496-9728 to register to attend.

Winter Break Fiber Arts Camp for ages 10-12, on 2/26/18, 2/28/18, and 3/2/18, 9am-12pm, SPA(Studio Place Arts) 201 North Main Street, Barre. Registration is free and materials and snacks will be  provided. Sign up at info@studioplacearts.com or call 802-479-7069 by 2/16/18.

Super Saturday April 14, 2018, Barre Town Middle and Elementary School, at  8:00am.  Youth from Washington and Orange counties are invited to participate in an event where youth can exercise their communication, leadership skills, and expertise.  Youth pick projects in specific categories such as crafts, stage, sewing, photos, technology, and communications individually or in teams and compete before judges.  For more information, contact Allison Smith at Allison.smith.2@uvm.edu or call 802-476-2003.  All individuals and groups must be accompanied by an adult the day of the competition.  Registration must take place by Friday 3/23/2018.