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| February 23, 2017 |
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Students in Mr. Hubbard's class enjoying our spring-like snow. Ask your child about the "pond-skimming" that has been happening on the sledding hill.
Dear Friends and Families,
I know that I'm not alone in my belief that the staff are a significant part of what makes the Waitsfield School a terrific place to grow. I am appreciative of the thoughtful, caring dedication they each put into their work, their professionalism and skills and, most of all, the enjoyment they bring to the work they do each day. Its really powerful to be with people who really believe in the work they are doing AND generally have a really good time doing it. 
The impact of this strong staff is felt in many ways -- including, alas, when we need to say goodbye to one of them. Alas, the wonderful Matt Eriquez, who joined the food service program this year, has been offered a terrific position right down the road from his house at Copley Hospital in Morrisville. While Matt's great cooking has been enjoyed, it is his joyful, fun-loving and caring presence that will be most missed. Matt will remain with us for a few weeks while we transition. I hope you will join me in wishing him all the best in his new endeavors and thanking him for his contributions to our school.
Many of our staff contribute to our school far beyond their job description. Joe Robinson and Clayton Wetzel exemplify this tremendous energy and contributions in their creation of the Boys on the Run group that they began offering a few years ago. This "homegrown" opportunity not only meets a gap in what is available to students, but also allows these wonderful people to share their love of running with kids. This year, due to the positive experiences that occurred when Girls on the Run joined them last year, the group is expanding to incorporate both boys and girls. They will once again be looking for parent volunteers (please see their invitation below). Whether your child participates or not, our whole community is enriched through the actions of these individuals; please let them know your appreciation.
Respectfully, Kaiya Korb
Running Team Invitation
The Mad Valley Runners are pleased to invite boys and girls in grades 3-6 to join us for our spring running program at Waitsfield School during April and May 2017. With the addition of the Waits Way in our backyard we now have a great opportunity for kids who are very new to running to have a fun safe place to run that is close to restrooms and drinking water and the pick up spot for parents!
For kids who demonstrate they can handle longer runs, the path by Small Dog is perfect but it requires transportation. If we have enough adult runners and drivers we could use both locations simultaneously. Clayton and I ask the kids to follow the "We Rock" expectations. We expect that they will stay on the trail and always be visible to the adult runners. This is for their safety. We expect them to stay away from the river unless we all go as a group.
We don't charge a fee for participation but we do encourage runners to buy a "Team" shirt at cost. Last year it was $14. The PTO has offered funding for families that can't afford that cost.
Our program starts in April as soon as weather permits, tentatively on April 3. We run on Mondays and Wednesdays through the end of May, culminating with a 2 mile run and pizza / ice cream party at Blueberry Lake. Families are encouraged to join in the fun and contribute what they can to cover the cost of food and drink. Everyone is invited to bring what they like for a day at the beach...canoes, kayaks, paddle boards etc. Parents are reminded that they are responsible to supervise their kids at the lake.
Handmade awards (the woodal) are given to each Mad Valley Runner. Sign up sheets will be available when we get back from our February break. Adults who would like to run with us and and help with the kids should let Clayton or myself know as soon as possible since enrollment for the kids will be limited by the number of adult volunteers.
Thanks, Joe Robinson jrobinson@wwsu.org
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Community Announcements
Please note that the opportunities/events listed below are not specifically endorsed or screened by school staff; as always, families should use their own standards and review processes to determine appropriate activities.
The Waitsfield PTA will be offering childcare during Town Meeting, March 7th, 3:30pm-8:00pm, at the Waitsfield School. Families need to RSVP to Kathi Orr (496-3643 or email korr@wwsu.org) by February 24th to ensure that enough providers are available. Children need to be older than 18 months and need to bring their own dinner, as food will not be provided.
No School Camp! You are invited to join the Central Vermont Gymnastics Academy Monday February 27 through Friday March 3rd, 9am-5pm. The cost is $260 for the week or $60/day per child. Register online at cvtga.com or email info@cvtga.com. Bring your snow gear for a week long winter adventure with ice skating, sledding, snow play, and warming up inside with good movies.
Parenting Class-"Guiding Good Choices", focusing on children ages 9-14, 5 week workshop series, March 15 - April 12, 6:00-8:00pm, at Waitsfield School. This parenting class is free and will cover topics such as: understanding the adolescent brain, risk factors; setting clear guidelines and following through with positive and negative consequences; preparing kids to respond to peer influence, refusal skills; conflict management, controlling and expressing anger constructively; and strengthening family bonds and increasing children's participation. Space is limited, pre-registration is required. Childcare will be provided with reservations by February 20th. For more information and to reserve a spot, call Ann Gilbert at 802-223-4949 or email info@cvndc.org.
