Hunt Middle School Blog - May 22, 2016

 

Hunt Middle School  
 

End of the Year is Coming!

 

The end of the school year is upon us.
 

Make sure to review everything as there is a lot going on as the 8th graders approach moving on to high school.



 

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May 2016 PTO Meeting Minutes

 

District Communication Report – Jen L’Equyer

Jen will be the HMS liaison for the Committee: Support our Burlington Schools. She will continue to attend all of their meetings, decipher the information, and relay it to the PTO for distribution to our community. There is a lot of information out there on the web, and we need to be prudent about what is authentic.

 

Open Forum

(1) Clarification on Languages affected for 2016-2017: The Language teachers are shared between HMS and EMS. Grade 7/8 will continue with French ; Spanish, offered every other day. There will be no World Culture Languages offered for grade 6. Also, the experimental French Extension class offered this year will be discontinued. Len is working on getting a Grant for some coding to replace this. The only other position affected at HMS is our Librarian. Will need to wait until next week, when all District contracts have been turned in to see how the bumping works. We hope to keep him!

 (2) iPad collection prior to summer: ALL student iPads must be turned in on June 1! The only exceptions are students with particular academic needs as determined by their Special Educator, which must be

submitted to Len for approval. There are stiff consequences for students who do not return them.

(3) Financial update from the District: (see above)

(4) Digital Day for parents: This is on the calendar for May 26, but will not be happening. The school

calendar is full, and this conflicts with an event at BHS. Instead, there will be a Digital Survey coming out
next week. This will give parents the opportunity to give input on what they liked/did not like about their
child’s iPad use this year. Len and his team will restructure the iPad student use next year based largely
on this input. There will be more controls and less free access to non-academic material. We will
continue with our 2nd year with Digital Promise next year.

(5) Our new Assistant Principal: is Ms. Mattie Scheidt! She comes to us from the Milton School District, but has worked in the Burlington schools in the past (Flynn and Edmunds). Like Len, she is the parent of a

Middle Schooler, so we are in good company! She will begin officially on July 1, and we got a chance to
meet her and give her a warm welcome at the meeting.

(6) Gardening: it’s that time of year! This is in full swing, with weeding, transplanting, and mulching. Len is

checking with the District on a mulch delivery this year. Any parent interested in helping out in the
gardens, is welcome! Contact the PTO email and let us know!

President’s Report – Paula Henry

Retiring: There are (2) staff retiring next month: Mr. Amato and Mr. Rock. We discussed doing something for them in recognition of their years of service, and presenting at the 8th grade Graduation June 8. Ideas are welcome!

New members: Looking to get lots of new members next year, and anyone interested in taking on a leadership role. We will attend the 6:30 May 24 incoming 6th grade Parent information session, and pass around a sign-up. Paula will give a short presentation. Other members of PTO are welcome to attend!

 Treasurer’s Report – Paula Henry for Kathy Rossman

Current checkbook balance is $9,061 (part of which is restricted funds). This includes a $394 deposit made

following the 2 concert bake sales; raffle. To date, the PTO has paid out $732 to reimburse staff for the $200 Team Reimbursement program. There remains another $1,468 to pay out that the PTO has committed to Teams.

An email was sent May 19 to all staff, reminding them of this funding program which extends until the end of the school year.

 Fundraising Update – Paula Henry

Our last big push is coming up this Wednesday May 25 during the Choral Concert. We will be hosting 3

fundraising events! Another BAKE SALE, the annual PLANT SALE and most importantly the RAFFLE.

(1) We need lots of parents to fill the bake sale tables with goodies (Paula will monitor the sign-up genius)

and man the table. There will be lots and lots of kids and families attending this event, and we can
provide much needed refreshments for them.

(2) The plant sale is back, and will begin at 5pm out front of the school. We have a core team of gardeners

who will be transplanting lots of donated plants into donated pots over this weekend. We are still taking
both donations. If you have an interest in helping out with the plant sale, please email the PTO at
huntmiddleschool@gmail.com.

(3) Lastly, we will hold our newest fundraiser, the Raffle, for this final night and will do the drawings that

evening. Winners do not need to be present to win. Lots of good items donated from local businesses,
and this is an opportunity to raise funds for HMS students and teachers. Please participate! If you would
like a flier on what is available, please email the PTO.

Principal’s Report – Len Phelan

SBACs and NECAPs are done! Students did a great job!

Len introduced our new Assistant Principal, Ms. Mattie, and is looking forward to working with her.

The Digital Survey will be coming out next week, and is a very important piece in the One:One iPad program.

VERY BUSY school calendar for the remainder of the year!

Mon May 23

8th grade class picture (NOT the plant sale as shown on the website calendar)

Tues May 24

6:30 Incoming 5th grade parent Informational meeting (PTO participation)

Wed May 25 5:00

Plant Sale (PTO)

6:30 Bake Sale and Raffle (PTO)

7:00 Chorus Concert

Thurs May 26

Hawaiian Day, with themed clothing and a lunch

Fri May 27

11:30 dismissal for all students, due to incoming 5th graders Step-Up day

Wed Jun 1

*** iPad return day***

See Len’s May 12 memo that came home with all students

10:15 Chorus walks to Heineberg Senior Center for a mini concert

Fri Jun 3

8th grade field trip to the Great Escape in Queensbury, NY (all day trip)

Tue Jun 7

Picnic day, last day of school for 8th graders

Wed Jun 8

11:30 dismissal for grades 6-7

1:00 8th grade Graduation, followed by reception in the cafeteria

7:00 – 9:00 8th grade dance

Thurs Jun 9

11:30 early dismissal, last day of school for Grade 6-7

 

Thank you parents and staff for another great school year!

 

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Important Additional Information

 

(1) If you or your child has been unhappy during this recent school year as a result of the loss of the Healthy Living teacher and subsequent combining of PE and Health, which is offered every other day, the PTO encourages you to write a letter to the Burlington School District Superintendent's office.  We strongly believe that Middle Schooler's need both PE and the Healthy Living class, at this critical time in their lives.  If we were to get a half-time PE teacher position approved by the District, then HMS could return to offering students both PE and Healthy Living.  We need to support our school!

(2) Please watch for a digital survey for parents, coming out from Len Phelan next week.  This will be your chance to weigh  in on how you feel about your child's iPad experience during the  2015-2016 school year. 

(3) If families need more graduation tickets, please contact Len Phelan at 864-8469.

(4) For important information about all end of the school year events and dates, please go to the end o the PTO Meeting Minutes just above this section.

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