GREETINGS FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL 

What a lovely week we've enjoyed at TGS as the last of the snow has melted and the fields have opened up for play. As I write this, many grades are outside making the most of the weather and playing together happily during PSD. We love winter at TGS and yet it's hard not to be excited about spring!

 

We are happy to announce the hiring of Mike Tholen as the interim fifth grade teacher while Charlie takes a leave of absence. Mike has worked at the North Country School in Lake Placid, NY for eleven years, where he was the fourth/fifth multi-age classroom teacher for five years. For the past six years he worked as an administrator and managed the school's farm program. Please join me in welcoming Mike to the TGS community! We are still interviewing many talented candidates for the final open positions and look forward to sharing news as soon as possible about the search results.

 

This Friday we have optional conference day for all grades. If you would like to schedule a conference, please contact Tammy.  

 

The next Parent Coffee will be on April 30 in the Library at 8:30am. I look forward to seeing many of you there!

 

Finally, we hope to see as many of you as possible on May 1 for our Spring Event, and remember that you can purchase tickets online here.

We hope you all enjoy the vacation week,

 

Dan

   
LAST DAY OF SPRING INTO READING CHALLENGE! Today is the last day to record your reading time on your contract. We hope you have enjoyed this period focusing on reading, and will continue reading during the April break and beyond. Remember one of the best ways you can support your children's reading is to model how important reading is in your life. All successfully completed contracts should be returned tomorrow, Thursday, April 16.  
Thanks! Ponnie

TGS SUMMER CAMPS
Plans for Summer Discovery camp and the Young Explorers program are well under way.
While the youngest campers are busy exploring the woods and crafting with Jess Sardinas, older kids can do everything from mountain biking and other outdoor adventures to studio art and traditional crafts.

The three-week sessions will run from July 6 through July 24, and it's a great time to get a jump on your summer schedule by reserving your place now. Please email Jen Robb for more information.

PUTNEY FOOD SHELF
This month kindergarten and fifth grade will be collecting for the Putney Food Shelf. The need is great, so please think of picking up a few items next time you are at the store. Donations should be non-perishable items. Toiletries are also welcome. Collection boxes are outside the Main Office and the kindergarten classroom. Please help us to make this a record month. Many thanks.

SPRING SPORTS BEGIN APRIL 28
Tuesdays 3:15-4:30: Mountain biking with Amy Caldwell 
Thursdays 3:15-4:30 Trail running with Zach Caldwell

Please email Mary for more information and to sign up for mountain biking and running this spring ($20/student fee). If you would like to volunteer to help with one of the activities, please contact Mary.

MOUNTAIN BIKING
This activity is designed for students who have strong biking skills and experience riding on trails.

TRAIL RUNNING  
This year's spring running activity will build on the program we've run for the past several years. The running part of the activity is always incidental to a more compelling objective, which will vary session by session. Some days we'll stage elaborate games. Other days we'll go on point-to-point expeditions. In every session we'll aim to challenge kids to take risks and make efforts that they wouldn't normally expect to encounter.

Kids will usually finish the afternoon soaking wet and very dirty. Appropriate footwear and clothing are necessary. Dry clothes, and a towel to protect car seats at pick-up time are recommended. Runners should have an end of day snack to eat before running, and plenty of fluid. No whining.
   

TGS SWEATSHIRTS! 

I will send off our fourth order of TGS sweatshirts soon. Hooded or crewneck sweatshirts are $35, Tshirts are $15, and a student's name on the back is an additional $5. Please email Mary to order, and specify style, size, color, and name choice. 
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APRIL

15 Last day of Reading Challenge

17 Half day of school  Optional parent conferences

20-24 Spring Break

30 Coffee with Dan 8:30am in Library

MAY

1 Spring Event at Green Mountain Orchards

9 All School Workday

14 Golf Event

15 Grandparents Day

21 Spring Concert

JUNE

10 Last day of school and Field Day

11 GRADUATION! 
Thursday, June 11 at 4pm
COMMUNITY NEWS

SERVICE FOR MARK GREEN
The service for Mark will be at the Putney School at 2pm on Sunday, April 19.

