MORETOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
May 7, 2010
School Website: www.moretownschool.org

Dear Parents and Friends,

Last Saturday, parent volunteers came for clean-up and yard work around our school. We had a great group of parents and students who worked hard to weed and edge trees on the primary playground, weed and fertilize the entryway flower beds, rake up and deal with the leaves under the trees at the front of the building, trim trees, rake out and weed the perennial bed at the front of the school, as well as weed and fill the raised beds with compost. Have you noticed how nice our school is looking now? Many thanks go out to all of the parents who participated and to Sarah Zschau, who organized this effort.

This week, Jeremy Seeger is here working with all of our students. They are learning about the art of kite making. Students are creating their own individual kites. Monday is kite-flying day – hope for a sunny and breezy day! Thanks to the PTN for helping us to make this happen.

Parents, I would like your input. Do you feel that teachers should continue providing written narratives at each marking period? It is typical of other schools in our supervisory union for teachers to report student progress on report cards only.

It is very important to us that you have a good understanding of your child’s academic progress, yet the narratives often express the same information that you receive in your parent-teacher conference. Teachers spend many, many hours writing narratives that outline student performance, generally taking a professional day to complete these. Then, teachers also spend time completing report cards. Please let me know what you find most valuable as you receive reports on your child’s progress. Send a note into the office. I would like your feedback.

Respectfully,
Debbie Lesure, Principal


Vermont Days

Vermont Days is June 12th and 13th. All Vermont State Park day areas, state-owned historic sites, and Vermont’s History Museum will be open and free to the public. Saturday, June 12th is free fishing day – the one day in the year when residents and non-residents may go fishing without a license. Locations and events are open and free for both residents and nonresidents. Vermont Days is a free statewide event celebrating Vermont’s natural resources, history, and culture (brought to you by the Departments of Forests, Parks & Recreation, Fish & Wildlife, Tourism & Marketing, the Division of Historic Preservation, and many supportive state employees and volunteers). Check for details on this weekend and for information on Vermont’s fishing, state parks, and historic sites at http://http://www.vermontdays.vermont.gov/.


News from the Library Media Center

Announcing the 1st Annual Spring Cleaning Used Children Book Sale Bonanza!

When: The weeks of May 10th and May 17th

Where: The Library Media Center

What: Dust off your gently used books and donate them to our used book sale. Books will be priced to move. As an incentive, a donation of 1-5 books receives a voucher for a free book. Donations of 5-10 books get two vouchers.

Why: The Student Library Advisory Board is helping to organize this sale. Let’s help make it a success! All books will be priced at 25 cents and 50 cents.

Drop off your books in the box outside the library. Questions? Email Mrs.Allison, mallison@moretownschool.org


Vermont 2010 Oral Health Survey

How many Vermont children have protective dental sealants on their molars?
Do Vermonters have difficulty finding dental care for their children?
Do our kids have more or less untreated decay than other states?
What percentage of children have never had a cavity?

These are some of the questions that our school will be helping the 2010 Vermont Oral Health Survey to answer this spring. With parent/guardian consent, a dental hygienist will take a quick look into the mouths of our first, second and third graders to count the number of sealants, fillings and obvious dental problems. This screening is for all students, even those that have a regular dentist. It will show what Vermont is doing well, and what we need to improve. This helps the Vermont Department of Health to plan future programs to keep children healthy and ready to learn. Only 22 schools statewide have been given an opportunity to participate. The survey is sponsored by the Vermont Child Health Improvement Program at UVM.

Our school dental screening date is June 1, 2010. The consent form and letter sent home contains additional important details about the screening. Please return it as soon as possible so that your child can participate and receive a free toothbrush!

Dental Hygienist Erica Brown is visiting our school to screen first, second and third grade students.

Soccer Intro for 5/6 year olds.
Mad River Soccer will offer a series of 4 fun, introductory soccer clinics for kids age 5 thru 1st grade. The clinics will be held from 3 to 4 pm on Sunday, May 16,

June 6 and June 13 and on Saturday, May 22 from 10 to 11 am. All clinics will be held at the Waitsfield Elementary School field. Please arrive at 2:45 pm on the day of the first clinic to enroll your child. Bring a ball if you have one. Kids should wear shin guards (check with a friend to see if you can borrow some). The coaches encourage parents to participate (more fun for you and your child)! The cost for the 4 sessions is $15, which covers insurance and equipment costs. Checks should be made payable to MRVSA.


Important Dates
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
May 31 NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
June 11 Last day of school – FULL DAY
June 11 Sixth Grade Graduation – 6:00 P.M.

Staff Appreciation Breakfast

Let the great people at the Moretown School know how much you appreciate all they have done for our students this past year! Each year, the Moretown Elementary School’s PTN coordinates a Staff Appreciation Breakfast for our teachers, paraeducators and staff members. On Monday June 7 from 7:30 - 9:30 a.m we will hold our annual appreciation event in the school library. Show that you care by contributing either an item for the breakfast, or helping out with set up and/or clean-up. Please contact Amy Bolger if you can provide a goodie (baked item, fruit, a beverage, etc.) We also need plates, napkins, cutlery or cups. Two people to set up at 7 a.m. and two to break down at 9:30 a.m. is helpful.You can call Amy at 496-5935 or email her at bolger@gmavt.net. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this important end-of-year event.

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.

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 May13th 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!

Family Bike & Trike Sale
Sale - Saturday, May 15, 9am-4pm
Drop off - Friday, May 14, 3pm-7pm
Waitsfield Elementary School

Everybody needs a bike!

Buy a 'new' bike in time to take part in the Valley Walk & Roll Festival, or sell one you've outgrown to someone who will use it. Lots of kids' bikes!

Only bikes in working condition can be included in the sale. Free bike safety check available at drop off on Friday, courtesy of our local bike shops - Fit Werx, Inverness, Stark Mountain (Waitsfield) or Green Mountain Bikes (Rochester).

Proceeds to benefit the Mad River Valley Health Center Health Education Committee.


For more information, contact Sue Frechette (sue_frechette@madriver.com) or go to http://www.valleywalkandroll.com/.

National Foster Care Month
May is National Foster Care Month. Vermont’s foster families not only provide temporary homes, safety, and nurturing to our children, but they also help primary families by ensuring that children can be safely reunited with them.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming foster parent, please call Joan Rock, Resource Coordinator, Barre Family Services at 802-479-4260. Make a Difference – Be A Foster Parent!


MidVTFencing Club http://midvtfencing.pbworks.com/
What: Fencing instruction
Who: Anyone with an interest! Beginners and advanced fencers aged 9 to 90+
When: Mondays and Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 PM starting May 10th.
8 Sessions with one-to-one and open fencing 8:00-9:00 PM
Where: CBMS gym in Duxbury.
Why: Learn basic fencing or refine your current skills.
Cost: $100.00
*Space is limited so register quickly! Questions please call Digger(Keith Puffer) @ 802-989-8014*
Fencer's name: ______________________________ Grade: _____________
Phone Number: ___________________ Allergies: __________________
Emergency Contact: _______________________ Phone Number: ______________
I, _____________________, understand that fencing is a physical activity with
potential health and physical injuries that may arise. I do not hold, Digger (Keith Puffer),
Crossett Brook Middle School and the staff members, or any volunteers, accountable if
an injury were to occur. I give Digger (Keith Puffer) and his volunteers/staff to act appropriately
if reason for medical assistance were needed. If a medical situation/injury were to occur
I/we will use our child’s/family insurance policy to cover any injury expense, thus not holding
Digger (Keith Puffer) or Crossett Brook Middle School responsible for such costs.


Signed: ________________________________ Date: _________