Bobcat Bulletin

Have you heard that Halloween is tomorrow? Our students have been humming with excitement and making plans to meet up with friends for trick-or-treating. We hope you’ll consider stopping by the school anytime after 5:00 PM to grab a treat and check out our spooky porch decorations. We’d also like to send a special "thank you" to all the community members who dropped off candy for our neighbors—you are truly appreciated!

While students have been eagerly awaiting the weekend, the adults in the building have been anxiously reflecting on Wednesday’s board meeting and wondering what lies ahead. I know the board has heard from many Moretown community members, and I hope everyone knows how much your advocacy means to our staff. Moretown is a warm and special place for children to learn, and hearing that reflected in your words has been heartwarming, to say the least.

If you feel you have more to share, I encourage you to attend this coming week’s board meeting (Wednesday, 11/4 at 6:00 PM in the Harwood Library), post to FPF, or email the board at cen-huusdboard@huusd.org. Regardless of what lies ahead, I am confident that our community spirit and shared commitment to robust, student-centered education will ensure our children continue to thrive. Please continue to speak up and speak out! (And an extra "kudos" to our Moretown School Board Representatives Steve Rosenberg and Caitlyn Lovegrove!)

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! There is no school this coming Tuesday, November 3rd, as several of our school buildings serve as polling locations.

Our teachers have sent out links to sign up for parent-teacher conferences taking place November 16–23. These conferences are for students in kindergarten through sixth grade (preschool conferences will take place in early December). I urge all families to take advantage of this opportunity to celebrate your student's growth and learning so far this year.

I hope to see many of you tomorrow evening as we embark on the town for trick-or-treating! I’ll be escorting a cowboy and an army man through the village (or perhaps they’ll be escorting me?), so please say hello if you see us. Feel free to email me a picture of your child’s costume at kliptak@huusd.org!

I look forward to welcoming students back next week once the sugar rush subsides a bit ;-)

Kate

• October 21- Early Release, 11:20 dismissal
• November 3- NO SCHOOL
• November 4th and 5th- Picture Retake Days

• November 5- PTO Fundraiser with American Flatbread, 4:00-9:00pm
• November 11- Early Release, 11:20 dismissal
• November 16-23, Family Conferences
• November 19- SlopeStyle Gear Fitting @ MES
• November 20, 10:00 VSO visits MES
• November 23-28. NO SCHOOL
• December 5- Moretown Artisan's Sale

• PIZZA NIGHT FUNDRAISER THURSDAY, NOV 5: Join the Moretown School PTO at American Flatbread in Waitsfield on Thursday, Nov 5th from 4:00-9:00pm. $5 from every flatbread sold (dine-in or takeout) will go to the MES PTO in support of the Backpack Food Program. For students facing food insecurity, the Backpack Program provides healthy foods for weekends and school breaks.
• Thanksgiving Snack for Teachers and Staff: As in previous years, the PTO will be organizing an appreciation event to show Moretown teachers and staff how grateful we are for their hard work and dedication to students. This year, we will be distributing snacks, beverages, and goodies throughout the week of November 16, so there are two drop-off dates. If you can bring in an item, please sign up here.

• SAVE THE DATE: MORETOWN ARTISAN SALE IS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5th. As in previous years, the MES PTO will be hosting a fundraising raffle during the Artisan Sale - 9am-3pm on Saturday, December 5th. This is one of our best fundraisers of the year, and we're looking for volunteers to help sell raffle tickets. Sign up here.
• WINTER SPORTS REGISTRATION IS OPEN: The PTO is very proud to organize and fund the Moretown School Winter Sports Program. Registration is open here.
• Backpack Program Fundraiser: We are pleased to share that so far we have raised $2,155 of our $4,500 annual goal. Thank you to all the donors who have shown their support! This fundraiser is still open, and every donation adds up to ensure that we can send children home with non-perishable foods and easy-to-eat fruits and vegetables—every weekend and school break. Donate here: https://square.link/u/sRLRhSHc.
• Stay Connected! Follow the Moretown School PTO on Facebook and Instagram

We still have 3 open spots for this years' Stark Mountain Foundation Children's Ski Scholarship Program; we are on track to support 22 athletes this season (up from 20 last season). I wanted to provide you with some related updates and confirm your continued support.

