Friday, March 24, 2023

Bobcat Bulletin 3/23/23

 


SNOW! (from last week)




School News:



Ice Rink field trip:
We are headed to the ice rink on Wednesday March 29.  Please have students bring their own skates and helmets if they have them.  If not, they will be provided at the rink.

Young Writers (a note from the Children's Literacy Foundation):
On behalf of the CLiF team, congratulations to Owen A. and Marie W., who were selected as finalists in the 6-and-under age group of the Two-Sentence Winter Writing Contest! They will each receive one new book as a prize.
We had over 700 submissions to the writing contest, so your students should feel very proud of their achievements. Thank you for sharing their work with us!



This week at ECO






PTO Updates



Moretown is a school known for its community.  Every year the PTO helps to organize both fundraisers and events that bring us together and helps the school pay for field trips, teacher appreciation days, the winter ski program and in school artist residency like the amazing circus program!

Our events will be run by committees next year and we are looking for new officers to run the meetings.  There is something for everyone to do and room for new voices.  

Childcare and light snacks provided next Wednesday, March 29th 
Meeting at the School Library 
RSVP to Melanie 

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.











Registration for the U6 & U8 Mad River Valley Soccer Spring '23 Season is now open and live.  (full link below)

 

Please know as you register, this program is designed to be fun for the kids,  there will be little to no "training" at any of these sessions - certainly no lines or laps or standing around.  The sole design for this age group is to get the kids coming back the next year to play! At each session the kids will spend about 15 minutes working on a skill that will help in the small-sided games and be reflective of a growing skill set for kids this age.

 

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM Don Haddox, Director of the Mad River Soccer U8 Program:

"I desperately need volunteer parents to be on each field with me.  You need absolutely zero soccer knowledge or coaching ability, you only need to be able to repeat: "which way is your team going?"  "How can you help?" and likely with the younger groups wipe away some tears of uncertainty and make sure kids are as involved as they, personally, can be that day. You don't even need to commit to helping every week and you can always be on your child's field - front row seat!  There is a place in the registration form to check "yes" if you'd be willing to help out."

 

PROGRAM INFO:

Birth years: U8 -2015 & 2016; U6 - 2017 & 2018 (2019 - please connect with me directly)

WHEN: April 28th, 2023 - June 10, 2023, no sessions the weekend of Memorial Day

 

U8 - Fridays at 5:15 - 6:30 and Saturdays at `10:00 - 11:15

U6 - Saturdays 9:00 

 

WHERE: Tentatively at Mad River Park, but may move to the Polo fields behind Waitsfield Town Hall

 

COST: U8: $100 U6: $60

 

Registration Link:

https://www.highlandsoccer.net/mad-river-valley-soccer/

Friday, March 17, 2023

Bobcat Bulletin March 17, 2023

 






Look at these amazing shots from Ember Photo from our Winter Sports Season!  Unfortunately our season wrapped up during our snowday this week... which is a big bummer as I look at all that snow out there!

School News:

The 4th graders loved the hands-on measuring of the circumference and diameter of each pie.  They also shared how hard it was having an uneaten pie in their fridge during the two snow days, so a big shout out for resisting all the urges to dig in!

Field Trip News:
We got a bummer email that the Flynn had canceled their showing of Zooom!  We are so very fortunate to have so many community connections, and were able to schedule a different field trip for the same day!  Special thanks to Lindsay Staples and the Ice Center, we will be doing a k-6 ice skating party with a special pizza lunch on that same day: Wednesday March 29.  Thank you for all the donations for Flynn tickets, we have been able to use the funds to pay for the Ice Center and make sure everyone has everything they need.  Thank you everyone.

PE
This week in PE class our Pre-K and K students played sharks and minnows (pictured) while our 1st-6th graders played capture the flag. In health class, we are learning about nutrition and how different foods help our bodies in different ways. For example, red fruits and vegetables contain lycopene that helps our heart. Ask your child if they remember what the other colors of the rainbow help with! 








Musical notes
Music concert May 10 at 5:00pm.  Mark your calendars.


This week at ECO

Looking forward to starting ECO back up next week!

PTO Updates

Hi everyone- The Moretown PTO is excited to announce our annual VT Cookie Love Fundraiser is BACK! Your child should receive a packet containing all you need by today. The fundraiser will run from tomorrow- March 29.  In that packet you will have a letter with further instructions, an order form, and a sheet describing the different flavors. Any questions can be directed to Danielle Kent- daniellegkent@gmail.com - THANK YOU! 


