School Website: www.moretownschool.org

In asking parents to send in notes regarding changes in after school destinations, it was our intent to keep children safe by arriving at their intended destinations, to avoid having them confused or anxious about where they were going on a particular day and to reduce the amount of time teachers were spending on the phone seeking to clarify same. It appears that this may have increased rather than decreased confusion and I apologize for the appearance of any rigidity in addressing this issue.

On those occasions when a child will be heading to a different destination than usual or staying after school, we need a note from you to your child’s teacher stating where your child is going. This note will be given to the bus driver or given to the duty person in the multi- purpose room (for children who are either picked up or staying for an after school activity). We will accept calls or e-mails before the day of the change. Accepting a blanket note creates the same problem for some children as no note, i.e..."My mom didn't tell me I was staying today. Who is picking me up?" Particularly with young children and older more anxious children, this means that a teacher either ignores the child's anxiety or calls home/work/cell phone to reassure the child. Children in grades 3-6 seem to be more developmentally able to handle this so we would like to reverse ourselves and see if we’re right. We will accept extended notes for children in grades 3-6 and leave it up to you if your child needs a morning reminder from home.

If your plans change suddenly, of course you should just call the office and we will see to it that your children will get to where you want them to go. Aside from sudden changes happening on the day of the change, it is always better to communicate directly with your child's teacher since they will then communicate directly with your child and confusion is less likely.

Again, it was never my intent to make your lives more difficult. I hope this clears up any confusion. If this or any other issue is causing you concern, please give me a call and we can set up a time to meet at your convenience.

Before School Care, a little before school care…

Beginning November 26^th, the Monday after Thanksgiving, we will be able to provide supervision for your children starting at 7:15am in the multi-purpose room.  Becky Auger and Pam Remick will alternate weeks offering a range of quiet activities for kids including board games, drawing, Legos and reading.  Students will then be invited to go their classrooms at about 7:35.  We hope this lightens the burden for some of you who find yourselves rushing to drop off children on your way to work.

Breakfast* on *Saturday November 17th from 8-11 at the Moretown Town Hall.* The suggested cost is $ 6.50 per person or $20.00 for a family of four (additional children are $5 each). We are a bit low on maple syrup, so if anyone is willing to donate some please drop it in the office.

Donating syrup is a good way to support the PTN if you don't have the time to volunteer, or cannot make it to the breakfast. If you would like to volunteer to help at the breakfast please call or email: Sarah Zschau 496-3097 zone4@accessvt or Sharon Evans 496-7966 evans@gmavt.net

KidsACT! Holiday Follies
After School Theater Workshop

Grades 3 - 6
Tuesdays, Nov. 13 - Dec. 18 - 3:30-5 pm
Performance Tuesday Dec. 18 at 5 pm
Tuition $50
Students will help create an original holiday show with songs and skits!
Call director Ruth Ann Pattee at 496-6318 for more information.

Mad River Kids Chorale Concert
Friday, Dec. 16 - 4:30
"Music from Around the World"
Tickets - $5, available at the door
For more information call 496-4781.

For directions to the Bundy go to www.bundycfa.org

Moretown’s Artisan Sale, held at the Moretown Town Hall on December 8^th from 10am to 4pm, will feature nearly thirty artists and crafters. You will find fine locally made items including pottery, handbags, fine art, crocheted hats, quilts, photography, jewelry, natural body care products, fleece blankets, folk art, and stained glass. While you shop, enjoy the sound of live banjo and pedal steel guitar with Gordon Stone, winner of the best instrumental album of the year in Vermont in 2005 and Boston Emmy nominee! The refreshment table is free as usual, and donations will be accepted to support Vermont Foodbank. There is no admission fee for this exciting event!

There is an amazing selection of books this year.  We also have gift items, CD-roms, and kits that will be available for purchase after 3:00 pm.  Most students have had a chance to visit the fair during library and have filled out "wish lists".  If you are unable to make it to the fair and would like your child to purchase a book, they may do so on Monday.  Checks can be made out to Moretown Elementary School. All profits will benefit the Moretown School Library.  Families have been extremely generous in the past and I thank you in advance of your support this year. 

Now, my two cents.  You can stop reading at this point ...

I have to say that overall, I am impressed by the book selection.  There are current DCF titles, classics such as Charlotte's Web and Blueberries for Sal, and exciting new titles like Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Clementine.   While there are many books that have a media tie-in (hello High School Musical, the Transformers, and Dora the Explorer), those books still might be just the ticket for a reluctant reader or just a fun treat as a light read.  I think it's important to give students and families a choice of books and I choose not to "pull" books from the fair, despite some temptation to do so.  I will always remember a book I chose from a book fair as a child, Bugs Bunny and the Rocket Ship.  I loved that book.  Great literature?   Not a chance.  A treasured tale from my childhood?  Yes, absolutely.  Right up there with The Secret Garden, Where the Wild Things Are, and Little House on the Prairie.   

Happy Reading!

Mrs. Allison

Popcorn dates