Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Bobcat Bulletin 10/29/19

Happy Halloween from 5th/6th graders!

School News:

and spooky wishes from these folks... BOO!

Dear Families,

The Mad River Valley Interfaith Council Thanksgiving Turkey Project provides a Thanksgiving meal for families in need.  Cash and food donations are being accepted to support this and other important programs. Checks may be sent to the Mad River Interfaith Council, P.O. Box 342 Waitsfield, VT 05673. Please note on the check that it is for the Thanksgiving baskets. Food donations may be brought to the local churches or the food shelf.

If you are interested in receiving a Thanksgiving meal, please complete and return the attached form to the main office by November 4th. Extra copies of this form will also be available in the main office and can be downloaded here: Thanksgiving Basket Request Form. Meals will be available for pick up on Tuesday, November 26th, 11:30-1:00 or 5:00-6:00 at the Waitsfield United Church of Christ. 

The Interfaith Council is also providing Joys of the Season coupon booklets, valued at up to $40 per child and redeemable at designated local stores.  As with the Turkey Project, these coupon booklets are for families struggling financially. Please let me know if you would like to receive these booklets by November 4th. Please include the number of children in your family. Booklets will be mailed once we receive them from the Interfaith Council. As always, your information will be kept confidential. 

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Respectfully,

Jason Stevenson
School Counselor
Moretown and Fayston Elementary Schools

Preschool Willows' robot inspired by If I Had A Robot by Dan Yaccarino.



Library Happenings

  • Our Library got a new paint job!  Come on in and check it out... 

...and while you're here, check out the Red Clover Books this year


Bonjour:

An impressive model of the Eiffel Tower made by this young man.



PTO

Halloween Party Thursday!  See you there!

Here is the sign up for snacks for the party.  Please make sure snacks are nut free.


Community News

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.

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.

Suite Sounds: Exquisite Music from Scandinavia and Russia performed by Central Vermont's only professional string chamber orchestra, November 10, 3pm, at the Inn at the Round Barn in Waitsfield. Tickets are $20 adults, $10 for seniors and students.

School Board

Dear members of our six town community,
At our last meeting on October 23, 2019, the Harwood Unified Union School District (HUUSD), the 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
Michelle Baker, HUUSD Director of Finance, presented additional information and clarification on the calculations in the models and board members asked questions. Here is the information she provided: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2uQwDkbPKEVSjdyS2pNOTRzZTM0T3FtMUVwOVJJOF9fRG9v/view


The Board took action on the eight (8) items below (listed in order of the time in the meeting when the vote occurred):
  1. Adopted: The board resolves and declares the data package prepared and presented by the administration team regarding the PreK-12 redesign project was prepared at the direction at the board, is accurate and has been prepared without intentional bias. 
  2. Failed: Model a scenario to include TBPS PreK-2; CBMS 3-6; all 7-12 at HUHS; 4 valley schools PreK-6. 
  3. Adopted: Approve the early retirement proposal made in the 10/23/19 board packet.
  4. Adopted: Approve an additional board meeting on November 5.
  5. Adopted: Proceed with discussion about IDC at the date the Board leadership deems appropriate. 
  6. Adopted: Add an agenda item to the November 5th meeting to share reflections on the effects of school closure on students, as well as on the broader social and economic fabric of district towns including possible loss or gain of students and families.
  7. Approved the following items as part of the consent agenda: Approved: Minutes of 10/16/19; Accepted: Vouchers 1090 and 1091, equaling $54,091.16
  8. Adopted: Enter into two executive sessions to discuss pending or probable civil litigation, to which the public body is or may be a party because doing so in public session will clearly place that public body at a substantial disadvantage. 


Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 5 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





Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Bobcat Bulletin 10/18/19ish

School News:


Goal Conferences will be held the week of November 18-22.  The sign up for a conference will open the week before.



Dear Families,

The Mad River Valley Interfaith Council Thanksgiving Turkey Project provides a Thanksgiving meal for families in need. Cash and food donations are being accepted to support this and other important programs. Checks may be sent to the Mad River Interfaith Council, P.O. Box 342 Waitsfield, VT 05673. Please note on the check that it is for the Thanksgiving baskets. Food donations may be brought to the local churches or the food shelf.

If you are interested in receiving a Thanksgiving meal, please download and complete the Request Form and return it to the main office by November 4th. Extra copies of the form will also be available in the main office. Meals will be available for pick up on Tuesday, November 26th, 11:30-1:00 or 5:00-6:00 at the Waitsfield United Church of Christ.

