January 31, 2025
It will come as no surprise to anyone that there is an uptick in illnesses in our community and our state. This week schools.png)
across the state were closing due to high rates of absences in both students and staff. Moretown is not immune to illnesses, we are also seeing an increase in viruses such as the common cold, COVID and the flu. We ask that you please keep your children home from school if they are sick and encourage positive hygiene with washing hands and covering coughs.
Information has been sent to families of soon-to-be preschoolers about our upcoming preschool screening. Children by the age of three prior to September 1, 2025 are eligible to enroll in preschool programs. If you have any questions about how to schedule a preschool screening please reach out to Brenda Hartshorn at (802) 496-3742. Screenings will take place on March 11th and March 14th.
I'd like to take a minute and remind families of our arrival and dismissal procedures. Our school does not open to students until 7:20 when students are welcome to hang out in the cafeteria. Classrooms are not open to students before 7:25 as teachers need time in the morning to finish up preparations, end any before s
chool meetings and set up their spaces for a day of learning. We welcome preschool parents to walk their children in, otherwise we ask that parents say goodbye at the door. Students are considered tardy if they are not in their classrooms prior to 7:40. In the event of a 2 hour delay, we open our doors at 9:20 and expect students arrive by 7:40. Of course on days where roads are especially problematic we ask that people put safety first and leave a few minutes early and take their time. It's always better to be safe than sorry!
We start our dismissal procedures at 2:15 when we dismiss bus 
riders. We do not dismiss pick up students until buses are loaded and leaving, usually around 2:20. If you wish to exit your car and pick up your student under the roof then we respectfully ask that you park in the parking lot and walk over. It adds confusion to our dismissal procedures if your car is parked in the car line, causing others to move around you. Lastly, we will not be accommodating late Pick up Patrol requests unless it is an emergency or a situation where a student is in a potentially unsafe situation. Please adhere to our strict 1:15 deadline for changing any student plan. Many thanks for your help with this!
We have some exciting events coming up! Troy Wunderle will
bring his circus back to Moretown in May with an after school performance (time TBD) on May 22nd. This is provided by the generosity of our Moretown PTO and all students have the opportunity to participate. We also invite you to mark your calendars now for our Moretown K-6 Spring Concert. This event has a new date of June 5th.
I ask that our families all stay informed on the status of this year's school budget. The HUUSD School Board has tasked the district with presenting a budget with a 2.75% increase over spending from the last proposed budget. This increase still necessitates the loss of 18-20 positions district-wide. While none of us ever want to see a reduction of people or programs, a vote of 'no' on the upcoming budget will necessitate further cuts. I welcome any and all questions regarding the budget, as does Lisa Estler, HUUSD Director of Finance and Operations. To watch board meetings and stay informed visit the HUUSD youtube page.
Below you'll find information around the PTO merchandise
store. Today is the last day to receive 10% off of your order! I have ordered some shirts for my children and am very happy with the quality. I know the PTO has worked hard to create a variety of options to allow for a variety of price points.
I look forward to next week where it is looking like we can finally return to Sugarbush for our Winter Sports Program. May you all have a restful weekend so you're well and ready to hit the slopes!
See you on Monday.
Ms. Kate
PTO UPDATE
From Ms. Zaino:
In PE, we’ve spent the month of January working on jump rope skills and floor hockey skills. Younger students practiced jumping
back and forth over a rope on the ground while older students challenged themselves to try Double Dutch or egg beater (both techniques that use two ropes simultaneously)! We learned that jumping rope is good for the heart and worked on sportsmanship in Floor Hockey.
Soon, we’ll launch into outdoor PE with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledding. Please see dates below that we'll be 
doing outdoor PE at your child's school. I am excited to be participating in the New England Nordic Ski Association Nordic Rocks program this year to bring new nordic skiing curriculum and equipment to Waitsfield and Moretown. Students will need all the warm gear they bring for recess- snow pants, snow boots, hats, neck warmers, mittens and coats- for these PE classes. *If the weather isn’t conducive to a positive learning experience, we’ll do PE inside, so please send sneakers as well. This information can also be found on the PE blog at https://zainopeandhealth.blogspot.com/
Speaking of sneakers- if you have any gently used size 1 or 2 kids sneakers, I could use them to keep on hand as extras. Thanks for checking your closet!
