Principal's Newsletter - March/April 2008

For a PDF version of our Newsletter please use the link below.

March/April Newsletter in PDF

Playground News

In an effort to dial back the intensity on the playground, we decided to eliminate competitive team sports from the two 13-minute recesses each day.  We spoke with each class before the February vacation and just this week finished talking with each grade in depth at their regular morning meetings.  We believe there are ample opportunities within the community for organized, competitive basketball, soccer, football, baseball/softball, etc. with smaller numbers and excellent coaching.  Our experiences here have included intense competitiveness during the games followed often by frustration, pushing, and yelling in line that then proceeds on to effect the classroom environment.  The paraprofessionals in charge are supervising 50-115 students over a large play area and are concerned first and foremost with the safety of each of your children.

While some children have had difficulty accepting this change (and we talked with our 4th and 5th graders specifically about this) the overall atmosphere on the playground is improved, tensions have lessened, and we have plans to introduce the students to game variations (when weather improves) that will allow for spirited play in a less-competitive situation.  The early reports have been very positive and we have complimented your children on their acceptance of these changes and their willingness to be a part of an improved playground culture.  Kindergarten Orientation, Screening and Registration

Kindergarten Orientation for the 2008-2009 school year will take place on three Tuesdays;  March 25th, April 8th and April 15th from 2:00-2:45 p.m. in the Morris School Music Room.  Additionally, there will be an evening session on March 25th at 7:00  for parents only that will be essentially the same as the meeting that afternoon.  Letters with all pertinent information have been mailed to pre-kindergarten parents. 

Kindergarten screening and registration will take place at Morris School on May 7th, 8th and 9th.  Children entering Kindergarten must be five on or before September 1, 2008.  Information regarding screening/registration will be sent home shortly.  Parents need to bring health records, including immunizations as well as a birth certificate for the registration.  If you know of a pre-kindergarten child eligible to come to school in September who may not be on our list, please call Mrs. Saldarini or Mrs. Hopper at 637-5522 x 2171. 

Interns

Each year we are fortunate to have a cadre of interns from LMMHS as well as other volunteers who enhance our program for students and make a major contribution to the culture of the school. of our student interns this year is Kelsey Hopper, a Senior at LMMHS, who was just selected by the Berkshire County Regional Employment Board as one of two outstanding interns from Berkshire County. Kelsey is a Morris School graduate and we have long known of her personal strengths, integrity, and altruistic nature that have led to this wonderful recognition for her. Kelsey received a certificate from Senator Ben Downing and spoke about her classroom internship. congratulate Kelsey on this award and thank her on behalf of her first grade students, her cooperating teacher, Ms. Crane, and all of us who have had the pleasure of watching her grow up.

MCAS Reading and Writing

This year, the entire English Language Arts, Reading, and Long Essay portions of the MCAS will be administered in March and April.  The schedule at the moment is listed below.

It is important for each of these tests that students arrive well-rested, fed, and ready to answer multiple-choice and open-response questions with appropriate detail and the ability to express in writing their understanding of mathematics and science concepts.  I know that you are all supportive and will have your children prepared for testing beginning on March 24th. 

Parental Input on Child Placement

I will be meeting with teachers regarding class assignments for the 2008-2009 school year.  The regulation relating to the assignment of students to classes reads:  “In assigning students to classes, the elementary principal will normally consider a variety of issues to ensure that each child will have a successful school year.  Examples of such issues include but are not limited to the following:  a fair distribution of the sexes, specific health needs, special needs services required, interpersonal relationships, learning styles, and academic and social needs.  The principal will place heavy priority on teacher recommendation.”

Parents who have information that may be relevant when assignments are being made are asked to contact the elementary principal.  Parent information should be submitted in writing to the elementary principal by April 30th of this year.
           
It is not intended to discourage parental input. If you have information such as that described in the paragraph of the regulation that you feel may be helpful in my decision regarding your child or children, please put it in writing to me by April 30th.  I am not looking, however, for requests for specific teachers.  Assignments to all classes except Kindergarten will be sent home with report cards in June.

Extra Clothes at School

We would like to again ask that you send an extra set of clothing in for each of your children.  Many times they fall into wet mud or snow banks while out at recess or spill milk or other drinks on themselves at lunch/snack time.  The extra clothing can be kept in the classroom or in the lockers.  This way a call doesn’t have to be made home or to a parent at work to provide dry clothes. 

Lunches Needing Microwaving

Off and on over the last couple of months, students have brought in lunches that needed to be microwaved.  In order for this to happen, a cafeteria supervisor has had to leave the cafeteria for several minutes, leaving the area shorthanded—not an ideal situation.  Unless it is absolutely essential for dietary reasons, please do not send in lunches that need to be microwaved.