The Interfaith Council is also providing Joys of the Season coupon booklets, valued at up to $40 per child and redeemable at designated local stores. As with the Turkey Project, these coupon booklets are for families struggling financially. Please let me know if you would like to receive these booklets by November 4th. Please include the number of children in your family. Booklets will be mailed once we receive them from the Interfaith Council. As always, your information will be kept confidential.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Respectfully,
Jason Stevenson
School Counselor
Moretown and Fayston Elementary Schools

PTO

It’s becoming that SPOOKY time of year!!! 
As we get ready for the annual Halloween Party and village trick or treating, we’d like to ask that if anyone would like to donate candy to the local houses we will collect it at the school and at town hall between 7:00 and 3:00 on weekdays. 

Community News

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.

MECA Movie Night
There are a few more spaces at Movie Night this Friday.  Contact Moie at mmoulton@huusd.org to sign up.

Halloween Harvest Dinner
Sunday, October 27th starting 2pm with pumpkin fun
Moretown Town Hall

Join the library and NOFA-VT at the Town Hall for a Halloween Harvest Dinner and celebration. From 2-4pm we are hosting pumpkin carving or painting and gourd monster making complete with roasting pumpkin seeds and hot cider. BYO pumpkin or contact the library to reserve and use one of ours.

After that, we will prepare and enjoy a simple meal together to celebrate the season with a chance to visit with local food producers. Visit the link below or contact us directly to sign up to bring an ingredient.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0448AAA62AA0FB6-moretown


Cory Stephenson


A Halloween Concert with Miss Andrea & the Hoot Musicians, Geared for 2-7-year-olds and their families (all siblings welcome)
Sat. Oct. 26th, 3:00-5:15p.m, concert: 3:30-4:30p.m
Green Mountain Performing Arts, 37 Commercial Drive,
Waterbury, VT 05676
COME IN COSTUME for interactive Halloween songs, storytelling, instruments, puppets, and instrumental fun!
Raffle prizes, Door prize, Free trick or treat gift bags for all children, baked goods and refreshments (donation)
face painting (3:00-3:30, 4:30-5:00p.m)
A Penny Social Raffle Fundraiser for Thatcher Brook Primary Backback program,
Support a great cause (giving food to children in their backpacks every weekend to families in need at our local school) and the chance to win over $1000.00 in prizes donated from our local businesses.
ADMISSION: SUGGESTED DONATION $10-$20 per family (includes free raffle tickets- & the ability to purchase more)
RSVP appreciated # of children & adults attending (need gift bag & chair count) Contact at the above email or www.musicalmunchkins.net, or musicalmunchkinsofvermont@gmail.com, 845-802-2311
It's going to be a great afternoon, and please note if you can't come you can still support this event with a baked good or cash donation. Please contact me for details.
thank you, Miss Andrea, Musical Munchkins of Vermont,

To Whom It May Concern:

            The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is requesting your assistance in reaching those veterans who are residents and taxpayers in your community.  As part of celebrating Veterans Day 11/11/19 we are trying to make contact with as many Veterans as possible throughout the region and offer them Health Care and other ancillary services.

            Attached find an open letter addressed to these veterans. It is our hope that you will offer the letter in conjunction with any Veterans Day programs or education you offer.
If your institution isn’t planning that sort of program perhaps forwarding the letter thru your normal communication channels would be possible.

            We are grateful for your help in serving those who have served us.

On behalf of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

I am


Becky Rhoads, Au.D.
Associate Medical Center Director

Here is the Letter to Disperse Widely
https://gallery.mailchimp.com/54ecdc0ddb00df8abd76525a2/files/e8f53012-6133-415f-b04e-5271eb0350b3/Veterans.Day.Outreah.Letter_2019.pdf
www.musicalmunchkins.net

School Board

Dear members of our six town community,
At our last meeting on October 16, 2019, the Harwood Unified Union School District (HUUSD) Board took action on the five(5) items below (listed in order of the time in the meeting when the vote occurred):
  1. Adopted: Eliminate scenarios A and B from further consideration:
    1. Scenario A (PreK/Early Ed Center/Central Office at Moretown Elementary, PreK - 4 at Thatcher Brook, Waitsfield and Warren, Grades 5 - 8 Crossett Brook, Grades 9 - 12 at Harwood Union)
    2. Scenario B (PreK - 4 at Thatcher Brook, PreK - 4 at three valley schools, Grades 5 - 8  Crossett Brook, Grades 9 - 12 at Harwood Union) 

  1. Adopted: Move the following scenarios forward for further study and consideration:
    1. “D” scenarios (PreK - 4 at Thatcher Brook, PreK - 6 at Moretown, Waitsfield and Warren, Grades 5 - 6 at Crossett Brook and 7 - 8 at Crossett Brook, Grades 9 - 12 at Harwood Union; Also includes a version with 5th/6th graders from Moretown only at Crossett Brook) 
    2. Status quo scenario (everything remains as is)

  1. Tabled for 10/23 meeting: a motion that an additional scenario be modeled: TBPS K-2; CBMS 3-6; all 7-12 at HUHS; 4 valley schools K-6.

