Bobcat Bulletin 12/17/19

School News:

CIRCUS!!

I can't wait to see you all at the circus performance on Thursday at 6:00.

Our Artist in Residence, Troy Wonderle, has worked with students all week to prepare for a wonderful performance.  It will be a night enjoyed by all.

ECO Greeting cards for sale the night of the circus! Please consider purchasing a set of nature-art greeting cards to support the Moretown Elementary School ECO Program! Cards will be on sale before and after the circus. A set of three cards for $5.00 or 6 cards for $10.00. Thank you in advance for supporting our ECO fundraising effort. Checks can be made out to Moretown  Elementary School PTO ECO ♥️

Each year Moretown Elementary School partners with local businesses and organizations, such as the Mad River Interfaith Council, to support our families over the holidays. We have received a generous donation of gifts that we would like to make available. If you are interested in checking out what we have to offer, please contact our School Counselor, Jason Stevenson (jstevenson@huusd.org). 

PTO News

Extra wreaths are here at school for sale.  Pop in and brighten your holiday with a wreath.

Make sure to return ski and ride packets as soon as possible.  Thanks

Community News/Opportunities

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.

Volleyball: Registration for Harwood Volleyball Club March Madness 2020 Season is open for all interested grade 5-8 boys and girls in HUUSD. Learn the basic skills and rules of the sport. Month of March only: twice a week practice, once a week match, and end-of-season tournament. Practices at Thatcher Brook Primary School and Crossett Brook Middle School.  Matches/tournament at various locations.
Early Signup Discount by 1/20/2020. For more information and to register, go to: http://tinyurl.com/harwoodmsmm2020

Moretown Joins CVFiber CVFiber is an 18-town initiative attempting to bring faster Internet to residents of Central Vermont who have poor Internet connectivity.  In order to help assess Moretown's needs and plan our offerings, we need data from Moretown residents about their current Internet access.  Please take 5-10 minutes to help us by filling out the following survey.  If you have questions, feel free to contact Chuck Burt at chuck.burt@gmail.com or 802-735-2319 Thank you in advance! http://chaz.in/cvfiber

Gifts of Kindness Harwood Union Rotary Interact club is holding the Gifts of Kindness clothing and toy drive for our 16th year. This drive seeks to collect new and like new toys and clothing for families in Washington County experiencing homelessness. We plan to collect items between the dates of November 25th and December 11th. There is a collection box in the school lobby. Interact works with the Good Samaritan House, the only homeless shelter in Central Vermont, and CIRCLE in Barre, who provide shelter for families experiencing domestic violence. Our goal is to brighten the holiday season for people in need. We hope you will be able to help out! Please feel free to contact Ellen Berrings, 882-1167 or eberrings@huusd.org for more information. 

Registration NOW OPEN for Mad River Valley Youth Lacrosse 

 Mad River Valley Youth Lacrosse offers girls and boys lacrosse for grades K-8. Weather permitting, outdoor practices begin in April at Mad River Park. The registration fee is $100 before January 31st and $120 after. For more information and to register, please go to www.madriverlax.com.

School Board Updates

HUUSD Board Meeting Recap 12/11

Dear members of our six town community,

At our last meeting on December 11, 2019, of the Harwood Unified Union School District (HUUSD) Board: 

• Michelle Baker, Director of Finance & Operations, gave a presentation and answered board member questions on the FY21 Budget. Her report, and all FY21 budget documents, can be found at https://huusd.org/business-office under “FY21 Budget Development.”

The Board took action on the two (2) items below:

1. Approved the following items as part of the consent agenda: Approved: Minutes of 12/4/19 and Policy Committee Minutes of 12/2/19; Accepted: Voucher 1129 for $361,889.19 

2. Voted against having all HUUSD 7th and 8th graders attend Crossett Brook Middle School next year.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, December 18th at 6:00 pm in the Harwood Union School library. Please visit https://huusd.org/huusd-board to confirm time and place of meetings. 

You’ll also find all board and committee agendas, packets and minutes, and the link to board meeting videos. The direct link to watch this and other recent meetings is: https://mrvtv.com/category/school-board-meetings/. An archive of older meetings can be found here: https://archive.org/search.php?query=Harwood+Unified+Union+School+Board&sort=-date 

Thank you for your continued support and engagement.

Respectfully,

The HUUSD Board

Bobcat Bulletin 12/5/19

School News:

Troy Wunderle is, once again, bringing his beloved circus to town! A schedule is being finalized for classes to participate in circus activities all week Dec 16-20, with a wonderful show planned for the evening of Thursday Dec 19 at 6:00.

