Bobcat Bulletin 11/23/20

School Photos

Hello Moretown Families - We hope everyone had a nice weekend. We left our final batch of school photos for families at MES last week (completing make-up day, retake, late and misc/missing print orders). Although the school is closed to in-person learning this week, our photos are  available to pick up at the front desk of the school with Chelsea or Mandy during normal school hours on Monday or Tuesday. Alternatively, if/when MES re-opens for in-person learning after Thanksgiving, your photos will be sent home with your child(ren) at that time.  Thanks for ordering school photos with us this year…and for your patience! And please let us know if you need anything else.  Enjoy your photos, Thanks!  Brian and Emily

School News: Library Happenings  Bookfair Letter Fall 2020 I Heart Art Dear Moretown Families: On Monday and Tuesday there will be lantern kits available for you to pick up at school to make at home over the Thanksgiving weekend. Here is a link to the how to videos for lantern making. All Pre-K - 4th grade students will be making the Vellum lanterns. All 5th and 6th graders will be making Globe lanterns. We will let you know what to do with the lanterns once they are finished. We're very excited to participate in this event and are happy that our school lanterns will be featured at Red Hen Bakery and Camp Meade on Saturday, December 5th for the River of Light Lantern Extravaganza. Please let me know if you have any questions. Ms. VonTrapp hvontrapp@huusd.org Thanks... DROP OFF SPOTS FOR LANTERNS

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.

Whether you celebrate with turkey, tofurkey, or skip right to the pies, the Libraries of the MRV invite you to sit at our virtual Thanksgiving table for trivia fun! In order to play along, you must pre-register. Registrants will be emailed the Zoom meeting ID and only registered participants will be allowed in. Register by noon on November 25.

To make things even more festive we've selected a non-alcoholic drink to toast each other with during the event so feel free to make a batch for your crew to sip on as we play!  "The Bright and Bitter"

It will be easiest to play with two devices - one that is logged into the Zoom meeting and another that is logged into Kahoot! (The Kahoot! app is free and can be downloaded onto a mobile device or you can log in using a web browser.) It is possible to play with one device but may be a little trickier.

Pass the gravy and see how much you know about the fourth Thursday of November!

Thanksgiving Virtual Trivia Night Registration

"Among Us" with the MRV Libraries

Fridays, 4-5:30pm, 11/20-12/18

Calling all crew and imposters! The MRV Libraries invite students in grades 5-8 to play the online game “Among Us” in a trusted environment. Can you spot the imposter and stop them before they destroy your ship and crewmates?

Participation is limited to 10 players. You may register for one or more of the Friday sessions. When you register, you will receive a Zoom link and instructions for downloading the game before your session. 

Registration: https://forms.gle/72257dmWvmeb8g658

School Board Updates

 HUUSD Board Meeting Recap, November 11, 2020 

The HUUSD Board met remotely on Wednesday, November 11th. The meeting began with an update from the Superintendent regarding the administration’s current work, including budgeting, negotiations and COVID-19. One adult at HUHS/MS tested positive for the virus, and the protocol for handling this was outlined. All HUUSD staff will have access to voluntary testing through the district’s own mobile testing unit in the upcoming weeks. The Board voted to adopt policy C5, regarding Board relations with school personnel, as recommended by the Policy Committee. Additionally, the Board approved the charges for the Middle School Facilities Committee and High School Facilities Committee. The committees were formed in an effort to determine next steps in the middle school merger process and the high school bond.

 In an effort to prepare the Board for the upcoming budget season, the Director of Finance, Michelle Baker, offered a presentation on budgeting basics. The Board was invited to ask questions. The first look at a FY22 budget will be presented at the December 9th meeting. Finally, the Board took some time to discuss the idea of reducing its size. A Board Size Committee presented pros and cons of various board reconfiguration options that they had researched and the full Board discussed the options presented. 

The Board passed a motion directing the Board Size Committee to discuss next steps and bring information to the Board at a December meeting for what a Town Meeting Day article would entail. The next regular Board meeting will be November 18th, 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

School Board recap, 11/18/20

Our district continues to be in great need of more substitute staff. The pay is $140/day and substitutes can choose which days and in which schools they will work. If there is any chance you might be able to offer your time for this, please contact Laura Titus at ltitus@huusd.org.

