February 16, 2024
Last week was another week at MES filled with joy, community and kindness. Our NED presentation was exciting and taught our students to Never give up, Encourage others and Do our best. Our Valentines/Friendship celebrations were heart-warming and genuine and our teachers spent time planning fun activities for this coming week.
Monday brings NAEP testing for our fourth grade students. T
esting starts promptly at 8am so it is even more important that students arive on time so they can eat and get settled before testing begins. Thank you for your help with this.
Tuesday will not be a Winter Sports Program day due to the holiday week at Sugarbush. Instead, the Moretown staff have planned a Winter Fun Day with both indoor and outdoor fun. Please make sure that all students have appropriate clothing and apparel to spend an extended period of time outdoors. If the weather becomes too extreme, we have alternative indoor plans.
Wednesday our K-6 population will board buses at 8:30 and head up to the Flynn in Burlington to see the Dance Theatre of Harlam. We will be returning to eat a later lunch so we ask that all students bring with them two nut-free and mess free snacks (yogurt in a cup is less than ideal).
Thursday is our fifth and sixth grade District Choral Festival at Harwood. Those students that already participate in our school chorus will join with others in the district for a morning of music and a culminating evening concert for families. Please see specific information below regarding logistics for Thursday and concert attire.
Friday is our last day before vacation! We hope that all of 
our students and families enjoy some extra rest and relaxation over vacation. If you are traveling we send along wishes for smooth and safe travels!
We look forward to welcoming our students back on Monday and hope you all have a nice weekend.
Ms. Kate
Students made food out of clay this week in art!
**** DISTRICT CHORUS FESTIVAL INFORMATION - IMPORTANT* PLEASE READ****
The District Choral Festival Concert is 7 pm on Thursday 2/22/24 at HUHS. Snowdate 2/23/24. The concert is expected to run no more than 1 hour. Chorus students will be traveling by bus to attend a rehearsal for the concert on Thursday morning 2/22/24 at HUHS. We realize that the proximity of this event to winter vacation may create conflicts for some participants. If your child will be unable to attend either the concert or the rehearsal, please let Mrs Adams or your child's teacher know. Preferred dress for concert participants is dark bottoms and a light top, or all black. We look forward to sharing this performance with you!
Outside PE Monday February 19
We've been having a blast enjoying the snow in P.E. class. Next Monday, students in grades 1-6 will have the opportunity to try cross- country skiing. Equipment will be provided, however students are welcome to bring their own if they wish. Thanks for sending your student with warm clothes for being outside! Head to https://zainopeandhealth.blogspot.com/ for more photos of our winter adventures.
PTO Update
Exciting news from the Harwood Cafeteria
In the past few years the state has provided a higher reimbursement rate for meals served based on the percentage of local foods used. In FY 21-22, 14% of our total meal budget was purchased locally. We just reported that in FY 22-23, 23% of our meal budget was purchased locally and now bumps us to the second tier of reimbursement. Thank you for your continued support!
The Moretown Girl Scouts are excited to be offering cookies for sale to the community!
They will be at the Moretown General Store this Friday, 2/16 from 2:30pm - 5:30pm & Moretown Elementary School on Thursday, 2/22 2:15pm - 3:00pm & town meeting day 3/05 from 8:45 - am 1:45pm.
Thank You!
They will be at the Moretown General Store this Friday, 2/16 from 2:30pm - 5:30pm & Moretown Elementary School on Thursday, 2/22 2:15pm - 3:00pm & town meeting day 3/05 from 8:45 - am 1:45pm.
Thank You!
Forestry Management Committee
The Forestry Management Committee has completed the update to The Town Forestry Management Plan. The draft document is ready for community input. The committee is looking to, send to the Select Board, post on the Town website, send to abutters, and post with link on FPF with all including reference to a public meeting for comments and review. The committee would like to suggest and request that the review take place at the Select Board meeting Monday April 1st. This would be included in the draft release. The FMC is aware of the land records review, this however should not be a reason to hold off on the community review aspect of the plan update.
Moretown Invited to Join the MRV Rec District, Feb. 20 Public Q & A
Moretown is an important part of the Mad River Valley community and the Mad River Valley Recreation District (MRVRD) is inviting Moretown to join Fayston, Waitsfield, and Warren as a Rec District member. The three towns founded MRVRD in 1994. In addition to owning and operating Mad River Park, the MRVRD helps fund trails, conservation efforts, and recreation throughout the Valley including youth sports through its grant program. In the past, Moretown has been an annual funder of Mad River Park, but not a member of the Rec District. On February 20, at 6:30 pm at the MRVRD's monthly meeting (in person at General Wait House or via Zoom https://zoom.us/j/92089741481?pwd=TmU4THlOc2pORmZLWmdtMVcwdlJqUT09) the MRVRD Board will host a public Q & A on the proposal that Moretown becomes a member of the Rec. District. We encourage all interested citizens to listen to a short overview and then ask questions. MRV TV will record the meeting. Many thanks to the Moretown Recreation Committee and the Moretown Select Board for considering membership in the MRVRD. The benefits to Moretown are listed in our case statement mrvrd.org. Not only will membership benefit Moretown, but it will also significantly increase funds available for MRVRD's grant program. With questions, email our Ex. Director, Laura Arnesen, [email protected].
