We just received word that the Vermont Agency of Transportation awarded Moretown a $10,000 grant for which we had applied a few months ago.  Thanks to the talents of Dara Torres, who wrote the grant as well as the support of many others in our school and town, we now have the resources to create a town plan that would increase the accessibility of our sidewalks and the safety of our bike lanes.  As a school, we can further explore the role of physical activity in maintaining a healthy body and as a community we can explore a variety of ways to be active throughout the day.

Receiving this grant allows us to apply for another grant of up to $250,000 which would help fund infrastructure, such as sidewalks and bike lanes, walking paths etc.

A big thank you to Dara for making this possible.

The Moretown School Board recently accepted the resignation of newly elected Charles Abare. Chuck has accepted a new position which will prohibit him from performing the duties of a school board member.

The Moretown Elementary School Board is seeking to appoint someone to fill that position, for a term of one year (May 2008 – March 2009.) MES officials meet monthly to ensure the school’s viability and academic success by focusing principally on financial, legal and personnel related issues.

Thanks to Matt Strassberg who expressed interest and was appointed by the Board to fill the position vacated by Amy Bolger.

Establishing and approving all major educational and operational policies

Setting appropriate standard(s) for achievement and being accountable for allocation of resources to facilitate adherence to those standards

Approving all major contracts

Approving the school’s annual budget in advance of a vote by Moretown                        residents

Overseeing the school’s other fiscal affairs

Chairing and serving on additional committees and groups as needed

Selecting and evaluating the chief administrator (s) including the principal and    WWSU superintendent

Attending school and district functions

Qualifications for Board service might include:

Interest in, and demonstrated commitment to, serving the educational needs and          causes of children

Experience in non-profit or business governance

Possession of professional or administrative skills relevant to the position

Belief in data-driven decision making

Strong skills relating to community relations and interpersonal communication

Fundraising ability, including proposal writing

Desire to represent and advocate for the values and beliefs of our community

All members of the MES Board serve on a volunteer basis for terms of either one or three years. The individual who is appointed to fill this particular vacancy is asked to consider filling the role of Board Clerk (principally, this means taking minutes at meetings.)

Mark your calendars! The Spring Concert is on May 15th at 6:30. Prepare your ears for a medley of Hollywood favorites arranged for band, renaissance recorder, intricate percussion, and beautiful singing.

Best Wishes,

Michael Close

Preschoolers (age 5) thru 2^nd graders are eligible for our low-key spring recreation program where the emphasis is on skill development and fun. We encourage parents to participate, too. There are 4 sessions in the program – Sunday, May 18, June 1 and June 8 and Saturday, June 14. It will be held at the Waitsfield Elementary School Field. Preschoolers (age 5) and kindergarteners should arrive at 12:45 to sign up for the 1 pm session. First and second graders should arrive at 1:45 to sign up for the 2 pm to 3 pm session. Kids must wear shin guards. Bring a ball if you have one. (#3 for pre-k, kindergarten, #4 for older kids). The cost for the 4 sessions is $20. Checks should be made payable to MRVSA. If you have questions, contact Anne Greshin (greshin@madriver.com).

A fun event for you to consider this weekend...

on May 10, 2008

The Catamount Pipe band invites you to a fun evening of Celtic music at the VFW, 7:30-9:30PM on Pioneer Street in Montpelier.

Tickets are $15, children 6 and under are admitted for free.

All ticket holders are invited to bring instruments to play.

Snacks/ cash bar

50/50 raffle

Proceeds will go to the band's trip to Scotland in August 2009 to compete in the World Championships

For tickets and information see Michael Close in the music room or call 496-8662.

More news on the Bike (or Walk) to School day coming up Friday, May 16th (national Bike to Work day). This event is part of the first Valley Walk 'n Roll Festival, 5 days of fun activities including bike movies at the Big Picture, family walks on the Mad Path, organized bike rides, and special info at opening day of the Farmer's Market on Saturday, May 17th (see http://valleyfutures.net). Mention you rode or walked to school or work on Friday, and you'll receive vouchers for goodies at the Farmer's Market. Please contact Dara at pilliod@gmavt.net or 496-9786 for more info.

May 16th is Bike-to-Work and School day and May 17th is Bike-to-Market day! In conjunctin with National Bike-to-Work Month, and the Valley Walk & Roll Festival, residents of the Mad River Valley are encouraged to bike to work, school, or market on these two days.

