Recently, we received the results of our student climate survey which also compares results to 2007 and 2005. This survey was completed by every student in first through sixth grade by using a web link to survey monkey. It was, therefore, anonymous with the exception of first and second graders who had the questions read to each of them individually and coded into survey monkey by a Para educator. As you read through these, please note that the category with the ? was interpreted as either "sometimes" or "I don’t know". You will see that the vast majority of our students responded to most questions in the positive and in some areas we seemed to have improved over the last few years. In a few areas, the percent in the affirmative is lower than we had hoped and we will be investigating these further through faculty, class and small group discussions.

A few examples;

Why is there a larger percentage of students in grades three and four who answered they do not feel safe on the bus? More importantly, shouldn’t 100% of our students feel safe on the bus and at school?

Many students do not feel that they are rewarded for hard work or good behavior. Should they be? How did they define rewarded?

How did students interpret whether their teacher thinks they are a good student? Too few answered in the positive.

There are other questions we have tagged for discussion but if you find some things that jump out at you, just e-mail me.

These results will be posted on our website for your review by Friday at noon, please go to www.moretownschool.org

Next week, I’ll share some of their comments with you.

Spring is just around the corner and it’s time for Little League registration. Again, this year, Little League is open to boys and girls who will be between the ages of 5 and 12.  Please mail the attached registration form to: MRVLL, P.O. Box 1562, Waitsfield, Vermont 05673.

WWSU Hires Interim Superintendent

The search for an interim superintendent of the Washington West Supervisory Union has ended with the hiring of local resident Dr. Richard H. Moser. Moser, a long-time resident of Waitsfield, retired as superintendent of the Chelmsford, MA public schools in 2007 after 17 years of service. Prior to his tenure in Chelmsford Moser was the superintendent of the Washington West Supervisory Union from 1986-1990. His experience includes positions as elementary and middle school principals, elementary school teacher and as a Peace Corps volunteer teacher. Moser’s educational credentials include a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Ann Griffin, chair of the WWSU board, reports that everyone who met Dr. Moser during his visit to the district was overwhelmingly positive in favor of his selection and the WWSU board voted unanimously to offer Moser a contract for the 2008-09 school year. Griffin said that board members felt very fortunate to find an interim with Moser’s depth and breadth of experience and they were impressed with what he accomplished during his long tenure at Chelmsford. According to Griffin, the WWSU community was interested in finding an interim who would continue the collaborative efforts across schools that marked Bob McNamara’s tenure. She added that Moser’s extensive background would be an asset in achieving a seamless transition for the many ongoing programs in WWSU and also in assisting the district with the next superintendent search.

The search for a full-time superintendent ended in February without selecting a candidate. The search committee, with the assistance of a search consultant from the Vermont School Boards Association, interviewed four candidates but decided that none were a good match for WWSU at this time. Joe Silver, the VSBA consultant, states that this is not an unusual outcome and encouraged the district to pursue an interim for the upcoming year. Another search committee will be formed in the fall to begin the search for a full-time superintendent to succeed Moser, according to Griffin.

Moser will start his new duties in WWSU on July 1, 2008.

Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen. Reviewed by Corey Remick.

Twelve-year-old Duane receives his grampa’s old riding lawn mower for his twelfth birthday. In about an hour, dinner is ready and he’s mowed one lawn. His neighbor comes and asks him to mow his lawn for $40. So, he takes the job and earns $40. He finds out from his new friend that he met in the lawn business that the reason he’s getting so much business is that the old company moved their business. He tells his new friend Arnold that he’s saving up for a bike tire tube. With forty dollars, Duane lets his friend buy a forty-dollar stock. And in a few days, he has $25,000. Duane, stunned by the news, faints. In the rest of the book, you’ll meet new characters as well as build your knowledge with beginning ones. Find out how he earns more money and how he spends it!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K.Rowling. Reviewed by Thyme Plummer.

Do you like fantasy, mystery, and adventure? Well, I recommend Harry Potter, by J.K.Rowling.

Harry Potter is an epic novel that takes place in two halves of London – the Wizarding World and the muggle (non-magic people) world. Harry Potter is a boy who grew up in the muggle world. One day, he gets a letter saying he was a wizard! After this abrupt change in his life, Harry learns his own magic powers, meets two friends – Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, and discovers his fate and history with the dark wizard, Voldemort.

I love this book for it’s magical thrill and thorough description. You don’t just know what’s going on, you feel it! It’s a book I’ll never put down.

I read Jigsaw Pony because I love horses and ponies. It is about two girls, Fran and Kiera, who get a pony Jigsaw. Their father is a postman and took Jigsaw away in his car – the old lady who owned him couldn’t take care of him anymore. It was a surprise for Kiera and Fran. They begin to fight about everything, like what should his name be (Midnight or Snowflake), his shampoo (black or white), and who feeds him (morning or night). Also, who gets to ride him first and kiss him goodnight. Fran and Kiera’s father figures it out – he makes a chart for riding, stall cleaning, water, feeding, and who gets to give him a kiss goodnight. Then, one day, it is show and tell at school. They bring Midnight/Snowflake. What do you think is going to happen when Kiera and Fran bring a horse to school?

