Monthly Matador
"Reaching For The Stars"
November 2022 Edition
The CJ Morris Team thanks you for your partnership and helping us to Rise Up!
Teacher of the Year Celebration
Mrs. Monica Power-4th/5th Multi-Age Class
We enjoyed celebrating Mrs. Monica Power at WVUSD's Salute to Teachers Ceremony, and since she is our MVP, we honored her with a sports themed MVP lunch at school.
Happy Fall Y'All
Mrs. Harrington, Miss Cowles, and Mrs. Power's classes enjoyed getting into the fall spirit with some pumpkin decorating and a fall feast of pizza.
Lego League Kick Off
Our little Brick Makers had a blast partnering with other students to create and play at lunch. Over 200 students enjoyed the "connecting" experience!
Fun Zone Fridays
We just hosted our first Fun Zone Friday where students can break the ice and learn to play with new friends with lots of games and hands-on activities. Under Ms. Chavez's guidance, students also learned the importance of sharing and how to navigate these conversations with respect.
Red Ribbon Week
Our students enjoyed dressing up, but more importantly learning about healthy choices and staying drug free. These Kindergartners are "Karate Chopping" bad choices away from their lives.
Our 4th and 5th graders choose Hugs over Drugs and enjoyed cozying up with their furry friends during Red Ribbon Week.
Counselor's Corner
A Message From Our School Counselor, Ms. Chavez, How to Praise Your Child
3 Best Ways to Praise
1. Don't overdo it. When your toddler puts his pants on by himself for the first time, it's worth making a big deal about it. But gushing over everyday achievements ("You finished your carrots -- yay!") will cause your child to discount praise he's truly earned. It may also make him feel he constantly has to do things to impress you.
2. Be specific. Instead of saying, "Wow, that's a great drawing," say, "Look at that great sun you made, and you even included clouds!" This lets your child know you are really taking notice of her work and encourages her to do more, says Janice Fletcher, EdD, director of the child development lab at the University of Idaho in Moscow.
3. Emphasize the effort, not the outcome. When your child is learning a new activity, don't comment on how well she does it. Instead, compliment her enthusiasm and progress, for example “You worked really hard in soccer, and I noticed you're starting to dribble the ball better.”
PYP IB Program
Meet our Interim IB Coordinator, Mrs. Michelle Yim
Mrs. Kelly Howard is taking a leave of absence. During this time, Mrs. Michelle Yim will be our Interim IB Coordinator. Mrs. Yim comes to CJ Morris with a wealth of knowledge about WVUSD and IB PYP. Mrs. Yim has taught more than 20 years in WVUSD at Castle Rock Elementary School in Diamond Bar, which is also an IB PYP School. She has worked closely with Mrs. Howard and understands the complexities of the IB PYP Program. When you see Mrs. Yim, please give her a warm CJ Morris welcome.
*Mrs. Yim is pictured above with her husband.
Monthly Learner Profile Attribute of the Month: Balanced
For the month of November, we will be teaching our students what it means to be Balanced. Being balanced is when we understand the importance of balancing aspects of our lives- intellectual, physical, and emotional to achieve well-being for ourselves and others.
Title One
Title One Newsletter from Specialist, Mrs. Lisa Esse
Literacy Night
Mrs. Esse is our Title One Specialist and is responsible for hosting a Title One Family Night to promote literacy strategies at home. This night is for Title One Families, however, CJ Morris opens up the event for the entire CJ Morris Community. Our theme for the event is cookies! We will have crafts, the book fair, and break-out sessions for families to learn literacy development alongside their child. There will be activities for primary and upper grade children.
Please see attached flyer for more details.
Mrs. Esse will be sending a hard copy of the flyer home to all families on Nov. 3rd.
Third Grade's Publishing Party
Our 3rd graders have been diligently crafting their personal narratives and now it's time to celebrate their works with a Publishing Party! All of the 3rd graders came together to share their pieces with their classmates and to write compliments to the budding authors. Some apple juice and cookies helped get the celebration started!
Celebrate your child’s birthday with their name displayed on the CJM Marquee for the week of their birthday!
Cost
December-July Birthdays-$25
We will accept 20 requests per month. This is a first come, first serve basis. Submit your request on the Google Form below. Each Google Form is time stamped. The office will contact our first 20 requests per month and ask the families to submit their payment to the front office with cash or a check (payable to CJMCC) within 3 days of notifying the family. If the front office does not receive your payment in three days, the birthday request will be voided, and we will pick another name from the Wait List. Please fill out the Google Form for each child that you would like to honor.
*Proceeds will go towards the purchase of a new marquee for the school.
Google Form: https://forms.gle/fUBznvwKzc4h6GTVA
Take a Look at Our Big and Little Buddies in Action!
Every student at CJ Morris is either a Big Buddy or a Little Buddy. Big Buddies and Little Buddies meet to complete activities together and to develop a positive mentoring relationship. We practice all of the IB Attributes when we connect. At CJ Morris, we are cultivating student leaders and strong connections within our community. Here is Mrs. Sherman's 3rd graders working alongside Miss Tirheimer's 1st graders.
November School Calendar
November 3
- Early Out Thursday
November 8th
- Day of Awesomeness-Students that raised $50 or more will be attending the event that is held during the school day.
November 9th
- Vision and Hearing Screening for Kindergarten and 2nd Grade
November 10th
- Vision and Hearing Screening for 5th Grade
- Early Out Thursday
- Student Leadership after school 12:45-2:00 pm
November 11th
- No School-Veteran's Day
November 15th
- School Spirit Dress Up Day-"Fancy Formal Fashion"
- Mt. Sac Theater Performance for all grades in the morning, "Royal Pain" musical
November 16th
- World Kindness Day
- Community Club Meeting in MPR at 8:30 am. All families are welcome to attend!
November 17th
- 3rd Grade Dance Folklore Residency begins
- Early Out Thursday
November 18th
- Student of the Month Awards. Teachers send families the invite
- Trimester 1 report cards available at 5:00 pm on the Parent Portal
November 21st-November 25th
- Thanksgiving Break
- Return to school on November 28th
November 30th
- School Site Council Meeting 3:10-4:00 online
Foster the Love for Reading at Home
In-N-Out Reading Challenge
Take your child to either the Diamond Bar or Walnut Public Library and sign them up to participate in the Cover to Cover In-N-Out Reading Challenge. If they read 5 books, they earn a free hamburger. Details below.
November Breakfast and Lunch Menu
Yearbook Order
Shop Amazon Smile
Remember to do all your online shopping through Amazon Smile! Designate Cyrus J Morris Community Club as your supported charity, then when you buy anything at smile.amazon.com a portion of the proceeds will be donated to us! It’s an easy way to contribute while doing your everyday Amazon shopping.
Parent Volunteers
Interested in volunteering in your child's classroom this year? Please read the information letter that states the requirements.
Home of the Matadors
Website: www.cjmorris.wvusd.k12.ca.us
Location: 19875 East Calle Baja Drive, Walnut, CA, USA
Phone: 909-594-0053
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CJMCommClub/
Twitter: @CJM_Matadors