Hunt PTO Update 3/29/14

Hunt PTO Update

3/29/14

Change in 2013-2014 school calendar:

Due to the additional snow day, one day has been added to the end of the school year. 8th grade Graduation/ Dance has been moved to June 10th. Last day for 6th and 7th grade will be June 11th with an 11:30am dismissal.

Pancake Breakfast & Silent Auction a huge success!! 

Your PTO is thrilled to announce that our 3rd annual breakfast and auction was a great success, that raised $8,000 we will use for 8th grade graduation, 6th grade orientation, food baskets, field trips, classroom equipment, team grants, and enrichment activities. We want to thank all those who attended the breakfast and bid on the items.  A huge amount of gratitude goes to those businesses who donated all the items for the auction and breakfast. We hope you will consider supporting and thanking these owners all year by becoming their loyal customers.

A huge thank you to the team of Gabi Baumann (Silent Auction lead), Susan Rutherford (Pancake breakfast lead), Rebecca Kaplan, Tammy Kuypers and Chris Horton who organized the event. Thanks to Brian Pine, Kate Belluche, Teresa Giallorenzo, Jane Earley, George Rutherford, Jennifer Sutton, and Ann Arcovitch who supported the fundraising team by gathering donations, and helped to advertise the event. Thanks from the pancake breakfast team to Matt Perry for making pancakes for hours, for the 2nd year, and to Tammy Kuypers for just about everything! Thanks to all our wonderful volunteers, of whom there are too many to mention, but we could not have pulled off an event of this size without you. Thank you!!

Big thanks go to Mr. Amato, Mr. Gagnon, Ms. Montgomery, Ms. Pawlusiak, Ms. Paradiso and Ms. Olwell for being great staff and teacher representatives for this event and for all their hard work before, during, and after the event.

We still have a few gift certificates left that had not been bid on. We reduced the minimum bids and want to offer you these great deals. Contact Gabi Baumann at 660-9189 orgamabaumann@burlingtontelecom.net with questions or to purchase an item before it's gone! We also found a navy blue jacket that has been left behind after the event. Please call or email Gabi if it was yours and to find out where you can pick it up.

1. Aikido: one-month membership for adults, value $105.-, min. bid $15.-

2. Aikido: one-month membership for children, value $85.-. min. bid $15.-

3. Petco South Burlington: gift certificate for a hand's on animal demonstration for up to 8 kids (Q & A session with brief description of each animal), value $15.-, min.  bid $5.

4. "Vermont Farm 2 School" greeting cards, donated by Bonnie Acker,  5 cards per package for $2.-, 3 packages for $5.

Update from 3/25 School Board Meeting:

Dear faculty, staff and administration:

What a turn out you had tonight at the Board meeting. For 3.5 hours, the Board heard testimony that supported the schools budget and requested a new budget to bring to the voters. The energy in the room was inspiring. Thank you for standing up for our kids.

The Board did vote to take Option 3 off the table. This was the option that cut $4.1M from the rejected budget including full day K and magnet coaches. While the Board cannot restore everything in that budget option, as they still need flexibility to build a new budget, the intention was clear. Thus at this time, we will not RIF the K positions or the magnet coach positions. Everything else in Option 3 is still in the air, however.

To see all three options, go to tonight's meeting on Board Docs https://www.boarddocs.com/vt/bsdvt/Board.nsf/Private?open&login# and look under finance. 

The timeline for the next vote starts when the new Board agrees upon a budget proposal. It is anticipated that will happen in three weeks. If it does, they will need to hold hearings, then decide on the budget number and the vote can occur 45 days after the ballot is warned, likely June 10. If they decide earlier, everything moves up from there.

Sadly we still need to issue more RIFs that we believe we will need and hope to send these RIFs out tomorrow, or by Friday at the latest. Who is actually going to be affected by not RIFfing K positions will be reviewed by administration and the BEA tomorrow. 

Please know your voice was heard and please  know that it still needs to be until we have an approved budget by the voters. This vote demonstrated that your engagement can make a difference, and a lack of engagement also makes a different type of difference." 

