Bobcat Bulletin 2/24/23

 

Fun Day!

School News:

Conferences are coming (March 20-23). You'll be able to sign up after vacation.  Stay tuned.

Bonjour:

These three kings all found the craisin in their Mardi Gras celebration in French:

Musical notes

The Harwood District Choral concert will be held on March 16, 2023 at 7pm in Harwood auditorium. This concert involves our 4th, 5th and 6th grade chorus members. We will be joining the other elementary choruses to form one large elementary chorus. Also performing will be the combined HU/CBMS 7/8 chorus and Harwood HS choral groups.  The grand finale number will feature all choirs singing together! Preferred dress for this event is white tops and dark bottoms, or all black. We look forward to sharing this performance with you!

We Heart Art

The cutest little owls!

This week at ECO

This past Tuesday, we had our first (Annual) Winter Fun Day.  It was a pretty great time for all.  A movie in the morning, outdoor all-school fun, and then indoor all-school fun.  Here's some pics!

PTO Updates

Hi everyone! 

The Moretown PTO is so excited to foreshadow that our Cookie Love fundraiser will be BACK when the students come back from break! The fundraiser will go from 3/8-3/20, with a hard stop on accepting forms on 3/22. The anticipated dough pickup dates will be April 13 & 14 (with plenty of time for our April break!). We are so excited for this delicious fundraiser! Please email Danielle Kent with any questions (daniellegkent@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.

CLiF Winter Writing Contest - The Children's Literacy Foundation (CLiF) is holding a fun Two-Sentence Winter Writing Contest through the end of the month. Open to all VT and NH children aged 12 and under, the challenge is to tell a winter story using only two sentences. It is FREE to enter, and CLiF will award prizes to top entries in each age group. The deadline is Feb. 28.

CLiF would love to see stories from some of the children in our community! All the details can be found at this link: https://clifonline.org/winter-writing-contest/, as well as a printable flyer, writing template and supplementary writing activity.

Bobcat Bulletin 2/17/23

School News:

But first a little something about next week....

Hi Moretown Families and Staff,
We are gearing up for our first ever Moretown Winter Fun day next Tuesday, February 21st. We will not be skiing due to President's Weekend (too busy on the mountain) and instead have a variety of whole school activities planned including outdoor adventures, a movie and an opportunity to explore and play in different classrooms.


We are looking forward to this day of fun and are hoping to serve a special snack to all children. This is where you can help! If you are able, please send in one unopened bag of snack food per family (peanut free, please!). We will combine the snacks into a giant bowl to make our very own Moretown Bobcat Mix to share with friends. Some snack suggestions include Goldfish crackers, pretzels, popcorn, other small crackers, mini marshmallows, cereal, dried fruit. Please send food donations to school by Monday, February 20th.


Thank you! Questions? Reach out to Pam Dow via email (pdow@huusd.org).


And make sure to dress warm for outdoor play on 2/21/21!

100th day project on display in the multi-purpose room

This week we celebrated Random Acts of Kindness week... turns out there are many acts of kindness around here, random or otherwise.  Check out a couple highlights:

Kindness selfies

watercolor hearts to start the day

Musical Notes

A message from Chris Rivers: 

HUUSD Music is pleased to present Band Nite! next Wed. Feb. 22 at 7:30pm.   Details Below:

• Program Order: 6th grade HUUSD Band, 7/8 HUUSD Band, HS Band (Each group is performing two songs)
• Concert length: approx. 1 hour
• Dress: Black and White
• Student Arrival time: 7-7:15pm
• Live Stream: For those family members who are unable to attend in person we're pleased to offer a live stream of the performance with many thanks to MRVTV and our friends Rob and Tony for making this happen!  Live Stream link here:   tune in at 7:30 pm pm 2/22 from anywhere!

Questions welcomed anytime!

Chris

We Heart Art

5/6 Silhouette Paintings

Moretown Elementary School

YEARBOOK 22-23

Moretown School has worked with Josten Memory Books to put together a PreK-Grade 6 yearbook, highlighting our year together.

The yearbook is 44 pages and highlights each class, individual student photos,  and collage pages highlighting our school days together and what we value as a learning community.

Yearbooks can be purchased for $17 each.  There are two ways you can order.  Either with the order sheet attached, along with submitting the total for your order in cash or check made out to “Moretown Elementary School,”  AND writing “Yearbook” on the memo line.