NEXT STAGE 

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present an evening of acoustic folk/pop music by Brooklyn, NY-based guitar duo Threefifty, plus Vermont-based singer/songwriters Paul Siegel and Lizzy Mandell at Next Stage on Saturday, April 25 at 7:30pm.

 

ALPINEGLO FARM - TGS Parents Rachel and Andy Ware

Join us Saturday, May 9 for our second annual open house and farm tour from 10am-2pm.  Bring your camera and your family to this FREE event.  Have a chance to play with this years baby Alpine Dairy Goats, visit the completed milking parlor, see baby chicks, and more!  We will have goats milk to sample and FREE popcorn. AlpineGlo Farm, Westminster VT, 

(802) 463-2018www.vthorseshoer.com/events 

 

Sunday, May 10 we will be hosting a Mother's Day Brunch Fundraiser from 11am-1pm.  This will be a farm to plate brunch buffet served under a party tent.  Live music by local favorites THE MILKHOUSE HEATERS!  We will be offering many of our market favorites to include sausage scrambled eggs, biscuits n gravy, roasted potatoes, lunch wraps, coffee, desserts, and much more!  Proceeds to benefit the AlpineGlo Farm cheeseroom build project.  Prices including meal tax are $40 for adults, $20 for kids 4-10, and free under 3.  FREE gift for all Mothers! Reservations are required. Please call 802-463-2018by May 1. For further details visit www.vthorseshoer.com/events. 

 

FAMILY YOGA - Every Saturday 1:00am - 12:15pm, ages 2 and up with Meg Warren at Putney Moves.  Children derive tremendous benefit from a yoga practice including learning how to exercise, developing confidence, concentrating better, and tapping into their imagination. Here are a just few things that children (and adults!) can learn from yoga:

YOGA TEACHES US ABOUT:
-our bodies
-how to breathe better
-how to use our energy more effectively
-how to quiet the mind
-balance
-to be the "boss" of our bodies
-to listen to our bodies 
-how to take care of ourselves

Join us every Saturday and explore and learn through yoga! We now have Family Yoga class passes available. LEARN MORE HERE: http://putneymoves.com/kids-families/family-yoga/ 

 

International Circus Shows coming to Brattleboro April 17 & 18

Two different shows are being presented in Brattleboro as part of the New England Center for Circus Arts April Circus Workshop Weekend. Classes for youth and adults of all abilities include beginners trapeze and professional level German wheel, circus makeup workshops, and aerial silks for all levels. Truly exciting for the April Circus Workshop Weekend is the presentation of two different international circus companies. Friday, April 17 at 7:30pm is CirquePROM, a talented cast of professional circus artists (Cirque du Soleil, 7 Fingers and Cirque Eloize alums mixed with hot recent circus school grads). Note that CirquePROM references the existence of puberty, high school, sex, and juggling. www.cirqueprom.com.
Saturday, April 18 at 7:30pm is Tinder & Ash, an ensemble circus-theater show.  www.tinderandash.com.
  
All tickets are $15 adults / $8 youth under 12 and both shows are at the Austine Gym, 209 Austine Drive, Brattleboro. Buy tickets in advance at www.necenterforcircusarts.org. For more information call (802) 254-9780.

 

Buy Quality Used Books in Guilford on April 25

Guilford Community Church, UCC will hold its annual Book Sale on

 Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Excellent current and collectible books will be offered, including a selection of children's and young adult books. "Vermont.calm" T-shirts will also be available for purchase. The sale helps support the many local and global missions of the church. From Route 5, just beyond the Guilford Country Store, turn left onto Bee Barn Road then right to 38 Church Drive. For further information contact Pat Haine (802) 257-0626. 