-- 

Jeanné Collins, Superintendent Burlington School District 

150 Colchester Ave, Burlington, VT 05401 

PH: 802.864.8474 FAX: 802.864.8501 

Visit us on Facebook - 
www.facebook.com/pages/Burlington-School-District

Follow us on Twitter @BTVSchools.

Proposed Budget Options as of March 13, 2014:

http://tinyurl.com/Budget-Options

                                             

Burlington Friends of Education is a group of people committed to ensuring quality education in the Burlington schools.

BFOE Facebook Page: 
https://www.facebook.com/burlingtonfriendsofeducation

A group of parents, teachers, students and community members are meeting to work towards passing a school budget that supports quality education in Burlington. We will need many volunteers to get this done. 

Please come to a meeting on Tuesday, April 8th at 7 PM at the Burlington High School cafeteria.
For more information, please contact Chris Hood at chood@cvuhs.org or Barb Prine at prine05401@gmail.com

Facebook Event Page for 4/8 meeting:

 https://www.facebook.com/events/1418287778429704/

Hunt Drama Program Presents

Friday night dinner!, April 4^th, 5:30-6:30

We will be serving a Puerto Rican-American style dinner including:

Arroz con pollo (chicken & rice), baked macaroni & cheese,

Latin style rice & beans (vegetarian), fresh green salad, and a drink.

Followed by West Side Story at 7p.m.

Cost: $8 adult, $5 students

*Ordering in advance will mean enough food for everyone!!

Didn't receive an order form for dinner? Pick one up in the main office or email Susanrutherford@hotmail.com by 3/31 please.

*******Can't make it for dinner?*******

That's okay, but we do hope you will come and enjoy the show, purchase goodies our bake sale & tickets to our City Market raffle basket. Don't forget: dinner will only be served on Friday night!!

West Side Story Show Times:

Thursday, April 3^rd at 4:00

Friday, April 4^th at 7:00

Saturday, April 5^th at 7:00

On your way into the show there will be playbills and flowers for sale as well as a wide array of bakesale items including healthy options and gluten free options - 100% of all donations go to paying for the costs associated with putting on West Side Story!

                                             

                                         A SPECIAL INVITATION!

The Hunt PTO and the Family School Partnership invite

You & Your Family to the

HERITAGE POTLUCK DINNER

Thursday, April 17^th       6:00 – 7:30 pm

In the

Hunt Middle School Cafeteria

******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

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

Drinks, Salads, Rolls and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream will be provided!

During the Dinner we will also host a Title 1 Parent Informational Meeting.

There will be a table set up where you will be able to review:

·         The Hunt Home School Compact

·         The Burlington's District Parent Involvement Policy.

Your feedback is always welcome and important.

For questions or to help with the dinner contact Jennifer Sutton

 at 310-4998, or jsutton@bsdvt.org 

The Hunt Student Council 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”

Save the Date!

• March 31st - Spring Athletics tryouts begin
• April 3-5 - West Side Story at HMS
• April 8th - Burlington Friends of Education meeting, BHS
• April 17 - Heritage Potluck Dinner - 6-7:30 in the cafeteria - live student entertainment and free ice cream sundaes (more info coming...)
• April 21st - 25th - April vacation - No School

Hunt PTO Update 3/21/14

Hunt PTO Update

3/22/2014

It's finally here!!

The 3rd Annual

Hunt Silent Auction & Pancake Breakfast

This Saturday, March 22nd

8:30-11:30a.m.

In the Hunt Cafeteria

Bring the whole family to this important annual event. Enjoy hot pancakes, real Vermont maple syrup, fresh fruit, pork turkey & veggie breakfast meats, Vermont apple cider, orange juice, & Green Mountain coffee.

After enjoying a delicious, hot breakfast, place your bids on more than 220 awesome & valuable silent auction items including gift certificates to local restaurants, salons, theaters, clothing boutiques, gift baskets from Shelburne Farms, City Market, & Cheese Traders. Bid on Burton back bags, bowling parties, an autographed baseball, a turkey deep fryer, kitchen items, gym memberships, lift tickets to ski resorts & beautiful local artwork and jewelry. There is something for everyone!