The PTO thanks all the volunteers and teachers for another great ski program. The last day was cancelled due to snow days and we are unable to schedule a make up day.   Snowmotion families and others who have borrowed gear please return them to school entry way for the PTO to pick up
We will be looking to expand the program to include cross country skiing next year so if any parents are interested in helping organize that option please reach out to moretownskiprogram@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.



Highlander youth lacrosse is seeking more players to join the girls 3/4 team this year.  No experience needed and we will provide equipment.  The season runs mid April through early June with practices on Monday and Thursdays at 5 and games on Sunday, usually in the mornings.   You can find registration at madriverlax.com. Come learn more about this fun and exciting team sport!  Email coaches with questions- hannahflynn@gmail.com and cannonmartin22@gmail.com





MRV Summer FUNd 

We're back for a second summer and it is our hope to support even more local families this year. Summer is coming and summer activities and camps provide kids with opportunities to socialize and meet new friends, develop new skills, get outdoor exercise and have some fun. It's an experience that most kids enjoy and with such a wide variety of camps, it's easy to find one that suits your child's interests. 

Unfortunately, it can be challenging for parents to send their kids to these programs due to the high costs involved. The MRV Summer FUNd is here to help ensure that children in the valley who want to participate are given the opportunity.

Children must be school aged, 4-18, and either attend one of the valley schools, live in the valley or have parents who work in the valley. The camps can be local or national, day or sleep away. 

We welcome all inquiries. Full and partial scholarships are available. Patty Giometti will be managing requests in strict confidence. Please note that camps fill up quickly and many camps have already opened up their application process. So don't delay and don't hesitate to apply if you need a little extra help. Every effort will be made to process requests within one week.

Please fill out a separate form for each child. Here is a link to the MRV Summer FUNd form: 
https://forms.gle/csB7raLVU7H6bCTX9

This is a collaborative effort between the Mad River Valley Interfaith Council and The Mad River Valley Community Fund, with additional donations from Lawson's.  To those of you who fondly remember your summer camp experience, or that of your children, would you like to bring that to another child in the valley? Think of the joy you will give that child or their family - to learn, explore, create and participate when otherwise they would just stay at home. All donations, no matter the amount, are welcome and needed. Please send your donations to MRVIC, PO Box 342, Waitsfield, VT 05673 and note that this is for the Summer FUNd. Thank you in advance for your support!







Mad River Valley Easter Egg Hunt – Saturday, April 1st  - Mad River Park   

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 1st –  rain, shine (or snow), it’s time for the annual Mad River Valley Easter Egg Hunt.  Once again, the event will take place 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.

Friday, March 10, 2023

Bobcat Bulletin 3/10/23

 



School News:

Flat JaCK enjoying his time in Melbourne Beach, Florida.  Where will he head next?


  • Our last Winter Sports Day is scheduled for next Tuesday 3/14
  • Drumming with Trevor starts Thursday 3/16
  • Sign up for conferences grades 1-6 on canyon creek (see directions in blog post below)


Bonjour
You can find out what's happening in French by visiting the blog http://frenchwithmadamelindberg.blogspot.com/ 

Notes from the Health Office

Good day Moretown families,

In lieu of any rumors that might happen over the next few weeks about my absence from school, I elected to send an email to everybody to let you know where I’ll be and what I’ll be doing so you can let your children know if they ask.

Over my years in the military and fire/EMS service I’ve had a few traumas that have affected me deeply in the mental health realm. From March 13 until April 1, I am taking a leave as I will be attending a PTSD “camp“ in Phoenix, Arizona. The name of the program is shields and stripes, shieldsandstripes.org, and they work on the mental and physical well-being of the people that they provide services to. I am part of a group of eight that was chosen from over 60 applicants for this program. I hope to gain new coping skills as well as other things to put in my toolbox to make me a better person.

I appreciate this community and all the children within the school and I really enjoy seeing all them every day. Know that while I’m gone, we do have nurse Claire, nurse Allison, nurse Kristin and Nurse Teal that will be filling in while I am away.

Have a good month of March and I look forward to seeing everybody again when I come back in April. 

Phillip Stolz, MSN, RN
Moretown School Nurse
pstolz@huusd.org



PTO Updates

Cookie Love is coming.... stay tuned for more information



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.

Afterschool Scholarships
Afterschool programs provide children with important opportunities to be active and engaged during the out-of-school hours. These can be costly, and families who need financial assistance should work with their school's principal or counselor if interested in applying. Payments will be made directly to the afterschool program. Sports, music, arts, science - you find the program and we will do our best to help FUNd it! The Mad River Valley Interfaith Council Afterschool FUNd is open to all children who attend Warren, Waitsfield, Fayston and Moretown elementary schools. Here is a link to the Afterschool FUNd.




