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Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Hunt PTO Update 4/17/13


How to talk with our  children about the Boston Marathon explosions



“If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon.” – Katherine Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston marathon in 1967.

Just a reminder that April vacation is next week: April 22nd - 26th.  

Be safe in your travels and see you back in school on April 29th.





Safe Routes to School - North Avenue


The City of Burlington was awarded a grant for the planning, design and construction of improvements on three intersections along North Avenue (North Avenue and Plattsburgh, North Avenue and Heineberg Road, North Avenue at Ethan Allen Shopping Center) to make conditions better for students who will be walking or bicycling to school. Construction is expected during the 2013 construction season.

We would like to invite you to review and discuss the design of these improvements with city staff on Wednesday evening, May 1 at 7:00 pm at the Lyman C. Hunt Middle School Library (1364 North Avenue – Burlington, VT 05408)
If you have any questions about this project, I can be reached at ggomez@burlingtonvt.gov


Sincerely,

Guillermo Gomez
Public Works Engineer - City of Burlington, VT





MIDDLE SCHOOL SORRY! GAME May 18th!

Hey middle-schoolers! Register today to play the 1st annual middle school life-size "Sorry!" board game at University Mall. All you need is a team of 4 middle school friends (grades 5-8) and one parent captain. 
The 4 players of the winning team will each win a $100 gift card to any store in the Mall! Teams are chosen on a  first come-first serve basis so hurry and download your application at www.umallVT.com. Submit your application to Customer Service at University Mall immediately! For information, please call (802) 863-1066 x11.







A BHS summer course, perfect for rising 9th graders!

For the first time ever, BHS is offering a credit-bearing course over the summer. The course runs for 6 weeks, and is focused on food: "Champlain Valley Food History and Production" will be a hands-on course where students will grow and cook local food. Multiple site-visits to local landscapes and farms will be included--as will engaging work at the BHS gardens. The course will be co-taught by Farm-to-School Coordinator, Sarah Heusner, and International Foods teacher Laura Allyn.

The course offers some other benefits:

- A 1/2-year elective credit towards graduation--freeing a student up to take another elective later, or to take an internship, etc. later in their BHS career

- An introduction to BHS in a comfortable, small-scale group

- An opportunity to do something innovative and fun!
For more information, students can contact their Guidance Counselor, or BHS Guidance. The application form can be found HERE

Hoping to see you this summer!

http://collinsj.wordpress.com/author/collinsj/

Spotlight – Superintendent’s Column




Greetings all,


The sun is trying to be out and the marsh is muddy—we are officially in mud season, with spring near! In this season, the Board reorganizes. We have three new members (Liz Curry, Miriam Stoll and Greg Jenkins) and a new chair (Alan Matson). Board committee assignments will be out shortly and the Board is working to realign its work with District goals. Stay tuned for more on this.


A topic that has captured the ears of many is the Vision Calendar, which is being considered by the Champlain Valley Superintendents Association (CVSA). CVSA is responsible each year for setting a common regional 175 day calendar that aligns with the two technical centers in our region. The Vision Calendar takes those same 175 days and reformats it so that school is chunked into six to seven-week learning periods, with a time of reflection between each chunk. That one to two-week break could be used for timely student intervention through a Title 1 Program, faculty professional development, vacation and reflection, coursework for faculty, etc. Just as our December-June stretch does now, it allows everyone to pause and take a breath as the learning continues. It is intentional and focused on student achievement.


As mentioned above, the number of days does not change for students or staff. The school year would likely start one week earlier in August and end one week later in June. The summer is still quite lengthy for summer jobs, professional development and camps. Opportunities for vacations for families at off times is an added bonus. CVSA is talking with child care providers about camps and child care during the intersession weeks.


The discussion is just beginning. CVSA would need to decide by January 2014 if it were to take place in the 2014-15 school year. Share your thoughts and questions with me—I will bring them to CVSA. I will also post a sample Vision Calendar to my blog (http://collinsj.wordpress.com) when I receive it.


Think differently—how might this benefit both students and staff?


Enjoy spring.

Sample Vision Calendar and Interssession Overview


Jeanné




A message from your Ward 4 school commissioners:

Discussion is circulating about one of the options the school district is examining for increasing student achievement, a possible early release on Wednesdays. In addition to its ongoing efforts, the district is following up on Agency of Education recommendations, and conducting a restructuring analysis. A significant part of this is to find how best to create dedicated teacher time to review student data and adjust instruction accordingly. To do so may include expanding to the entire district the kind of change in the end of the school day that has already been in place at Hunt and the Sustainability Academy, and mornings at BHS.