The HUUSD School Board met remotely via Zoom on November 18. The meeting began with detailed reports from the Superintendent as well as the Board’s student representatives. Community members might be especially interested to watch the meeting’s first 30 minutes to hear more about the district’s response and plans related to Vermont’s most recent COVID developments. A link to the meeting is available here:   https://tinyurl.com/huwebapp-youtube-live

The Board discussed a number of district policies, including those with regard to class size, wellness, prevention of sexual harassment and electronic communications.

The Board discussed the Superintendent’s proposal to convert 5 paid work days to 5 paid vacation days for all HUUSD employees as a one time bonus due to the COVID pandemic in recognition and thanks to its employees’ significant additional work and efforts. The Board recognizes that many members of our community who deserve additional compensation during this time are not receiving such recognition and we are fortunate to have the opportunity to support our employees in this way.  A formal vote on the proposal will occur on 12/9.

The Board will meet next on December 9th at 6PM, also via Zoom. The meeting will include a first look at projected expenditures for the next fiscal year and preliminary estimates from the state tax commissioner. All are invited to join the meeting through this link (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/386460007), or to watch it on our Youtube channel, HU Webapp.

Bobcat Bulletin 11/8/20

 

See below for our annual plant sale!

School News:

Mark you calendar: November 12- Picture re-takes

Plant Sale


Hi Moretown School Staff! The 6th graders are having a plant fundraiser for our graduation/end of the year celebration (whatever that will look like this year!). We are selling Poinsettias and Cyclamen, as well as gift cards (for Claussen’s Greenhouse in Williston). The plants come in all different sizes and colors.


Orders and Money are due to Ms. Hopper by 11/20 and plant delivery will be made by Claussen’s to Moretown School on 12/1.


Thank you,

6th grade students

More bike riding this week!!

Musical Notes

Message to Families: 

Hello to the Parents of Moretown Elementary Students, 

We are holding two zoom music classes every Wednesday for Moretown students. The Kindergarten through 2nd grade meeting is held from 12:00 to 12:15, and the 3rd through 6th grade class meeting is held from 12:15 to 12:30. These are a fun way for students to check in with our music teacher, to experience creative music and movement activities, and develop their skills between monthly music classes. Well attended music zooms are more fun for everyone! 

I Heart Art

Notes from the Health Office 

PTO News

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.

Hannah's House is hosting an online event with psychologist Kevin Gallagher on November 13 at 4pm via Zoom. "Settling Into This New Normal" will bring an uplifting perspective along with hope and helpful ideas to get better acclimated to this new normal of living in the time of a pandemic. He is a trusted source of guidance for families and his sense of humor is very engaging! He will be live on Zoom and will take your questions in the Zoom platform or you can email your questions in advance to: chrissy@hannahshousevt.org or call them in in advance to: 802-496-9715. 

RSVP to this free event by emailing chrissy@hannahshousevt.org or by calling 802-496-9715 and the Zoom link will be sent to you.

Kevin Gallagher is a psychotherapist in private practice in Burlington. He primarily works with adolescents, couples and families.

*This event will be recorded by MRVTV and available online afterward. 

Bobcat Bulletin 11/2/20

No school tomorrow,  November 3 for Election Day.

T-shirt sale starts Today!! visit the site to order T-shorts or sweat shirts

https://deerfielddesigns.com/moretown_elementary_school/shop/home

Specials schedule for Wednesdays:

The times are shifted to be a little bit earlier.  Students should prioritize The specials class they did not have in in person that week.  Today starts week A.  This week we have PE, Art, Library and Wellness for most classes.  These times are great opportunities to connect with integrated artists, ask questions about work for the week, get a quick little lesson, and enjoy the arts.  

I will update the remote hub.

	Gen Music	Art	French	PE	Library	Chorus/ Band
	Mr. Hill	Ms. Heather	Madame	Ms. Ally	Mrs. Willard	5/6 only Mrs. Adams
MES	K-2nd  12:00-12:15 3rd - 6th  12:15-12:30	K-2 10:30-10:45 3rd - 6th 10:45-11:00	K-2nd 10:45-11:00 3rd - 6th 11:00-11:15	K- 2nd  11:45-12:00 3rd - 6th  12:00-12:15	K-2nd 11:00-11:15 3rd - 6th 11:15-11:30	10:30-10:45 Band 11:45-12:00 Chorus

* preK has their specials in person on their two in-person days.

