Rocket Review
Week of September 21, 2018
Homecoming Weekend!
This week is Homecoming Week for Eisenhower High School and many other high schools around the area. Homecoming week always brings back memories of high school, good friends, time with family, traditions, and school spirit. There will be several groups from Morgan and other area elementary schools marching in the Eisenhower Homecoming parade Friday evening. Please note that 25 Mile will be closed from Shelby Road to Eisenhower High School for part of the evening Friday for the parade.
The first PTO meeting of the school year will be Monday, September 24, starting at 6:30 PM at the Hamlin Pub on 25/VanDyke. There is a new PTO board of directors this year who look forward to seeing lots of Morgan parents at the first meeting Monday night!
NWEA testing continues until mid-October. As students complete the testing, check with your child's teacher for results. Students in UCS complete NWEA testing three times a year to measure growth in reading, mathematics and science (grades 3-6).
Next week Morgan will host our annual Open House/Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 27, starting at 7 PM in the gymnasium. This is an ADULT ONLY event to learn more about the Morgan learning community and the curriculum your child will learn in their classroom this year. See you next Thursday!
Whether you attend the high school football game Friday night, visit an apple orchard, take a bike ride on the trails, or just walk the dog in the neighborhood, take your child with you and spend some time together. Time spent with you is much appreciated by your child, doesn't cost anything, and will make the best memories!
Have a great week!
Mrs. Lasky
Book Fair September 24-28
Pick some great books to start the year reading!
Morgan Open House
Curriculum Night
Curriculum Night is an ADULT ONLY event. We will host two 20-minute sessions in classrooms for teachers to review their grade level curriculum, procedures, and classroom routines with parents. We will switch between sessions for parents to visit a second classroom or visit our specialists teachers: Art, Music, Physical Education, Media Center, or our special education teachers: Mrs. Simmons, Mr. Coleman and Mrs. Nagy.
Open House will begin promptly at 7 PM. See you there!
Mark Your Calendar!
Calendar Dates
Friday, September 21: First Bagel Day
Eisenhower Homecoming Parade and Football game
Monday, September 24: PTO Meeting 6:30 PM at Hamlin Pub on 25/Van Dyke
Wednesday, September 26: Picture Day
Thursday, September 27: Open House, starting at 7 PM in the gymnasium
Book Fair: September 24-28. Schedule of class shopping times will be in next week's Rocket Review.
Friday, October 5: PTO Fall Festival
Transportation Reminders
Why is the bus late?
As UCS continues to seek qualified drivers, the Transportation Department will continue to double routes with other schools, which results in late drop off times. Bus 308 (340) will continue to be one of the late routes until further notice.
Thank you for your patience as UCS Transportation recruits and employs additional bus drivers so all available bus routes have a regular bus driver.
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.
Monday, September 24, starting at 6:30 PM
First Skate Night is Wednesday, October 3, from 6-8 PM
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