Bobcat Bulletin 12.22.22

 

Thanks to BamBam for a joy-filled visit Thursday.

Greetings!

Whatever traditions you have at this time of year, may they bring you peace and a smile.

A Solstice Spiral from our preK friends

School News:

PE

The survivor challenge 2022 wrapped up today. Congrats to the BOB team.  t was a tight competition, coming down the last challenge.  Good job everyone!

Musical notes

Got to pop in this week on clarinet practice... sounds great!

Submitting the school meal application might stretch your budget this holiday season!

With the rising cost of food, many of us are struggling to feed kids at home. By completing the School Meal Application, your family might become eligible for funds that will stretch your budget! You could get a monthly discount on your Internet bill,

your learners can have their college application fees and testing fees waived

for their SAT and ACT exams and reduced for their AP exams, and you can receive fuel assistance and pandemic emergency benefits. To access these additional benefits, you will need the approval letter you receive after submitting your school meal application. Even if you have not been eligible in the past, due to program expansions you may be eligible now! Follow this link to print an application: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UMEd3b7PuaQ85YF4rO0IxtJppTHZTROQ/view and read more information specific to meals at HUUSD here.

Dear Families and Caregivers,




Hello again from the HUUSD Social Emotional Learning Task Force.




This December we are focusing on the theme of Social Awareness. Understanding the emotions of others and connecting in an empathic way can have life-long impacts on who we are and how we interact with the world around us. Being able to understand the perspective of others is extremely important in our social interactions, and truly understanding each other as humans. Social Awareness includes:

Recognizing and managing one’s own emotions and recognizing the emotions of others


Respecting and valuing diversity and differences in others


Respecting differing cultural norms


Being aware of the impact of one’s actions on others


Beginning to read body language




There are many things that you can do to support your child in continuing to develop a strong sense of social awareness. In the car or over a shared meal, ask and share:

What inspires you?


What is something you are really proud of today?


Who is someone you look up to? Why?


Who is a character (from a book, movie or play) you connect with?

If you watch a movie or as you are reading a book together, you might ask - what do you think is going on for that person? How are they feeling? How would you feel if you were in that situation? How might you react differently (or similarly)?

A great way to help younger students develop social awareness is through the use of picture books. Here is a great link to picture books that have characters and situations that lend themselves to great conversation starters!

We hope that some of these may be helpful and assist you in supporting your child in developing their Social Awareness. For more in-depth information, check out this link. We appreciate all that you do to support this work!




Best,



The SELTF

This week at ECO

Kindergarten Ice Art
photo credit to Mr. G

PTO Updates

A big thank you to the PTO for treating the staff to some goodies today! 

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.

Moretown Library Holiday Hours

Friday 12/23: A special Read & Play for all ages at 10:30am

Saturday 12/24: 10am-2pm

Monday, 12/26: CLOSED

Friday 12/30: No Read & Play

Saturday 12/31: CLOSED

Bobcat Bulletin 12/19/22

 

All School Morning Meeting with Sugarbush folks!

School News:

Hi Moretown Families

Our Winter Sports Program is nearing and we are so excited.  Invoices through Paypal went out on 12/16, so if you dont see them in your inbox- an email titled Invoice from Moretown PTN via service@paypal.  If not in your inbox please check your spam folder, and if you cant find it there, let us know and we will double check we have your correct email.

If you want to pay by check and havent sent it in already, please send a check with your child this week, made out to Moretown PTO.  The cost to help pay for buses and sugarbush instructors and snacks is $35 per child.  Please let us know if you need scholarship assistance or if you can donate extra we appreciate that too.

Thanks so much!

Gearing up for another awesome season...

Submitting the school meal application might stretch your budget this holiday season!

