Hunt PTO Update
January 7th, 2015
What's happening at HUNT this week and next?
Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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5
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8
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9
Coffee with the Principals |
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12
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13
Boys Basketball with Tuttle Girls B-ball @ Tuttle |
14
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15
Boys B-ball with Browns River Girls B-ball @ Browns River PTO Meeting |
16
End of Quarter 2 |
Boys B-
Boys B-Ball @ Charlotte
Girls B-Ball w/ Charlotte |
| 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!
http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=a9c3fd1369cfb31163e7e2320&id=7803346752&e=9325e47d3b
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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!
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| 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 20th-Thursday January 22nd. 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 20th. 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 16th 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.
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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:
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 .
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 .
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An invite from the Hunt administration to YOU...
Parent Coffee
YOU ARE INVITED!
Principal/Parent Coffee
Friday, January 9th, 2015 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, Jan. 9th, 8:10am.
Friday, Jan. 9th, 8:10am.
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There will also be a few short presentations by teachers who are doing Mindfulness practices in their classrooms.Mark Your CalendarsA presentation on Mindfulness by Marilyn Webb NeagleyWednesday, January 21, 2015Hunt Library - 6:30 PM
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...)
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!
Calendar Listings:
- January 9th - Coffee with the Principals
- January 12 - HairSpray Sign-ups begin
- January 15 - PTO meeting
- January 16 - End of Quarter 2, Hairspray being shown afterschool 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
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