MCS Who's Wise Words newsletter 2/10/2023
Another week of adventure at the Marion Cross School
WHO'S WISE WORDS
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Who's Wise Words
Welcome to Who's Wise Words. Here you will find the weekly newsletter as well as its archives. We encourage you to come back often to hear about the fun and exciting things happening around our school.
Most Recent Who's Wise Words
MCS Who's Wise Words, February 10, 2023
Important Dates
● Monday, February 20 – Friday, 24 – Winter Break, No School
● Thursday, March 2 - MCS Open House
● Monday, March 6 – Teacher In-Service, No School
● Monday, March 6 at 7pm - Town Meeting at Tracy Hall
● Tuesday, March 7 from 7am to 7pm - Town Meeting Voting at Tracy Hall
● Friday, March 10 - 6pm to 8pmBingo Night Hosted by the PTO
● Friday, March 17 – Parent/Teacher Conferences
● Thursday, March 30 - Spring Choral Concert (Grades 3-6)
● Thursday, April 6 - 7pm - PTO Annual Meeting at the Norwich Inn
Message from the Principal
Specials Rotations for the week of February 13
Monday - D
Tuesday - E
Wednesday - F
Thursday - G
Friday - A
Welcome back to Spring! The weather this winter certainly has us guessing each day.
This week had a few highlights worthy of mention. My personal highlight was joining a walking field trip to the post office with our kindergarten students. I can assure you that we found every puddle along the route! I accompanied Mrs. Fritchie's class on a secret mission to the post office. They were delightful and showed their excellent MCS manners to Maureen and anyone else who we came across.
The fourth grade performance of Counting on Grace happened on Thursday. Not only did the fourth graders wow us with their theatrical talents, but they also taught those in the audience about the working conditions of Vermont children prior to the enforcement of child labor laws. This performance is a MCS tradition that students look forward to participating in when they are in fourth grade. Special thanks to Mrs. French, Mr. Petrone, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Ramsey for working with students to prepare for this performance. Thanks also to those who were in attendance.
Business Manager, Jamie Teague came to MCS for our monthly Coffee Talk. She met with a curious audience to learn about the new septic system. Jamie has a wealth of knowledge about the project and has worked tirelessly for the past 6 years to see this project through. One of the warning articles that will be voted on this year is whether or not to approve the funds for a new septic system. I hope that each of you will make your ways to the voting booths in March to vote about this project. Of course, I also hope that you will vote yes! If you would like more information about the septic system project, I encourage you to visit the septic project page on our website.
SAU 70 Communication Specialist, Karen Wright, has spearheaded the Kindness and Community Chats podcast series. Tune in for the first two episodes, Episode 1 – Kindness and Community Chat with Robin Steiner and Episode 2 – Strategic Planning – Dr. Badams and our Board Chairs. Please notice that the introduction music is a composition by MCS student Cora Swenson! You can find these podcast by following this link.
I have had a few questions from new families about how Town Meeting works in Vermont. Starting next week, I will include some information about Town Meeting, Australian Voting, and the warning articles that are being proposed.
Finally, after watching the joy that the puddles brought to the kindergarteners today, I would highly recommend that you find the puddle nearest to you and jump around a bit! It will be sure to make you and those around you smile.
Have a great weekend,
Shawn
Student Services Update
Next Week is Spirit Week!
Today 6th grade students from Who’s Crew visited each homeroom to explain Spirit Week. All next week, your student will be encouraged to dress up according to the day’s theme.
Monday will be Comfy Day
Tuesday will be Red, White, and Pink Day
Wednesday will be Mismatch/Clash Day
Thursday will be Jersey Day
Friday will be Color Day
Pre-K - Rainbow
Kindergarten - Yellow
1st Grade - Blue
2nd Grade - Orange
3rd Grade - Purple
4th Grade - Red
5th Grade - Green
6th Grade - Black
Congratulations to Who’s Crew for making this happen! (link to slideshow)
UPDATE ON STRATEGIC PLAN
About a year ago students, staff, teachers, administrators, board members, parents, and community members worked in several ways to begin work towards creating our Profile of a Learner and Strategic Plan.
The Profile of a Learner describes the characteristics and skills we want students in SAU 70 to develop. The Strategic Plan is a framework that will help guide our school community on priorities we want to develop. These two endeavors overlap in multiple ways. Both the Profile of a Learner and Strategic Plan are in the draft stage. You can view this draft.
On Monday, February 13th at 6:30 pm, there will be a Strategic Planning Community Forum at the High School library. You can also join via Zoom.
I encourage everyone that is able to listen in and provide feedback.
Have a Great Weekend,
Greg
Counselor's Corner
Another fun week at MCS. This week in classrooms we worked on managing big feelings in the younger grades, and perspective taking in older grades. Everyone has big and uncomfortable feelings sometimes, and we can’t always control how we feel, but we can control how we act. Students practiced strategies on managing big feelings: taking deep breaths, finger tracing, thinking of a calm space and shared those strategies with each other. Sixth grade Who’s Crew is also organizing a spirit week next week and the 5th Grade News Crew came out with their third issue, viewable here. Stella and I hope you all have a restful weekend!
School News and Information
Book Love is in the air at the MCS library. For the month of February, students in 4th, 5th and 6th grade are invited to go on a “Blind Date with a Book”. Students read a heart teaser on a paper bag wrapped book and then, without knowing what the book is, check it out. Once they have read their book (or at least 20 pages), they have a chance to rate their “date” for a chance to win a sweet treat. There is also a station set up in the library for students to create their own “blind date” books for their peers to check-out. Our younger students are creating their own book love in the form of Valentine’s to books and authors. To help keep the book love flowing beyond the MCS library, during the March 17th conference day, families are invited to drop by the library with their mobile devices of choice for help setting up access to the MCS Sora collection of ebooks and audiobooks.
Choral Concert Announcement!
Please mark your calendars for our Spring Choral Concert! Students in the 3rd/4th and 5th/6th Chorus will perform for families and friends on Thursday, March 30, at 6 pm in the multi. More details to follow soon!
Passport to Winter Fun
If you haven’t completed the front flap from your Passport to Winter Fun, please do so and return it to school before February break! You have till February 24 to mail it to UVTA’s Passport to Winter Fun (P.O. Box 1215, Norwich, VT 05055) or Scan QR code to complete the form online.
We hope you are finding lots of ways to stay active inside and out. Remember, for every 10, 20 and 30 days that your child is active for at least 1 hour, they can claim prizes from participating businesses!
MCS Sugar House Volunteers needed
We are looking for a couple of adults who can take shifts boiling sap once the sugar house opens in March. Each shift would be 2-3 hours at a time and volunteers would need to be able to commit to several shifts over the season. Boiling occurs during weekdays when the sap has run so some flexibility would be needed. Training would be included. Please contact amyvanderkooi@hanovernorwichschools.org for more information or to volunteer.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Join us during our PE classes next week to celebrate heart health month! Watch from the sidelines or jump into action with activities that keep our hearts pumping.
Monday 2/13 (Day D) 6D , 5D, 4F, 3G, 2P, & 1R
Tuesday 2/14 (Day E) 5BK, 4W, 3J, 2D, & KN
Wednesday 2/15 (Day F) 6S, 4P, 3K, PKM, KF, & 1M
Thursday 2/16 (Day G) 6G , 5BU, KFR, & 1T
Friday 2/17 (Day A) PKB
Here is our PE schedule for the exact time that your child will have PE class. The American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge will continue through the rest of February and end after our open house event on March 2nd.
Here are some pictures of students learning jump rope skills from Kata Sasvari (MCS parent and Substitute teacher) who competed at the world championship level for jump roping when she was 16. Kata stayed with the sport for many years and has shared her knowledge with our MCS students.
Have your children been asking to sign up for the Kids Heart Challenge? Join our MCS team here and help us make a difference as heart heroes!
Let’s keep moving,
Melanie Farwell
PTO NEWS
Thank you to all who have signed up to contribute to our upcoming Valentine's Day Staff Appreciation Brunch! We are overwhelmed by the generosity of MCS families.
Spring Grants are open! We are accepting grants from Friday, February 10th through Friday, March 17th. The PTO finance committee will discuss the grants/review with Shawn and grants will be announced by Friday, April 7th! Please reach out with questions via email.
BINGO Night is Friday, March 10 from 6-8 pm: For the past few years we have played zoom bingo, but there is nothing quite like Bingo in the multi! Prizes for BINGO winners are repurposed treasures from our own homes: gently-used toys, puzzles, and games all make nice prizes (no stuffies or books, please.) A collection box will be in the entryway for the next few weeks. Look out for a sign-up to volunteer to work BINGO night, to be sent out shortly. Questions? Contact Mara Child: marachild@gmail.com
PTO Bylaw Update/Seeking Volunteer for Co-Chair position: Every year the PTO has what is referred to as our "Annual Meeting." This year, our annual meeting is on April 6, at 7 pm at the Norwich Inn. The MCS PTO is transitioning to a non-profit organization for the 2023-2024 school year. In doing so, we are required to update our bylaws. Our membership must vote on these changes at our annual meeting. The amended bylaws will be posted on our website 30 days in advance. The PTO is also seeking a co-chair for next year. Please email if you have any questions or are interested in volunteering. Thanks!
BoxTops: What was once an arduous process has been radically simplified! No more clipping cardboard squares, simply download the BoxTop App and register to earn money for our school!
Norwich Rec & MCS PTO Family Skating Party: Canceled! We regret having to make this decision, but mother nature did not cooperate this year.
Next Regular PTO Meeting: NEW DATE: Thursday, March 9, 7 via zoom
marioncrosspto@gmail.com
