Hunt PTO Update 1/22/13

Get ready for more...

Dangerously low wind chills expected - especially Tuesday night and Wednesday

Everyone stay warm and safe in these dangerous weather conditions.  Please remember to bring all pets inside as well!

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BURLINGTON HAS ISSUED A WIND CHILL ADVISORY... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 PM WEDNESDAY. * IMPACTS... THREAT OF FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA. FOR THOSE VENTURING OUT... WEAR A WARM COAT... GLOVES AND COVER YOUR HEAD TO PROTECT AGAINST FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA. LIMIT AREAS OF EXPOSED SKIN. DRESSING IN LAYERS CAN ALSO HELP PROTECT YOU AGAINST THE COLD. LIMIT TIME OUTDOORS IF POSSIBLE.

Update from the Burlington School District:

Burlington School Board Approves a 

5.3% Budget Increase Amid Cuts

January 10, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Burlington, Vermont - January 9, 2013 - The Burlington School Board has approved a $62,766,794 budget for the 2013-14 school year. While the original budget that was presented to the community called for an approximate 4.5% budget increase, the Board listened to the community advocate for putting back in middle school Healthy Living teachers, the Community Outreach Coordinator positions, funding for Family School Partnerships and four paraeducator positions. The final budget that was approved also includes two additional English Language Learner teachers, an additional elementary classroom teacher to meet the needs of the increased enrollment and approximately $100,000 in funding for various initiatives related to Diversity and Equity. Reductions are proposed in administration, teaching and paraeducators, and middle and high school athletics and co-curriculars.

Burlington Schools Safety Survey

January 18, 2013

Following the recent shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, Burlington Schools met with the Burlington Police and Fire Departments to revisit our safety protocols and conduct a security audit of our school facilities. In addition to these proactive plans, we are assessing our physical plants and determining necessary changes. We are working to develop a plan for Board consideration.

That is where we would appreciate your help. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey (link below) about the safety and security at your child’s school. Your feedback will help us develop a list of recommendations and improvements in the current school year, along with budgeting for other changes going forward. The survey will remain open until February 1st.

Nothing is more important than our students' safety. Please know that we will do everything we can to ensure their well-being.



http://research.zarca.com/survey.aspx?k=SsQPPWUsQUsPsPsP&lang=0&data=  

Follow-up from Hunt PTO:

HMS looking into safety procedures.   One of the main considerations being explored at HMS is the possible addition of a buzzer entry system.   Included would be cameras to view people entering the school and another camera to monitor the bike racks.  Mr. Amato has asked parents to contact him if they run across any grants that might be used in funding this project - the more folks looking, the better chance we have of finding some free money to help bolster our security.  Ideas and/or leads can be emailed to Mr. Amato at ramato@bsdvt.org.

Saturday, March 16th at HUNT!

Black tablecloths or material needed
The PTO fundraising team is beginning the work on our next big fundraising event,
The Silent Auction and Pancake Breakfast, to be held on 3/16.

We are looking for black tablecloths or material, of any kind or size, to cover 15 silent auction tables.
These tables will NOT be used for eating and will be returned to you, washed and folded, after the event.

If you have any amount of black fabric or tablecloths at home and are willing to lend it out,
please contact Gabi Baumann at 660-9189 or gamabaumann@burlingtontelecom.net

Our fundraising team checks out the local thrift stores such as the Re-Store and Goodwill weekly for such fabric, but if you see any we missed please contact Gabi at the number or email above. Thanks in advance.

See you at the Silent Auction and Pancake Breakfast!

Interested in helping to re-imagine Student Achievement 

celebrations at Hunt?  



Please come to the meeting on Thursday, January 24th at Hunt!

An achieving student!
Many families were upset to hear that Honor Roll celebrations had been suspended at Hunt. Thanks to the many families that weighed in on the fall PTO communication survey, Hunt families will have a voice in helping to re-design these celebrations at Hunt. 

Do you have some ideas to share? Would you like to represent the parents at a meeting with representatives from the climate 

committee and the student council? A meeting has been scheduled at Hunt for January 24th at 3:15pm.

 Would you like to be part of this meeting? Please email the 

huntmiddleschool@gmail.com with ideas or to represent parents 

needs at this important meeting - your participation is appreciated. 

Pajama Game will be the Hunt musical this spring! 

Pajama Game will be the musical this spring! The Pajama Game is a fun, upbeat musical about a pajama factory  in the 1950's. The performance days will be April 4th (school performance), 5th, and 6th. and practices will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday beginning February 5th. 

As part of school policy, practices will begin at 3:30. According to Don Wright, our director, they won't go much longer than 5:30.  It's going to be lots of fun, so come try out! Here's the audition information. Students will receive a packet of information from auditions, including a permission slip.

