The Principal's Corner
By Jeffrey Teitelbaum

Why do we like to work in the Fletcher Elementary School?

Two first grade girls came into the office this morning, holding hands and nervously fidgeting with their skirts. One had confided in me, the day before, that she had been having a problem at her babysitter's house. It seemed that the sitter's teenage son had been playing too roughly with her, holding her upside down by the ankles, pretending to be a karate master and generally behaving in ways that he thought were funny but that she didn't care for. I had counseled her to tell her mother and the sitter that she wanted this behavior to stop. I asked the girl if she had followed my suggestions. She had.

"And did the teenager stop bothering you?" I asked.
"Yep!" She was beaming.
"Good for you. Give me five," I told her, "That's called standing up for yourself."

Her little girlfriend then told me how she was being teased on the school bus. I asked he if she was brave enough to let the bus driver know. That way, he could take care of the teasing. She said that she could do that. As they left the office hand in hand, I overheard the first girl tell the second, "That's called sticking up for yourself!"

The first grade is studying geology and the boys have been poring over library books with glossy photos of gems and minerals. For awhile, many of them could hardly keep their pants due to the weight of the "precious" stones jammed in their pockets. One child came to me during recess with a stone in his little palm.

"Hey, Mr. T. this is a diamond isn't it?"
"Nope, I'm afraid not," I replied.
"Darn it!" he said. "I was saving up to buy a new house for my parents."
Later his mother told me that when she asked how his day had been, he told her that he was exhausted.
"Why?" she had asked.
"From mining for diamonds all recess long," he told her.

It's no wonder that we love working here. Have a wonderful summer!

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Important School Dates

Graduation- June 15 at 7 p.m.
Last day of school - June 16 at 11:00 a.m.
First day of school for the next year Sept. 1

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Mark Your Calendars!

Success By Six's second Saturday Playgroup session will be June 5 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at the Fletcher Elementary School! Playgroup will be held outside on the school grounds, weather permitting. If it is rainy, we'll meet in the school gymnasium. We will porivde a variety of age appropriate play equipment, mats, and light refreshments as well as a special whole group activity. If the sun IS shining and you want to extend the fun, bring a picnic lunch and stick around after these specially scheduled events! Robert Resnik and Gigi Weisman will perform their timeless sing-a-long show. This event is geared toward young children, but it would be appropriate for the whole family! For more information, contact Pam Farmer at 849-2995 or Lara Weis at 849-9890.

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Fletcher Meeting House News
By Brenda Laquer

Many discussions at our monthly meeting in April:

1. How to repair the clapboards which were split when insulation was blown into the walls?
2. Planning for a "Texas Hold-Em" poker tournament to raise money. Probably a Saturday afternoon in the next couple of months. Any volunteer dealers?
3. Annette is heading the nominating committee for our annual election of directors, to be held at our May 12th meeting.
4. Jon Bondy talked with us about the Select Board's interest in a new town clerk's space.
5. Jon is also promoting a concert by Paul Asbell at the Meeting House on May 22.
6. Pam Jedlicka presented her offer to raise funds for the Meeting House by teaching yoga.
7. We scheduled a clean-up day in/out of the Meeting House for April 30th, 5-7 pm. All welcome to help us tidy up the gardens and public spaces.
   

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North Country ATV Association in Maple Festival Parade
By Claire Willette, Secretary

For the second year in a row, the North Country ATV Association participated in the St. Albans Maple Festival. We had approximately 30 ATV's in attendance, a truck pulling a float filled with children of all ages, adults, and a couple of child-size ATV's on board. We were visited by the Ice Storm football team mascot, who got a ride with one of our new members, and by Ronald McDonald on his little ATV. We will be taking part in the Green Up Day event in Bakersfield this year to assist in roadside clean-up, in the June Dairy Days Parade in Enosburg on June 5. See you there!

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The Scarlet Pimpernel

The Fairfax Community Theater will be performing The Scarlet Pimpernel on July 14-17 at 8:00 p.m. at BFA High School.

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Solid Waste Special Collection Event
By Mike Loner, NWSWD, Project Specialist

The Northwest Solid Waste District will hold a Special Collection Event (tires, furniture, appliances, and other large items) on June 5, 2004 in St. Albans at the City Garage on Aldis St. from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

There will be a household hazardous waste collection (oil, car batteries, antifreeze, oil based paint, and other hazardous products) on June 11 and June 12 in St. Albans at the City Garage on Aldis St. Please call NWSWD at 524-5986 for details.

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Football Sign-Up

Patriots Youth Football for Fall 2004 -- Grades 2-8: If your son or daughter has not signed up or you would like further information, please contact Karen McNall at 849-6612.

BFA-Fairfax JV Club Football for 2004 -- For grades 9 and 10: If your son or daughter has not signed up or you would like further information, please contact Karen McNall at 849-6612.