Sugar and Schmooze Spring Equinox Celebration and Community Theatre

Sunday March 19 , 11am - 1pm

Celebrate early spring & the equinox in the sugar bush. Join us in community theatre to wake up Mother Earth! You can choose to parade with the maple syrup drum brigade, fly with birdsong or join the snow melters in their quest to beat winter. Hibernation season is over, so lets celebrate. Come in costume or borrow one.

Be Prepared for Mud! Wear muck boots and waterproof pants if you can. Bring a Smile! Bring CASH to purchase fresh maple syrup to go home with or gift to someone. Be prepared to walk down a muddy path to the sugar house. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR DOGS AT HOME!

Sliding Scale Fee: $18 - $54 per family;  $8 - $25 per person  Pay what you can - no one turned away. Funds support community programming and outdoor education.

Ticket information : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sugar-and-schmooze-wake-up-spring-celebration-tickets-568172167247

Contact us at info@livingtreealliance.com with questions

sugarandshmooze.png


Kids Creations      AFTER-SCHOOL SPRING ART SESSION CLASSES BEGIN APRIL 4TH     SIGN UP NOW BEFORE CLASSES FILL.     GRADES 1st thru 12th
Sign up Here
We are located at: 4403 Main St, Waitsfield, VT 05673 (corner of Bridge St) buses available for drop off. Just please let us know if you need this. 


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.

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Bobcat Bulletin 3/8/23

 

Our Kindness Tree from February


School News:

A few reminders for you:
  • Drumming with Trevor is quickly approaching.  Please send consent forms back ASAP.
  • Sending in yearbook or field trip money? Please make the check out to Harwood Unified Union SD (this is a change)
  • March conferences are almost here.  Please follow the directions below to sign up for a spring conference.  (preK will be offering conferences later in the spring)
    • Follow this link to go directly to the scheduler. https://www.canyoncreeksoftware.com/scheduler/vt/wwsu/index.cfm
    • From the Online Scheduler Home Page
      • Choose your student’s school from the drop down list and click “GO”
      • Enter the school password: 3742
      • Enter your student’s “Student ID”. If you do not know their Student ID, use the LOOKUP STUDENT ID button to access the system.
        • Verify the student’s birth date
      • A list of your student’s teachers will be displayed. Check the box next to the name of your child's classroom teacher.
        • If you have more than one student in the school you can see all of your students’ teachers’ schedules at one time by answering YES to this question “Do you want to schedule conferences for another student?” then repeat the steps above for your other students. If you only have one student, answer NO to that question.
      • You will then see the available time slots for each teacher you selected.
        • Select the times that work best for your schedule.
        • Enter your email address (recommended) if you would like an email reminder sent to you. (Your email address is kept private.)
          • Once you have finished you can confirm your appointment details and print your conference schedule.
            • Write down the Confirmation Number (you will need this number to cancel your appointment).

Musical notes
The Harwood District Choral concert will be held on March 16, 2023 at 7pm in Harwood auditorium. This concert involves our MES 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!



This week is SEL week, click the link to find out more.

Hello again from the HUUSD Social Emotional Learning Task Force.


This February our district has been focusing on the theme of Goal Directed Behavior.  Last month we learned a bit about Relationship Skills, this month we are learning about the action of setting and achieving goals.  


Fall seven times. Stand up eight. - Chinese Proverb


Being able to set and achieve goals is a valuable life skill. Everything that goes into setting and achieving goals (having a clear, specific vision of what we want to learn or accomplish; having a plan that we can actually carry out, if we stay motivated, tracking and measuring our progress along the way; and creating a timeline for reaching our goal so that we are reminded to stay on track) help to prepare us for work life, for higher education, and for contributing to our families and communities in ways that are meaningful for us.


When we think about setting goals, we often think of the beginning of something - a New Years Resolution, the beginning of a new job or project, even the beginning of a new week.  Our students often set goals at the beginning of the school year.  Perhaps it’s something they want to accomplish, do or improve in second grade.  As caregivers, we also set goals for our students, “This year I would like my child to…”.  


Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." –Les Brown


Helping students reflect on their motivations is very important because not all young people can distinguish among a hope, a dream, and a goal. The differences can be defined as follows: 

  • A hope is something within a person’s grasp to achieve or experience—something they can reach with effort and support. 

  • A dream is a big, audacious outcome that might take years to achieve, like becoming a professional athlete. 

  • A goal is a hope with a plan that is directed toward the overarching dream of the student. 


Whoever wants to reach a distant goal must take small steps. Saul Bellow


In the working paper “Understanding Motivation: Building the Brain Architecture That Supports Learning, Health, and Community Participation” (2018), the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child states, “Kids are motivated to work toward achievable goals.” This is why it’s important for teachers and caregivers to help students take the big, audacious dream and identify smaller steps that a child of that age can realistically reach for. 



