Hunt PTO Update 5/29/12

Hey There Hunt Families - The Healthy City Youth Farm had a great kick-off last week and all Hunt students had time in the gardens to move compost, taste test pizza from our clay oven, make sauerkraut, taste spring greens micro greens and pea shoots and design flags to reflect what makes their heart "beet."  Thank you to Anne Marie Santos and all the parent and community volunteers for helping connect our students with how we produce our food.  Might you and your child be interested in helping out with the garden over the summer?  Contact Anne Marie to discuss different ways families can be involved. annemarie@burlingtongardens.org

Hunt Plant and Yard Sale a Huge Success!! The weather was perfect and Gabi, Bella, Anne, Tammy and I could not have asked for a harder working crew of volunteers to help us with the sale. We raised over $1,800 on the plant sale, almost $150 on the bake sale and Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and almost $400 on the yard sale items, totaling over $2,300. All in all it was a great day. This money will all be used to pay for the plants, benches and sitting stones for our school's Front Entrance Garden Project and though it will not pay for the whole thing, it is a great and sizable start.

Thanks to all the great parent and High School volunteers who worked so hard on Saturday and the weeks leading up to the sale. A huge effort like this can only be done with the help of volunteers committed to making our school great. If you were unable to help with the sale but want to help, we would be grateful to receive donations toward the school's Front Entrance Garden Project. Please make checks to Hunt Middle School PTO with FEGP in the memo line and give them to Michelle Virun in the main office.

For the next week only there will still be Iris, Day Lily, Lamb's Ears, Sedum, Shasta Daisy and a few other types of plants left for purchase. Contact Susan at susanrutherford@hotmail.com or 951-2571 if you have an interest in purchasing any leftover plants.

Parent Volunteers will be needed over the summer to help water the new shrubs and plants. Please contact Susan at the above address or Gabrielle Baumann at gamabaumann@burlingtontelecom.net or 660-9189 if you can take a week and help water over the summer.

Mark Your Calendar!  Come, Eat, View, Discuss :
Miss Representation
Who: Hunt Parents and their middle school or high school children (grades 6 and above only)
What: Free dinner (5:30), movie screening (6-7:30) and facilitated discussion (7:30-8)
When: Wednesday, June 6th from 5:30-8pm
Where: Miller Center
Why: Media is the most persuasive force shaping cultural norms, the collective message that our young women and men overwhelmingly receive is that a woman’s value and power lie in her youth, beauty, and sexuality, and not in her capacity as a leader.

Bake sale to benefit next year’s musical! We need your baked goods, fruit cups, bagged goldfish, and bottled water for a bake sale at this week’s chorus concert. Help the musical become a tradition at Hunt Middle School by sending an item to school on Wednesday or dropping it off with your vocalist at 6:30 pm.  Don’t forget to stop by and get a snack before or after the concert!

Congratulations to the Hunt students that completed relays in the Vermont City Marathon this past Sunday.  Nate Belluche,  Lucy Hindes, Anders Ode, Zach Popke, Eamon Lynch, Andrew Ducharme, Paul Palasits, Jeffrey Peterson, Sevin Gulfield and Alicia Breen - You Rock!  Huge thank you to 6th grade teacher, Mares Chayer for organizing this program with RunVermont.  We appreciate the gift of camaraderie and fitness you have given our children.  Think your child might be interested in this next year???  Sign-ups start mid winter - hopefully we can get you a heads up when the announcement is made at school.  You can also contact Mares at mchayer@bsdvt.org and let her know your child is interested.

Join the Burlington Students Foundation on Tuesday evening, June 19, at

American Flatbread, 115 St Paul Street, Burlington, Vermont to support the Burlington Students Foundation - 5 pm to 10 pm

For every flatbread purchased, $4 will be donated to support student programs.

Visit our new website:  www.bsfvt.org

Like BSF on facebook!

Save the Date....

• May 29 - Special School Board Meeting - 7pm, BHS cafeteria
• May 30 - Chorus Concert/Bake Sale - 7pm (performers there by 6:30)
• June 6 - Dinner, movie, discussion - MissRepresentation - FREE!
• June 8 - Grade 6 School Track Meet in afternoon
• June 8 - 8th grade trip to Great Escape
• June 11 - 7/8 School Track Meet in the afternoon
• June 12 - Hunt Picnic Day
• June 13 - LAST DAY - Early Release at 11:30 for grades 6/7. 8th graders released at 10:30 and return at 12:30 for Graduation
• June 13 - 8th Grade Graduation at 1pm
• June 13 - 8th Grade Dance - 7-9pm
• June 19 - Dine at American Flatbread - $4 from every pie goes to BSF (which then goes back to your child...)
• July 25-Aug 6 - Spiral Students here from China - Can you host?

