Bobcat Bulletin 4/9/22

Art sculptures at home in the MES library

 

We keep talking about SEL (Social Emotional Learning)... here's more about it.  SEL has always been part of schools and what we do here at Moretown, and it certainly has increased since COVID, we have realized the students just need more of it.  As one of our brainstormed ways to bring more SEL to Moretown School we have a new position, Student Support Specialist, joining us.  Welcome Emily Taylor!  She will be getting to know students and settling into her new position in the coming weeks.  We are fortunate to have her here to work with the whole school on SEL topics!

School News:

The Water is Life month long celebration is coming a close this week.  Wrapping up all the wonderful exploration and learning!  A special thanks to Jenny Lyle for making so much of it happen!  I'd also like to thank Nancy Willard for helping with planning, tech help and sharing resources.  Thank you Andrew Schroth and Dan Rudell for being Scientists in residence, sharing knowledge and resources with the whole school.  It has been amazing to work with Vera Longtoe Sheehan from the Elnu Abenaki Tribe.  Her support and sharing of Native American stories and the relationship they share with water.  Such beautiful artwork has emerged in Heather O'Hare's partnership with Rachel Sagent Mirus.  We can't wait to see the art installation!  One more big thank you to FEMS, NBNC and the Robbins de Beaumont Foundation.  What a wonderful collaboration on a great school-wide project!

COVID Updates are available on the HUUSD website: The COVID-19 case count for this week has been posted to the HUUSD website. You will note that the case count is higher this week as compared to previous weeks.  We have been in contact with the Vermont Department of Health and have not identified any school related outbreaks at this time.  We will continue to monitor cases in each school.

 

Read the full letter.

I Heart Art

 Look at this water art!!  Learn more about our artist in residence Rachel Sargent Mirus

School Counselor's Corner

https://counselingcommons.weebly.com/

ECO this week

This week in ECO with Ken we continued our work with Water is Life. We went back up to base camp and built models of Moretown that could withstand the rain from “Hurricane Ken”. Students had to use natural materials and use flood mitigation strategies to prevent disaster. There was also time for free choice in the forest and sit spot where we listened and listed things we could hear.

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.

Moretown Recreation Survey 2022

Recreation takes on many forms, from team sports to having a favorite sit-spot in the woods or on the river to reflect and relax. This survey is designed by the Moretown Recreation Committee to learn more about how we as individuals in a larger community recreate; what you value, what you use today, and what resources we should build, protect, and strengthen.


Please take a few minutes to complete this survey. Your ideas and concerns will influence our collective future.

                                https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrowJiM3hUykCYx19vV8nSd-oCQG5eUTSNZQL4qPW9eCAJeA/viewform

Vacation Camp  at Living Tree Alliance  Send your kids to the farm for vacation! April 19-21 9-3 pm
It's lambing season, planting season and migrating season so there is lots to keep curious hands busy!Each day at Living Tree Alliance's camp, children will explore the signs of spring, get the farm ready for planting and wander the beautiful trails and creeks on our 91 acre property. Nature games, crafts, storytelling, community building, and fresh springtime adventure for grades 1-5. Our camps are run by trained Waldorf and public school teachers who bring 2 decades of experience working with youth to their leadership.                    https://livingtreealliance.com/vacationcamp/
info@livingtreealliance.com 8025039774 ( Melanie/camp leader)
$185 Scholarships Available

                                                  Spring Programming with The Children’s Room

                              Weekly Programming:
NATURE EXPLORATIONS: Tuesdays, 10-11:30 am @ various trailheads in the area. Get outside for some fresh air and fun! Every week we go to a different trailhead or natural area to explore and connect with the natural world and with each other. Activities are hands-on and facilitated by an instructor. Ages 0-6 and carriers are helpful for little ones! Email childrensroom@huusd.org to sign up. Enrollment is always open!

MUSIC & MOVEMENT: Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30 @ the SAL Room of the Waterbury Public Library. Ready for some singing, moving & playing? Come join us for Music & Movement! We begin by singing songs and moving together and allow time at the end to play on the swings and slide, as well as time for parents to socialize too! Ages 0-6. Masks required for all participants 2 years old and up. All The calendar will be updated the morning of by 8:00 am for cancellations.

BABY CIRCLE: Thursdays, 1:00-2:00 pm. This informal, drop-in, weekly meet-up group is for pregnant or postpartum parents & caregivers. Join us for connection and theme-based discussions via Zoom.  7 week series cycles, zoom format for sessions 1-6 and in person for the 7th session! Enrollment is always open! Pre-register with Hayley hayley@goodbeginningscentralvt.org.

