Dear Morse School Community,
We have completed our first full week of school for the 2024 -2025 school year. It has been a busy one with the implementation of our new literacy program in grades 1-5, our first Fruit of the Week and our first Community Live Stream.
Arrival/Dismissal
We have five yellow buses, one wheelchair accessible van, and multiple vans that drop off students on Granite Street. We are still working with transportation to ensure that our buses get on schedule and here are some ways you can help.
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Do not park in the bus zone - even for a few minutes.
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Do not park where the large yellow bus signs are located. Our wheelchair accessible van needs access to the sidewalk ramp and all bus students need to have a safe way to enter and exit their transportation vehicles.
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Please make sure that your CPP - Grade 2 child has their yellow bus tag on their backpack each day, including if you switch backpacks. This can hold up the bus as we need to confirm their stop before they leave.
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If you have a child taking the bus, please review the bus rules with your child.
Due to capacity limits, only students assigned to a bus will be able to utilize the transportation. We will not be permitting non-bus students to ride the bus home with a friend for a playdate.
Live Stream
Each Friday, Ms. Allison and I host our Morse Community Live Stream. It is our weekly opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the amazing accomplishments of our Morse School students and a place to hear diverse voices and perspectives, learn new things, and honor individuals and groups who have made important contributions to our school, our community, and our world. During this week's live stream, our fourth graders spoke about the Morse Code, giving examples of what each of these core values looks like in action. Our fifth graders introduced Fruit of the Week which takes place every Friday when myself and/or Ms. Allison visit classrooms to hear about educator or peer nominations for 1-2 students in each class who have exhibited the Morse core values of being inclusive, responsible, kind and an active learner. Finally, we introduced staff to our custodial team, cafeteria staff, lunch aides and CPD resource officer. Meet them here.
Listening Conferences
All homeroom teachers will be reaching out to set up a listening conference with caregivers. The CPS goal is for every family to have the opportunity to participate in listening conferences, where the parent/guardian/caregiver, student, and educator check-in for 20 minutes to meet each other, hear from the family and students about their needs, hopes, goals & dreams for the upcoming school year. Please be on the lookout for sign-ups. Once you've confirmed a time with a teacher, we ask that you give advance notice if something comes up and you are unable to attend.
Drum Call
Come join Morse School students, families and staff in the gym for a free West African dance workshop with live drumming. You can learn the dance movements, enjoy the music, and build and celebrate our community! Attend one or both events: Friday, September 20th, doors open at 6PM, or Saturday, October 26th, doors open at 4PM. Register and learn more about www.drumcallcps.com.
Upcoming Events
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Family Listening Conferences | September 9th - 27th (Information coming from Individual Teachers)
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FMS Welcome Back Picnic | September 13th, 5-7PM
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Principal's Coffee/Tea | September 18th, 8:15-8:45AM
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Drum Call Dance Family Workshop | September 20th, 6PM
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CPP - Grade 5 Open House & Curriculum Night | September 25th 6-8PM
I hope you can make it to the Welcome Back Picnic this evening! Have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Samantha Headley