Questions about the Silent Auction: gamabaumann@burlingtontelecom.net

About the pancake breakfast: susanrutherford@hotmail.com

 

District Announcements:

Transportation Strike Impact on the Schools
March 19, 2014


We wish to thank parents and students for their concerted efforts to get to school over the first few days of the strike. While the first day showed a slight increase in absenteeism (about 20 students out of nearly 4000) and tardiness (about 17 students), the second day these numbers leveled off. Where we have seen the greatest impact has been in the Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) demographic of the District, which is concerning and not a surprise. Friday (pre-strike), about 54% of our absences were FRL; Monday about 64% of absences were FRL and Tuesday we were back to about 58% of our absences being FRL students, closer to the pre-strike level. Students are organizing informal carpools at the high school and some students are asking for work from home if they cannot get to school. We are continuing to monitor the absences and tardies as the strike continues.


Burlington School District Update on Potential Revenue Concern
March 19, 2014


In the analysis presented to the Board last Thursday, March 13th, an area of reporting was uncovered that made the tax rate calculation appear incorrect. This issue was reported to the State on Monday, March 17th, and more than a day and a half was spent with focused attention on the reports, with the help of the State. Ultimately, the State found that the tax rate was set appropriately and there was no error in reporting.


While the Board was pleased with this result, they did feel they needed to work through this issue immediately and publicly. As the Board prepares for its budget building process for FY15, it is important to ensure that there are no loose ends, and that the public be fully informed.


At this time, the Special Board Meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, March 20th, is canceled, as there is no urgency to this question. A Special Finance Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, March 24th at the Ira Allen Building, 150 Colchester Avenue. A complete report will be given to the Board at that time.


CONTACT: Alan Matson, School Board Chair
(802) 860-7437
amatson@bsdvt.org

Jeanné Collins, Superintendent(802) 864-8474
jcollins@bsdvt.org

Parent Teacher Conferences are 

scheduled for 3/27 and 3/28.  

While you are always welcome to schedule a conference with one or more of your child's teachers, these days are set aside by the District to free teachers up to meet with families.  This is your opportunity to connect with your child's teachers, ask questions about their progress and help your child chart a course for academic success.  Parents are encouraged to bring their child along to participate in conferences.  Parents can contact These Barcomb in the guidance dept to schedule a time to come in. 864-8470 or tbarcomb@bsdvt.org

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS -

BEST FRIEND OR WORST ENEMY

How do we keep ourselves and our children safe in the emerging world of electronic communication and social media?

Join Detective Nash of the Burlington Police Department for an evening of discussion in the Hunt Library on MARCH 26th from 6-7:30 PM.

West Side Story to be performed April 3rd - 5th at Hunt!  Mark your calendars TODAY!

The Hunt Student Council 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”

Save the Date!

• March 22nd - Hunt Pancake Breakfast & Silent Auction
• March 26 - Electronics Communications talk - 6pm
• March 27th - Early Release Day - Students are dismissed at NOON.  Parent Teacher Conferences
• March 28 - No school - Parent Teacher Conferences
• March 31st - Spring Athletics tryouts begin
• April 3-5 - West Side Story at HMS
• April 17 - Heritage Potluck Dinner - 6-7:30 in the cafeteria - live student entertainment and free ice cream sundaes (more info coming...)

Hunt PTO Update, 3/15/14

Hunt PTO Update

3/15/14

March PTO Meeting

3/20/14, 6:30 pm

Please find agenda at end of Blog

Two updates from the Superintendent's office:

Hunt Middle School Principal Announcement

March 11, 2014

Jeanné Collins

It is with great pleasure that I announce my recommendation for the principal of Hunt Middle School, Leonard Phelan. Currently serving as middle school principal in Harwich, MA, Phelan is an experienced administrator whose middle school experience, work with Common Core and STEM and his building of community will add value to our work in Hunt Middle School and Burlington School District.

Phelan’s background includes degrees from the University of Massachusetts, Providence College and Salem State College, all in the field of education. He brings experience in instructional leadership and curriculum, fostering positive change, improving school culture, creating and providing enriching opportunities and programs for students, and building high performing teams of educators. Phelan was chosen after an extensive search with input from teachers and parents/ community members and students.  . 