With the rising cost of food, many of us are struggling to feed kids at home. By completing the School Meal Application, your family might become eligible for funds that will stretch your budget! You could get a monthly discount on your Internet bill, your learners can have their college application fees and testing fees waived for their SAT and ACT exams and reduced for their AP exams, and you can receive fuel assistance and pandemic emergency benefits. To access these additional benefits, you will need the approval letter you receive after submitting your school meal application. Even if you have not been eligible in the past, due to program expansions you may be eligible now! Follow this link to print an application: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UMEd3b7PuaQ85YF4rO0IxtJppTHZTROQ/view and read more information specific to meals at HUUSD here.

This week at ECO

3rd/4th graders loving ECO!

PTO Updates

PTO meeting tomorrow (Tuesday Dec 20) at 7:00pm

Join us!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83793845084

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.

Wednesday, December 28th – DINOMAN! A benefit for the Mad River Valley Dog Park, sponsored by the Warren Arts Committeee. A dynamic program of dinosaurs, science and fun for the whole family using fun, magic and incredible props. The event also features craft activities, a silent auction and more!  Free admission. 4pm, Warren Town Hall, Warren.

Bobcat Bulletin 12/9/22

3rd/4th grade Slime Club

So many fun and learning this week!

Some 6th graders have been working on a podcast.  Take a listen here to their interviews of our new 1st/2nd grade teachers, Ms. Thompson and Ms. Cournoyer.

School News:

PE

frisbee pinball on Friday

Bonjour

 http://frenchwithmadamelindberg.blogspot.com/

Musical notes

Moretown School is highlighted in this week's music blog post.

We Heart Art

snowflake art

This week at ECO

• 5/6 ECO- They went right up to base camp to play a round of camouflage. Then students worked on a building challenge to keep something dry for the next week. They ended with forest free choice and a second round of camouflage. Somehow they managed to miss the heavy rain too! (which they seem pretty happy about)

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PTO Updates

PTO meeting this week, we'd love to have you join the zoom (posted soon).

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.

Stargazing with Moretown Library

Solstice Stargazing

Wednesday, December 21st 6-8pm

Moretown Rec Fields

Drop in anytime and explore the sky on the longest night of the year with Joel Greene from the Vermont Astronomical Society. Telescopes, binoculars and hot chocolate will be provided, please make sure to dress to be comfortable outside.

The Friends of the Moretown Memorial Library are excited to host our first Holiday Cookie Sale at the Sip and Shop event happening Friday, December 16th, 2022 from 4pm-8pm at the Moretown Library @ The Town Hall.

Come select your personalized box of cookies for just $10 while doing some local holiday shopping at the Sip and Shop Bazaar.

We will have a festive range of cookies - here's a sneak peak!
Ted Lasso's Shortbread
Gingerbread Men
Macaroons
Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti
Billy's Frosted Sugar Cookies
Chocolate Cherry Drops
Meringues

All proceeds from the cookie sale will go to the Friends of the Moretown Memorial Library 501(c)3 to help support the 2023 library programming.

North Branch Nature Center - Robins Nest playgroup, Tuesdays 10:00 - 12:00 September 27- December 20. For children ages 0-5 with parent or caregiver. Free (donations welcome). A drop-in program (registration not required).This program is entirely outside, so be prepared with water, snacks, and clothing for staying warm and getting wet! 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, Vermont (802) 229-6206

 

Brain Club from All Brains Belong VT! This month's theme centers around Brain Club Greatest Hits. As you tune in this month, we hope you love & understand your brain even more!

 

12/6:  Everyone Flips Their Lid 

Here's the Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82195642997?wd=Vi9tR05OT2tJTjQ4NDRGYXQxZC9JQT09

Totally fine to join without registering but if you'd like to have the recording sent to you, the best thing to do is register so that the recording gets sent automatically. Click here to register (free) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bobcat Bulletin 12/2/22

 

Magical!

The River of Light Lantern Parade

The 13th annual River of Light Lantern Parade will take place on Saturday, December 3rd at 5:00 PM. The parade will start at Brookside Primary School, head down Stowe Street and then right on Main Street to Dac Rowe where there will be hot chocolate, bonfires, and the Cirque de Fuego fire spinners. This year's theme is Marvelous Magic and we have some wonderfully magical lanterns in store for you.