We're loving the snow here at recess!

• The Bataille Beat
• Ms. Ally has rearranged her schedule to be here the whole week during the circus.  She is thrilled to work with Troy and the students.  Can't wait to see!
• Library Happenings
• The book fair was a huge success!  Thanks to everyone who shopped. And a special thanks to Mrs. Willard who made sure every student received a book to enjoy!
• 
  
• Bonjour
• check out Madame's blog any time at: MoretownSchoolFrench.
• I Heart Art
• Check out Mrs. Harvey's blog any time at:  http://moretownelementaryart.blogspot.com/

PTO News

Outdoor Sport Program packets went home with students last week in backpacks.  Please return packets ASAP.  We are looking forward to a great season! ☃

Community News/Opportunities

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.

River of Light Lantern Parade Thatcher Brook Primary School is celebrating their lantern parade the evening of Dec 7 in Waterbury.  Come watch the spectacular celebration of light as they make their way down Stowe and North Main Streets toward Dac Rowe Fields.  A fun, family-friendly event.  Dress warm!

Christmas Toys for Children Toys will be available at the Mad River Valley Food Shelf for children of families in the Mad River Valley that need a little extra help at Christmas. Please visit the toy room in the basement of Evergreen Place in Waitsfield(down the hall from the Food Shelf) on the following dates to choose a gift or two for your young children: Thursday, December 12th, 10-12:00, and Tuesday, December 17, 9-12:00.


Gifts of Kindness Harwood Union Rotary Interact club is holding the Gifts of Kindness clothing and toy drive for our 16th year. This drive seeks to collect new and like new toys and clothing for families in Washington County experiencing homelessness. We plan to collect items between the dates of November 25th and December 11th. There is a collection box in the school lobby. Interact works with the Good Samaritan House, the only homeless shelter in Central Vermont, and CIRCLE in Barre, who provide shelter for families experiencing domestic violence. Our goal is to brighten the holiday season for people in need. We hope you will be able to help out! Please feel free to contact Ellen Berrings, 882-1167 or eberrings@huusd.org for more information.
Registration NOW OPEN for Mad River Valley Youth Lacrosse Mad River Valley Youth Lacrosse offers girls and boys lacrosse for grades K-8. Weather permitting, outdoor practices begin in April at Mad River Park. The registration fee is $100 before January 31st and $120 after. For more information and to register, please go to www.madriverlax.com.

Home Depot Workshops for Kids Using a hammer and nails, kids can make a count down to Christmas calendar on 12/7, 9:00-12:00. For more information, visit the following link: https://www.homedepot.com/workshops/#store/4501

Story time with Mrs. Claus Tuesday, December 10th, 6pm, Moretown Town Hall. Join Mrs. Claus at the Moretown library's winter space for a special holiday story time! Enjoy hot cocoa, cookies and songs. Bring your letters to Santa for her to deliver too. Free for all ages, pajamas encouraged.

Mrs. Claus will be at Three Mountain Cafe December 14 & 15, 12:00-2pm. Photos with Mrs Claus along with a small gift bag will be available for purchase.
Escape Room Opens December 4th -February 23 An escape room with a mad scientist themed course is now open at the Sugarbush Health and Recreation Center. This project was completed by a group of local high school students. Your team must work together to find clues, crack codes, and solve mind puzzles to complete the mission before time runs out. To register, visit the following link: https://www.sculptureschoolvt.com/escape-room-2019

School Board Updates

HUUSD Board Meeting Recap 12/4

Dear members of our six town community,

At our last meeting on December 4, 2019, of the Harwood Unified Union School District (HUUSD) Board: 

• Michelle Baker, Director of Finance & Operations, gave a presentation and answered board member questions on the FY21 Budget. Her report, and all FY21 budget documents, can be found at https://huusd.org/business-office under “FY21 Budget Development”
• The Administration gave a presentation and answered board member questions on the status of intra-district choice (IDC) for incoming 7th/8th graders for SY2020-21.
• The following motion was made and tabled and will be discussed at the next meeting on 12/11: That all 7th and 8th graders attend Crossett Brook Middle School effective for the school year 20/21.

The Board took action on the four (4) items below:

1. Approved the following items as part of the consent agenda: Approve: Minutes of 11/20/19 (amending the first bullet under public comment to add “teachers” after “statement from some CBMS”); Accept: Voucher 1125 for $110,519.53; Approve: Bid from LGR1 Inc. for Crossett Brook MS Roof in the amount of $575,000 from the Maintenance Reserve Fund(s)

2. Adopted: Add discussion of protocols regarding media/public events and/or written communications of both individual Board member and the full Board to a Board meeting agenda prior to Town Meeting Day 2020.

