Hunt PTO Update, 1/28/2015

Hope everyone is enjoying the SNOW!

Hunt PTO Update

January 28th, 2015

What's happening at HUNT this week and next?

Please check the HUNT activities calendar on the website for up-to-the-minute updates!

http://hunt.bsdvt.org/   

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
26 Report Cards  Go Home	27 HairSpray Rehearsals BEGIN!  Read through: 3:15-5 Boys B-ball w/EMS Girls B-ball @ EMS	28	29 Both Boys and Girls B-Ball with/at Hinesburg- CANCELED Ninth Grade Parent Information Night at BHS Superintendent Interviews - Hunt MS at 6:30	30
2	3 Girls B-ball w/ Edmunds Boys B-ball @ Edmunds	4	5 Girls B-ball w/ Tuttle Boys B-ball @ Tuttle	6 Coffee w/ the Principals

Burlington School District Superintendent Candidate Interviews this week!!!!

From Patrick Halladay, Burlington School Board Chair

The Ad Hoc Superintendent Search Committee and the Superintendent Search Advisory Committee are happy to announce that finalists for the Burlington School District superintendent will be coming to Burlington next week. The superintendent finalists will be interviewed by students, staff, and community members. Here is some information about interview opportunities.


Community members will meet and interview the superintendent finalists at Hunt Middle School on Thursday, January 29 at 6:30pm. Community members should contact Brian Cina to submit questions, volunteer to read questions, or get more information.

Students will meet and interview the superintendent finalists at Burlington High School on Friday, January 30 at 1:30 PM. We currently have the Student Consultancy Seminar at BHS working with the Board to plan the interview, and principals from all schools have been invited to send student delegations.

Burlington School District staff members will meet and interview the superintendent finalists at Hunt Middle School on Friday, January 30 at 3:30pm. Staff members should contact Brian Cina to submit questions, volunteer to read questions, or help with the planning. Ideally, every Burlington school will have representatives at the interview.

Brian Cina, bcina@bsdvt.org, is the contact person for questions or input about any of the above interviews. Thanks!

Important BHS update for current 8th grade families:

Parents and guardians of 8th graders are invited to a Ninth Grade Parent Information Night on Thursday, January 29th.  A letter was recently mailed out to all families.  9‐11th grade BHS students will sign up for classes in mid‐February. More information will be made available to students and families after Friday, January 23rd.

The showing of Miss Representation, a film on the impact of media on girls, is now scheduled for 7:00 on Thursday, February 5th,  at BHS.

**Save the date for Hunt's Annual Dance Party!! Saturday, March 7th**

Dance party at St. John's Club on Saturday, March 7th, 7-11pm to benefit the Hunt Middle School Drama Club  Adults Only! Suggested donation $20 per person/$30 per couple and includes delicious appetizers and desserts. Cash bar with great prices, 50/50 raffle, and silent auction. All proceeds benefit the middle school production of Hair Spray. This dance party is a blast and ALL adults are welcome, not just parents of students in the play!! Contact Bella Nadworny, bella@bellabueno.com for ticket purchase, to make a donation to the Silent Auction, or for more information. Come support the arts!

                                                                     

     Calendar Listings:

• January 29 - Ninth Grade Parent Information Night at BHS
• January 29 - Meet and interview Superintendent finalists at HMS, 6:30 pm
• February 5th - Miss Representation, 7 pm, at BHS
• February 6th - Coffee with the Principals
• February 9 - Hunt Drama Production Meeting for Hairspray - 6:30 pm, library
• February 13 - School Dance - 7pm
• February 19 - Hunt PTO meeting - 6:30
• February 23-27 Winter Break - no school!
• March 7 - Adult Dance Party at the St. John's Club - 7-11pm

Hunt PTO Update, 1/21/15

Hunt PTO Update

January 21st, 2015

What's happening at HUNT this week and next?

Please check the HUNT activities calendar on the website for up-to-the-minute updates!

http://hunt.bsdvt.org/   

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
19 MLK Day No School	20 Boys B-ball w Colchester Girls B-ball @ Colchester	21 Girls B-ball w/ ADL Boys B-ball @ ADL Mindfulness Pres. with Marilyn Neagley	22   HairSpray Auditions 3:15	23 HairSpray Auditions 3:15 Girls B-ball w/ Camel's Hump Boys B-ball @ Camel's Hump
26 Report Cards  Go Home	27 HairSpray Rehearsals BEGIN!  Read through: 3:15-5 Boys B-ball w/EMS Girls B-ball @ EMS	28	29 Both Boys and Girls B-Ball with/at Hinesburg- CANCELED Ninth Grade Parent Information Night at BHS	30

                                 

***

HairSpray Auditions THISweek!

