Waitsfield Elementary School Rocks! 






September 22, 2016
The playhive in its first stages of production. Students are measuring, sawing, sanding, painting, drilling, screwing and working collaboratively to bring this creation together. 

Dear Friends and Families, 
     I look forward to seeing you all at our Open House this coming Tuesday (9/27), 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Our school Open House is structured to be flexible, to accommodate different families' schedules. Staff will be here between 5:30 and 6:30, come during the timeframe that works for you and feel free to leave when you're finished.  Classrooms will be open and we'll have a new scavenger hunt to lead you through exploring different aspects of our school and students are excited to share their new learning and work with you. Thank you to families for making the time to support this connection between school and families; it is so important for students.  This year, in addition to the usual festivities, the Mad River Path Association will be hosting the ribbon cutting ceremony for Wait's Way.  Please join us at 5:30 p.m., at the path starting point (by the soccer board in the recess field) for the official ribbon cutting moment. Strolling along a bit of this lovely path is great way to sample some of what is new and exciting at our school this year.  For those of you feeling hungry, Chef Joslin and Chef Matt will have some tasty samples of items they've been sampling at lunches available during the Open House. Yum. 

  
     Almost half of our students started working with local artist/teacher Eddie Merma this past Monday on the construction of a playhive that will eventually live on school grounds. While some students have had some familiarity with using equipment like drills and saws, this was definitely a new experience for others. Seeing a group of 19 5th and 6th graders figuring out how to be an effective, coordinated work crew is impressive! Those who didn't work with Eddie on Monday will have an opportunity to do so this Friday, and all K-6 students will have one more session with him next week. We're looking forward to working with builder/creator Palo Coleman at the end of next week, when various bamboo structures will be created.
Respectfully,   Kaiya 

          
     TOP REASONS TO BIKE/WALK/CARPOOL OR RIDE THE BUS TO (AND FROM) SCHOOL:
  1. It's fun! You're with other kids on the bus/carpool and you get to be outside when you bike or walk.
2. It's good for the environment. We have saved hundreds of gallons of gas and reduced several tons of carbon emissions through the regular bussing, walking and biking that students do.
3. Movement is good for our bodies, especially our brains. Students who bike or walk report feeling great and ready for their day.
4. Our town and community continues to invest in sidewalks and trails to support safe and efficient infrastructure. Let's show our community that we use this investment! 
5. Parking at school is very limited; avoiding the drop-off or pick-up parking lot scene increases safety and adults' calm!
6. You are never considered tardy when you ride the bus.
7. School taxes pay for a bus system already-- let's take advantage of the transportation we've already purchased. 
8. Being outside FEELS GOOD, whether you're waiting for the bus or wheeling down Main Street. 
9. Our school was been the carbon cup challenge champion for two years and has been one of the top participants in the state for even more; we have a wonderful, healthy tradition to uphold.
10. Students completing 10 trips to or from school using these environment friendly methods, and having their carbon challenge card signed accordingly, are recognized with fun charms. This recognition will be in effect all year. 
Carbon Reduction Challenge cards were given to all students today. The whole state is engaging in a challenge for the next two weeks (and the winner gets the Carbon Cup!), but our charm challenge is on all year. 


October 5th is International Bike/Walk to School day, but we're encouraging students to "clean commute" as much of the next two weeks as possible. 
 


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.

Mad River Valley Harvest Fest         Let's fill the streets with scarecrows and fall displays.  Judging will take place October 10th.  A map will be available showing the locations of all displays.  Call or email for a participation form: 496-5470 or sedona5028@gmail.com


Mad Dash, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016           A classic Vermont foot race benefiting the Mad River Path, www.madriverpath.com     Run near the Mad River, through a covered bridge and enjoy majestic views of mountains and farms! 5K & 10K Road Race, 5K Fitness Walk and Kids Fun Run (no advance registration)! Sun., Oct. 9, 10 am at Meadow Rd., Waitsfield. It’s quintessential Vermont with: tee shirts for all participants, delicious lunch, live music and great raffle prizes (pre-registered participants only). A great family day in the midst of gorgeous fall foliage!

Baked Beads Jewelry and Scarf Sale to Benefit Mad River Valley Ambulance Service     The 24th annual Columbus Day Weekend tent sale will take place October 7-9, 10:00am-5:00pm, on Carroll Road.

Cub Scouts    The local Cub Scout organization, Pack 798 is looking for Kindergarteners - 5th grade boys to begin a 2016-2017 program. What makes scouting truly unique is the opportunities it gives families to participate in fun, engaging activities that help the development of the boy and his siblings. The boys meet one to three times per month within their age/grade group and then once a month with everyone. There are family activities like ice skating at the Waterbury Ice Rink, visiting the Fairbanks Museum in St. Johnsbury, even the Lots-o-Balls mini golf park in Duxbury. We train leaders and participate in Statewide Scouting events.  American Flatbread is having a Benefit Bake on Friday, September 23. Come and support your local Scouts and learn about this way of enriching the life of your entire family. For more information see the Pack's website: cubpack798.org and beascout.scouting.org. For specific questions, email annmarie@madriver.com.

Fencing Instruction    Lessons for students grades 5-12, parents, and community members with instructor Keith Puffer, begin on Mondays and Wednesdays, October 3 - November 9th, 6:30pm-8:00pm for open fencing and 8:00pm-9:00pm for individual instruction, at Waitsfield School. Beginners and experienced fencers are welcome. The cost is $25 for students.  USFA Membership is required at a cost of $10.  Space is limited so register now at midvtfencing@gmail.com or call Keith Puffer at 802-989-8014. 


CALENDAR


9/26-9/30 Way To Go Carbon Challenge
9/27  Wait's Way Ribbon cutting ceremony, 5:30 p.m. (join this event  and then go right to Open House!) 
9/27 Open House; 5:30-6:30
9/29 5th/6th grade trip to Audubon Center
10/3-10/6 Way To Go Carbon Challenge
10/5 International Bike/Walk to School Day
10/7 No School
10/10 No School
10/11 PTA Meeting, 6:00-7:00pm
10/17 School Board Meeting, 6:30pm
10/19 PK 3 photos
10/19 Photo Retakes
11/2 Parent Conferences, 2:30-7:00pm
11/3 Parent Conferences, 2:30-7:00pm
11/4 Fifth Grade Boston Museum of Science Trip

 


Preschool students enjoying Wait's Way, the new path tucked behind our school and in the field to our north.  The Mad River Path's ribbon cutting ceremony for this event will be next Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., planned so you can cheer the creation of this new resource and then go straight to our Open House. 

  Forward to Friend 
unsubscribe from this list   update subscription preferences 






This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
Waitsfield Elementary School · 3951 Main Street · Waitsfield, Vermont 05673 · USA

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp