Mary Hogan Family Newsletter

Dear Mary Hogan Families,

Your child(ren) brought home their mid-year progress report today in their back packs. They should be in a sealed envelope. Please be sure to get this out of their bags and check out how your child is doing so far this year. For students who have more than one house, we are mailing the other copy home so you should have it in a few days. Please reach out if you didn't get a progress report.

Thank you for helping make sure your child has the outdoors clothes for the winter. We went outside for recess today because the feels like temperature was between 0 and 3 during recess. These kids are Vermont-hearty! And they are SO happy to be outside even in the cold. Keep sending in that winter gear, please. ⛄

💙, Jen

Monday 2/2 - 3-4 “Book and Craft” with Ms. Liz, Katherine, Mrs. V. (Grades K-2). Sign-up required.

Tuesday 2/3 - 6.30 - 5th grade parents virtual info session about Keewaydin Environmental Education Camp (KEEC) - LINK to join

• 3-4 - “Book and Craft” with Ms. Payne. Grade 3. Dragons Love Tacos. Sign-up required.

Wednesday 2/4 - Early Release Day, Walk and Roll Day, Character Dress Up Day

• 9am - All School Meeting - 2nd grade led

Thursday 2/5 - Preschool Ice Skating in the morning

• 3-4 -After School Book Club with Ms. Tricia. Grade 5.
• 5.45-7 - Literacy Night

Friday 2/6 - Turn in reading logs

• Stop, Drop, and Read
• 3-4 - “Book and Craft” with Ms. Payne. Grade 3. The Mitten.- Sign up required

Each year we get questions about how the school celebrates Valentine’s Day.

Although we do not celebrate or decorate for particular holidays in school, we do weave holidays into our classroom learning. This means a class may talk about the principles behind the holiday or learn about the history, tradition, or cultures that led to the holiday. For example, this month a class may talk about how Valentine’s day is a time when we demonstrate how we care for others.

We ask that families do not send in any candy or cards from home. While this can be a great way to show you care about friends outside of school, it can also cause conflict and hurt feelings in school.

Thank you for partnership and support of our continued focus on learning, perspective taking, reflection, and caring.

We had a great start to the Readathon on Thursday when the whole school was joined by Miss Tricia, Kurt Broderson, and student leaders who helped kick off the annual fundraising event that celebrates our love of reading. We had a chance to watch the Readathon video and hear this year's theme song (check it out!).

We also found out about the top 5 bookmark designs and what bookmark we would be getting this year. The designs were amazing. Congratulations to all the student artists who submitted entries this year.

To recognize that January is National Braille Literacy Month, a guide dog named Luna visited Ms. Sears' class this week. The students got to learn more about Luna, her training, and how she helps people with visual impairments. They also learned about Braille and explored a Braille writing machine. Everyone wrote their names in Braille, too!

Preschoolers had their first session with artist Rachel Mirus and made paper out of ordinary objects. They will continue to work with Rachel over the course of the winter and spring thanks to a grant from the Vermont Arts Council. Stay tuned for more creations from preschool!

During the readathon families will get an opportunity at Literacy Night to write some poetry with Ted Scheu. 5th graders got a sneak peak this week and wrote poetry with Ted about the winter and more. Ted makes poetry SO fun, so we hope you get to join his session on Thursday 2/5!

MESA will once again run the concessions booth at both the boys and girls 5/6th grade tournaments at the Middlebury Rec Center. This has become our second biggest fundraiser (after the RAT). All of the proceeds go back to Mary Hogan to fund field trips and educational experiences for our students. We also use the money to fund teacher appreciation events and to host other events like Field Day, the end of year Dance Party and Mini Golf.

We are looking for food donations and for volunteers to run the booth. Please see the two sign up geniuses below. New this year, we also have an Amazon wish list created for concession booth items that you can purchase online (Amazon Wish List).

Boys Tourney (1/31-2/1): Boys Sign up

Girls Tourney (2/7-2/8): Girls Sign Up

If you would rather donate cash, you can donate via Venmo: venmo.com/MESAMaryHoganSchool

MESA has partnered with UVM Athletics again this year to sell tickets to select hockey and basketball games. A portion of the ticket sales goes to MESA.

Women's Basketball 1/24 2pm vs Bryant

Women's Hockey 1/31 1pm vs Providence

Please use this link to purchase tickets: https://uvmathletics.evenue.net/promotions/MESAMHS

Girls on the Run coaches needed at Mary Hogan School! Empower the next generation of bold, confident girls by coaching with Girls on the Run Vermont! Coaches are needed at [insert site name here]! With a focus on life skills, goal-setting and physical activity, Girls on the Run Vermont's programs equip girls with the tools to thrive. The research-based lessons and activities help girls build the confidence to boldly share what’s in their hearts and help others use their voices, too. By volunteering to coach a team, you’ll create a supportive space where girls can speak up and use their voices like never before!

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. The season begins the week of March 16, 2026 and ends with a celebratory 5K in Essex on Saturday, May 30th. Over the 10 week season, teams meet twice weekly for 90 minute sessions to connect, move, learn and have FUN!

Visit gotrvt.org/coach to learn more about coaching or sign up to volunteer. Visit gotrvt.org/programs to learn more about GOTR and to complete the Participant Interest Form. Have further questions? Contact GOTRVT at stephanie@girlsontherunvermont.org or 802-871-5664.

The ACSD Board recently revised Board Policy C30, School Assignment and Intra-District Transfer, to offer more flexibility to ACSD families when choosing an elementary school for their child(ren). If you are interested in having your child attend a different K-5 elementary school, please read more about the policy and the application process here. To apply, use this form or visit your school’s front office or the ACSD District Office for a paper application. The application process begins on January 30th and all applications must be received by March 2nd, 2026.

There will be two information sessions to learn more, ask questions, and get support filling out the application:

• Thurs, February 5th: 5:30-6:30pm Virtual Q&A with the Superintendent. Use this Google meet link.

• Weds, February 18: 8:30-9:30am: In person Q+A and Application Assistance at the Superintendent's Office (49 Charles Ave, Middlebury)

We are so grateful to our family and community volunteers! If you plan to volunteer for an event or activity this year, now is a great time to apply or make sure your paperwork is up-to-date!

• Learn more about the volunteer process here.
• Check in with your front office if you've volunteered in the past to make your paperwork is up to date.
• Fill out this form if you've never volunteered before and plan to this year.

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