THE PAJAMA GAME AUDITIONS

Tues, Jan 29               4-4:45              6^th/7^th graders with Ashley for singing in room C-2
                                    4:45-5:45         8^th graders with Ashley for singing in room C-2
                                                            6^th/7th graders with Don for acting in auditorium
                                    5:45-6:45         8^th graders with Don for acting in auditorium
                        
(8^th graders should snack before arriving at 4:45 as we will not be having dinner during the audition)                                                                                 
Wed, Jan 30                   3:30-4                 6^th graders with Karen for dance in the auditorium
                                    4-4:30                 7^th graders with Karen for dance in the auditorium
                                    4:30-5                 8^th graders with Karen for dance in the auditorium

2nd Annual Dance at St. John's to support the HUNT PLAY!

SAVE THE DATE AND RESERVE THE SITTER because Saturday, February 16th is the 2nd annual Dance at the St. John's Club in Burlington: a fundraiser for the HMS school play, The Pajama Game.

Last year's dance was a blast, so don't miss out on the fabulous dancing, tasty appetizers, and scrumptious desserts. Adults only invited to this night out!! Cash bar. 

Watch for tickets and more information about this great dance in your student's take home packet next week after auditions for The Pajama Game. Contact Susan Rutherford at 951-2571 or susanrutherford@hotmail.com with questions.

Update from Tammy and Jon Kuypers, Hunt parents...

Hello Everyone!

Will your child have the resources they need to succeed??  We need your input!! Our friend Sarah Bertucci is currently working with the Partnership for Change. We have agreed to host a Learning Conversation and hope you can come!

Where: Flynn Elementary School

When:  Tuesday, January 29 from 6:00-7:30

Why:    For an opportunity to participate in our Learning Conversation.

Do you know that the Burlington-Winooski Partnership for Change is actively working to build better relationships with community members and to solicit insight about the future of our high school? One way that the Partnership is currently doing this is by meeting with small groups of community members in their own schools or neighborhoods in the form of Learning Conversations.

There are a few specific goals for this Learning Conversation:

First, the Partnership hopes to gather feedback from us about what we feel are the essential skills, knowledge, and character traits for our BHS graduates. This information will be used to help frame the ongoing work of the Partnership and to identify points of consensus regarding graduation requirements.

Second, is to ensure that, as community members, we are informed about the vision and the work of the Partnership.

 Lastly, is to share the many opportunities for us to become actively involved with the Partnership - including the February 2nd Community Learning Conversation at BHS.

Also, if you need childcare, let us know, and we will make sure we have child care available.

If you are unable to attend, but are interested in being involved, please contact Jill Jacobelli at jjacobel@bsdvt.org, and she will link you up with another conversation happening in our community. Please feel free to share this with a neighbor not on the list.

In preparation for the conversation, if possible, please watch this short welcome video of our Partnership for Change liaison, Sarah Bertucci, who will facilitate the conversation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghBc7VQ5LNk

Then, in order to best participate in the discussion, I encourage you to watch one more video and do one or two more readings:

Tony Wagner's Ted Talk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvDjh4l-VHo

Here are a couple of articles as well:

What Does Proficiency-Based Learning Look Like? 
http://newenglandssc.s3.amazonaws.com/4/63/7/1547/1/NESSC_I_Want_to_Know_More_No11.pdf

What is a Proficiency-Based Diploma? 

http://www.newenglandssc.org/system/storage/4/45/4/607/nessc_i_want_to_know_more_no5.pdf

We look forward to seeing you there!  Thanks so much!

Tammy and Jon Kuypers

For any questions and/or to R.S.V.P. write-  Kuypers5@yahoo.com

Please Join Us For The

6^th Annual Jr. Iron Chef Competition

February 2, 2013

9:00 – 3:30 pm

$3/Individual or $5/Family

Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction, Vermont

Jr. Iron Chef is a statewide competition that gives teams of middle and high school students the opportunity to create delicious local dishes and compete for the title of Vermont’s Jr. Iron Chef.

Hunt Middle School’s two teams will be competing in the morning competition starting at 9:00 am and ending at noon with awards.

The event will feature fun activities for the whole family all day long, including chef demonstrations, activities, live entertainment and lots of great samples and information.

Please Join us for...

A Community Learning Conversation:
What Do Our Graduates Need to Succeed?

Sat. Feb 2 | 9:30am-1:00pm | Burlington High School

What skills and knowledge do our young people need to thrive in today's rapidly-changing world?   Please join us for this, the first of an ongoing series of Community Learning Conversations. Together, we will look at some of the ways we are "remodeling" our educational system so that every young person in Winooski and Burlington receives a world-class education. 

