Bobcat Bulletin v.22

January 26, 2024

 

Wow, we made it through a five day school week!  Mother Nature finally allowed us to have a 'normal' week and we made the best of it.  

 

Our Winter Sports Program went great this week and we appreciate everyone's extra effort in sending ski socks, labeling equipment and checking out on time.  I got to spend time at the magic carpet watching our beginners build confidence and take risks.  I, too, am taking risks and learning how to ski and can confidently say it's not as easy as it looks!  We look forward to traveling back to Sugarbush this coming Tuesday.

 

   

 

If your student is going to be absent from school there are two important pieces that you need to take care of; the absent form and Pick up Patrol.  Both of these need to be filled out prior to 8 am and can be found on the homepage of our website, moretownschool.org (midway down on the left hand side). When a student is absent and these pieces are not taken care of, it takes substantially more time per student, keeping office personnel from other required tasks in the morning.  Thank you for helping us ensure that all students are accounted for and safe. 

 

Last night we hosted a bond presentation, put on by the HUUSD School Board.  It was a lively and informative conversation around the building needs at our high school campus.  If you haven't had a chance to attend a meeting there is one more, hosted virtually, this coming Tuesday, January 30th.  For more information about the bond, to see past meetings or to complete the survey please visit https://huusd.org/bond-public-meeting-schedule.  

 

There are some important things on the horizon for Moretown Elementary School students.  Please read on to hear about some exciting upcoming events and experiences.  

     

 

We look forward to welcoming our students back on Monday.  Have a great weekend.

 

Ms. Kate 

 

High Mowing Seed Fundraiser 

High Mowing Seed Order Forms were sent home on Friday Jan 19th. This is a fundraiser for the PTO and we will receive 60% of the profits. Please return forms and cash or check made out to the Moretown PTO by Monday February 19th. Thank you for your support! 

 

Band and Chorus News

Winter is fully upon us, and in the music department world, that means it’s music festival time!

 

The HUUSD District Choral Festival will be held on February 22, 2024 at 7pm at Harwood  ( snow date 2/23 ). The festival performance will include the elementary chorus from all district elementary schools as well as choral groups from CBMS and HUIMS and HUHS. The performance will conclude with a finale which all groups will sing together.

 

Fifth and sixth grade chorus students will be traveling to HUHS on the morning of 2/22 to prepare for the concert. They will have a bagged lunch at HUHS and return to school by 12:30. We have been working hard to prepare three pieces, “The Bat," “Al Shlosha D’Avarim“ as well as “When We Believe" and look forward to sharing this wonderful night of  choral music.

 

The HUUSD District Band Festival will be held on March 14, 2024 at Harwood at 7pm ( snow date 3/19 ). The festival will include the 6^th grade band ( 2^nd year ) band students from all district elementary schools as well as performing groups from CBMS, HUMS and HUHS. Students will be traveling to HUHS on the morning of 3/14  9-11 am to prepare for the concert. They will return to school in time for lunch and skiing ( where appropriate ). The elementary band will be playing “ The Tempest” and “ Worksite “ and we look forward to sharing this exciting performance with you.

 

Upcoming Field Trip!

On Wednesday, February 21st our K-6 students will be traveling to the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington to see the Dance Theatre of Harlem.  Information will be traveling home in backpacks early next week.  

"Dance Theatre of Harlem is a leading dance institution of unparalleled global acclaim, encompassing a touring company, a studio school, and an education and community outreach program. Each component of Dance Theatre of Harlem carries a solid commitment towards enriching the lives of people around the world through the arts. Now in its sixth decade, Dance Theatre of Harlem has grown into a multi- cultural dance institution with an extraordinary legacy of providing opportunities for creative expression and artistic excellence that continues to set standards in the performing arts."

 

PTO Update:

• It's about time to start planning our gardens for the spring and summer, and before we know it, it will be time to start seeds. Perfect timing - the PTO is running the High Mowing Seeds Fundraiser this year, and last week, one order form was sent home with the eldest child of each family. Order forms are due back to MES no later than Monday, February 19th. This is a great opportunity to raise funds for the PTO, as we will receive 60% of the proceeds. Funds raised by the PTO support the MES winter sports program, artist in residence programs, teacher grants, and many other supplemental programs and resources. If you have any questions or need additional order forms, please email [email protected]. 