Many people have contacted us about this, concerned that it will be implemented without public input. Rest assured this is not the case.

Here’s where things stand right now. This proposal – it may be more accurate to call it a pre-proposal – is still being vetted by the district’s administration. That process includes careful study of any district wide rollout, including identifying barriers to implementation, such as child and after school care, and CCTA’s ability to accommodate any changes.

It is important to understand that this is why the concept has not yet been widely circulated. The work to flesh the proposal out, and get answers to the important questions parents will have, is not finished.

Once that step is complete, the proposal will be brought forward to families and the public at large for input and a full discussion. How this proposal impacts family schedules and student learning time are important issues and will be a part of that discussion.

For an idea of what is being considered, here is an excerpt from a brief overview Superintendent Collins provided to School Board members:

“We are looking at all options of when this work (dedicated teacher time) can occur, and have piloted an early release with child care option at Hunt Middle and Sustainability Academy with success. For example, at SA the student day is extended by 15 minutes four days a week, and students are dismissed one hour early on Wednesdays with child care options for that hour in the school. In this way, there is no net loss of instructional time and children are still supervised during the early release, if parents wish. Teachers then have a 2-hour uninterrupted block of time to work in teams and review student data, instructional methods and adjust and align instruction. We are exploring if this option can benefit the district and looking at barriers such as child care and after school programming if we are able to do this, so that students would continue to have full days. “

Early release has been reviewed in committee, and any final proposal will be studied carefully by the Board and follow procedure to arrive at a decision that will be in the best interest of our students.

More information will be available once any proposal is ready for public input and comment. We recommend everyone visit the district website http://bsdvt.org to see committee and full board meeting and agenda information. Typically, our meetings are held on Tuesday, and all board members welcome input.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us about this and other matters.

Kind regards,

Ben Truman and Bernie O'Rourke
Ward 4 School Commissioners
-- 
Ben Truman ❘ Ward 4 School Commissioner
172 Staniford Rd. ❘ Burlington, VT 05408

Save the Date...
  • April 22nd - 26th - Spring Break - No School
  • April 29th - School starts up again
  • May 10th - Student Achievement Day- more info to come for families
  • May 18th - Middle school SORRY! game at the U-Mall



Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Hunt PTO Update 4/10/13





A SPECIAL INVITATION!

The Hunt PTO and the Family School Partnership team invites You & Your Family to the

HERITAGE POTLUCK DINNER

Thursday, April 11, 2013   6:00 – 7:30 pm

******With Live Student Entertainment!******

Do you cook a recipe at home that reflects your heritage?  We would love to try it!

Please bring a Main Dish potluck item to share & copy of the recipe if you have one.

We also encourage you to wear any clothing that reflects your heritage.

Drinks, Salad, Rolls and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream will be provided!

For questions or to help with the dinner contact Jennifer Sutton at 310-4998, or jsutton@bsdvt.org 




The SamosaMan is coming to Hunt Middle School on Thursday April 11th!

Come watch his cooking demonstration and join students in learning how to make Samosas.  Several types of Samosas will also be available during lunches to taste test.  Contact Jennifer Sutton if you would like to participate or help with the event, at 310-4998 or jsutton@bsdvt.org   


The Hunt APRIL newsletter is now online:

RUN (or WALK) TO 
WASHINGTON, DC on April 13th!

PRIZES for most laps completed in all age groups!!




Are you playing a spring sport, running a spring road race or just trying to stay in shape? If so, we want YOU to JOIN us!! 



WHAT: Run or walk 1 mile laps on a course around Hunt Middle School, collectively covering 520 miles!



520 miles = distance from Burlington, VT to Washington, DC!



WHEN: Saturday, April 13th, 2013, 9 AM to 1 PM 



WHY: To raise money for Hunt’s Close Up Washington program which will take students to Washington, D.C. over April break.


HOW: Pay an admission price and run as many laps as you can! 


The GOAL is to reach 520 miles collectively! 

(the distance from Burlington to D.C.!) 