3. Adopted: Add discussion of equity in our district - how it is evaluated, how it is applied, comparisons by student population, and costs per pupil - to a Board meeting during budget season 2019-20.

4. Adopted: that the Intradistrict Choice policy and implementation continues unchanged for school year 20/21, allowing 7th and 8th graders to continue to apply for IDC at CBMS according to the policy and implementation that existed prior to the Nov 20 school board meeting

Our next meeting is Wednesday, December 11th at 6:00 pm in the Harwood Union School library. Please visit https://huusd.org/huusd-board to confirm time and place of meetings. 

You’ll also find all board and committee agendas, packets and minutes, and the link to board meeting videos. The direct link to watch this and other recent meetings is: https://mrvtv.com/category/school-board-meetings/. An archive of older meetings can be found here: https://archive.org/search.php?query=Harwood+Unified+Union+School+Board&sort=-date 

Thank you for your continued support and engagement.

Respectfully,

The HUUSD Board

Bobcat Bulletin 11/30/19

Our MECA family turkey!  Hope everyone enjoyed your holiday!

School News:

LUNCH MENUS:

• The December menu is now online for viewing (.jpg) and for printing (.pdf). 
• You can find the menus online at food.huusd.org, above on the blog, or through our moretownschool.com website.
• You can also check out the food service Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HUUSDFOOD/

Library Happenings:

• What an awesome book fair we had... and a book for all students... what is better than that?!?!

Notes from the Health Office

Hello Parents/ Guardians in the Moretown School community,

Just an FYI, that there have been a few cases of strep and a case of Fifths Disease, which is a viral illness, in PK,1st and 2nd grades. Think good health and follow all of your proactive preventions. Hopefully your student won't be affected.

Hope you had a safe, healthy and wonderful Thanksgiving.

Jean

Community News/Opportunities

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.

COMMUNITY SOCRATES CAFÉ

Tuesday, December 3, 6:00- 7:30 pm Harwood Union High School Library

On Tuesday, December 3 from 6:00- 7:30 PM, Harwood Union HS will be hosting another Socrates Café in the HUHS Library.  All members of the community are welcome to join in the dialogue on the question: “How does the lack of diversity in our community affect our perspectives on ourselves and others?”  Rather than being a debate or a discussion, a Socrates Café is a dialogue where participants are encouraged to listen to each other and to learn from one another. This form of discourse and its focus on the search for knowledge, comes from Socrates, who observed that, "Wisdom Begins in Wonder." These gatherings are open to all members of the community, regardless of age, experience or background. Harwood students who are experienced in leading Socratic Dialogues will facilitate the discussions.  Refreshments will be served.  

For more information contact Kathy Cadwell, katherinewcadwell@gmail,com or Jonah Ibson, jibson@huusd.org

Attention Young Basketball Players (boys and girls),

  If you are interested in playing 1st and 2nd grade basketball, please use the following link to sign up.  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelyXQk_2H2_Fu0qaLUCYuKH2JM5_x8zYMPI7lvjLtoG9pqAQ/viewform

The commitment is 1 hour a week at TBPS and 1st graders go 8:30-9:30 and 2nd graders 9:30-10:30.  Each week the players will focus on fundamentals and getting to know the game.  It is low key and a great way to be exposed to the game itself.  

Please contact Brian Godfrey @brian.godfrey@mmuusd.org  If you have any questions.

Have a great weekend.

Registration NOW OPEN for Mad River Valley Youth Lacrosse

 

Registration is now open for the 2020 Spring Lacrosse Season at www.madriverlax.com

Mad River Valley Youth Lacrosse offers girls and boys Lacrosse for grades K-8.  Our athletes compete in the Northern Vermont Youth Lacrosse League which is the most established youth lacrosse league in Vermont.

Weather permitting, outdoor practices begin in April at Mad River Park. Practices are held two afternoons a week and starting in May; games are played on Saturdays for boys and Sundays for girls.  Our Coaching staff is encouraged to coordinate indoor, pre-season, practices starting in March.  

Early registration starts on November 25, 2019 at www.madriverlax.com and is highly recommended. The registration fee is $100 before January 31 and after January 31, the registration fee will increase to $120.00. Equipment is provided for kindergarten through fourth-grade players, as supplies allow. First-timers are welcome at every level and equipment can be provided as needed.

Mad River Youth Lacrosse encourages athletes who might play other spring sports to play lacrosse. Our season is short and we try our best to accommodate other spring sport's schedules.

