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!

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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!

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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

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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  

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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.

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Mark Your Calendars

A presentation on Mindfulness by Marilyn Webb Neagley

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Hunt Library - 6:30 PM

            There will also be a few short presentations by teachers who are doing Mindfulness practices in their classrooms.

Why 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. 

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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...)

Checks made out to the Hunt PTO can be sent into the office in an envelope marked for the PTO..   Thanks for your generosity!

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     Calendar Listings:

• January 15 - Title 1 meeting for Parents in Library, 5:30 pm
• January 15 - PTO meeting, 6:30 pm 
• January 16 - End of Quarter 2, HairSpray being shown after school in the library
• January 19th - MLK Day - No School
• January 21st - A presentation on Mindfulness by Marilyn Webb Neagley
• January 20-22 - HairSpray auditions
• January 26 - Report cards go home
• March 7 - Adult Dance Party at the St. John's Club - 7-11pm