Play Update:

The audition days/ times for all students for Hunt's Production of HairSpray will be:

Friday 1/23 3:15-4:45 Singing with Ashley

ALL permission slips need to be in on Friday!!!!

Thanks!

Also, if you would be interested in volunteering for any aspect of the production we would welcome your assistance!  There are many ways to get involved including: helping during rehearsals, providing rides home from rehearsal, backstage, hair/makeup, set construction, sound board and fundraising etc.  Please contact Kate Belluche (huntmiddleschool@gmail.com) or Colby Kervick (ctkervick@gmail.com) if you would be interested in volunteering. 

Important BHS update for current 8th grade families:

Parents and guardians of 8th graders are invited to a Ninth Grade Parent Information Night on Thursday, January 29th.  A letter was recently mailed out to all families.  9‐11th grade BHS students will sign up for classes in mid‐February. More information will be made available to students and families after Friday, January 23rd.

The showing of Miss Representation, a film on the impact of media on girls, is now scheduled for 7:00 on Thursday, February 5th,  at BHS.

**Save the date for Hunt's Annual Dance Party!! Saturday, March 7th**

Dance party at St. John's Club on Saturday, March 7th, 7-11pm to benefit the Hunt Middle School Drama Club  Adults Only! Suggested donation $20 per person/$30 per couple and includes delicious appetizers and desserts. Cash bar with great prices, 50/50 raffle, and silent auction. All proceeds benefit the middle school production of Hair Spray. This dance party is a blast and ALL adults are welcome, not just parents of students in the play!! Contact Bella Nadworny, bella@bellabueno.com for ticket purchase, to make a donation to the Silent Auction, or for more information. Come support the arts!

                                                                     

Burlington School District Announcements

Interested in Running for School Board Commissioner?
January 14, 2015

Election Day is March 3, 2015
1. Determine which Ward or District you represent

2. Visit http://www.burlingtonvt.gov/CT/Elections to print out the Consent of Candidate for your Ward or District

3. Collect a minimum of 30 signatures from voters registered in the Ward or District you represent

4. Turn in your completed Consent of Candidate with signatures to the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 149 Church Street in Burlington by 5PM on Monday, January 26 to ensure your name is on the official ballot

Need more information, have questions, looking for support? CLICK HERE.

Hunt PTO Update 1/14/2015

Hunt PTO Update

January 14th, 2015

What's happening at HUNT this week and next?

Please check the HUNT activities calendar on the website for up-to-the-minute updates!

http://hunt.bsdvt.org/   

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
12	13 Boys Basketball  with Tuttle Girls B-ball @ Tuttle		15 Boys B-ball with Browns River Girls B-ball @ Browns River Title 1 Parent Meeting in Library PTO Meeting 6:30pm	16 End of Quarter 2 After school movie of HairSpray 3:15-5:15 Library
19 MLK Day No School	20 Boys B-ball w Colchester Girls B-ball @ Colchester	21 Girls B-ball w/ ADL Boys B-ball @ ADL Mindfulness Pres. with Marilyn Neagley	22   HairSpray Auditions 3:15	23 HairSpray Auditions 3:15 Girls B-ball w/ Camel's Hump Boys B-ball @ Camel's Hump

2015!

Be sure to check out the very latest 

Hunt January newsletter here:

  http://hunt.bsdvt.org/   

Come welcome our new PTO President, Paula Henry at the  meeting TONIGHT- January 15, 2015 at 6:30 in the library. 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!

***

HairSpray Auditions next week!

Sign-ups for Hunt’s Musical production of HairSpray in collaboration with Very Merry Theatre began on Monday January 12th! Sign-ups are located across from the office.

Play Update:

The audition days/ times for all students for Hunt's Production of HairSpray will be:

Thursday 1/22 3:15-4:30 Acting with Don

Friday 1/23 3:15-4:45 Singing with Ashley

Students need to make sure to turn in their permission slips no later than Tuesday January 20th (ideally by Friday 1/16).

Thanks!

Also, if you would be interested in volunteering for any aspect of the production we would welcome your assistance!  There are many ways to get involved including: helping during rehearsals, providing rides home from rehearsal, backstage, hair/makeup, set construction, sound board and fundraising etc.  Please contact Kate Belluche (huntmiddleschool@gmail.com) or Colby Kervick (ctkervick@gmail.com) if you would be interested in volunteering. 

There will be a special showing of the recent movie version of Hairspray (which was based on the Broadway Musical), afterschool in the Hunt Library on Friday January 16^th from 3:15-5:30 pm.  Students attending must arrange their own transportation home.  This is a great opportunity for students to learn more about the show’s story prior to going to auditions.  Here is a link to the movie review of HairSpray by Common Sense Media.  It is a PG rated movie:  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/hairspray-2007#

 *Remember, all students will get a part and can have opportunities to audition for a solo.  

**Save the date for Hunt's Annual Dance Party!! Saturday, March 7th**

Dance party at St. John's Club on Sat., March 7th, 7-11pm to benefit the Hunt Middle School Drama Club  Adults Only! Suggested donation $20 per person/$30 per couple and includes delicious appetizers and desserts. Cash bar with great prices, 50/50 raffle, and silent auction. All proceeds benefit the middle school production of Hair Spray. This dance party is a blast and ALL adults are welcome, not just parents of students in the play!! Contact Bella Nadworny, bella@bellabueno.com for ticket purchase, to make a donation, or for more information. Come support the arts!

 ***

Monday, January 19th is the Martin Luther King, Jr., Day holiday and there is no school.

Remember that MLK Day is a day on, and not a day off.  

For information on what's happening in Burlington on MLK Day, 2015, please visit The Greater Burlington Multitcultural Resource Center at  http://gbmrc.org/ 

Sunday, January 18th, 3 pm at the Unitarian Church

Information on the University of Vermont's MLK events for 2015 can be found at: http://www.uvm.edu/~hrdma/mlk/?Page=default.html

***

Voter Guide

The Partnership for Change has prepared a voter guide to help parents and families to understand the changes in how City of Burlington and School Board officials are elected this coming March.   
Take a look at: 

http://partnershipvt.org/our‐progress/school‐board‐commissioner‐voter‐information   
For more information on the 2015 Burlington School Board Commissioner Election Info from Partnership for Change:

http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=a9c3fd1369cfb31163e7e2320&id=7803346752&e=9325e47d3b  

                                                                           ***

Burlington School Board Approves Slight Budget Increase

On Tuesday night, the Burlington school board approved a $68.6 million budget for the 2016 fiscal year, which is 1.75 percent higher than the current year's spending plan. The increase in the tax rate — which might change when the state rate is finalized — would be roughly 2.4 percent. 

The final decision rests with Burlington residents, who will vote on it on March 3.

More details are available from Seven Days:

http://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2015/01/14/burlington-school-board-approves-slight-budget-increase#more

Burlington School District Announcements

Interested in Running for School Board Commissioner?
January 14, 2015

Election Day is March 3, 2015
1. Determine which Ward or District you represent

2. Visit http://www.burlingtonvt.gov/CT/Elections to print out the Consent of Candidate for your Ward or District

3. Collect a minimum of 30 signatures from voters registered in the Ward or District you represent

4. Turn in your completed Consent of Candidate with signatures to the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 149 Church Street in Burlington by 5PM on Monday, January 26 to ensure your name is on the official ballot

Need more information, have questions, looking for support? CLICK HERE.

Hunt PTO Update, 1/7/2015

Hunt PTO Update

January 7th, 2015

What's happening at HUNT this week and next?

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
5	6  Boys B-  Boys B-Ball @ Charlotte  Girls B-Ball w/ Charlotte		8 Boys B-Ball w/Mater Christi	9 Coffee with the Principals
12	13 Boys Basketball  with Tuttle Girls B-ball @ Tuttle	14	15 Boys B-ball with Browns River Girls B-ball @ Browns River PTO Meeting	16 End of Quarter 2

2015!

Be sure to check out the very latest 

Hunt January newsletter here:

http://hunt.bsdvt.org/  

As we are all experiencing, the temperature is plummeting rapidly and dangerously low wind chills are expected.   Frostbite can set in quickly, so if you need to be outside, make sure all exposed skin is covered up.

From WCAX:  Make sure your pets (including rabbits) are inside, livestock has good solid shelter, and check on neighbors who may need assistance during this brutal cold snap.  Everyone stay safe in these challenging conditions!

***

Come welcome our new PTO President, Paula Henry at the next meeting on January 15, 2015 at 6:30 in the library. 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!

***

HairSpray Sign-ups and Auditions coming up soon!

Sign-ups for Hunt’s Musical production of HairSpray in collaboration with Very Merry Theatre will begin on Monday January 12th!

Auditions for the play are Tuesday January 20^th-Thursday January 22^nd.  Students who are interested in being a part of the production (acting and crew) should sign up outside the office and bring home an information packet, which includes a mandatory permission slip that should be signed and returned to school.

All students must have parent/guardian permission in order to attend auditions on Tuesday January 20^th.  Also, if you would be interested in volunteering for any aspect of the production we would welcome your assistance!  There are many ways to get involved including: helping during rehearsals, providing rides home from rehearsal, backstage, hair/makeup, set construction, sound board and fundraising etc.  Please contact Kate Belluche (huntmiddleschool@gmail.com) or Colby Kervick (ctkervick@gmail.com) if you would be interested in volunteering. 

There will be a special showing of the recent movie version of Hairspray (which was based on the Broadway Musical), afterschool in the Hunt Library on Friday January 16^th from 3:15-5:30 pm.  Students attending must arrange their own transportation home.  This is a great opportunity for students to learn more about the show’s story prior to going to auditions.  Here is a link to the movie review of HairSpray by Common Sense Media.  It is a PG rated movie:  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/hairspray-2007#

 *Remember, all students will get a part and can have opportunities to audition for a solo.  

 ***

Voter Guide

The Partnership for Change has prepared a voter guide to help parents and families to understand the changes in how City of Burlington and School Board officials are elected this coming March.   
Take a look at: 
http://partnershipvt.org/our‐progress/school‐board‐commissioner‐voter‐information  

For more information on the 2015 Burlington School Board Commissioner Election Info from Partnership for Change:

http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=a9c3fd1369cfb31163e7e2320&id=7803346752&e=9325e47d3b 

School News: F16 Budget

From Ward 3 school commissioner, Liz Curry:

This posting was partially composed by the School District finance committee Chair, Miriam Stoll:

Interim Superintendent Smith will present his proposed F16 budget at the School Board meeting and public forum this Tuesday, January 6, at 7 pm in the Burlington High School Cafeteria. In accordance with a request from the Finance Committee, he will present two budget scenarios: one that represents a 2% increase over the current fiscal year budget and a second budget scenario that represents a 1.5% increase over the current FY budget. The 1.5% is equal to the rate of inflation in the Northeast (1.5%).


The budget proposals were developed collaboratively with senior staff and building administrators in a compressed timeline. The District's new Finance Director carefully constructed the proposed $68.7M (2% increase) and $68.4M (1.5% increase) budget scenarios after establishing current fiscal year costs more accurately than has been done in previous years.

Dr. Smith used these guidelines when developing the budget:

• What are the needs of students and staff that should be addressed via a school budget?

• What kinds of resources are required to effectively promote student and staff success?

• What kinds of organizational structures are required to operate more efficiently?


The budget proposal is designed to improve efficiencies and learning outcomes while containing costs. Some highlights are:

• Reallocation of some teaching support staff currently focused only on special education to positions in which they can serve a greater range of students determined by need rather than by label.

• Creation of specialized teaching positions that will provide direct service to students and coaching to teachers in order to improve literacy and math instruction and outcomes.

• Enhancement of behavior support programs at the elementary and middle without increasing personnel or cost.

• An efficiency oriented shift in central office staffing that results in a net reduction of 5 administrative/non-instructional positions.

• Carefully thought out reductions and/or consolidations in some classes at the middle and high school level without markedly reducing the breadth of offerings or increasing class sizes beyond state guidelines; a number of the teaching positions that will be eliminated will be done through attrition due to retirements.

If you would like to learn more about the proposed budget scenarios before the public hearing on Tuesday, please let me know and I would be happy to e-mail to you a slide show depicting budget details. The budget presentation will also be posted by Monday, January 5, on the revamped Budget page on the District website,www.district.bsd.schoolfusion.us/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=312222 .