Weekly Newsletter
Dear Morris Families,
Welcome, March! As we step into a new month, our students continue to grow, learn, and embrace new challenges. This week’s newsletter includes important updates, upcoming events, and ways to stay involved.
As we approach the end of the term, please be aware of the following important dates:
- March 7th: Grades close.
- March 12th: Final grades will be entered into PowerSchool in preparation for report card printing on March 13th.
- March 14th: Report cards will be sent home with students.
If you have any questions regarding your child’s progress, please feel free to reach out to their teacher. Thank you for your continued support!
Breakfast Safety Reminder
For the safety of our students. Please do not have your child exit your vehicle in the morning for breakfast or before school clubs until Mrs. Pezze or another staff member cues them to do so.
Students who are eating breakfast may be dropped off at the front door at 8:10 AM. Please do not drop off your child before 8:30 if they are not eating breakfast.
National Reading Month!
March is National Reading Month and we are celebrating our love of reading in many ways at Morris throughout the month of March. Some activities that we have planned include community members reading to our classrooms to celebrate Read Across America Day, Fun Friday Reading Theme Days, Reading to Teddy, Reading Around the World and our Grade 5 ROAR Team member will be reading to students in PreK- second grade.
Fun Friday Reading Theme Days:
March 7th – Fox in Socks Day
Students and staff can wear mismatched or silly socks to school!
March 14th – Book Character Day (½ Day)
Students and staff are encouraged to dress up as their favorite book character. Classes will also have time to read with their buddy classrooms, and each student will receive a bookmark to color and decorate together.
March 21st – Llama Llama Pajama Day
Everyone can wear their coziest pajamas and bring a small blanket or towel. Teachers will schedule a 15–30 minute DEAR (Drop Everything and READ) Time to enjoy a good book together.
March 28th – Hats Off to Reading Day
Students and staff can wear their favorite hat as we wrap up our month-long reading celebration!
We encourage families to join in the excitement by reading together at home and talking about their favorite books. Thank you for helping us foster a love of reading in our school community!
Lenox Public Schools' Special Education Parent Advisory Council
On March 13 at 5:30 pm The Lenox Public Schools' Special Education Parent Advisory Council and the Federation for Children with Special Needs are excited to bring to you a training on Understanding the Massachusetts Individual Education Plan.(IEP) Just this past year the state revised the IEP for the first time in more than about 20 years. This presentation will delve into the Individual Education Program (IEP) document, its development, the breakdown of each section and understanding how the document will support a student. Flyer is attached to the email that includes the weekly newsletter.
School Attendance
We want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of regular school attendance. Currently, 17% of our student population has been absent for more than eight days, with many of these absences due to vacations taken during non-scheduled school breaks. While we understand that family time is valuable, frequent absences especially extended ones can have a significant impact on a child’s learning and overall success in school.
Consistent attendance helps students:
✅ Stay engaged in learning and keep up with their classmates
✅ Build strong academic habits that set them up for future success
✅ Develop important social connections with peers and teachers
When students miss school, even for a few days, they often find it challenging to catch up on missed lessons and classroom discussions. Additionally, research shows that chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of the school year) can negatively affect academic achievement and social-emotional development.
We appreciate your partnership in ensuring your child is present and ready to learn each day. If your family is facing challenges that impact school attendance, please reach out we are here to support you!
Behind Their Screens: What Teens Are Facing (And Adults Are Missing)
Behind Their Screens: What Teens Are Facing (And Adults Are Missing)
with Dr. Emily Weinstein and Dr. Carrie James
Tuesday, March 25 at 6:30 PM
Program Description:
Join us for an online event with Dr. Emily Weinstein and Dr. Carrie James, co-founders of the Center for Digital Thriving at Harvard Graduate School of Education and authors of the impactful book Behind Their Screens: What Teens Are Facing (And Adults Are Missing). Emily and Carrie will join us to share surprising insights from their latest research about teens and technology (particularly social media and GenAI), as well as practical strategies for parents, educators, and other caring adults. Their research has long emphasized young people's voices and diverse experiences, and they consider themselves critical optimists who are actively working toward a future where young people can thrive as they live with ever-changing technologies. This talk is perfect for parents and families of tweens and teens, other caregivers, educators, and anyone else working with youth from 12-18.
This virtual program is brought to you in partnership with Morrill Memorial Library (Norwood, MA). Registration is required to receive the Zoom link for this program. To register, please click HERE.
