A newsletter from Stowe Elementary School

PO Box 760, 254 Park Street, Stowe, VT 05672 USA
P: 802­.253.­4154 F: 802.­253.­6915 W: www.stoweschoolsvt.com

Thursday, February 23, 2017

February 24

Happy Winter Break!

Student-Led Conferences

Families will have an opportunity to participate in a new experience in March as our school engages in parent/teacher conferences with a new component - student voice!  Your child will attend the conference to share his/her learning.  Student-led conferences are an important part of helping children take ownership of their learning.  This level of personalization has a strong, positive impact upon students, both in and out of school.  If you'd like to learn more about proficiency-based learning and connections to personalization, please visit our website at this link:  The Road to Proficiency

 Here are a few hints for families as we prepare for conferences:
  • Express positive interest and anticipation about the upcoming conference.
  • As you listen, direct your responses to your child, rather than the teacher.
  • Express pride in growth and progress.
  • Ask questions.
  • Be positive, offering to help in areas where improvement is needed.
  • Recognize that students need to develop independence in communicating progress.
  • If you have more than one student, please have only the student who is leading the conference come into the classroom.  We're working on providing supervised play in the dining area during conferences - more news on that later!
Possible questions for the conference:
  • Can you explain this to me?
  • How have you grown in this area?
  • How can you improve in this area?
  • What was important to you about this?
  • What future goals do you have as a student?
Thank you for your support, as we learn and grow together as a school community!


PTO POSTS
  • Chess:  The PTO has organized chess lessons for students in kindergarten and first grade on Wednesdays, March 22 - April 12 in the library.  Please sign up here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090948A4AA2FABFD0-kindergarten
NEWS AND EVENTS
  • Community Meeting:  Friday, March 10 at 8:20.  Mrs. Greene's class is our main presenter.  You're always welcome to join us!
  • Running Start Celebration:  Friday, March 17.  We'll celebrate our young readers with a "read in" and other activities.
  • Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences:  Thursday, March 16, 3:20 - 7:00 and Friday, March 24, 11:00 - 7:00.  Please go to the SSD website to sign up on PTC wizard.
  • Food Service Survey:  Please complete this survey to provide valuable feedback regarding our food service.  Negative or positive, your feedback is very important to us. Please take the time to do this, even if your child does not participate in the school lunch program. The survey only takes about 2 minutes to complete. We'd love to hear from everyone!  Food Service Survey  
  • Incoming Kindergarteners:  If you have a child who will be entering kindergarten this fall, please let us know.  Contact Sue O'Grady or Dot Hayden in the SES office. Thanks!
  • Preschoolers:  Do you have a preschool age child who will be 3 before September 1st?  If so, Lamoille South Early Education would like to invite you to our FREE developmental screening day.  Professionals from our early education team will be available to discuss your child's development and provide hearing and vision screenings.  We can also provide you with information on our public preschool options in Morrisville and Stowe.  Child Development Day will take place the morning of March 10th.  To RSVP, call 888-6707, ext.1, and leave a message with your contact information to RSVP.
  • Stowe Youth Hockey:  All students and families are invited to attend the "Pack the Jack for Stowe Youth Hockey" Exhibition Game of SLugs (with famous hockey players like Graham Mink, Brady Leisenring, and Ian Smith) vs. Stowe High School Boys Ice Hockey Team on Friday, March 10th at 6:00 PM at Stowe Arena.  This event is a fundraiser for Stowe youth Hockey, with the money raised going to make ice hockey available and accessible to all youth in the community.  Tickets are $10 per person and $20 per family.  This will be a fun and exciting event.  Please come and support the players and the youth hockey program!
  • Fun Fact:  As a school, we've collected 475 lbs. of batteries to be recycled this year.
  • Parent Night at SMS:  Tuesday, March 21 from 6:30 - 8:00, SHS Auditorium. "If I Could Have a Do-Over" presentation by John Halligan.  Mr. Halligan's presentation will cover the lessons learned too late for his family regarding how to deal with bullying, cyberbullying and teen depression.  Please contact SMS Guidance Counselor, Lauren Conti, with any questions at 253-6913. 
  • Spring Soccer:  Registration is February 5 - March 5.  In order to meet Vermont Soccer Association's spring league deadline, please ensure your child is registered no later than March 5.  We cannot guarantee we will be able to accept any late registrations.  Check out more information, the latest news and the link to register on our website.  http://www.stowesoccer.org/.    The Stowe Soccer Board.
  • Miles for Smiles:  Save the date for the 2nd Annual Miles for Smiles fundraiser - June 5, 2017.  

