April 30 2010

MORETOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

April 30, 2010

School Website: www.moretownschool.org

Dear Parents and Friends,

Haven’t we had the most interesting weather this week? At my house we had over a foot of snow. I kept saying to myself that snow makes our valley so very beautiful. Truly though, I wanted to see those daffodils and tulips – not more snow!

Now that the weather is turning nicer, parents and community members will again be volunteering their time to serve as crossing guards for our students each morning between 7:30 and 8:00 am. This will begin next week. Thanks go to Safe Routes to School and Dara Torre for their organization and support.

As we hear about initiatives that encourage physical activity and walking or biking to school, I urge you to think about your child(ren) and safety. Route 100B is busy road. Please make decisions to allow walking or biking based on your child’s experience near roads, understanding of safety rules, and personal level of responsibility. Some children may pay more attention to their friends than to cars and curbs. I’ve noted students riding with their helmets on the handlebars instead of on their heads. We want all of our students to arrive at school safely and happily!

Respectfully,

Debbie Lesure, Principal

Turn the page to …. Lily!

Why did you want to be a library page?

Because I like making the library a better place and making it easier for people to find things.

What do you like best about the job?

I like getting to see the new books that come in before anyone else.

Who are some favorite authors and books?

Suzanne Collins, Rick Riordan, The Other Side of the Island, Into the Dark, Michael Buckley, Trenton Lee Stewart.

Personal motto: It doesn’t matter who does it, it just matters that it gets done.

Helmets

In conjunction with our safe routes to school program, the Moretown PTN is once again pleased to offer low cost helmets and safety gear through Provider. Forms should be arriving home this week. Please indicate the items you wish to order and provide a check made out to Moretown PTN. Please include a $1.00 shipping fee per item. Orders are due back by May 5^th. Any questions, please contact Mrs. Brown or the office.

Important Dates

May 1 School Grounds Clean-Up Day and Potluck - Noon

May 3 School Board Strategy Retreat

May 10 School Board Meeting 6:00 pm

May 10 PTN Meeting 7:00 pm

May 12 Early Release Day

May 13 Art Show, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

May 16 Bike Safety Fair

May 19 Vermont Symphony Orchestra @ MES, 8:45 – 9:30 am

May 21 Walk and Bike to School Day

June 11 Last day of school – FULL DAY

June 11 6^th Grade graduation

Spring Clean Up Day and Potluck is This Saturday!

Please come to help spruce up the school grounds this Saturday, May 1, starting at noon. We need as many parents as we can get to finish the projects listed below. Please bring garden tools if you have them (rakes, pruners, weeders, shovels, etc.), and bring a potluck dish to share after the work is done. Here's what we're working on.

• weeding the front entrance to the school and planting new flowers

• building a new perennial bed at the Main Street entrance to the school

• moving the shed by the upper-grade playground and replacing it with pea stones and log benches

• installing a new trash can on the playground

• general clean up

If you haven't helped with a PTN project this year, here is your opportunity! If you can make it, please contact Sarah Zschau at zone4@accessvt.com or 496-3097. The rain date is May 2.

After School Yoga

The after-school Yoga classes have been cancelled due to low interest. We will be setting up times to share this experience in the classrooms before the end of the year. That way, all who would like to participate will have a chance and teachers can include techniques in their classrooms. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Jill Brown, RN

Alligator Summer Camps at Moretown School

We are happy to be able to once again offer summer Theater and Science Camps at Moretown School. Theater Camp will run from July 19 to July 23, 9 am to 1 pm. Science camps will be July 26 to July 30 and August 2 to August 6, 9 am to 1 pm. Science camps will be structured so that each week is different, so children may attend one or both camps. Camp fees are $150 per week for Theater Camp and $160 per week for Science Camps (Science Camp fee includes cost of materials). Discounts available for multiple Camps are open to ages 7 to 14. Camp instructors include Thom McAllister (Mr. Alligator) and Deb Fadden (Ms D.) For additional information and registration forms contact Thom McAllister (thommca@gmavt.net or 434-4977). Registration is open until all slots are filled.

Parenting in a Technological World

A program designed to educate parents about how to parent in a technological world will be held at The Warren School on May 13th from 6 - 7:30pm. Parents will learn about the newest technology related activities and how children are using them. Kathy Kretz and Erin McKenney from Prevent Child Abuse Vermont will present information about how parents can safely introduce technology to young children and how to encourage safe online behavior of older children while using these technologies. There will be 2 different presentations offered. Each presentation will offer information directed toward specific age groups (pre-K - grade 2, and grades 3 - 8). This program is being sponsored by Spring Hill School and The Warren School. Limited space and childcare are available. Call 279-3218 or e-mail sheilam@madriver.com

Valley School Day at Sugarbush

Friday, June 25th is Valley School Day at Sugarbush. School-age kids are invited to come sample zipline rides, chairlift rides, disc golf, the inflatable bounce house, golf, tennis, and pool activities FOR FREE. Parental guidance required. Details at sugarbush.com.

Summer Fun at Camp Sugarbush

This summer, Sugarbush is offering a variety of week-long Monday through Friday camps for kids interested in outdoor adventure:

Mini Campers (ages 4-6) and Day Camp (ages 6-11) provide campers a traditional day camp with a touch of adventure. Activities include lift rides, hiking, swimming, tennis, rock climbing, biking, art, nature crafts, field trips and more. June 21-August 20.

Adventure Camp (ages 7-17) activities include biking, zipline, hiking, naturalist tours, disc golf, swimming, and climbing. July 5-9; July 26-30; August 9-13; August 16-20.

Mountain Bike Adventure Camps (ages 7-17) are similar to the Adventure Camps but with an emphasis on mountain biking. July 19-23 and August 2-6.

And the Junior USPTA/USPTR Tennis Camp (ages 6-12) offers tennis in the morning followed by afternoon adventures. August 2-6.

Both Adventure Camp and Mountain Bike Adventure Camp offer an optional Thursday overnight adventure at Allyn’s Lodge. Single-day, multiday and weekend tennis, golf, tennis/golf combo, adventure, and mountain bike camps, clinics and schools also available. For reservations and more information, call 800.53.SUGAR or visit sugarbush.com. Register by April 17 and receive a discount.

Seminary Art Center

Two note worthy activities coming up at Seminary Art Center in April.

‘A Taste of Art’

4/17 & 18 Noon to 4 pm

Each day the SAC will be offering an opportunity to play with a little clay, make an art project, check out the school, summer camp programs and meet teachers.

Children’s teachers will be available to talk about the after school program, vacation Art Camps and the expanded summer Art Camps program. On display in the art gallery will be completed samples of upcoming camps art and adult workshops.

Also on hand will be instructors of the adult program to share information about the next workshop series as well as ongoing classes in Clay, Visual Arts and Glass Fusing. Meet Teachers, See Samples, Check Out Space, Peruse Programs & Make Some Art!

Beverages and snacks will be provided but be warned – A Taste of Art just might leave you hungry for more!