James Morris School
Weekly Newsletter, Vol. 5.10.18
A Message from Superintendant Chris Leone
Dear Region 6 Community,
I am excited to share that last evening the Region 6 Board of Education Budget for 2018-2019 was approved by an 85-6 vote.
This budget process began in December and included input and participation from community, parents, and school staff. There were meetings, town-tours, school visits, and a promise that together we will share a collective goal to move our district forward for our most important resource – the children of Region 6.
It is important to thank the Selectmen, Board Members, community members, residents, parents, students, along with school administrators, teachers, and staff. It was all of your time, late nights, emails, conversations, and vision, which helped create a budget and make the process a success. I truly believe you have established a process for the rest of the state to emulate.
As many know I am a baseball fan and in the game one can find many parallels to life. The season is a long one (162 games) and while you celebrate the teamwork and victory on a Monday, you don’t lose sight of the work that is left to accomplish.
There were nearly 100 people at WAMOGO last night and we will need everyone again as attention turns to the next three-town tour. This discussion will focus on 2019-2020 and how we address our declining enrollment and school grade configurations.
The schedule for the tour is as follows:
Tuesday, May 15, 2018 @ Warren School
10:00 – Parents
3:30 - Staff
6:00 – Parents (and students)
Wednesday, May 16, 2018 @ James Morris School
10:00 – Parents
3:30 - Staff
6:00 – Parents (and students)
Thursday, May 17, 2018 @ Goshen School
10:00 – Parents
3:30 - Staff
Friday, May 18, 2018 @ Goshen School
6:00 – Parents (and students)
I again send my thanks to the community for the support of the budget and look forward to the continued participation in the important work to follow on behalf of our students.
Best wishes,
Chris
Lincoln Online Oratory Project
Ford's Theatre Oratory Experience 2018
Drawing on Abraham Lincoln’s legacy and example as a powerful orator, JMS students, Mya Zontock and Justin Whipple, worked closely with Ford’s Theatre teaching artists and staff in Washington, DC, to learn the art and science behind compelling and effective public speaking. Justin shared his original speech, “Society’s Man-Made Crisis”, suggesting that Americans recycle to reduce waste. Mya’s speech, “Child Labor, An Unforgivable Mistake”, urged Americans to fight against child labor in other countries. Mya and Justin recited their speeches on the steps on the Lincoln Memorial and on the stage of Ford’s Theatre.
School Attire ("Dress Code")
The purpose of stressing appropriate clothing for students is to create an atmosphere at school that is conducive to learning. Students are expected to dress in a manner that will not interfere with instruction or endanger the well-being (physical, mental and emotional) of others and themselves.
Students who wear clothing that is deemed to be inappropriate for school or school-related activities may be subject to administrative action. Students who fail to comply with expectations concerning attire will be subject to school discipline in accordance with the Board's policy on student discipline. Administrative action may include, but is not limited to, the following:
• request of student to change clothing
• request of parent to bring to school a change of clothing for student
• removal of student from class
School administrators, at their discretion, may make changes to the list above.
Please Note:
When choosing shoes, consider the weather, as well as the activities of a typical school day.
Suggested shorts’ styles include cargo shorts, trouser shorts, soccer shorts, basketball shorts, Oxford shorts, Chino shorts, and Bermuda shorts. Short-shorts are not acceptable school attire.
All pants and shorts should fit snugly at the waist, with no exposed skin between pants/shorts and shirt.
Shirts with sleeves are recommended.
Undergarments, including bra straps and boxer shorts, should not be visible.
Hats are not permitted in school.
Oratory Through Dance
Giving Garden Maintenance
A Message from Mrs. Wright:
Over the next several weeks, JMS students will be readying the beds, sowing seeds and transplanting plants into the Giving Garden for this year’s growing season!
Through sustainable, organic practices the garden brings life-long, authentic learning into the lives of our students who work hard to collaboratively bring the garden to life. Throughout the summer, the delicious, nutritious produce is enjoyed by those in need at area soup kitchens and by families maintaining the garden. Upon arrival back to school in the fall, students enjoy the freshly picked produce and the JMS community is invited to join us at our Harvest Luncheon to enjoy the dishes each class freshly prepared.
The outreach, celebrations, and success of the garden would not be possible without the help of families maintaining the garden.
Our Giving Garden is in need of some TLC! Please review this document to see where help is needed.
We are seeking families to sign-up for one week. Consider sharing the week with another family! Please sign up here to help maintain the garden over the summer.
Celebrating Star Wars Day at JMS last week!
May the 4th be with you!
Social Media Safety
Yesterday's James Morris 4-H Club meeting. Members of the Doesy Doats 4-H Club came with goats to share their knowledge.
Creation Celebration and Empty Bowl Dinner
This year, Wamogo's annual Creation Celebration is combined with an Empty Bowl Dinner. The events, organized by the Wamogo Chapters of the National Honor Society & the National Art Honor Society, will run concurrently at Wamogo on Thursday, May 17th beginning at 5:30 pm, ending at 8:00 pm. Admission to Creation Celebration is free. Limited student artwork will be available for purchase to support Art Scholarships.
Join us for The Empty Bowl Dinner in the Wamogo cafeteria. Dinner includes Soups, Breads, & Beverages donated by local restaurants and businesses. It is $10 per person, $5 for children under 12. Unique bowls will be available for purchase as well. All proceeds from The Empty Bowl Dinner will go to FISH, Friendly Hands, and Torrington Area Soup Kitchen. Wamogo will also be a drop off point for non-perishable goods.
Upcoming Calendar Events
Tues., May 15th: 4th & 5th Grade Field Trip - The Lightning Thief
Wed., May 16th: Three-Town Tour w/ Chris Leone at JMS at 10AM & 6PM
Thurs., May 17th: Creation Celebration & Empty Bowl Dinner at Wamogo HS @ 5:30PM
Fri., May 18th: Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast @ JMS
Mon., May 21st-25th: Scholastic Book Fair @ JMS
Tues., May 22nd: District Spelling Bee at JMS @ 5:30PM
Thurs., May 24th: Oratory Through Dance Final Reh & Performance at JMS @ 2PM
Thurs., May 24th: CT State Police Presentation on Social Media Safety at WHS @ 5:00PM
Wed., May 30th: Arts Alive @ JMS
Tues., June 12th: 2018 Field Day @ JMS
Fri., June 15th: PreK End of Year Celebration @ JMS
Fri., June 22nd: Last Day of School for Students (as of today)
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