Returning Athletes Confirmed:
The program targets all HUUSD elementary schools. 17 of our 20 athletes from last year's program have reapplied and been awarded returning athlete scholarships for this upcoming winter. We launched a new "sibling program" that accelerates the application and award process for returning athlete families. We have awarded 2 out of the 3 sibling athlete applications this year. Working with Alpine Options we already have lease packages setup for half of our athletes and they are committed to outfitting all of our children! We are very grateful for their ongoing support, especially as they have new owners this year who are carrying this partnership forward.

Seeking New Athletes (3):
The sweet spot of our eligibility criteria seeks to find children that would not otherwise have an opportunity to ski on the weekends like many of their classmates; financial and household circumstances are considered as part of the process. We look to build skills as early as child-appropriate, favoring 4-7 year olds as part of this elementary school program. Our goal is to work with each school to ensure awareness of the program, alignment with PTA winter sports program readiness processes. We currently have 5 applications against these 3 open spots showing similar demand to the past few years.

Application Deadline - November 8th, 2025 (Sunday)

Again this year we will keep individual schools aware of the application process as well as their awarded scholarship athletes, providing synergy in supporting school winter sports programs. I will be the primary contact for this process.

Thank you on behalf of the Children's Ski Scholarship committee at SMF,

Chris Stephenson
cell 802.373.7112

About the Program

Stark Mountain Foundation provides local children with scholarships for ski instruction at Mad River Glen. The Children’s Ski Scholarship program also pays for rental equipment, lift passes, and lunch. Awarded recipients who successfully complete the program are further eligible to apply for scholarships in subsequent years.

Did you know that secure storage is one of the most effective ways to prevent accidental injuries and unauthorized access to dangerous items? Keeping firearms unloaded and locked, and storing all medicines safely out of reach AND out of sight, significantly reduces the risk of home accidents and accidental poisonings. To help keep students and families safe, the nurse's office is offering free gun locks and free medication lock bags to any family who would like one. If you’d like to pick up either of these free safety tools please drop by the health office or send us a quick email! asenterfitt@huusd.org

The Mad River Interfaith Council is once again offering Thanksgiving food baskets to families who could use extra support this holiday season. To request a basket, please complete the form below and return it to the main office. Carla will help connect families with baskets and handle requests with care and confidentiality.

When: Saturday, November 14, 2026, 9AM-4PM

• Volunteer Shop > 7-8 AM
• Ticketed Early Shop > 8-9 AM
• General Public > 9AM-4PM

Where: Waitsfield Elementary School, 3951 Main Street, Waitsfield, VT

What: New and Used Gear: Alpine, Nordic, Skate, Backcountry, and hard/soft goods

More Info: https://www.waitsfieldpta.org/ski-and-skate-sale.html#/

Consignment Registration is Open!

Consignors are required to pre-register items online to receive item tags; no unregistered or untagged merchandise will be accepted onsite. You can register online to consign at http://sale.waitsfieldpta.org/register

• Consignment registration deadline: Monday, Nov. 9th at 11pm
• Consignment tag pick up: Wednesday, Nov. 11th - Friday, Nov. 13th at WES
• Pre-registered consignment drop off: Friday, Nov. 13th from 4pm to 7pm at WES

Volunteer for the Earliest Shopping Access!

Volunteers get first dibs! We need support from all families to make this a success! This is the school's only fundraiser for the year, and all proceeds support educational and enrichment programs for students, including our Winter Ski & Ride Program, ECO, and field trips.

Tuesday, November 10th 3-4:30pm
Moretown Community Library
Register Here: https://forms.gle/dy5qJDdNngh36rbp8

This unique program is designed to give kids the chance to read to a non-judgmental listener, one who will accept the story exactly as they read it. From building confidence to developing fluency, kids can gain many skills by reading to dogs and other support animals. It promotes literacy skills, provides therapeutic benefits, and fosters a love for animals. Sam is registered with Vermont Therapy Dogs and lives in Moretown with his human friend Linda.

Sign up for your preferred 15-minute slot for one-on-one time with Sam. Time slots are first come, first serve and will be confirmed by Thursday, November 5th. If your child would like to pair with a friend during their time just indicate that in your registration. You may bring a book or choose one at the library. Happy Reading!

