Mary Hogan Family Newsletter

Dear Mary Hogan Families,

Happy New Year! It has been a short week back with the New Year holiday, but we have packed in a lot this week. Some highlights are below in photos, but my highlights include:

• Raising the Black Lives Matter flag and hearing from students about why it matters. (Vermont Public ran a story on Elias and his work to get it raised, as well. If you missed it, check it out here.)
• Spirit Day with so many students dressed in the colors of their grade. I would go into a classroom and there would be a sea of pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. It was pretty cool to see!
• Raptors from VINS visited the 1st graders on Friday and I loved seeing their rapt attention to the presentor (and their giggles when Chesterland, a Harris' Hawk, poop on the table cloth).
• Seeing how invested the 4th graders were this week in their current unit of inquiry (Where We Are In Place and Time). They were exploring the reasons humans migrate - with push and pull factors. Today, they were thinkers as they learned about forced migration and economic migration.
• Watching a kindergarten teacher read aloud a book with no words and just illustrations to her class. She communicated a story from the pictures that varied from the story she told them with the same pictures yesterday. Students giggled as they considered how the pictures could tell many stories.

I can't wait to see what happens in classes next week!

Be well,

Jen

Monday 1/8 - Swimming starts for grades 1 and 2. See email that came home with dates for your child's class.

Friday 1/12 - Progress reports are coming home with your child

Monday 1/15 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School

Tuesday 1/16 - Conference Day (Teachers will communicate if they will use this day or another time.)

Friday 1/26 - 1st grade goes to Shelburne Farms

Wednesday 1/31 - Readathon Opening Assembly

Please note we will be holding parent-teacher conferences between January 16th and February 9th for families to meet with teachers to discuss their child's January progress report. We are putting the finishing touches on a revised progress report that will show student progress towards grade level standards and the IB Approaches to Learning. Report cards will be sent home on January 12th. We will be reaching out in early January to set up conference dates and times for all families. Thank you.

ACSD schools are participating in the 802 Smiles Network, which promotes dental health programs in Vermont schools. This means your child is eligible for a free dental screening at school and may be eligible to receive preventive dental services at no cost to you. All you have to do is to fill out the online consent forms by February 1st, 2024. We also have paper forms that will be sent home.

The registered dental hygienist can provide the following free services:

• Dental Screening (simplified dental check-up)

• Fluoride Varnish (brush-on liquid that can help prevent cavities)

• Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) (brush-on combination of silver and fluoride that can help stop cavities from getting bigger)

• Dental Cleanings (helps keep the mouth healthy and clean!)

• Oral Health Education (teaches students how to brush, floss, maintain good oral health)

• Dental Sealants (a thin layer of material placed on back teeth to prevent decay)

Our schools will be served by dental hygienist, Michael Messina. If you choose to participate, Michael will send you a follow-up letter after your child’s screening explaining the services provided, whether additional treatment is recommended, and help connect you to a dental professional, if needed. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the school’s dental hygienist, Michael Messina at michaelmessina.rdh@gmail.com or our school nurse.

Ilsley Public Library is challenging the youth in our ACSD community to read 15 titles from the various local and state youth book award lists between January 1st and March 31st. Students should not check off books that they read prior to 2024!

Tracking sheets are being sent home with students!

Youth who read 15 books will earn a ticket to a special movie showing at the Marquis Theater in April!

Questions? Contact Tricia Allen, Youth Librarian:

tricia.allen@ilsleypubliclibrary.org

Girls on the Run is a program designed to inspire girls in grades 3-8 to believe in themselves, build confidence, and be part of their community - at school and in general.

• Our season begins the week of March 18 and will be 10 weeks featuring 20 lessons. Participant registration opens Wednesday, February 21 2024.
• The end of the season 5K Celebration on Saturday, June 1 at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex.

The Ilsley Public Library and a group of 4 Middlebury College seniors are premiering their new program Addison County Adventures! This program focuses on promoting outdoor recreation and community connection in Addison County. On our website we have several starter adventures. These adventures range from self-guided tours of local town centers to fun activities on local hiking trails.

We are currently looking for interested members of the community to test these adventures and submit feedback through our website so we can make this program long-lasting and successful. Additionally, if you or anyone you know is interested in creating an adventure, feel free to delve into the resources we have available on our website regarding that process. These adventures are community-sourced so anybody can participate and create! Any other questions can be directed to Renne Ursitti at the Ilsley Public Library!

Ilsley Public Library is challenging the youth in our ACSD community to read 15 titles from the various local and state youth book award lists between January 1st and March 31st.

Tracking sheets will come home with students after the winter break. Youth who read 15 books will earn a ticket to a special movie showing at the Marquis Theater in April!

Questions? Contact Tricia Allen, Youth Librarian:

tricia.allen@ilsleypubliclibrary.org

Want to know more about the Volunteer Process? Check out more information HERE.