A few announcements to keep you in the know and in the groove! Yes there is music and dancing too!
In case you missed them
Good morning Norwich and Upper Valley residents,
I received a few requests to get the word out to the community about some announcements. In an effort to keep the e-mails to my readers at a minimum I thought it would be nice to put these into one story. Check out what you like as it is difficult for me to guess who does and does not like something. I do get a lot of requests from my readers so I am trying to accommodate my reader base if you will. Get yourself a cup of coffee and relax a bit as there is lots of info here and you could be here awhile. After each announcement story you will see my Logo which I will use as an introduction to a new topic/story.
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Here is the latest MCS newsletter for you to view:
Friday, October 27, 2023
Important Dates
Wednesday, November 1, 6:30pm - Norwich School Board Meeting in the MCS Library
Thursday, November 2, 8:15am - PTO Meeting in the MCS Multipurpose Room
Friday, November 10 - Holiday, School Closed
Thursday, November 16, 5:30pm - MCS Curriculum Night (Math Focus)
Marion Cross School Website Calendar SAU 70 All School/District Website Calendar
Message From The Principal
Halloween is fast approaching. In the past few years, there has been a scattered approach to Halloween at MCS, which has been confusing for children and families. This year we have a school-wide approach.
How people feel about Halloween seems to vary widely. As a community, Norwich has many celebrations and opportunities for those who recognize and celebrate the holiday to partake. The festivities begin this weekend with the Norwitchy Woods Walk and end with town-wide trick-or-treating next week. We have decided that MCS will contribute to Halloween by incorporating some of the themes of the season into the academic work that happens on Halloween. For example, some classes might do pumpkin projects during math and science. Others may incorporate the theme into the word problems that are being solved. It makes sense to us that we join in on the town-wide fun of Halloween on an academic level.
We will leave the joy of costumes for the Norwitchy Woods Walk and the actual night when children trick-or-treat. For this reason, please keep Halloween costumes and masks safely kept at home for use later in the day! We will not be having Halloween parties where we fill your children full of sugary treats and send them home. Instead, as I mentioned above, we will have fun academically with the topic and use it as a tool to engage children in the learning occurring on Halloween.
On another note, some of you expressed interest in being on the substitute list. There were some questions that came up that are relevant to anyone with interest.
Do I have to apply to be a substitute? Yes, there is an online form that needs to be filled out to get on the substitute list. This link will take you to the online application.
If I am already a volunteer, is the process quicker? Yes, if you have gone through the background check, that speeds up the process.
Do I need to have a formal interview? Yes, typically a 15 minute conversation with the HR department over Zoom is all that is required.
Can I decide which grades and/or teachers I substitute for? Yes, you can select the days you are available and the teachers you substitute for.
What if I need several days advance notice to adjust my schedule in order to substitute? That works just fine for us. Oftentimes, teachers know about appointments or professional development days weeks in advance. Once part of our system, you can be alerted about substitute opportunities that are several days or even weeks in the future.
I hope this information helps you to decide if you are able to substitute at our school. As I mentioned before, we LOVE to have family members substitute. It is always fun for children to spend time with someone that they know and it is beneficial to have a person who has some sort of relationship with our students and school. Thanks for your consideration.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Shawn
Student Services Update
This past Thursday, our Community Groups met to complete our activities for the school-wide book “Farmhouse”. One activity was to create a photo with accompanying thought bubbles about what the students hope to be when they grow up. These works of art will be proudly displayed throughout the school soon.
If you are not aware, community groups are designed to bring students from multiple grades together and stay with each other until they graduate MCS. The relationships the students develop with each other and the adults in the group will hopefully increase their sense of belonging. Asking your child about their community group could make a great conversation.
Have a great weekend!
Greg
School News and Information
Reminder:
On Monday (30th) and Tuesday (31st) the health office will be conducting the schoolwide hearing and vision screening. This is required by the state annually and this year I am attempting to do it all at once. It will go from 9am- 3pm both days. I am still in need of parent volunteers, no medical background required but always welcome. If you can help for the day or for a few hours any amount of time is welcome. Thank you for considering.
Have a fabulous and safe and healthy weekend!
