Hunt Middle School Blog - December 18, 2016

 

Hunt Middle School Blog

December 18, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hunt Happenings

 

Our school concert series ends with our HMS Orchestra concert on Wednesday, December 21.

This last concerts promise to be great, is open to the public and begin at 7:00 P.M.

We hope you can attend.

Important Upcoming Dates:

December 21-HMS Orchestra Concert-7:00 P.M.

December 22-Holiday Vacation Begins-3:15 P.M.

 

No Dance in December

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday vacation!

 

 

 

News from the Hunt Drama Program

 

Stay tuned as we will be sending out information soon about our January production meeting where we will officially get things launched for Willy Wonka and enlist volunteers to help us with all the different aspects of the production! 

We have some exciting news to share about a new class offering through Hunt's after school program:

 

Be on the look out for the sign up packet for the next session of after school program offerings.  The session begins the week of January 9th and we are pleased to announce that there will be a "Stage craft, Set and Prop making class".  If your child loves to make art this is the class for them.  It will be led by a very talented local artist Stephanie Zuppo who will be guiding the kids in making set pieces and props specifically for Willy Wonka.  It will be offered Thursday afternoons and run until February break.  The good news is that it won't conflict with any Wonka rehearsals. Auditions for the play will happen January 31/February1 and rehearsals will be M, T,W and some Fridays.

 

 *Please note that we will have a separate class offered after February break specifically for students who want to be part of the stage crew for the performances.  So even if your child is not sure whether they want to be in the show or do stage crew, they are welcome to sign up for this stage craft class now!  

 

 On the Fundraising Front:

 

Please share our link to our "go fund me" page:  

https://www.gofundme.com/huntwillywonka

We need to spread the word to friends and family who would be willing to make a contribution.  Right now we've raised $270.00 but we'd love to see that climb!   Please share on social media or cut/paste the link and email to those you think may be willing to help us out!

 

Mark your calendars for February 11th for our Adult Dance Party at the St. John's Club.  We are looking for volunteers to join the planning committee for that event.  It will include a silent auction.  If you would be willing to help organize this fun evening, please send us an email at: 

 

  huntdramaclub@gmail.com



 

 

Hunt Middle School Blog - December 4, 2016

 

Hunt Middle School Blog

December 4, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

PTO Principal’s Report

December 2016

 

Hunt Happenings

 

Greetings!
We are about to begin our Winter Concert Series at Lyman C. Hunt Middle School with our musical performance groups holding concerts on 3 successive Wednesday evenings this month.

This exciting time kicks off on Wednesday, December 7 with our HMS Chorus Concert.
Our school band concert follows Wednesday, December 14, and the concert series culminates with our HMS Orchestra concert on Wednesday, December 21.
All three concerts promise to be great, are open to the public and begin at 7:00 P.M.
Please consider attending one or more of these shows to see the remarkable work our student musicians are doing with our
talented faculty members from the music department.

 

We are asking that any families who have not shifted their HMS students’ school registration information into our our new online system through PowerSchool/InfoSnap do so now.
This new system has already proven to be a great timesaver for parents and guardians.
Once you have entered your HMS student’s important information there will be little to no need to keep repetitively filling out paper school registration forms at the beginning of each school year. Information is filled in only once, then is quickly verified by you on an annual basis.
More information on this helpful system may be found on our HMS website, or by calling our guidance department
at (802) 864-8470.

 

Our HMS basketball teams have been practicing and are gearing up for another exciting season of hoop competition.

Our home season kicks off on the afternoon of December 8th with the HMS Lady Panthers taking on Browns River Middle School here at HMS.

Our boys teams begin their season away at BRMS on the same day. Most weeks we host two to three afternoons of basketball games per week.

Please come on out to support our basketball teams, I know they would appreciate the support of a big home crowd!

 

This month’s Hunt Middle School Heroes are the fantastic and talented teachers of our Music Department who have been hard at
work with our students for the last several months to teach and prepare our student musicians for this month’s Winter Concert Series.

So congratulations to Mr. Michael Hakim, Mr. Tim Korman, Mr. Craig Olzenak and Mrs. Jennifer O’Neill for their great work with their students which has earned them the title of Hunt Middle School Heroes for the month of December 2016.