This event would not be possible without our sponsors, the Harwood Unified Union School District, Waterbury Winterfest, The Alchemist, Ben and Jerry's, and Billing's Mobil (and Red Hen Baking). Thanks also the the Waterbury Recreation Department, the countless volunteers and others who have donated to this event. Up to date information can be found at https://www.ariveroflightinwaterbury.org/ .

Please remember that there will be road closures along the parade route from 4:55 - 5:30 that evening.

More information at: https://www.ariveroflightinwaterbury.org/

Note: there are a few lanterns left at MES, if your child forgot theirs, you can swing by the artisan fair tomorrow and pick it up.

School News:

Library

Volunteer hours are available in the library.  

• Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 
• 8-11 am and 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm. 

You can come in for an hour a week, any time during volunteer hours.

What you will be doing?

• Help check in and shelve books, check shelf order of books. 
• Other duties can include - labeling books, book repair, laminating, and maintaining the library bulletin board.  Spring bookfair help -set up/tear down bookfair.  Inventory at the end of the year. 

How do you sign up?

• email Nancy Willard- nwillard@huusd.org
• make sure you are on our volunteer list
• Here's the process if you are new to volunteering: https://huusd.org/apply-to-volunteer

We Heart Art

The River of Light Lantern Parade starts at Brookside Primary School at 5:00 PM on 12/3/22 (see more info above)

School Counselor's Corner

Mr. Stevenson updates his blog often... check it out

Notes from the Health Office

December 5-9 is National Influenza Vaccination Week. There’s still time to protect yourself and your loved ones from flu by getting an annual flu vaccine. Currently, flu activity is elevated across the country, but there is still time to benefit from the first and most important action in preventing flu illness and potentially serious flu complications: get a flu vaccine today.

Has your child received their annual flu vaccine yet? There’s still time! Every year flu puts thousands of children in the hospital. A flu vaccine gives children 6 months and up extra strength to fight flu. Call your provider's office to schedule their vaccine today!  Flu vaccines are also available at walk-in clinics in the area.

This week at ECO

Storytelling at Kindergarten ECO and snow hunting in the field to investigate the water cycle

PTO Updates

The Artisan Fair is this weekend at Moretown School!  

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.

https://www.patronicity.com/project/help_us_bring_a_dog_park_to_mad_river_valley#!/

Bobcat Bulletin 11/18/22

 

Ms. C's classroom features this beautiful bobcat art

School News:

We Heart Art

Preschoolers working on their magical lanterns!

The 13th Annual River of Light Lantern Parade will be held on

     Saturday, December 3, 2022.

     Theme: Marvelous Magic

Waterbury

The Moretown Artists (PreK-6th grade) will be participating in the River of Light Lantern Parade!

Children are creating their lanterns in Art class. They will be available for pick up at MES Wednesday November 30th - Friday, December 2nd. If you pick up your child at the end of the school day on one of these three dates, you can take your lantern home with you then. If your child rides the bus, we ask for you to please stop by the school on one of these days to safely pick up their lantern.

You and your child are invited to participate in the Parade with their lantern on Saturday, December 3rd!

We are excited and looking forward to being a part of this Lantern Community Event!

More information at: https://www.ariveroflightinwaterbury.org/

The SEL Scoop

Supporting Students Social & Emotional Learning

This November we are focusing on the theme of Self-Management. Last month we highlighted being self-aware; being able to identify emotions. Self Management is that next step; knowing what to do with the emotions we are feeling, hopefully keeping things positive, and finding agency and advocacy through this.

Helping children to recognize their emotions is step one; step two is helping them know what to do with those feelings.