 Important Dates

February 27 - March 7:  Winter Recess
March 7:  Town Meeting Day
February 22 - March 15:  Girls on the Run Registration
March 16:  Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 23:  Early Release for Students
March 24:  Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences

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Sunday, February 19, 2017

The Road to Proficiency-based Learning at SES

The Road to Proficiency
What Is Proficiency-Based Learning?
Proficiency-based education represents a shift from the current school-centered system to one that is more student-centered. Proficiency-Based Learning (or PBL) is designed to:
  • Help schools create efficient and effective systems that will ensure all students graduate prepared to succeed in the college, careers, and communities of the 21st century.
  • Support all students meeting high academic standards, and ensure that more students master the knowledge and skills necessary to graduate better prepared for adult life.  
  • Create student learning and progress that is measured and reported in relation to learning expectations.  
  • Ensure that students demonstrate competency in order to advance, which will help ensure that students graduate truly ready for college and career.
What are the Proficiency Expectations in LSSU?
Our Proficiencies are organized into Mission Related Goals, Content Graduation Requirements, and Scholarly Habits; each providing focus, emphasis and learning goals for distinct areas of growth and abilities necessary to ensure our graduates are prepared for the demands of college, career and life.


Want To Learn More?
To read more about Proficiency Based Learning grab a coffee and visit our PBL Website.  The Road to Proficiency: Why, What, and HowImage result for illustrations of a cup of coffee


In particular you might want to watch student voices explain proficiency-based learning, read more about the Benefits of PBL, the Value of PBL, or get additional information about the Proficiency Expectations in LSSU.
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Thursday, February 16, 2017

School Board Brief

Click HERE to learn FAST FACTS regarding the FY18 proposed school budget. This is the second in a set of budget overviews from the school board. Please remember that the Public Information Meeting on the school budget will be held at the Akeley Building on Monday, February 27, at 6:00 PM.
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February 16


ROBOTS at SES!
Learning and Having Fun

Makey Makey
Dash
Sphero
Robot Mouse

PTO POSTS

  • Chess:  The PTO has organized two chess sessions this year and would like to have a final session for students in grades 2-5 before Spring Break.  Christina DeRuzza would like to co-chair this event with another parent.  If you would be interested, please contact her:  cjpatoine@hotmail.com
  • Sayon Camera Drumming:  Friday, February 24.  The Cultural Arts and Diversity Committee would like to thank our wonderful PTO for funding this exciting drumming opportunity for our students.  Through drumming, students will travel to a small village in the heart of Guinea to experience the music, rhythms, language and movements of a very diverse culture.  Students will participate in drumming lessons in the gym throughout the day to give everyone the opportunity to participate in this joyful celebration of music and culture.  There will be a school-wide assembly and performance from 2:00 - 2:30.

NEWS AND EVENTS
  • Community Meeting:  Friday, February 17, at 8:20 in the gym.  Mrs. LaClair is our main presenter.  You're always welcome to join us!
  • Spring Soccer:  Registration is February 5 - March 5.  In order to meet Vermont Soccer Association's spring league deadline, please ensure your child is registered no later than March 5.  We cannot guarantee we will be able to accept any late registrations.  Check out more information, the latest news and the link to register on our website.  http://www.stowesoccer.org/.    The Stowe Soccer Board.
  • SES Chorus to Perform in Sanders Concert:  The Stowe Elementary School chorus has been invited to perform at Senator Sanders' Third Annual Vermont Student Choral Concert on Saturday, May 25 at CVU High School.  They will rehearse in the afternoon, have a conversation with Bernie about the importance of the arts in education, have dinner at CVU, and then perform at the concert.  Congratulations!
  • Parent Night at SMS:  Tuesday, March 21 from 6:30 - 8:00, SHS Auditorium. "If I Could Have a Do-Over" presentation by John Halligan.  Mr. Halligan's presentation will cover the lessons learned too late for his family regarding how to deal with bullying, cyberbullying and teen depression.  Please contact SMS Guidance Counselor, Lauren Conti, with any questions at 253-6913.  
  • Stowe Youth Lacrosse:  SYL provides a great experience for boys and girls in grades K-8.  Come join us for another fun season!  Visit our website or contact us at stoweyouthlax@gmail.com.  Registration for the 2017 season begins February 13, 2017 on our website:  www.stowelacrosse.com.  Sign up early for a $10 discount.  Turf practices for U11 (3rd & 4th grades), U13 (5th & 6th grades), and U15 (7th & 8th grades) begin on March 27, moving to the fields in May. Fiddlesticks (K-2) will begin after Spring Break.  We are looking for coaches for our U11 and U13 boys' teams.  If you are interested, please contact us.
Important Dates

February 17:  Friday Program
February 22:  Lamoille County Nature Center to Kindergarten
February 22:  Registration open for Girls on the Run
February 24:  Sayon Camera Drumming
February 27 - March 6:  Winter Recess
March 7:  Town Meeting Day
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Monday, February 13, 2017

Stowe High School Principal Candidate Visit for 2/13 is Rescheduled

The Stowe High School Principal candidate visit scheduled for February 13th is rescheduled for February 14th. The agenda for the day will remain the same.
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Wednesday, February 8, 2017

School Board Brief



School Board Brief | February 7, 2017

The vote on the school budget will take place on Town Meeting Day, March 7, 2017. Please follow this link to read the first in a series of budget overviews from the school board. Also, please mark your calendar for a Public Information Meeting on the school budget at 6:00 PM on Monday, February 27 at the Town Hall.
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Monday, February 6, 2017

Special Message - SHS Principal Search

Greetings Stowe Community,

I would like to provide an update on the Stowe High School Principal Search, including an opportunity to meet the two finalists.

