Morton Elementary Newsletter
November 2019
Morton Communication
Email: kquain@marysvilleschools.us
Website: https://www.marysville.k12.mi.us/schools/morton-elementary/
Location: 920 Lynwood Street, Marysville, MI, USA
Phone: (810)364-2990
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mortonelementaryschool/
Twitter: @mortonstars
Upcoming Events
11/13 MSALT Bookfair Begins - Library
11/14 & 19 Parent/Teacher Conferences
11/14 & 11/15 AM Classes Only - school dismisses @ 11:40am
11/19 MSALT Bookfair Ends
11/20 MSALT Bottle Drive
11/26 MSALT Hungry Howie's Pizza Night
11/27 AM Classes Only - school dismisses @ 11:40
11/28 Thanksgiving Break
12/2 Classes Resume
12/4 PLC Late Start - school begins @ 9:45
12/11 Encore/Red Carpet Rally
12/18 MSALT Bottle Drive
12/20 MSALT Santa Shop
12/23 - 1/5/20 Winter Break
Principal's Corner
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Next week, we will be hosting Parent Teacher Conferences. Parent/Teacher Conferences (PTC) are great opportunities for building trust, information sharing, and mutual planning. Remember that the PTC is a two-way street. You learn from the teacher about how your child performs in the classroom, while the teacher can learn from you about the personality and learning habits of your child. How can you make the most of this opportunity?
Teachers are eager to meet with parents of students; however, remember that during scheduled conferences, a teacher meets with many parents in a short period of time. Please be on time for your scheduled conference, and do not go over the 15 minutes allotted for your conference. This is especially important when a teacher has other parents anxiously awaiting their turn. Write down anything you would like to discuss; teacher expectations, missing assignments, test grades, behavior, etc.
Be open-minded to suggestions from the teacher. Focus on strengths and collaborate with the teacher.
Avoid lengthy discussion of topics that are not related to the purpose of the conference. If needed, plan a follow-up conference with your child’s teacher.
Meeting time notices were sent home this past week. If you are unsure of your child's conference time, please contact the office at (810)364-2990. We look forward to sharing your child's progress.
REPORT CARDS
Report cards will be sent home at your scheduled parent teacher conference. The staff will review your child's progress toward the standards in the core content areas and go over the new report card updates and standards. Please feel free to ask questions as needed. It is our goal to help your child have a successful school year.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
The Scholastic Book Fair will be open from November 12-15. Parents and students can shop during the lunch hour, after school, and during parent teacher conferences. A note with more information was shared this past week.
FAMILY SURVEY
Please take a minute to complete a short school survey at your earliest convenience. We value your input and feedback, which helps us improve and grow our school. Click here to take the survey. Thank you for your continued support.
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Set goals and follow through.
Have a plan to achieve a goal.
If you want time for something, you must make time.
How choices made now will affect your future.
Short term and long term goals.
Please take some time to talk with your child about this habit. Ask them to think about some goals they would like to accomplish and work with them to make a plan!
Monthly Star Citizen and Viking Spirit Winners
October Star Citizens: Sana, Gavin, Ember, Parker, Corbin, Tanner, Caidyn, Bri, Jude, Dae'Vion, Braylen, Abigail, and Rylie
September/October Viking Spirit Winners: Xavier and Caleb
Viking Spirit Winners
Star Citizens
Yard Sign
Kind T- Shirt Order
Watch Dogs
Last month, we launched our first Dad Pizza night to kick off the Watch Dogs Program for the 2019-2020 school year. Watch Dogs is a volunteer opportunity for dads, uncles, grandfathers or any positive male role model in your child's life. We are excited to announce that we currently have 13 Watch Dogs who have been officially approved to begin duty this month! They will received an email this week with the sign up link to choose their shift. There are morning, lunch, and dismissal slots available. If you missed our Pizza Night, there is still time to sign up. Send a note in with your child and we will send information home. Information packets are also available in the office. Positive male models are play an important role in the lives of our children. Please consider volunteering for this amazing opportunity to support our students.
Winter Weather Procedures
Tips for Improving Attendance
- Good attendance benefits your child's education. Students who miss a day of school not only miss instruction, but must make up work and catch up with the new material at the same time. Make education a family priority and emphasize the important role education plays throughout life.
- The school bus is a consistent way to ensure your child arrives at school in a timely manner. Arriving late can be disruptive for your child, the teacher, and the other children in the class.
- Try to schedule doctor and dentist appointments on early release days, school holidays or at the beginning or end of the school day.
- There are 180 school days out of the 365 days in a year; therefore, families are encouraged to take vacations during the summer vacation or other school breaks throughout the year.
- Keep in mind that patterns are formed early. It is more difficult to break a bad habit (children begging to stay home from school “just this once”) than saying “no” in the beginning.
- If there are reasons why your child is not coming to school (school phobia, relationships with peers, academic difficulties), please contact your school counselor so that the underlying issue can be addressed.
Thank you for supporting your child's education by encouraging good school attendance!
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
We will continue to use the south parking lot as a drop-off loop in the morning for all students K-5. When pulling into the drop off loop, please drive as far forward as you can to allow room for additional cars to drop off. When cars stop at the entrance to unload, it causes other cars to get backed up on the street and makes our lot unsafe. If you would like to walk your child up to the doors, take more time to say goodbye, or if your child needs additional time to exit the car, please pull into a parking space on the east side of the parking lot (the side that faces the road.) We request that parents DO NOT park on the west side (playground side) of this lot from 7:30 am to 9:00 am as posted.
Kindergarten will be dismissed out the northwest blue doors in the back parking lot. First and second grade will dismiss out the north end of the building (Lynwood Doors) and third, fourth, and fifth grade students will exit out the south end doors (large playground).
*Please remember there is no parking, stopping or standing in the bus loop at any time during school hours. This also includes evening events as the loop is considered a fire lane. We appreciate your cooperation with this matter.
MSALT Updates
The annual Craft Show will take place on Friday, December 20th. More information regarding volunteer opportunities and when your child will shop, will be shared soon.
MPS Board of Education
Dave Schmorrow, President ~ Kevin Palmateer, Vice President ~ Nicole Winston, Secretary ~ Dave Watson, Treasurer ~ Michelle Kut, Trustee ~ Barry Kreiner, Trustee ~ Ben Lasher, Trustee