Bobcat Bulletin 11/29/20

 

School News:

WOW!!  I am so impressed with the Moretown School Community!  The new morning screening process is going super well!! We are getting kids into school quickly and safely.  THANK YOU!!

• If you have any issues with the morning screener, please reach out.  We are here to help.

Virtual Open House is today!! Teachers will be posting videos or slide shows for families to check out.  Please review it with your child and have them talk to you about their day.  You can ask about their favorite part of school, what is different than last year, and how much they love the forest (just for a few conversation starters.

(UPDATED) Safety and Health Guidance for Reopening Vermont Schools, Fall 2020

Please help spread the word about our new video, "How Contact Tracing Slows the Spread of COVID-19," with schools, parents, families and students. The brief video (1 minute, 42 seconds) is to help educate people about how contact tracing works, why it’s an important tool to slow the spread of COVID-19, and to encourage people to answer the call if they are called by a contact tracer. The video can be helpful for people of all ages; it uses a friendly, animated style, and easy-to-understand language and visuals.

 

Now that schools have opened up, we want to make sure families are familiar with this concept and process, in the event they become a case of COVID-19, or are identified as a close contact to a case. The video also explains that calls from a contract tracer always come from a live person, and are never a computer-generated voice or robot, and we never ask about financial information. It also shows the phone number that will show up if you get a call. This is to help people understand what is a legitimate call from a contact tracer.

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.

Parent Volunteers needed for Lantern Parade Preparation 

Greetings Moretown Parents,

This year, the Moretown school will be participating in the River of Light Lantern festival. We are looking for 3 - 5 volunteers to help with the lantern preparation prior to the children creating them in Art class. We will need the kits to be completed before November 2nd so the children have ample time to complete their lanterns for the display on December 5th.

Here is a list of what needs to be created: (120) Vellum Lantern Preparation, (25) Globe Lantern Preparation, (145) Lights in bags. 

What: River of Light Lantern Preparation helpers needed.

When: Preparation will need to be completed by Monday, November 2nd.

Where: Supplies can be picked up at Moretown school, or sent home with your child - Kits can be created in your home.

Please email me with any questions and if you are interested in helping! I will put your chosen task kit together for you to work on at home.

hvontrapp@huusd.org

We are excited to be a part of this very special community event this year!

Sincerely,

Heather

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.

Halloween Story and Pumpkin Walk

Saturday, 11am-8pm

In celebration of Halloween this year, the library invites all goblins, ghosts and other characters of the night to a special Story and Pumpkin walk happening at the Rec Fields. Read the story and view your neighbors' carved creations, with the Jack O'Laterns lighting up when the trick or treating begins in the Village.

While we won't be handing out candy that day, snap a picture of your favorite page or pumpkin, and share with us anytime we are open to receive a treat (no tricks we promise). Our current hours are Mon/Tues/Thurs 2-6pm and Sat. 10am-2pm.

We also still need donations for the pumpkin walk. Bring your carved creation to the Rec Fields on Saturday between 9-11am , and help us create a great display.

I have heard that many of our neighbors in the village are planning for trick-or-treaters this year. Although the school is not hosting their regular party, there will still be opportunities for Halloween fun!

You Can Still Have a Happy and Safe Halloween! 
- from the VT Dept of Health

Halloween may look a little different this year, but we can still find ways to celebrate safely! Keep three things in mind when you head out on Halloween:
               - 6-foot Spaces -
Keep a safe 6-foot distance between your family and others who don't live in your household. Don't forget your flashlight so you're visible in the dark! Giving out candy? Get creative! Have bags ready to grab on your front steps, or slide the treats down a candy slide.
               
             - Masks on Faces - 
Make sure you and the people around you are wearing masks. Find a fun way to make it a part of your costume! But DON'T wear a costume mask over your face mask, which could make it harder to breathe.

               - Uncrowded Places - 
Keep your group small, and skip crowded indoor parties. Take the fun outside! If you're trick-or-treating and one neighborhood seems too busy, skip to the next one.

Making these things a part of your Halloween plans will make everyone safer. And remember… if you're sick, stay home!

Learn more: https://www.healthvermont.gov/COVID19-prevention

Interfaith Council Thanksgiving Baskets are available.

Please complete this form and return it to Mandy Couturier at Moretown School.

WHAT IS THIS? 

Everyone Eats an awesome program that engages local restaurants to make to-go meals for anyone who has been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis due to unemployment, underemployment, or other challenges (so basically everyone)! This program is available thanks to special CARES Act funds made available to Vermonters. 

WHEN IS THIS? 