The second way you can order a yearbook is by using an online pay line.  The price of the yearbook will be $17 online, but there is an additional .99 charged as a service fee for using a credit card as form of payment, bringing the total of each book to $17.99.

This is the link that will take you to the online pay site:

 https://www.shop.memorybook.com/school/232833moretownelementaryschool/

Use this School Code: 232833

Orders are open starting today and will end on March 30, 2023.  March 30, 2023 will be the absolute last day for any orders to be received online or received at school.  We suggest purchasing your yearbook sooner, rather than later.

Reach out to Brenda at (802)496-3742 or bhartshorn@huusd.org if you have any questions.

                            

Deadline for all orders is March 30, 2023.  

If you prefer to order online, this is the link that will take you to the online pay site:

 https://www.shop.memorybook.com/school/232833moretownelementaryschool/

Use this School Code: 232833

There will be an additional charge of .99 as a service fee when ordering online using a credit card.  Deadline for all orders online is also March 30, 2023.    Please reach out to Brenda in the office at (802)496-3742 or email her at bhartshorn@huusd.org, if you have any questions.

This week at ECO

ECO Forest Fest is this weekend!  Make sure to come and join us in the forest on Sunday Feb 19!

PTO Updates

These students love skiing!

Harwood Unified Union School District
340 Mad River Park, Suite 7
Waitsfield, VT 05673

In accordance with Article 9 of the Harwood Unified Union School District (HUUSD) organizational meeting held on August 31, 2016, we are notifying you that the HUUSD Annual Report, which includes the proposed 2023-2024 school budget, will be available February 17, 2023.

The report will be available online at huusd.org. You may also request a copy by calling 802-583-7953. We can mail the copy or you may arrange pickup at the HUUSD Central Office.

The board will hold an annual meeting and informational budget meeting at Harwood Union High School and via Zoom on March 6, 2023 at 6PM. See the HUUSD website for instructions on joining the meeting.

On March 7, 2023 the budget vote will be by Australian ballot in all six towns. Voters can obtain absentee and early ballots from their respective town clerks.

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.

Good afternoon,

I wanted to let you know that the MRVIC has decided to offer an Afterschool Enrichment FUNd to help parents of children attending one of the four Valley elementary schools cover the cost of afterschool activities. Afterschool programs provide children with important opportunities to be active and engaged during out-of-school hours.  Whether sports, arts, music, science, or another type of non-daycare afterschool program, the MRVIC would like to ensure that any child who would like to participate can.  (Note: The MRV Community Fund currently assists families who need help covering the costs of afterschool daycare. ) 

 

Because this fund is limited in scope, we would like applicants to be recommended by their school’s principal or school counselor.  You likely have a better sense of who in your school would benefit from afterschool activities and which parents might need assistance to cover the associated expenses.  MRVIC would  prefer to pay the program directly for the enrollment fees. 

 

Please forward this to the school counselors.  And do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions.  I will be sending information out on the MRV Summer FUNd shortly.

Patty Giometti

Coordinator, Afterschool FUNd

 

The Children's Room Winter Programs  Nurturing a Child’s Sense of Wonder Workshop Series: Get ready for winter outdoor play! Facilitated by the Four Winds Nature Institute, these workshops are for adults interested in spending more time outside playing and learning with youngsters. Join this FREE discussion series to explore topics and best practices in supporting nature-based play and adventure while nurturing a sense of wonder, place and well-being. Two online sessions are followed by in person Nature Explorations with kids:). To register, contact childrensroom@huusd.org. 

• Online session #1: Monday, February 6th, 7:00-8:30 pm
• Online session #2: Monday, February 13th, 7:00-8:30 pm
• Nature Explorations: Tuesday, February 21st, 10:00 am to 11:30 am at an area trailhead

For more information click here

 

Green Mountain Performing Arts Summer Camps      Join Green Mountain Performing Arts for a Summer full of dancing, games, crafts and more!

We have camp options for ages 3+ in a variety of dance styles and themes like Encanto, JoJo Siwa, Kidz Bop, Matilda The Musical and more.  You are bound to find something that your dancer will enjoy. Register soon to secure your spot!

All Summer 2023 info can be found here.
 

Harwood Girls Basketball Camps     Tommy Young will be offering a summer basketball camp to be held in the Harwood Union High School Gym.
The camps will be held June 26 through June 30th
Grades 2-5:  8am - 11am
Grades 6-9:  11am - 2pm
For more information and the registrations form, click here.

