The Howler: March 7, 2025

Good afternoon families,

We had a fabulous all-school assembly and celebration last week -- enjoy the pictures below!

Our Wolf Way character strength for March is Kindness: I can say and do nice things. I am helpful to others and do good deeds.

Also, starting earlier this week and likely lasting until March 19, I am away from school recovering from a medical procedure. (Don't worry - I am okay!) In my absence, various administrators from our district will be at OQS supporting our fabulous learners and faculty leaders as they continue to do the excellent work they do every day. During this time, Ms. French will also be out, so if you have a need, please contact Sue Tweed in our office at (802) 295-8654 or tweeds@hartfordschools.net and she will point you in the right direction.

During this time, please let Ms. Tweed and your child's teacher know about any absences. For other issues related to your child, please contact their classroom teacher, or for additional support, our school counselor, Kara Hemenway, hemenwayk@hartfordschools.net.

Thank you for your understanding,

Amelia Donahey

Principal

3/18: Early Release Day - Students dismiss at 12:45pm (no school for PreK)

3/19: OQS Art Show 5:30-6:30pm

3/20: Early Release Day for Student Led Conferences - Students (including PreK!) dismiss at 12:45pm

3/21: No School (Student-Led Conferences)

4/4: Weather At Your School (WCAX Broadcasts from OQS 4:00-8:00am); Screenagers Film Screening family-friendly event at Dothan Brook School, 6pm

4/14 - 4/18: No School (Spring Break)

5/2: Better World Day

Please join us!

Dear Hartford Families,

The Hartford School District has started the registration process for the 2025/2026 kindergarten class. Early enrollment is important because it gives the schools time to prepare for your child’s kindergarten experience.

If you have a child who is 5 years old on or before August 31, 2025, they are eligible to enroll.

• Children who are currently enrolled in a Hartford School District Pre-K program do not need to complete the registration process.

• Families who already have a child who is actively enrolled within the Hartford School District go to https://hsdvt.com/enroll-new-student and scroll down to the section entitled Existing Families-Pre-K to 12th Grade.

• Families who do not have an actively enrolled child, go to the section entitled New Families-Pre-K to 12th Grade

If you are not able to complete the registration process online, please contact one of the schools. We are happy to help you complete the process.

The Hartford School District assigns students to a school based on your family’s physical address. The district’s catchment area map is available on the right hand side of the Hartford School District’s website (hsdvt.com).

For planning purposes, note the following important dates:

• Prior to May 9th–Registration Completed Online

• May 12th–School Placement & Kindergarten Orientation Times Emailed

• May 20th–Incoming Kindergarten Orientation. Your family will receive a 30-minute time slot that will occur between 8:30 and 2:00.

If you have a friend or neighbor with a child in this age range, please share this information or have them call their local elementary school.

Thank you for your assistance and please feel free to contact the school with any questions.

Sincerely Yours,

Rick Dustin-Eichler, Dothan Brook School - 295-8647

Amelia Donahey , Ottauquechee School - 295-8654

Doug Kussius, White River School - 295-8650

Engineering Firm Sanborn, Head and Associates recently provided a donation to sponsor pizza and beverages at the Ottauquechee School's SPARK! Community Science Nights for the rest of this year. We appreciate the support and partnership to help grow the next generation of scientists and engineers!

Week 21: March is Women’s History Month!

In honor of Women's History Month, we’ll dedicate the next 5 Curiosity Corner blurbs to women. And what better way to begin than with Dr. Maya Angelou’s poem, “Phenomenal Woman.” Watch Dr. Angelou tell the story behind her poem and hear her recite it here.

Phenomenal Woman

By Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can’t touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them,

They say they still can’t see.

I say,

It’s in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed.

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

the palm of my hand,

The need for my care.

’Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Copyright Credit: Maya Angelou, “Phenomenal Woman” from And Still I Rise. Copyright © 1978 by Maya Angelou. Used by permission of Random House, an imprint and division of Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved.

Source: The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou (Random House Inc., 1994)

The Vermont Principals' Association has released a new video featuring the powerful voices of student-athletes from across the state! Sportsmanship isn’t just about competition—it’s about respect, leadership, and lifting each other up. This inspiring video captures the heart of Vermont athletics, reminding us all that every game is an opportunity to lead by example.

Watch the video now and join us in shaping the future of sportsmanship in Vermont!

JUST WATCH VPA - Student Voices - 02.26.2025

DOWNLOAD VPA - Student Voices - 02.26.2025

Let’s make a difference. Let’s be the change.

#BeTheChangeVT

Hartford Town Forest

RSVP: Sky Claud, skylarclaud1@gmail.com

Join the Hartford Conservation Commission's monthly forest exploration for families. Last month's frolic focused on patterns in the snow. We followed lots of squirrel and deer tracks. We found where they were going, and what they were up to! We talked about the different ways animals move, and how the snow can help give us clues.

This month we will discover the different maple trees in our forest and observe their similarities and differences. We will explore tapping, sap production (on a small scale), and talk about how sugar can change throughout the season. We may even be able to do a taste test!

Led by nature-based youth educator and Hartford Conservation Commission member, Skylar Claud, families will stroll through the Hartford Town Forest discovering what the season has to offer. Please wear winter gear and snow boots.

Looking for quality programming for your child this summer? You can find a directory of summer camps in the area, with registration information, here: https://norwichvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30011