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| The Moretown School hosted a Celebration of Kindness assembly for the whole school this past Wednesday Our pre-school singers made a special appearance to end the assembly in a spectacular way... |
Dear Moretown School Families,
As many of you know, last year the Moretown School district merged with surrounding school districts to create Harwood Unified Union School District (HUUSD). While much of the day to day of our schools has remained the same, this merger changed our organizational and governing structure. A component of this change is that instead of an annual school meeting, held previously in tandem with the annual Moretown pre-town meeting, a unified meeting for all who are part of HUUSD will be held on Monday, March 5th, 6 pm, in the the Harwood school library. This meeting, which is an opportunity to review and ask questions about the annual budget, will be followed by an Australian ballot vote, on Tuesday 3/6/18, on that same budget.
The full HUUSD FY2019 Annual Report is available by clicking here; copies are also available at all town offices and schools. You may also request a copy by calling 802-496-2272, extension 7953. Board meeting materials, including a link to the video of most meetings (provided by Mad River TV) can be found here on the HUUSD website.
I've heard from a few of you regarding redesign of our school system, and questions about that process, recently. The HUUSD Board is just beginning to dive into this discussion and process. As I write this on Wednesday evening, details of what this process will be are still being fleshed out. Please refer to the HUUSD website under the redesign tab; or recommended timeline as a useful resource. As this process is fleshed out, I will share information with you. The only thing consistent is that change happens... I believe that understanding who will make what decisions and gaining information and perspectives to inform decisions are so helpful in helping us to navigate change. I will be sure to share information as it is solidified and I encourage those with burning questions to reach out to me or HUUSD board members or to view the HUUSD board meetings. Please know you have NOT missed your opportunity to engage in this dialogue; the process for that dialogue is just now taking shape and there is more soon to come.
Meanwhile, the HUUSD board is seeking your input. They are broadly seeking input through a survey, which can be found online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/
Sincerely, Duane Pierson, Principal
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| Moretown Safety
As we all react and feel for the community in Florida that has lost so much I wanted to let our community know that the Moretown School works hard at keeping our students and staff safe. We conduct monthly safety drills, have procedures for visitors and make sure our maintenance needs around safety features are addressed. Our supervisory union will review all HUUSD school's safety procedures this spring to ensure we are up to date with our response to any issue that could occur at our school.
As we reflect and evaluate our school safety systems , it is important to note that the single most essential aspect of keeping our kids safe are the connections we make a friends and neighbors. Creating a circle of communication and support for those who need it most. A quote from a fellow Vermont principal, Elijah Hawkes, sums this up very well.
"The circle is the elemental shape of human knowing: the round face that looks into mine, the circle eyes that see into mine, the circle of arms in embrace, the wider circles we form in community, in classrooms, in democratic exchange.
A school’s strength is in how well we know each student, how strong are the bonds we make, how frequent the circles for listening, knowing, learning"
I feel very lucky and privileged to work in a school community that values caring connections between families and the school. Please let us know if you have further questions about school and safety.
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| Friendly Reminder: When dropping off students in the morning please do not park in the bus lane or keep your vehicle idling for an extended period of time. Thanks for your understanding. |
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| Please note that Lunch for Tuesday, February 20, 2018 Will be Fish and Fries (chips for those of us from Canada) |
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Attention All Girls In Grades 3-6
It’s that time of year again, Girls On The Run!!!
Registration opens Monday February 19th.
The program starts March 19th and will run until May 30th on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:30 – 4:30, with the 5K run on June 2nd at Essex Fair Grounds and a final celebration on Wednesday June 6th.
You can register at www.GirlsOnTheRunVermont.org
Looking forward to another great year!
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me, Chris Tierson at jtierson@gmavt.net or 802-595-3329.
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NOTE from the PTN
Moretown School Families-
As many of you know there is a district redesign proposal being discussed by the school board. Further, two of the proposals presented at the school board meeting this past week listed Moretown School to close. We have reached a point in this process where community engagement is critical in order to encourage the school board to review the process and spend more time to truly consider all options and ensure that the appropriate due diligence has been conducted for this huge decision. Things you can do as community members to become engaged are: complete the engagement survey Please be on the lookout for additional opportunities to get involved which will be communicated as they arise.
