MORETOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
April 8, 2010
School Website: www.moretownschool.org
Dear Parents and Friends,
On Tuesday, we had a special performance from Slim Goodbody about health and wellness. In very creative ways, he spoke, rapped, and sang to our students. See the information below provided by our school nurse who received a grant and arranged this assembly. Thank you, Mrs. Brown.
Nutrition lessons seem to have taken hold. Paul Morris, Food Service Director at Harwood Union who provides our school lunches, reported that yesterday’s localvore lunch was a big success. He appreciated that our students tried the Junior Iron Chef’s Winning Chicken and Butternut Squash “Pan” Chilada. He’d heard that many students consider this their new favorite lunch!
There are so many benefits to eating healthy. I remember reading a book by Jane Goodall titled, Harvest for Hope. Although I no longer have the book to quote from directly, there was a section about a food trial conducted in a state prison. Inmates were given a healthy diet that significantly limited sugars, artificial flavors and coloring. Researchers found a marked decrease in aggressive behaviors and inmates reported feeling generally happier. I wonder the implications for all of us?
Here at Moretown Elementary School, we are forming a Health and Wellness Committee comprised of staff, parents, School Board, and perhaps student representatives. We will be looking at research in nutrition, our school policies and practices regarding treats and sweets, and other topics as suggested. Please let Mrs. Brown know if you have ideas for our meeting agendas.
Have a healthy weekend with nutritious food and enjoyable exercise!
Respectfully,
Debbie Lesure, Principal
MES SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
School Board Meetings are held the first Monday of each month at 6:00 in the Moretown School Library. Parents and community members are welcome to attend and these meetings are open to the public. You can find meeting minutes on the Moretown School website, moretownschool.org, under School Board. This will help you stay informed on the work of the School Board.
Free/Reduced meal eligibility
Did you know that a family of four earning as much as $40,000 a year may qualify for free or reduced hot lunch? This is a federal program designed to ensure that children have adequate nutrition for growth and learning. Many families may be unaware that qualifying incomes were changed in the past year. If your economic situation has changed or you may meet the new requirements, please ask Pam Kathan for the forms. Information on who receives free or reduced meals is kept confidential. If you believe that you are eligible, please apply. This program provides additional funding to our school. You child may still bring lunch from home if that is your preference.
Slim Goodbody presents: Lighten up The Great American Nutrition Musical
The Moretown Elementary School hosted an assembly promoting good nutrition and physical activity with the famous Slim Goodbody. This interactive show transported children through the human body and along the journey of one child. The students learned how to balance calories in and calories out to stay healthy. This assembly was held at the conclusion of the Know Your Body nutrition units being taught in the elementary health classes. During this assembly we also talked about the importance of physical activity and that we should have an hour each day of some kind of physical activity.
Important Dates April 12 PTN Meeting, 7:00 p.m. April 19 – 23 NO SCHOOL - Spring Break May 10 PTN Meeting May 13 Art Show, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. May 31 NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
Turn the page to … Lucie!
What is the best part of being a library page?
I read books that I wouldn’t normally read. I feel really helpful. I know how to find the books I need so that I’m not wandering around.
What are some of your favorite books and authors?
The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, The Graveyard Book, Babar, Calvin & Hobbes, Garfield, Savvy, Diamond Willow, Stolen, and the author Kate Klise, who wrote me a letter last year. When I was little I loved Raising Dragons.
Personal motto:
Wag more, bark less.
Vermont Families Needed to Host Educators from Moldova
Waitsfield, VT – March, 2010 – PH International (formerly Project Harmony) will be hosting ten educators from the Republic of Moldova who are participating in a Community Connections program sponsored by USAID and administered by World Learning. These visitors will be studying secondary school administration and management by spending time at a number of schools, and receiving training from a diverse array of education representatives in the State of Vermont.
PH is currently seeking families in Washington and Chittenden Counties to host one or more of these participants for all or part of the 18 days during which the group is in Vermont, from April 22 – May 10, 2010. While the delegation is mainly comprised of school principals (former teachers), they are also here to learn about how parents and the community enhance the educational learning environment. The hope is that teachers, principals and parents of school children will volunteer to host our guests so that learning can happen in the host families as well as in the more formal, program-planned activities. Host families are asked to provide a comfortable and clean place to sleep, breakfast and dinner, minimal transportation to centralized pick-up and drop-off locations, and some weekend activities.
Importantly, the program will offer Moldovans an experience of life in the United States and afford Vermonters an opportunity to establish new relationships while learning about the culture and history of this unique country through the homestay experience.
For more information about becoming a host family, please contact Renee Berrian at (802) 496-4545 (x106) or email at renee.berrian@ph-int.org.
PH is an international nonprofit organization based in Waitsfield, Vermont. Additional information about PH and the Community Connections Program is available at www.ph-int.org
After school survey
Please go to the school website at www.moretownschool.org and complete the after school needs survey, there will be a link on the homepage of our website.
Sugarbush Adventure Games Kids’ Triathlon
On Saturday, April 10, 2010, kids twelve and under can enjoy the competitive spirit of the Sugarbush Adventure Games by participating in the Kids’ Triathlon. Participants can compete as teams of three or as bionic athletes running, biking and kayaking their way to the finish. Day-of registration from 10:30 AM-12:30 PM at the snowmaking pond by the Kingsbury Bridge Greenway, Mad River Path. Race starts at 1:00 PM. Registration is $12 in advance or $15 at the event. For more information visit madriverpath.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.
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.
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 open until all slots are filled.
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!
Vacation Art Camp 4/19 – 22 9 am to 2:30 Monday through Thursday
This is the perfect stay-cation for your child. Mornings the art will be with clay and afternoons will be visual arts and crafts. Between projects we will run around outdoors, weather permitting. Enroll for just mornings, just afternoons ($140) or all day ($210). Either way, pack a lunch and some snacks – we will be working hard!
SAC is located in the beautiful Green Mountain Seminary building at 201 Hollow Road in Waterbury Center.
Contact Mame McKee at 253-8790 or seminaryart@gmail.com or visit http://sites.google.com/site/seminaryartcenter/ for more information.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY vs HARLEM AMBASSADORS
SLAM DUNK FUN
The internationally-acclaimed Harlem Ambassadors will be visiting Central Vermont for a game at the Barre Auditorium on April 14, 2010. Tip off at 6 pm
Habitat for Humanity has fielded a team of volunteers including TJ Sorrentine, Benson Callier, Jen Neibling, Germain Njila Mopa, and others anxious to play for you and the Habitat partner families.
The Harlem Ambassadors offer a unique brand of Harlem-style basketball, featuring high-flying slam dunks, dazzling ball-handling tricks and hilarious comedy routines.
The Ambassadors feature non-stop laughs and deliver a positive message for kids wherever the Ambassadors play. “At our shows, we want the kids to know that they’re part of our team too,” Coach Ladè Majic said. “We invite as many kids as we can to come sit on the bench, have a front row seat during the show, and get involved in all of the fun stuff we do.”
The Ambassadors set themselves apart from other “Harlem-style” basketball teams by working with local not-for-profit and service organizations and holding Harlem Ambassadors shows as community fundraising events. For the Central Vermont event the Ambassadors have partnered with Habitat for Humanity to help raise funds to complete 3 homes in the region this summer 2010.
“It feels good to be able to provide quality entertainment and create memories that the fans will take with them,” Moss explained. “We’re able to give even more when we can help provide funding for a Habitat for Humanity house or new computers for the school library, and that feels great.”
Tickets will be available at the door $5 students/seniors, $10 adults