Every Autumn, the teeny tiny woman’s, teeny tiny house in the forest is completely

buried by the falling leaves, which is not a teeny tiny problem. She tries making noises

of increasing intensity, but no one hears her. As she is loudly banging cookie sheets

together to no avail, she decides on a new strategy.The delicious aroma of chocolate chip cookies baking in her oven soon does attract three children who are out trick-or-treating. Soon, they are all enjoying a sweet Halloween treat together. We hope you enjoy this book, and stop by the library to tell us about some of your favorite Halloween stories.

Take a stroll along the Moretown recreation fields and enjoy this latest StoryWalk installation.

⚽⚽⚽It’s hard to believe, but it’s time to plan for spring soccer! MRVSA is holding tryouts for its spring 2027 travel teams on Saturday November 7th at 11am. Our travel teams will compete in the Vermont Soccer Association (VSL) Spring League. This is MRVSA’s only spring program for U10 through U16 players. Information on our U6 and U8 program will come out in the early Spring.

Any player interested in spring soccer must register for and attend the tryout. Team spots are limited, and not every player who tries out will be placed on a team. Register here.

About the season
The spring league is a local, affordable way for qualified players to have a more competitive experience and compete in the VSL. Each team will be placed in the division that best fits its skill level. Teams practice twice a week and play one or more matches weekly, with home games here and away games around the state. The season typically runs from the first weekend in May through the second weekend in June. Teams may also enter Vermont tournaments after the season for an additional fee. Additional information is available here.

The VSL sets all schedules and will release them in April. Games are typically on Sundays.

Age groups
Following US Soccer, the VSL now groups players by school year (August 1 – July 31) instead of birth year. Players may try out for an older age group but not a younger one (e.g. a 2nd grader ready for a more competitive experience can try out for U10).

· U10: born Aug 1, 2016 – July 31, 2018

· U12: born Aug 1, 2014 – July 31, 2016

· U14: born Aug 1, 2012 – July 31, 2014

· U16: born Aug 1, 2010 – July 31, 2012

Timeline

· Tryout registration is open now: link

· Tryouts: Saturday, November 7, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., at Mad River Park in Waitsfield. Please register in advance!

· Team invitations sent by Sunday, November 22

· Accept your invitation and complete registration by Sunday, December 6

· Uniform store opens in December

Scholarships are available. Contact registrar@madrivervalleysoccer.org for details.

Tuesdays 3-4:30pm

Moretown Community Library

Register Here: https://forms.gle/Cz9kQegPScJBp7hj9

Children grades 3 and up are invited to our Afterschool Crafternoons and are welcome to arrive just after school before the program begins, the patron computers will not be available for use.

12/8 Paper Quilling

Back by popular demand! Learn the art of paper quilling that uses strips of paper that are rolled, shaped, and glued together. Bring your inspiration and use our supplies to make cards and gifts for friends and family.

We are very excited to welcome acclaimed author Jo Knowles, for a reading from her latest book, "Someone's Gonna End Up Crying." Following the reading, Jo will answer questions from children. She'll also share her insight into the writing process - all while enjoying delicious food!

Jo grew up in a small farmhouse in New Hampshire. She had dogs, cats, chickens, two ponies and lots of books growing up. In February 2006, she sold her first novel, "Lessons From A Dead Girl", to Candlewick Press.

The event is FREE.
Please RSVP at inklingschildrensbooks@gmail.com

Purchase a copy of "Someone's Gonna End Up Crying" in advance, using this LINK

Inklings welcomes back Vermont author Angela Burke Kunkel on Saturday, November 21st at 11am for a reading of her new book, SNOW GEESE SEASON.

This poignant picture book follows a boy caught between two homes, who finds peace and belonging with his grandfather and the snow geese that return each year.

Following the reading, there will be a craft for the children!!

Angela Burke Kunkel is also the author of "World More Beautiful" and "Digging for Words: José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built," an ALA-ALSC Notable Children’s Book and winner of both the Américas Award and International Latino Book Award.

The best children's fiction "helps us refind things we may not even know we have lost." - author Katherine Rundell.

Who says picture books are just for kids? Join Amy Paro, a coach who uses creativity & critical thinking to drive change, at Inklings for a series of storytimes for grown ups. It's a book club like no other.

Warm cider, cocoa, snacks, and fun conversation provided!

Thursday, November 12th from 5:30p - 6:30p
FREE & OPEN to ALL