December 19, 2023
Dear Moretown Families,
We appreciate the support from all of our families as we work to provide a normal routine for our children for the remainder of the week as well as assess the physical needs of the building. Moretown is a community and not a building. We have explored numerous options to have our school community back together as quickly as possible with the understanding that we cannot be in the building. We have chosen the plan that makes the most sense from our combined professional knowledge and experience as educators.
While we cannot utilize the building for the remainder of the week, we are now prepared to welcome students back together with some creative modifications. Here are some building updates and the plan for Wednesday, December 20 through Friday, December 22.
Building update:
The State Fire Marshall and Electrical Inspector both met with Kate and Dr. Mike today. It was shared that Moretown School was the largest public building in the state to experience flooding in this event. Our main level sustained a few inches of water in many of the classrooms but our biggest loss was the three feet of water that entered into our boiler room. We have ordered new electrical parts for the furnace as well as burners but this will not be available until after the break at the earliest. In the meantime, temporary heat has been secured through a trailer in the parking lot to keep our building protected against the winter elements. Dr. Mike and his central office team are working with state agencies and the school insurance carrier to ensure that we are following proper steps to ensure the health and safety for our students, teachers, and staff.
Plans for December 20-22, 2023
The Moretown School team has pulled together a plan for students to be together for the next few days while we let the building dry out and crews do their thing. It was important to all to make sure that students have a chance to be together before the school vacation, and have the fun experiences we usually have the week before the break, but in different ways/settings.
Wednesday:
7:30- Regular arrival at school- morning meeting and breakfast will be outdoors (make sure students are dressed warmly and in layers - think ECO days)
Preschool students will be arriving at school as they usually do and will meet Ms. Jenny under the roof at the Town Offices. From there they will walk to the Town Library and spend their day between the ECO base camp and the Town Library. Bag lunches will be available.
8:45- K-6 students will leave MES on the bus to go to North Branch Nature Center- we are so fortunate to have this partnership. We will have an ECO day at NBNC! Bag lunches will be available.
Please help your child pack for the day- snacks, water bottle, warm layers and extra socks and mittens.
We request that all student snacks remain nut-free
2:15 All PK-6 students arrive back at MES for a regular dismissal at 2:20
Thursday:
7:30- Regular arrival at school- morning meeting and breakfast will be outdoors (make sure students are dressed warmly and in layers - think ECO days)
Preschool students will be arriving at school as they usually do and will meet Ms. Jenny and Ms. Heather under the roof at the Town Offices. From there they will walk to the Town Library and spend their day between the ECO base camp and the Town Library. Bag lunches will be available.
8:45 K-6 students will leave MES on the bus to go to Montshire for a fun day of science exploration. Bag lunches will be available.
Please help your child pack for the day-snacks, water bottle
We request that all student snacks remain nut-free
We will not be visiting the gift shop, so no money is necessary
2:15 All PK-6 students arrive back at MES for a regular dismissal at 2:20
Friday:
7:30- Arrival at Harwood Union High School. Buses will deliver to Harwood and all students should be dropped off at the south entrance of the high school (glass staircase). Students will be enjoying a movie in the auditorium. Bag lunches will be available at HUHS.
As typical, preschool will not be in session on Friday.
11:20 dismissal- from the south entrance
Important Notes:
If your child will not be attending school on any of the days, please use the regular ways to communicate with the office - The Moretown Absence form AND Pick Up Patrol.
We are unable to host our NOW afterschool program. Be sure to change Pick up Patrol to accurately reflect your student’s afternoon school dismissal plans.
We request that all student snacks remain nut-free.
Final thoughts:
Thank you for your support and flexibility. We are cautiously optimistic that we will be able to occupy the Moretown School building on January 2nd but this is not a guarantee as many different pieces need to come together in the next week. Our top priority will always be to keep students in person and on a similar routine with their supportive adults and peers. We will share an update by noon on Friday so that you are aware of the plan for the new year!
Sincerely,
Moretown teachers, staff, Ms. Kate, and Dr. Mike
