April 4, 2025
Our return to ECO this week was a cold and soggy one, but regardless of the weather students seemed excited to re
connect with the forest, the naturalists and their ECO basecamps. We know that there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing! With that being said, please make sure that your student has the gear they need to have a successful time in the forest each week. If you need help securing any necessary gear, reach out and we can assist.
Borrowing some language from our ECO page; "ECO days are some children's favorite day of the week. Singing a song about rain, using ropes to climb a hill, making debris huts, following squirrel trac
ks in the snow, and boiling water in a Kelly Kettle for tea are all some things a child may experience on an ECO day. Inevitably, with more time spent outside moving and engaging in the natural world, each child develops a sense of themselves and their place in the world. By fostering a relationship with nature at an early age, children are given the chance to have a multi-sensory experience that will help them to retain knowledge in a more effective and meaningful way. ECO provides an opportunity for teachers and students to apply integrated academic curricula beyond the classroom to the outdoors for exploration, experimentation, creativity and personal growth."
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank our ECO naturalists who work to bring ECO to life at Moretown School. Suscan Koch
comes to us from Union Elementary School in Montpelier where she spent her career teaching elementary aged students and implemented and grew their ECO program. Susan was named Vermont Teacher of the Year in 2016 and we are delighted that she has chosen to spend some of her retirement with our students in the forest! Susan works with our three preschool classrooms each week- including during the heart of the winter.
Ash Kerby-Miller comes to us through our partnership with North Branch Nature Center and supported by a generoud annonymous donor. Ash has a B.A. in Convservation Biology from Middlebur
y College and spends their time working with schools across Central Vermont. Additionally, Ash has participated in academic ecology from our beautiful Green Mountains all the way to the tropical forest of Panema. We are lucky to have Ash support this program and are thrilled that so many students and Ash have a shared interest of mountain biking!
Karen Cingiser is not a new name to Moretown, having served
as a classroom teacher for a number of years. Now Karen supports the implementation of our ECO program across all grade levels, developing a robust curricula that meets the unique learning needs of students at each level. Beyond a deep knowledge of students and the Moretown community, Karen brings humor and joy to our school and we are lucky she continues to come back!
We recognize that this robust program doesn't come without a tremendous work from multiple people. Our classroom teachers work alongside the naturalists to make this program attainable for all of our students and meaningful in the classroom, in the forest and in their everyday lives. This week our kindergarten students artwork and reading is on display in the forest for all to see. You can use the QR code to hear each student read about their learning of an animal found within our forest!
Friends of ECO at Moretown School, a private nonprofit run by volunteers, has done a tremendous amount to financially
support this program from supporting naturalists to purchasing gear and supporting specific ECO programming. ECO is far more than just a few hours spent in the woods, it is a symbol of our community here in Moretown and a committment to stewardship for years to come. We are incredibly grateful to their commitment to our program!
I wish all of our students and families an enjoyable weekend and look forward to welcoming them back on Monday.
Ms. Kate
Upcoming Events:
April 8-9 VTCap Testing
April 10-11 VTCap Testing (only 5th grade)
April 18- Skating trip at the Ice Center
April 19- Spring Break
May 16- American Flatbread Art Show Field Trip
May 19-23 Troy Wunderlee residency at MES
May 22- Circus Performance, 5:30pm
May 23- 6th Grade Trip to Hulbert
May 28- Drama Club Performance, 7:45-8:15
June 5- MES Spring Concert
Summer FUNd Applications Open for 2025 –
Give Your Child a Summer to Remember
Summer is just around the corner, bringing endless opportunities for kids to explore, learn, and have fun. From outdoor adventures to creative arts and sports, summer camps offer children the chance to build friendships, develop new skills, and make lifelong memories. However, many families simply can’t afford the cost of camp. That’s where the MRV Summer FUNd comes in. Now in its fourth year, this vital program helps ensure that every child in our community has access to enriching summer experiences—regardless of lack of financial resources.
Apply Now – Limited Funding Available
Due to overwhelming demand, applications will now be reviewed in batches at the end of each month rather than on a rolling basis. Submitting early is encouraged but does not guarantee approval. Apply today at www.mrv-ic.org under the Summer FUNd page.
Help Make a Child’s Summer Unforgettable
Do you remember the joy of summer camp? The thrill of exploring the outdoors, making new friends, and discovering new passions? Sadly, last year, limited funding meant we couldn’t support many deserving families. With your help, we can change that. Together, we can give every child the summer they deserve. Every donation—large or small—makes a meaningful difference in the lives of local children.
Ways to Give:
A Community Effort
The MRV Summer FUNd is made possible through a partnership between the Mad River Valley Interfaith Council and the Mad River Valley Community Fund, with generous support from the Mad River Valley Rotary Club and caring individuals like you.
Our camp is located on 93 acres where youth explore the 2-acre garden, swim and tube in the creeks and rivers, explore the wonders of summer in Vermont: harvesting berries, finding chrysalises, painting themselves in the clay deposits in the river, making maps and exploring the adventure playground and treehouse. Led by counselors with more than 2 decades of teaching experience and farm to school leadership, the camp inspires stewardship of the earth, community building and gratitude.
https://livingtreealliance.com/workshops/camps/
Parading Pollinators Camp June 30- July 4 - Intermixed with our garden experiences and swimming, youth will create their dancing vegetable and pollinator outfits to be a part of the Warren Parade!
Valley Teva Camp with Pre School Program August 4-8 Play games, engage on the farm, make healthy treats, and enjoy the bounty of the natural world. Intermixed with time on the farm and at the river will be stories and teachings inspired by universal teachings about tikkun olam: healing the world! Preschool and Elementary aged camp.
Farm and River Camp August 18-23 (this occurs the week when NOW is closed) Living Tree's signature summer experience full of cooking, swimming, crafts and play. It's the off- screen wholesome experience that creates the roots of hope and resiliency!