Draft redesign presentation from 2/14 meeting: https://drive.google.com/file/
-Moretown PTN
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| Moretown hosted our annual jump roping Assembly on February15. Amazing to see the skills and smiles... Thanks Ms. Allie |
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| Minecraft, a popular build and adventure on line world is being offered to 5-6 students after their lunch time at least 2 - 3 times a week |
CALENDAR UPDATE
February 2018
February
2018
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February 19
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PTN seed distribution meeting 6pm.
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February 21
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HUUSD Board Meeting
6pm Harwood Library
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February 23
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ICE SKATING !! PTN sponsored event at the ice center - from 11:00 - 2:00. Grades K - 6.
Lunch will provided the PTN
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Feb 26 - Mar 6
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Winter Break
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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.
Circus Smirkus Volunteers Wanted The Waitsfield Children's Center is thrilled to announce the return of Circus Smirkus to the Valley in July! The Big Top will be pulling into town for 4 shows over July 2-3 at Kenyon's Field and we need your help and the support of this community to make it a success. Volunteers of all ages are welcome to attend an informational meeting on Thursday, February 22 at 6pm at theWaitsfield Children's Center (WCC). WCC is located in Founder's Hall (the brown building behind Our Lady of the Snows church on the left just before Gaylord Farm) on route 100S. The meeting will take place in our beautiful new space on the second floor, so come check it out, enjoy some light refreshments, and hear about how you and your family can become involved. For more information, email erika.smart@gmail.com
Private and Group Swim Lessons at the Bridges Lessons begin the week ofMarch 18th. Please call 583-2922 for more information.
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 contactmoretownlibrary@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.
Annual Fundraising Dance Performance by TRIP Dance Company March 23rd & 24th, Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, at 7pm. Purchase tickets online:www.sprucepeakarts.org or phone 802-760-4643. Ticket price range is $16-$30. Reserved seating is new this year.
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.
Girls Night In: for girls in 5th-8th grade to develop self-confidence, positive body image, and to gain tolls to reduce stress
Session 1: March 23, 6-7:30pm, yoga, dance and music
Session 2: April 27, 6-7:30pm, aureveda for kids: yoga and healthy treats
Session 3: May 13, 6-7:30-m, ahstanga, acro-yoga, and upside down
Session 4: June 1, 6-7:30-pm, outdoor yoga, nature mandalas
Email Mindy at mindypistacchio@gmail.com for more information and to register.
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.
Circus Smirkus Volunteers Wanted The Waitsfield Children's Center is thrilled to announce the return of Circus Smirkus to the Valley in July! The Big Top will be pulling into town for 4 shows over July 2-3 at Kenyon's Field and we need your help and the support of this community to make it a success. Volunteers of all ages are welcome to attend an informational meeting on Thursday, February 22 at 6pm at theWaitsfield Children's Center (WCC). WCC is located in Founder's Hall (the brown building behind Our Lady of the Snows church on the left just before Gaylord Farm) on route 100S. The meeting will take place in our beautiful new space on the second floor, so come check it out, enjoy some light refreshments, and hear about how you and your family can become involved. For more information, email erika.smart@gmail.com
Private and Group Swim Lessons at the Bridges Lessons begin the week ofMarch 18th. Please call 583-2922 for more information.
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 contactmoretownlibrary@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.
Annual Fundraising Dance Performance by TRIP Dance Company March 23rd & 24th, Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, at 7pm. Purchase tickets online:www.sprucepeakarts.org or phone 802-760-4643. Ticket price range is $16-$30. Reserved seating is new this year.
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.
Girls Night In: for girls in 5th-8th grade to develop self-confidence, positive body image, and to gain tolls to reduce stress
Session 1: March 23, 6-7:30pm, yoga, dance and music
Session 2: April 27, 6-7:30pm, aureveda for kids: yoga and healthy treats
Session 3: May 13, 6-7:30-m, ahstanga, acro-yoga, and upside down
Session 4: June 1, 6-7:30-pm, outdoor yoga, nature mandalas
Email Mindy at mindypistacchio@gmail.com for more information and to register.
Summer Art Camp at Waitsfield School June 25-29, 9am-3pm, $225 includes all materials. Students entering grades 1-7 are invited to join in a week of creative fun! Let your imagination bloom with a wide variety of fine art activities & craft projects. Create works of art to treasure for life, spend time outdoors and make new friends! Activities are tailored to the group’s needs and interests. Contact Nora McDonough for more information and to sign up! 802-793-8881 / Nora@madriver.com
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