 

Happy holidays to all and I look forward to seeing you around school soon!

 

Hunt Middle School Blog - November 14, 2016

Hunt Middle School Blog - November 14, 2016

PTO Meeting Cancelled

The monthly PTO meeting scheduled for Thursday evening 11/17 has been cancelled, due to a scheduling conflict. 

Running in its place is a District Strategic Planning Forum at Hunt at 7:00. 

 
All families are invited to participate in this important forum.

Board Adopts Resolution Reaffirming Central Principles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 11, 2016

Burlington, Vermont — Last night, the School Board adopted a Resolution reaffirming its central principles after the occurrence of offensive Facebook posts by a School Commissioner. 

The Resolution is posted at www.bsdvt.org.

Media Contact:

Stephanie Seguino
Vice Chair, Burlington Board of School Commissioners
sseguino@bsdvt.org 
802.999.0657

Have you ordered your Holiday wreath yet?

It's that time of year again!

HMS is again offering beautiful Vermont made balsam wreaths for sale in time for the holidays. 

This year, you can order your wreath online, pay with a credit card, and have your order shipped direct to your home!

Go to the website www.VTWreaths.com, and use the Group Code: hms.

This link will be open for ordering until 11/25, and all products will be delivered 12/5-12/9.

Thank you for supporting the HMS PTO!

Reminder

Don’t forget – there is no school week November 21-25.

You can also schedule your Parent-Teacher conference Monday or Tuesday of that week.

Chat with the Superintendent

Join Yaw Obeng for the second in a series of “Chat with the Superintendent” opportunities at local venues.

Different topics will be highlighted at each, the second being the FY18 Budget Development Process, to be held at Nunyun's Bakery & Cafe (139 N. Champlain St.) on November 15th from 8-9 a.m. 

Report Cards, etc.

 

This is a reminder to you that your children brought home their 1^st Quarter Report Cards last Friday, November 11th.

Please check in with your child. 

Also, SBAC (standardized test) score reports were mailed home last week. 

If you have any questions on these, please contact the office.

Hunt Middle School Blog - November 6, 2016

Hunt Middle School Blog - November 6, 2016

Parent Teacher Conferences

Please keep in mind we can do conferences all year long; we want to be available to update you on your student.   Conferences do NOT have to be on Nov 21st and 22nd. 

We have 400+ students in our school and it would be impossible to get everyone in on those 2 days. 

To make a conference for the 21st or 22nd you can try the following website:

https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Hunt_Middle 

otherwise please call Ms. Barcomb at 802-864-8470 for another date.

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Upcoming opportunities to engage with the Burlington School District

FY18 Budget Development Process

The Burlington School District has established a website to allow community members to follow the budget development process.

 

This website includes a tool for submitting your input at various stages in the process.

 

Currently, the District is soliciting ideas for content to include in its comprehensive budget document. Visit www.bsdvt.org - Budget tab on left side of main page.

In addition, please review the below timeline, with opportunities for public input noted in bold. 

• November 9
• Community Input Session: HMS Cafeteria, 7PM
• November 10
• School Board meeting – Public input opportunity: EMS Cafeteria, 7PM
• November 15
• Finance Committee meeting – Public input opportunity: Ira Allen Building, 7PM

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Chat with the Superintendent

Join Yaw Obeng for the second in a series of “Chat with the Superintendent” opportunities at local venues.

Different topics will be highlighted at each, the second being the FY18 Budget Development Process, to be held at Nunyun's Bakery & Cafe (139 N. Champlain St.) on November 15th from 8-9 a.m. 

 

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Basketball Signups

If your student missed the basketball signups on the 7th, please see Mr. Pecor in the Gym as soon as possible.

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From the Superintendents office

 

SAVE THE DATE! 

We invite the community to review the work done on the Burlington School District Strategic Plan thus far, and to provide further input into the future of Burlington Schools.

Please join us on Thursday, November 17th at 6 p.m. in the Hunt Middle School Cafeteria. 

Translation and childcare services will be provided.

Please RSVP to Phuket Jennings at pjenning@bsdvt.org or (802) 324-7872 with childcare needs.

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Annual Holiday Wreath Sale

 

The PTO is happy to announce that we are hosting the annual holiday Wreath fundraiser again this year.

