Hunt PTO Update
December 17th, 2014
What's happening this week at HUNT?
Remember - Winter vacation begins Monday, December 22nd through Friday January 2nd. School starts up again on January 5th. Have a safe and restful holiday break!
District Announcements
SCHOOL BOARD INVITES COMMUNITY TO FY16 BUDGET WORK SESSIONS
The Board is hosting two budget work sessions designed to provide community members an opportunity to talk with each other about the standards and values that they believe should be reflected in the school budget. Each participant will be asked to complete a brief worksheet that will be collected at the end of the session. The product of these work sessions will help guide the budget development process.
Wednesday, December 17 or Thursday, December 18, 2014 from 7-9PM
(attend one session only)
Burlington High School Cafeteria, 52 Institute Road
Please RSVP by sending an email to superintendent@bsdvt.org or by calling
(802) 865-5332, and indicate if you will need childcare and/or translation services.
START Prevention Club at BHS
December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Data show that the time period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day includes some of the most dangerous days and evenings for drunk or drugged driving deaths. Alcohol and drug use impair perception, judgment, motor skills and memory ‐‐ skills critical for safe and responsible driving. And, as technology use increases, the distractions of texting and cell phone use continue to pose grave dangers on our roadways.
We at BHS are aiming to increase awareness of the dangers and devastating consequences of impaired driving in all of its forms, especially the growing, but often overlooked, problem of drugged driving. Illegal drugs, as well as prescription and over‐the‐counter medications, can be just as deadly on the road as alcohol. According to the 2013 Vermont High School Risk Behavior Survey,
*1 in 5 students (21%) reported riding in the same car with someone who had been drinking alcohol
*1 in 4 students (23%) reported riding in the same car with someone who was using marijuana
“Tie One On for Safety”: Members of START (Students Taking Action and Risks Together) tied red ribbons onto the side mirrors of staff and students’ cars and placed awareness cards on windshields. The red ribbon is a small, but powerful symbol. It signifies a person’s commitment to drive safe and sober during the holiday season and throughout the year. It also serves as a tribute to all victims who have been killed or injured in impaired driving crashes.
This holiday season, please make a choice to drive responsibly and encourage your friends and family to do the same, including designating a sober driver or making alternative transportation arrangement. For more information about prevention or the START group, please contact Jill Nye‐McKeown, Prevention Coordinator, atjnye@bsdvt.org
December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Data show that the time period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day includes some of the most dangerous days and evenings for drunk or drugged driving deaths. Alcohol and drug use impair perception, judgment, motor skills and memory ‐‐ skills critical for safe and responsible driving. And, as technology use increases, the distractions of texting and cell phone use continue to pose grave dangers on our roadways.
We at BHS are aiming to increase awareness of the dangers and devastating consequences of impaired driving in all of its forms, especially the growing, but often overlooked, problem of drugged driving. Illegal drugs, as well as prescription and over‐the‐counter medications, can be just as deadly on the road as alcohol. According to the 2013 Vermont High School Risk Behavior Survey,
*1 in 5 students (21%) reported riding in the same car with someone who had been drinking alcohol
*1 in 4 students (23%) reported riding in the same car with someone who was using marijuana
“Tie One On for Safety”: Members of START (Students Taking Action and Risks Together) tied red ribbons onto the side mirrors of staff and students’ cars and placed awareness cards on windshields. The red ribbon is a small, but powerful symbol. It signifies a person’s commitment to drive safe and sober during the holiday season and throughout the year. It also serves as a tribute to all victims who have been killed or injured in impaired driving crashes.
This holiday season, please make a choice to drive responsibly and encourage your friends and family to do the same, including designating a sober driver or making alternative transportation arrangement. For more information about prevention or the START group, please contact Jill Nye‐McKeown, Prevention Coordinator, atjnye@bsdvt.org
Come welcome our new PTO President, Paula Henry at the next meeting in January, 2015. Find out how you can take an active role at Hunt - Despite what your child tells you, he/she really does like you to be involved!
Mark Your CalendarsA presentation on Mindfulness by Marilyn Webb NeagleyWednesday, January 21, 2015Hunt Library - 6:30 PMWhy Mindfulness?Current neuroscience research indicates that mindfulness can help to reduce stress, regulate emotions, increase focused attention and result in greater kindness. All are assets for learning, living and for general well being.One definition of mindfulness is “paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and without judgment.” Much of our stress, pain, and suffering come from being pulled away from the present moment, with regrets about the past, worries about the future, and judgments about the present.” (JKZ) Another definition might be that it’s the opposite of “mindlessness”.This presentation will provide a simplified explanation of mindfulness, reported neuroscience research findings and an exploration of mindful applications.Marilyn Webb Neagley, Education Consultant and Author.Marilyn Webb Neagley is the director of Talk About Wellness, a Vermont based initiative that works primarily in public schools to deepen and support the inner lives of children.In the early 1980’s Marilyn was introduced to meditation by Dr. Joan Borysenko and later, Dr. Herbert Benson. Since then she has attended courses, professional workshops and retreats that focus on mindfulness and social/emotional learning. She now leads mindfulness-based courses, workshops and seminars, under the umbrella of social and emotional learning.Marilyn, with Aostre N. Johnson, is the co-editor of Educating from the Heart (2011), a compilation of essays by educators. She is a co-coordinator of the South Burlington School District’s new training manual, Mindfulness in Public Schools (2013). She is also author of a children’s book, Loosie B. Goosie (2013) and of Walking through the Seasons (2008), a book of observations and reflections on nature that won an IPPY gold medal for U.S. North-East Best Regional Non-Fiction.Previously, Marilyn was president of Shelburne Farms during its formative years as a non-profit organization.
Pay it forward fundraiser Keep it coming! Thanks to you we have raised just over $700 to put towards Hunt programs. It wasn't you? Well, it is not too late to donate and help us fund those items on hold (like assemblies, 8th grade class trip, food baskets, team grants...)
Haven't donated yet? Checks made out to the Hunt PTO can be sent into the office in an envelope marked for the PTO. Thanks for your generosity!
- December 18th - FY16 BSD Budget work session @ BHS
- WINTER VACATION - December 22nd, 2014 through January 2nd, 2015
- Monday, January 5th - School starts up again
- January 21st - A presentation on Mindfulness by Marilyn Webb Neagley