Hunt PTO update 5/21/12

 Hey There Hunt Families - HUGE thanks to the families that were able to send in goodies for Hunt Staff Appreciation last Wednesday.  Feedback was that the teachers were tickled by all the nice treats - Many thanks.

Plant and Yard Sale at Hunt Middle School this weekend!!!  May 26th, 8:30-2:00pm, rain or shine
Hundreds of healthy and beautiful perennial plants to choose from sold for $5 each!! Herbs for $3
Huge Yard Sale that should not be missed!!
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and bake sale items
Yard sale items and baked goods gratefully received from 5-8pm at Hunt
Contact Susan Rutherford at 951-2571 or susanrutherford@hotmail.com

Healthy City Youth Farm
 Hello PTO parents!
The Healthy City Youth Farm Kick-Off is scheduled for Wednesday, May 23rd!!! Thanks again for the generous donation in getting us the pizzas. It will surely be a fun day for all the students! All the Hunt Middle School Students will be coming out to the farm to get their hands dirty doing different farm tasks, tasting pizza from our clay oven, taking part in our warrior food challenge, and making a new farm banner. The classes will come out at 8:00 am and the last class leaves at 1:15pm. If you are interested in getting some City Market hours and being a part of this energetic day check out the shifts below and email me at annemarie@burlingtongardens.org if you can make it!  If you do not need City Market Hours, we would still love you to volunteer!

Wednesday, May 23 Shifts: 7:00-9:30am, 9:45-12:00 pm, 12:15-2:00pm
Happy Sun and Smiles to you all!  Peace,  Anne Marie

Vermont City Marathon this Sunday.  Come watch and cheer on our Hunt kids!  Here is the line-up for the 2 relay teams:

Leg 1 -Nate Belluche

Leg 2 - Lucy Hindes

Leg 3 - Anders Ode

Leg 4 - Zach Popke

Leg 5 -Eamon Lynch

Leg 1- Andrew Ducharme

Leg 2 - Paul Palasits
Leg 3 - Jeffrey Peterson
Leg 4 - Sevin Gulfield
Leg 5 - Alicia Breen

PTO meeting minutes included at the end of this post.

Spiral International Cultural Exchange  Dear Community Member,

I am writing to ask you if you would be willing to be a host family for 12 days this summer (July 25-August 6). We are anticipating the arrival of approximately 30 students from China here in the new north end community of Burlington. We count on families like yours to open your homes and hearts to the experience of becoming a Spiral host family.  While we understand that it is a commitment for your family, the feedback from other families is that it is very worthwhile. We are working hard to recruit families like yours, in hopes of making the summer stay for these students a valuable experience.

These students will live with host families, in pairs, and come daily to Hunt Middle School for camp during the weekdays. The goal of the summer camp is to create a full immersion program, affording the Chinese students an opportunity to build a higher level of comfort with our oral language. Local Burlington students will join them as peer leaders at the camp, allowing all students to socialize in an educational environment, so that both groups of students may experience a change in the way they view the world and themselves. In the evenings and weekends, your students would be with your family, enjoying summer activities and American family life, the way that it occurs here in beautiful Vermont.

This camp is sponsored by the Burlington-based educational organization, Spiral International. Spiral International is devoted to international cultural and academic exchange. Check out our website for more information (spiralinternational.org). Please contact us for further information and to take the next step toward being an international host family. Your commitment to this mission is tremendously appreciated!

 Susan Greenfield, Site Coordinator, Hunt Middle School: susdg@comcast.net/ eves. – (802)-862 0773

 Michelle Virun, Admin. Assistant, Hunt Middle School: mvirun@bsdvt.org/ daytime - (802) 864-8469

spiralinternational@gmail.com/ 802-540-0305

Response from Superintendant Jeanne Collins:At the end of this post is a letter that will be printed soon in the Free Press. Please read about how Burlington is responding to issues of race and equity.

Save the Date....