Community dialogues brought us to this point, and your input is vital for moving us forward. We will leave the day with a treasure trove of information that will be mined by working groups moving forward. Join us as we express our specific hopes and dreams for the young people in our communities as they prepare for college, career and citizenship.


Agenda:
9:30-10:00am - Welcome Reception, Coffee/Pastries Served
10:00-11:00am - Interactive Panel Discussion
11:15-12:15pm - Small Group Discussion
12:15-12:45pm - Closing
12:45-1:30pm - Lunch Served

Childcare - We will be providing onsite childcare. Please rsvp for childcare to partnershipforchangevt@gmail.com or (802)363-2342.

Transportation - We will be providing shuttle service from O'Brien Community Center leaving at 9:30am and returning at 1:30pm.  Please rsvp to partnershipforchangevt@gmail.com or (802)363-2342.

Donations for Close Up Washington

Thirteen Hunt Students are raising funds to visit Washington D.C. in April. You can help by making a credit card donation in three easy steps:

1. Click the link below

2 Choose “Sponsor a Student” or “Support School” (bottom in red)

3. Fill in the form with the necessary information (Hunt’s school code is VT002)

Thank-you!
http://www.closeup.org/donors/make-a-donation

Update: The families of Hunt Middle School have collected 2 Full boxes of shoes and they have been mailed to ShoeBox Recycling to be sent to places in the world where recycled shoes are re-used. Keep up the great work!!

Each year, more than 300 million shoes are landfilled; how many of them could have been reused?
It takes more than 200 years for a sneaker to break down naturally in a landfill




Hunt Middle School is partnering with Shoe Box Recycling to recycle paired, wearable shoes. The shoes will be reused for individuals here in the U.S. and throughout the world.





This program provides affordable shoes to those in need such as those suffering from Hurricane Sandy and many others. This will keep used shoes out of the landfill, creating a cleaner and greener planet. Recycling shoes also creates micro-enterprises for individuals throughout the world, fueling local economies here and abroad.   







Shoes We Accept: 








* All paired men’s, women’s and kids shoes that are still usable. That means no holes in the soles and no wet or mildewed pairs. This includes athletic shoes, dress shoes, timberland type work boots, sandals, heels, flats 





Shoes We Don’t Accept: 






* Heavy Winter Boots, Skates, Blades, Flip-Flops, Slippers, Singles, Unusable, and Thrift Store Shoes. 



Where to bring your reused shoes? 



Place your reused shoes in the specially marked box ShoeBox Recycling found in the main lobby of Hunt School.  Questions or for larger pick-ups, contact Susan Rutherford at 951-2571 or susanrutherford@hotmail.com  “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”




Want an easy way to support your PTO that doesn’t require volunteering and won’t cost you a dime? 




Save Box Tops for Education! 

Update: So far HMS has earned more than $180 through this Box tops project!  Please keep the box tops coming!







Here’s how to help:











**Box Tops for Education are on the packages of hundreds of participating products that you probably use every day. All you need to do is cut them off the box they are on, stick them in a baggie, and send them to school with your child. There is a container for the Box Tops in the main office. 










**Did you know that Box Tops are dated and cannot be used if they are past this expiration date?? 










Make yourself a note on your home or electronic calendar to send in those Box Tops!! Saving them is the first step. Sending them in before they expire is the next.









We will be collecting Box Tops all year long, so start saving and sending in your Box Tops today! The collection box will be located in the main office.















Thanks for choosing to support our school by collecting Box Tops!













Sincerely,







Susan Rutherford



Volunteer Coordinator for Box Tops for Education



Hunt Middle School PTO























Hunt Middle School now has BOTH a Facebook and a Twitter account!  Interested Hunt community members or school supporters can go to the school website and link to either/both of these accounts:  http://hunt.bsdvt.org/

If you "like" these pages, you will get notifications of events happening at the school, such as early closures, no school, sports cancellations, etc.  The Hunt middle school team is very excited to offer these new communication tools.  Their success depends upon families using them -- Please "like" these pages today to stay connected!  This is a GREAT way to get regular updates from your child's school.  












Save the Date...


January 24 -- Re-imagine Student Achievement celebrations                            3:15 pm at Hunt
January 25 -- Ghost Out Assembly (Drunk Driving Awareness)
January 29 --  Learning Conversation at Flynn School,                                      6-7:30 pm
January 29 & 30 -- Pajama Game Auditions
February 2nd -- Jr. Iron Chef
February 2nd --  What Do Our Graduates Need to Succeed?                                   
                              9:30 am - 1 pm; BHS
February 16th --  2nd Annual Dance at St. John's