Pick up is at Sugar Fish VT (not Sugarbush) on Saturdays from 11-1. 168 Fiddlers Green (by the Laundromat) Waitsfield, VT 05673 

WHAT WILL I RECEIVE? 

You will receive one individually packaged, frozen dinner for each person in your household. Also, Farmers to Families Boxes available first-come, first-serve. 

DO YOU HAVE VEGETARIAN OR VEGAN/GF OPTIONS? 

Yes! It’s easy to request your meal choice on the Enrollment Form. 

HOW DO I SIGN UP? 

Sign up using the link below. You will only need to enroll once. Please plan to come each week to pick up meals. 

OR 

Come to Sugarfish on Saturday, October 24th to enroll. We will have a limited number of extra meals, so first-come, first-serve. 

Enrollment Form: https://tinyurl.com/vee-enrollment 

*Please choose Share MRV (Mad River Valley) as your connection to Everyone Eats 

Questions? Please call Jess Tompkins at (802)-793-1116 or email the ShareMRV team at ShareMRV@gmail.com.

Link for more information. 

https://www.sevca.org/vt-everyone-eats

Bobcat Bulletin 10/23/20

For those who want to call Pick Up Patrol, Paw Patrol.  You are not alone.

School News:

Schedule Shift on Monday 10/26/20

• Morning Screening
• ALL STUDENTS
• As we head into our new hybrid model- k-6 students attending in person 4 days (preK staying the same) we are changing our morning screening procedures and protocols
• Families will need to complete a daily health screening on Pick Up Patrol (while you are in there update default plans for all the days your child attends school).
• In Pick Up Patrol you will answer questions very similar to the ones we have been asking each morning, and need to enter your child's temperature.
• At drop off someone will greet you and make sure you have completed this step.
• Once it is is confirmed that the screener has been completed, your child will go into the building, where their temperature will be taken upon entry.  
• You will be called right away if your child has symptoms or has a fever above 100.4, for you to return to school and pick them up.
• We are trying to cut down the traffic in the morning knowing that twice as many kids will be coming to school each day.  Please have kids ready to exit the card as best you can (knowing this is tough for younger children especially.
• If you would like your child to ride the bus, please check the morning routes as they have expanded to be more like last year, and just let us know.
• If you don't see a stop on there that is needed.  Reach out to Chelsea, our new admin assistant, at cfaure@huusd.org
• Wednesday specifics
• K-6 ONLY
• We will have in person instruction Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for all k-6 students starting Monday 10/26/20. 
• Wednesdays will remain a remote day for synchronous and asynchronous work.
• Please check the remote hub on our website for grade level specifics
• In general, students will have one synchronous meeting with their classroom teacher and classmates (i.e morning meeting)
• Specials will remain status quo, with 15 minute check-ins available Wednesday afternoons (see schedule in remote hub)
• 
  

Notes from the Health Office  

From the Vermont Department of Health -

•  Please help spread the word about our new video, "How Contact Tracing Slows the Spread of COVID-19,". This brief video (1 minute, 42 seconds) is to help educate people about how contact tracing works, why it’s an important tool to slow the spread of COVID-19, and to encourage people to answer the call if they are called by a contact tracer. The video can be helpful for people of all ages; it uses a friendly, animated style, and easy-to-understand language and visuals.  Now that schools have opened up, we want to make sure families are familiar with this concept and process, in the event they become a case of COVID-19, or are identified as a close contact to a case. The video also explains that calls from a contract tracer always come from a live person, and are never a computer-generated voice or robot, and we never ask about financial information. It also shows the phone number that will show up if you get a call. This is to help people understand what is a legitimate call from a contact tracer.

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 Wide Lantern Extravaganza:

The River of Light Lantern “Parade” will be held on December 5th, 2020.

Bringing light and joy in a time we really need it! A Drive Through and/or Walk Through Event (with masks - socially distanced).


In 2010 - Thatcher Brook Primary School put together the first annual River of Light Lantern Parade in Waterbury. Now in our 11th year, we’re bringing a reimagined Covid-19 version of this event to all of the schools in our district. The art teachers in HUUSD will be working with students to make lanterns for a - view from a safe distance - lantern extravaganza.

The Date/Time:

Saturday December 5th - from dark o'clock on - to avoid gathering crowds at a specific time. 

The Theme: Brave Little State

The Idea: The lanterns will be on display and stationary and the audience will drive past or walk through the displays.
Students in area schools will make lanterns with teachers during the month of November.
The towns of Waterbury, Duxbury, Moretown, Fayston, Waitsfield, Warren and Middlesex will all be represented.

