Hunt PTO Update 12/6/15

Happy December!

 

We hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving! We had some technical difficulties sending out the blog last week so let's hope we have better luck with this one. 

______________________________

Looking for an easy way to support the Hunt PTO?

 

Do you need to order:

• holiday cards
• calendars
• gifts for the family 
• or just order some photos?

If you make these purchases through Shutterfly,

the Hunt PTO will get 13% profit from each of the purchases made.

 

Our PTO has set up a store front through Shutterfly.

In order to support the PTO with your purchase you will need to go through the following link:

 

  Huntmiddleschool.ShutterflyStorefront.com 

 

Once you have clicked on this link you will come to the Hunt store front and will

be able to shop through Shutterfly. Once you have placed and order you will be able to sign up for an account and with this coupons will be sent to your email throughout the year. Hunt PTO will be able to receive proceeds from your purchases for one year. The money raised will help in supporting various programs the PTO funds at Hunt. If you have any questions about this program, please contact:

 

Jen L'Ecuyer at jlecuyer7@gmail.com.

______________________________


The PTO Holiday Wreath sale is back and it was successful!

 

The PTO annual Holiday wreath fundraiser came to a close on Saturday, a mild sunny day perfect for delivering wreaths to neighbors and friends.  A special thank-you to Ms Virun and her husband who spent the day unloading and tagging wreaths, and to the parents who came to the HMS cafeteria to help.  Many  hands made for light work.  By 3pm, all wreaths had been delivered, and the cafeteria was quiet.  In all, the PTO sold 106 wreaths, and brought in $1,200 toward classroom and school events.

Thank you to all who supported this fundraiser!  See you all next year!

 

 

                     ______________________________

 

Sweet, sweet music!

 

Two more Hunt Middle School concerts are coming soon.

Mark your calendar now to see your favorite Hunt middle school musicians!

• Orchestra - Wednesday, December 9th
• Band - Wednesday, December 16th

                    ______________________________

A Very Merry Theater Event

 

- from Don Wright

 

Hi 5^th-8^th Graders!

Do you have a talent you’ve been wanting to share? Well, Very Merry Theater is starting a new offering at our 333 Stage (333 North Winooski Ave). We’ll have open mic nights periodically on Friday nights, starting this coming Friday, Dec 4^th.  Sharpen up your circus, singing, instrumental, dancing, film, standup comedy, or any other performing art and bring it to the 333 Stage.  It’s also okay to come and help with sound and lights, serving snacks or just being in the audience!

 Here are the details:

 What:  Open Mic night for 5^th-8^th grade students

 When:  Friday December 4^th 6-8pm

 Where:  333 Stage

 $5.00 Suggested Donation at the door

This is a drop-off event that will be kid-facilitated.  A few kids have offered to help organize this first session (you may be getting this blurb from one of them). However, if you come on the 4^th you’ll have a chance to sign up to help organize the next one.

There will be a couple of adult chaperone's hidden in the corners so tell your parents not to worry when they drop you off!

  ______________________________

 November 2015 PTO Meeting Minutes

President’s Report by Paula Henry

• New Board member: Kathy Rossman (Treasurer), Patrick Henry (Blogger) Patrick and Kate Belluche need to connect to make the transition. Thank you for stepping up!

 Treasurer’s Report by Kathy Rossman

• Budget Variance Report was discussed.

• PTO tax exempt status – Jen L’Ecuyer- our PTO does not have a nontax ID#. Our EIN# 61-1628012 is simply an identifying number (similar to a person’s social security #). All other BSD PTOs are tax exempt through 501(c)(3) status, except for HMS. Although there is a one-time fee ($400-$800) the board agreed we should proceed with applying for this status. Kathy has the application and will begin applying. This will definitely help us with Silent Auction donations!

 

Fundraising Report by Paula Henry

• Innisbrook wrapping paper – product arrived 11/19 and will be distributed by Jen. Final invoice not in yet, so final profit not confirmed, but we anticipate ~$855 profit.