We have begun taking registrations for this years Kids and Critters Camp!  Once again we will have a week just for younger children (4 and 5 year olds) beginning June 23rd.  The weeks of July 14th, July 21st and July 28th will be for children 6 to 10 years old.  The camp runs from 8 to noon Monday thru Thursday and cost $125.  We do many activities with animals from horseback riding to holding bunnies, nature crafts, hikes, swimming and archery!  For more information or to register please call Karen Crowley at 496-3043 or Lisa Moreno at 223-4164, or email plnmdj@comcast.net .

Mad River Soccer has teamed up with the new premier club AC4472 to offer a soccer circuit training program.  This is an effective new way to improve your soccer skills.

The program will start on March 10 or March 11 (see below).  It will run for 6 weeks, and will cost $60.  Your child will receive a ball and shirt as part of the package. 

Training will be provided by Harwood High School boys’ coaching staff and varsity players to ensure a good participant/coach ratio.

3^rd and 4^th grade:    two locations – Waitsfield Elementary and Thatcher Brook Primary School

                            Monday nights starting March 10

                            Girls – 6 to 7 pm, Boys – 7 to 8 pm

5^th thru 7^th grade:    Crossett Brook Middle School

                            Tuesday nights starting March 11

                            Girls – 7 to 8 pm, Boys – 8 to 9 pm

Contact Mark Ewald (calcio19@comcast.net, or 244-1137) or Don Haddox (578-3587) for more information.

To sign up send your child’s name, age, phone#, email address and a check to Mark Ewald, 4270 Vt. Route 100, Waterbury, Vt. 05676.

ANNOUNCING: KidsACT! Spring Play Workshop for students in grades 3-6!
WHEN: Tuesdays from 3:30-5 pm, May 6 through June 10
WHERE: The Bundy Center for the Arts, off Rt. 100 in Waitsfield
PERFORMANCE: Thursday June 12 at 6:30 pm at the Bundy
COST: $60 per child, $40 for additional siblings

SHOW: "Nothing Beats a Royal Flush", a non-musical contemporary fairy tale about 5 basketball-playing princesses who play a championship game to save their father's kingdom from a greedy Baroness. Lots of fun! Limited to 15 participants, so sign up today!

REGISTER: Call Ruth Ann Pattee, during the day at the Bundy, 496-4781, or in the evening at 496-6318.

This is open to all children, in all towns.

Hours: 7:30am to 5:45pm

Program Start Date: June 23, 2008.
Program End Date: August 15, 2008

Rate: $1,160 ($29/day) 2 snacks / day provided. Campers to bring their own lunch.
$100 Deposit due May 1st, Balances due June 15th($530) and July 1st ($530).  

Location: Fayston Elementary School and surrounding natural environment (Mill Brook, Mad River Path, etc.)

Description: a full summer, full day program offering an abundance of indoor and outdoor activities. Themes will be explored with flexibility, as the children will share in the responsibility for planning daily activities. Our program strives to allow "free play" time. Recent studies have shown that children need play time to explore themes on their own and have their own discoveries. We guide children through their explorations and are just as surprised as you to find what treasures they uncover.

The Responsive Classroom approach is used to engage all children, and promote a safe environment.

Contact: OHAFDirector@faystonelementary.org, 802 496 3636 x111 for more information and details. We recommend a visit to the After School program to see examples of projects the children may work on. Recent ones include candle making, knitting, playdough sculptures, soap making, musical instruments, indoor gardening, and fort building.

Dance the night away…for a great cause. The Starline Rhythm Boys will be performing at the Moretown Town Hall on April 18^th to benefit the Capital Campaign for our new Early Childhood Services Building. Doors open at 8PM. Great Auction Items. For tickets for more information call 496-5251 or 262-3292 x 127.

Important Dates

April 21 – 25 NO SCHOOL, Spring Recess

May 14 Early Release

May 26 Memorial Day, NO SCHOOL

June 17 6^th Grade Graduation

June 18 Last day of school for students

Dear Students and Families,

Your local teachers of the Washington West Education Association would like to provide four scholarships of up to $125 each for summer camp during 2008.

Possible camps might include:

Wheels Around Waterbury (a biking camp: jbrightnow@yahoo.com.)

Waterbury Recreation Mini Camp (www.waterburyvt.com)

Mad River Glen Naturalist Summer Camp (www.madriverglen.com)

Warren School Summer Program (ljones@warrenschool.org)

Lotus Lake (central-vt.com/web/lotuslake)

Harwood Basketball Camp for boys and girls going into third grade through ninth grade for girls and tenth grade for boys. (tyoung@gmavt.net)

Alligator Summer theater Camp & Science Camp (thommca@gmavt.net)

Another camp of your choice:_______________________________________________

Please complete the following and return by APRIL 11^TH to one of the following people:

Warren Elementary: Beth Young

Fayston Elementary: Erin Koch or Justina Boyden

Waitsfield Elementary: Liz Belknap or Tom Young

Moretown Elementary: Kathi Orr

Crossett Brook Middle School: Eric Eley or Alex Houston

Thatcher Brook Primary School: Tom Thurston

What do you hope to gain from a summer camp experience?

Name______________________________________________Age_______

Parent/Guardian Name_______________________phone number________

Parent/Guardian Signature________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature________________________________________