Bobcat Bulletin 2/10/23

 

100 year old students on the 100th day

School News:

Yearbooks:

We will have yearbooks for sale this year, thanks to the hard work of Ms. H.  Information will be coming home via your child's backpack.  It's a great way to remember an awesome year!

Therapeutic Drumming:

We have an awesome opportunity to explore rhythm and wellness with Trevor Jewett in March and April.  Please see your child's backpack for more information about this social emotional learning.

PE

Floor Hockey this week:

We Heart Art

This week at ECO

PTO Updates

Meeting on Feb 20

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.

Harwood Hawks Youth Wrestling

Online Registration:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1I5CDlGRI28Wf0PALrJZRlTPMbPoI1jV0mXHUSFu8DyD2bw/viewform?usp=pp_url
First practice: Thursday February 16 th
Where: Harwood Wrestling Room, Upstairs Gym
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays  5:45p-6:45p   *Practice times will change as the season goes on depending on gym availability.
Who: Anyone grades 3 rd -6 th


Cost will be AAU membership cost as well as tournament entry fee for wrestlers. Scholarship available.
Bring: Shorts, Shirt, Wrestling Shoes and Water

See you in the wrestling room!
If you have any questions please contact:  

Casey Moulton 802-522-5502         truehumanacademy@gmail.com

LINK

Bobcat Bulletin 2/3/23

 

1/24/23 Winter Sports Photo 

School News:

Social-Emotional Learning: Relationship Skills

For families and caregivers:

Hello again from the HUUSD Social Emotional Learning Task Force.

This January our district has been focusing on the theme of Relationship Skills.  Last month we learned a bit about social awareness, this month we are learning about the action of interacting.  

As caregivers, we know that relationships are everywhere.  Relationships are cornerstones in our home, in our schools and workplaces and in our community.  Children have many different relationships in their lives.  Whether it's being a lab partner in science, a member of a team, club, cast or band, a friendship group, or a member of a family, developing healthy relationship skills is critical.  Having healthy relationships is not always easy and takes skill and practice (even for adults!).  

Relationship skills is the  ability to establish new relationships, to maintain positive relationships and friendships, to avoid social isolation, to resolve conflicts, to accept differences, to

be a contributing member of the classroom and community in which one lives, works,

learns, and plays, and to work productively and collaboratively with others. Children are learning to:

• Be able to make and keep friends

• Work with others toward a common goal

• Resolve differences quickly

• Cooperate as a group leader or a member of the group

• Exhibit helpfulness

Here are a couple ideas about how to help your child at home:

For younger students: 

• Cook with your child:  Ask your child to help make their favorite dish by following your directions, one at a time. Make sure to say “please” and “thank you” and acknowledge all of their efforts. This will not only help them learn about the art of listening, but teach them about the importance of being polite to others, especially while working on group projects.

• Read stories together and talk about the relationships and interactions between the characters.

For all students:

• Build a strong protective circle of adults and youth to whom your child can turn for advice or support by talking to them very directly about the people you value who treat others with kindness, respect, and caring attention.

• Complete the Who’s Great At This challenge: Who’s Great at This?

• Talk about and share your own “Characteristics of a Healthy Relationship”.  What’s most important to you?  What do you value in a relationship?

• Simply ask- “who is a friend you value and why?”

• Quote(s) to talk about:

• “The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood.  The best way to understand people is to listen to them.  -Ralph G. Nichols

• “Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” — Anais Nin

• “A friend may be waiting behind a stranger’s face.”  — Maya Angelou

• “Trust is the glue of life. It's the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” – Stephen Covey

We hope that some of these may be helpful and assist your children in growing in their Relationship Skills.  We appreciate partnering with you in this important work!

Best,

The SELTF 

Characteristics of Healthy Relationships

• Trust. Each person in a good relationship should know they can rely on each other. They know they can count on this person to come through for them and be supportive. They feel their secrets are safe with this person and that they can believe what the other person says to them. They believe the other person will not do anything intentional to hurt them.

• Respect. In healthy relationships, people talk to each other in ways that don’t put down, insult, or belittle. They value each other’s time and opinions. They protect each other’s privacy and personal space.

• Honesty. Each person should always be truthful and open. They can express what they want, or discuss their hopes, without fearing how the other person will respond. They don’t feel like the other person is hiding things from them.

