Morley Nelson Community School

Oct. 11th - No School for Students

Oct. 16-17th - Parent Teacher Conferences

Oct. 17-18th - No School for Students

Oct. 22nd - Monster Mash Fundraiser and Family Event 5:30-7:30 PM

Oct. 25th - Friday Family Fun Day at Lunches (weather permitting)

Oct 28th - Families Hispanas Unidas Events at 11:00 AM

Nov. 1st - Friday Family Fun Day at Lunches (weather permitting)

We love our families and we want to welcome you to the school to enjoy some play time with no expectations beyond that. Have fun with your child(ren) at recess. We will bring out special games or you can play your child's favorites.

Kindergarten plays from 11:55-12:25

1st grade plays from 12:25-12:55

2nd grade plays from 12:55-1:25

3rd grade plays from 12:05-12:35

4th grade plays from 12:45-1:15

5th grade plays from 12:15-12:45

6th grade plays from 11:45-12:15

Please check in at the office with your ID and get a visitor's badge.

Every year our PTO hosts a fabulous event that is also their biggest fundraiser. This year it will be held on October 22nd from 5:30-7:30 PM. They are looking for volunteers to help, but also hope that you will come and enjoy with your family! See here for more information.

We are thankful for the family community that supports their children by getting them to school each and everyday. We appreciate your support during our morning arrivals. At this time we are asking that parents say their goodbyes near the ROC and not enter the blacktop area. Our recess staff will provide them any additional support they need in the morning. This will increase the safety and security of our campus.

School attendance is critical to student success - not just now, but it can also be an indicator of future success.

*Students that are chronically absent (missing 9 days in a semester) in preschool and kindergarten are 5 times more likely to continue that trend throughout their educational career.

*75% of students that are chronically absent in 6th grade dropout of high school.

*64% of students that attend school regularly (fewer than 9 absences per year) are proficient readers by the third grade. Only 17% of students that are chronically absent are reading proficiently by the third grade. *Reading proficiency in third grade is a critical milestone for long-term school success.

*Students that are not reading proficiently by the end of the third grade are four times more likely than their peers to drop out of school.

*On average, students that graduate from high school will make $250,000 more than a student that drops out. A student that goes on to college or trade school will make $1 million more than a student that drops out.

On the other hand, students who regularly attend school are:

*more connected with their teachers.

*have stronger relationships with their peers and develop skills to help them maintain friendships.

*perform better on state tests.

*perform better academically.

*stay in school.

*learn skills to maintain good jobs/careers.

*earn more money in their lifetime.

Every student is offered free breakfast and lunch at Morley Nelson. Please refrain from bringing in special food or lunch deliveries to students. These can cause a disruption to the school day, especially when they are not delivered on time.

Communication for Absences

• Calling in to the front office at 208-854-4610 to communicate absences is the best procedure. Although emailing your child's teacher is helpful and appreciated, direct communication with the front office is also best.

• Why? Receiving messages prior to the first bell ringing allows us to know why there is an absence; therefore, we won't need to call you.

• Although you may communicate with your child's teacher, sometimes teachers aren't able to get that message to the front office before making phone calls home or there may be a substitute in which they won't have access to those communications from you.

• Explaining the purpose of the absence also allows us to code the absence as is required. If there is no explanation of absence, then it is coded as being "unexcused" in Infinite Campus.

Communication for Early Pickup

• When unexpected events occur resulting in an early pick up, we appreciate you calling the office as soon as possible

• End of day early pickups--we ask that you contact the office prior to 3:00 allowing us time to communicate with the teachers and your children.

• It is very difficult for the office to take calls between 3:30-3:45 and communicate to teachers and students for after school pick ups that have been altered. This often results in students getting on a bus when they shouldn't or not taking the bus when they should.

• Families are encouraged to make arrangements to meet after school at a designated location. Please communicate these plans with your children before they leave for school.

Safety

• When visiting our school, review the protocol for entering the building
• To the right of the door is the panel to buzz into our school. All exits are locked and there is no access to the building from the outside.
• Once you push the button on the panel, step back to allow the front office to see you clearly.
• Once you are greeted, state your name and purpose for visiting the school. If you are picking up your child, we will have the student meet you outside. If you need to come inside, you will then hear the door click allowing you access inside the building.
• Go directly to the front desk where you will be officially checked in.
• If you visit Morley Nelson, you will be asked for your driver's license where it will be scanned through our Raptor System. Your visitor's badge will be printed out with your picture.
• Stay connected and update your contact information!
• In order for parents and guardians to receive important information regarding your student, we must have your correct phone number, address and email address on file.
• Please call the main office with any changes. 208-854-4610.

Bus App

Our Bus Company, Durham, has an amazing app called BusZone for parents to see the location of their student’s bus. Parents will have the next couple of weeks to transition to the new app. The current Durham Bus Tracker App will be deactivated after Feb 16th.

BusZone App

Today we are emailing BusZone information to parents through our bus routing software, which will link to an online parent user guide.

BusZone Parent User Guide

Contact Durham for any bus questions at 208-854-5230.