Community members are invited to pick up Lantern Kits or new lights/batteries for existing lanterns on Saturday, November 7th at Thatcher Brook Primary School in Waterbury from 11:00-2:00.
You are also welcome to design your own lantern to put on display at one of the viewing sites.


The Viewing Sites:

Dac Rowe Field in Waterbury
Crossett Brook Middle School
Camp Meade in Middlesex
Waitsfield Elementary School 

Hang your own lanterns at one of these designated sites on Saturday, December 5th (the day of the event) between 9:00-4:00. Volunteers will be on hand at each site to help hang your lanterns. Then after dark, take a drive through our communities and enjoy the light and joy of this event brought to you by students, staff, and others in our community.

More detailed information will come directly from your art teacher as the event nears. Additional information can be found at ariveroflightinwaterbury.org

If you would like to volunteer to help with material preparation or “parade” day set up, please contact MK Monley. mmonley@huusd.org




“I love Vermont because of her hills and valleys, her scenery and invigorating climate, but most of all because of her indomitable people. They are a race of pioneers who have almost beggared themselves to serve others. If the spirit of liberty should vanish in other parts of the Union, and support of our institutions should languish, it could all be replenished from the generous store held by the people of this brave little state of Vermont.” - Calvin Coolidge - 30th President of the United States

Election Day Childcare in the Valley:

NOW understands how important it is to VOTE! While school is closed to facilitate polling stations we will be open to provide NOW day camp!

Details below!

Tuesday, November 3rd from 7:30a-3:00p for $40/child

After school option of 3:00p - 5:00p for $15/child

Kindergarten through 6th grades

Please email Catrina at neckofthewoodsNOW@gmail.com to sign up

School Board Updates

HUUSD Board Meeting Recap, October 14 - The HUUSD Board met remotely on Wednesday, October 14. The meeting began with questions for Superintendent Nease about Return to Learn planning and an update from Harwood’s student representatives.


The meeting centered around the district’s preK-12 plan. The Board approved a motion to “move forward with the implementation of middle school consolidation in FY ‘22-23, for 7th and 8th graders at Crossett Brook Middle School.” Many details will be fleshed out in the coming months and the Board expects to use time at its next meeting to discuss plans for bringing the merger to fruition and a bond to voters.


In other actions, the Board approved hiring a law firm to assist in negotiating new collective bargaining agreements with the teacher and support staff associations; approved several agenda topics for discussion at future meetings; developed a committee to explore reducing the size and changing the configuration of the Board; and accepted the report of an independent investigator who found no merit to the claim that, in 2016, the Superintendent acted inappropriately during a purported conversation regarding an incident of racism.


The next regular Board meeting will be October 28th, at 6:00PM. Remote meeting requirements have made it easier than ever to participate in or view School Board meetings, and we hope you will consider joining us. You can also email the board with your thoughts at cen-huusdboard@huusd.org


-- To participate live through Zoom, simply click on this link at the meeting’s start time: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/386460007#success
-- To view either live or after-the-fact on YouTube, use this link: tinyurl.com/huwebapp-youtube-live
-- To view on Mad River Television, use this link: www.mrvtv.com


Thank you for continued support,




The HUUSD Board

Bobcat Bulletin October 19, 2020

 

Check out this new student in Mrs. Dow's outdoor classroom! 

School News:

We will be moving to 4 days in for all students, staring one week from today.  There is much to be done; furniture to move and set up, schedules to adjust, and routines to be adjusted.  To provide some of the time needed, classroom teachers will be working on their transition this Wednesday.  The remote/off-site schedule for your child on Wednesday will be a little different, as synchronous instruction will be at a minimum.   Please look closely at teacher communication for the coming week.  

Food Service:

• Starting today the lunch pick up window for remote learners to come pick up food will be open from 12:45 to 1:00. We will happily help anyone who is running late, we just didn't want you to worry if you pull up and Jeannie isn't sitting there.

Musical Notes

• The music goes round and round! It's not too late to sign up for instrument lessons on flute, clarinet, saxophone,trumpet, trombone, baritone, or percussion! The lessons are free.  Info  on  how to sign up and get an instrument is on the band website, or you can reach out to Mrs. Adams at cadams@huusd.org.

Notes from the Health Office:

Annual Health Questionnaire - There are still many children who have not yet handed in their Annual Health Questionnaire. This information on this health form is required by the state and needs to be filled out annually. This form also keeps the school nurse up to date with your student's medical history. Here is a copy of the Annual Health Questionnaire for those in need of another copy.