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Town Meeting 2005 Schedule
By Jon Bondy, for the Select Board

The Select Board and the School Board have agreed on a schedule for next year's Town Meeting. The Town portion of the meeting will start at 9:00 AM and continue until it is finished, or until 12:00 noon, whichever comes first. If the Town meeting is not finished by noon, the meeting will recess for lunch. The School portion of the meeting will start at 1:00 PM, and continue until it is finished. The Town portion of the meeting will reconvene after the School meeting is adjourned, if this is necessary. We will work on getting people to provide lunch to help raise funds for some worthy cause. Child care will be provided for parents who wish to attend the meetings.

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Vermont Free Family Days

Break out the picninc basket, pack up the kids, and head outside for an early dose of summertime. For two days -- June 12-13, 2004 -- all State Park day areas and Historic Sites are open to the public at no charge. Plus, June 12 is Free Fishing Day throughout Vermont. For one day only, the whole family can fish statewide without a license.

Vermont Days include the following at selected locations:

• Free Vermont milk and dairy products
• Free fishing clinic -- June 12 only (see www.vtfishandwildlife.com for details)
• Free music at Sandbar State Park - June 13 only (Green Mountain Brass Band)

Plus all the usual good stuff: canoeing, historic site tours, hiking, volleyball, swimming, wildlife watching, picnicking, and cookouts. To learn about Vermont Days events in your area, visit: www.vtstateparks.com or call (802) 241-3655.

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Fletcher Grange #473
By Marie Brouillette

Representatives Richard Howrigan and Ron Allard, representing Fletcher, Fairfield, and St. Albans Town, discussed bills on stormwater, taxation, agriculture, and many more. Question and Answer period followed. Guests were present from Fairfield, Fletcher, St. Albans, Swanton, Sheldon, Georgia, and Essex Junction.

Master Richard Brouillettee presented Stuart Newton with a 70 Years seal, noting he has been a member of grange for 70 years.

Display table of Home Economics projects - 26 baby bonnets and booties to be given to Northwestern Medical Center, St. Albans. A number of lap robes to be given to nursing homes, and 80 toys to be given to the Shriners Hospital. These are only a few of the projects done by this committee. Community Service - "Words for Thirds" - dictionaries to be given to third graders. This is a five-year project. Fletcher Elementary School has received theirs for two years.

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Thanks, Road Crew!

The Fletcher Elementary School would like to thank the road crew for being there for us and doing a good job for the school. We think they deserve recognition for all the hard work they put in for the school community.

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Legislative Update
By Senator Don Collins

As we approach the end of this legislative session, many tough decisions need to be made. Once again, the needs are greater than the resources. I am especially concerned about the ever increasing funding demands of the Corrections System. This System has experienced some serious management issues. It is draining monies from other key programs for our senior citizens and working Vermonters. We have resolved many of the permitting issues of Chapter 117 and Act 250, but stormwater regulations still need our attention. Agriculture issues around the right to farm and stormwater are finally getting the attention of Senators, and I am optimistic that we can find solutions that will encourage our farmers to continue with this noble profession that is key to the economic viability of Vermont. I have been a strong advocate for funding of adult education programs, monies for town highway and bridge programs as well as a reasonable salary increase for our mental health workers and related service providers.

A highlight of the past week was a visit by students from BFA of Fairfax with their teachers, Mr. Clark, Mr. Gilbert, and Ms. Stewart. During this time, I assisted Lt. Governor Dubie as 3 students took their voter's oath in the Senate Chamber. Congratulations Ariana, Barbara, and Matthew for taking the initiative to exercise this wonderful privilege!

Thanks to all of you, who have contacted me during my first session as your State Senator.

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Select Board Meeting Excerpts

April 5, 2004 (Approved)

• Discussed curb cut commitment with resident.
• Reviewed budget to date, focusing on line items that are near or over 100% for year-to-date.
• Discussed current town garage land and building, and the town-owned building at Rock's. Discussion on historical value of building and possibility of parking for the Grange.
• Agreed to review proposed list of projects and prioritize them at the next meeting.
• Discussed dog issues and proposal to change dog ordinance to make it more expensive when a dog gets picked up.
• Discussed use of Sheltra propoerty as town office.
• Discussed long-term road/paving plan, especially the Cambridge Road and laying fabric on dirt roads.
• Discussed new grader blade (York rake).

April 19, 2005 (Approved)

• Discussed access permit.
• FUMHA noted that it is not presently seeking use of the Meeting House as town office, but willing to listen.
• Discussed wording for permit application.
• Resident noted property has water buildup; agreed to inspect culvert and ditching as possible cause.
• Appointed Rick Russell as Fletcher's representative to Northwest Regional Planning Commission.
• Sent letter of intent to Connor Contracting approving up to $20,000 for design, permits, and firm pricing for town garage.
• Offer resident guardrails to protect property, and discussed moving the road.
• Reviewed DREAM presentation for proposed camp at Metcalf Pond. VHCB would grant money for public use in perpetuity. DREAM requested Select Board to approve an application for the grant. Request approved.
• Reviewed to-do list for road crew summer schedule.
• Reviewed dog ordinance, and will post Buyers Digest ad for 6/7 meeting at 7 p.m.

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June Calendar

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