Mt. Mansfield Modified Union School District (MMMUSD) is Formed

On December 18, 2014, Secretary of Education, Rebecca Holcombe, swore in community members who were elected in November to serve on the new MMMUSD Board and officially recognized Mt. Mansfield Modified Union as a Vermont school district.  In addition, a treasurer, clerk and annual meeting moderator were elected from the floor and an annual meeting date established on the fourth Thursday in February.  This organizational meeting was formal in nature as its purpose was to solidify MMMUSD as an authorized school district entity in the State of Vermont.  However, Secretary Holcombe highlighted the historical significance of the new school district as well as her support for the work of the Voluntary Merger Committee and enthusiasm for the potential of the the preK-12 school district.

Mt. Mansfield Modified Union School District (MMMUSD) Board Retreat

The MMMUSD School Board wasted no time in beginning its work.  On December 20th, the new board gathered at Camels Hump Middle school to discuss roles and responsibilities, set priorities for the next six months, elect officers and initiate the process of forming a new governing body.  The Vermont School Boards Association supported in facilitating the meeting. The retreat was productive and resulted in the following:

• Jon Milazzo (Richmond) was appointed Chair.  Andrew Pond (Bolton) was appointed Vice Chair.  Dianne Kirson-Glitman (Jericho) was appointed Clerk.
• Peter Geiss (Underhill), Beth Racine (Underhill),  Kevin Campbell (UID), Dave Clark (Huntington), Michael Marks (Richmond) and Edye Granning (Jericho) were appointed to the Finance Committee.
• Andrew Davis (Jericho), Peter Geiss (Underhill), Michael Marks (Richmond) and Jon Milazzo (Richmond) were appointed to the Negotiations Committee.  Huntington School District Representative, Edmund Booth is also a member of the Negotiations Committee.  
• The Board will meet the first and third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. (Click here to view meeting schedule) 
• The January 5, 2015 meeting will take place in the MMUHS Library. Subsequent meetings will be held at CHMS until June 30th.  CHMS is the meeting location during the transition phase. After June 30, the board will determine meeting venues.
• Set preparing a 2015-2016 budget; negotiating contract agreements; transitioning supervisory union responsibilities; building a cohesive board team; develop an understanding of the assets of the new district and plan for Town Meeting 2015.  

In addition to short-term priorities, the MMMUSD Board will be working on a vision, strategic plans/priorities and community engagement plan.  To access a draft of the Board Retreat minutes, please go to MMMUSD retreat minutes.

The next meeting of the MMMUSD Board will be held January 5, 2015, in the Mt. Mansfield Union High School Library.  A primary agenda item will be the 2015-2016 MMMUSD budget development for 8 schools which include Smilie Memorial School, Jericho Elementary, Richmond Elementary, Underhill ID Elementary, Underhill Central, Browns River Middle, Camels Hump Middle and Mt. Mansfield Union High Schools.

IMPORTANT: 3SQUARESVT REPLACEMENT BENEFITS DUE TO POWER OUTAGE 

With the recent winter storm leaving many Vermonters without power for various amounts of time, it is important to remember that 3SquaresVT households may be eligible for replacement benefits if food they bought with their benefits spoils due to loss of electricity for four hours or more.  

If you hear from Vermonters in this situation, please let them know they must request replacement benefits within 10 days of the loss, either orally (by calling 1-800-479-6151 or visiting the local district office) or in writing to the local district office.

More information about replacement benefits can be found here:http://vermontfoodhelp.com/more-resources/replacement-benefits.  Please contact me at asmith-dieng@hungerfreevt.org with any additional questions you may have.

NAEP 2015 PARENT/GUARDIAN NOTIFICATION LETTER

Grades 4, 8, and 12: Mathematics, reading, and science assessments

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Dear Parent or Guardian:

We are pleased to notify you that Smilie School has been selected to represent schools across the nation by participating in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). First administered in 1969, NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students know and can do in various subject areas. It is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics, within the U.S. Department of Education. NAEP is different from state assessments because it provides a common measure of student achievement across the country. The results of NAEP are released as The Nation's Report Card, which provides information about student achievement to educators, parents, policymakers, and the public.

In our school, the NAEP assessment will be given on Wednesday, February 11, 2015. Your child  has been selected to take a mathematics, reading, or science assessment. In addition to answering questions in one of these subjects, students will be asked questions about themselves and their educational experiences, such as the amount of reading they do and the types of classes they take. These questions provide contextual information for the assessment, as well as information that may be related to students’ learning. If you would like to view sample subject area and contextual questions, please visit http://nationsreportcard.gov/parents.asp.

