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Discover more from My Newsletter "about Norwich"
Here is the latest updated info on dates and events that you should know about, especially if you have a child at MCS.
Cross Words
05/21/2021
Important Dates
Friday 5/28 - Friday Celebration - Clash Day
Friday 6/4 - Friday Celebration - Number Day
May 31 - Memorial Day - School Closed
June 10th - 6th Grade Celebration, 4:00-4:45 (June 14th rain date)
Friday 6/11 - Friday Celebration - Marion Cross Gear
June 14th will be a ½ day. Currently we are coordinating bus transportation between the schools, but the tentative ending time is noon.
Message From The Principal
I am hopeful that you have found time to enjoy the sunshine and beautiful weather that has come our way. Recently, I have enjoyed a problem during morning check in, which is the sun shining in my eyes...so much easier to solve than rain, snow, and bitter cold mornings!
This week I wanted to highlight the importance of that age old adage, “Treat people the way you would like to be treated.” I was proud of our sixth grade student who had the courage to write a letter to the editor in the Valley News sharing her experience while waiting in line at Dan and Whit's for ice cream. One of the aspects of being principal at MCS that I have appreciated is the warm, welcoming culture of the Norwich community. To me, this community is idealistic in the way people are treated with kindness. The letter saddened me on two accounts. First, I was sad that after the extensive work that Guidance Counselor Katie Cormier, Nurse Pam, Greg Bagnato, and classroom teachers have done with our students centered on being inclusive and not using hateful and hurtful language that this type of situation would occur. Second, it made me sad that other adults in the community could hear these comments and not step up and intervene on behalf of the child. Throughout the week, I read the various notes of support on the Norwich Listserv and the emails of support sent my way. They were heartening, but still left me with the reality that in the moment when one of our children needed an adult, or another student, to be an upstander, the people present fell short.
As a child, I grew up in a small Vermont town surrounded by relatives (I had the good fortune to have 36 aunts and uncles) and neighbors who were like family. Often, the greatest lessons learned were not from school or home, but rather in watching how the adults interacted and in the conversations I had with trusted adults in my community. I remember one such time when an older relative overheard a group of my cousins and me gossiping about a student at our school. She took the time to have a conversation about the ripple effect that our negativity could send through our community and how long hateful comments stick with another person. Her taking the time in the moment to kindly share her thoughts and set an expectation of kindness stuck with me for a lifetime.
My hope is that the letter published in the Valley News will have that impact and stick with all of us. It certainly takes a strong, kind, caring village to raise children who grow up to make the world a better place. Please keep your ears open when in line at the ice cream shop, out on the playground, and in other public places. Listen to what the children and adults are saying. And please be an upstander; your worlds are powerful and can make a difference. Life lessons can happen anywhere and come from anyone. Finally, a huge shoutout and thank you to Roxy for her willingness to share her experience and her prompt to remind us all to expect more and do better.
Enjoy the weekend,
Shawn
*In the event that you were not able to read the letter that Roxy submitted to the Valley News, she has graciously allowed me to republish it in Cross Words.
Targeted by a hateful slur, and no help from grown-ups.
I am 12 years old, a sixth grader at Marion Cross Elementary School, and an out lesbian to my family, friends and the students in my grade. Recently I was outside Dan & Whit's with my brother, buying ice cream. In front of us in line were two people from my school. They were having a normal conversation, until one noticed me, turned around to his friends, and loudly announced- - literally announced- "Lesbo!" For those who don't know, "lesbo" is an offensive and derogatory term for lesbians.
Then the perpetrators whispered among themselves and mocked my younger brother. I was shocked, angry, sad, confused and shamed. These are the kinds of emotions hate speech evokes. I don't know the person who said this well, so I prayed someone else -- preferably an adult -- would intervene. But no one did. Of the 15 or so grown-ups in the area, I'm guessing seven or more heard this remark. Not one of them told the boys in line to knock it off, that they can't say that insulting stuff to other kids. All those people from my small town just walked on by, ignoring the slur.
If you witness something like what I just described, please help. These painful experiences can cause trouble later in life, and (I already know) they build up. Kids should be held accountable for shouting this kind of language at others. I shouldn't have to fight as one person against this societal hate impressed into young minds. I need reinforcement in the moment.
The irony of it all is that incident happened right under the nice banner that says "Hate Does Not Grow in the Rocky Soil of Norwich, Vermont." After this experience, I'm not so sure about that.
Does it?
Roxana Sharlet
Norwich
Message From Student Services
It is amazing that we have only three Fridays left in the school year! Students and teachers have worked incredibly hard to get to this spot. In an effort to celebrate a little at the end of each week, we have decided to have special dress up days on the next three Fridays. Here are the details:
Friday 5/28 - Clash Day - Have fun wearing a mismatching outfit. No color coordination allowed :).
Friday 6/4 - Number Day - Sports Jerseys, Pi t-shirts, Dice...any type of number representations.
Friday 6/11 - Marion Cross Spirit - Wear official MCS shirts, make your own MCS garb, or just find something with an owl on it.
Have a great weekend,
Greg Bagnato
gregbagnato@hanovernorwichschools.org
School News and Information
Check out the Earth Day video on our website. The video can be found under the news section. Thank you Karen Wright for putting this together for us!
Hello, This year Field Day as we know it has been canceled. The Specials teachers all got together with Mr. Bagnato and Mr. Gonyaw and came up with the next best thing. We all wanted to provide the students one last time to have a fun and exciting event with their Specials teachers. During the last full week of school the Specials Teachers have created a Fun Day for the students. We are super excited to laugh and play together with all of our students!
-MCS Specials Teachers
Good Afternoon:
At the Frances C. Richmond middle school we consider our library the heart of our school. It is a welcoming space, full of a myriad of authentic voices that allow our students to find books that speak to them. In an effort to upgrade the space RMS recently secured a grant to re-imagine the space to make it even more welcoming. At the current time we have raised over $75,000 through the Bryne foundation and multiple community donations. We are very close to our final goal of slightly over $80,000 to complete the entire renovation in one year. Please consider giving some money to our effort to build and enhance our heart.
To see a plan for the new library click here.
Please send a check, payable to the Dresden School district to 63 Lyme Rd, Hanover, NH 03755.
We at RMS thank you for helping our community.
Please be safe, stay well, and take care of each other.
Tim
--
Tim Boyle
he/him/his - why?
Principal
The Richmond Middle School
603-643-6040
@TimBoyle_RMS
Norwich Historical Society is hosting a sheep-to-shawl event for families on May 22 from 1-4pm (we will have tents in case of rain). Our beloved sheep shearer, Fred, will be here with his sheep and will let kids help as they have in the past. We'll also have spinning, weaving, and knitting with hands-on components. The barn will be open and kids can explore the town jail cells and see the town hearse. This has often been a traditional visit by the 1st grade. Inside we have an artifact "please touch" room with objects for kids to explore --they can learn to finger knit and take a little yarn with them. It's all free on Saturday from 1-4pm at Norwich Historical Society, 277 Main Street.
Richmond Middle School Student Council hosts:
Car Wash and vacuum clean out, Saturday May 22nd, 9 to noon.
Richmond Middle School parking lot.
Hartford Performing Arts Camp
If you are looking for an opportunity to perform some music theatre or practice your band instrument (a few 6th graders are still playing), you might be interested in this program in Hartford. Here is the link for more information.
A Rainbow of Chaos
Hartford Performing Arts Camp is a week- long day camp for children entering grades 6 through 9 who have an interest and/or passion for the performing arts. Campers will select to participate in band and/or theater, and the week culminates with a performance. In addition to performing, we love to get outside for the HPAC Olympics, when campers get to play a variety of fun games like a water balloon toss or a relay race. To play in the band, campers need to have been playing a band instrument for at least one year.
Specific programming and scheduling details for 2021 are to be determined based on the Vermont Summer Camp COVID Guidelines.
When: August 2nd through August 6th
Who: Campers entering 6th through 9th grade
Location: HHS
Concert Band Session:
Time:
Entering Grades 6th-7th: 9:00am-12:00pm
Entering Grades 8th-9th: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Cost $90.00
Prerequisites:
You must have previously been playing a concert band instrument for at least one year (flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, percussion).
You must bring your own instrument to camp (if you have been borrowing one from the Hartford School District, you may continue to do so).