IMPORTANT COVID 19 Information for families:For Families Return to School Following Illness
This handout from the Vermont Department of Health guides families on when to know if your child needs testing, and how to have information pass between the family, the school nurse, and their child's health care provider. It also guides families to know when their child may return to school after being ill. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for taking care of your children and helping us care for them as well.

Vermont COVID Travel Map - have you traveled out of Vermont? Check out this travel map to see if the area you visited is in a ‘red’ or ‘yellow’ zone. If you did, there are quarantine requirements. If you have questions on this, feel free to email Nurse Claire at clindberg@huusd.org.

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.

Please Support the Family Center’s 4th Annual Diaper Drive - October 2020!


The demand for our services, including food, meals, diapers and formula, has increased. Due to

the economic downturn, we are seeing an increase in the numbers of families we are serving

through our Diaper Bank and Food Pantry. Since the beginning of the pandemic in March, we

have seen a 300% increase in families using our Food Pantry & Diaper Bank, which has served

over 200 families, and 800 individuals. Diaper donations can be dropped off at the following

locations: Family Center; Lenny’s in Downtown Barre; or at FROGGY 100.9 radio station.

Donations can also be made online by visiting www.FCWCVT.org . Thank you for your support.

Diapers sized 4 - 6 are especially in demand.

School Board Updates

SUBJECT: HUUSD Board Meeting Recap, October 14

BODY: The HUUSD Board met remotely on Wednesday, October 14. The meeting began with questions for Superintendent Nease about Return to Learn planning and an update from Harwood’s student representatives. 

The meeting centered around the district’s preK-12 plan. The Board approved a motion to “move forward with the implementation of middle school consolidation in FY ‘22-23, for 7th and 8th graders at Crossett Brook Middle School.” Many details will be fleshed out in the coming months and the Board expects to use time at its next meeting to discuss plans for bringing the merger to fruition and a bond to voters. 

In other actions, the Board approved hiring a law firm to assist in negotiating new collective bargaining agreements with the teacher and support staff associations; approved several agenda topics for discussion at future meetings; developed a committee to explore reducing the size and changing the configuration of the Board; and accepted the report of an independent investigator who found no merit to the claim that, in 2016, the Superintendent acted inappropriately during a purported conversation regarding an incident of racism.

The next regular Board meeting will be October 28th, at 6:00PM. Remote meeting requirements have made it easier than ever to participate in or view School Board meetings, and we hope you will consider joining us. You can also email the board with your thoughts at cen-huusdboard@huusd.org

-- To participate live through Zoom, simply click on this link at the meeting’s start time: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/386460007#success  

-- To view either live or after-the-fact on YouTube, use this link: tinyurl.com/huwebapp-youtube-live

-- To view on Mad River Television, use this link: www.mrvtv.com

Thank you for continued support,

The HUUSD Board

Bobcat Bulletin 10/8/20

School News:

Outdoor Learning at it's best!! So many amazing things going on in the Moretown Forest this week and all the weeks of school so far.  We are so very fortunate to be in this amazing spot.  Big Thanks to the town of Moretown for sharing this amazing land with these incredible learners!

With the weather cooling, please be sure to send your student in with warm and dry outer layers for their time in the forest (even older students).  We try to go out every day for as much fresh air as possible and the right gear makes for a more pleasurable experience.  If you are not sure you have the right gear or the right sizes, let us know we have gear here to lend!

No School tomorrow or Monday.  Friday October 9 is an inservice day for staff.  We are reflecting on our time in school so far, preparing for the weeks to come and honing in on some systems that need attention in our new school experience.  Monday is a day off for everyone!  Enjoy the long weekend!!

The Bataille Beat... going to have to change the name of this one!

• Mrs. Ally Shea is back at Moretown this week and next.  Congrats on the wedding Ms. Ally! 

Musical Notes

• Has your student set up their google classroom for music?

I Heart Art  

School Counselor's Corner

• Mr.Stevenson has been working hard on lessons all about the Zones of Regulation.  Interested in learning more? check out the website https://www.zonesofregulation.com/index.html and stay tuned for more off-site lessons.

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

FREE DIGITAL THERMOMETER
Text FLUENCY to 900900 to connect with this program being offered by Kinsa; you will receive a digital thermometer in the mail, free, and be guided in downloading an app that syncs to the thermometer.