Moretown Outside* PE Dates
Monday, February 10th
Monday, February 17th
Tuesday, February 18th
Monday, March 10th
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Waterbury Recreation Summer Camp
Registration opens to Waterbury residents on February 4th and non-residentss on February 6th for this summer camp opportunity. Visit https://waterburyvt.myrec.com/info/default.aspx for more details.
Neck of the Woods
NOW is offering summer programming again this summer and will take place here at Moretown Elementary School. While registration is not open yet, check out their website for dates and other information. https://www.neckofthewoodsvt.org/summer-camps
2025 Harwood Summer Basketball Camps
It's hard to believe that we are already planning for summer! The registration for the 2025 Harwood Summer Baksetball Camps is open. This summer camp is open to players in 2nd grade through 9th grade. See the following for more information and to sign up:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DpCYjhWNG5NdTvHzaQtT3ASmuTKnY6UcNpUfIuHXspE/edit?tab=t.0
Friends of the Moretown Library Chili Cook-Off!
The Friends of the Moretown Library invite you to the third annual Friends of the Moretown Library Chili Cook-Off! It's a fun (and tasty!) community event, and all the proceeds benefit the Friends of the Library. With your ticket, not only are you supporting the Library but you also get to sample each featured chili. It's a lot of chili, so bring your appetites! Sides, desserts, and beverages sold separately.
It's an event that is sure to warm up a February evening. Tickets are $10 each.
Details: Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, 4:00-6:00 pm
Location: The historic Moretown Town Hall & Library
Tickets: https://bit.ly/2025ChiliTickets
Vacation and summer camps at Camp Meade
Stark Mountain Foundation StorySki
2025 Girls On The Run Team is looking for coaches!!
Make a positive impact and empower young Vermont girls by volunteering as a Girls on the Run coach at Moretown Elementary this spring! With caring coaches who mentor and motivate, all girls can reach new heights. This season's curriculum inspires all participants to say “I can!” to every obstacle that comes their way. Team members build confidence to overcome difficult situations, inspire others to keep going when it’s hard, and embrace their confidence to make a difference in their community.
Not a runner? Haven’t coached before? No problem! Girls on the Run VT (GOTRVT) provides training, easy to follow lesson plans, supplies and support for a transformational season. Our season begins the week of March 17th, and ends with a celebratory 5K on Saturday May 31st. Our team will meet twice weekly for 90 minute sessions to connect, move, learn and have FUN!
Visit gotrvt.org/coach to learn more or sign up to volunteer. Questions? Contact Christine Tierson at [email protected] or 802-595-3329 or go directly to GOTRVT at [email protected] or 802-871-5664.
Mad River Path Camps
The Mad River Path Association is a local Vermont nonprofit aiming to increase access to the outdoors for all. We have several weeks of adventurous fun lined up this summer for kids and teens aged 9-15. Programs run for 5 or 6 days, with both day programs and overnight options. You can view the individual camp programs on our website as well as detailed information about our leadership, philosophy, and past camper experience.
We believe greatly in financial accessibility, and there are sliding scale and scholarship options so that no one is left out for lack of funds.
Mad River Path Summer Programs Website
Mad River Valley Little League
Register Today!
https://leagues.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1932792
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Thomas Jacobs
Hello neighbors!
We have arranged for a Toddler/Pre-K Gym Time (ages 2-4) starting on 1/10 every other Friday from Jan-March from 5 pm-6:30 pm at the Moretown Elementary School. It'll be a chance for our little ones to run around and play during the cold winter months. The plan is to have mostly free time with the occasional organized game.
The dates will be 1/10, 1/24, 2/7, 2/21, 3/7, and 3/21.
Please follow the signs and enter through the Owl Door. All you will have to do is sign a quick waiver and you'll be good to go. Please reach out with any questions.
Hope to see you there!
Thomas