Founded in 2008, Mad River Valley Youth Lacrosse is a community-based, all-volunteer, non-profit recreational organization. Mad River Valley Youth Lacrosse is a volunteer developmental organization and is committed to providing a positive, team-oriented athletic experience.

For more information or to register for the 2020 season, please go to www.madriverlax.com. 

     

Bobcat Bulletin 11/21/19

School News:

• A quick reminder- If you wish to walk your student in to school in the morning, please park in the parking lot.  The loop is for dropping off.  With cars and buses pulling through we want to keep everyone safe.  Thanks!
• Speaking of thanks, we had a wonderful thanksgiving meal yesterday with family and friends.

 

• Oh hey.... the circus is coming 

mark your calendars for Dec 19... for the big show!!

Library Happenings

The book fair is here!

I Heart Art

5th/6th graders in action making art to express emotion

Notes from the Health Office

• With the cold weather often comes illness.
• Here is our new nurse site outlining when to keep your child home.
• https://sites.google.com/huusd.org/moretown-school-nurse-page/home

PTO News

Moretown PTO Wreath Sale

Please support the Moretown School PTO to provide additional opportunities outside of the classroom for students, teachers, and families to learn, socialize, communicate, and grow. All Three Rivers wreaths are hand-made and double-faced with real balsam fir greens. The balsam, cedar and white pine boughs are harvested only after the needles have set for the winter making for fresher and longer lasting wreaths.  Easy online ordering and local pick up as well as Direct Ship options are available.

https://ThreeRiversFundraising.com/fund/motopto-wreath2019

Order Date Deadlines:

Pick up orders must be placed by November 21st. 

Direct Ship orders can be placed until November 30th.

Wreath Pick Up Date:

December 2^nd and 3^rd

Pick up will be at the Moretown Elementary School on

Please email the Moretown PTO at MoretownPTO@gmail.com  with any additional questions.

Community News/Opportunities

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.

Storytime with Mrs. Claus

Tuesday, December 10th, 6pm

Moretown Town Hall

Join Mrs. Claus at the Moretown library's winter space for a special holiday storytime! Enjoy hot cocoa, cookies and songs. Bring your letters to Santa for her to deliver too. Free for all ages, pajamas encouraged.

School Board Updates

Dear members of our six town community,

At our last meeting on November 20, 2019, the Harwood Unified Union School District (HUUSD) Board: 

• Heard from Michelle Baker, Director of Finance & Operations, who gave a presentation that focused on historical budget data as well as some projections.
• Heard the Student Representatives’ Report.
• Had a brief discussion and check-in regarding the timing and scope of the bond.

The Board took action on the four (4) items below:

1. Approved the following items as part of the consent agenda: Approve: Minutes of 11/13/19; Accept: Voucher 1115 equaling $118,055.47

2. Voted against having all HUUSD 7th and 8th graders attend Crossett Brook Middle School next year.

3. Adopted: No students in the initial first year of IDC for school year 2020-21 will be approved in grade 7 or 8. Those students in year 2 and beyond will continue in their existing placement, with limited exceptions as identified by the Administration. 

4. Adopted: The board affirms their support for a plan that ultimately combines 7th and 8th grade students into a single middle school environment at CBMS. 

Our next meeting is Wednesday, December 4th at 6:00 pm (with a “Budget 101” board training @ 5pm) in the Harwood Union School library. Please visit https://huusd.org/huusd-board to confirm time and place of meetings. 

You’ll also find all board and committee agendas, packets and minutes, and the link to board meeting videos. The direct link to watch this and other recent meetings is: https://mrvtv.com/category/school-board-meetings/. An archive of older meetings can be found here: https://archive.org/search.php?query=Harwood+Unified+Union+School+Board&sort=-date 

Thank you for your continued support and engagement.

Respectfully,

The HUUSD Board

Bobcat Bulletin 11/15/19

School News:

• MECA Clothes swap is tomorrow 11/16 from 9:00-2:00... come grab armfuls of clothes for your growing kids for a reasonable price....

• Please come join us for a Thanksgiving dinner at Moretown School
• We welcome families to come enjoy a delicious lunch provided by HUUSD food services.  
• We have vegetarian and gluten free options as well!
• Your child's lunch time is listed on the form below by grade, as you can see kindergarten will do a little shift in lunch times for the day to make sure we all have time/space to enjoy our lunch.
• Today is the last day to sign up: 
• Click here to sign up https://forms.gle/c9qXSZG8dkCAkVoj9

• If you haven't signed up for conferences yet, there's still time:
• Follow this link to go directly to the scheduler. https://www.canyoncreeksoftware.com/scheduler/vt/wwsu/index.cfm
• From the Online Scheduler Home Page
• Choose your student’s school from the drop down list and click “GO”
• Enter the school password: 3742
• Enter your student’s “Student ID”. If you do not know their Student ID, use the LOOKUP STUDENT ID button to access the system.
• Verify the student’s birth date
• A list of your student’s teachers will be displayed. Check the box next to the name of each teacher(s) you would like to meet with.
• If you have more than one student in the school you can see all of your students’ teachers’ schedules at one time by answering YES to this question “Do you want to schedule conferences for another student?” then repeat the steps above for your other students. If you only have one student, answer NO to that question.
• You will then see the available time slots for each teacher you selected.
• Select the times that work best for your schedule.
• Enter your email address (recommended) if you would like an email reminder sent to you. (Your email address is kept private.)
• Once you have finished you can confirm your appointment details and print your conference schedule.
• Write down the Confirmation Number (you will need this number to cancel your appointment).

Library Happenings

• Mrs. Willard is talking all about the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award List. 
• check out the list here:  https://libraries.vermont.gov/sites/libraries/files/DCFChecklist19-20.pdf

PTO News

Ski and ride season is coming... look for packets soon!!

Follow this link for more info on registration and lease packages.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KcTAAUh0UJvFsX-SZ3uMuDi-297_Ihu_y2Iij-ux7-s/edit?usp=sharing

Community News/Opportunities

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.

Bill Koch League Nordic Ski Program: With stick season and daylight savings under our belts it is now time to register for the upcoming BKL season!   We are excited by the early snow and cold temps for a fun nordic (aka cross-country) after-school ski program kick-off on December 3rd.

Registration and payments are due by November 30th.  Please don't wait until the deadline to register, as early registration helps us in the planning process for lining up coaches and gear for the season.  For more information and registration materials, email Chris Badger (csbadger@gmail.com).



Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the Bethany Church, Main Street, Montpelier, November 28, 11:30-2pm. If you would like to volunteer at the dinner, please call 802-339-9151.

School Board Updates

Dear members of our six town community,

At our last meeting on November 13, 2019, the Harwood Unified Union School District (HUUSD): 

• Board had an extended Q&A and Public Comment session to address the public’s questions on the Board’s PreK - 12 planning. Information on the PreK-12 planning work and process can be found here: https://huusd.org/prek-12-bond-plan
• Ron Smith and Miranda McDonald from RHR Smith & Company presented their auditor’s report and answered questions from board members.
• Board postponed discussion and decision on this proposed motion to the 11/20 meeting: Move to accept the administrative team’s recommendation to move all 7th and 8th grade students to Crossett Brook Middle School for the 2020-21 school year.

The Board took action on the six (6) items below:

1. Approved the following items as part of the consent agenda: Approve: Minutes of 11/5/19; Approve: Policy Committee Minutes of 11/4/19; Accept: Voucher 1103 for $276,070.84; Accept: FY2019 Audited Financial Report and Management Letter from RHR Smith & Company; Approve: Harwood Union overnight field trip to Hubbard Outdoor Center in Fairlee, VT on 12/5/19.

2. Adopted (after discussion for about 1.5 hours and a proposed amendment that failed): Move to continue exploration and development of a preK-12 plan, in accordance with the Articles of Agreement, that includes closing Fayston Elementary School, combining all 7th and 8th graders at CBMS, and moving Moretown's 5th and 6th graders to CBMS.

3. Adopted: Appoint Garett MacCurtain and James Grace to the Harwood Union principal search committee.

4. Adopted: Approve admin team to engage with our architect and construction management company for up to 40 hours in order to start planning and beginning work on the bond. (Note that these consultants were previously engaged through the requisite bidding and approval process and this motion allows the district to resume bond work that was put on pause during the summer/fall 2019).

5. Adopted: Add an additional board meeting on December 4 from 6-8:30pm.

6. Adopted: The administration to develop a recommendation as to minimum pupil count at Harwood Union Middle School for HUMS to operate effectively.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, November 20th at 6:00 pm in the Harwood Union School library. Please visit https://huusd.org/huusd-board to confirm time and place of meetings. 

You’ll also find all board and committee agendas, packets and minutes, and the link to board meeting videos. The direct link to watch this and other recent meetings is: https://mrvtv.com/category/school-board-meetings/. An archive of older meetings can be found here: https://archive.org/search.php?query=Harwood+Unified+Union+School+Board&sort=-date 

Thank you for your continued support and engagement.

Respectfully,

The HUUSD Board