Phelan commented, “It is with great enthusiasm that I accept your offer to join your leadership team as principal of the Lyman C. Hunt Middle School in Burlington, Vermont. During my visit to Hunt and my meetings with students, faculty, your search committee and community members in Burlington it became apparent to me that this was a special place with a group of very dedicated and talented professionals that I would very much like to join. I believe that my experience working with diverse groups of students, educators and community members will serve me well as I endeavor to work with existent community groups and resources to build upon the great work done at the Hunt Middle School to date, and to help further prepare students for high school, college and careers. I will work tirelessly to build a sense of purpose at Hunt to help students progress toward mastery of important 21st century skills through a rich and well-rounded middle school curriculum that focuses on strength of mind, body and spirit.”

As we welcome Leonard Phelan to Burlington Schools, I need to pause and thank Richard Amato for stepping into the interim position for the past two years. Under Rich's leadership, Hunt has begun a 1:1 technology initiative, undergone restructuring for the state, and has deepened its work in the area of diversity and equity. Rich's commitment to the community of Hunt Middle, for students, faculty and families, continues to impact the school as it moves forward. I also wish to thank Lashawn Sells, who worked closely with Rich and the Faculty over the last 18 months as interim assistant principal  to assist in these changes. 

Upon approval by the Board, Len will begin his duties on July 1, 2014. 

CCTA Alert: Due to Driver Strike, No Bus Service Beginning March 17

JAMIE CRAM – MARKETING COORDINATOR, CHITTENDEN COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY, CHITTENDEN COUNTY

CCTA was formally notified by the drivers’ Union, the Teamsters Local No. 597, in the afternoon on Friday, March 14, 2014 of the drivers’ intent to strike beginning Monday, March 17, 2014.

Service Impact:
Beginning Monday, March 17, CCTA will not operate any bus service until further notice. Some Montpelier LINK Express trips are operated by CCTA drivers and some are operated by GMTA drivers. Starting March 17, 2014, the Montpelier LINK Express trips operated by GMTA will continue to operate. Additionally, some 116 Commuter trips are operated by ACTR and will continue to operate. For information on the services that will be operating, go to http://cctaride.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/flyer_eventof.pdf Please check cctaride.org for updates.

Frequently Asked Questions:
CCTA has posted answers to frequently asked questions about the contract negotiations on its website. To review the FAQ, please go tohttp://cctaride.org/ccta-provides-answers-to-frequently-asked-questions/

Additional Information:
Because no service will be operating and the potential for picketing, both the CCTA Administrative Office and the Cherry Street kiosk will be closed to the public beginning Monday, March 17, 2014. However, CCTA staff will available to answer questions from passengers and the public by phone and email. Please email CCTA at info@cctaride.org or call (802) 864-2282.

To view other documents related to contract negotiations, including the independent Fact-finders Report and CCTA’s most recent contract offer, go to http://cctaride.org/labor-negotiations-documents/

Informational Meeting for Spring Athletics -- 

Monday, March 17th @ 6:30 pm

Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled for 3/27 and 3/28.  

While you are always welcome to schedule a conference with one or more of your child's teachers, these days are set aside by the District to free teachers up to meet with families.  This is your opportunity to connect with your child's teachers, ask questions about their progress and help your child chart a course for academic success.  Parents are encouraged to bring their child along to participate in conferences.  Parents can contact These Barcomb in the guidance dept to schedule a time to come in. 864-8470 or tbarcomb@bsdvt.org

Are you interested in learning what Hunt Middle School students think?

Come to: “Dinner and Conversation”
on Tuesday March 18th at 6:00pm in the Hunt School Library

All Hunt students and their parents and guardians are welcome!

The night will consist of:
A free dinner featuring Asian food
Games
Conversation between groups of students and parents about issues important to Hunt students

* Child care will be provided

You can find out what Hunt students think about issues such as:

homework, drugs/alcohol and school life.

Every student who brings a parent/guardian will win a prize!!

Sponsored by STOP and VKAT &

Hunt Family /School Partnership

An invite from the Hunt administration to YOU...

Parent Coffee

YOU ARE INVITED! 

Principal/Parent Coffee

Friday, March 21st, 2014, 8:10am to 8:55am

Have coffee or tea with our Principals. Tell us what's on your mind. Let us know what's working or what's not working. Ask questions or just chat and relax with us in our library. Friday. March 21st, morning at 8:10am.

