Mary Hogan Family Newsletter

Dear Mary Hogan Families,

Happy New Year! We are so lucky to be able to celebrate the start of the new year twice - once at the start of the school year and once at the start of January! I can't wait to see how 2025 unfolds (and how long it takes me to stop writing 2024!).

There is a lot going on this month at school - and in the district. You can find many of the highlights of the month below. This is a time when we take stock and assess the growth your children have made in the fall part of the year and then we set goals for how we will move forward in their learning in the winter and spring. Official progress reports will come home with your children at the end of this month.

At the district level, January is always a busy month as it is the end of the budget development process. There are 3 school board meetings about the budget listed on the calendar below. If you are interested, you can attend in person or online - or just watch on MCTV. The budget will be up for a public vote in March, but it is worth tuning in now before it is finalized so you understand more about the number you will see on Town Meeting Day.

Think snow, so we can get some sledding and snowman building in at recess!

💙, Jen

Monday 1/6 - 6.30pm - ACSD School Board Meeting about the FY 26 Budget - see links for more info and agenda

Thursday 1/9 - 6.30pm - Virtual ACSD Public Budget Q&A - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86797798960?pwd=GzaqL6f5FUdadKnNDnPDFD273Uw1b2.1, Password: ACSD

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Monday 1/13 - Flint, A Gould, Raymond, Mosquera classes go swimming (see note sent home in Dec.)

• 6.30pm - ACSD School Board Meeting about the FY 26 Budget - see links for more info and agenda

Tuesday 1/14 - Wrestling in PE classes

Wednesday 1/15 - Payne, Wisnowski, Baird, Thacker classes go swimming (see note sent home in Dec.)

Thursday 1/16 -Wrestling in PE classes

Friday 1/17 - Wrestling in PE classes

• 6.30pm - ACSD School Board Meeting about the FY 26 Budget - see links for more info and agenda

Monday 1/20-Tuesday 1/21 - No School

Wednesday 1/22 - Payne, Wisnowski, Baird, Thacker classes go swimming (see note sent home in Dec.)

Monday 1/27 - Flint, A Gould, Raymond, Mosquera classes go swimming (see note sent home in Dec.)

Wednesday 1/29 - Kindergarten field trip to Wonderfeet Museum

Thursday 1/30 - 9am All School Meeting - Readathon Kick Off Assembly

Friday 1/31 - Progress Reports are sent home

Greetings, families! We’ve recently started teaching a conflict management curriculum in grades k-5. Click here to learn more about what we’re teaching in the classrooms and to find helpful tips for a positive and restful winter break! *Scroll through the newsletter for Spanish, Chinese, and Burmese translation.

We are so grateful for the mentorship and community involvement of all of the Everybody Wins volunteers and the work of Sarah Urang in making all the logistics of this awesome program happen. Each week, students in grades 2-5 who have been paired with a community mentor have a chance to eat and read together.

Everybody Wins is finishing up placements for this year, so if you are interested in being a mentor, please let Sarah know at middlebury@everybodywinsvermont.org

Before December Break, the preschoolers walked over to the Glass Onion restaurant at the Hannaford Career Center to decorate cookies and enjoy a lunch prepared by the students there. They all had a ball. Below are some of the photos!

The first day back from break brought the preschool to the Sheldon Museum to see the trains before they get put away until next winter and to see the maker space. It was A LOT of fun! Students loved going behind the scenes and pushing the train horn.

On behalf of the Sunshine Office, Jena and Tina would like to acknowledge Therapy Dogs of Vermont, a nonprofit organization for bringing peace and joy to Mary Hogan children. Our deepest gratitude to Michelle and Rumor. We are SO lucky to have had them come visit in December and we are looking forward to more visits in the new year.

Students in first grade had a lot of fun in library this week while working on teamwork. They had 100 cups and had to work together to sort out how to build the tallest tower. Look how tall their towers got!

Join Tricia after school January 9, 16, 23, and 30 to work on your writing illustrating skills! This group will be limited to 10 students. Sign up here for the Grade 5 Library Club with Tricia!

The Readathon will be happening in February. If there are any adults who would like to help out in any way, they can email Julie Altemose (jaltemose@acsdvt.org).

Our FY26 Budget development process is underway and we invite the ACSD community to learn more and share feedback as we build toward a final budget:

• On January 6 at 6:30pm, the ACSD Board meeting will offer an overview of the full ACSD FY26 Budget spending plan (MUHS Library or virtual).

• On January 9th at 6:30, Superintendent Baker will host a virtual Public Input Session where the ACSD community can ask questions and share feedback. (Use this meeting link (password: ACSD)

• Find these meeting links and more information, resources, and opportunities for community engagement on our FY26 Budget webpage.

Snowy Sensory Storytime
January 18 | 10:00-11:00AM | VLN: 10-12 Main St., Suite 10A, Bristol
Infants and toddlers, and their adults are invited to join this by-donation immersive story hour where children will play with taste-safe snow sensory bins while listening to winter stories.

Arctic Animal Literacy Lab
January 25 | 10:00-12:00PM | VLN: 10-12 Main St., Suite 10A, Bristol
Our Arctic Animal Literacy Lab is a drop-in program filled with exploratory activities that promote understanding of the alphabet alongside playful Arctic animals! Recommended for children ages 3-6 and their families.

Books & Blocks: Virtual Minecraft Book Club
Starts January 26 | 1:30-2:30PM | Virtual
Books & Blocks is a five-week online program where children ages 6-10 will explore the first book in the Minecraft Woodsword Chronicles series, "Into the Game!”, engage in fun activities and discussions, and bring the story to life by building in Minecraft Education!

American Girl Book Club: Meet Addy
Starts February 6 | 5:00-6:00PM | VLN: 10-12 Main St., Suite 10A, Bristol
In this four-session book club, children ages 6-10 will explore Addy the American Girl doll and her story of courage and resilience during the Civil War through fun, creative activities.

Volunteer to be a Girls on the Run coach for Mary Hogan School this spring! With caring coaches who mentor and motivate, all girls can reach new heights. Our curriculum inspires all participants to say “I, Can!” to every obstacle that comes their way. Team members build confidence to overcome difficult situations, inspire others to keep going when it’s hard, and embrace their confidence to make a difference in their community. A leader like you!

Not a runner? Haven’t coached before? No problem! Girls on the Run VT (GOTRVT) provides training, easy to follow lesson plans, supplies and support for a transformational season. Our season begins the week of March 17, 2025 and ends with a celebratory 5K on Saturday, May 31st. Over the 10 week season our team will meet twice weekly for 90 minute sessions to connect, move, learn and have FUN!

Visit gotrvt.org/coach to learn more or sign up to volunteer. Questions? Contact GOTRVT at stephanie@girlsontherunvermont.org or 802-871-5664.

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