School News:

Miss Ally Announcements:

•  Bike riding this week in PE.  Please pack your helmet, or clip it right on your backpack.  
• Also, students can bring their own bikes!  We have plenty to lend, but sometimes having your own that fits just right is where it's at!
• Dress warm!  It'll be cold out there bike riding.

Library Happenings

• "Regular" browsing has resumed.  One students at a time per stack and one cohort per day.  Your student will browse once day every other week.

I Heart Art

School Counselor's Corner

• Wellness weeks are Weeks A and C.  Mr. Stevenson is here this week and will be teaching Wellness classes starting this week on Thursdays for k-6th grade and will also be working in preK classes.

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.

A message from CHAMPLAIN VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

The following letter was sent to us by Dr. Leah Costello. Dr. Costello is a local pediatrician and a parent in one of our CVSD schools. She is also one of the pediatricians who supports and consults with CVSD for our reopening efforts. This letter was unsolicited. She asked that we pass it along to families and faculty/staff. 

10/27/20

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Last night my son Theo had trouble falling asleep so he and I did a mindfulness activity on gratitude. He is grateful for going back to school 4 days a week.

He is not alone. I see kids in my office all day who feel this way. And honestly, as a parent, I feel this way too.

As part of my role in the CVSD reopening, I have been meeting with teachers as they reopen grades K-4. I am amazed at how our teachers, staff, and administrators are bending over backward to keep our children safe at school. There are so many guidelines! I read the revised document last Friday, it is 41 pages! All I had to do was read through the revisions, but our schools have to make sure every piece of that 41-page document is in place to keep our kids safe. Incredible! Send your schools a thank you note, and coffee and healthy snacks while you are at it!

Parents and guardians, it is now our turn to step up and show that same level of commitment to our community. It is our job to keep COVID 19 out of the schools. Luckily, we don't have a 41 -page document with guidelines we have to follow! We actually have it much easier than the schools. We have a 3 step process to follow "Six-foot spaces, Mask on faces, Uncrowded places." But parents, I think we can go farther than that. Think about what is truly essential in your day to day activities. If you really need to do an activity, then do it with safety measures in place. If you think about it and realize it is not truly an essential activity, then revise your plans to a safer alternative. The schools are making sacrifices for us and we need to do the same for them.

Here is the really hard part. We need to seriously think about the upcoming holidays and how we can keep our children, teachers, and schools safe and healthy. This might mean it is not safe to see out of state family or have extended family gatherings for the holidays. If many of us travel and COVID 19 cases increase to a critical point, we may be in the same position we were in the spring. We need to do everything we can to prevent that! Changing our holiday plans is really hard, I know. I am devastated about this too - family and friends are extraordinarily important to us.

Vermont continues to lead the country in the management of COVID 19. We continue to have a very robust and phenomenal contact-tracing program to find cases and prevent the spread of the virus. Despite that, we still have cases of COVID 19 and we are NOT immune. Please do your part to keep COVID 19 out of the schools so we can keep our kids in school and our schools healthy. This is on us, parents, and I know we can do it.

If you have questions about your upcoming holiday plans please reach out to the Vermont Department of Health to discuss call 802-863-7240 or see their FAQ page.

Thank you,

Leah Costello, MD

Timber Lane Pediatrics

School Board Updates

SUBJECT: HUUSD Board Meeting Recap, October 28

BODY: The HUUSD Board met remotely on Wednesday, October 28. The meeting began with a short executive session with legal counsel to discuss contract negotiations that will begin this fall. 

Back in public session, the board took a moment of silence to recognize the unfortunate passing of Mariah McGill, a district parent and active school community member. 

The meeting went on to discuss the previous week’s action to move forward with the middle school merger of all 7+8 graders to Crossett Brook Middle School in the school year 2022-23. Board members volunteered for sub committees focused on the middle school facilities decisions and the high school bond.

The superintendent presented an enrollment report, and board members asked questions regarding the data presented.

To end the meeting, the board revisited the antiracism workshop completed with Hal Colston last month, to debrief and discuss next steps. The leadership team plans to reach out to Mr. Colston regarding the continuation of this ongoing work.

The next regular Board meeting will be November 11th, 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