Put on your helmet, pump up the tires, and get ready to enjoy your Commute.

There will be "prefered parking" for bicycles at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday--check in at the Valley Moves tent by the Sugarbush kiosk to let us know your rode your bike on Friday or Saturday. You’ll find info and vouchers for treats from vendors!

*Gymnastics for Kids Ages 4-18~ Beginner-Advanced

*All camps will be held at Harwood Union H.S. in the upstairs gym and taught by USGA Safety

Certified Instructors & Members of the Harwood Varsity Gymnastics Team

Session I: July 7^th-10^th Grades Pre-K- 7^th

Session II: July 14^th-17^th & 21^st-24^th Grades 8-12

Session III: July 28^th-31^st & August 4^th-7^th Grades 8-12

Session IV: August 12^th-15^th Optional Week depending on number of participants

* Please Register by June 1^st to avoid a late registration charge

Please email Camp Director Anissa Touchette at:

AnissasAcrobats@verizon.net Or call 244-0602

Circus Minimus – "The Circus Kids Create" – will return to The Warren School this summer for a two week camp, running 9 AM to 3 PM from Monday, August 11 through Thursday, August 21 for children ages 6 to 13. Children learn a variety of circus arts, yoga and dance skills, and the camp culminates in a "big top" performance on the night of Thursday the 21^st. The camp’s artistic director this summer will be Jen Taylor. Jen has teaching and educational experience in trapeze, Chinese acrobatics, and a broad range of circus and yoga skills. She is a certified CircusYoga instructor and holds a BA in philosophy from Vassar College. Jen will be assisted by Sheldon Foley. Jasmine Cohen and Cassidy Sargent will serve as camp interns. Attending both weeks is required. The camp fee is $400 for non-Warren residents. Limited scholarships are available for children eligible for free/reduced price school meals. Circus Minimus Summer Camp is sponsored by Open Hearth. To save your clown a spot in the act, please contact April Smith at aprilsmith@gmavt.net or call 496-5547.

Mad River Valley Soccer Association and Challenger Sports want to remind you that British Soccer Camp will be back the week of July 21^st – 25^th.

The Camp will be held at the Moretown Rec Fields and will run Monday Through Friday.

Remember to register early to receive the FREE Replica Jersey.

Join in for what is gearing up to be a record year with over 100,000 players expected to learn "The Challenger Way" in 2008.

To guarantee your place, follow the link and SIGN UP HERE

SUMMER CAMP OPENINGS

A program by Vermont Works for Women

Rosie's Girls Summer Program 2008, a three-week summer day camp for girls entering 6th – 8th grades, has camper openings for the Central, VT sessions.

The 2008 dates and times are:

BARRE: July 21 - August 8, 2008

Monday - Friday, 8:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Rosie's Girls is a unique and exciting program for middle school girls combining hands-on instruction in the skilled trades with a rich array of expressive arts activities. The camp gives girls a chance to develop their own strength, power, and confidence in an atmosphere that is fun, encouraging, positive, and empowering as they do things like:

· build a toolbox

· design and wire their own lamp

· weld a metal sculpture

· get under the hood of a car

· Paint a mural

· learn self-defense

· construct a gift for a local community service project

· silkscreen t-shirts

· swim for fun

· practice yoga

· voice their opinions in a constructive setting

Due to the success that the jewelry sale had at school, we are now going to offer an after-school program where children are invited to make their own necklace and bracelet. We will be offering this program on May 12^th from 3:00-4:30 for grades K-6^th. The cost will be $7.00, which will also include snack. Come join us on this fun afternoon.

Sincerely,

Kelly Poulin

Karen Crowley

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.

Mark your Calendars - Friday, May 16th is Bike to School Day!! Plan with your buddies and neighbors for a group ride. Please allow a little more time to get to school on two wheels that day. Parents - if you'd like to help out, please contact Dara at 496-9786."

Kids and Critters Camp

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

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, play dough sculptures, soap making, musical instruments, indoor gardening, and fort building.

Important Dates

May 14 Early Release

May 26 Memorial Day, NO SCHOOL

May 29, 30 6^th Grade Class Trip to Cape Cod

June 2 6:00 p.m. Art Show

June 9 6^th Grade Step up day to Harwood

June 13 Field Day activities

June 13 Class placements sent home

June 16 Step Up Day

June 18 6^th Grade Graduation

June 18 Report cards sent home

June 19 Last day of school