James Morris School
Regional School District No.6, February 16, 2017
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The JMS 2017 Sixth-Grade Class of Orators
Mrs. Barger's 1st graders use gestures, sound effects, and play to bridge speaking, listening, punctuation and writing.
Josh delivers a terrific speech on Lego clubs and the importance of creativity.
UPCOMING EVENTS and ITEMS of NOTE
Mr. Bruce Richard Selected for Award in Harwinton
Please join us in congratulating Mr. Bruce Richard, recipient of the 2017 Harwinton Outstanding Citizen Award! A graduate of Lewis Mills High School, Mr. Richard grew up in Harwinton and currently lives in his family's home with his mother, Eleanor. Mr. Richard’s contributions to Harwinton began back in 1977 when he joined the West Side Volunteer Fire Department. There, he organized and was the Chair of the annual Fireman’s Ball. He has been an active member of the Harwinton Agricultural Society since joining them in 1995. Mr. Richard advanced from being a painter at the Harwinton Fair Grounds to becoming its President. He is also an active member of the Bronc Callahan Community and serves on its Board of Directors. Mr. Richard has been very active in the Lions Club and was recently awarded his 20-year pin. He also has been awarded the Knights Of The Blind Award and The Low Vision Centers Award. He has further served the community by being a volunteer with the T.A. Hungerford Memorial Museum Board of Directors and the South Cemetery Tour, as past President of the Litchfield Council of Fairs, and as the person behind the Draft Horse Dust Off and Tractor Pull events. When asked about being chosen as this year’s honoree, Mr. Richard commented, “I am very humbled to be included in the list of Harwinton’s most notable volunteers, the people that I have looked up to for so long, is simply a humbling experience. I am so honored."
2017 CAS Superintendent's Award
JMS proudly congratulates sixth-grader, Justin Ferrer, this year's JMS recipient of the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) Superintendent's Award. Justin's teachers note that he is particularly respectful, responsible and caring. He loves sports, especially the New York Yankees. Justin juggles a busy schedule, playing baseball, participating in Leadership Awareness Workshop (LAW), and practicing his oratory skills with Ford’s Theater. Still, he manages to complete his work to the high standards he sets for himself. Justin is a role model for his peers with his kindness, empathy, and willingness to always put himself in others’ shoes to understand their perspective.
2017 Ford's Theatre Representatives
Two JMS sixth graders, Kaleigh Langlais and Anthony Williams, will join Mrs. Barbara Connery to represent James Morris School in Washington D.C. this spring as they participate in workshop sessions developed and facilitated by the Ford’s Theatre Center for Education and Leadership. The workshops will focus on deepening students' oratory and performance skills. Sessions will include a field trip to the Lincoln Memorial and viewing of a theatrical performance at the historic Ford’s Theatre. As a culminating activity, along with peers from the other National Oratory Fellows program schools across the country, Kaleigh and Anthony will present their work on the stage of Ford’s Theatre for each other and invited guests. All JMS sixth graders have been participating in this rigorous and powerful unit of study throughout the winter months. Each sixth grader participated in our annual JMS Oratory Festival this week, reciting their own speeches on issues of social justice and personal passion, in front of an audience of classmates, parents and staff. On behalf of all those in attendance, I want to express tremendous pride and joy for these students' efforts, growth and the maturity they displayed throughout the unit and the festival.
Girl Scout Best Guy Dance
Please remember to send your money by March 1st. Any questions, please contact Diana at 203-592-7682. Money is due no later than March 1st.
Community Service Award
The Secretary of the State, Denise W. Merrill and the Connecticut Citizenship Fund, Inc. will be recognizing students throughout Connecticut who have made a difference within their community. In support of this wonderful effort, Region 6 elementary schools will each recognize one student from 5th or 6th grade for this award. Students will be given additional information about the application process by their school principal.
Middle School Mixer
On Friday, February 24th, Wamogo is proud to host the 1st annual Middle School Mixer: Dinner and a Movie. This event is open to all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders and features a full pasta dinner and a movie to follow directly after. The price is $15 per person with concessions for sale right before and during the movie, the proceeds will help support student activities. Come join your friends and peers for a night of food and fun! Dinner will be from 6:00pm until 7:00pm in the Wamogo cafeteria. The movie will start at 7:15pm in the auditorium. Pickup will be 9:15 in the BACK of the building. If you have any questions, please forward them to Steven Bagley at Sbagley@rsd6.org .
School Delay/Cancellation Alerts
Winter weather is underway, and with it comes inevitable delays and cancellations. Please be sure that your contact information is up to date, so that the alert system, School Messenger, can notify you of delays and cancellations in a timely manner. If you need to update your telephone number or email address, contact Mrs. Varanko at hvaranko@rsd6.org or call 860-567-7420.
JMS Sunflower Walking Sticks
JMS 4th grade students are creating walking sticks by repurposing sunflower stalks grown in the Giving Garden. These walking sticks will be sold to raise money for the White Memorial Foundation because we all use the trails and have learned so much about our environment through White Memorial. Please see the flyer below to order. Supplies are limited!
JMS Sunflower Seed Company
The mission of JMS Sunny Seeds Seed Co. is to provide organic, raw, nutritional Giving Garden sunflower seeds and to reach out to help others in need. Through the purchase of the seed packets, our customers will help continue our support of local soup kitchens and the Little Guild Animal Shelter and Rescue Center in West Cornwall, CT. This project was started and coordinated by 6th graders. All K-6 students are helping to weigh seeds and make packets.
We hope you'll support this project by purchasing seeds using this order form:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HIjA85F3wo89vVkNkAv905Dx1u8C0ui53xk1bXSxfCw/edit
Cold Weather Clothing
As stated in our Student/Parent Handbook, we try to hold recess outdoors whenever possible. Students should wear appropriate clothing such as warm jackets or coats, hats, mittens/gloves and boots during cold and inclement weather. Students without boots must stay on the blacktop area as long as snow covers the playground.
Check Out These Links
Common Sense Media - This resource is designed to help families make informed choices for movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites, books, and music.
Chess Academy - Would you like to learn or improve your skills at the game of chess?
Google SmartyPins - Test your geography and American trivia.
Our World in Data - For those of you who like to see the world from a mathematical perspective...
Mount Everest in 3D - Ever wondered what climbing Mt. Everest would look like?
Pixelspace - Just how far apart are the celestial bodies in our solar system?
Flyers (attached)
Adult Open Gym - basketball
ASAP Celebration of Young Writers
Celebration of Young Writers submission form
CPR Training
Day Trippers
FNO February
Hip Hop Dance Party
JMS PTO Auction
Karate Flyer
Kids Play Family Fun Fair
Litchfield Jazz Camp Kids
Minds in Motion
Morris Public Library Museum Passes
Morris Public Library New Lego Challenge
Movie NIght
Pasta Dinner & Movie
Spring Soccer
TriTown Registration
Women & Girls Fund
Yoga 4 Kids