A Few Tips for Helping Students Set Goals (from “The Importance of Setting Purposeful Goals With Students” by Christine Lewis, Sept. 2022)

  • Guiding the process without inserting our own adult expectations allows students to envision authentic pathways toward their own desires and plants the seeds of belief in their ability to reach their dreams, which is so important for resilience.

  • Taking time to allow these personal motivations to take shape in the minds and hearts of our students ensures that they begin to take ownership of them. 

  • Scaffolding students to creatively record their hopes, dreams, and goals in writing (or pictures for our younger students) increases their usefulness as anchors for effort, decision-making, focus, and self-control across the school year.

  • More excellent tips can be found in “Setting Goals, Hopes, and Dreams: Connecting Students to the Community.”


This time of the school year is a great time to pause, take stock of where your student is in meeting those goals, make revisions or even set new goals.  



When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps. - Confucius


Making Mistakes (elementary)



This week at ECO

ECO will start up again 2/21/23 and we cannot wait!

PTO Updates

Our last Winter Sports Day will 3/14/23.  A huge thank you to the PTO, Hannah & Ashleigh and all our volunteers.  You helped with an amazing season!





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.



Girls on the Run is now open for registration, grades 3-6! Registration can be found here. Practices are after school Tuesday & Thursday 230-400, starting March 28. Our 5k celebration will be Saturday, June 3 in Essex, VT.   For more details on the GOTR program, please visit here, or email Danielle Kent at daniellegkent@gmail.com



When: Weekly on Thursdays, 4 to 7 PM, from Mar 23 through Mar 30, 2023
Where: Moretown Town Hall, Rte 100B, Moretown, VT

Join Molly McFaun from UVM Extension's 4H program, and learn the basics of babysitting. Ranging from practicing safe supervision to choosing age appropriate activities, this class helps babysitters prepare for any real life situations they may face while caring for babies, toddlers and kids. Recommended for grades 5-8, registration is required for this two part class. Visit our website for more details.

Register Here: https://qualtrics.uvm.edu/jfe/form/SV_5aoAb3UtUSPTcV0


Sugar and Schmooze Spring Equinox Celebration and Community Theatre

Sunday March 19 , 11am - 1pm

Celebrate early spring & the equinox in the sugar bush. Join us in community theatre to wake up Mother Earth! You can choose to parade with the maple syrup drum brigade, fly with birdsong or join the snow melters in their quest to beat winter. Hibernation season is over, so lets celebrate. Come in costume or borrow one.

Be Prepared for Mud! Wear muck boots and waterproof pants if you can. Bring a Smile! Bring CASH to purchase fresh maple syrup to go home with or gift to someone. Be prepared to walk down a muddy path to the sugar house. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR DOGS AT HOME!

Sliding Scale Fee: $18 - $54 per family;  $8 - $25 per person  Pay what you can - no one turned away. Funds support community programming and outdoor education.

Ticket information : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sugar-and-schmooze-wake-up-spring-celebration-tickets-568172167247

Contact us at info@livingtreealliance.com with questions

sugarandshmooze.png




Offerings from Moretown Library:

Amphibian Road Crossing Training
Monday, March 20th 6 pm

Each spring, amphibians migrate by the millions from upland forests to wetland breeding grounds and often cross busy roadways. Join Mad River Libraries, North Branch Nature Center, and Friends of the Mad River on March 20th from 6-7pm to learn more about these fascinating animals and ways you can help them on their journey.



Peeps Diorama Contest

3/25-4/1 Submissions

4/3-4/15 Voting

The Mad River Libraries are excited to announce the eighth annual Peeps® Diorama Contest. Community members of all ages are invited to create a book or literary-themed diorama using marshmallow Peeps® as characters. Entries may be submitted at any MRV Library between Saturday, March 25 - Saturday April 1. Public viewing and voting will be held at the libraries from April 3-April 15. For complete rules and an entry form, please visit joslinmemoriallibrary.com, moretownlibrary.com, or warrenlibrary.com.



Babysitting 101 with 4H

Thursdays 3/23 & 3/30 4-7pm

Moretown Library @Town Hall

Recommended for grades 5-8, registration required at moretownlibrary.com

Join Molly McFaun from UVM Extension's 4H program, and learn the basics of babysitting. Ranging from practicing safe supervision to choosing age appropriate activities, this class helps babysitters prepare for any real life situations they may face while caring for babies, toddlers and kids. Safety and the business aspects will also be covered, including what to ask parents. Snacks will be provided, participants should bring a drink and any additional food they need.