                                 Special Events:
BIG TOY NIGHT!  Saturday, April 9th @ Brookside Primary School Gym, 3:00-5:30 pm. Our ever popular indoor wheeled event is back! Bring your trikes, bikes, big wheels, and helmets to cruise around the gym as you escape the mud and rain at this ​high-energy, family event. FREE. Snacks are provided. Geared towards ages 0-6. 

DABBLE DAYS SPRING ART FLING! Sunday, May 1st @ Brookside Primary School Gym, 11:00 am - 1:30 pm. Bring a friend along for ripping, tearing, taping, pasting, painting, and molding. Dabble Days is a craft-themed free event geared toward ages 2-6.  Suggested donation of $5 per child.

For more information on The Children’s Room or programs, see The Children’s Room website, calendar or Facebook page, or email childrensroom@huusd.org. 

  I am reaching out to remind those (who haven't signed up) that we are still accepting applications for this year's girls summer basketball camp.  The camp is run by me and a few of my players.  We are currently 2/3 full.  If your child is interested, please fill out the attached application.

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out.  If you would like to see the newly created site for the entire girls basketball program,please check out this site. https://sites.google.com/huusd.org/harwoodgirlsbasketballprogram/home

Best,

Tommy Young

Harwood Girls Varsity Coach

Explore the lived experience of our LGBTQ+ youth with a discussion hosted by Outright VT, MRV Libraries and Harwood Union High School students. This program will take place at the Moretown Town Hall, with masks required indoors. There will be an online option as well, please register below for the meeting link if you’d prefer to attend virtually. Generously sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council as part of the Vermont Reads program.

Virtual Attendance Registration: https://forms.gle/PjgWBg7Vu5qU4TTf7

Mad River Valley Easter Egg Hunt – Saturday, April 9^th  Mad River Park (New Location)

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 9th –  rain, shine (or snow), it’s time for the annual Mad River Valley Easter Egg Hunt.  Please note that this year, the event will be held at the Mad River Park located at 236 Airport Rd in Waitsfield. The egg hunt will start promptly at 10:00 a.m.  Refreshments will be served under the pavilion starting at 9:30 a.m. The egg hunt is co-sponsored by Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom and the Mad River Valley Recreation District and open to children of all ages and is free of charge.  For more information, please contact Lorraine Keener at 496-3391 or lkeener@wcvt.com.

LOCAL SUMMER CAMP GUIDE     
Susan Laskaris at WES has put together a listing of summer camps in the area that we are aware of -- you can find this guide  by clicking here. Please note that the opportunities listed are not specifically screened or endorsed by HUUSD staff.  Please let Susan know if there are camps you'd like added to this resource.

Hello,

I am reaching out in hopes that your school community can join Hunger Free Vermont and fellow advocates for a pep rally in support of S.100, the Universal School Meals bill, next Thursday, April 14, on the Vermont Statehouse lawn.

Together we will encourage our lawmakers to support the bill and empower stigma-free, nutritious breakfasts and lunches for our Vermont students.

The rally will take place from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on the Statehouse lawn in Montpelier.

Free lunch and a t-shirt will be provided. Live music with a star Vermont DJ will make it a party!

We encourage student government groups, civics classes and anyone who wants to stand up for school meals to join in.

Will you share this message far and wide, with your colleagues, friends and community members, to ensure our voices are heard at the Statehouse?

Please contact jessie@junapr.com to coordinate and confirm attendance. In addition to email, call or text (802) 370-0611 with any questions you might have.

Thank you, we hope to see you there!

Hi again, 

Due to growing excitement about the Lunch on the Lawn for Universal School Meals event, we’re changing the date in hopes that more folks will be able to attend. 

Please join us on the Statehouse lawn on Wednesday, April 20, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

All participants will receive a free lunch and t-shirt, and will have the unique opportunity to tell lawmakers that they support free breakfast and lunch access for ALL Vermont students! 

Will you share this message far and wide, with your colleagues, friends and community members, to ensure our voices are heard at the Statehouse?

Again, the event, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., will include free lunch, a t-shirt, plus music to bring even more fun. 

Please contact jessie@junapr.com to coordinate and confirm attendance. In addition to email, call or text (802) 370-0611 with any questions you might have. 

Thank you, we hope to see you there! 

-Jessie