I am pleased to share with you that we had 36 applications for SHS Principal. In the first round we interviewed 6 candidates. The committee unanimously agreed on our two finalists.

Each candidate will be on campus for one full day as part of their second round interviews. I encourage you to join us THURSDAY, February 9th, and MONDAY, February 13th, at 8:10a.m. in the auditorium to meet our two finalists. Introductions will be done at this time. I anticipate a relaxed and informal discussion with each candidate. Please RSVP here and submit your questions for consideration too.  We would love to have you attend one session, or both, as you are able.

Our second round interviews include: meet-and-greet with parents, school tour, student leadership round table, LSSU tour, SHS Office personnel round table, classroom walkthroughs, and the faculty meeting on the above days.

Thanks,

Dan

The SHS Principal Search Committee consists of:

Dan Morrison, SMS Principal, Facilitator

Anne King, SHS Faculty

Jane Lambert, SHS Faculty

John Kennedy, SHS Faculty

Norm Williams, SHS Faculty

Emily Rosenbaum, Parent/Community

John Chudzik, Parent/Community

Kerry Glanz, Parent/Community

Terrie Wehse, Parent/Community

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Saturday, February 4, 2017

Week of February 6


SES Celebrations!

Playing
Growing


Working
Learning

Caring



PTO POSTS

  • Chess:  The PTO has organized two chess sessions this year and would like to have a final session for students in grades 2-5 before Spring Break.  Christina DeRuzza would like to co-chair this event with another parent.  If you would be interested, please contact her:  cjpatoine@hotmail.com

NEWS AND EVENTS
  • Community Meeting:  Friday, February 10, at 8:20 in the gym.  Mrs. LaClair is our main presenter.  You're always welcome to join us!
  • SES Chorus to Perform in Sanders Concert:  The Stowe Elementary School chorus has been invited to perform at Senator Sanders' Third Annual Vermont Student Choral Concert.  Mrs. LaClair will send detailed information home with chorus members. Congratulations!
  • Stowe Youth Lacrosse:  SYL provides a great experience for boys and girls in grades K-8.  Come join us for another fun season!  Visit our website or contact us at stoweyouthlax@gmail.com.  Registration for the 2017 season begins February 13, 2017 on our website:  www.stowelacrosse.com.  Sign up early for a $10 discount.  Turf practices for U11 (3rd & 4th grades), U13 (5th & 6th grades), and U15 (7th & 8th grades) begin on March 27, moving to the fields in May. Fiddlesticks (K-2) will begin after Spring Break.  We are looking for coaches for our U11 and U13 boys' teams.  If you are interested, please contact us.
  • Girls on the Run:  There will be an informational meeting for all girls in grades 3-5 in Mrs. Stetson's classroom on Thursday, February 9.  Program organizer, Rachel Desautels, will be here to speak to the girls about this program.
Important Dates

 February 9:  Girls on the Run Informational Meetings (recess)
February 10:  Friday Program
February 13:  Registration for Stowe Youth Lacrosse begins
February 14:  Valentine's Day!
February 17:  Friday Program
February 22:  Lamoille County Nature Center to Kindergarten
February 22:  Registration open for Girls on the Run
February 27 - March 6:  Winter Recess
March 7:  Town Meeting Day
Hello Families!
I wanted to share some great information with you. February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. This month I hope to have a contest between the classes for a slogan for the Tooth Tutor program at Stowe Elementary. The winning classes (K-2 & 3-5) will get a great surprise from me and their slogans will be posted on a bulletin board in the school.  I am hoping to make the dental world more fun for kids!
I would also like to share some information on sealants with you. Once the first permanent molars begin to erupt, getting sealants is the most helpful thing you can do to protect them (besides brushing and flossing).  Here are 2 links to VERY short videos that explain what they are and why they're helpful.




Thank you for your time! If I can help with any dental needs, please let me know!
Sincerely,
Kim (the Tooth Tutor)
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Wednesday, February 1, 2017

It's About Learning Budget Edition

The February 2017 Budget Edition of It's About Learning is now available. It may be viewed and printed from our website HERE. A printed version of this publication can be obtained by contacting Lamoille South Supervisory Union at 888-4541.
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