Snacks and beverages will be provided for all runners! Gatorade, water, bagels with peanut butter or cream cheese, Ben & Jerry's Rainbow sherbet, granola, oranges, bananas, cookies, crackers and hummus or cheese, hot coffee and more! 



Snack DONATIONS also welcome and gratefully accepted. 


Run as much as you want and take as many breaks as you need. This is about having FUN! 


Suggested entry donation: 


Students: $5 
Adults: $8 
Families: $15 max


Contact: Siobhan Donegan or Raysa Ortega

ASDonegan@aol.com or raysa.ortega@vtmednet.org
Phone: 864-0984



You can also let us know you are coming on Facebook:



http://www.facebook.com/events/541762789177233/?ref=ts&fref=ts


A message from your Ward 4 school commissioners:

Discussion is circulating about one of the options the school district is examining for increasing student achievement, a possible early release on Wednesdays. In addition to its ongoing efforts, the district is following up on Agency of Education recommendations, and conducting a restructuring analysis. A significant part of this is to find how best to create dedicated teacher time to review student data and adjust instruction accordingly. To do so may include expanding to the entire district the kind of change in the end of the school day that has already been in place at Hunt and the Sustainability Academy, and mornings at BHS.

Many people have contacted us about this, concerned that it will be implemented without public input. Rest assured this is not the case.

Here’s where things stand right now. This proposal – it may be more accurate to call it a pre-proposal – is still being vetted by the district’s administration. That process includes careful study of any district wide rollout, including identifying barriers to implementation, such as child and after school care, and CCTA’s ability to accommodate any changes.

It is important to understand that this is why the concept has not yet been widely circulated. The work to flesh the proposal out, and get answers to the important questions parents will have, is not finished.

Once that step is complete, the proposal will be brought forward to families and the public at large for input and a full discussion. How this proposal impacts family schedules and student learning time are important issues and will be a part of that discussion.

For an idea of what is being considered, here is an excerpt from a brief overview Superintendent Collins provided to School Board members:

“We are looking at all options of when this work (dedicated teacher time) can occur, and have piloted an early release with child care option at Hunt Middle and Sustainability Academy with success. For example, at SA the student day is extended by 15 minutes four days a week, and students are dismissed one hour early on Wednesdays with child care options for that hour in the school. In this way, there is no net loss of instructional time and children are still supervised during the early release, if parents wish. Teachers then have a 2-hour uninterrupted block of time to work in teams and review student data, instructional methods and adjust and align instruction. We are exploring if this option can benefit the district and looking at barriers such as child care and after school programming if we are able to do this, so that students would continue to have full days. “

Early release has been reviewed in committee, and any final proposal will be studied carefully by the Board and follow procedure to arrive at a decision that will be in the best interest of our students.

More information will be available once any proposal is ready for public input and comment. We recommend everyone visit the district website http://bsdvt.org to see committee and full board meeting and agenda information. Typically, our meetings are held on Tuesday, and all board members welcome input.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us about this and other matters.

Kind regards,

Ben Truman and Bernie O'Rourke
Ward 4 School Commissioners
-- 
Ben Truman ❘ Ward 4 School Commissioner
172 Staniford Rd. ❘ Burlington, VT 05408





Save the Date...
  • April 11th - The SamosaMan!
  • April 11th - Heritage Dinner
  • April 12th - Report cards
  • April 12th - School Dance
  • April 13th - Run to Washington!
  • April 22nd - 26th - Spring Break - No School
  • May 10th - Student Achievement Day- more info to come for families

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Hunt PTO Update 4/3/13

Welcome to April!
The Hunt APRIL newsletter is now online:




The Hunt Drama Program Presents:
The Pajama Game
Wednesday announcement: 

It is getting exciting!!! 

Rehearsal for Wednesday starts at 3 pm sharp! 
 
Volunteers needed: We need folks to help out with the clean-up from the pasta dinner. High school siblings can help too! Please email Susan Rutherford at susanrutherford@hotmail.com We could use a few more servers as well. Thanks! 

All Pajama Game Families: Please join us in the cafeteria after the final show (Saturday) for cake and to celebrate your children putting on another great musical!! Bring your guests. We'll have three big cakes that need to be eaten. :) 

We could use fruit snack donations. Bananas, clementines, and grapes are welcome. 

On Thursday we are showing the second act after school. Pick up time is 4:30 on Thursday. 

Bathroom changing space is limited, so we encourage performers to wear tank tops and bike shorts/sport shorts that can be worn under costumes - sometimes it is a very quick change between shows - if kids don't need to change in the bathroom each time, life backstage is much smoother! 

Families are welcome to bake for the bake sale - items can be dropped off when their child arrives for costumes/make-up or right before the show - still looking for some gluten free offerings and fresh fruit like clementines or cut/washed grapes in cups. 

Break a Leg Flowers will be sale at the shows - $2/stem for beautiful flower/message and ribbon to attach.


Thursday, April 4th school performance
Friday, April 5th -7pm
Saturday, April 6th-4pm
*************************************************
On Friday evening only, please join us for pasta dinner including: Penne pasta with marinara sauce, salad, garlic bread, & chocolate chip cookies
Dinner prices: Adults $8, Students $5-Thank you in advance for helping us to cover production costs.

Friday night’s dinner served from 5:30 to 6:30pm.
*Order forms for Friday’s dinner located in the main office.
*************************************
*Entrance to the Pajama Game is free but we hope you will visit our concession stand and purchase a playbill.
*On Friday night, we will raffle off several styles and sizes of whimsical pajamas and $25 gift certificates from Hatley’s and a romantic nightgown from Bertha’s, both of Church Street. See photos of all the pajamas below.














The SamosaMan is coming to Hunt Middle School on Thursday April 11th!

Come watch his cooking demonstration and join students in learning how to make Samosas.  Several types of Samosas will also be available during lunches to taste test.  Contact Jennifer Sutton if you would like to participate or help with the event, at 310-4998 or jsutton@bsdvt.org   



A SPECIAL INVITATION!

The Hunt PTO and the Family School Partnership team invites You & Your Family to the

HERITAGE POTLUCK DINNER

Thursday, April 11, 2013   6:00 – 7:30 pm

******With Live Student Entertainment!******

Do you cook a recipe at home that reflects your heritage?  We would love to try it!

Please bring a Main Dish potluck item to share & copy of the recipe if you have one.

We also encourage you to wear any clothing that reflects your heritage.

Drinks, Salad, Rolls and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream will be provided!

For questions or to help with the dinner contact Jennifer Sutton at 310-4998, or jsutton@bsdvt.org 



A message from your Ward 4 school commissioners:

Discussion is circulating about one of the options the school district is examining for increasing student achievement, a possible early release on Wednesdays. In addition to its ongoing efforts, the district is following up on Agency of Education recommendations, and conducting a restructuring analysis. A significant part of this is to find how best to create dedicated teacher time to review student data and adjust instruction accordingly. To do so may include expanding to the entire district the kind of change in the end of the school day that has already been in place at Hunt and the Sustainability Academy, and mornings at BHS.


Many people have contacted us about this, concerned that it will be implemented without public input. Rest assured this is not the case.


Here’s where things stand right now. This proposal – it may be more accurate to call it a pre-proposal – is still being vetted by the district’s administration. That process includes careful study of any district wide rollout, including identifying barriers to implementation, such as child and after school care, and CCTA’s ability to accommodate any changes.


It is important to understand that this is why the concept has not yet been widely circulated. The work to flesh the proposal out, and get answers to the important questions parents will have, is not finished.


Once that step is complete, the proposal will be brought forward to families and the public at large for input and a full discussion. How this proposal impacts family schedules and student learning time are important issues and will be a part of that discussion.


For an idea of what is being considered, here is an excerpt from a brief overview Superintendent Collins provided to School Board members:

“We are looking at all options of when this work (dedicated teacher time) can occur, and have piloted an early release with child care option at Hunt Middle and Sustainability Academy with success. For example, at SA the student day is extended by 15 minutes four days a week, and students are dismissed one hour early on Wednesdays with child care options for that hour in the school. In this way, there is no net loss of instructional time and children are still supervised during the early release, if parents wish. Teachers then have a 2-hour uninterrupted block of time to work in teams and review student data, instructional methods and adjust and align instruction. We are exploring if this option can benefit the district and looking at barriers such as child care and after school programming if we are able to do this, so that students would continue to have full days. “


Early release has been reviewed in committee, and any final proposal will be studied carefully by the Board and follow procedure to arrive at a decision that will be in the best interest of our students.


More information will be available once any proposal is ready for public input and comment. We recommend everyone visit the district website http://bsdvt.org to see committee and full board meeting and agenda information. Typically, our meetings are held on Tuesday, and all board members welcome input.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us about this and other matters.


