Summer Greetings, Moretown!

I hope you have found time to soak up another beautiful Vermont summer and enjoy moments of joy and connection with family and friends. I am eagerly preparing for the start of another wonderful school year at Moretown Elementary School, and I can’t wait to welcome our students back! Please take a few moments to review the information below to help us begin the year smoothly and successfully.

Over the next few weeks, you will receive several emails with important information and action items. Two important clerical pieces needed prior to the first day of school are completing Returning Student Registration and setting up a default dismissal plan in Pick Up Patrol (PUP).

• Returning Student Registration

Shannon Wisdom recently sent families an email with instructions for completing Returning Student Registration. Registration must be completed before students return to school. Moretown families are known for their prompt attention to this task, and we appreciate you taking a few minutes to complete it as soon as possible!

• PickUp Patrol

You will also receive instructions for setting up your student’s PickUp Patrol (PUP) account. PUP is our primary tool for communicating dismissal plans and helps us ensure that dismissal runs safely and smoothly.

All families must enter a default dismissal plan for their student. Any daily changes must be submitted through PUP by 1:15 p.m. Changes after 1:15 p.m. will only be accepted in the event of an emergency.

• Sunday, August 23 | 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
  The third annual Mad River Valley Back-to-School Carnival will take place on the Mad River Green. This event supports the four Valley PTOs and is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with friends and get excited about the new school year.

• Monday, August 24 | 4:00–6:00 p.m.
  Join us for our Back-to-School Open House at MES from 4:00–5:00 p.m. Afterward, the PTO will host its annual Ice Cream Social on the Moretown Rec Fields from 5:00–6:00 p.m.

• Wednesday, August 26
  The first day of school! Doors open at 7:20 a.m. Students should arrive by 7:30 a.m. so they are settled and ready for Morning Meeting at 7:40 a.m.

• Monday, September 7
  There will be no school in observance of Labor Day.

Additional dates can be found on the HUUSD 2026–2027 School Year Calendar.

We are delighted to welcome several new staff members to our school community:

• Aubrey Senterfitt joins Moretown and Waitsfield Elementary Schools as our school nurse, bringing experience from UVM Children’s Hospital and a background in outdoor leadership, athletics, and aquatics.

• Abby Durand joins the district as our elementary band and chorus teacher, bringing experience performing in a variety of ensembles and plenty of enthusiasm to share with our young musicians.

• Lena Boudreau joins Moretown as a first- and second-grade teacher, bringing teaching experience from Vermont and France, along with a love of reading, gardening, and the outdoors.

• Katie Martin, a Harwood graduate, longtime district field hockey coach, and former Waitsfield support teacher, joins Moretown and Waitsfield as our new physical education and health teacher. She looks forward to creating classes centered on fun, skill-building, teamwork, and good sportsmanship.

• Peter Jones joined us in the spring as an evening custodian. Peter comes to us with many years of experience in custodial and maintenance work and has already proved to be warm, friendly, family-oriented and enjoys his time in Moretown. Peter has been a long-time musician and advocate for his community- personally raising over $6,000 after Irene for a family in need.

We look forward to introducing each of them more fully as the year begins!

In accordance with Vermont law and district policy, HUUSD schools will maintain a cellphone-free environment throughout the academic day. We ask that students leave cellphones, smartwatches, and other personal electronic devices at home whenever possible.

If a family needs a student to have a device available before or after school, please contact the school in advance to request a storage bag. The device must remain turned off and stored in the school office throughout the school day. Personal electronic devices may not be used on school buses. Additional information will be shared in the coming weeks.

We love our volunteers! Anyone interested in volunteering must complete an application and the required fingerprinting process. Because approval can take time—particularly for those hoping to participate in our Winter Sports Program—we encourage you to begin early. Additional information is available at huusd.org/apply-to-volunteer.

Our handbooks contain more detailed information about school policies, procedures, and day-to-day logistics:

• Moretown Elementary School Student and Family Handbook

• Moretown Preschool Handbook

The Moretown PTO plays an important role in making our school such a vibrant and connected place. With its support, students benefit from our Winter Sports Program, artist-in-residence opportunities, family events, classroom resources, and much more—including the annual Ice Cream Social!

PTO President Louisa Wilson has prepared a special message with additional information about upcoming events and ways to become involved. Please take a moment to read it and consider how you might connect with our wonderful school community.

There is so much to look forward to, and we are excited to begin another year grounded in joy, community, and kindness. Enjoy these final weeks of summer, and please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

With excitement,

Kate Liptak
Principal, Moretown Elementary School

• August 23, 11:00-2:00- Mad River Valley Back-to-School Carnival at the Mad River Green
• August 24- 4-5pm MES Back-to-School Open House
• August 24, 5-6pm, Moretown PTO Ice Cream Social
• August 26- First Day of School
• September 7- NO SCHOOL, Labor Day

Website: moretownschool.org

Instagram: Moretownschoolvt

Facebook: HUUSD

Phone: 802-496-3742

Location: 940 Route 100B, Moretown, VT