 

The Marina Restaurant's Annual Plunge for Charity Celebrates 10th Anniversary - On Sunday, May 3, starting at 3 p.m., people of all ages will be jumping from a boat into the frigid water of the West River to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Windham County this year, doing their part for The Marina Restaurant's Plunge for Charity, which hopes to raise over $10,000 for the local mentoring program.  

 

Now celebrating its 10th Anniversary, The Marina Plunge contributions will help to recruit and train volunteer mentors, support new and ongoing matches, and provide group mentoring activities for the nearly 100 local children on the Big Brothers Big Sisters wait list. There is no minimum raised in order to participate, and costumes are encouraged. The Fire Department Dive Team will be at the ready in the water to ensure safety for all participants. Pledge forms are available at the restaurant and at Youth Services, 32 Walnut Street, Brattleboro, VT as well as on-line at youthservicesinc.org/plunge.

GARDENING
TGS parent Sam Dell, the owner of Vermont Fine Gardeners, is offering $50 off the first 10 hours of gardening labor for any new clients. His business specializes in the maintenance and installation of perennial gardens, trees, and shrubs. He also does design consultation and edible landscaping. He can be contacted at (802) 380-3055 or at smdell4@yahoo.com.

BED FOR SALE
 PB Teen (Pottery Barn) Cottage style single bed with trundle. White. Lightly used. Price negotiable. If interested, visit this link and watch the video for more information.Please contact Libby if you have any questions or are interested in the bed.
 

CIRCUS CAMP April 20-24 at Le Studio, presented by Troy Wunderle

  • Half Day Program: 9:00-12:00 (early drop off available upon request). The half day program is circus camp only. Children should bring 1 snack.The fee is $75.00 for the week.
  • Full Day program: 9:00-5:30. (early drop off available upon request). The full day program will include the circus camp plus tumbling, gymnastics, outdoor and indoor play, open gym, games, theater, and crafts. Children will need a lunch and 2 snacks. The fee for the full day program is $125.00 for the week.
  • Registration: Please call Le Studio at 802-463-9010. Registration is limited and this camp fills quickly.
Le Studio is a licensed VT child care program and accepts Vermont child care subsidy.
 
FAMILY YOGA AT PUTNEY MOVES on Saturdays 11:00-12:15pm 
Family Yoga is a great way to engage the whole family in some silly fun!  Traditional Hatha yoga poses are mixed in with creative games, positive music, art projects, and story time. Parents will also work side-by-side with their little yogis to create poses.  Classes focuses on core strength (strong tummies), creative play, healthy communication skills and an overall awareness of health and wellbeing.

 

Ages 2 and up. A parent or caregiver must attend and participate. 

$20 for 1 adult and 1 child | $5 for each additional adult or child. Putney Moves is located at 133 Main Street, 2nd Floor.  Learn more at: www.putneymoves.com.   


Art Classes at River Gallery School - Winter/Spring Semester Feb. 2 - June 1, 2015
Children's Studio Classes with Helen Schmidt and Collin Leech for ages 6 -12, 3:30 pm - 5 pm Feb. 3 - May 28 Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, choose one afternoon for a 15 week session.

New: Children's Sculpture + Crafts with Helen Schmidt  for ages 8 to 14
Monday 3:30 - 5pm 15 classes Feb. 2 - June 1  

Vacation ART CAMP  
Feb. 16 - 20 + April 20 - 24 9am - Noon 
Teen Studio + Portfolio Class with Helen Schmidt $360for ages 12 to 18
Friday  4-5:30,15 classesFeb. 6-May 29
 
RGS will work with individuals on installment payment plans, individual scholarship, and work-trade options. RGS admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin and is an equal provider. If you received this schedule through your child's school, the school is neither endorsing or discouraging participation. Not A School Sponsored Event

 

NEWS ITEMS
Please send your Community News items to Mary by Tuesday morning to be included in the Wednesday Notice. If you have news you would like to share with The Grammar School community, please contact Mary.