July 20, 2010

Dear Parents,

Wednesday, August 11, our first day of school is just three weeks away!  Throughout the summer, the staff has been making plans and preparations to make the 2010-2011 school year the best one ever for our students.

·         The school staff has received training in a variety of topics including science, technology, engineering and math.

·         We will continue to offer the 21^st Century Learning Communities after school program with classes in art, dance, violin, and fitness returning.  Academic tutoring will be offered to qualifying students.  For safety’s sake, keep your child’s after school schedule consistent.  Last minute changes create confusion.

·         The school facility has undergone deep cleaning and maintenance with the goal of making our classrooms healthy, pleasant places in which to learn.

·         We are pleased to announce that D’Laine Krogstad will be our sixth grade teacher this year.

Parent Involvement

Your partnership in educating your child is essential.  Please look for a monthly school calendar /menu that provides a detailed listing of daily school activities.  We hope that you will plan to be involved and help your child be prepared for each and every day.  Please call the school office for a copy the newsletter/menu if one does not come home with your child. 

We are looking for parents and members of the community to serve on the Site Council.  This group meets twice throughout the school year to review school programs and provide information to the Governing Board.  If you are interested in participating, please notify the school office. 

We are very excited about the new student accounting system that will begin at the start of the school year.  One new feature will enable parents to view their child’s grades on-line.  We will need your help in checking and updating student data sheets for accuracy during the transition.  Look for them on the first day of school.

Supplies

As you think about getting your children ready for school, please keep in mind that we furnish the basic school supplies each child needs.  This includes a reasonable supply of paper, pencils and art supplies.  If you would like to contribute to the classroom’s supply of basic materials, these items will be gratefully accepted.  Please turn them in to your child’s teacher: 

Kindergarten-third grade:

watercolor set with brush

one package of multi-colored construction paper

1 large eraser

4 glue sticks

1 box of tissue

1 ream of copy paper

Fourth-Eighth Grades:

1 package of wide-ruled notebook paper,

1 dozen # 2 pencils

1 watercolor set with brush

12 pack colored pencils,

1 package of ¼ inch ruled graph paper

1 package of dry erase markers

pencil top erasers

2 glue sticks

1 box of tissue

1 ream of copy paper

Food Service: 

If your family qualified for free or reduced lunches last year, the old application will still be active until September 23, 2010.  New forms will be sent home on the first day of school.  Please send these back in as soon as possible for processing so that there will be no interruption in qualifying.  We encourage you to apply for this program even if you have not qualified in the past.  Income guidelines have been changed.

Confidentiality is very important to us.  All students, regardless of their meal payment program, have a PIN number they enter when they receive their meals.

Meal prices are the same this year as last.  Lunch is $1.50 and extra milk is 30¢.  Breakfast is still only 50¢.  Reduced prices remain the same:  30¢ for breakfast and 40¢ for lunch.  Parents are encouraged to purchase meals in the largest quantity you can afford.  The food service computer system we are using establishes an account for each student and simplifies accounting. 

Keep the dress code in mind as you prepare your children for school.  Shorts, skirts and dresses must be mid-thigh, fingertip length or longer.  Shirts and tops must cover the midriff.  Underwear cannot be visible.  For safety’s sake, flip flops are no longer permitted.  Remember, clothing should not be a distraction to the learning process. 

Please review the immunization requirements from the Department of Health Services.  If your child needs to be immunized, they are available free of charge from an NVS clinic.  Call 928-684-9643 for details.

We are in the last week of our very exciting summer literacy program.  In cooperation with the 21^st Century Learning Communities program and the General Federated Woman’s Club-Morristown, over 60 area children have participated in academics, science, art and physical fitness activities this summer.  The students, with Miss Perry as program director, worked with teaching artist Marleejean Johnson, the Arizona Science Center and traveled to the Wickenburg pool twice weekly.  Miss Perry was assisted by Mrs. Ross, Mrs. Rodriguez, Mrs. Weber , Mrs. Gatliff, Ms. Quince, Mrs. Philippe and Mrs. Fisk who prepared lunches and snacks.  Several parent volunteers provided extra supervision on swimming days.

Bus schedules are being fine tuned as student enrollment is confirmed.  Parents should contact the office at 623-546-5100 during the week prior to school for up to date information about bus routes.

Your child’s AIMS or Stanford 10 report is included in this mailing.    Our goal is for all of our students to meet or exceed the state standards in all subject areas.  This year our school has been rated “Performing Plus” by the Arizona Department of Education.

We are pleased to welcome the new Parent Teacher Student Association Officers.

President:  James (JC) Campbell

Vice President:  Tony Welsh

Treasurer:  Arvilla Rothermel

Secretary:  D’Laine Krogstad

This group provides vital support to our students in the form of recognition for attendance, arts, science and promotions.  We look forward to Fall Fest, and their sponsorship of the Winter Program, Art Show and Artist in Residence.  The PTSA supports the eighth grade trips and special assemblies for all the students.  This is a hard working group of parents, staff and students.  We hope you can become involved too.

Mark your calendar for our Open House from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM on August 18.  Visit your child’s class and join the Parent-Teacher-Student Association.

Check our web page at: 

 www.our teacherspage.com/morristown for calendar information, menu, class web pages, and links to other informative sites.  From this web page you can also access quick links to teacher e-mail and PTSA calendar information.  This site is also available in Spanish by clicking on the Babel Fish link and while the translation may not be perfect, we hope you find it helpful.  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call the office at 623-546-5100.

Sincerely,

Lucille Thompson, Head Teacher