You must bring an instrument bell over that meets the VT C-19 Performing Arts Guidelines (2+ layers with 1 layer of MERV-13 material).
What to bring:
Instrument with bell cover and necessary supplies (reeds, oils, etc.)
Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat (rehearsals are outside)
Water bottle, snack (half day campers), lunch (full day campers)
Comfortable clothing
Sneaker type shoes (we do play outdoor games!)
Musical Theater Session:
Time:
Entering Grades 8th-9th: 9:00am-12:00pm
Entering Grades 6th-7th: 1:00pm-4:00pm
Cost: $90.00
Prerequisites:
You just need to have the desire to sing, dance, and act. No experience necessary.
What to bring:
Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat (rehearsals are outside)
Water bottle, snack (half day campers), lunch (full day campers)
Comfortable clothing
Sneaker type shoes (we do play outdoor games!)
Important Information:
There is no option for full day concert band or full day musical theater, "full day" campers will register for 2 separate activity sessions. They will bring their own lunch and have a supervised lunch/break house in between the AM and PM sessions.
Campers must attend the session(s) that match(es) their entering grade level for the 2021-2022 school year.
We will be following the COVID-19 VT Dept. of Health Summer Camp Guidelines (specifics TBA).
Performance details are TBA; we hope to have an outdoor performance that is open to the public. Stay tuned for more details
Health Office Information
Mask Information:
All adults and children, including those who are fully-vaccinated, should wear masks both inside and outside of school unless taking a mask break or eating. Please continue to maintain physical distancing when the masks are off.
As the state guidance changes, we will be communicating how this affects the school guidelines.
VT TRAVEL GUIDELINES
As part of Vermont's phased reopening plan, there is new travel guidance. Except for international travel, travel no longer requires testing or quarantine.
CDC recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated, because travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19.
Travelers should follow the guidelines of the state or country they visit. These rules may be different state by state or country by country (latest update from the VT Dept. of Health).
SOCIAL GATHERINGS
Vermont has restrictions on social gatherings based on whether you are fully vaccinated or not. You are fully vaccinated 14 days after your final shot. Since children under age 12 cannot get vaccinated at this time, they are considered unvaccinated.
The following limits apply to both social gatherings at a private residence and events at a venue.
For indoor gatherings:
There can be one unvaccinated person per 50 square feet up to 300 unvaccinated people (whichever is less), plus any number of fully vaccinated people. People who are not vaccinated are required to wear a mask in indoor public spaces.
For outdoor gatherings:
There can be 900 unvaccinated people, plus any number of fully vaccinated people.
Please remember to keep your child home if they show any COVID-19 symptoms which include fever or chill, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and/or diarrhea. If you have any questions, please contact the health office.
***
If your child receives a COVID vaccine, please send a copy of the card to pamhausler@marioncross.org or fax a copy to 802-649-3640. We will update the immunization information in Powerschool.
***
Appointments for COVID Vaccines for ages 12-15:
Appointments for the 12 to 15 age group can be made by visiting healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine. Parents or caregivers can create an account, or use their existing account, and add a child as a dependent. Those making appointments will only see clinics with the Pfizer vaccine. If you need assistance, you can call 855-722-7878. Parental/caregiver consent is required for vaccination of this age group. Consent can be given as part of the online registration process or at a clinic in person.
Making an appointment is the best way to guarantee a vaccine, but walk-in opportunities are also available and can be found on the website healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine. Anyone under 18 should be sure to only choose locations that offer the Pfizer vaccine.
Certain pharmacies, including CVS and Kinney Drugs, are also offering the Pfizer vaccine to this age group, with some having appointments or walk-in opportunities available right away.
Please remember to bring your child’s birth certificate to the vaccination site.
BE TICK SMART
We have been finding a lot of ticks. I have included information from the healthvermont website. The information includes ways to remove the ticks and what to be aware of with a tick bite.
We need volunteers to help keep the MCS gardens watered and healthy this summer! Here is a link for families to sign up for any week they can help out:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HcK7DXmruKeoNru8mF0O1UcOrjnnWw1Hqjs3CGbPx3g/edit?usp=sharing
PTO Bulletin Board
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MCS has news for you
Demo, Thank you for forwarding this to the community at large. Important message from Greg.