Morse Street School

1. Read with your child every day for at least 20 minutes.
2. Have your child read a favorite book to you repeatedly until your child becomes fluent and accurate.
3. Ask your child questions about their understanding of the book, chapter, or page. Sometimes it helps to ask questions at the end of the book or chapter, and sometimes it helps to pause while reading and ask your child to predict what they think might happen.
4. Vary the types of books you read together. Some children love books about science topics, others love to read fictional stories, and many love to read both. At school, students read both types. Practicing both at home helps children to be comfortable when asked to read fiction or non-fiction at school.

BUDGET FY13: FROM SHANNON WELSH, SUPERINTENDENT

It may be hard to believe but we are in the process of developing our budget for the 2012-2013 school year. The RSU5 Board of Directors established a goal to provide leadership for securing support for the district budget with a specific plan for explaining and defending the budget to the public. The Board held a series of public workshops over the past few months on topics with the potential for increased funding in next year’s budget. Topics have included technology, capital improvements, enrollments, use of time, and the Freeport High School Master Plan including fields and grounds.

The Board believes we must make every effort to help our communities understand their budget priorities. Meetings have been scheduled in early March to provide information to our parents, staff and community members. We invite you to attend any (or all) of the meetings below:

• Thursday, March 1, 2012 – Morse Street School Library 6:30 p.m.
• Monday, March 5, 2012 – Durham Community School Library 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 6, 2012 – Pownal Elementary School Art Room 6:30 p.m.
• Monday, March 12, 2012 – Freeport High School Library 6:30 p.m.

The budget process will formally begin on Tuesday, March 27th and Wednesday, March 28th with a detailed presentation of the proposed 2012-2013 budget. There will be numerous budget meetings during the process which ends in late May/early June with the Annual Budget Meeting and Referendum vote. We encourage you to be part of this important work.

CALENDAR SURVEY

Dear Parents, Students, Community Members and Staff,

The RSU5 Use of Time Advisory Committee has released two proposed calendar options for school year 2012-2013.  An electronic survey has been set up to invite your feedback on the proposed calendar.  This survey will remain active until March 5.  The Use of Time Advisory Committee will reconvene on March 7 to review your responses and comments, and make final recommendations to the RSU5  Board of Directors for next year’s calendar.  The address of the survey is: http://rsu5.org/node/1116

Thank you very much for your feedback,

Joe Makley, Curriculum Director for the Use of Time Advisory Committee
865-0928 x27

GROW HEALTHY – FROM THE WELLNESS TEAM

The Wellness Team periodically sends home information promoting student health and wellness. Attached is a sheet reviewing Winter Wellness information for your child and your family. Enjoy the February Vacation and winter activities!

A NOTE FROM MS SPIZZUOCO AND THE WELLNESS TEAM

Wendy Ulmer, author of the book A Isn’t for Fox An Isn’t Alphabet visited Morse Street School on Tuesday, February 7^th and Tuesday, February 14^th. Every preschool through second grade class spent a half hour with Wendy. Wendy explained how she came up with the ideas for her book. She talked about editing and how she needed to change some of the words in her book. She talked about rhythms and patterns in books. She shared some of the illustrator’s drawings. Wendy did rhyming activities with the preschool and kindergarten classes. She did some poetry writing with the first and second graders. The children were very excited to have a real author share ideas about some of the topics that we have been studying in reading workshop. Wendy graciously donated a copy of her alphabet book to our school library. We would like to give a BIG THANKS to the Morse Street PTC for sponsoring our author visit.

READ ACROSS AMERICA – FROM THE WELLNESS TEAM

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday and the National Education Association’s Read Across America, the Wellness Team is inviting guests to read a story to one or more classrooms. We would like to encourage Guest Readers to come dressed in character to support our study of character development in literacy. The date of our celebration is Thursday, March 8th. If needed a list of suggested stories will be provided. If you are interested in being a Guest Reader please email Sue Gorman at GormanS@rsu5.org or Kristy Capponi at Capponik@rsu5.org, or send in a note in your child’s home school folder. Class requests will be honored if possible. Join in on the nationwide celebration as teachers, parents, and community members demonstrate their dedication to life-long reading. Thank you for your support and participation!

IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2nd GRADE PARENTS!

• Tuesday, March 20 Mast Landing School, 2^nd grade parent meeting at 6:30pm
• Week of March 27 Visits to Mast Landing may be set up by calling Fran at 865-4561
• Weeks of April 2 and April 9 2^nd grade parents may visit Mast Landing. Visits should be scheduled with the office.
• April 27 Preference process closes.
• Mid June Parents will be notified about teacher and program.
• June 2^nd graders visit Mast Landing

MORSE STREET SCHOOL LOST AND FOUND

Morse Street School’s Lost and Found has been relocated to the hallway behind the gym. There are a number of items that are hanging on hooks and clotheslines. If you are missing any items please come by and check the Lost and Found. It is easy to search and very user friendly. The items will be available until the last Friday of February. Thanks to Linda Williams and staff for organizing the Lost and Found!

BOTTLE RETURN AT BOW STREET MARKET

Gather up all those bottles and cans from Superbowl Sunday and your Valentine Parties! Drop them off at Bow Street Market to their Bottle Return Program. For the month of February, the money earned from returnables will benefit Freeport High School Basketball. Thank you for support!