High Fives Foundation FAT Ski-A-Thon, Sunday, March 5th, Sugarbush Lincoln Peak, 8am-3pm, open to all ages. Pledge forms may be picked up here at school if your child is interested. For more information, call Suzie Lowe or Jessie Murphy at VT North Ski Shop(583-2511).
Mad River Valley Youth Lacrosse is now open for registration for the spring 2017 season. Girls and Boys in grades 3 - 6 are eligible to play. Practice is typically 2 days a week with games on weekends. Cost is $75 for grades 3/4 and $100 for 5/6 plus a mandatory $25 US Lacrosse fee. Scholarships and loaner equipment are available, so don't let that keep you from trying out the fastest game on two feet! You can register at http://madriverlax.org/ or email Steve Andrews at sandrewsmrv@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Mad River Valley Little League – Youth baseball for Boys and Girls 5-12 years old. Since 1960, the Mad River Valley Little League has been teaching the game of baseball to Mad River Valley kids. The league has 4 different levels of play:
T-Ball for 5-6 year olds, Farm League (coach pitch) for 7-8 year olds, American League (minors) for 9-10 year olds, and National League (majors) for 11-12 year olds. The T-ball and Farm leagues use a T-ball, which is softer to prevent injury.
There is some flexibility, depending on skill level, to ‘play up’ to older leagues. The season runs from April 29th (practice starts earlier) until mid-June. All Star teams (optional) run later into the summer for the American and National Leagues.
-Registration is open now @ www.madriverbaseball.com
-In person registration night: Thursday, March 9th 6:30PM @ Waitsfield Elementary School.
-Skills assessment (for team placement on American & National leagues) Saturday April 8th at the SHARC.
For more info, contact: Logan Cooke at logancooke@me.com or Mike Fiaschetti mikef@madriver.com
Sugarbush Mini Camp, February 27 - Mar 3, Ages 4 -6, reservations required, call 802-583-6717.
Sugarbush Ski and Ride School, February 27-Mar 3 and Mar 6-7, ages 3-12, reservations required, call 888-651-4827.
Spring Offerings by Eddie Merma Sculpture School is now enrolling for spring 2017. We offer hands-on, building-based education programs for kids ages 5-14 in the MRV. Spring programs include: Soapbox Derby, Parent learning programs, Sculpture in Spanish for 5-7 year olds, and Play House Design/Build. For more information visit: www.sculptureschoolvt.com or contact Eddie Merma at eddie@sculptureschoolvt.com or 630-269-0143
Lace up your sneakers! U-32’s seventh grade Jarvis-T.A. is hosting a Color Run on Saturday, May 6th at U-32 Middle/High School in Montpelier and we wish to extend an invitation to all students, their families, and faculty! Everyone is welcome! Come join the fun! Color Run “hosts” will splash racers with food-grade color as they run, walk, or jog through the course - all ages and abilities welcome. Distance options are 1, 2, or 3 miles – you choose! Registration starts at 9:00, race at 10:30 - registration fee is $25. Advance registration by 4/27 includes a white t-shirt and an individual color packet. (Late registrations accepted but no t-shirt or color packet will be available.) There will be food, beverages, a raffle, and more! Find us on Facebook! To register log onto: www.u32mscr@eventbrite.com.
Mad River Watershed Photo Contest Raffle Friends of the Mad River announce a Photo Contest with a spin: contest meets raffle! Rather than judging entries, we'll draw for prizes from photo entries. One photo equals one entry. Whether it's your favorite swimhole on a summer day or the view from your favorite vista on an icy February morning, we want to see and showcase your favorite moments on the river and across the watershed. Submit photos at "Friends of the Mad River" on Facebook.
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CALENDAR
The date for the Waitsfield School Spring Concert has changed from May 18th to June 5th.
2/27 VACATION Begins
3/6 HUUSD Annual Meeting at Harwood, 6pm, to review proposed budget and work of the board
3/7 Waitsfield Board will convene at 4pm, at Waitsfield School, to provide a school report-childcare will be provided. Please RSVP to Kathi before February vacation.
3/8 School Resumes
3/8 Ski/Board Program
3/13 6th grade band festival rehearsal at Harwood 8:00-11:00
3/14 PTA Meeting, 6:00-7:00pm
3/15 Ski/Board Program
3/20 School Board Meeting, 6:30pm
3/21 Kindergarten to Flynn Theater, 8:15-11:45
3/22 Ski/Board Program
3/23 Parent/Teacher Conferences, 2:30-7:00pm
3/24 No School For Students
3/24 Parent/Teacher Conferences, 7:30-11:30
3/27 WWSU Teacher Inservice, No School for students
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Mr Young's class on a cross country ski field trip with a partner classroom at Thatcher Brook.
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