 

Community Offerings

 

February Break Art Classes

Monday February 26 - Friday March 1
8am-12pm
12-5pm aftercare available; please write to us at [email protected] for more information.
Instructor: Heather O’Hare
For young artists in grades K-3

Learn, explore and invent Sweet Delicacy Art! Children will create artwork inspired by bakery treats using various art techniques and materials. We will design 3D clay sculptures, draw and paint colorful illustrations, narrate new recipes, and go a tour of Red Hen Bakery to observe and learn where and how their amazing edible creations are made. At the end of the week we will fire up Camp Meade’s wood-fired outdoor oven and bake up some edible art!

Students can attend the full week-long camp or select dates. Tuition assistance is available to help make this programming available to all. For more information or to request assistance, please write to us at [email protected].

 

https://campmeade.today/art-and-music-programs/p/bakery-art-camp

Lacrosse

Calling all lacrosse enthusiasts and aspiring players! Highlander Lacrosse* is thrilled to announce that registration for the 2024 spring season is open! Whether your child is an experienced lacrosse player or just discovering the sport, Highlander Lacrosse offers a welcoming and inclusive environment for all levels of skill and experience. Our dedicated coaches are committed to fostering a love for the game while nurturing each player's individual growth and development. *Mad River Lacrosse and Harwood Youth Lacrosse have joined to make Highlander Lacrosse. «« Early Registration »» We encourage you to take advantage of our early registration discount! Register your child before February 1, 2023, and pay only $100. Regular registration opens on February 1, 2024, with a fee of $120. Before registering your child, please ensure they have a valid U.S. Lacrosse Membership. You can obtain a membership number at www.uslacrosse.org. The cost of a US Lacrosse Membership is $35. Our team programs cater to various age groups and skill levels: Chillax: Kindergarten, 1st-2nd grade 3/4 grade girls 3/4 grade boys 5/6 grade girls 5/6 grade boys 7/8 grade girls 7/8 grade boys Equipment Equipment is provided for kindergarten through fourth-grade players, as supplies allow. We also welcome first-timers at every level, ensuring a supportive and encouraging environment for all. Equipment borrowing is available for kindergarten through 6th-grade players, based on availability. We encourage you to reach out if you need equipment, as we strive to reuse gear that has been outgrown. Practices and Games Our outdoor practices commence in April . Some team coaches may also arrange pre-season indoor sessions before April. Practices typically last 1-1.5 hours and occur twice a week during weekdays. Jamboree-style games begin in the first week of May and continue through mid-June. Each team participates in two games during each jamboree. Our season runs from May 5, 2024, to June 9, 2024.  Join the Highlander Family  Highlander Lacrosse is more than just a sports club; it's a community of dedicated players, coaches, and families who share a passion for the game and a commitment to fostering a positive and enriching experience for all. We invite you to join our growing family and discover the joy of playing lacrosse. Register your child today and let's make this spring season one to remember!

New Story Walk from the Moretown Library

Enjoy a New Book on the StoryWalk® Trail

Posting for the Friends of the Moretown Library

Ten Ways to Hear Snow
Written by Cathy Camper
Illustrated by Kenard Pak

 

How many ways can you hear snow?

 

A young girl named Lina wakes up to silence after a snowfall in the city. "No cars honked, no buses chugged, no garbage trucks gulped trash across the street." Filled with excitement, she bundles up in her winter clothes, preparing for a walk to her grandma’s, where they are going to make warak enab, grape leaves stuffed with rice and lamb. On the way Lina realizes that, "The world sounded softer, but the noises she heard were clearer." She hears the "Scrrra-a-ape, scrip!" of a shovel digging out the sidewalk, the “Snyuck! Snyuck! Snick!” as her boots crunch snow into tiny waffles, and the “Ploomf!” as a blue jay knocks a clump of snow off a branch. By the time she reaches her grandma’s she has counted nine ways to hear snow.

After a delightful experience cooking together, Lina wants to share the sounds she heard on her walk, especially since her grandma is losing her sight, and she is sure she doesn’t even know that it snowed. She is surprised to learn that her grandma has her own way of hearing snow.

 

Enjoy a winter walk or snowshoe on the StoryWalk® Trail and see how many ways YOU can hear the snow! And, if you are so inclined, let us know at the library what you noticed.

 

The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.