• Growth. In a healthy relationship, people want each other to enjoy their favorite activities, learn new things, and spend time with family and friends alike. In life, our hopes, fears, goals, and interests will constantly change, and people who are in good relationships will understand, and even embrace, those changes.

• Empathy. Each person should be willing to understand and validate the other person’s perspective.

• Balance of Power. In a healthy relationship, both people feel like they are on equal footing. They can make their own decisions without fear of retaliation or judgment. They feel physically safe. They respect each other’s opinions and independence. No one pressures the other person to do something that makes them feel uncomfortable. And they put equal effort into their relationship.

• Compromise. Conflict is bound to arise in every relationship. People should be able to compromise and negotiate to a mutually agreeable solution when there are disagreements.

Communication. In a healthy relationship, each person can share their feelings, even when they don’t agree, in a way that makes the other person feel safe, heard, and not judged.

We Heart Art

More cityscapes from first and second graders

This week at ECO

Hello Moretown Families! 

We are excited to share the ECO Forest Fest ‘23 “Save the Date” with all of you! This will be our second (ever) Forest Fest and we hope you will consider joining us for a fun-filled afternoon of sledding, hot chocolate, donuts, eco base-camp activities and much more! 

As we prepare for ECO Forest Fest ‘23, we will be drumming up students’ excitement by hosting several special invitations in the school lobby during arrival on Thursday February 2nd, Friday February 10th and Friday February 17th. Student Ambassadors look forward to sharing custom ‘Forest Fest’ temporary tattoos with all students as they arrive at school. We will also be offering a special ECO tea invitation wherein students can make their own teas as they head into class.

Save the date and please consider joining us on February 19th from 1-4 as we all gather and celebrate the ECO program at Moretown School with our community and beyond. 

Warmly, 

Friends of ECO 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.

Pop Up Play Dough Party

Saturday, 2/4

In honor of 'Take Your Child to the Library Day', the Moretown Library is hosting a pop-up play dough party. Drop in anytime we are open from 10am-2pm for free play with a variety of colors and tools.

Harwood Hawks Youth Wrestling

Online Registration:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1I5CDlGRI28Wf0PALrJZRlTPMbPoI1jV0mXHUSFu8DyD2bw/viewform?usp=pp_url
First practice: Thursday February 16 th
Where: Harwood Wrestling Room, Upstairs Gym
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays  5:45p-6:45p   *Practice times will change as the season goes on depending on gym availability.
Who: Anyone grades 3 rd -6 th


Cost will be AAU membership cost as well as
tournament entry fee for wrestlers.
Bring: Shorts, Shirt, Wrestling Shoes and Water

See you in the wrestling room!
If you have any questions please contact:

Casey Moulton 802-522-5502


truehumanacademy@gmail.com

Volunteer to be a Girls on the Run coach for Moretown Elementary this spring! The impact of a Girls on the Run volunteer coach is as boundless as it is beautiful. The Girls on the Run program is an after school program that uses a research based curriculum to empower, increase self-worth and spark joy in its participants.

 

Our 10-week season begins the week of March 27. Our team will meet twice weekly for 90 minutes each session to connect, move, learn and have FUN! Not a runner? Haven’t coached before? No problem! Girls on the Run VT (GOTRVT) provides training, easy to follow lesson plans, supplies and support from GOTRVT for a transformational season.

 

Visit gotrvt.org/coach to learn more or sign up to volunteer. Questions? Contact Chris Tierson at jtierson@gmavt.net  or 802-595-3329 or you can contact them directly GOTRVT at Info@girlsontherunvermont.org or 802-871-5664. 

The Children's Room
Winter Programs & Workshops

Nurturing a Child’s Sense of Wonder Workshop Series: Get ready for winter outdoor play! Facilitated by the Four Winds Nature Institute, these workshops are for adults interested in spending more time outside playing and learning with youngsters. Join this FREE discussion series to explore topics and best practices in supporting nature-based play and adventure while nurturing a sense of wonder, place and well-being. Two online sessions are followed by in person Nature Explorations with kids:). To register, contact childrensroom@huusd.org. 

Online session #1: Monday, February 6th, 7:00-8:30 pm
Online session #2: Monday, February 13th, 7:00-8:30 pm
Nature Explorations: Tuesday, February 21st, 10:00 am to 11:30 am at an area trailhead

For more information click here