Rocket Review
Week of November 2, 2018
Happy November!
We are down to two months left on the calendar for this year. We are at the end of our first marking period of the school year and moving into the second marking period. Conferences are coming up in two weeks for you to meet with your child's teacher and see how your student is progressing in the classroom both academically and behaviorally. Always know that our Morgan staff is available to return an email, phone call, Remind or Dojo message if you have any questions about what is happening in the class or how your child is doing.
We had a nice day on Halloween, celebrating with classroom activities and our annual school parade. Thank you all who volunteered to help with classroom activities and visited us during the parade. The kids really enjoyed the day and like seeing their parent/family at school.
Each year seems to move by faster than the previous year. It is a reminder to slow down and appreciate the moments we have with our kids and family. There are times when we actually have to schedule down time into our busy week to make sure we have a chance to connect with each other and talk to each other without the distraction of school, work, technology or after-school activities. Playing a favorite board game together is a great way to spend some time together. Our kids love our undivided attention more than we realize.
Have a great week!
Mrs. Lasky
NO SCHOOL on Tuesday, November 6!
Morgan Lunch Monitors
Morgan continues to look for additional support during the lunch hour. While our building is allocated a certain amount of paid EduStaff lunch monitors, we can take additional support in the form of volunteers. Students really enjoying seeing their parent/grandparent/aunt/uncle at school during the lunch time helping in the lunchroom or walking around the playground with the kids.
If you are interested in becoming a paid lunch monitor, please click on link below to start an application with EduStaff. EduStaff certified lunch monitors are paid an hourly rate each day they work. EduStaff employees can also complete additional, free, online training sessions and become substitute paraprofessionals for additional paid hours of work.
Morgan also takes volunteers with a current background check on file. If you filled out a Volunteer Sheet within the past few years, you should be able to volunteer for field trips, classroom help and lunch supervision. If you are unsure about your volunteer status, please contact the Main Office and Sharon or Melissa can check for you: 586-797-5800.
If you are interested in volunteering during the lunch hour, which runs from 11:30 AM until 12:15 PM each day, please contact Melissa in the main office and let her know what days you are available to volunteer. Grandparents/aunts/uncles/neighbors are all welcome once we have a background check on file.
If you have any questions, please call Morgan at 586-797-5800 or email Mrs. Lasky at sue.lasky@uticak12.org.
Daylight Savings Time Ends!
Morgan Annual Blood Drive
Click the link below for more information and to sign up to volunteer or donate blood.
Square 1 Art is Back!
Orders are DUE, Monday, November 5
Morgan's Annual Food Drive is Back!
Mark Your Calendar!
Calendar Dates
Sunday, November 4: Daylight Savings Time Ends. Set your clocks BACK 1 hour.
Tuesday, November 6: No School for all students.
Tuesday, November 13: Force Field for Good all-school assembly 1:00 PM
6-8 PM Skate Night @ The New Rink
Wednesday, November 14: Conference Evening--Teachers will be sending home letters in October to set up conference times.
Picture Retake Day
5th Grade DIA Field Trip
Thursday, November 15: 1/2 Day of School--Students dismissed at 11:29 AM. Parent-Teacher Conferences in the afternoon and evening. Teachers will be sending home letters in October to set up conference times.
November 21-25: No School--Thanksgiving Break
Monday, November 26: School resumes
6:30 PM Morgan Volunteers PTO Meeting @ Hamlin Pub
UCS News and Updates
Utica Community Schools Bond Proposal
Safety, technology and infrastructure improvements highlight Nov. 6 Bond Proposal
The Utica Community Schools Board of Education has unanimously (7-0) approved placing a $155 million bond proposal on the November 6 ballot to address safety and security, technology and infrastructure improvements identified through the district’s strategic, long-range facility improvement program.
“The bond proposal will allow us to continue providing an environment that supports the academic excellence for students that our community expects and deserves,” Board of Education president Gene Klida said. “The bond projects address safety and security and infrastructure priorities that directly impact our classrooms. The projects also provide our teachers the tools they need to drive learning and develop the job skills that businesses need to build our economy.”
Voter approval of the bond proposal has been structured to keep the tax rate at or below the current level.
The bond proposal will affect each UCS student and every UCS school and school facility.
The ballot proposal states that that the bond proposal will provide for:
1. making safety and security improvements, including cameras and door-locking systems;
2. equipping, furnishing, re-equipping and refurnishing school district buildings, facilities, and structures, and acquiring school buses and technology equipment;
3. constructing additions to and/or remodeling school district buildings; and
4. improving and developing sites, including playgrounds, athletic fields, facilities, and structures in the school district.
“Safe and secure schools are a top priority for our community and our district,” Superintendent Dr. Christine Johns said. “The improvements in this bond proposal are a key piece to our collaborative efforts with local law enforcement to continue to keep our schools safe places for students and staff.”
Technology improvements provide students and teachers the resources to support learning, including key areas of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and the integration of skills that ensure success in college and career.
The infrastructure projects also support the district’s long-range improvement programs in key areas of roofing, paving and the replacement of buses.
Board of Education Treasurer Dr. Robert Ross emphasized that voter approval of the bond proposal has been structured to not increase the current tax rate.
“Through solid fiscal planning, this bond issue has been designed to ensure we can address our facility priorities at or below our current millage level,” Dr. Ross said.
Dr. Ross added that the improvements will allow the district to extend the life of current school buildings and protect the investment the community has made in its facilities.
“Area realtors are clear that the strength of Utica Community Schools protects property values and draws new families and businesses to the communities we serve,” he said.
Dr. Ross noted that by law the bond revenue will be used only for capital improvements and may be not used for operating expenses, such as salaries or utilities.
“It is important that our taxpayers know that all revenue must be used for the purposes that are specified in the bond proposal and the expenditures are independently audited,” he said.
More information and an overview of projects are available on the district’s website at http://www.uticak12.org/2018bond.
Skate Night
Restaurant Day
Thursday, November 15 from 11 AM - 2 PM @ the McDonald's on 26 Mile/Van Dyke
Morgan Elementary
Mission: Morgan is dedicated to developing lifelong learners through the working relationship of students, staff, and community.
Email: sue.lasky@uticak12.org
Website: http://morgan.uticak12.org/
Location: 53800 Mound Road, Shelby charter Township, MI, USA
Phone: (586) 797-5800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ucsmorgan/
Twitter: @MorganElementa3