It will take about 90 minutes for most students to participate in the assessment. The results are completely confidential (in accordance with the Confidential Information Protection provisions of Title V, Subtitle A, Public Law 107-347), and the information provided will be used for statistical purposes only. Your child’s grades will not be affected. Your child may be excused from participation for any reason, is not required to complete the assessment, and may skip any question. While NAEP is voluntary, we depend on student participation to provide an accurate measure of student achievement that will inform improvements in education. Your child will represent many other students, so participation is very important. However, if you do not want your child to participate, please notify me in writing by Wednesday, February 4, 2015.

There is no need to study in preparation for NAEP. We do ask, however, that you encourage your child to do their best and get plenty of rest the night before the assessment. A brochure that explains what participation in NAEP means for you and your child is available at http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/pdf/parents/2012469.pdf. Should you have questions, or if you would like a copy of the brochure, please contact me at 802-434-2757 or at barbara.tomasi-gay@cesuvt.org.

We are excited that our school will be participating in NAEP and pleased that your child has been selected. We know that Smilie students will help us show what our nation’s students know and can do.

Sincerely,

Barbara

School Principal

Food Drive for Seniors

Food  Drive

Bring your non-perishable food items to

Smilie’s Winter Carnival

Featuring Breakfast with Santa

this Saturday, December 6, 2014

for Bolton Senior Holiday Gift Baskets

Universal Pre-K Information 

and Scott Noyes

WHEN

Thursday, Dec. 4th, 7-9pm

WHERE

"Richmond Elementary School", School Street, Richmond, VT, United States

Agenda

7:00: Question & Answer Session about the new law and how

 this can help parents pay for their 3-5 year old's Pre-Kindergarten.

7:20: Refreshments and time to mingle with CESU current 

Partner Pre-K Programs.

7:40: Scott Noyes Presentation about Brain Development and

 Gross Motor Play.

CESU Partner Pre-Kindergarten Programs

CESU Partner Pre-Kindergarten programs will be there to answer questions you may have.

Poker Hill School

Saxon Hill School

Williston Enrichment Center

Heartworks

Annette's Preschool

The Children's School

YMCA at Fletcher Allen

The Bellwether School

Jericho/Underhill Preschool Program

Bolton, Huntington & Richmond School-based Preschool Programs

Why Gross Motor Opportunities Build Brain Power - Scott Noyes

The human brain evolved while the body was in almost consistent motion. We were designed to move and think at the same time. The presentation looks at why the benefits of body movement include boosting brain power. Physical exertion gets blood to the brain, bringing it glucose for energy and oxygen to soak up the toxins that are left over. It also stimulates the protein that keeps neurons connecting, BDNF, Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor. This protein acts as fertilizer for the brain. As in ourselves, our children can improve thinking skills by moving.

About Scott Noyes

Scott has been professionally working, playing and talking about children for thirty years. He teaches a graduate level course in "Challenging Behaviors," and an undergraduate course in "Positive Discipline." Scott's first book "Positive Discipline- That Works!" is in its fourth publishing. His second book "intentional Language" was released fall of 2003. His newest reader, "This Child is Driving Us Crazy - What Should We Do?" helps adults develop an effective behavior plan for children with feisty behaviors.hinking skills by moving.

Free showing of "Bag It!" The Movie (is your life too plastic?).

Try going a day without plastic. Plastic is everywhere and infiltrates our lives in unimaginable and frightening ways. In this touching and often flat-out-funny film, we follow “everyman” Jeb Berrier, who is admittedly not a tree hugger, as he embarks on a global tour to unravel the complexities of our plastic world. What starts as a film about plastic bags evolves into a wholesale investigation into plastic and its effect on our waterways, oceans, and even our own bodies. We see how our crazy-for-plastic world has finally caught up to us and what we can do about it. Today. Right now.

WHEN: Thursday, December 4, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Richmond Free Library, 201 Bridge St., Richmond

COST: It’s Free! Please bring your own cup and bowl for local popcorn and cider and help keep this event “zero waste.”  Enter to win raffle prizes and a chance to win a backyard SoilSavercompost bin too! 

INFO:  This event is hosted by Richmond community members and Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD).  For more info contact Karen Cotrone at 264-9638 kacmag@aol.com, orMarge Keough/CSWD at 802-872-8100 x234.  *Film is best suited for ages 12 and up, however, see below:

***FYI:  This is an amazing film and very inspiring!  Watching the movie's trailer gives you a true look at the content of the film.  If you feel the trailer is appropriate for your younger children, you are welcome to bring them to see the film!  You and your children will leave the evening more aware and inspired to make small changes that can create a huge impact! 

Movie Trailer:
http://vimeo.com/5645718

Smilie students and families enjoyed an amazing evening of inventing at Richmond Elementary School last week. Thanks for the invitation, Richmond!
Please enjoy the video!