Again this year, we have chosen a family-run business from Newport, VT that has been making balsam wreaths for many years.

This company offers ONLINE ordering and pay using a credit card!

Go to the link www.VTWreaths.com, and use the Group Code: HMS

Also new this year, the wreaths will ship direct to you!   If you cannot pay with a credit card, you can still order using the attached Order Form with check or cash, and bring it into the office.

Important Dates to remember:

• sales order forms due Saturday 11/12
• online orders will close 11/25 
• all deliveries 12/5-12/9

 Thank you for helping the PTO support our school!

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Got your Coupon Book?

The Coupon Book Fundraiser will start soon...

Please check the website and your child's backpack for more information very soon. 

These make great gifts and it is the Student Council's only fundraiser. 

The profits go to classroom supplies and projects throughout the school, and the 8th Grade trip in the spring.

Thank you for your very generous support of this fundraiser. 

It means so much to the kids.

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Teacher Help

Speaking of gifts, if you are trying to think of that "something special" you can get for your students team or teacher, the gift of classroom supplies are always welcomed and encouraged! 

Everything from pencils to tissues and gift cards are a huge help for every classroom. 

Or maybe promise to be a chaperone at your teams dance. 

Again thanks for your never ending support.



Hunt Middle School Blog - October 30, 2016

 

Hunt Middle School Blog - October 30, 2016

 

 

 

October PTO meeting minutes, 10/27/2016

 

President’s Report – Paula Henry

Harvest Dinner that was to be held this evening has been cancelled, due to lack of available staffing resources.  All acknowledged that this is a terrible disappointment and a loss to the school community.

Three to five volunteers are needed to help fill out our school’s Principal Profile form, distributed to all schools from the Superintendent’s office.  Any parent interested in working on this should contact the PTO at huntmiddleschool@gmail.com.

The PTO is still looking for a 6^th grade parent to step forward as a Treasurer “apprentice”. We will need a new Treasurer in place by next September.  Paula is currently filling this role (as well as President) but this is not a good idea, and she is an 8^th grade parent.  Any parent interested in finding out about the PTO Treasurer role should contact the PTO at huntmiddleschool@gmail.com.  Jen L’ecuyer has offered to communicate with 6^th grade teams, to see if any of those parents are interested.

Treasurer’s Report – Paula Henry

Very little financial activity since last month.  Our checking account balance, as of September 30^th  is $8,370.  Of this, $4,524 is unrestricted funds.  The 2016-17 budget was reviewed.  There are many fundraising opportunities, which we need parent volunteers to step forward and take on. 

The PTO agreed that the holiday wreath fundraiser is a community favorite but the vendor we use each year results in a very labor-intensive project.  Len found another local vendor who delivers finished wreaths directly to customers.  Paula will check into this to see if this is something we can take on.

New Business

At this time, our primary fundraiser is the HMS t-shirt sales.  The pre-orders were delivered to students earlier today, and we are preparing to sell more shirts at school shortly, once the school store is set-up and manned by the new Student Council.  Contact the PTO if you can’t wait and want to buy your shirt now!

Fall gardening is mostly done by Property Services.  Paula will clean out the planters.  Bella can help as needed.  All agreed that the students really appreciate the work done on the gardens in front of the school.

More fundraising opportunities

We are still looking for a team of volunteers to head up an online fundraiser which would allow parents to donate by credit card.  With the holidays approaching, we will repost information to families about our Shutterfly account.  Jen will give us an update next month.  We can also consider partnering with a local restaurant for a percentage of sales on a given night. 

The issue of Idling was raised again at this meeting.  A study was done by an outside group, and HMS was found to have very low emissions, due primarily to our lack of busing. However, we can still do better.  Increased signage and student/parent education was discussed.  Student produced videos could be linked to our website and shared as part of our Digital storytelling.  Bella will work with Len on this initiative.

Principal’s Report – Len Phelan

Mr. Phelan was sad to report the need to cancel the popular HMS Harvest dinner.  Unfortunately, the school schedule was such that the dinner could not be held this year.  We hope to be able to host this positive event in the future. 

He also mentioned that it is important for the community to support the Burlington School District in the upcoming months as the school district budget for the next school year is created.  Our district in intent on providing the most beneficial educational programming possible for the students of Burlington.

