MORETOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
May 21, 2010
School Website: www.moretownschool.org
Dear Parents and Friends,
This was a simply perfect day for Walk and Bike to School Day! Our students seemed to really enjoy the opportunity to be outdoors as the school day began. Greeting students as they climbed off the buses at the General Store, I noted big smiles and much enthusiasm. Students on the sidewalk cheered as other buses and bikers arrived. One student commented that it was like being in a parade. We observed parents bike riding with their children, and one father running alongside as his daughter biked. I’ve never seen so many bikes on our bike racks. Upon arrival, the children were treated to fresh cut-up fruits prepared by parents and our PTN. Our thanks go to Dara Torre and the Safe Routes to School Committee for organizing this event. This was simply a perfect way to begin today!
As I end my first year here and we look toward the future, our staff has been talking about our vision for our school. Ours is a school always striving to be the best we can be. What is the better, future version of our school? What do we want our school to be? Where are we heading? What is our collective vision? To that end, we would like to have parent input. Included in this newsletter, you will find a page with questions that will help us to better “paint a picture” of our future goals and directions. Please give some thought and provide us with input as we look to establishing a long range vision for what Moretown Elementary School. Return it to the office before the school year closes. Thank you in advance!
Respectfully,
Debbie Lesure, Principal
“It Takes A Village”
Dear Moretown Parents,
This spring we are working as a school community to define a “vision” for our school. In education a school’s vision is the “big picture” of how we as a community would ideally like our school to be, what the curriculums would entail (both academic and social), what the school’s climate might feel like and what the relationships might look like that exist within the school’s population (students, teachers, staff, parents, community members).
To truly give this document meaning we invite your thoughtful reflection on each of the following sections, your responses will be considered as we draft our school’s vision. Thank you for taking the time to respond to our survey. – Moretown Staff
Please feel free to also write on the other side of page if needed!
What should we keep doing (what are our strengths?):
What should we start doing (any new innovative ideas?):
What should we stop doing (what are our weaknesses?):
Any additional comments?:
Important Dates May 26 3/4 Celebration of Learning May 27 PTN Meeting May 31 Memorial Day, NO SCHOOL June 1, 2 Preschool Field trip to Shelburne Farms June 2 6th grade step up to Harwood June 3, 4 6th Grade trip to Boston June 7 Teacher Appreciation Breakfast June 8 Field Day activities June 8 Preschool Performance, 6-8 pm June 11 Last day of school – FULL DAY June 11 6th Grade graduation 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.
Moretown Wellness Committee
Children consume about 50% of their daily calories during the course of a school day. With the short time left in the academic year, the Wellness Committee is looking at the food that children eat at school and hoping to encourage healthy food choices throughout the dayHere is a simple snack recipe that many children can prepare with a little help:
"Ants on a Log"
-One stalk of celery
-Peanut butter, sunflower butter or cream cheese-- different spreads can be used in classrooms where there are concerns over nut allergies -A dried fruit like raisins, currants, cranberries, cherries, strawberries, blueberries etc
Method: Wash and cut the celery stalk into three or four pieces. Wipe out any excessive water. Spread peanut butter (or alternative spread) inside the celery pieces. Place dried fruit on top of the spread and gently press them in a little. Each celery piece will probably fit three or four pieces of dried fruit at the most. Place the "logs" in a plastic container and refrigerate overnight if the snack is for the next day.
This snack contains fiber, protein, and several vitamins. Children seem to enjoy the combination of the sweetness of the fruit, the smooth texture of the spread, and the crunch of the celery.
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.
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.
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!