Talking with Kids About Racism Tuesdays, October 13, 20, and 27, 6-8pm. Hosted Online by the MRV Libraries and the Peace & Justice Center. Talking about race and racism can be difficult -- especially with children, but that does not mean we shouldn't have these conversations. This three-part program is for all people concerned about the impact of racism and/or white privilege on children. Learn tools to discuss these issues with children in a meaningful and age-appropriate way through resources, discussion, and role playing. Participants are expected to attend all three sessions unless other arrangements are made in advance with the facilitators. If the workshop fills, priority will be given to those who can attend all sessions. Registration is required and space is limited.
Register Here: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/muwMTeQ0vVyOqyDPpBJNIQ

The Waitsfield Children’s Center (WCC) is pleased to be bringing Mountainfilm on Tour to the Mad River Valley for its 20th annual showing, in a COVID-19 friendly drive-in screening! Mountainfilm on Tour brings a selection of culturally rich, adventure-packed and incredibly inspiring documentary films curated from the Mountainfilm festival in Telluride, Colorado. 

The show takes place on Friday, October 9th and Saturday, October 10th at 7PM. The cost for each show is $75 per car. Tickets for Mountainfilm on Tour in Waitsfield, VT must be purchased online at https://www.waitsfieldchildrenscenter.org. Food and drinks will be available from The Big Picture Theater and Café. Parking is general admission and will begin at 5PM on both nights. Rain date is scheduled for Sunday, October 11th at 7PM. See the complete playlist at www.mountainfilm.org/tour/schedule. 

Mountainfilm on Tour in Waitsfield, VT is hosted by The Waitsfield Children’s Center in partnership with Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Jamieson Insurance, Kingsbury Companies and Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom.

INTRO TO DESTINATION IMAGINATION

Creative Teams for Kids and Teens

THURSDAY, OCT. 15

 4:00 - 5:30

Outdoors and social distanced in a big tent at

  Living Tree Alliance

110 Living Tree Lane, Moretown

Learn about the program and try some creative mini-challenges

FREE!

Destination Imagination Inc. is a non-profit

 for creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking

RSVP by texting Melanie at 8025039774.  Parking available down Living Tree Lane. Signs or a greeter will lead you to the outdoor tent.  Families will sit at separate tables and wear masks while underneath the tent. 

For more information about Vermont Destination Imagination

 email janeyoungbaer@gmail.com

Bobcat Bulletin 10/5/20

 

HOOO! Who's loving those fall colors on the Moretown hills?

School News:

Reminder: No school for students this Friday October 9 or Monday October 12.  Enjoy your long weekend!

Intradistrict choice is now open for the district: https://huusd.org/apply-for-intradistrict-school-choice

School Picture Days are October 13 and 15.  Here is the order form.  If you need a paper copy, please let me know as I have a bunch printed and it's easy to send them home with students.

If your child is going to be absent, don't forget there is a new protocol.  Please fill out the absent form above marked *NEW*.  If you fill this out, Claire will reach out to you during the day to check in on things.

BUS:

Anyone can begin riding the buses now, you do not have to have completed the registration.  Please just contact me. 

Blue Annual Health Forms: Please return them filled out to our new school nurse Claire Lindberg as soon as possible.

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.

The Waitsfield Children’s Center (WCC) is pleased to be bringing Mountainfilm on Tour to the Mad River Valley for its 20th annual showing, in a COVID-19 friendly drive-in screening! Mountainfilm on Tour brings a selection of culturally rich, adventure-packed and incredibly inspiring documentary films curated from the Mountainfilm festival in Telluride, Colorado. 

The show takes place on Friday, October 9th and Saturday, October 10th at 7PM. The cost for each show is $75 per car. Tickets for Mountainfilm on Tour in Waitsfield, VT must be purchased online at https://www.waitsfieldchildrenscenter.org. Food and drinks will be available from The Big Picture Theater and Café. Parking is general admission and will begin at 5PM on both nights. Rain date is scheduled for Sunday, October 11th at 7PM. See the complete playlist at www.mountainfilm.org/tour/schedule. 

Mountainfilm on Tour in Waitsfield, VT is hosted by The Waitsfield Children’s Center in partnership with Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Jamieson Insurance, Kingsbury Companies and Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom.

Talking with Kids About Racism
With the Peace & Justice Center
Tuesdays Online, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 6-8pm
Talking about race and racism can be difficult -- especially with children, but that does not mean we shouldn't have these conversations. This three-part program facilitated by the Peace & Justice Center and hosted by the MRV Libraries is for all people concerned about the impact of racism and/or white privilege on children. Learn tools to discuss these issues with children in a meaningful and age-appropriate way through resources, discussion, and role playing. Participants are expected to attend all three sessions unless other arrangements are made in advance with the facilitators. Registration is required and space is limited. Please visit moretownlibrary.com to sign up.

School Board Updates

https://huusd.org/huusd-board