Willem Jewett on the Douglas education plan

Ripton's state representative responds to governor Douglas' education plans:

Willem Jewett did the math on Gov. Jim Douglas’ proposal Thursday.

Level-funding the Ripton school budget would mean cutting $20,000 out of next year’s just-formulated budget, said Jewett, a Ripton School Board member and a Democratic state representative. Beyond the question of what would have to be cut, he took exception to the notion that the state would tell local residents how much they could spend...

Jewett suggested schools are different from other governmental entities. The courts are planning to close for five days in the next six months to make up their share of the budget cuts, he noted.

“What are going to do — tell the kids you’re not going to school?”

(Burlington Free Press)

Maiden Vermont Free Concert at Ripton Elementary

Maiden Vermont will be performing at Ripton Elementary School on Thursday January 15th at 6:30pm.
Free and open to the public.
All are invited!

Ripton school delayed this morning

The Ripton Elementary School has a two-hour delay this morning, due to ice.

Welcome back to school, kids, when you get there!

Snowjourn 2009, volunteers needed

Hello Riptonites!

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Sophie McKibben, I am a sophomore at Middlebury Union High School, went to North Branch for three years, and have lived on Wagon Wheel road for the past seven years.

This fall, I started an organization to bring Vermont military families up to our wonderful town for a free ski vacation. I did this because Vermont has heavily felt the tolls of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars--and regardless of our personal views on the wars, our soldiers and their families deserve to be honored and well cared for.

Ripton is a wonderful town, and we are all so lucky to be part of such a wonderful community. I think that that families coming this year (February 6th, 7th, 8th) are going to really benefit from being in such a great place. I have been hard at work on planning this whole thing, but there is no way that it is going to be pulled off without you.

Six families (21 people) are signed up so far, and 4 families are on the waiting list. Check out the website for the schedule, or email or call me (info at bottom).

Here is what you can do to help:

1. Friday night, (Feb. 6th) there is going to be a potluck dinner (at the elementary school), to which you are all invited (if you bring a dish to share). This is the top community priority--there will probably be live music, and it will be a terrific way to welcome the families. ALL of Ripton invited!

2. Saturday and Sunday, I need some people to make a hot lunch (chili?) for the families and ski instructors. (Food for about 30-35 people)

3. Daycare:
Free daycare is offered to ALL families, and the ages of the children are quite varied (youngest is 4). I need three people EACH day (Saturday and Sunday)--and at all times one adult.

Check out the website (there is a volunteers page) www.snowjourn.org for more information, or call me 388-3673, or respond to this email.

Thank you so, so much. I am really excited to hear from you!
Happy New Year!

Sophie McKibben

Director, Snowjourn 09
www.snowjourn.org
snowjourn@gmail.com
(802) 388-3673