Kind regards,


Ben Truman and Bernie O'Rourke
Ward 4 School Commissioners

--
Ben Truman ❘ Ward 4 School Commissioner
172 Staniford Rd. ❘ Burlington, VT 05408
Greetings all,

THE MAYOR GOES TO SCHOOL

Last week was quite exciting (snow day included). The mayor was able to tour the high school, sit in on Ninth Grade Academy Classes, work with a variety of student staffers and learn about BHS from their eyes and broadly highlight the school in his media communication. On many fronts I would call that a success! We plan to continue this collaboration and communication with Mayor Weinberger's Office and appreciate that he devoted the week to Burlington Schools. It is critical to have a mayor know that the success of schools in a city affects the success of the city. I invite you to read the article in this issue of Spotlight, written about the week with the Mayor from the perspective of a BHS student.

CALENDAR UPDATES

THINK SUNSHINE AND DRY SKIES! Due to the March 19th snow day (our third this year), we are extending the student year to June 14th (half-day) for pre-k-8 and June 11th for BHS (they started earlier). June 17th -19th are Inservice Days pre-k-8 (BHS ends June 17th with the intro to a weeklong SDI). Check with your principal for details on those days.

The FY14 Calendar has been approved by the Board (on the March 12th Board Meeting Agenda: http://www.boarddocs.com/vt/bsdvt/Board.nsf/Public). The approved calendar does remove the usual three-day weekend in October. The Board has asked for feedback from teachers and administrators on this last-minute decision and plans to reconsider this at a future Board Meeting, perhaps at the April 2nd Reorganizational Meeting.

The Board has also received a presentation that is being shared across Chittenden County regarding a vision calendar. This proposed calendar uses a seven weeks on / two weeks off model of teaching - same number of days, but chunked differently. The model can allow for professional development, time for reflection for teachers during breaks and remedial or extra intervention for students who need it along the way. Stay tuned for more information on this proposal.

PARENT CONFERENCES

A reminder as parent conferences happen over the next couple of days to discuss summer school with parents, if applicable. We know that many of our students lose academic ground over the summer and programs are in place to support these students. Contact Jeff Fournier with any questions about this process at jfournie@bsdvt.org. Visit http://goo.gl/u5Z5Y to access the SOAR Enrollment Form.
Jeanné


RUN (or WALK) TO WASHINGTON, DC with us on April 13th!
Are you playing a spring sport, running a spring road race or just trying to stay in shape?
If so, we want YOU to JOIN us!!


WHAT: Run or walk 1 mile laps on a course around Hunt Middle School, collectively covering 520 miles!

520 miles = distance from Burlington, VT to Washington, DC!

WHEN: Saturday, April 13th, 2013,    9 AM to 1 PM 

WHY: To raise money for Hunt’s Close Up Washington program which will take students to Washington, D.C. over April break.

HOW: Pay an admission price and run as many laps as you can! 

The GOAL is to reach 520 miles collectively 
(the distance from Burlington to D.C.!) 

Snacks and beverages will be provided for all runners!  
Gatorade, bagels with peanut butter or cream cheese,  Ben & Jerry's Rainbow sherbet, granola, oranges, bananas, cookies, crackers and hummus or cheese,  hot coffee and more!  Snack DONATIONS also welcome and gratefully accepted.  Run as much as you want and take as many breaks as you need.

Suggested entry donation: 

Students: $5 

Adults: $8 

Families: $15 max

Very ambitious students could also take DONATION FORMS and ask friends/family for donations per mile!

Contact: Siobhan Donegan or Raysa Ortega

ASDonegan@aol.com or  raysa.ortega@vtmednet.org

Phone: 864-0984




You can also let us know you are coming on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/events/541762789177233/?ref=ts&fref=ts 

Save the Date...
  • April 5th - Pasta Dinner, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
  • April 5th - The Pajama Game performance, 7 pm (FRIDAY)
  • April 6th - The Pajama Game performance, 4 pm (SATURDAY)
  • April 11th - The SamosaMan!
  • April 11th - Heritage Dinner
  • April 12th - Report cards
  • April 12th - School Dance
  • April 13th - Run to Washington!
  • April 22nd - 26th - Spring Break - No School
  • May 10th - Student Achievement Day- more info to come for families