Here are some ideas and suggestions that you might try at home:

Elementary

• Here is a wonderful site of picture books with a self-management theme. Link
• Try out and practice the strategy “STOP • BREATHE • THINK”
• Step 1 is to STOP before you react. Notice how you’re feeling. Pay attention to your body and your mind. What’s happening? What do your body and your mind tell you about how you’re feeling?
• Step 2 is to BREATHE Of course, we breathe all the time without even thinking about it. But in Plan 1-2-3, we do a special kind of breathing called deep breathing.
• You start by taking a big breath through your nose while you count silently to five. Take in the deep breath while counting to five and then hold it and count to two. Then let the breath out through your mouth while counting to five. Have your child do several cycles of this deep breathing.
• Ask, how was that for you? How did it feel?
• Explain that we stop and then take some deep breaths until we feel calm. When we’re calm, we can think better about what to do. That may help us make better choices.
• Step 3 is to THINK. Ask: What is the best thing to do right now? Maybe the best thing is to do nothing. Maybe the best thing is to tell the other person how you’re feeling in a strong but not mean way. We can be pretty sure that hitting or saying mean things is NOT the best thing to do. Think of the choices. Think of the consequences.

Middle School
Ask your middle schooler:

• What strategies do you use to self-manage your emotions or behavior?
• What makes it difficult for you (or others) to self-manage?
• How could self-management have a positive impact on your life?
• How can you support others in managing their behavior or emotions?

This week at ECO

1st/2nd graders in the chilly sun!

photos from Karen Cingiser

PTO Updates

Please return ski forms 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.

A Fun Night at Mad River Glen

When: Dec 3, 2022, 8:00 PM to 11:30 PM 
Where: Mad River Glen, Fayston, VT, USA

The snow is coming down, it's getting darker earlier, and folks are starting to hunker down....

So what better of a time to come hang out with the Grift and our awesome MRV community!

Spring Hill School is hosting its 23rd annual Bid and Boogie on Dec. 3 , a night of live music provided by the Grift up at Mad River Glen. All are welcome to join, from 8pm to midnight. Get your tickets now! $25 and available at:

https://secure.givelively.org/event/spring-hill-school-incorporated/bid-boogie

In addition, you can support the school through our online auction, which has local wares, ski passes, stays at local B&Bs and more. The auction goes live November 25, so keep your eyes peeled for the link.

We look forward to seeing you there! And thanks for supporting Spring Hill School!

Kids Cooking Classes Marci Lutsky will be teaching kids cooking classes at Waitsfield Church on December 5th, 12th and 19th. Classes are intended for children ages 7-12 and will be limited to 12 students. Registration can be found here: https://forms.gle/R5jHm6K78cMABxD97

Bobcat Bulletin 11/11/22

 

What a beautiful place we get to learn together everyday!!

School News:

Bonjour

https://frenchwithmadamelindberg.blogspot.com/

We Heart Art

The students will start working on lanterns next week.  Thanks to the generosity of Red Hen Baking , every student will make a lantern that can be used in the River of Light Parade on December 3. 

School Counselor's Corner

Notes from the Health Office

This week at ECO

The Maples had a wonderful time in the forest on 11/9/22. They cleaned up some leaves, made scarecrows, introduced tools, reviewed safety circles, investigated some living things, played in the mud kitchen and sat on sit spots.

PTO Updates

The November PTO meeting has been rescheduled and I will let folks know the information ASAP.  Also, we are looking for folks to join, so please email us with any questions moretownpto@gmail.com

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.

Worryless Warriers  Flyer

Jenny Sheehan is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S) and Mental Health Consultant for Head Start with more than 20 years of clinical experience working with children and families to address trauma, exposure to domestic violence, anxiety, depression, family transitions, parenting concerns, adoption, and grief.

Jenny’s graduate training and additional certifications include: A Master’s in Education and Human Development with specialties in Community Counseling and School Counseling from George Washington University (in 1995); and certifications in the following: EMDR Level 1 & 2   (2008); EMDR Child Specialty (2016); Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)  (2019); and as a Nurtured Heart Approach trainer for families and schools (2021).

Jenny works in collaboration with parents and caregivers, who know their children best, to implement a prescriptive therapeutic approach tailored to the individual needs and identified problems of each client and family. Within the safety of a trusted relationship, Jenny believes every child has the capacity to heal, successfully overcome problems and thrive.