Nurse Jane
What’s Happening Outside?
It has been a busy and wonderful few weeks in LEEEP! In 3rd grade we harvested shelled and cooked black beans from the 3 sisters garden, made our own tortillas and pico de gallo from fresh garden ingredients, and even managed to set off the fire alarm! Sorry about that last part! Meanwhile, the 4th graders are studying adaptations and gearing up for a trip to two local beaver ponds. The 2nd graders had two phenomenal visits to the Blood Brook to study erosion and aquatic ecosystems. They found tons of caddis fly and dragonfly larvae, a good sign of stream quality despite evidence of the summer’s floods. In 1st grade we are preparing to work with the Norwich Conservation Commission to plant milkweed and other important native flowers to support pollinators in the meadow. Behind the scenes I've been working with the fire warden to get us ready to start cooking and gathering safely around the fire circle in Kindergarten. This Forest Friday we’ll learn the fire story and gather “mouse tails” and “chickadee sticks” so we’ll be ready with kindling for the fire warden’s visit on November 3rd. The 6th grade’s fall test crops are beginning to sprout in their amended soils. It will be interesting to see if there is a measurable difference between the different soil types or if we learn about the null hypothesis instead. Lastly, in 5th grade we are learning about energy flow in ecosystems and following energy through food webs and up trophic levels in the energy pyramid. Around Halloween we’ll dissect owl pellets and assemble tiny skeletons to learn more about what owls, a keystone species in our forest ecosystem, eat.
Looking ahead, we will be having Fall Cleanup (10/31 and 11/1) and begin having fires (in Kindergarten at first and then other grades later). We’d welcome dry firewood donations, parent volunteers, labeled gloves, rakes etc. to support us in this work. Please reach out with any questions or concerns and “opt outside”-
Chrissy (christiannamorley@hanovernorwichschools.org)
MCS Library
Did you know that graphic novels account for 26% of the MCS library check-outs so far this year? With 987 graphic novel checkouts, that is nearly 3 graphic novel checkouts per MCS student! Graphic Novels engage students in both text based and visual literacy, feature rich vocabulary, invite multiple readings, offer complex narrative structures, build reading comprehension and fluency, and are highly engaging. If you are interested in learning more about the teaching power of graphic novels, watch this TED talk by former Children’s Literature Laureate, Gene Yang.
With so much enthusiasm around this cartoon format of storytelling, our third through sixth grades were excited to welcome co-founder of The Center for Cartoon Studies, James Sturm, to MCS on Wednesday. James provided an introduction to cartooning and shared accessible techniques for students to create their own comics. Ask your child to share their cartoon know-how! I am looking forward to stocking our library shelves with student created comics and graphic novels soon.
PTO Bulletin Board
November 2: The MCS PTO meeting will be held in the Multi next Thursday from 8:15-9:15 am. We hope to see you there!
November 1-17: The MCS PTO is holding a Food Drive for The Haven. We will be collecting one of the Haven’s most needed items: Oatmeal Packets. There will be collection bins at both the front entrance and the back entrance (by the gym). Please contribute, if you can, to support those in need in the Upper Valley.
November & December: Staff Birthday Celebrations
Please SIGN UP HERE to bring in treats for the staff to have a monthly communal birthday celebration at their staff meetings. A cake, a dozen cupcakes, a pan of brownies, etc. would be appreciated! We still need two more volunteers for November 8!
Courtesy Community Interest Posts
22 Church Street
Norwich, Vermont
802-649-1703
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Preview YouTube video Why comics belong in the classroom | Gene Yang | TEDxManhattanBeach
Why comics belong in the classroom | Gene Yang | TEDxManhattanBeach
ReplyForward
I received a few requests to get the word out to the community about some announcements. In an effort to keep the e-mails to my readers at a minimum I thought it would be nice to put these into one story. Check out what you like as it is difficult for me to guess who does and does not. I do get a lot of requests from my readers so I am trying to accommodate my reader base if you will.
The second announcement comes to you from Tracey Hayes on behalf of UNICEF.
Hi Norwich Neighbors:
It's time for Trick or Treating for UNICEF!!