New $20,000 Grant, through the Verizon Charitable foundation, has been awarded to HMS!  A special thanks to Victor Prussak & Val Lodish for writing the grant.  The funds will be used to create a Makerspace in the library.  There will also be 9 STEM-themed carts that teachers can roll into their classrooms for hands-on learning!  Stay tuned for more exciting info on our future Makerspace!

This Friday, 11/4, marks the end of the first term, with Report Cards going home next Friday 11/11.  The school has changed the way it does Progress Reports, due to the CANVAS student grading system. All parents have access, real time, to their child’s assignments and grades.  If any parents are having trouble getting onto Canvas, please do not delay in contacting the school.  This is important information. 

Paper copies of Progress Reports will continue to go out if a student has a grade lower than a C in any subject.  Progress Reports are still available UPON REQUEST by any parent.  Please contact the school if you would like to receive a Progress Report.  Students look at their grades in CANVAS every Monday in homeroom, so ask your student how s/he is doing!

Parent-Teacher conferences will be held ALL Day MONDAY 11/21, and in the MORNING TUESDAY 11/22.  There is no school that entire week of Thanksgiving.  Please note: IF YOU WANT a P-T conference, please call or email the school’s Guidance office and let them know.  They will send you a link to schedule your conference online.  THE GUIDANCE OFFICE IS NOT CALLING ALL PARENTS TO SCHEDULE CONFERENCES.  YOU NEED TO CALL THE SCHOOL.  Scheduling has already started.  Conferences last 30 minutes and are with all of the teachers on your child’s team, all together at the table.  Unified Arts and Language conferences are separate.  A Connect5 robocall will go out soon, to let parents know.

 

 

Hunt Middle School Blog - October 23, 2016

Hunt Blog - October 23, 2016

 

 Good News

 

We're happy to report that a contract was agreed upon, the strike was avoided and all teachers are back to school! 

 



 

Fall Harvest Dinner Cancelled

 

 

Unfortunately the Hunt Middle School Harvest Dinner is cancelled for this year.

 

A series of unforeseen circumstances have rendered us unable to host this event this year.

 

We apologize for any inconvenience this causes.

  

 

 

Principal Notes

 

 

Dear Hunt Middle School Parent or Guardian:

 

Please be advised that we are changing our way of issuing progress reports due to our acquisition of the Canvas learning management system. Canvas is an online platform from which you can monitor your HMS student’s assignments and grades on an ongoing basis. In order to see your HMS student’s assignments and grades you will need to establish your own Canvas account. This may be easily accomplished by visiting the Hunt Middle School Website and filling out a brief online form. You will also need to have your HMS student’s log-in information. I have included instructions for setting up your Canvas account and linking it to your HMS student on the reverse side of this page.

 

 

Because grading information is now available on Canvas in real time, from this point forward we will not be issuing formal progress reports to all students. We will only be issuing formal progress reports to students who are receiving a grade of D or F in one or more classes. These reports are being mailed to students’ homes. We are very pleased to be providing this opportunity for parents and guardians to examine their student’s academic progress online at any time and are hopeful that the convenience and real-time availability of this information improves your family’s ability to partner with our school and teachers to support your HMS student’s academic success. Please feel free to contact our guidance office at (802) 864-8470 if you need any assistance in getting your Canvas account established. Thank you.

Very truly yours,

 

Len Phelan

Hunt Middle School Principal



 

 

 

 

                                        Office Notices

Conferences are to be scheduled during the Thanksgiving Week on Monday and Tuesday the 21st and 22nd.

 

We want to remind parents that they can have conferences with their child's teachers anytime, not just on Conference days. 

 

Please call the Guidance Office at 802-864-8470 to arrange a conference with their child's team teachers.

 

 

Reminder for Parents

 

 

We have many disabled children who need to come and go during the day. 

Parking in these spots without the proper placard is illegal and will be reported by the school.

 

 

           Updated PTO meeting

 

 

This Thursday night, October 27th, at 6:30 is our next PTO meeting to be held in the Hunt Library.

 

All Hunt parents are welcome to attend.

 

We really could a treasurer! If you would like to help, please let us know.

 

Everyone, please come and share your ideas with other HMS parents, and learn what is going on at the school and in the district.

 

We hope to see you there.