  1. Adopted: The board will get a second legal opinion regarding Article 6 of the Articles of Agreement from a firm that has no affiliation, nor has done prior work with, the VSA, VSBA, AOE, and VPA. 

  1. Approved the following items as part of the consent agenda:  Approved: Minutes of 9/25/19 & Policy Committee Minutes of 10/2/19; Accepted: Vouchers 1076, 1077, 1080, and 1081 equaling $733,477.78



Additionally, there was a Special Q & A and Public Comment session to address the public’s questions on the Board’s PreK - 12 planning; Board members spent the bulk of the meeting reflecting on what they’ve heard from the community on this topic and shared their own thoughts and questions regarding the PreK-12 plan and next steps; and the Admin team supplied some additional information for Board members to consider as they make decisions. Information on the PreK-12 planning work and process can be found here: https://huusd.org/prek-12-bond-plan

Our next meeting is Wednesday, October 23rd at 6:00 pm in the Harwood Union School library and it will begin with another extended Q & A and Public Comment session to address the public’s questions on the board’s PreK - 12 plan in progress.

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

Friday, October 11, 2019

Bobcat Bulletin 10/4/19 & 10/11/19

Wow! We live and learn in an amazing place


This week's blog is a two-for-one.  A lot has been happening around school these last two weeks!

School News:

District Spelling Bee
Our spelling team spelled well agains tough competition!



Bataille Bulletin
Some mad golfing skills happening in PE class

Musical notes:

Library:

  • Our library is getting a fresh coat of paint over the long weekend... can't wait to see what Mrs. Willard does with her blank canvas!

I Heart Art

Some Amazing Autumn Leaf Art for our cafeteria!

3rd/4th grade tessellations

Notes from the Health Office:

  • The Lions Club vision screening will take place on Tuesday October 15, 2019 for all grades.  

PTO

It’s becoming that SPOOKY time of year!!! 
As we get ready for the annual Halloween Party and village trick or treating, we’d like to ask that if anyone would like to donate candy to the local houses we will collect it at the school and at town hall between 7:00 and 3:00 on weekdays. 

If you are interesting in volunteering at the party or providing a snack for the party please email moretownpto@gmail.com .  Village Trick or Treating will be extra special (and safe) this year since the fire department will be placing a truck at both ends of the 100b!

Community News


Want to Volunteer at MES?
Click here to begin the process. The background check and fingerprint results have to come back before you can volunteer. 


Event: Oct 14, 2019, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Hannah's House is pleased to welcome Michael Ungar, PhD, one of the world's leading authorities on resilience in children, young people, and adults to speak about parenting and resilience on Monday, October 14th at Waitsfield School.
In his new book "Change the World", Dr. Ungar explores real lives, across age and culture, and discovers that the answers lie in the people and the support systems around us. Supportive spouses, caring families, nurturing employers, and effective governments are very often the difference between individual success and failure.
Dr. Ungar is the founder and Director of the Resilience Research Centre at Dalhousie University. His ground-breaking work as a family therapist and resilience researcher is recognized around the world. He lives in Halifax, Canada. His full bio can be found here.
To sign-up for free childcare contact tcariano@huusd.org
For more information contact Barbara@hannahshousevt.org or call 496-9715
Dr. Ungar will speaking at the HUUSD Faculty Inservice during the day, so we are grateful to be partnering with HUUSD to offer this presentation.
Munchkins Halloween Concert
Saturday October 26 from 3:00-5:15pm at Green Mountain Performing Arts in Waterbury.  The concert will be from 3:30-4:30.  Festivities will include a raffle, free trick or treat gift bags, face painting, and a bake sale.  Donations to benefit the Thatcher Brook Backpack Program.  Click here for more info.

Basketball

The 2019/20 Basketball season is almost upon us.  Boys and Girls who live in the HUUSD are invited to learn the game of basketball this winter.  The Program is open for students in 1st-6th grade.  1st & 2nd Graders will begin after Thanksgiving and have practices on Saturday mornings.  3rd/4th grade and  5th/6th graders will begin in early November.  3rd-6th grade will have one/two practices a week and typically one game a week.

The cost of the program is $25 for 1st/2nd grade and $75 for 3rd/6th grade.  Here is a link to Register your child https://tinyurl.com/y2yav3vn

Please contact Brian Godfrey at brian.godfrey@mmuusd.org with questions.

School Board

We invite you to join the HUUSD board Monday, Oct 7 at Crossett Brook at 7pm to hear about and discuss our PreK - 12 models.  The format will include a presentation and Q & A, followed by small group discussions led by board members. Childcare is available. Please also take our survey - linked at huusd.org/prek-12-bond-plan 

Thank you for your ongoing support of our schools. Respectfully, The HUUSD Board