Community members get those coins/ donations ready. Last year, the kids raised over $500 towards "Humanitarian Services for Children". Woo hoo!
For those planning to Trick or Treat for UNICEF .….
STEP 1: PICK UP: Collection bags at:
Norwitchy Woods Walk on Sunday or
Norwich Inn on Halloween
STEP 2: “Trick or Treat ”for UNICEF
gather coin/donations for UNICEF
STEP 3: Drop off
Halloween: Norwich Congregational Church
Wed to Friday at Norwich Public Library or at Norwich INN, Front Desk
If you want to make a donation to the Norwich Community Trick or Treat for Unicef...
You can drop a donation (checks to UNICEF ) to any of the drop off locations or online donations to https://unicefusa.donorsupport.co/-/NJGWJSSX
Happy Halloween everyone!
Tracey Hayes
And now it is time to dance the night away at the SOCK Hop (sponsored by the Norwich Women’s Club)
Come dance the night away to the best music of the 50s and 60s!
The Sock Hop will feature three hours of the best music recorded between 1955 and 1965, plus a free photo booth, a costume contest (prizes for best dressed man, woman and couple!) and a cash bar by Blood's Catering. Channel your inner Midge Maisel, relive your Mad Men days, and under no circumstances get put in the corner! This event is 21+. Tickets are limited so buy yours now!
And yes there is a variety of music videos to enjoy compliments of Chad Finer
MUSIC IN THE UPPER VALLEY - IDA MAE SPECKER & HEAVY NETTLES - "Ain't No Ash Will Burn" recorded up on Braintree Hill in Braintree, Vermont on August 27, 2023
From: Chad <chad.finer@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2023 14:42:55 -0400
IDA MAE SPECKER & HEAVY NETTLES - "Ain't No Ash Will Burn" - at the
Braintree Hill Townhouse in Braintree recorded on August 27, 2023
Chad Finer
MUSIC IN THE UPPER VALLEY - STEVE ELLIS - 2 jazz tunes recorded at the 4 GUITARS concert at Seven Stars Arts Center in Sharon, Vermont on September 30, 2023
From: Chad <chad.finer@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2023 21:31:56 -0400
STEVE ELLIS at the 4 GUITARS concert at Seven Stars Arts Center in Sharon -
2 jazz tunes recorded on September 30, 2023
Chad Finer
MUSIC IN THE UPPER VALLEY - JENNY KIM & JAMES GRAHAM - 3 tunes recorded Upstairs at Dan & Whits in Norwich, Vermont on October 1, 2023
From: Chad <chad.finer@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2023 17:56:50 -0400
JENNY KIM & JAMES GRAHAM - 3 tunes Upstairs at Dan & Whits in Norwich
recorded on October 1, 2023
Chad Finer
MUSIC IN THE UPPER VALLEY - ANDREW CHAPPELL - "First Day of My Life" & "Let It Ride" - recorded in Norwich, Vermont on September 25, 2023
From: Chad <chad.finer@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2023 09:25:35 -0400
ANDREW CHAPPELL - two tunes - "First Day of My Life" and "Let It Ride" -
recorded in my living room in Norwich on September 25, 2023
Andrew is my son-in-law
Chad Finer
MUSIC IN THE UPPER VALLEY - DAN AND THE DINOSAURS - "Just to Hear the Whistle Blow" - recorded at the Anonymous Coffeehouse in Lebanon, New Hampshire on September 15, 2023
From: Chad <chad.finer@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 17 Sep 2023 15:26:04 -0400
DAN and the DINOSAURS - "Just to Hear the Whistle Blow" - recorded at the
Anonymous Coffeehouse in Lebanon on September 15, 2023
Chad Finer
32. MUSIC IN THE UPPER VALLEY - ROLF SCHULTE and JAMES WINN - Debussy "Sonate "recorded at the Court Street Arts in Haverhill, New Hampshire on August 13, 2023
From: Chad <chad.finer@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2023 23:02:01 -0400
ROLF SCHULTE and JAMES WINN - Debussy "Sonate" recorded at Court Street
Arts in Haverhill on August 13, 2023
Chad Finer