Dr. Seuss's Birthday Celebration

We celebrated Dr. Seuss Day on Read Across America Day on Monday, March 3rd.  Our art teacher, Debby Kain arranged  for readers from many different walks of life to come into the Morris School. The classroom teachers signed up for  time slots and each one was filled by members of the business community, Central Office, Town Hall, Business Partners, and also a School Committee member.   Many thanks to all of our readers and staff members that made Dr. Seuss day so much fun!

Accelerated Reader Program

Most of our Fourth and Fifth Grade students have participated in the Accelerated Reader Program, taking tests on various books they have read throughout the year.  Karen Joyner in the Library tells me that we have over 2280 tests in our database.  We have a few students in the 200 to 300 range, several more in the 100s, plus many more knocking at the door of 100 points. Congratulations and keep on reading!

Enrichment News

SPACE…the final frontier…Last year, I was privileged to participate in a crash course in ASTRONOMY, sponsored by NASA, at Williams College, led by renowned astronomer Dr. Jay Pasachoff. This spring I’ve begun teaching some very basic astronomy to our third graders, to enhance their classroom studies about the solar system and earth’s moon.

Seven amazingly creative fifth graders continue the journey toward the Destination ImagiNation creative problem solving tournament in West Springfield, March 8th.  We’ve been busy brainstorming, researching historic figures, improvising, and rehearsing to get ready for our team’s “Chorific” performance, an “Improv” challenge about tackling chores with unexpected obstacles. Team Managers are Jodi Cahillane and John McNinch.  Many thanks to all the parents who’ve supported us on our six month adventure!  

UPDATE!!!  Since this was first written, our team members successfully competed at the regional event this past weekend and won first place!!  They are getting ready to move on to the state finals in Worcester on April 12th.  Congratulations and Best Wishes to all of the participants!!!

Second grade enrichment classes are learning to use their Productive Thinking talents to see familiar objects, such as hats, in new ways.  Ms. Dede, assistant Sara Goethe of the Albany Berkshire Ballet and I are developing a dance and movement performance with 21 active third graders.  A small group of fourth graders are finding out more about GERMS – the good, the bad and the ugly -- bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa.  Our fifth grade Extra enrichment class explored “The Scottish Play” a/k/a “Macbeth”, during our SHAKESPEARE mini-course. Our next Extra course will be focused on LAW.   

Mrs. Edelman
Enrichment Teacher

News from the Art Room

The snow days, delayed openings, holidays, and vacations have been roadblocks in the completion of projects!  We are trying to keep up with the curriculum throughout this time span and have learned how to jump ahead and return to projects as time allows.

There are winter projects now on display in the Lenox National Bank and the annual Kimball Farms Art Show will hang throughout April.   I try to include as many youngsters as I can squeeze into the space.  I hope that they can go to the Opening (I will get the date out as soon as it is set) and view their creations.  Kimball Farms always does a wonderful job in the refreshments for that time and the residents come out to talk to the artists.  They love to see the children and the children in turn bask in their praise.  It is a great time for all.  Please try to come if your child is selected.

Debby Kain
Art Teacher

First Grade Thanks

Miss Mason’s class would like to thank Ryan Wei’s parents, Nailong and Jihug Zhang for the informative and fun presentation about Chinese New Year.  We would also like to thank you for your generous gifts and delicious Chinese New Year delicacies.

We would also like to thank two very dedicated classroom helpers, Mrs. Keator, and Mrs. Pehlert.  Your assistance in the classroom is so valuable. 

Lastly, we would like to thank Mr. Keator for reading to us on Wednesday mornings and generously donating books to our classroom library.

The entire first grade would like to thank Lauren’s Mom, Dr. Lisa Gamache for visiting our classrooms and reviewing good dental health practices.  Thank you too for the dental health goodie bags and for being such a fun speaker.
Thank you to the B.C.C. nursing students for visiting each first grade and talking about hand washing.  And thank you to Mary Jane Pignatelli for coordinating the visit.

Thank you to the B.C.C. nursing students for visiting each first grade and talking about hand washing.  And thank you to Mary Jane Pignatelli for coordinating the visit.

Morris School Musical

Morris School 4th and 5th grade students are busy preparing for their presentation of a musical version of Pocahontas which will be performed sometime in May .  Look for more information to be coming home soon. 

Berkshire Theatre Festival

AESOP’S NETWORK: Broadcasting Theatrical Fables
On Friday morning, March 28, our students will be treated to a special performance of AESOP’S NETWORK:  Broadcasting Theatrical Fables.  The Morris School PTO is funding this event which has been well-received at other schools in the county.