Dear Parents & Friends,

Practice good hygiene:

Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.

Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.

Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.

What is Staphylococcus aureus (staph)?

Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as "staph," are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Approximately 25% to 30% of the population is colonized (when bacteria are present, but not causing an infection) in the nose with staph bacteria. Sometimes, staph can cause an infection. Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States. Most of these skin infections are minor (such as pimples and boils) and can be treated without antibiotics (also known as antimicrobials or antibacterials). However, staph bacteria also can cause serious infections (such as surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia).

What is MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)?

Some staph bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. MRSA is a type of staph that is resistant to antibiotics called beta-lactams. Beta-lactam antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. While 25% to 30% of the population is colonized with staph, approximately 1% is colonized with MRSA.

What does a staph or MRSA infection look like?

Staph bacteria, including MRSA, can cause skin infections that may look like a pimple or boil and can be red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or surgical wound infections.

Important PS…According to the Vermont State epidemiologist, it has been recommended that schools no longer provide extra clothing to students in the event of inclement weather or accidents. Please provide a change of clothes for your child to keep in his/her cubby at school. If your child does not have an extra set of clothing, we will contact you to provide this should the need arise.

Please contact me if you have any questions about MRSA or need more information at KarynK@moretown.org or call 496-3742 ext 113

"Openings are still available in the following Alligator After-School Programs:

Nov. 14--Chess Tournament--12-3 pm, $15.

Nov. 13-Dec. 18  (every Tuesday); Chess & Cribbage; 3-5 pm.  $55.

We are delighted to welcome Deb Feldman into our Moretown Community through this series of workshops for parents. As you may know, Deb has been sought after in her role as substitute teacher here at Moretown and we are so pleased that she is offering us her expertise as a parent educator. Because these workshops are limited to 20 participants, contact Deb directly to hold your slot.

Deb has over 30 years experience working with children. She has worked as a teacher in grades K-12, a parent educator, and a family therapist, as well as being the mother of 2 grown children. She holds a B.A. in education, an M.A. in Counseling Psychology, an M.A. in Applied Healing Arts and is a Certified Parent Educator. Deborah lives in Moretown, substitute teaches, and hosts the Sunday 8-9 A.M. radio show "Parenting Possibilities" on WMRW

95.1 FM.

4 Tuesday nights in January 2008 from 6:30-8:00

Do you ever wonder why parenting today seems so much harder than it was for your parents? Are you ever shocked by your children's behavior and at a loss for how to handle it? Have you ever felt as if your day is spent putting out "family fires"? Join in an evening that will begin the conversation about parenting today and provide you with 3 strategies that you can use immediately to create cooperation and mutual respect in your family.

Do you wish you could get your child to do more of the things you'd like? Do you find yourself "on your kids' "case" most of the time? Do more of your days end with exhaustion and discouragement? This evening looks at some of the reasons our children misbehave and expands our possible responses with tools that create a positive atmosphere and get more of the behavior we desire from our children.

Have you ever found yourself fighting with your kid before you even knew what was happening? Are you feeling frustrated that you don't get a chance to let your kids know how you are feeling? Does it seem as if your "talks" never do any good? Come to an evening designed to assist you in recognizing when you are stepping onto a "slippery slope" with your child. You will learn how to listen so that your child feels heard AND how to have an opportunity to express yourself as well.

When is enough, enough? How do I say "no" to my child without it always becoming a huge battle? What is acceptable behavior now? Together we will create several possible responses to our children's out of bounds and sometimes dangerous behavior. We will add strategies to our parenting toolboxes that limit behavior without generating bad feelings. It is possible to feel good about parenting and "put the brakes" on unacceptable behavior.

Limit 20 people

$15 per session

$40 for 4 sessions with Advanced Registration

Childcare Available with Advanced Registration

Deborah Feldman has over 30 years experience working with children. She has worked as a teacher in grades K-12, a parent educator, and a family therapist, as well as being the mother of 2 grown children. She holds a B.A. in education, an M.A. in Counseling Psychology, an M.A. in Applied Healing Arts and is a Certified Parent Educator. Deborah lives in Moretown, substitute teaches, and hosts the Sunday 8-9 A.M. radio show "Parenting Possibilities" on WMRW 95.1 FM.

Bring your rhythm and beat to Open Hearth's Saturday morning drum circle starting November 3rd from 10-11 AM at the Big Picture Theater and Cafe.  Caitrin Noel will lead the drumming and have extra drums available for those who don't have one of their own.  Drummers of all ages and abilities are welcome to join in the fun.  The drum circles are drop-in and by donation.  

Hatha Yoga and Meditation Class with Lynne Ihlstrom

Beginning November 6^th Lynne Ihlstrom offers a Hatha Yoga and Meditation Class on Tuesday mornings from 9:00AM to 10:30 AM at the Big Picture Theater and Café. The class is drop-in, by donation and for all ages and abilities. Please bring your own yoga mat or blanket.

Lynne Ihlstrom has been a student and practitioner of yoga since 1971 and has taught since 1995. In addition, as a nutritionist, Lynne adds hand-outs that encourage healthy eating to support the yoga practice of wellness.

Provide your body, mind and spirit with the benefits of yoga including stress relief, strength, flexibility, well being, a clear mind, detoxification, deep peace and more.

Bring a towel and your beautiful self

For more information about the class please call Lynne at 522-0045.

Thanks to everyone who helped with the Halloween Party at the Moretown Town Hall.

We all helped to make it a great success!

November 29^th

December 14^th

January 25^th

February 22^nd

March 28^th

April 25^th

May 30^th

The annual poster design contest and the new writing contest deadline for entries is January 31st, 2008. Visit our website's contest page for forms. www.greenupvermont.org.  It would be so nice if someone from the Mad River area wins!

After such a successful drive last year, Maggie Nowlan and Maddie Baughman are once again collecting Turkey Points to provide Thanksgiving meals to families in need. Please help them beat last year's amazing amount of 71 turkeys! You will find their box in the school office as well as the Shaw's in Waitsfield. Thanks!

28^th Annual Waitsfield Ski & Skate sale, Saturday and Sunday, November 10^th & 11^th from 9a.m. to 3 pm., Waitsfield Elementary School. New and Used gear and wear for everyone. Consignment drop-off November 9^th from 4 – 7 pm.

On Monday October 29 from 6:30-8:30 at the Big Picture Theater, representatives from Merrill Lynch in Burlington lead a discussion about financial planning for retirement.  The workshop is free and open to the public.  The financial workshop series is sponsored by Open Hearth Community Center and Chittenden Bank.      

Important Dates

November 5 6:30 - PTN meeting

November 14 Early Dismissal

November 19 Parent / Teacher Conferences, 3:15 – 8:00

November 21 – 23 NO SCHOOL

November 29 PTN Popcorn sale, $.25/bag