James Morris School
Weekly Newsletter, Vol. 11.16.2017
A Message Regarding Attendance
Holiday Assistance
To the families of Region 6: In collaboration with representatives from town hall, Region 6 has managed to streamline a network of care for local families in need during the winter holidays. This year, we are once again organizing our annual district-wide holiday drive and we need your help! This drive will run from Monday, November 13th - Tuesday, December 18th, and we are looking for food items, gift cards, or stocking-stuffers that we can use to supplement packages for identified families. For further information regarding donations, please follow the link to our donor letter below for all of the details regarding dropoff and specifics on what we are looking for: Donor Letter for Holiday Assistance If you are a family residing in Warren, Morris, or Goshen and think you may need some support this holiday season with gifts, food, clothing, etc., please follow the link below to your corresponding town and complete the confidential needs assessment to be used during our scope of service. Please read and follow all of the directions carefully as they include essential information regarding the drive and the logistics involved. Holiday Assistance Needs Assessment: Warren Holiday Assistance Needs Assessment: Morris Holiday Assistance Needs Assessment: Goshen
Holiday drive contact information by town:
Morris - Laurel Gillotti (860) 567-7430
Goshen - Colleen Kinkade (860) 491-2249
Warren - Samantha Sommerer (860) 868-7881
Wamogo - Steven Bagley or Sarah Bolton (860) 567-7410
GCS/Warren Elementary - Kristin Lutz (860) 491-6020 or (860) 868-2223
James Morris School - Gina Fleming (860) 567-7420
Thank you and happy holidays!
Pajama Drive, from Mrs. Fodor
This fall, RSD6 is participating in the Scholastic Book Clubs Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive, a national nonprofit organization that provides new pajamas and storybooks to at-risk children. The program supports children living in shelters, group homes, foster care, as well as those who attend Title-I schools, Head Start programs, and other programs that support at-risk youth. For each pair of donated pajamas, Scholastic will donate a brand new book. With warm pajamas and a comforting bedtime story, children feel safe and secure as they drift off to sleep, allowing them to have the good night that they need to realize their dreams the following day. You can find out more about the drive at: www.scholastic.com/pjdrive .
Our three elementary schools want to be a part of this drive so that we can help make a better bedtime for these children. Together we can help the Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive reach even more children through the magical gifts of pajamas and storybooks. If you and your child are able to participate, please help us transform bedtime for an at-risk child by bringing in a new pair of pajamas to school by December 12, 2017.
Here are some simple guidelines for the pajamas:
- Pajamas must be brand new. Pajamas in all sizes are needed- from newborn to adult.
- Pajamas must be in complete sets or nightgowns.
- Pajamas in children’s sizes must be manufactured as pajamas; this ensures that they are flame-retardant and safe.
Thank you for helping us share the gift of a good night’s sleep and a sweet bedtime story. After all, good nights are good days.
Jennifer Fodor
Elementary Library Media Specialist
Regional School District 6
jfodor@rsd6.orgBook Rejuvenation Project
Through the month of November, please consider bringing in at least one book from home that your family is willing to donate to our upcoming book swap. Your child will be able to select a different book for every book that (s)he donates. If you would like to use this opportunity to "weed out" your book collection, please do, as we will take any donations for this book-recycling initiative. We ask that donated books be in good/excellent condition and appropriate for ages 3-12.
School Improvement Plan
If you have not already done so, please take a few minutes to review our JMS School Improvement Plan), which is a "living document" that will guide much of our work this school year. Our goals and strategies within include
- Math: Driven by regular data reviews by teachers, coaches, and administration, JMS will supplement, refine, and align existing math curriculum to address gaps in whole-district student performance data.
- ELA: Teachers, coaches, and administrators will supplement, refine, and align existing ELA curriculum to address gaps in whole-district student performance data.
- Climate: 100% of students will report a positive perception of the JMS learning environment, including student- and staff-behaviors, professionalism, and quality of work.
Instrumental Band Concerts
Instrumental Band is gearing up for their winter concerts! Jazz band will perform at GCS’s Tree Lighting on Wednesday, December 6 at 5:00pm. The Fourth Grade Informance will be Tuesday, December 19th at 6:30pm at Warren School. It will be their debut on stage altogether as a band! Jazz Band will open up this concert. We hope to see many faces there--all are welcome!
2017 Winter Vocal Music Concert
This year, our annual Winter Vocal Music Concert will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the James M. Eisenhaure Auditorium at Wamogo. This concert will feature all of the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students from Warren, Morris, and Goshen. The concert will also include performances from the Inter-Elementary Select Choir. Snow date for the rehearsal and concert will take place on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. Dress code for the concert is white on top, black on the bottom. Please ask your child for additional information, or you may visit Mrs. Bill's website by clicking here.
Parent Workshop
Please see the flyer below for a workshop for parents on Learning to Live with Stress on November 28th. This event is one in a yearlong series, being offered by the Greenwoods School Community Program, which is a collaborative partnership between Greenwoods Counseling Referrals, Inc., Litchfield Public Schools, WAMOGO Public Schools and the Prevention Councils of the Litchfield and WAMOGO communities. We hope to see you there!
Wrapping Paper Fundraiser
Please help the JMS sixth grade class by purchasing durable, beautiful wrapping paper! All proceeds benefit this special class of eight students to raise funds for their end-of-year activities. Final orders will be due November 17th. If you have questions, please contact Lisa Harrison at 860-309-3527.
Retakes & Sibling Photo Information
Upcoming Events
Wed., November 22nd-24th: Thanksgiving Recess
Fri, December 1st: End of 1st Trimester
Week of December 4th: Candy Cane Lane
Tue, December 5th: Gr. 5&6 field trip to N. Rockwell Museum
Wed, December 6th: Jazz Band performance at GCS’s Tree Lighting, 5:00 PM
Thur., December 7th: Safe-School Climate Meeting, 9:00 AM
Mon, December 11th: BOE Meeting at JMS 7:00 PM
Tue, December 12th: Pajama-Drive Donations Due
Tue, December 12th: PTO meeting, 6:00 PM
Wed., December 13th: 1:30 Dismissal
Fri., December 15th: Three-School Reading Celebration at JMS
Tues, December 19th: 4th Grade Concert with Jazz Band at Warren School, 6:30 PM
Mon., December 25th-January 1st: Winter Recess
Thurs, January 11th: 5th & 6th Grade Winter Concert at 6:30 PM in Wamogo Auditorium
Flyers and Forms
Our School Vision
Our vision for James Morris School is to be highly regarded for our students' academic growth, and for instilling in students the desire to strive for the intrinsic value, rewards and opportunities that result from quality, professionalism, and pride in one’s work. To achieve this vision, we believe in:
A culture of academia
A strong partnership with parents and the community
A growth-mindset for students and staff
Research-based practices
Authentic hands-on learning experiences for all students
Awareness and understanding of issues related to diversity - social, cultural, and cognitive
Embedded character education and promotion of strong habits of mind
Regional School District No. 6 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Title IX - Contact
Debbie DeLisle
98 Wamogo Road, Litchfield, CT 06759
860-567-6656
Section 504 - Contact
Debra Foley
98 Wamogo Road, Litchfield, CT 06759
860-567-6642