2.16.17
PiE February Parent Planning Meeting Notes
In attendance: Suzan Locke, Jeff O’Hara, Jim Goldsmith, Carla Wuthrich, Tanya Jones, Amanda Pacilli, Aimee Frost
Penguin Plunge
- Over 1/3 of the 5th grade participated in the Penguin Plunge--- We raised more money per student than any other school participating in the event---$298 per plunger! Thank you to Paul Lasher for organizing this wonderful event.
Champ Visits HCS on Valentine’s Day
- We had a wonderful visit from the one and only Champ from the Vermont Lake Monsters. The Kindergarten through 2nd Graders all had a personal valentine selfie with the big guy in our homemade photo booth. Thank you to Alyssa Lasher for organizing this wonderful event. Go team Lasher!
Retirement
- Paul Rocheleau recently let the staff of HCS know that the 2016-17 school year will be his final year teaching. When we think of Paul, we think of the amazing connections he is able to make with each and every student. He thoroughly enjoys being around students and his smiling and caring ways will be missed. We wish him a great end of the school year and all he could dream for and more in his well-deserved retirement.
New Hires
- Miri Scarpino joins HCS as a para-specialist in the 3rd and 4th grade wing. Miri is a licensed teacher who most recently has been working in the New School of Montpelier as a behavior interventionists. Her skills as a teacher and with behavior management will be a perfect fit for our existing needs.
- Lindsay Jones joins HCS as a long-term substitute for our 2nd-8th grade art teacher, Katie O’Brien. Lindsay has a Master of Education in Art Education and did her student teaching in Williston Central School. We are lucky to have her join our team.
Food drive
- Many thanks to the members of Student Council for once again organizing the annual HCS food drive. They have taken care of all of the details with this event- talking to Hinesburg Food Shelf representatives to get a sense of what was really needed, communicating to grade level teams about the mission and the prizes associated with participation, and purposefully timing the event so that it came during one of the slower times for the Food Shelf. Very proud of their efforts.
Ski and Ride- Cochran’s and Bolton
- The snow gods have been kind to us already this year. Last year was a particularly bad year for skiing and riding, but this year our numbers of students participating are still incredible and we’ve had some great days at our local ski centers. Many thanks to Lisa Ayer for organizing the Cochran’s program and Matt Kihm for organizing the Bolton program. Our students are lucky to have such dedicated individuals to provide opportunities such as these each year.
YRBS and NAEP
- We’re just priming the assessment pump in February. We are going to giving our older students two assessments this month, before getting them ready to take SBAC’s in the coming months. This month we will be giving two assessments:
- YRBS (Youth Risk Behavior Survey)- Given every two years to our students (and the students at the high school), this survey gives information to the district and to the State level on risky behaviors that we need to be aware so we can plan accordingly. It is helpful information and doesn’t impact instructional time too significantly.
- NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress)- Also given every two years, this assessment is given to our 4th and 8th grade students. CSSU gets “chosen” to participate in this national assessment. Before SBAC, this was a good assessment to see how HCS was doing nationally. Spoiler alert, we’re doing quite well.
4/5 Musical in Full Swing Nightingale
- Hans Christian-Andersen’s timeless story of love, freedom, and the healing power of music comes to life with this musical written for young artists. Set in distant China, The Nightingale features roles for speaking, singing, and dancing. Costumes, set, and music are sure to transport everyone involved to a magical culture.
- 45 fourth and fifth grade students are involved
- Director: Stacy Chadwell
- Performance: March 24th at 7:00pm
- Number of Students:
- Pre-K- 11
- K- 48 (3)
- 1st- 64 (3)
- 2nd- 49 (3)
- 3rd- 66 (4)
- 4th- 54(3)
- 5th- 65 (3)
- 6th- 64 (3)
- 7th- 50 (2)
- 8th- 58 (2)
Total- 529
- There were a lot of questions around classroom size and what is the size when a teacher is added; The 1st grade is growing and the admin is actively watching class size
- Education Quality standards is guide for classroom size; there is no statute to what class size should be
- Class size is recommended, not mandated except for pre-K and kindergarten
- Given the number of questions, it was suggested that this topic be explored further with parents either at Parent Learning or in the Viking
Vacation Food Bags for Feb & April school breaks
- The Hinesburg Resource Center supplies food bags to free/reduced lunch families who opt-in to receive them
- PiE approved contributing a gallon of milk and box of granola bars to the bags (15 bags for each break)
- PiE contributed to winter vacation food bags
- Estimated cost: $200, total annual cost is $300
- Aimee will work with Rachel to secure the items
Town Meeting Childcare- Monday, 3/6- Aimee (5 min)
- Aimee shared that a parent had asked if the school or town supplied childcare for Town Meeting which is held in the evening (this year’s meeting is Monday, 3/6)
- Currently there are no childcare options and PiE decided that this is something best supported by the town
- Aimee will share idea with town/select board to be considered for future town meetings
Family Dance Update - Friday, 3/10
- “Fun in the Sun” theme
- Fliers have been published-please spread the word!
- Ticket pre-sale March 6 - March 10 from 7:30a-8:00a or contact Elisabeth Garvey elisabeth_garvey@gmavt.net (still ironing out the logistics with the office, etc)
- The Bank of Middlebury has donated tickets for 5 families to attend the dance
- Sign up Genius has been sent! Please sign up and spread the word!