• Go-Fund-Me project – donations have all but dried up, only $115 in since last month’s meeting. Current total $171. The fact that people cannot use their credit card makes it difficult. We may need to use funds raised by other fundraisers to fund some of these projects. Can revisit later in the year.

• Wreaths – fundraiser ended on 11/13. We sold 107 wreaths for ~$3,600 retail. We should make ~$1,080 profit. Wreaths should be delivered to Burlington by Mark’s VT Wreaths the Sunday of Thanksgiving break (11/29). Volunteers will be needed to affix ribbons to the wreaths, label, and deliver. Paula will post online the need for volunteers, many will be needed!

• Shutterfly – Jen has set us up with an electronic store front, where we get 13% of all online sales. Jen will write up instructions on how to shop, we will post in the blog, FPF, etc. This is good for one year and we can take advantage of personal holiday ordering.

• Bake sales – Kate Belluche has booked the 12/2 Chorus concert for the Play Committee bakesale. Paula has booked the band concert night: 12/16. We are looking for donations of baked goods or treats for these bake sales, and will need volunteers to work the tables. Bake sales at the concerts bring in BIG BUCKS!

• Pancake Breakfast & Silent Auction – Mark your calendars! This combined event is set for Saturday, March 12, 2016. This is a huge event that needs lots of helping hands. John Novotny & his team are heading up the pancake breakfast, and Kathy Rossman is heading up the silent auction. It is not too early to start reaching out to the community to solicit donations. See Kathy or Paula for details. Len will book the kitchen for this event. Paula will put a donation template on the blog for use with vendors.

 

Principal’s Report by Len Phelan

• Heineburg Senior Center concert – Our 7th & 8th grade chorus helped the Heineberg Center celebrate their 75th Anniversary of opening their doors, by performing a choral concert for residents. The residents joined in, and a very merry time was had by all! Plus the students walked , for some exercise.

• Basketball tryouts – were held this week, with HMS having 2 boys and 2 girls teams.

• Flynn Theater fieldtrips – coming up for 2 teams (Phoenix & Synergy?) , a Percy Jackson musical the first of December. Parent permission forms have come home, so ask your child about it.

• Doug Wilhelm, author- visited the school again this year on 11/19. He is the author of “The Revealers” a book read by our 6th graders. He is a school favorite. The PTO contributed $250 towards his visit.

• Principal’s coffee & chat – (first Friday of every month) Friday 12/ 4 @ 8:10am, all are welcome!

• Math forum – District level math forum, a discussion for parents on math curriculum, 12/16 @ 6pm in HMS library.

• Technology discussion –

1. BSD takes the approach of MONITOR vs FILTER of information on the new iPads

2. Digital citizenship- Len& his team are working on a growing set of guidelines for appropriate student use to help them use the tool wisely, and an “infraction” schedule with consequences. Len and teachers monitor students use daily, with random spot checks.

3. Daily “tech tips” are shared over the PA.

4. Digital Storyteller: Mr. Herton & Digital Coach: Val Lodish. Both are part of the Digital Promise project, both are great resources for staff and students.

5. Classroom teachers utilizing iPads for class projects that are new or were previously done on paper.

6. Professional development for teachers is ongoing.

7. Teachers are part of Google + Communities, where they are linked in with the other 20 schools that are participating in this Digital Promise project nationwide.

8. Science classes are following the new NGSS (Next Generation Science Standard) on a pilot program which works well with the ipads.

9. Len and his team are putting together pages on the school web page, that will provide parents resources surrounding the iPads. They will contain educational resources and possibly a review of some earlier materials sent home (i.e. the sample home agreement). The goal is to roll this out before the end of the year.

10. The iPads provide many families with their first in-home opportunity for access to the internet. Families are permitted to use the iPads as well.

11. Any parent who has a concern about their child’s iPad use can contact Len to discuss.

 

New Business –

• See above Technology/iPad discussion

 

Our next meeting is January 21, 2016

Have a great Thanksgiving Break!

