Weekly Newsletter

Dear Morris Families,

We made it through a chilly January! Happy February, the month of love, kindness, and new beginnings. 💕

Kindness Corridor Challenge!

Beginning this week, students who "catch" a Morris community member doing something kind, are able to write the gesture on a "Kindness Heart." We are going to work together to line the entire Morris main hallway with our hearts. The Morris community is challenged to complete this task over the next two weeks. Can we line the hallway by Valentine's Day?! We have no doubt that our hallway will be lined with positive notes of kindness being spread throughout our building.

World Read Aloud Day: Special Visitors on Wednesday, February 5th!

We’re thrilled to celebrate World Read Aloud Day on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, with some very special guests! Members of the LMMHS School Council will join us at Morris Elementary to read to our students.

World Read Aloud Day is a global event that highlights the joy of reading and the power of sharing stories. This celebration is a wonderful opportunity for students to connect with older peers who share their love for books and storytelling.

We look forward to a day filled with imagination, inspiration, and a shared love for reading. 📚✨

Celebrating Global Play Day This Friday!

This Friday, February 7th, we will celebrate Global Play Day! Students will spend the majority of the day engaged in play activities, fostering creativity, collaboration, and social skills.

Play is a vital part of a child's development, helping them learn how to communicate, problem-solve, and work together in fun and meaningful ways. We’re excited to provide this opportunity for our students to grow while having a great time.

National School Counseling Week 2025: “Helping Students Thrive”

February 3–7, we will celebrate National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). This special week highlights the vital role school counselors play in helping students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.

At Morris Elementary, we are grateful for the incredible work of Ms. Beth and Ms. Cherilyn. To show our appreciation, students will be creating thank-you cards for them during the week.

Let’s take a moment to recognize and thank our school counselors for all they do to support our students and school community!

School Committee Election
The next School Committee election is approaching, and there are four seats up for vote. If you're interested in running, please be aware that completed nomination papers must be returned to the Registrars for certification by Monday, March 17th at 5:00 p.m. Don't miss this opportunity to get involved in shaping the future of our schools!

Valentine's Day

As Valentine's Day grows closer. I wanted to remind families when purchasing Valentines Cards for your child's classroom, we do not allow Valentines with food or candy to be passed out. Several children have food allergies. Paper Valentines are best. Please reach out to me with any questions

Family Valentine Dance

LMMHS is once again planning the family Valentine dance at the LCC.

This year it will take place on Saturday, February 8 from 6:00-8:00 PM.

Tickets are $10 per person. We have a great DJ, unlimited use of a photo booth and a door prize. There will also be raffles and concessions available for $1.

We do not sell tickets at the door so interested families must RSVP in advance. There is a 200 person occupancy limit at the LCC so tickets are limited.

Please have interested families email me or click this link to RSVP.

Each year, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education releases a report card for every school and district in the state. Just as a student's report card provides insight into their progress, these school and district report cards help parents and community members understand how well a school is doing in various areas. They highlight strengths and identify areas that need improvement to ensure all students' needs are met.

Massachusetts values families and communities as vital partners in a school's success, so the report cards are designed to be easy to navigate and offer meaningful information.

To view the report card for Morris Elementary, click [here].

As part of our ongoing commitment to student safety, we want to inform you of an additional step in our background check process. To further ensure the safety of our students, anyone submitting a CORI request—including employees, volunteers, subcontractors, and others—must now also complete a DCF Background Check Form.

• As CORIs expire part of the new process will also be a DCF Background Check Form.
• All new CORI request will include a DCF Background check.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X5KItJ79L2DCTy5MFpm3ACjr8EAST3RHNkLxMRpWNPA/edit?usp=sharing

We are in need of as many cardboard boxes that you have lying around for Global Play Day! If you have boxes at home or know a local business that uses/has deliveries from cardboard boxes, please pass this along. Drop off for these boxes will by the gym entrance door on Thursday 2/6 from 3:30 - 4:30 where Mrs. Soules will meet you.

• 2/5 Winter Walk to School Day - meet at Lilac Park for 8:00 a.m.
• 2/11 PTO Meeting 6:30 p.m.
• 2/13 SEPAC Meeting at Morris School 5:30 p.m.
• 2/17 - 2/21 February Vacation - No School
• 3/7 Grades Close Trimester 2
• 3/13 SEPAC Meeting at Morris School 5:30 p.m.
• 3/14 Early Release 11:45 a.m.
• 4/1 Science Fair - Details Coming Soon
• 4/10 SEPAC Meeting at Morris School 5:30 p.m.
• 4/11 School Dance - Details Coming Soon
• 4/17 Morris Talent Show - Details Coming Soon
• 4/18 Early Release 11:45 a.m.
• 5/15 SEPAC Meeting at Morris School 5:30 p.m.
• 5/20 Parent Night for incoming Fifth Grade Families @ LMMHS 5:30 p.m.
• 5/21 Kindergarten Information Night for incoming K students
• 5/22 Art Show and Chorus Concert
• 6/3 Fourth and Fifth Grade Band Concert
• 6/5 Field Day - Rain date 6/6
• 6/10 Last Day of Kindergarten (May change based on snow days.)
• 6/16 Move up Ceremony Fifth Grade 1:30 p.m. (May change based on snow days.)
• 6/17 Last day of school. (May change based on snow days.)