- Teachers have been great about collecting auction items from students for the baskets (last day to bring in items-Feb 24).
- We need baskets or containers for the basket auction!!! If you have any to donate contact Alex Koncewicz at alexandrakoncewicz@hotmail.com or Jen Morton at jenniferldalton@hotmail.com
PiE Spring Grant Distribution
- There were two grant submission for the Spring Grant cycle:
- Paul Rocheleau: $800 for Social Studies/Art/Literacy Cranky project (note: grant was approved at Fall Grant meeting and was decided it would come out of this cycle's funds. Project will take place Mar/April '17.)
- 2. Jessica Wilson $420 for a set of 25 USB headphones with microphones for better sound transfer via chromebooks. Students in grades 2-8 will benefit. These will be available for check-out in the library.
- Admin decided to fund this purchase so it will not be funded from the Spring grant cycle
- The Fundraising team will go back and look at un/under-funded grants from the Fall cycle and decide if they will be funded with the remaining Spring cycle funds and report back at March meeting
- There was discussion as to why there are less grant applications in Spring v. the Fall
- Teachers are a lot busier in Feb than early Fall
- Someone raised the question if there should be a single grant cycle in the Fall
- Jeff raised that the discussion around grant requests uncovers needs/desires of which the school is unaware, like in the Fall
- PiE worked together to find creative solutions
- In the spirt of creative solving, it was suggested that PiE lead a brainstorm at a staff meeting to discuss wants/needs that could be funded from PiE grants or funded from other resources
- Kristin Miskavage will be stepping down as PiE Grant Coordinator- THANK YOU KRISTIN!
- And Melissa Levy will be stepping up! THANK YOU, MELISSA!
Fundraising Update
- Have raised $10,200 towards $20,000 goal
- The team projects they will be shy of goal and raise between $17-$18K
- The number of fundraisers were scaled back plus fundraisers shifted to more community events vs. sales
- Hinesburg Night at the Lake Monsters (June) has been planned and will be led again by Erin Walker- THANK YOU ERIN!
- Champ will be visiting the school to kick off ticket sales
- Ticket sale window will be April 14-May 19th
- The fundraising team is exploring several new ideas:
- (Men’s) Night Out at Gonzo’s
- Buy tickets to attend, light food and games
- Vermont Comedy Diva’s
- By tickets to attend, enjoy the show
- Kid’s Night Out – with support from Mr. Shackett who successfully leads a similar event in Richmond
- Student Council also has a Kids Night Out fundraiser
- Imagine also hosts Kids Night Out for Imagine families only (not a fundraiser)
Garden Update
- The HCS garden has become a valued resource at HCS
- Longstanding garden leaders, Susan Lepple and Heidi Simkins, have stepped down this year- THANK YOU BOTH for your contributions over the years!
- Suzan supports the garden and will help appropriate secure staff/school support
- PiE is looking for new leadership and would like to establish a garden vision and goals for the future with a new team
- The first step will be to learn more about how the garden has been used
- Aimee will coordinate a meeting with Suzan, Heidi and Susan, and Amanda
- Amanda volunteered to help lead efforts moving forward
School Directory
- Jeff reached out to fellow CVSD principals to find out who they gather family information for directories
- Shelburne Community School shared that they include a directory opt- out on registration permissions
- It was decided that HCS would create a directory opt-out form to be included in the summer packet
- The form will allow parents to decide what info they want to share (address, phone, and/or email)
- Prior to pulling info, HCS will send a message via Connect 5 to remind parents that they can opt of directory; this creates a double opt-out
- Jim will ask Kate Dodge if she will create the form
- Aimee to check with front office as to when forms are due for summer packet
- The goal is for the directory to be distributed in early Fall
2017/2018 Planning
- PiE discussed having a planning off-site meeting to discuss schedules, events, and new ideas for 2017/2018 school year. The consensus was we need to plan as early as possible.
- Discussion topics might include:
- Open houses vs. curriculum nights and supporting PiE events (timing will not be determined to summer when teachers are back in school)
- Summer/early Fall coordinated parent communication (like directory opt-out form)
- A New Family Welcome packet- New idea
- Establishing a calendar with known events
- At the March meeting, we’ll revisit scheduling this meeting
Communication Check-In
- There was conversation as to how information from PiE meetings flows to teachers
- Jeff and Suzan said that they will forward information if sent to them
- Important information can be re-enforced at weekly staff meetings
Parent Learning Events
- The goal is to have at least one more Parent Learning Event this year (have held three events with a goal of five)
- Two topics/speakers include:
- Cindy Pierce, a sex educator and comedian (suggested by Sarah Friend)
- Friendships and navigating the social lives of our children (suggested by Kristin Miskavage)
- Aimee will follow up and report back with more details at March meeting
Upcoming Events:
- End of Box Top Collection (DUE Fr, 2/20/17)
- Family Dance (Fr, 3/10/17)
- PiE March Meeting (Th, 3/16/17)
- 4th/5th grade musical (Fr, 3/24 @ 7pm)
- Kindergarten registration (tentatively scheduled for 4/13 & 4/14)
- Staff Appreciation Week (May)
- Book donation to HCS library in honor of retiring teachers (June)
- Hinesburg Night at the Lake Monsters (June)