Submitted by Paula Henry

______________________________

Upcoming Events

 

 

 

 

 

12/9/15 Hunt Orchestra Concert

12/16/15 Hunt Band Concert

  

12/10/15 Hunt Girls Hoops - Home vs. Williston

12/10/15 Hunt Boys Hoops - Away vs. Williston

12/11/15 School Dance

12/14/15 Hunt Girls Hoops - Away vs. Shelburne

12/14/15 Hunt Boys Hoops - Home vs. Shelburne

12/16/15 Hunt Middle School MATH FORUM - 6 - 7 PM

12/14/15 Hunt Girls Hoops - Away vs. Christ the King

12/14/15 Hunt Boys Hoops - Away vs. Christ the King

FOOD DRIVE - All Month Long

 

Hunt Middle School Blogger 11/30/15

 

Welcome back Hunt Families!

 

We trust you had a relaxing Thanksgiving with your families.  

It might be a bit hard to get back into the swing of things but more holidays are coming and along with that, some fun school activities!

                      ______________________________

 

A sure sign that holidays are coming:

 

The Hunt PTO Wreath Sale has ended.

• However, we could use some help putting ribbons on the wreaths prior to delivery.
• If you can help, email huntmiddleschool@gmail.com or call the school @ 864-8469.
• Wreaths will be delivered soon.

                     ______________________________

 

Sweet, sweet music!

 

Three Hunt Middle School concerts are coming soon.

Mark your calendar now to see your favorite Hunt middle school musicians!

Just this Wednesday is the beginning!

• Chorus - Wednesday, December 2th
• Orchestra - Wednesday, December 9th
• Band - Wednesday, December 16th

                    ______________________________

A Very Merry Theater Event

 

- from Don Wright

 

Hi 5^th-8^th Graders!

Do you have a talent you’ve been wanting to share? Well, Very Merry Theater is starting a new offering at our 333 Stage (333 North Winooski Ave). We’ll have open mic nights periodically on Friday nights, starting this coming Friday, Dec 4^th.  Sharpen up your circus, singing, instrumental, dancing, film, standup comedy, or any other performing art and bring it to the 333 Stage.  It’s also okay to come and help with sound and lights, serving snacks or just being in the audience!

 Here are the details:

 What:  Open Mic night for 5^th-8^th grade students

 When:  Friday December 4^th 6-8pm

 Where:  333 Stage

 $5.00 Suggested Donation at the door

This is a drop-off event that will be kid-facilitated.  A few kids have offered to help organize this first session (you may be getting this blurb from one of them). However, if you come on the 4^th you’ll have a chance to sign up to help organize the next one.

There will be a couple of adult chaperone's hidden in the corners so tell your parents not to worry when they drop you off!

  ______________________________

News from the Burlington School District

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 24, 2015

 

Media Contact:

Doug Davis

Burlington School Food Project Director

(802) 864-­8416

ddavis@bsdvt.org

www.burlingtonschoolfoodproject.org

Burlington School Food Project Receives $100,000 USDA Grant to Increase Local Foods in School Cafeterias

Burlington, Vermont – The Burlington School Food Project (BSFP) is pleased to announce that they are one of 74 projects spanning 39 states receiving support this year through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm to School Program, an effort to better connect school cafeterias and students with local farmers. 

The Burlington School Food Project will use the $100,000 USDA grant funds to implement a center of the plate project that focuses on making local beef accessible to all of Burlington’s District Schools. “Knowing where your food comes from is one of the most important aspects of creating a sustainable food system. Burlington has been working in Farm to School for well over 10 years, and this grant will help us to move our program forward and allow us to create a model that can be replicated around our state,“ says Doug Davis, Director of Food Service for the Burlington School Food Project. “Farm to School Programs work—for schools, for producers, and for communities,” said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. 

The implementation of these grant funds will be aided by BSFP community partners: The Center for Rural Studies at the University of Vermont, Intervale Community Farm and the Vermont Community Garden Network. Each organization is working to expand the District’s local food consumption through educational outreach, sustainable purchasing systems and product development.

 

The Burlington School Food Project is the largest Farm to School Program in Vermont. Widely recognized as a model program for the rest of the state and country, BSFP offers wholesome and nutritious meals daily to 4,000 students in the Burlington School District including breakfast, lunch and afterschool supper. More than one-third of foods purchased are sourced locally, and the Farm to School team runs a network of educational programming including a greenhouse, farm and orchard on three different school properties. 

 

 ______________________________

 

November 2015 PTO Meeting Minutes

President’s Report by Paula Henry

• New Board member: Kathy Rossman (Treasurer), Patrick Henry (Blogger) Patrick and Kate Belluche need to connect to make the transition. Thank you for stepping up!

 Treasurer’s Report by Kathy Rossman

• Budget Variance Report was discussed.

• PTO tax exempt status – Jen L’Ecuyer- our PTO does not have a nontax ID#. Our EIN# 61-1628012 is simply an identifying number (similar to a person’s social security #). All other BSD PTOs are tax exempt through 501(c)(3) status, except for HMS. Although there is a one-time fee ($400-$800) the board agreed we should proceed with applying for this status. Kathy has the application and will begin applying. This will definitely help us with Silent Auction donations!

 

Fundraising Report by Paula Henry

• Innisbrook wrapping paper – product arrived 11/19 and will be distributed by Jen. Final invoice not in yet, so final profit not confirmed, but we anticipate ~$855 profit.

• Go-Fund-Me project – donations have all but dried up, only $115 in since last month’s meeting. Current total $171. The fact that people cannot use their credit card makes it difficult. We may need to use funds raised by other fundraisers to fund some of these projects. Can revisit later in the year.

• Wreaths – fundraiser ended on 11/13. We sold 107 wreaths for ~$3,600 retail. We should make ~$1,080 profit. Wreaths should be delivered to Burlington by Mark’s VT Wreaths the Sunday of Thanksgiving break (11/29). Volunteers will be needed to affix ribbons to the wreaths, label, and deliver. Paula will post online the need for volunteers, many will be needed!

• Shutterfly – Jen has set us up with an electronic store front, where we get 13% of all online sales. Jen will write up instructions on how to shop, we will post in the blog, FPF, etc. This is good for one year and we can take advantage of personal holiday ordering.

• Bake sales – Kate Belluche has booked the 12/2 Chorus concert for the Play Committee bakesale. Paula has booked the band concert night: 12/16. We are looking for donations of baked goods or treats for these bake sales, and will need volunteers to work the tables. Bake sales at the concerts bring in BIG BUCKS!

• Pancake Breakfast & Silent Auction – Mark your calendars! This combined event is set for Saturday, March 12, 2016. This is a huge event that needs lots of helping hands. John Novotny & his team are heading up the pancake breakfast, and Kathy Rossman is heading up the silent auction. It is not too early to start reaching out to the community to solicit donations. See Kathy or Paula for details. Len will book the kitchen for this event. Paula will put a donation template on the blog for use with vendors.

 

Principal’s Report by Len Phelan

• Heineburg Senior Center concert – Our 7th & 8th grade chorus helped the Heineberg Center celebrate their 75th Anniversary of opening their doors, by performing a choral concert for residents. The residents joined in, and a very merry time was had by all! Plus the students walked , for some exercise.

• Basketball tryouts – were held this week, with HMS having 2 boys and 2 girls teams.

• Flynn Theater fieldtrips – coming up for 2 teams (Phoenix & Synergy?) , a Percy Jackson musical the first of December. Parent permission forms have come home, so ask your child about it.

• Doug Wilhelm, author- visited the school again this year on 11/19. He is the author of “The Revealers” a book read by our 6th graders. He is a school favorite. The PTO contributed $250 towards his visit.

• Principal’s coffee & chat – (first Friday of every month) Friday 12/ 4 @ 8:10am, all are welcome!

• Math forum – District level math forum, a discussion for parents on math curriculum, 12/16 @ 6pm in HMS library.

• Technology discussion –

1. BSD takes the approach of MONITOR vs FILTER of information on the new iPads

2. Digital citizenship- Len& his team are working on a growing set of guidelines for appropriate student use to help them use the tool wisely, and an “infraction” schedule with consequences. Len and teachers monitor students use daily, with random spot checks.

3. Daily “tech tips” are shared over the PA.

4. Digital Storyteller: Mr. Herton & Digital Coach: Val Lodish. Both are part of the Digital Promise project, both are great resources for staff and students.

5. Classroom teachers utilizing iPads for class projects that are new or were previously done on paper.

6. Professional development for teachers is ongoing.

7. Teachers are part of Google + Communities, where they are linked in with the other 20 schools that are participating in this Digital Promise project nationwide.

8. Science classes are following the new NGSS (Next Generation Science Standard) on a pilot program which works well with the ipads.

9. Len and his team are putting together pages on the school web page, that will provide parents resources surrounding the iPads. They will contain educational resources and possibly a review of some earlier materials sent home (i.e. the sample home agreement). The goal is to roll this out before the end of the year.

10. The iPads provide many families with their first in-home opportunity for access to the internet. Families are permitted to use the iPads as well.

11. Any parent who has a concern about their child’s iPad use can contact Len to discuss.

 

New Business –

• See above Technology/iPad discussion

 

Our next meeting is January 21, 2016

Have a great Thanksgiving Break!

Submitted by Paula Henry

______________________________

Upcoming Events

 

 

 

 

12/2/15 Hunt Chorus

12/9/15 Hunt Orchestra Concert

12/16/15 Hunt Band Concert

  

12/10/15 Hunt Girls Hoops - Home vs. Williston

12/10/15 Hunt Boys Hoops - Away vs. Williston

12/11/15 School Dance

12/14/15 Hunt Girls Hoops - Away vs. Shelburne

12/14/15 Hunt Boys Hoops - Home vs. Shelburne

12/16/15 Hunt Middle School MATH FORUM - 6 - 7 PM

12/14/15 Hunt Girls Hoops - Away vs. Christ the King

12/14/15 Hunt Boys Hoops - Away vs. Christ the King

FOOD DRIVE - All Month Long

 

Hunt PTO Update 11/9/15

Hey There Hunt Families - I like the light in the morning, but the 4:30 sunset is a drag.  Adjusting...



Voila, the November HMS newsletter:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0OT5BU2b--4Sy1iNXVCRWlXY1k/view


                      ______________________________


Play Production Meeting this week - Wednesday at 6:30 in the library - If you have a kid planning to be on stage or in the crew, then this is a meeting you don't want to miss!!!  See you on Wednesday!


                       ______________________________


The Hunt PTO Wreath Sale ends this Friday - All orders due by November 13. Contact Paula Henry 865-2651 or the school 864-8469 if you would like to place an order, or have questions.  Wreaths will be delivered over the Thanksgiving holiday.


                     ______________________________


The concert season is looming... mark your calendar now for the fabulous musical extravaganzas featuring Hunt middle school musicians!  Chorus - Dec 2, Orchestra - Dec. 9, Band - Dec. 16

                    ______________________________


Ipads at Hunt!  The PTO is gathering information from families about how the ipad rollout is going with your child at your home.  Smooth like butter?  A little rocky?  Looking for some more guidance or help monitoring?  Feel free to send your comments/thoughts our way and we will make sure they get to the right ears.  Word on the street is that there have been some crackdowns on students choosing to imessage during class time.  Remind your child that their device privileges will get revoked if they cannot follow school ipad rules...
Also, the following link might help with home ipad use: https://sites.google.com/a/bsdvt.org/hms-ipad-faq/

______________________________

Upcoming Events

11/11/15 Hunt Play Production Meeting - ALL potential play/crew families invited!!!  - 6:30pm in the library
11/19/15 Hunt PTO Meeting - 6:30 in the Library
11/25,26 No School for Thanksgiving Holiday

Hunt PTO Update 11/1/15

Hey There Hunt Families - You survived back to school, Fall sports and Halloween - now we're just cruising for a few weeks before the craziness starts up again.  Enjoy the lull!


Hunt School November Newsletter should be out this week - no link to post yet, but keep checking the school website!

___________________

Blogger still needed!  Looking for a parent to take over the blog through the end of the school year.  Skills include basic wordprocessing, familiarity with google apps/Blogger, decent grammer, interest in keeping families informed with Hunt happenings, ability to sleuth out information about what is happening at Hunt, with the PTO and other activities of interest to middle school families.  Time commitment per week is 1-2 hours.  Contact the PTO at huntmiddleschool@gmail.com (I would be happy to have a switchover meeting with the new blog person to help the transition go smoothly! Kate)

                                       ___________________

Did your child bring home a flyer for the Wreath Sale?  
selling Oct 22, 2015 to Nov 13, 2015

Teachers handed out order forms to students on 10/23 - check your child's backpack if you haven't seen it...  Still no form?  Contact Paula Henry (see below)

All orders due by November 13. Contact Paula Henry 865-2651 or the school 864-8469 if you would like to place an order, or have questions.  Wreaths will be delivered over the Thanksgiving holiday.

The PTO appreciates all parents support.  Contact the PTO if you are interested in helping out in any way. 

Wreaths and Specialty items can be viewed on the website  www.marksvtwreaths.com.

_______________

BSD BUDGET CONSULTATIONS - Now is a great time to contribute your thoughts and ideas about how BSD should be spending our taxpayer dollars...

It is that time of the year when we look at efficiencies within our District and how we can improve the organization as a whole. This year we are at the beginning of developing an interactive budget process that cycles a bit differently from previous years. We will need to prioritize our needs first, while meeting all mandated requirements before exploring the wants. 

This is your opportunity to contribute your thoughts and ideas - help us make it better. Get in on the ground floor, before we elevate the final recommendations to the Board. 

HOW DO YOU GET ENGAGED? ATTEND A BUDGET CONSULTATION.
November 4, 6:30, BHS cafeteria
November 5, 6:30, SA cafeteria

Visit www.bsdvt.org for upcoming details.

________________

Upcoming Events

11/6/15  Coffee and chat with Principals - 8:15
11/6/15 Hunt Dance - 7pm - CANCELLED

11/11/15 Hunt Play Production Meeting - ALL potential play/crew families invited!!!  - 6:30pm in the library
11/19/15 Hunt PTO Meeting - 6:30 in the Library
11/25,26 No School for Thanksgiving Holiday

Hunt PTO Update 10/25/15

Hey There Hunt Families -  Hope you were able to join Hunt last Thursday for the Harvest Dinner and to enjoy a delicious meal, great music and delightful company!  Special thanks to Deb Anger and Michelle Virun for their organization of such a massive event!  Also HUGE thanks to the School Food Project and Mr. Olzenack for the food and music that filled our spirits and bellies!

The PTO collected $150 from the movie ticket raffle and that money goes right back into Hunt school programs - thanks!

___________________

Most Likely to Succeed Make the time to see this movie!  It is inspiring to see what other schools are doing and really thought provoking....  What do we want for our children?  For Burlington schools?  From the Partnership for Change?

The final screening of this movie will be held at the Vermont International Film Festival on 10/31 at 12:45pm in the Main Street Landing Black Box Theatre.  Executive Producer, Ted Dintersmith, along with Vermont educators will sit for a panel discussion after the film.

For most of the last century, entry-level jobs were plentiful, and college was an affordable path to a fulfilling career. That world no longer exists. The feature-length documentary Most Likely to Succeed examines the history of education, revealing the growing shortcomings of our school model in todayʼs innovative world. Directed by acclaimed documentarian Greg Whiteley, the film has been named “among the best edu-documentaries ever produced” by Education Week, and called a “smart and engaging look at education in the 21st century” by The Hollywood Reporter. Film Threat stated that “this film should be a required course for all parents and educators.” Most Likely To Succeed is an official selection of many of the nation’s top film festivals, including the prestigious 2015 Sundance Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival. www.mltsfilm.org

                                    ___________________

Minutes from the October PTO meeting included at the end of this blog.  The November meeting will be held on Thursday, November 15 at 6:30 in the Library.  Come help keep the momentum going!  In October, we had parents sign on to be the Treasurer, lead the Wreath Sale and lead the Spring Pancake Breakfast/auction - Way to go Hunt families!

                                     __________________

ORDER ONLINE!!!  INNISBROOK GIFT WRAP FUNDRAISER

Hello Hunt Families, If you did not have a chance to request a fundraising booklet for our recent PTO fundraiser don't worry. There is still time to participate in the fundraiser and help benefit our school.

From now until 12/30/15 you are able to make purchases through the  Innisbrook company website and part of the proceeds will go directly to Hunt PTO.  If you have not had a chance to look at the wonderful products Innisbrook has to offer take a look. This is a great chance to purchase your seasonal  wrapping paper, buy some home items, or get a jump start on your holiday shopping while benefiting Hunt Middle School.  Just go to  www.innisbrook.com/user/159916 and begin shopping. You can choose to register for an account or checkout as a guest. If you use the link above you should not need to put in the school account. Our school account number is 159916 if you are asked. Any questions contact Jen L'Ecuyer at jlecuyer7@gmail.com/

_____________________

Thanks you to families that donated money at the Harvest Dinner towards Hunt Teacher/team projects. The tally so far:

• Solstice books: $15
• Solstice Flynn trip: $35
• Hunt Drama: $20
• Hunt Handicap Door: $12.80
• Hunt Library E-books: $56
• Music - Instruments: $27.15

We are still collecting to help teachers make these plans a reality!!! Your check can be sent into the office (envelope to Michelle Virun) Please make note where the money should go so it is deposited into that teachers' account.   Checks get made out to Hunt Middle School with the project name in the note line at bottom left

                                    ___________________

Blogger needed!  Looking for a parent to take over the blog through the end of the school year.  Skills include basic wordprocessing, familiarity with google apps, decent grammer, interest in keeping families informed with Hunt happenings, ability to sleuth out information about what is happening at Hunt, with the PTO and other activities of interest to middle school families.  Time commitment per week is 1-2 hours.  Contact the PTO at huntmiddleschool@gmail.com (I would be happy to have a switchover meeting with the new blog person to help the transition go smoothly! Kate)

                                       ___________________

The Annual Wreath Sale returns to Hunt!  just in time to save us from our fundraising blues...

Holiday Wreath Fundraiser for Hunt Middle School

Oct 22, 2015 to Nov 13, 2015

It's back! The popular time-honored tradition of neighborhood wreath sales is back! Lyman C. Hunt Middle School is selling high quality traditional Vermont-made Balsam holiday wreaths.

Purchase a wreath from an HMS student in your neighborhood. They look great on the front door of your home or place of business. Proceeds go toward supporting classrooms and projects in the school.

All orders due by November 13. Contact Paula Henry 865-2651 or the school 864-8469 if you would like to place an order, or have questions.

Wreaths will be delivered over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Note to Families!!!

(1) All homeroom teachers were instructed to hand out the flyer to all students on Friday 10/23, so parents should do some "backpack-diving"! 

(2) We are looking for street captains, for neighborhoods: Lakewood Estates, Ethan Allen Pkwy, Village Green, Far North end, and the Old North End.  Please email the PTO gmail if interested.

(3) the sales ad has been posted on all FPFs,  so everyone in the community will know about this great fundraiser. 

(4) HMS is the only school in the NNE doing the wreath fundraiser this year - great for us!!!!

 The PTO appreciates all parents support.  Contact the PTO if you are interested in helping out in any way. 

Wreaths and Specialty items can be viewed on the website  www.marksvtwreaths.com.

_______________

BURLINGTON SCHOOL DIST. BUDGET CONSULTATIONS

It is that time of the year when we look at efficiencies within our District and how we can improve the organization as a whole. This year we are at the beginning of developing an interactive budget process that cycles a bit differently from previous years. We will need to prioritize our needs first, while meeting all mandated requirements before exploring the wants. 

This is your opportunity to contribute your thoughts and ideas - help us make it better. Get in on the ground floor, before we elevate the final recommendations to the Board. 

HOW DO YOU GET ENGAGED? ATTEND A BUDGET CONSULTATION.
November 4, 6:30, BHS cafeteria
November 5, 6:30, SA cafeteria

Visit www.bsdvt.org for upcoming details.

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Upcoming Events

10/27,28,29/15 District Community Forum with Superintendent, Yaw Obeng -

Tuesday, October 27, 6:30- Champlain Elem School

Wednesday, October 28, 6:30, Burl High School

Thursday, October 29, 6:30PM, Hunt Middle School

10/27/15 Hunt Ipad Rollout/Celebration - 5:30-7:30pm

11/6/15 Hunt Dance - 7pm

11/11/15 Hunt Play Production Meeting - ALL potential play/crew families invited!!!  - 6:30pm in the library

October 2015 PTO Meeting Minutes

 Timekeeper will keep the meeting to 1 hour going forward

 Community Harvest Dinner – Opportunities to sign up for stations, see blog, Ms. Anger, or Paula. Families & friends are welcome to attend, lots of good food and musical entertainment.  PTO will take advantage of the large parent crowd, and set up a table with the Go-Fund-Me display.  Volunteers are needed to work shifts at the table. This will be put out on the blog.

 Open House wrap-up – Parent showing at Sept 24 event was low.  We hope to see many parents at the Harvest dinner next week.  

 Former Treasurer, Dasha, has handed over all files.  We are in need of a new Treasurer. Please consider this opportunity to support the PTO.  Kathy Rossman expressed an interest, and will talk 

 Budget Variance Report was discussed.

 Jen  L’Equyer will check into renewal of PTO Tax ID# application (last used 2010), cost associated?

 If fundraising is very successful this year, we will be able to consider donating to teams as we have done in the past.   Len supports this. 

 Innisbrook wrapping paper fundraiser is done. Of the 393 students, 30 packets went out to students.  Jen is tallying the results. Estimate a profit of ~$700.  She will let us know when the final numbers come in from the company.

 Go-Fund-Me project had a poor showing the night of Open House.  We collected only $56.  Projects submitted by staff to date total over $4,200.   Will have a table again at upcoming Harvest dinner.  Kathy Rossman volunteered to look into the Handicap Door project submitted by Len.

 Wreath fundraiser coming up later this month.  Paula & Patrick Henry will  head up this fundraiser, will need neighborhood/street leaders.  Flier/order form will be available at Harvest dinner.  Key dates:  10/22 Rollout, 11/15 orders due to Mark’s Wreaths, Thanksgiving weekend wreaths delivered to HMS.  Will look into using the school for this, due to large space needed.   Will need a team of volunteers to decorate and assist with final delivery.  

 Shutterfly opportunity presented by Jen L’Equyer.  We sign up our school on the website, and receive 13% of all purchases made, runs for one year.  Jen will proceed with this opportunity.

 P-T conferences, had a good turnout Oct 8-9. Teachers continue to be available for parents.

 Harvest dinner- Oct 22, huge event for the school, good food, entertainment, community involvement.  450 attended in 2014-15.  Len will check with Sara on City Market volunteers, and with BHS on student volunteers.  Paula will get volunteer to walk around with movie ticket raffle, as this brought in ~$300 last year.  4 movie tickets donated .

 iPad rollout set for Oct 27 afternoon-evening.  Information packets coming home 10/19 in student backpacks explaining rollout, and AlertNow going out. Student tech teams doing parent workshops!  All effort being made to alert & educate parents.  Alternate drop-off sites around the community being investigated.  Issue of theft was discussed, and measures to discourage it.

 Canvas rollout underway.  Information station will be set up for parents at the iPad rollout 10/17.

 Need for additional playtime during the school day –Bella Nadworny.  With reduction in PE, this is an issue for kids who need to move.  Suggestions: view movie at BHS Wed 6:30 “Most Likely to Succeed”, speak to other like-minded parents,  tap into Staff trained in Mindfulness,  take advantage of available time in daily homeroom, after lunch, downtime in classroom between subjects, and After-School program offerings.

 T-shirt fundraising opportunity – Carol McCleary.  A local company used by CPSmith, can design a logo for us and print them on Tshirts.  They can be sold at the HMS store.  Idea was met with enthusiasm by the team, Carol will look into for next year!

Our next meeting is November 19 


Submitted by Paula Henry