• May 22 - 6th graders released at 11:30 due to 5th grade orientation - 6th grade band students will stay until ~12:45pm for a brief "concert" for incoming students - Mr. O. will have all 6th grade band members at dismissal through 12:45pm.
• May 23 - Strings Concert - 7pm
• May 23 - Hunt Gardens - Spring Kick-off - Volunteers needed (see above)
• May 26 - Perennially Green plant/yard Sale - shop, save and volunteer!
• May 28 - Memorial Day - No School
• May 30 - Chorus Concert/Bake Sale - 7pm
• June 8 - Grade 6 School Track Meet in afternoon
• June 8 - 8th grade trip to Great Escape
• June 11 - 7/8 School Track Meet in the afternoon
• June 12 - Hunt Picnic Day
• June 13 - LAST DAY - Early Release  at 11:30 for grades 6/7.  8th graders released at 10:30 and return at 12:30 for Graduation
• June 13 - 8th Grade Graduation at 1pm
• July 25-Aug 6 - Spiral Students here from China - Can you host?

Hunt Middle School PTO Minutes

May 17, 2012

Meeting Start: 7:05pm

Meeting End: 8:30pm

Approximate number of attendees: 10

Meeting facilitated by President – Helen Hossley

Minutes recorded and distributed – Kate Belluche

Spiral Camp  Susan Greenfield from Spiral spoke to the PTO about a group of Chinese students coming to learn/play/study US culture in Vermont and at HMS this summer.  Looking for 15 host families, each to house 2 students for ~10 days.  The dates are July 25-Aug 6.  Students will be at camp from 8:30-3 each day and spend evenings and weekends with host family.  Also looking for MS students to be peer leaders.  There will be activities at Hunt each morning and excursions each afternoon.  Students can be peer leaders even if not hosting.  Peer leaders attend the camp for free.  There will be translators available for families if issues arise.  Families will receive a stipend of $200/student to host.  Want more information?  Contact Susan at 578-2981 or spiralinternational@gmail.com.

Garden Update Susan spoke about the Healthy City Youth Farm at Hunt – a 2 ½ acre farm with ~75 crops.  Students are involved in almost every aspect of the farm from tilling the soil to harvesting.  Most of the crops end up as part of the school lunches! All students get into the garden via Healthy Living or through their core classes.   This past summer a clay pizza oven was built out at the garden.  The PTO donated $300 to HCYF to buy ingredients for all students to make pizzas on opening day – May 23^rd.

Plant/Yard Sale on Saturday, Memorial Day weekend – 8:30-2.  Tag sale items can be dropped off on Friday night between 5-8pm.  100% of the money goes to the Front Entrance Beautification Project (FEBP).  Help still needed – MOSTLY at the end of the day on Saturday (around 2pm) for clean-up and also on Friday night between 5-9 to organize tag sale items.

Principal’s Corner Marcie Lewis is in the final stages of interviewing for a Principal position closer to her home/family.   Faculty from Westford will be conducting a site visit on Wednesday, May 23^rd.    Marcie mentioned that the parents/PTO may want to give Jeanne Collins feedback about what qualities they are looking for in a new administrator.  Hunt would have an interim principal in the fall.

Marcie also reminded 8^th grade parents that there are no limos allowed at 8^th grade graduation or at the 8^th grade dance.

Fundraising Gabi Baumann reported that things are underway with the FEBP.  Boulders will be delivered this weekend.  Soil/compost/mulch is on its way.  A flowerbed has been designed to incorporate low water, low maintenance plants.  After the upcoming plant sale, the PTO will have a better idea about how much money can be spent on plants at this time.  Granite benches are being delivered.  Next steps will include a stone circle for outdoor classes and a spiral herb garden.  Funding of this project is collaboration between the PTO and Hunt.

Ordinance Meeting   We are progressing on getting the ordinance changed, allowing us an electronic sign on North Avenue.  Some tweaks need to be made to the request, but so far things are looking favorable.

Treasurer’s Report  PTO recently paid $690 towards the Chinese Acrobats.  While we have assembly fees budgeted, the PTO would like an update about where these fees might go in the future.

2012-13 Leadership  Some new leaders were elected at the meeting.  Incoming PTO President for Hunt is Kate Belluche, Brian Pine will continue as the Treasurer, Gabi Baumann will continue as the Fundraising chair.  We are looking to fill the role of Communications Officer which includes monthly meeting minutes as well as publishing the weekly blog post.  If you have any interest, please put your name in the hat.  We have had a great year and have a strong team of parents working hard for student opportunities at Hunt. 

Upcoming Events were discussed.  Tuesday is step up day for 5^th grades from JJ Flynn, Barnes and CP Smith.  6^th graders will have a ½ day to make room.  Band students will stay with Mr. O. until ~1pm so they can perform for the 5^th graders.  There will be a Field Day for all students on June 8^th.  There is ample staffing, but parents that want to help can contact Joan Shortsleeve at jshortsl@bsdvt.org.

·         5th to 6th Step up Day May 22 - 6^th grade dismissed ½ day, Incoming 6^th grade Parent Orientation 7-8pm

·         8^th Grade Field Trip: Friday, June 8

·         6^th Grade Track & Field Day: Friday June 8^th

·         7/8 Grade Track & Field Day: Monday, June 11^th

·         Picnic Day: Tuesday, June 12th

·         6th grade track meet will be on Friday, June 8 mods 6 and 7. - All 7th grade students will need to stay on team during those mods (8th graders will be on their trip to the Great Escape)

·         7-8 track meet will be on Monday, June 11th in the afternoon. Time to be determined but it will finish at the end of the day. - 6th grade students will need to stay on team that afternoon.

·       Commencement - 8^th grade ceremony: Wednesday, June 13

·       ^{Last day of school is Wednesday, June 13th - 8th grade released at 10:30 and return at 12:30},^{6th and 7th released at 11:30}

Letter going to Burlington Free Press from Jeanne Collins:

It's My Turn
Jeanne Collins
May 15, 2012
The city of Burlington is engaged in a very important and sometimes difficult discussion about diversity within our schools and community. These discussions have been intense and heartfelt. Some have called for my resignation, saying that I have been slow to act on diversity issues; that I have failed to lead as the demographics of our community changed.
I have heard the criticisms. I take them to heart.

Looking back, I recognize that I have missed opportunities to drive an agenda of diversity and respect. Part of my regret is that I have not shared with the larger community the issues which Burlington 's students of color face everyday. To those of you who believe action has taken too long, and particularly to students in our district who have suffered from the racism which I know continues, I say that I am sorry. I do the work that I do because I cherish children, all children. During the coming school year, I intend to increase my time visiting with our children in our schools, so that I can hear directly from them what they are feeling and thinking.

I intend to listen and act.

I was moved by the students who had the courage to protest the continuing verbal abuse suffered by children of color, often from other students. In the coming days, I will be announcing a series of aggressive actions to attack disparities in the school system.

It is not my intention to step down. We will create an environment where all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, or class, are respected and related to with equity. We will work with community advocates to close the achievement gap. With the Nellie Mae grant, we have the opportunity, beginning with ninth graders, to address the concerns of ELL students about being separated from other students as they are learning English.

We will not tolerate acts of racism in our schools, whether by students or staff. I recently met with all the administrators of our schools to draw a clear line with accountability for such acts. I asked them to inform everyone in their buildings of this standard. After the protests at BHS, Principal Mellencamp had all teachers read a statement about racism to the student body. We invited students to join in planning sessions for a student-led activity for the entire school.

We will enter next school year with plans to ensure that our staff in every school knows of my insistence on zero-tolerance of racist acts and statements in our schools and in the community. The high school administration, ELL coordinator and I met with Somali Bantu parents and have planned more meetings to come. I look forward to the integration of the Task Force recommendations in the new strategic plan, but we are not waiting until next October to respond aggressively to the crisis we are facing.

My pledge is this – to do everything humanly possible to eliminate disparities and inequities in our schools. I look forward in this work to partnering with the many different voices in the community. My email is superintendent@bsdvt.org if you would like to add to the discussion.

We have an amazing school district, with a wide variety of people who are dedicated and committed to our youth. Together we can create Excellent and Equitable Burlington Schools.

Hunt PTO Update 5/14/12

Hey There Hunt families - It's that time of year, concerts, endless sporting events, final projects... lucky for us, the daylight is increasing.  Hope you can find/make the time to take advantage of some of these upcoming opportunities.  Enjoy! Kate


ATTENTION 8th Grade Parents:  Therese Barcomb in the Guidance Office is in need of a couple of parents to roll diploma's. She will have them ready for the week of May 28 and you can return them by June 4. That would give you a week at your convenience to perform the task. If you can help with this project, please contact Therese Barcomb at tbarcomb@bsdvt.org.


Hunt PTO meeting this Thursday from 7-8pm in the Library. There will be childcare provided in the cafeteria. Everyone is welcome. The draft agenda is included below.
Spiral International Cultural Summer Camp - 10 minutes - Susan Greenfield
Garden Update - 15 minutes - Susan Rutherford
Fundraising Update -15 minutes - Gabi Baumann
Leadership for 2012-13

May is the traditional Staff Appreciation month at schools across the country. Hunt parents will be thanking our terrific team of educators, administrators and support staff with a special afternoon snack this Wednesday. Staff will gather at dismissal time on Wednesday before their PLC(Professional Learning Communities) time. The PTO will provide the paperware and drinks. Parents will provide an array of yummy snacks. We encourage families to send in a little something that can be enjoyed by Hunt Staff - ideas include cheese/crackers, hummous/veggies, baked goodies, fresh fruit, chocolates.. Food can be sent into the office this Wednesday, May 16th at morning drop-off OR be brought into the office right before the 2 pm dismissal. We thank you in advance for spreading the love...

Perennial Plant and School-wide Yard Sale at L.C. Hunt Middle School

Saturday, May 26th from 8:30-2:00pm

100% of the proceeds from this sale will be used for the Hunt Front Entrance Garden Project to create a peaceful garden setting in front our of school including a stone circle, a vertical garden, a perennial garden designed by a local garden designer, and benches where students, staff and Hunt families can relax and talk. Together we can make the entrance to Hunt a place we can be proud of!

Thanks to everyone who donated plants this past week!! We will continue to receive perennial plants until the sale date. If you are unable to re-pot your donated plants, please email or call Susan Rutherford so she can re-pot them. Plastic pots and soil are available for this purpose, if you are able to do this yourself at home.

When will yard sale items be collected for the sale?? Start cleaning out those closets now and save all the household items, sporting goods, games, toys, DVDs, kids and teen books, holiday decorations, and other yard sale items in clean and good working condition. We will gratefully accept these items on Friday, May 25th from 3:00pm-7:00pm. Due to lack of space at our school, we are unable to accept yard sale items before this date.

Any other ways you can help? Glad you asked! We need many volunteers on May 25th from 3-9pm, the night before the sale, to help organize the yard sale items collected. The day of the sale, May 26th, from 7-3:00pm many volunteers will be needed to help set-up, sell plants and yard sale items, and clean-up.

To volunteer or Contact Susan Rutherford at susanrutherford@hotmail.com or 951-2571 or Gabi Baumann at gamabaumann@burlingtontelecom.net or 660-9189 to volunteer or with any questions. Direct donations for the Hunt Front Entrance Garden Project can be sent to the main office of the school with checks written to Hunt School PTO with garden project in the memo line please. Thanks!!

Diversity/Equity/Racism in Burlington schools has been in the news lately. Below is a link to the BSD webpage with recent articles about BSD in the local press. There is a very vocal group of Burlington folks asking for the resignation of our Superintendent, Jeanne Collins and the BHS Principal, Amy Mellancamp. What do you think? I encourage you to educate yourself about the issues facing our schools, talk about it with BSD families, think about where you stand on the issue and let someone know. I am including all the contact information for our school Board Representatives and the next full School Board meeting will be held on June 12th.

Recent Press: http://district.bsd.schoolfusion.us/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=268284&sessionid=384acf0ba81b8510251bafd8d4393500&sessionid=384acf0ba81b8510251bafd8d4393500

Board Members: http://bsdweb.bsdvt.org/Board/BoardDirectory.php


Come, Eat, View, Discuss : Miss Representation
Who: Hunt Parents and their middle school or high school children (grades 6 and above only)
What:  Free dinner (5:30), movie screening (6-7:30) and facilitated discussion (7:30-8)
When: Wednesday, June 6th from 5:30-8pm
Where: Miller Center
Why: Media is the most persuasive force shaping cultural norms, the collective message that our young women and men overwhelmingly receive is that a woman’s value and power lie in her youth, beauty, and sexuality, and not in her capacity as a leader.

About the film: Like drawing back a curtain to let bright light stream in, Miss Representation (90 min; TV-14 DL) uncovers a glaring reality we live with every day but fail to see. Written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the film exposes how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America. The film challenges the media’s limited and often disparaging portrayals of women and girls, which make it difficult for women to achieve leadership positions and for the average woman to feel powerful herself.
In a society where media is the most persuasive force shaping cultural norms, the collective message that our young women and men overwhelmingly receive is that a woman’s value and power lie in her youth, beauty, and sexuality, and not in her capacity as a leader. While women have made great strides in leadership over the past few decades, the United States is still 90th in the world for women in national legislatures, women hold only 3% of clout positions in mainstream media, and 65% of women and girls have disordered eating behaviors.
Stories from teenage girls and provocative interviews with politicians, journalists, entertainers, activists and academics, like Condoleezza Rice, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Margaret Cho, Rosario Dawson and Gloria Steinem build momentum as Miss Representation accumulates startling facts and statistics that will leave the audience shaken and armed with a new perspective.  Learn more at CommonSenseMedia.org
 

Spiral International  July 25-August 6

Fellow New North Ender/ L.C. Hunt Parent:

Please consider opening your home during 2 weeks of July this summer for visiting Chinese students. This is a fantastic opportunity for these students and your family! We have a group of 30 or so students (approximate ages 12-15) coming from China on July 25th and we are looking for host families. The students will depart on August 4th.  The Chinese students will attend a Summer Cultural Camp at Lyman C. Hunt during the weekdays of their visit. Your child can also attend the two-week camp at no cost to you, provided they are approximate middle school age. There are stipends available to help offset the home stay cost.

Please consider opening your heart, mind and home to this rich experience, therefore supporting this cause of fostering global intercultural connections. 

Contact Susan Greenfield – Site Coordinator, Hunt Spiral International Summer Cultural Camp: susdg@comcast.net/802-862-0773   Or Michelle Virun –Administrative Assistant, Lyman C. Hunt: mvirun@bsdvt.org/864-8469

Please learn more about Spiral on facebook or at spiralinternational.com

DVD's are being burned! If you'd like to order a DVD of Grease and haven't done it yet, this is your chance! (DVD's are being burned this week.) Forms are available in the main office. It's a great memory of the production and you'll support the play at the same time!

Grease - Final Accounting  Greetings fellow Hunt parents!

Congratulations on another terrific theatre production this year! Two years under our belt and look how far we’ve come! In order to continue to build the foundation for a long term successful drama program at Hunt, we need to consider trying to build a bit of savings in our bank account. We know that some years may be leaner than others and we want to be prepared for that. It would also alleviate some of the stress of fundraising  if we are not having to begin each year with a zero balance.

For this reason, we’re hosting 2 more bake sales, one this Wednesday evening at the Hunt Band Concert and the other on May 30th for the Chorus Concert. We hope that you will join us in baking and buying some goodies. Baked goods, bottled water, fruit and bagged chips/snacks can be dropped by the office on the day of the event or brought to school in the evening when you bring your child.  Pass the word on to your friends and neighbors.

Below are some approximate numbers to give you a sense of what the play accounting looks like:

Income:

Ads:                                  $900

Playbill Sales:                 $700

Dance                               $550

Grant from BSF             $1000

Bake Sales                       $1200

Donations                        $700

Dinners                             $1200

Silent Auction                 $250

DVD sales                         $350

TOTAL                               $6850

Expenses:

Very Merry Theatre    $4200

Playbill printing               $700

Supplies                            $500

License Fees                   $600

Sets                                    $500

Costumes                        $100

TOTAL                            $6600

Thanks to some great fundraising and a small amount of carryover from last year, we have a small balance.(yay!) We feel that it is important to look into improving the light and sound system in the auditorium and would like to put some of this money to that use. We would also like to have some savings to roll into next year.  Our hope is that these last 2 bake sales will bring in a few hundred dollars and give us the savings to at least order the scripts next winter.  Thank you again to Norm Tremblay for taking care of all the accounting.  And thank you for supporting Hunt MS and our children in the theatre arts.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our production managers:  Kim Hunt at khunt@bsdvt.org and Sarah Smith at sarah@esptrans.com

Save the Date....

• May 16 - Staff Appreciation at Hunt - 2pm - Send in a goodie to thank our fabulous staff!
• May 16 - Band Concert/Bake Sale - 7pm
• May 17 - PTO Meeting - 7pm in the Library
• May 18 - Progress reports, School Dance sponsored by STOP
• May 23 - Strings Concert - 7pm
• May 23 - Hunt Gardens - Spring Kick-off
• May 26 - Perennially Green plant/yard Sale
• May 27 - VCM Marathon - Support the Hunt students running in relays!
• May 28 - No School
• May 30 - Chorus Concert/Bake Sale - 7pm
• June 13 - LAST DAY - Early Release Also, 8th Grade Graduation

Hunt PTO Update 5/7/12

Hey There Hunt Families - I bet you've been doing some Spring cleaning.... the Hunt PTO would love to help you get rid of some of the "treasures" that you are ready to part with....  Read about the plant and yard sale coming up to benefit the Hunt entryway/gardens.  Donate generously, shop for bargains and help support our fair school!

Spring Sports at Hunt are in full swing.  We are interested in parents having clear, complete information around each sporting team.  How are things going for you?  Are you informed and up to date about your child's practices, games and the expectations for the team?  Could information be clearer or more forthcoming?  We are working on strengthening these partnerships at HMS - any feedback, good/bad/indifferent will help us, help you!  Respond to huntmiddleschool@gmail.com to comment, make suggestions, send kudos or vent - let's keep our kids active in sports and protect the sanity of parents!

Bake sales to benefit the Hunt Drama Program!

The Hunt Drama Program will be hosting bake sales at the band concert on Wednesday, May 16th, and the chorus concert, Wednesday, May 30th. Please support our students in their dramatic ambitions with your delicious baked goods, small bags of chips, gluten free snacks, fresh fruit like clemantines and grapes and bottled water. Donations can be brought to school the day of the bake sale or brought to the concert before the show. Donations during the day can be brought to Michelle Virun in the office.  If you can help sell goodies at either sale please contact Kim Hunt, khunt@bsdvt.org. Thank you.

Grease DVD update:We have one edited copy of a DVD of Grease! Now we need someone to make copies. We will provide all the materials.  Please contact Kim Hunt if you can help. khunt@bsdvt.org

Save the date!!  Perennial Plant and School-wide Yard Sale
L.C. Hunt Middle School
Saturday, May 26th from 8:30-2:00pm

All proceeds from this sale will be used to create a peaceful garden setting including a stone circle, a vertical garden, plants that require little maintenance, and benches, in front of our school, where  students, staff and Hunt families can relax and talk. Together we can make the entrance to Hunt a place we can be proud of!

How can you help? Bring your divided perennial plants such as hostas, lily of the valley, shasta daisy, iris, coneflowers, and herbs that you can share from  your garden to Hunt on May 9, 10 or 11th from 3:00-6:00pm. There will be volunteers available to re-pot your perennial plants.

How else can you help? Start cleaning out those closets at home and save all the household items, sporting goods, games, toys, DVDs, kids and teen books, holiday decorations, and other yard sale items in clean and good working condition. We will gratefully accept these items on Friday, May 25th from 3:00pm-7:00pm.

Any other ways you can help? Glad you asked! We will need many volunteers on May 25th from 3-9pm to help organize the yard sale items collected. The day of the sale, May 25th, from 7-3:00pm many volunteers will be needed to help set-up, sell plants and yard sale items, and clean-up.
Can you help? Contact Susan Rutherford at susanrutherford@hotmail.com or 951-2571 or Gabi Baumann at gamabaumann@burlingtontelecom.net or 660-9189 to volunteer or with any questions.


Save the Date....

• May 16 - Band Concert - 7pm
• May 17 - PTO Meeting - 7pm in the Library
• May 18 - Progress reports,  School Dance sponsored by STOP
• May 23 - Strings Concert - 7pm
• May 26 - Perennially Green plant/yard Sale
• May 27 - VCM Marathon - Support the Hunt students running in relays!
• May 28 - No School
• May 30 - Chorus Concert - 7pm
• June 13 - LAST DAY - Early Release  Also, 8th Grade Graduation

Hunt PTO Update 5/1/12

Hey There Hunt Families - Hope you're getting back into the swing of things...  Have a great week, Kate B.


Bake sales to benefit the Hunt Drama Program!

The Hunt Drama Program will be hosting bake sales at the band concert on Wednesday, May 16th, and the chorus concert, Wednesday, May 30th. Please support our students in their dramatic ambitions with your delicious baked goods. They can be brought to school the day of the bake sale or brought to the concert before the show. If you can help sell goodies at either sale please contact Kim Hunt, khunt@bsdvt.org. Thank you.

 

Perennial Plant and School-wide Yard Sale at L.C. Hunt Middle School
Saturday, May 26th from 8:30-2:00pm

All proceeds from sale will be used to create a peaceful garden with benches, in front of our school, where  students, staff and Hunt families can relax and talk. Together we can make the entrance to Hunt a place we can be proud of!

How can you help? Bring your divided perennial plants such as hostas, lily of the valley, shasta daisy, iris, coneflowers, any herbs, shrubs, lilacs, and any other healthy perennial plants in your garden that you can share to Hunt School on May 9, 10 or 11th from 3:00-6:00pm. There will be volunteers available to re-pot your perennial plants and ready them for the sale.

How else can you help? Start cleaning out those closets at home and save all the household items, sporting goods, games, toys, DVDs, kids and teen books, holiday decorations, and other yard sale items in clean and good working condition. We will gratefully accept these items on Friday, May 25th from 3:00pm-7:00pm.

Any other ways you can help? Glad you asked! We need volunteers on the donation days: May 9, 10, 11 from 3-6pm, May 25th from 3-9pm, and on the day of the sale for set-up, selling, and clean-up. Can you help? Contact Susan Rutherford at susanrutherford@hotmail.com or 951-2571 to volunteer or with any questions.

Thank you to Peter Murray and George Rutherford who picked up the potting soil donated by Green Mtn. Compost this past weekend and delivered it to Hunt! What can you do to help?

The April edition of the Family School Partnership newsletter is now available.  Find out how Hunt and all Burlington schools are linking parents, school, teachers and academic achievement.  Click on the link below to view:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=1YTEFAs1gbgOHL9hSFBDwKvISnpbTbZ5rnN_73o0RQ9pja7sN_wkbDut-63LE

Minutes from the April PTO meeting are included below - Couldn't make it?  Reading the minutes is the next best thing..
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Save the Date....

• May 16 - Band Concert - 7pm
• May 17 - PTO Meeting - 7pm in the Library
• May 23 - Strings Concert - 7pm
• May 26 - Perennially Green plant/yard Sale
• May 27 - VCM Marathon - Support the Hunt students running in relays!
• May 28 - No School
• May 30 - Chorus Concert - 7pm

Hunt Middle School PTO Minutes

April 19, 2012

Meeting Start: 7:15pm

Meeting End: 8:20pm
Approximate number of attendees: 10
Meeting facilitated by President – Helen Hossley
Minutes recorded and distributed – Kate Belluche

Officer Rene Berti, Outreach specialist from the Burlington Police Dept. gave a presentation to parents about Internet Safety.  Nearly all Hunt students have rec’d this same presentation focusing on topics like on-line “dating”, sexting, sextortion, responsibilities and privacy settings on Facebook and scope of ones cyberlife.  Students learn the 4 R’s: Recognize (techniques on-line predators use), Refuse requests of people you don’t know, Respond by exiting or logging off, Report to a parent or teacher what happened.  Officer Berti will be providing some links to parents which will be shared.

Principal’s Corner focused on Diversity/Title 1: Mary Ann McCoy, Curriculum Specialist in the BSD Diversity office talked briefly about a book that teachers, administrators and school are using to facilitate discussions about race and diversity.  Courageous Conversations about Race is available to borrow and use for discussions.  Parents talked about the possibility of a book discussion group and of showing the documentary, MisRepresentation which focuses on girls and how they are portrayed in the media.  Ms. Lewis will check into a showing before the end of the school year.

Did you know that Hunt is a Title 1 School?  We have that designation because over 40% of our population receives free or reduced lunch.  At Hunt it is ~60%.  Federal monies come into the school to help all students achieve based upon our poverty rate. 

Fundraising Gabi Baumann happily reported that we have surpassed our fundraising goals this year.  The PTO voted to restrict $2K for use in putting in an electric sign fronting on North Ave.   We are in the process of getting permission from the city.  Right now the issue is before the City Council.  Coming up will be the Perennially Green Plant and yard Sale on May 26^th.  This fundraiser is moving from Flynn school to Hunt.  Families can start putting aside stuff to donate to the yard sale and when in the garden, consider splitting perennials that can be sold.  Contact Susan is you are ready to donate plants - susanrutherford@hotmail.com.  We will get some volunteers from City Market for the event, but will need lots of parent support.  The PTO agreed to put all proceeds towards beautification in front of the school including ideas like a spiral herb garden, benches, additional low maintenance plantings.

Garden  New garden person – Anne Marie Santos

Heritage Dinner was this night.  Group noted to not hold the dinner and a PTO meeting on the same night next year.  Too hard to get clean-up volunteers and too rushed from dinner to meeting.

Next meeting: May 17, 2012