Hunt Silent Auction & Pancake Breakfast

Saturday, 3/22, 8:30-11:30am

Hello Hunt families and community,

Save the date for the 3rd Annual Hunt PTO:

Silent Auction & Pancake Breakfast

Saturday, 3/22, 8:30-11:30am

A delicious pancake breakfast will feature mostly VT products, includes pancakes, VT maple syrup, pork, turkey, or veggie bacon or sausage, fresh fruit, coffee, tea and juices. All this for the great price of $6 for adults & $4 for kids. 

This huge silent auction features over 100 items donated by local businesses and individuals including gift certificates from Skirack for a total of $290 and 2 Burton bags.  Other items donated include a bash badge to Smugglers’ Notch, bread coupons from August 1^st and Great Harvest, gift certificates to dozens of local restaurants, memberships from Marketplace Fitness, Snap Fitness, Artemis Fitness , Jazzercise and The Edge, a bowling party at Spare Time, a turkey deep fryer from Home Depot, gift certificates from Burlington City Arts and Davis Studio, tickets to museums and so much more. 

As you may already know, this is the PTO's biggest fundraiser of the year, having raised over $7000 each year for OUR valuable and important organization. What are the great things we have been able to do with this money? 

**Break ground on Hunt's first ever electronic sign to advertise our school and our events.

**Grants to teachers and staff for educational classroom equipment

**Funding for Jr. Iron Chef teams, the upcoming locker beautification project, the new Hunt Student Council school store

** Hunt's free Community Dinner, International week taste tests, & Hunt's Farm to School program

**Beautify our school's front entrance with a rock garden, perennial garden, herb spiral, and new trash cans

How can you help to continue the great work? 

In order to ensure the PTO can offer grants again in the 2014-15 schoolyear we need the assistance of volunteers like you. An event like this can only happen when we all pitch in.

Please contact Tammy Kuypers at kuypers5@yahoo.com today. 

We are still in need of volunteers to work in 2 hour shifts at the silent auction and in the kitchen for the pancake breakfast. Before or after your shift, there will be plenty of time for you to purchase breakfast and browse the silent auction items. 

Do you have teens at BHS? Please encourage them to contact Tammy to sign them up for community service hours at the event.

Thanks in advance for your support. Let's all help make Hunt a great place to work and learn. See you on the 22nd!

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS -

BEST FRIEND OR WORST ENEMY

How do we keep ourselves and our children safe in the emerging world of electronic communication and social media?

Join Detective Nash of the Burlington Police Department for an evening of discussion in the Hunt Library on MARCH 26th from 6-7:30 PM.

West Side Story to be performed April 3rd - 5th at Hunt!  Mark your calendars TODAY!

The Hunt Student Council 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”

Save the Date!

• March 17th - Hunt Spring Athletics Sign-up and Informational Meeting @ 6:30 pm 
• March 18th - Dinner & Conversation, 6 pm
• March 20th - PTO Meeting, 6:30 pm
• March 21st - Parent Coffee with the Principals, 8:10 am
• March 22nd - Hunt Pancake Breakfast & Silent Auction
• March 26 - Electronics Communications talk - 6pm
• March 27th - Early Release Day - Students are dismissed at NOON.  Parent Teacher Conferences
• March 28 - No school - Parent Teacher Conferences
• April 3-5 - West Side Story at HMS

March PTO Meeting

3/20/14, 6:30 pm

AGENDA

• Welcome and Introductions
• Volunteer secretary for March meeting

OPEN FORUM:

What’s on your mind?  Questions?  Comments?  Concerns?

UPDATES

• Treasurer’s report - 5 min –Brian Pine
• Principal’s Corner – 10 min - Rich Amato
• Fundraising Update  - 10 minutes – Gabi Baumann
• Team/UA Grant Update – 5 min- Kate Belluche
• Misc Issues

-Rich – info for parents/parent teacher conferences about proficiencies

-Blog –Possible Improvements – Susan Rutherford

-Locker improvement project? (vote on paint reimb $188)

-Leadership for next year…(Brian, Susan off to BHS, Gabi? Kate? Siobhan?)

Next Meeting:  Thursday, 5/15/14,  6:30-8pm

 Agenda Items: